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!