Conversations With Kav – Author Meet and Greets

We have something special coming up this week and it got me thinking about authors and book signings and conferences and all that great ‘seeing an author out in the wild’ stuff that never happens way up here where I live. But I know many of you have met authors at various events and I thought it would be super fun to hear some of your stories. That way I can live vicariously through your author meet-ups! It’ll be the next best thing to actually being there! So won’t you indulge me, please? 🙂

Oh — and that something special? I’m featuring a new author’s debut book on Tuesday. I haven’t even read it yet (waiting for the paperback to come out here in Canada) but I was so excited when Mark contacted me about his niece, Stephanie Sanders, publishing her first book in December. He’s as proud as proud can be (and rightfully so) and “Hooked” is even endorsed by Colleen Coble! How cool is that? So now I’m all fangirling over authors in general and left with a craving for all the author meet stories you can send my way! Please share. Please. Please. Please. 🙂

39 thoughts on “Conversations With Kav – Author Meet and Greets”

  1. We don’t get that many meet and greets here. Tosca Lee who live in this state does a meet and greet about once every three years in this city and I did get to meet her. Sweetest person you could ever meet and I love her books. I’ve met a few other authors in other cities some are nice and some are not.

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    1. That’s so neat that you got to meet Tosca Lee and she lived up to your expectations. I wonder if the authors who seem not so nice (I’ve heard stories!) are true introverts and just don’t present well when they are in the spotlight like that? I’ve often wondered about that. Happy Reading, Kim!

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      1. They could be. Some authors only go out in public to promote their book that’s just been released and usually only do small book stores. I think Tosca was so wonderful because she’s a former beauty queen so she has alot more experience with the public.

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  2. Happy Sunday, Kav! Not many meet & greets here either. TI Lowe was nearby recently at Mardel Christian store & I would’ve loved to meet her, but was super dizzy that day. Carrie Fancett Pagels has been to my home from VA three times & we’ve been out to lunch at least twice. And talk on the phone quite often. I’ve talked to author Sarah Price on the phone (she put off her writing to teach school) and Carrie Turansky called me when I was blogging & we had a nice long chat. Sweet, Christian ladies . . . all!

    And yes! Stephanie Sanders’ debut book, Hooked, sounds intriguing! I pre-ordered the ebook which releases Dec 2! Colleen Coble has some great books set in The Outer Banks, which is where Hooked is set!

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    1. How could I forget Brandilyn Collins? We’ve talked & prayed together on the phone numerous times! She’s beautiful (as we all know), kind, compassionate, & has a great sense of humor!

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      1. Whoaaaaa! I need to sit down my head is swimming over your up close and personal interactions with authors! Just the casual, oh, yeah talked with her on the phone, had lunch with….aaaaaahhhhhhh! I knew you lived in an area where authors tend to gather but I had no idea you were the magnetic force drawing them in! Bwahahaha! And I wondered what happened to Sarah Price…thanks for the inside scoop. Happy Reading, Diane!

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      2. Magnetic force drawing them in? Bwahahaha is right! I wish! 😂 My head is swimming over Jolene’s face to face author meet & greets! But phone calls are great, too. And lunch. lol

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  3. I’ve never met a Christian fiction author, but it could happen since Christy Barritt, Randy Singer and Carrie Fancett Pagels all live in towns within a 30 mile radius of me. Toni Shiloh lives about 170 miles farther north. I just don’t hear about any book signings or appearances much anymore.

    I’m looking forward to Stephanie Sanders book on Tuesday. (It’s set in the Outer Banks of NC an hour from me and it’s on KU, double points!) Mark has been talking about it on Avid Readers of Christian Fiction Facebook group. In fact, that was where I first saw him ask for advice for her about how to get published. Colleen Coble responded and offered to read a bit of her book and advise her, then went on to endorse her. How exciting would that be to have her endorsement on your cover?! And all because her Uncle Mark was involved with other CF readers! So cool!

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      1. The Outer Banks is a popular location for suspense novels for some reason! And look at you surrounded by all that creative talent! Love how open and supportive Colleen Coble was to Stephanie Sanders. She’s a special lady for sure, never mind exceptional author. Happy Reading, Tracey!

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      2. Kav, I was given a code by Mark to find Stephanie’s book on Goodreads. I typed code in yesterday & the book title came up. I’m so glad you were able to find it today!

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    2. Uncle Mark is definitely proud & who can blame him? I saw his announcement for his niece’s debut on Avid as well & he told me he’d have to change his review for Amz bc on Goodreads he mentions they’re related. And we all know that’s a no no for Amz reviews!! lol

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  4. Like you, there aren’t any author events down where I live either. I have attended ONE author event in 2019. We traveled 675 miles to Shipshewana, IN to meet several Amish authors. It was our one vacation that year. We had been to Shipshewana before and were anxious to go back. Getting to meet so many of the Amish authors whose books I’d read plus meeting some I hadn’t, but wanted to, was amazing. It was an event that went from Friday through Sunday morning. There were several events arranged for everyone, including a meal in an Amish home, and time enough for you to do things on your own. We loved driving the countryside and getting some cool photos and going to the tractor show where we got to see how the Amish farm, their way to bale hay and even a tractor pull. Enjoyed the different author talks through the day on Saturday. Through the authors talks we got to learn more about them – what led them to write, what they write about, do their research, writing style, and some of their books. Through this event, I made some great friendships with some of the authors and became fans of some I’d not read yet at the time. Getting a goodie bag with several free books was an added bonus. We loved it! My only regret was not being able to stay at the event motel, which didn’t allow our furbaby. We would go to another, but they are either too far away or at a time that conflicts with our schedule (usually my medical appoints).

    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. Eeeeepppp!!!! I love all this delicious detail! Thank you so much for sharing, Kay. I imagine the combination of actually being in Amish country while attending a function featuring Amish fiction authors must have been so impactful! I’m glad you got to make so many good memories on the trip. That’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for sure. Happy Reading, Kay!

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  5. I went to the Justread Rendezvous in 2024 and it was fabulous! I met Dani Pettrey who lives about 1.5 hours away. (She said she would be happy to visit our book club if it read one of her books!) I sat next to Becky Wade and Crystal Caudill (not at the same time b/c the authors swapped to different tables throughout the event). I met Sara Brunsvold. My book club had just read The Divine Proverb of Streusel, and I was able to share how we all brought dishes representing our heritage and shared a fabulous meal. She was so kind and humble, a favorite, for sure! I collected lots of author signatures and came home with a small suitcase load of new books to read. It was great.

    I didn’t get to go to the Rendezvous they had this year, but I highly recommend the event!

    Jolene

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    2. “came home with a small suitcase load of new books to read.” Of course you did. Bwahahahaha! I’ve heard of Justread Rendezvous, but didn’t have a grasp of what it was all about so thanks for the description. I’m kind swooning over your close encounters with some of my favourite authors! I wonder how nerve-racking it was for the authors to circulate like that? Kind of have to be ‘on’ all night. I’m sure it was just as thrilling for them to meet their fans as it was for you all to be able to take with them. And your book club needs to read a Dani Pettrey novel now for sure! How gracious of her to offer to travel an hour and a half to attend your book club! I bet Sara Brunsvold was touched at the way your book club celebrated her novel with your heritage dishes! Thanks so much for sharing, Jolene! Happy Reading!

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  6. Well, since you mentioned it… I went to a reading by local poet Kimberly Vargas Agnese, who published her debut collection with Green Writers Press. Kimberly’s book was also endorsed by multiple poet laureates, including two at the national level. I highly recommend her book, Kadupul Flower.

    Also, I live with this poet, who is my mom 😉

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    1. Ohhhhh, this is so exciting! I just requested my library to order a copy of Kadupul Flower. And attending a poetry reading is a whole different kind of bookish delight. I used to host poetry cafes in my school library where students poets read their work to family and friends and student waiters/waitresses served tea and treats. Some of my fondest memories of that school! They were always open to my out of the box ideas. And I guess you’re the person we look to for insights into what it’s really like in the day to day life of a creative writer! Thanks for sharing, Stephanie!

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      1. Thank you so much, Kav!! I really appreciate you requesting the title!! 🙂 🙂 my mom’s reading was so awesome. She did so well!
        Your poetry cafes sound delightful! It’s so neat that you also “employed” the students as waiters. So sweet! I’m so glad you implemented programs like these to make your students feel at home while expressing their creativity!

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  7. I have not been to a meet and greet or a book signing but have had a near miss.
    Janine Roche was taking a Route 66 road trip after her book The Road Before Us came out. She was on Facebook and said she was just north of my town . I texted her and told her of several little free libraries in town and a Route 66 museum inside the local library. She left books in the little free libraries but the museum was closed because of a holiday. I was unable to meet her.
    My friend at church just wrote a book, which I read and reviewed. She had a book signing last week but I didn’t get to go.
    paulamarys49ATgmailDOTcom

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  8. I’ve been to a few book/ author events and book signings and it is one of my favorite things! I am fortunate to live close to Baker Book House and all of the events I’ve gone to have been there. The first event I became aware of was a daylong event with multiple authors, followed by a book signing that evening. I was only able to attend the book signing portion, but that was so much fun! I met and had books autographed by Pepper Basham, Bethany Turner, Dani Pettrey, Amanda Dykes, and Kimberley Woodhouse. They were all awesome.

    A second similar event was held this past summer and I was able to attend the whole day and signings that evening. The authors did several fun panels and activities/games that highlighted their recent books. I met Toni Shiloh, Shelley Shepard Gray, Jill Kemerer, Deborah Raney, Erica Vetsch, Janine Rosche, Amanda Barratt, and (Bethany Turner again). AND I had a small group lunch with Deborah and Erica, which was so fun! They were all so nice!

    I’ve also gone to author presentations and signings by Lynn Austin, Naomi Stephens (The Burning of Rosemont Abbey), and Katherine Reay. I know Lynn Austin lives in the area so I’m hoping she’ll do another event for her next book.

    If anyone lives close enough to attend a Baker event I would highly recommend going. And of course the store itself is a wonderful experience, so many Christian fiction and nonfiction books! I’m looking forward to their next one!

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    1. I’ve heard about those Baker Book House events! Thud! I think I’d need to pack a defibrillator! I can only imagine what the store looks like and I believe that have used books too. I would need to hire a moving van if visited BBH! And what a lineup of authors you have met! I’m gobsmacked! I can’t even….slinking off to stick my head in a snowbank to cool down. 🙂 Happy Reading, Sandy!

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  10. I met Virginia Wise, Amish writer, at a library recently. She said she lives very close to me, but VW is her pen name so I can’t find her home without her real name. I won her book, and she featured me on her Facebook page. This was earlier this year. She is a very nice lady.

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    1. Oooohhhh, that is so exciting! I’ve only read one of her books – might have been her debut and now I see that she has written a whole lot more! Yay for your library bringing her in for an event. Happy Reading, Jackie!

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  11. As a writer myself, I have lots of connections to authors (fiction and nonfiction) and feel like I’ve met most of them, but many of them I’ve only met online 🙂 But I have met plenty of writers/authors/editors/industry professionals, etc, through writers conferences and the writers group I attend in Tulsa. Yes, I travel 75 miles (one way!) every month to go to my writers group and have been doing that for years 🙂 I don’t want to start mentioning names because I would surely not include someone I should 🙂 And many are names you wouldn’t recognize anyway because there are lots of small-time authors out there, but they are still indeed authors 🙂

    I haven’t been lucky enough to meet my favorite authors in person yet. Would love to go to one of the events at Baker Book House, but I live in KS 🙂 Also a Rendezvous event or other author meet-up would be so much fun, but I am a caregiver and can’t travel much. I love that we have the opportunity to meet people through Zoom now though.

    As a nonfiction author, I’m not as exciting to meet as our favorite fiction authors 🙂 but I did have a neat experience a couple of weeks ago. I participated in a big arts/crafts fair in Tulsa (signing and selling my books) and when it was over, I just had to go by the big Target store there to see if I could spot my Christmas for the Heart book. (Yes, it is in select Targets! Approx 100 -160 locations.) I didn’t have high hopes of finding it, but sure enough it was there on an endcap! Far side of the aisle, but still an endcap! 🙂

    I was so excited I had to include someone in my excitement, of course, so grabbed (well, not literally, lol) a young sales guy walking by and pointed to the book and told him it was mine. Of course, I did this in a very animated fashion 🙂 He couldn’t believe it! He called over another guy and they were both floored that someone who had a book on their shelves was standing right there. One got called away to work — imagine that! lol — but I chatted with the other one a little longer and when I said I needed to go and started walking away, he hollered after me, “Nice to meet you!!” 🙂 Made my day! 🙂

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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    1. Writing Conferences are a whole other level of writer event — you get to learn from them and friendship with them. 🙂 That’s a long way to go for a writers group but all that travelled has paid off since you have two books published! Eeepp! One more week before I start Christmas for the Heart!

      Good point about Zoom meetings. And there are more author interviews on Youtube which is another great way to get to know an author.

      Bwahahaha! I’m sure you are exciting to meet, Cheryl! I would be excited to meet you! Woohoo for spotting your book displayed on an endcap at Target! It must be such a thrill to see your book out in the wild like that. A pinch-me-can-this-be-real kind of moment! And I love that the store clerks were bowled over at meeting a real life author! You probably made their day too! Happy Reading (and Writing), Cheryl!

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      1. I would be excited to meet you too, Kav! 🙂 I haven’t gotten to attend all that many writers conferences (maybe 8-10 over a couple of decades or more) but have so enjoyed the ones I’ve made it to. And of course since I’m not a fiction writer, I haven’t attended ACFW where so many of our fav authors could possibly also be attending. Wouldn’t that be fun! 🙂

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  12. My very first author book signing was off site at a bakery in San Antonio during ACFW.  I met Becky Wade, Natalie Walters (she had just released her debut), Lynn Gentry, Courtney Walsh, Katie Ganshert, Abigail Wilson, and Jen Turano.  I think that was in 2017? Everyone was so friendly and engaging!  Abigail Wilson is a local author and she and Natalie Walters have both visited my book club in person.  I also met Natalie Walters in Waco, along with Abigail Wilson at the Silos at Magnolia (Chip & Joanna Gaine’s  claim to fame.) I also met Natalie Walters in San Marcos once.  My most recent was Becky Wade and Danni Pettrey at a lovely Christian bookstore in Bastrop.  Our book club leader was able to schedule a Zoom meeting for our book club with Danni Pettrey.  I never had anything but warm and welcoming author meet and greets!

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    1. A bakery sounds like the perfect author/reader meet-cute! 🙂 And wow, what a powerhouse group! Were you overwhelmed? I think I would have been intimidated! And you are quite the veteran here! You’ve lived one of my bibliophile dreams – to attend a fiction book club that actually features the kind of books I read AND to have an author attend one of those book clubs meetings! Thud!!!!! Thrilled that you have had so many wonderful experiences! Happy Reading, Perrianne!

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      1. I was not overwhelmed or intimidated!  Everyone was so warm and welcoming, it was like being with a bunch of friends.

        Unfortunately, our book club does not feel like ALL of the books have to be Christian fiction, even though I’ve tried to convince her that there’s tons of fantastic CF out there.  😔

        And we’ve had TWO in person author visits…Natalie Walters and Abigail Wilson!  Lots of fun!!!!

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  13. I’ve had the privilege of meeting lots of authors at a couple of CFRR retreats I went to a few years ago. At the first one I was at a lunch table with Courtney Walsh, Becky Wade, and Katie Ganshert. I met many of my favorite authors there. Jen Turano, Conni Cossette, Mary Connealy, Roseanna White, Laura Frantz, Carrie Turansky, Melissa Tagg, Toni Shiloh, Cathy Gohlke, Susie Finkbeiner, Susan Anne Mason, Rachel Hauck, Pepper Basham, Bethany Turner, Kimberley Woodhouse, and so many more! I could list at least a dozen more that I met there. I had lunch a couple of times with Jen Turano, and she’s just as hilarious and fun in person. It was such a treat to meet them and talk to them and hear about their books. They were all just so sweet and kind. I was talking to Cathy Gohlke about her book, The Medallion, that she was going to release soon. I asked her if she had a launch team, because I’d started reading/reviewing for authors. She said she didn’t, but she had one ARC copy of it left and I could have it. She’s such a sweetheart, and I love her books!

    It was also fun to meet Carrie Schmidt (of Reading is My SuperPower fame) who was one of the founders of the Christian Fiction Reader Retreat. She also does the JustRead Tours. She’s a good friend now, and we found out at the last retreat that we’re cousins! Kind of distant–I think 8th, if I remember right, but, hey! I’ll take it! She’s so amazing!

    I also live about 5 miles from RaeAnne Thayne and have met her a few times. She doesn’t write Christian fiction, but I’d say it’s probably “clean and wholesome.” My sister used to babysit her oldest daughter before RaeAnne started writing books. I think she’s written probably close to a hundred books now. Deborah Hathaway lives about 5 miles the opposite direction from me. I haven’t met her in person yet, but I’ve read several of her books.

    whthomas13 at yahoo dot com

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    1. Ouch! That was my jaw hitting my desk as I read that long list of author meets! I’m gobsmacked, Winnie! And Carrie Schmidt is right up there with all those authors for sure. She’s done such brilliant work for the world of Christian Fiction. I’ve read one RaeAnne Thayne book — Christmas at Shelter Inn and iI really enjoyed it. Must check my library for some more of her Christmas books. Seems like she releases one every year. Thanks for sharing all your bookish exploits, Winnie. Happy Reading!

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