Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Photo Tuesday - My Book 'Em Experience




If you are a reader, writer or author and you've never been to one of the Book 'Em Festivals, you need to check it out!

The Book ‘Em Foundation was founded by Officer (and author) Mark Kearney and author p.m. terrell. At the moment, events take place in three states and Mark is working to expand to two other locations. The Foundation's slogan is "Buy a book, stop a crook!"

This was my setup. We arrived at the school Friday evening after I'd spent a full day at two middle schools, instructing over 300 students how to create a character. (The response the next day from the students and teachers was rather overwhelming, too!) But I got my table all set Friday night so I'd be ready to go the next morning.





This is my setup AFTER I remembered I needed to make room for the DVD player! We played my book trailer on it all day long.







There were many awesome authors in attendance! Here is Kathy Erskine at her table.










Dirk Robertson has come from Scotland every year for this Book 'Em Festival!


In fact, he so loves the area, that he has now moved here!



Dirk is quite the character...




I have to tell you about this young lady!
I had a talk in the auditorium from 10-10:45 that morning, shortly after the doors opened. Chelsie and her mother came up to my table not long after I'd begun my talk. (It was on book publishing & promoting.) Chelsie was one of the students who'd participated in my characterization session and she really wanted to meet me in person. She and her mother wandered the tables for over thirty minutes and when they returned to my table, her mother said she needed to get Chelsie to her dance lesson. Chelsie said no, she was not leaving until I signed her book! So my husband told them to wait one minute and slipped into the auditorium, where I was wrapping up and taking questions, and announced that I had a fan who had to see me NOW! I was so touched she would go to so much trouble to talk with me in person. Hugs to you Chelsie! You made my day!



Another surprise came from author Judy Walter! She came over to my table and said she'd gone through my websites and HAD to get a couple of my books! Hey, authors don't go to buy other authors books at these events, so I was really honored she picked up two of mine!
(She writes about healthy living, so I did pick up her book, too! Plus a few others...)







This is Cindy, one of the two volunteers at the register.
She said they watch the books that come through there, and she'd seen SO many of my books come through, she HAD to have one!

Again, super-warm fuzzies for an author!








And finally, this is Bonnie Watson!

She's a talented illustrator and an author. (Bonnie designed the Book 'Em logo.) She has grown so bold over the years, and Bonnie is just a HOOT! So full of energy and life.

And yes, I am aware she gave me the rabbit ears!



All in all, this was the best Book 'Em I have ever attended and I can't wait for next year! The response from the students who enjoyed the characterization session was great, as so many came in Saturday to get one of my books. Got to chat with some old friends, like AJ Rodriguez, and really get to know new ones, like Pamela June Kimmell. Had a good turnout for my auditorium talk and sold a whole lotta books!

But it's the friendships I've made and the kids who were inspired that matter most!

21 comments:

Marvin D Wilson said...

What a GREAT and fun looking event! I loved your "setup" - cool!

The Old Silly

Jane Kennedy Sutton said...

Haven't heard of this festival but it sounds like a good one. I love the slogan. It certainly looks like you had a good time. Glad it was a successful event for you.

Unknown said...

It's so evident in this post what a great time this was! Your enthusiasm and excitement comes through in your words and is contagious!

Congratulations on such a successful event!

Linda Kage said...

wow. Sounds like a very successful experience. It would be amazing to have fans waiting on you like that. Congrats.

TerryLynnJohnson said...

Great looking setup! Thanks for sharing this news. Love the picts and the stories.

Mary Cunningham said...

Love the idea behind this festival. Contrats on such a great response at the school and the festival. Well deserved!

Mary

Missy B. said...

Looks like it was a success!! Thanks for sharing the pictures....you look so happy in all of them - good for you!! (BIG pat on the back) :)

Donna McDine said...

Diane:

Wow! The event sounds like it went terrific and you've added many memorable moments to your career.

Best wishes for your continued success,
Donna

Anonymous said...

How cool is this! I love your set up. Once I have my second book published I can do more than merely sitting at a table as a one-trick pony.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Thank you, everyone! If you ever have the opportunity to attend one of these events, GO!

And thank you, I've always worked hard to make my table setup colorful and inviting. Stephen, you CAN do it with just one book! Once you've displayed books, bookmarks, postcards, business cards, posters, maybe a press kit, sign up sheet, and a bowl of candy, the table will be pretty full. (And the holiday season is fun, because Christmas decorations can be added...)

And Donna, this is the reason I missed the last two days of the Muse Conference - we left on Thursday.

Helen said...

This sounds like such a fabulous idea. I'm so glad you had fun, made new friends, and had good sales!

Helen
Straight From Hel

laughingwolf said...

grats, ldw... i'll be poking my nose into this "book'em" thing, thx :)

Debbie's World of Books said...

Wow, this looks awesome! Love your table.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Thanks, Debbie - I try to make it colorful!

Mark Kearney said...

I'm so glad you made it back to Book 'Em. It's also great you were able to visit two schools like you did. Also, thanks so much for the help with setup Friday evening. I do hope you can return year after year.

Take care,

Mark

Creative Chronicler said...

Glad the event was such a great success for you! I had no doubts it would be. I keep telling you you're Spunkalicious!

Your stories & pictures make me want to go next year.

Allyn Evans said...

Always love your picture posts. And as typical...you gave me lots to think about. Taking notes for sure. :)

L. Diane Wolfe said...

CC, is Spunkalicious a new flavor? LOL

Allyn, I will keep up the Photo Tuesday posts.

And Mark!! Thanks so much for commenting! YOu know I will return for Book 'Em every single year. Would love to start one in this area - maybe next year's project. (This year has been a little nutty!)

L. Diane Wolfe said...

CC, is Spunkalicious a new flavor? LOL

Allyn, I will keep up the Photo Tuesday posts.

And Mark!! Thanks so much for commenting! YOu know I will return for Book 'Em every single year. Would love to start one in this area - maybe next year's project. (This year has been a little nutty!)

April said...

How delightfully wonderful!!! Thank you so much for sharing this experience! I loved the pictures and little stories with them.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Thank you, April. This event is near and dear to my heart. I love the people, the students, everything about it!