Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting R.L. LaFevers and hearing her speak about her books. For those of you who don’t know, Robin is the author of the Theodosia Throckmorton series and the Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist series, both of which are filled with fantasy and adventure. She is also a fellow Inkie and agency-mate, so I was thrilled to be able to meet her in person.
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ften at a book signing, the author might do a short reading, but Robin went in a different direction. She did a slide show of things that inspired her books (primarily Egyptian mythology). She also showed pictures of herself as a child, growing up with seven brothers in a household brimming with pets (including two bear cubs!!).
The audience was full of enthusiastic kids who were fully engaged in the slide show and Robin’s talk. They also asked great questions and were excited to hear about the upcoming books in both series. You could tell Robin has done lots of these types of events; she was calm and collected and a total pro.
After I left, I started thinking about the different types of book signings, readings, and other events I’ve attended. There are so many ways to approach them and I was wondering what makes them work. Asking questions and engaging with the audience always helps, as do pictures (especially of animals), but what else might make a book event memorable?
So I’m curious to hear about your experiences. What have been the most fun/interesting book events you’ve attended? Why were they so memorable? Are there things you think it’s best to avoid?
And since we’re talking about cute animal pictures, here’s one of a baby hippo that my husband sent me this morning:
- Categories: Enchanted Inkpot, Events, Random Fun
I had no idea hippos started out so tiny! It makes me want to know lots more about hippos.
I would post something substantive but all my brain can do right now is go “Eeeeeee! Baby hippo!”
(But I am glad you got to see Robin! Wish I could have been there!)
Cute baby! Awww. I’m interested to hear what other have to say about book signings too. I’ll be back!
I would think it’s similar to blogging – personal and entertaining. I think people want to leave feeling like they know you. And of course, hearing humorous things about the book – like all the red-lined editing pages.
Thanks for the book suggestions, Anna, I wasn’t familiar with them and they sounds great. I bet Robin was fun to hear!
Heather, I know! I have no idea how they go from so tiny to so enormous!
Ha, Deva, I think there’s a lesson to be learned here about posing questions and then distracting readers with adorable pictures.
Lydia, I’m afraid there might be more cooing over the baby than anything else, but it is pretty darn cute!
Laura, I love the idea that it’s like blogging. I think you’re right; it is about feeling like you’ve gotten a glimpse into that person’s personality and into the process behind their books
Kris, the books are a lot of fun. I just finished the first Nathaniel Fludd book this week and I was amazed by how much richness she was able to work into so few pages!
Sounds like a fabulous book signing!
And that hippo is just too cute. So adorable!
Oooh, you got to meet Robin. I LOVES reading her blogs. I have one of Theodosia included in my leaning tower of books.
I love it when writers talk about what spurred them to write their books.
I haven’t been to an author signing in awhile, but I’ve always loved hearing the author read her work. It’s fascinating to me. The word inflection and how the sentences sound in her voice are always interesting and different from when I read the same passage.
Too cute. Notice we all have to comment on the hippo first.
I’d be curious to hear what makes a good event as well. I really should try to attend more at least locally.
I love those book covers, but I am ignoring the content a little, since I am so far from book signings and bumming out right now about the snails pace my writing is stuck at.
Caroline, the signing was a lot of fun. I can’t get enough of that hippo. If they stayed tiny like that forever, I would definitely get one!
Karen, I love hearing authors read their work too. It’s so much fun to hear how the words are “supposed” to sound.
Lisa, I really can’t blame anyone for commenting on the adorable-ness of the hippo! I’ve been trying to attend more book events recently, and it’s been a lot of fun. It’s also significantly added to my TBR pile!
Jon, no worries. Just keep writing – you’ll get there!