One of the most gratifying things about being an author is meeting someone who loves your books. There’s nothing like the feeling of someone sending you a message or coming to you excitedly with a copy of your work and saying, ‘I really loved this! Thanks so much for writing it! When’s your next book out?’
I was fortunate to see this happen to a fellow author this week. On Thursday evening I went to an event at my favourite bookstore, Little Gnome. The event was called ‘Wynnum UpLate’. Most shops in Wynnum (a suburb in Brisbane) close in the evenings, but they’ve now started to open them every once in a while, advertising ahead of time so the locals will know when it’s happening. Four other authors also attended, and we were happy to see that the footpaths around Little Gnome were reasonably busy, and had many good conversations with passers-by and with each other.
Diana Hockley was the author whose table was closest to mine. She writes crime stories set in Queensland. While we were chatting to various people, Diana got into a conversation with an interested reader. This woman, on looking at Diana’s books, frowned and said, ‘I think I’ve read this one.’
‘Really?’ said Diana.
‘Yes,’ said the woman, her eyes lighting up. ‘I loved it! Do these others follow the same story?’
So ensued a conversation that ended up in at least one sale for Diana, who was delighted to hear directly from a person who had already read one of her books and adored it, to such an extent that she was eager to get the follow up stories.
These are the kind of moments we authors love, especially those of us who are unknown. To have someone we don’t know, with eyes shining, tell us how much they love our books is something that keeps us going amidst the hard slog of being a new author, and all the visits, promo giveaways and begging bookstores to hold signings.
So if you’re a reader, reach out to your favourite author and let them know how much their writing means to you. It will help them to keep going.
Are you an author? What’s your favourite fan encounter story? Are you a reader? Have you ever met an author whose books you adore? Let me know in the comments section at the bottom of the page.
Hi Lynne. It is a wonderful experience to find out that people like your work. Not long after my first book ‘Halfway to Justice’ was released, I was browsing in the local bookstore at Westfields West Lakes in SA. I knew the manager of the store as she had attended the launch of the book and I officially met her that night. She recognised me at the launch having been a long time customer in the store. A lady came in and while paying for her newspaper and some other purchases picked up the teaser of my book and started to talk to the manager about it. She said she should buy the book because she knew Ken (whose story I wrote about in the book). The manager winked at me and told her that she knew the writer quite well and would get the book signed for her if she purchased it. The lady said she didn’t know when she could get back to pick it up as she was just visiting and would be leaving the next day for home which was now interstate. The manager said that she would get the book signed straight away as I was in the store and she pointed to me. She was so surprised and delighted and immediately purchased the book. I asked her to let me know what she thought of the book after she read it and she did email me. Chance encounters are quite special.
They certainly are. Thanks for sharing your story, Lesley. 🙂
That’s a great story Lynne. I had one of the people who won a giveaway on Like a Girl blog tour (the book she won was Another Time Another Place) and she later emailed to say how much she enjoyed the anthology (AND she posted a review). It put a smile on my face.
It’s nice when they do both! 🙂
A great post, Lynne, and so very true. It happens occasionally to me and I get a real buzz. I love it when people like my stories, and it’s especially nice when they want more! 🙂 Well done to you, and to Diane Hockley, and of course, Little Gnome Bookstore.
Yes, it was a great night. 🙂