DAE In Pictures AND a Giveaway!

I love going to author events.  REALLY love it.  There is nothing like walking around between booths just absorbing the energy and excitement.  

While giant events like Book Bash and RT are exciting, there is something to be said for the smaller events.  There are certain perks that you get from attending an event with hundreds of readers, not thousands.

I went to the Denton Author Event with 27 loved authors this past weekend and had one of the best times ever.  And I've gone to a LOT of events.  

So what makes an event like DAE different, and arguably better than others?  The accessibility of the authors, of course!

For instance, it's probably not a surprise to those that know me that I roomed with Kathryn Perez.  She and I have become great friends.  But I also got to room with Sarah Dosher!  

Fun fact about Sarah...she is an essential oil FREAK.  Consequently, she smells like peppermint.  And therefore, I couldn't stop smelling her.  Just ask her.  (Now why don't I have a picture of all the madness???  Blogger fail!)

I drove into Denton on Friday afternoon and shortly after got to hang out with author Emily Hemmer (and others).  We discussed how she got started writing and how to find a good beta reader.  You know, all those topics that make that your husband and everyday friends stare blankly at you when you talk about it.  Not only was it so interesting to me, but during the event, she remembered me enough to teach me how to take a guaranteed great selfie.

Apparently the trick is to take a gazillion shots so you can pick your favorite.  I think we succeeded!

Friday night, I got to go to Leslie Fear's house for a bit, where I chatted up Leslie, her writing partner C.D. Hussey and Paige Weaver.  

Wow.  What an unexpected surprise!  And everyone was so kind and welcoming to a virtual stranger (and non author).

Later that night, I spent a couple hours sitting around chatting up MJ Fields.  Talk about random conversations!  But she was one of my favorite people to meet.  It helps that she brought a male model with her who a) likes to take selfies with people and b) is a triplet. TRIPLET!  

Can't wait to get to know MJ better!

My friend Tami told me I just HAD to meet Fisher Amelie.  So I made it a point to go to her table and chat for a while.  

Not only was she super nice to me, but I was privileged to watch as a boy with autism, who is arguably her biggest fan, met her for the first time.  It was one of the most precious things I have ever seen.  Fisher was kind and engaging with him.  Gave him a t-shirt and a copy of her books.  And just spent time giving him her undivided attention.  

You can't get THAT with thousands upon thousands of other readers around.

The entire weekend was such a fun time, that I just have to give some stuff away.  

Did you catch that?  Let me say it again...

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

One lucky winner will get a package that includes a signed copy of "Finding Cinderella" by Colleen Hoover, a copy of the "Maybe Someday" soundtrack by Griffin Peterson (not signed) and some bookmarks signed by Fisher Amelie.  

Just pick two of the authors that you haven't followed below and "like" their Facebook page. The links are as follows:

Sarah Dosher - https://www.facebook.com/authorsarahdosher
Kathryn Perez - https://www.facebook.com/KathrynVancePerez
Emily Hemmer - https://www.facebook.com/emilyhemmerauthor
Leslie Fear - https://www.facebook.com/author.leslie.fear
C.D. Hussey - https://www.facebook.com/pages/CD-Hussey/229054990442307
Paige Weaver - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorPaigeWeaver
MJ Fields - https://www.facebook.com/mj.fields.31?fref=ts
Fisher Amelie - https://www.facebook.com/fisheramelie

Then come back here and comment on which pages you "liked" and which off these authors you have read.  The winner will be chosen by Random.org on Wednesday.

So thank you to everyone who attended the Denton Author Event and especially to the Indie Bookshelf for putting it together.  Beth Rustenhaven did an AMAZING JOB organizing everything.  Just look at all these happy faces!

I can't wait until next year!