This weekend was a big one for the Playfriends. Our local RWA chapter, Heart of Dixie, hosted its 13th annual Romance Readers Luncheon. I can’t tell you how proud I am to be associated with this event, which has grown over the past few years to over 150 attendees annually and 26 author hostesses. Every year, I meet such enthusiastic romance readers and the authors are gracious and fun. There is nothing like being in a room with that many people who enjoy your same interests and enthusiasm.
Each Playfriend has a job while we’re there, because we simply can’t sit back and not do anything. :) Instigator and Problem Child hostess author tables and sign their books. I’m in charge of the raffle basket committee, and as our Chapter’s Events Coordinator, Smarty Pants has a hand in most of it from Day One. Playground Monitor often is assigned a job, but I’m most impressed by her ability to chat with attendees and never meet a stranger, which makes so many people feel at home. Inspiring for an introvert like me! The Luncheon Coordinator, Kathy Bone (who often comments here), does a spectacular job with everything, down to the smallest details. Personal, thorough service is a special gift of hers, and she makes attendees feel special from the moment they call for information.
On top of all this, I get to spend a day and a half with my fellow chapter members as we prepare for the event and wine and dine the night before (because what gathering is complete without margaritas?). They’re my favorite people in the world outside of family, and we get to talk books and writing to our hearts’ content. Fabulous!
Okay, enough with how awesome our weekend was. :) Each attendee at our luncheon receives a goodie bag with books and promotional items sent from authors all over the world. I’m often humbled by the generosity of these authors, who not only donate items but pay to ship them to us, so that our attendees can be introduced to their books. In regular Luncheon tradition, I’m going to gift one of my commenters today with a goodie bag of their own, with books and promotional items I’ve put together. All you have to do is tell me about a time you met an author who inspired you, or the name of the author you’d most like to meet!
Happy Reading!
Angel
21 comments:
Oh, my friend Trish Milburn went and had fun!
I'd love to meet Charlaine Harris. I'm devouring Sookie Stackhouse books now and LOVE them!
I haven't had the opportunity to meet any authors.
I'd love to meet Jill Shalvis. I've been reading her books for years and years.. She has a wicked sense of humor and heroes to die for. Her blog his filled with her family her incidents,stumbles and laughter!
I wasn't always at ease talking with strangers. It's a skill I work on constantly.
I've met Janet Evanovich briefly enough to get my picture taken with her and to gush, "I'm a Morelli cupcake." I'd love to sit down over coffee and chat.
It was a terrific luncheon!
With all of the published authors that live (or have lived) on St. Simons Island the only ones that I have met is Bob Scheiffer (the TV news analyst and author.) I would loved to have met Eugenia Price, but by the time I moved here she had gone into seclusion. I did briefly meet her companion (and author) Joyce Blackburn who wrote a series of children's books and the biography of Gen. James Oglethorpe. Haven't met any Romance writers though. I'll have to visit Huntsville and meet all of the Play Friends.
Your Playground Monitor was outgoing as a toddler. Once when we were shopping in Charlotte, NC she spotted Johnny, the Phillip Morris Bellboy and ran up to him (having recognized him from TV) and said, "My Daddy smokes Pall Malls!" I tried to keep a straight face.
Ahem, Mother. You met Elizabeth Sinclair when you joined us for lunch in St. Augustine. I don't think she writes romance -- probably considered women's fiction -- but you told me you met Tina McElroy Ansa.
And yes, you definitely need to meet the Playfriends.
Oh, dear! My "remeberer" isn't broken, but my "recaller" is.
Sounds like you had an awesome time!
Wow, this is a tough question because there are so many authors I would love to meet in person. But I think it would have to be Meg Cabot. She's had such a great career and I'd love to pick her brain about writing in different genres.
Margay
It was fun, wasn't it. A bit tiring, though...
I was able to briefly meet some of my favorite authors (Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Meg Cabot, Jennifer Crusie) a few years ago at the RWA conference in Atlanta...it was so exciting!! I really hope the conference returns to Atl soon, because now that I've started reading Harlequin Presents, there are so many more authors whom I'd love to meet (Kimberly Lang, Jane Porter, Jennie Lucas, Kate Hewitt, Natalie Anderson, Lynn Raye Harris, India Grey, Abby Green, among others)!
A non-romance author I'd really love to speak to is JK Rowling. I'm still amazed by her creativity and her ability to write books that appeal to such a broad audience!
love to meet lesile kelly
love her boooks and her family she is a funny lady and vicki thompson my first blaze book was hers
kim h
sounds so mcuh there
I haven't met any authors but it would be wonderful to meet and talk to Jacqueline Winspear. I have read all of her books.
I'd like to meet Jack Higgins.
I neither have had the chance to meet an author (sigh). There are soooo many to chose from. I'll say Suzanne McMinn because her daily blog is such a great place and she must be too.
~sends smooches to Denise and wishes I had some way to influence the drawing~
Sorry I missed the luncheon; sounds like it was fun.
I've always wanted to meet Stephen King. Something about the way he writes intrigues me.
I would love to meet Julie Garwood someday.
I'm hoping to come next year. Missed out this year helping out some of the flood victims in Nashville.
I would love to meet Jill Shalvis. She cracks me up on her blog and I've loved her books for years.
Sounds like y'all had an awesome weekend.
I'm so sorry I've been AWOL today, ladies!!! Unfortunately, I came home from the luncheon and promptly started running a fever. Not good, but I'm finally starting to feel better tonight. Here's hoping my fever is gone by tomorrow.
Angel
I'm late -- still recovering from luncheonitis (combined with a raging case of deadlineitis!), but what a treat to see Denise's comment! :)
Thank you so much, Denise! I look forward to meeting you one day!
Hugs, Angel, on the fever. :(
any winner
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