Reading for Life
As if Disney wasn't surreal enough... This week, 2000+ romance writers and authors will amass at the Swan & Dolphin Hotels in Orlando for the 2010 Romance Writers of America national conference. On Wednesday, the book fair -- free and open to the public -- will have dozens... nay, hundreds of authors signing their books in a fundraiser for literacy. To see a list of participating authors (really, I just couldn't count all the names; I mean, I can count that high, but I'm still busy packing) click here.
2010 "Readers for Life" Literacy Autographing
Wednesday, July 28, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Walt Disney World® Dolphin Resort
Pacific Exhibit Hall, in Orlando, Florida.
In the last twenty years, RWA has collected more than half a million dollars for literacy efforts. If you live in the area -- or have friends or family or fellow readers who read romance in any of its many permutations (especially paranormal romance, urban fantasy, SF romance, etc.!) -- we'd love to see you on Wednesday.
And now for my somewhat self-serving question: As a reader, what can an author do in person to tweak your interest? Have you ever met an author who immediately made you think "Ooh, I should try that book?" Was it a bookmark, a funny quip, a great pitch, or beautiful penmanship on the signature that caught your attention? Or maybe the heartbreaking tears of a lonely signing author won you over.
If you're an author or aspiring author, do you think face-to-face interactions deepen or cheapen the writer/reader relationship? Is it better to keep writers locked at their computers?