Authorpalooza is a local get together, formed several years back by a group of local writers. This is an event held at various locations to promote the authors and their books. The authors come together and sign books for their fans, so it’s a kind of mass book signing.
Authorpalooza is an excellent place to meet great writers. Yesterday, I attended Authorpalooza for the third or fourth time. This one was hosted by Barnes and Noble in Orem, Utah. It wasn’t as large as some of the others I’ve been to in the past but I was able to sit with Kim (Williams-Justesen) and hang out with some of the other authors, so it was a good time.
I am not the most outgoing type, so I really don’t talk to many people at these events. I often wonder if the other writers wonder what I’m doing there; if they think perhaps I am some sort strange, silent personal assistant to Kim… or maybe they think I’m her bodyguard! lol. That would be cool. Either way, the writer’s are all very polite to me and I am always pretty excited to see them. I just like to go because I am thrilled to be doing anything writing-related.
At yesterday’s Authorpalooza, we sat next to Dene Low, author of Petronella Saves Nearly Everyone: The Entomological Tales of Augustus T. Percival, and Berin Stephens, author of The Dragon War Relic series. Also present were G.G. Vandagriff, Jessica Day George, Frank Cole, Aubrey Mace, McKenzie Wagner, Wendy Paul, Tres Prier Hatch, Kristen Chandler, Tom Forest, Nichole Giles, Cindy Beck, Alicia Buck, Karey White, Attorney General Mark Shurtleff and Joy Spraycar. Later, Dan Wells, author of I Am Not a Serial Killer, I Don’t Want to Kill You and Mr. Monster also came later on.
I am always a little astounded by how many local authors we have here. At this particular Authorpalooza, I didn’t see many of the other writers I’ve met in the past, so I’m sure there are dozens and dozens of them around these parts. It’s good for me to go to these events because it keeps my passion flaring and most important of all, it reminds me that dreams come true. I look forward to many more such events.
jsascribes 