Once again, it’s the Julie show for today’s blog. I had a guest blogger, I really did, but things happened as they do…and here I am again.
But luckily, I have the absolute PERFECT topic for today.
This afternoon, I’m going to a booksigning. The incomparable Kresley Cole and Gena Showalter are coming to town, and if that’s not a reason to get a babysitter, then I don’t know what is. They’re appearing at the Brandon Town Center Books-A-Million at 4pm until 6pm.
Please pass that information along to anyone you know who lives in the area. That’s Tampa, St. Pete, Lakeland, Zephyrhills, Plant City, Clearwater…heck, even Orlando if they’re big fans. (It’s about an hour’s drive.)
I’m looking forward not only because Gena and Kresley promise to answer any and all publishing questions–from the scintillating to the scandalous–but because supporting my friends is an important part of this business.
Oftentimes, people think networking is just making acquaintances with a lot of people in your same industry. And at the very core, it is that. But to me, it’s often been more. Writers are a very strange bunch. Very few people in the world truly understand what we do, how our minds work, what goals we have, what achievements are real and hard-won. In fact, the only people who really understand are other writers. Connecting with people like Gena and Kresley, whose careers have intersected with mine at various times in our lives (Kresley lived close by once and joined my local chapter, where we sat beside each other at one of her first booksignings and Gena and I were part of the “Naughty Girls of Downtown Press” promotion several years ago and got a chance to travel around Texas together), fills up my well.
This well is the place where writers store their creativity, as well as their perseverance. At least, that’s where I store mine. When the business gets hard (and let’s be honest, it’s hard 99.99% of the time), it is from that well that I extract the energy to keep going.
Writing is a solitary pursuit. Even if you’re working with a writing partner, the words that come from your fingertips onto the keyboard are yours and yours alone. The characters that haunted your dream last night did not appear to anyone else–they are speaking only to you. For readers (as I hope some of you are also reading today’s post) reading is also solitary, but in a more communal way, if that’s possible. As you read a book, your mind is conjuring up the images that give life to the words on the page. You alone. Maybe you have friends who understand how magical that is–and I hope you cherish them, because friends who read books with you to me, are the greatest friends of all.
I write this post to encourage aspiring writers to get to know their local booksellers, if you have one in the area. Be on their mailing list or contact sheet if an author is coming in for a signing. Go to the signing, especially if the author writes in the same genre as you (romance, specifically…subgenre shouldn’t really matter too much because authors jump around all the time.) Buy a book! Talk to the author. Introduce yourself. You never know when or if you will run into that author again sometime down the road.
The first published author I met was Virginia Henley. I was just thinking about possibly, maybe, writing a romance novel when I learned that she and a lot of romance authors were making a book tour stop in St. Petersburg. I wasn’t familiar with the area or the store, but I went. I had read her books, but I bought her new one and had her sign it for me. I mentioned that I was thinking about writing and she gave me encouragement. I didn’t forget that.
Years later…years, mind you…she moved to the area and joined my local RWA chapter! I remembered meeting her and she (so she says!) remembers meeting me. When I sold my first book to Harlequin, it was Virginia who sat me down and gave me a strong talking to in regards to the Harlequin contract. This happened, btw, at another booksigning that I attended to support my local published authors. Her advice changed how I negotiated the contract. I’ll never be able to thank her for her blunt honesty.
So, aspiring writers…NETWORK! Do what you have to in order to get out of your little corner of the world to meet authors who have achieved your dream. Make connections. You never know when they will be important–and quite frankly, most of the time, they are simply good for the soul.
If you post a comment, you’re eligible to win a SIGNED copy of DEEP KISS OF WINTER by Gena and Kresley. It won’t be personalized, but I’ll get it signed this afternoon and mail it out on Monday!
And remember, tell any Florida friends you might have!
By all reports, Julie Leto was a sweet child once, somewhat shy, preferring to play quietly in her room making up stories. However, being raised with three brothers in a loud, primarily Italian household did have its influences and Julie discovered her inner tough girl. That’s probably why most of her heroines kick serious butt. Writing sassy heroines has worked out, as she’s sold over forty books to four publishers featuring strong, confident women. Julie lives in Florida with her daughter, a spoiled dachshund, a haughty lynx-point Siamese and a wide range of relatives all within driving distance.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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I try to go to book signings in my area. I’m an aspiring author and love to “talk shop” with writers who have made it to publication.
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Networking is totally important…just getting to know authors is important :)
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Have fun at your booksigning. Glad I stopped in. Would love to win a copy of this book.
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They were in Memphis yesterday, but I couldn’t take off work to drive over for the signing. I love going to book signings, and know Gena & Kresley will have lots of people there today. Wish I was closer, but hopefully both will be in Nashville next summer.
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Well, I’m not a writer but that sounds like good advice!!! I’ve never been to a signing, always thought they would be really crowded, and I HATE crowds!! Now I’m wondering who would I brave the crowds to see??? Have fun at the signing!!
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I am sooooo lucky! Gena’s one of the OK-RWA Outlaws. She is a trip! Enjoy the signing, Julie! I’m off to the OKRWA meeting, speaking of…
And speaking of…You Plotmonkeys and the other authors who hand out here need to enter your 2009 books in the National Readers Choice Awards! Here’s the info: http://www.okrwa.com/nrca.htm Why am I pimping? Because I’ll get to present the award to you at RWA-Nashville if you win! How awesome for me! Just sayin’!
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What a great post for aspiring writers. Have fun at the booksigning.
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Great post. Enjoy your day.
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I have never been to a book signing but I think I would love to go. I can’t say I get into big crouds but I believe I could get into one of these. If there was a book sighing in my area I think I would go. I have been hearing a lot about this book so please count me in on this.
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I’m not close to Florida but it sounds like fun
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Ah to be at the sunny, open Brandon Town Center. I’m in Seattle where it’s pouring this morning.
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Supporting your friends is always great advice. Have fun at the book signing.
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Julie have a wonderful time today. I would love
To win this book to get a taste of Kresley`s style
And I do like Gina. I am a reader who loves her books.
Being retired I live a pretty solitary life and I love that books
Take me away. Thank you authors.
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Oh, Julie how lucky you are!!! Living abroad has really limited my networking. I long to be able to go to book signings or belong to a RWA chapter. That is just not going to happen though. IT is very true when you state that writing is a solitary job. So that is why I visit the plot monkeys. You guys make everyone feel so welcome. The special guests you provide your readers with almost every Saturday is heaven sent. Really!!! Keep up the great job gals
Enjoy your trip Julie and have a blast
~Talina
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Hi Julie!
I think networking is very important. It has opened my eyes up to a new world. 
To make connection to get closer to your dreams is wonderful.
I thrive on warm weather and sunshine! To be able to attend a booksigning would be fantastic! 
I don’t find many of them around here which is so sad. 
Have fun at your booksigning! Would you like to have a refugee from Missouri?
Please have a wonderful day for you and me!
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I have never gone to a book signing… sounds really interesting! Enjoy!!!
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Sounds like a great day. Have fun.
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I recently signed up on Gena’s blogsite and even entered her (with Harlequin) Intertwined contest. I was lucky enough to win copy of her YA Intertwined.
Granddaughter Ashley and I are going to enjoy reading this book!
Enjoy the book signing!
Pat Cochran
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Have a great day at the signing!
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I love Kresley Cole and Gena Showalter! I would love to win this!
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Have fun at the signing!
Gena and Kresley are two of my favs and I would love to win this!
Thanks for the cool contest!
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Have fun at the signing Julie. Take pictures so you can share with all of us. I can’t wait to see Leslie at Nora’s signing…. =o)
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Hi everyone. Sorry I’m so late checking in. My chapter had a mini-conference today with Shirley Jump and agent Laura Bradford of the Bradford Agency. It was a really great day. Shirley is a fabulous speaker and teacher.
Carly, Sandy gave me your message. I was so sorry I couldn’t be on-line that night. This past week has been totally crazy. And bless your sweet heart you said I was going to be a great writer.
You’re such a sweetie. Thank you for saying that. It makes me want to keep writing. 
Take care and hope your weekend is ma’velous, simply ma’velous,
Cher
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I have yet to be able to go to a conference or book-signings in my area, but I really love networking online. I really enjoy connecting with readers and writers online and I have learned a lot in my journey from both of them.
Margay
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Have fun at your booksigning and have a great weekend. Would love to win this book.
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Julie I’ve never been to a book signing, but can’t wait to go to my first I’m in the Spring Hill Fl area we don’t have a bookstore :*&#!: I wish I could of made it today but it was just too late for me
I can’t wait to make my first Tampa chapter meeting. The one thing that I can say is I have never read Kresley or Gena’s work so I have two new authors to look at. That is another thing I love about Saturdays I get lots of useful info.
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Wow, I’m always a day late and a dollar short….I’ve never been to a book signing!! I love Showalter and Cole – my addictions – I have all their work except for this newest release. I would gladly have driven to the Tampa area to see them – I should have come by earlier
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I hope you had a great day today at the signing!!
No one ever comes to my little corner of the world. Maybe I should check into the Raleigh bookstores and see about getting on their lists. I bet there are some that stop in Raleigh while they’re going up and down the coast. Thanks for the suggestion!!!
Happy weekend, everyone!
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I hope the book signing went great! I wish I could have been there, but I’m way down in south Florida (Ft. Lauderdale).
Thanks for the contest!
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I’ve never met an author, which is mainly because none come to my little town. But if I ever got the chance, I’d be there! And your so lucky! Those are two of my favorite authors! Hope you had fun!
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The only author signing I have been to is C.J. Box. My brother in law loves his books and I went to get his birthday present signed. I would love for some of the authors that I love to come somewhere close to me and I would gladly and very excitedly go.
Have a great time!!!
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I wish I could meet Kresley Cole and Gena Showalter. I enjoyed their books very much too bad that they never come to CT or NY area.
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Have fun! I’m always up for finding new authors to read!
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A book signing sounds like a lot of fun. Unfortunately, we don’t get very many around here. Have fun, and a great weekend!
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I love meeting authors, in person and online. Without exception, the ones I’ve met have been gracious, interesting people. Gives me the warm fuzzies thinking about it.
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Talk about making the deadline….Count me in please.
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I want to go for a signing but they never bring anyone cool
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I would love to meet either one of them I just love their books, but where I live we only have one small bookstore, and no one ever comes here.
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Lucky! I love Kresley Cole’s books! I hope I win! :-D
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Oooo so jealous you got to go, Julie! I saw a number of tweets about it and wished I lived remotely close.
As for networking – it’s incredibly important – sometimes easy, but oftentimes so hard to do.
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sorry I got here late hope you had a great time
Donna
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I agree that book signings are a great way to get out there and meeet your readers!
I haven’t read any of Gena’s books. I did enjoy 2 of Kresley’s historicals.