I’m sorry this is a bit late, but, gosh I still haven’t completely unpacked! 😇👿 In my defense, I’ll be traveling to Deadwood in a few short weeks, so I probably won’t completely unpacked.
That being said, if you ever get the opportunity to attend an author/reader event, the Barbara Vey Reader Appreciation Weekend is the one you need to attend. Why? Gosh, let me go over the itinerary!
Friday – 3 bingo sessions, an Author Q&A and a cocktail party followed by Romance Jeopardy.
Right, so we began at 10:00 a.m. with our first Bingo session. I’m excited to say that my fellow authors, Stacey Joy Netzel, Samantha Grace, Regina Kyle and Lauren Dane co-sponsored this Bingo session with me and we had fun. As a bit of an introvert, it was good for me to meet readers in the morning and have some time to get to know some of them. But, we played several games of Bingo, gave away some great prizes and had fun.
Box lunch was served and readers ate at their tables and get ready for the next session.
The second and third sessions began soon after. For the second session, Stacey and I had a couple of errands to run so we missed that one, but we were back in time to play Bingo for the third session.
Barbara sponsors an author dinner for us on Friday night, so we hustled off to have dinner, then we went into the Ballroom for the Author Q&A. Now, I’d like to say (I’ve said it before, but I’m saying it again) that most of us authors hate this part of the weekend. We go up on stage, alphabetically, and pick a random question from a bowl and have to answer it. Some of us (me), are more introverted and sorry readers, but you never get my best at this session, it’s just not who I am. Give me something to prepare ahead of time and I’ve probably got a great story for it, but not like this. But, the readers enjoy it, so I’m afraid it will continue on as is. 😖
After the Q&A we have a cocktail party so we can chat and meet readers for an hour and then Romance Jeopardy began. Teams of 20 people each were created and, let me tell you, there are a ton of romance readers who know their stuff in attendance.
Saturday – Luncheon, Book Signing, Pizza Party and MadLibs.
So, us authors are in the Ballroom by 7:00 a.m. to start decorating our tables. This little table decoration thing has turned into “table wars” and there are some tremendously talented authors in attendance. Such gorgeous tables and the room just sparkles with color, glitter, fun things and gifts.
Yes, gifts. Each author brings gifts for their table mates. It varies and usually are things that pertain to our books or a specific book. My table mates received a Kindle Fire; 2 roses; a signed book – Missing the Point, my newest release; a signed Adult Coloring Book, Shaded with Love, coloring for a cause (all proceeds went to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital); a word search book Stacey and I published; custom shower gel, lip gloss, a Kentucky Derby glass filled with candy; a Keeneland Book; a black boot with succulents in it and a Kentucky Derby hat, customized by yours truly. Just take a look at these hats. I think my table mates had fun, I know I did.
During the luncheon, in groups of 20, the authors go up front and give away a basket of goodies to a lucky winner. Everyone leaves with something. Plus, before the luncheon, each reader is given a book bag filled with books and swag from authors from all over the world. Poor readers have their hands full when they leave the luncheon. Oh, and the food was excellent.
After the luncheon, us authors leave to set up for the book signing and the readers stay and gift baskets donated by readers, area businesses and authors are given away. So many prizes.
Then book signing begins and I have to say, I was so happy this year with how everything was set up, the check out went smooth, the readers are so interested and willing to chat with us and I met a lot of people at the signing. Simply fantastic.
Next on to the Pizza Party for a bite, a glass of wine and then Madlibs. Now, first we did some Charades, which is fun, but I didn’t get up on stage to do them (see Author Q&A!). But I surely enjoyed trying to guess what they were doing. Then we did the Madlibs and these are so darn fun. We had a great time and I was even Queen for one round! A girl loves a crown!
Sunday we packed our bags, then went downstairs to decorate our tables for breakfast and the readers came in to eat with us. I had a great time eating breakfast with Lori, Melissa, Karen, Lesley, Stormy and Cindy. But, all too soon it was time to leave. We said our good-byes and left Milwaukee, tired but so happy and far richer for the experience.