As an introvert, I was surprised to find one of my favorite things about being an author is in-person events. Because y’all are seriously so fun to meet and connect with. Here are just a few encounters I’ve had in my year of being published:
I don’t know what it is, but kids are always interested in my table. I need kids books.
A girl around 6 years old wanted my psychopathic murderer book. Her mom told her when she got older she’d be able to read a book that big. Skipped right over the whole scary murderous part, just said she needed to work her way up to bigger books. #parentinggoals, am I right?
I told the girl she could take a collectors card instead, and she picked up Cami’s BFF, a real safe choice.
She looked disappointed and said “I want something scary.” Sooooo, I grabbed Villains 1&2 instead for her, and her face lit up.
Like I said, I need kids book lol. Maybe with a little scary.
Another kid, this time a young teen, marched straight up to my booth and quickly spilled out: “I like writing stories and I wanna know what my options are, and my teachers say a journalist, but what are my options?”
It was so cool to tell him that yes, he can be an author if he wants. He can be a journalist if he wants. And besides that, every company in the world pretty much needs writers, for every website and social media post and brochure and email you see. If there’s a company you love, they’re probably in need of a writer.
Related: If you’re wondering what your options are for being a grownup professional writer – Lots!
This summer at an event, a lady was looking for someone to room with to save money. Probably not looking for a murder author, but it didn’t occur to me at the time. So, we coordinated plans and met there, and everything went well. Until…. she volunteered to work at the event’s bookstore…
Later that day, she confronted me: “You wrote a book from the perspective of a MURDERER?! I’m sharing a room with you, and you didn’t tell me?!” Haha, she was totally joking – or she played it off that way so she wouldn’t anger a suspected murderous author I suppose – and we had a grand time.
But now I know, I should probably disclose that info in every interaction. “Hi, my name is Amy, and I wrote a book from the perspective of a psychopathic murderer.” Feel safer now, don’t you? 😉
And finally, best quotes from encounters with readers:
I love murder… mystery! I should finish that sentence!
a person at my booth
We’re a family of murder.
a whole family checking out my book together
(I’m not sure what that means, but mostly, I’m not sure I wanna find out, for plausible deniability and all)
Hmm, this one’s Cami’s BFF. I don’t know, Cami sounds sketchy. I’m gonna keep my eye out for her.
A person picking up a collector’s card of Cami’s BFF from my book
Now I know who not to make mad. You know how to kill and get rid of the body.
A person walking past my booth, upon seeing my book title
How about you? Have you had any intriguing or humorous encounters with authors or with readers? Share below 🙂
And next year, it’s time for us to meet at an event, mmk?
That’s awesome lol