there’s something special about a book that you get when you’ve gone and met the author, they’ve signed it and you can tell the story to your family, friends and fellow book nerds.

yes, meeting authors face to face can sometimes be a great way to learn more about your favs, or get to know new ones that you wouldn’t have experienced otherwise. that second one is what i’ve discovered over the past few years in my journey remembering that libraries were not only a thing, but they still exist!

i discovered authors like sally hepworth and lisa ireland this way, and more recently maya linell and rania battany. rural and small town romances were never something i found particularly drawing, but now i not only own a few copies, but i am genuinely excited to open my reading experience to them!

while i haven’t yet read the books i got signed while i went to the author talks at the library, what i can do is share the experience of what some of these look like, so you can go to your local one and see who’s on the docket to come and share their love of books and writing stories with you!

I’ve found a few different types of author talks in the past, most commonly the book club setting, and the talk from the front of the room while taking questions afterwards. personally, i have appeared at a library in an author talk and i chose the latter, but the former (book club) was actually really fun to attend!

while some of these appearances occur during a work day, others are on saturdays and thursdays – and yes, most of them seem to appear on better weather months. the book club types are such a fun community to jump into. even though i had never been to any previous groups, the ladies who were present were so nice and inclusive for the outsider (and one who seemed to be a little different in age groups). the author gets to be less formal and enjoys some really nice conversations and questions.

while that can feel homey, you can also get the question and answer type events. the author often shares about their writing journey, or even specific journey with a particular book or new release that is interesting. you get to learn about them and the stories they love to tell, which can be contagious (hence me walking away with rural romances i never thought i’d read). these two aren’t the only formats, but while authors coming and talking to people at big conference or other event type spaces can be good, these library ones are often more intimate and personal, carry more connection and are a great time all around!

i can’t wait to get reading, and certainly treasure the additions to my personally signed copy library with my new editions!

have you got a signed copy of a book that you love? who signed it for you?

See You in the Adventures!
Christy Grace