For readers, the event started with a Q & A session Friday evening at the hosting hotel. Nearly three hundred readers arrived to listen to their favorite authors and find new ones. Even the bestselling authors Jason Mott, Eloisa James, Kristin Higgins, Sharon Sala and keynote speaker Tess Gerritsen weren’t immune from the randomly drawn questions. Each author stepped carefully to the microphone in trepidation of what question they would be asked.
Most were quite typical, and fun, and the authors answered with humor, honesty and a few very interesting tidbits from their personal world.
Following the Q&A, the Wisconsin Chapter of the Romance Writers of America hosted a book signing featuring their members, as well as a cocktail party. Readers could rub elbows with their favorite authors, while enjoying a drink and hors d’oeuvres.
On Saturday readers were able to purchase raffle tickets for amazing baskets created by the authors. At around one-hundred baskets, it was difficult to to choose. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the raffle benefited the American Cancer Society, and the event raised just over — $10,000!
The authors then conducted what has been dubbed — “Table Wars”. Each author treated those readers seated at their
table to fan-tab-ulous goodies. There were sixty-one authors at the event and each one was beautiful, unique and extremely creative. If there were a contest for best table, it would have been a sixty-one way tie.
Bestselling author Tess Gerritsen was this year’s keynote speaker and what a speaker she was. The author of over thirty novels, including the wildly successful Rizzoli and Isles series, which is has been made into a popular series on the TNT network.
She spoke about finding her voice, and her ideas and suggested in her subtle sense of humor, that writers ‘subscribe to the National Enquirer.’ Ms. Gerritsen explained that many of her ideas come from unconventional places such as the morgue or her fascination with all things Egyptian, or her background as a medical doctor. This is one accomplished woman, who is amazingly down to Earth and very approachable to her fans.
The goodie bags each reader received were heavy with amazing swag from authors. Each bag contained eleven paperback books, and thirteen free ebooks! Readers – if you can only attend one booksigning / author event, make it this one. You will not be disappointed.
TABLE WARS!!
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