Women’s Expo wrap up …

• Posted in About Books, On Writing, Photographs & Memories

dscn0510.JPGSo, I’m finally recovered from the Women’s Expo last weekend, held in Kingsport, Tenn., and thought I’d share some thoughts and photographs. Events included a meet-the-authors dinner Friday night and even more authors signing throughout the day on Saturday.

I think I sold at least 20 books on Saturday, maybe a few more. It was so crazy, it was hard to keep track. Here I am with Barry Eisler, author of the John Rain assassin series. Barry was one of the big names at the expo, and he was really fun to talk to.

One of the best parts about doing events like this is getting to meet other authors. I also got to chat with Shirley Damsgaard, who writes witch-themed mysteries for Avon. A very witty and funny lady.

dscn0507.JPGAnother great thing about these sorts of events is getting to meet other readers. Because authors are always readers first. At least, I am. Krista, left, is a nurse manager who drove in from Nashville for the event. We talked about Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark Hunter series and other books we’d read. 

I also got to meet Chasity, who comments on my blog sometimes. She came down from the Pound, Va. area for the expo. Both ladies picked up advance copies of Hot Mama, which I hope they will enjoy. Several other local folks also stopped by and said hi to me on Saturday during the actual book signing.

dscn0506.JPGSpeaking of Hot Mama, here it is, along with Karma Girl at a table during the Friday night dinner. Hot Mama officially comes out on Nov. 6, so get ready to  order, read, and enjoy.

The expo is a yearly event, held the third weekend in October. The organizers, the wonderful Sharon and Lydia, are already making plans for next year. They’re trying to get romance author Nora Roberts to come for the 2008 event and fantasy writer Jim Butcher in 2009. Fingers crossed!

What about you? Who would you like to see at an event like the expo? Inquiring minds want to know …

6 Responses to “Women’s Expo wrap up …”

  1. Chasity says:

    It was great to meet you on Saturday. After the expo I told my hubby that I was going to be a book signing “groupie” for lack of a better term. He said I should beg and grovel to convience you that you need an assistant to tag along with you to these events, and that I should be said assistant. 😀

    Now on to the good stuff: Hot Mama kicked major ass. I literally could not put it down. Fiera was not my favorite character during Karma Girl, but she completely won me over. She’s spunky and all fire-y. I giggled every time Lulu threw in one of her fire comments. And I must say, I now look at kitchen floors in a whole new light.

    Excellent book, I can’t wait for the next. Is it September yet?

  2. Edie says:

    I agree with Chastity. You did a fabulous job with Fiera. :joe:

    I’d love to see Nora. She was at the Wisconsin RWA conference once, but that was before I was a member and I missed her. It sounds like you had a great time and sold a lot of books. Awesome.

  3. Jennifer Estep says:

    Chasity — Groupie/assistant? That would be cool. 😎 Unfortunately, I don’t have the mula to afford an assistant.

    My significant other keeps asking when I’m going to make it big, become his sugar mama, and keep him up in the style to which he could become accustomed. I keep telling him the 10th of Never.

    But if you ever see me out at a store, come say hi. Most of the time I’m just sitting there by myself. If nobody’s in the store, two hours can be a looong time.

    And I’m so glad you enjoyed Hot Mama! Yeah! :cup: Unfortunately, it’s not September, but the first chaper of JINX is posted on the Books page. Go check it out.

    Edie — Thanks. :bub:

    Nora would be cool, although I imagine she’d get mobbed by fans all weekend. They’d have to give her a seperate booth!

    I’d love to see Donald Westlake come to town. He’s a really great crime writer. He does funny with his Dortmunder novels, and then he does really great thrillers with his Parker series (written under the name Richard Stark).

  4. Chasity says:

    The 10th of Never, I like that. I’ll have to remember that one.

    I’m pretty sure when Gary mentioned the assistant deal, he realized there would be no pay involved. More like him signing over his paycheck to me so I can purchase plenty of books 🙂

  6. Chasity says:

    Nope, never heard it. It has just the right amount of smart-assness to it. I’ll be using it regularly now.

    Well yeah, he does that already, he just doesn’t have a clue what I spend his money on. 😀

Back to Top