Review: DRIVE by Stephanie Fournet
I have loved everything I’ve read from Stephanie Fournet, and DRIVE did not disa[...]
Image Credit: Nina @ Nina Reads
It’s already day 3 of Armchair BEA! How has your experience been so far? I hope you’re having a great time! If you’re new here, and missed my introduction interview post, you can check it out here.
Today’s discussion topic is to share “real life” experiences with books. This is such a fun topic! I’ve been fortunate to be able to attend several book events in the past year, and meet up with some fabulous people. I love my online peeps, and feed my Twitter addiction daily, but I’m a social person and like to get out and meet like minded people!
I started reaching out in my community by stalking my local bookstores for author events. In the fall of 2011, I attended the Pen Fatale Tour, and author readings/signings by Garth Stein and Laini Taylor (click links to go to recap posts). This past winter (2012) I went to readings/signings for Becca Fitzpatrick and Sarah Ockler, and I just realized I forgot to write up recap posts – doh! I may have to sneak in recaps later…
I took it one step further this year by making the decision to travel to Dallas for the ALA Midwinter 2012 Meeting! I had a blast ALA weekend and stayed with Stacy from Girls in the Stacks and Katie of Mundie Moms. It was a girls weekend, and we hung out with Nancy (also from Girls in the Stacks) and Andye and Amy of Reading Teen, and more! ALA MW was an amazing experience for the books, authors, publisher contacts, and networking. I learned so much, but honestly, the best part for me were the connections/friendships I made with other bloggers outside the exhibit hall.
Stacy & Nancy (Girls in the Stacks), Me, Katie (Mundie Moms), & Ginger (GReads!) with the muppets at ALAMW!
Early this year I made an effort to contact all the Colorado book bloggers and authors, and organized our first meetup in February, a Colorado Book Blogger/Author Lunch! We had such a good time! Then in March, a bunch of us attended the Colorado Teen Literature Conference (I met Maggie Stiefvater!!!!) and afterwards we had another Blogger/Author Dinner, planned by Katie from Katie’s Book Blog. Now, author events have become an excuse for us to hang out again. It’s fun to get together, be nerdy, and gush about books!
What’s been your favorite networking event in real life? If you’re a book blogger (or really, any kind of blogger) and haven’t ventured offline yet, I highly encourage you to do so! Just do it – start Googling and find an event near you to attend, then reach out on Twitter and find other local bloggers to meet you there!
REMINDER: I’m in NYC attending BEA in person, follow me on Twitter (@bookandlatte) for live BEA tweets!
Twitter: HeatherMcCorkle
says:
Love the picture! I wish I could have made it this year but life kept me from it. My book is on a shelf in the new title showcase though! Have fun!
Heather McCorkle recently posted..Puca Tour Day 14~Visiting Tina
Twitter: bookandlatte
says:
That’s awesome! I hope you can go next year!
Jen recently posted..The Sunday Post (6): Book Haul & Blog News
Now THAT’S what I’m talking about! That is the type of networking and camaraderie that I’m looking for! 🙂
Looks like so much fun 🙂
Twitter: bookandlatte
says:
Hi Laura! I hope you find it, it makes blogging even more rewarding.
Jen recently posted..The Sunday Post (6): Book Haul & Blog News
Twitter: GeckyBoz
says:
Nice, looks like you’re really great at networking. 🙂 That’s a great idea contacting people from your state and getting together.
Becky B. (Bibliognome) recently posted..Armchair BEA Day 3 – Topic “Networking…In Real Life?!”
That’s a fantastic picture 🙂 I do have to say that I’m crazy jealous you got to meet Laini Taylor because I seriously adore “Daughter of Smoke & Bones”.
What a sweet story!! Not only did you form your own little book club but it was with family so I bet it was a great bonding experience 🙂
My mom is the only one in my family that I talk “shop” (aka, books) with. My godmother and cousin are readers too but they live in Chicago so I don’t get to chat with them as often.
I love my Nerds Night Out and love seeing all the pictures of other bloggers who have their own get-togethers. Who says bookworms don’t know how to have fun? 😉 hehe
Isalys / Book Soulmates
Armchair BEA: Book Soulmates on Networking
Isalys recently posted..Armchair BEA: Networking
Ms. Piggy—now I am super jelly! I mean Ms Piggy’s Guide to Life changed my world when I was a pre-teen (I just dated myself terribly there)!
Don’t you love hanging with other bloggers! It is like the best time EVEH!
Felicia recently posted..Thriller Review: Tattooed by Pamela Callow (Check It Out)
Twitter: jenni_elyse
says:
That’s awesome that you started up a group in Colorado! It just takes one person to do that for lots of fun times ahead to take place! 🙂
Jenni Elyse recently posted..Armchair BEA: Networking in Real Life
Sounds like you have quite a few opportunities to connect with other bloggers which is awesome!
Marg recently posted..Armchair BEA: If I was in New York today
You’re so lucky to get to attend so many awesome bookish events!
Kristilyn (Reading in Winter) recently posted..Waiting on Wednesday: Grim, by Anna Waggener
Love your enthusiasm and your examples. You’re doing a great job.
Vikk @ Down the Writer’s Path recently posted..Armchair BEA: Networking in real life
I’m so fortunate to live near NYC so I am able to attend a lot of events. I love the idea of a statewide blogger/author lunch. I think this BEA I’ve been meeting more bloggers than ever – including you!
Midnyte Reader recently posted..A Moment of Silence – Ray Bradbury.
Twitter: bookandlatte
says:
I’m so glad we had a chance to meet! I wish we could have hung out more. There were just so many people, and so much to do.
Jen recently posted..The Sunday Post (6): Book Haul & Blog News
It’s amazing when you live close to a lot of other bloggers. That’s like in Toronto there is a group of us that go to events together, usually meet up before for book shopping. They are definitely great excuses to get together to talk books 😀
Andrea recently posted..Armchair BEA: Positive Book Blogging Experience
Twitter: beccaxx03
says:
Hi That is truly awesome!! Looks like you are all having a fab time there! and it has a great background to the shot. You have a a great networking system going on there in real life. I am really jealous of the fact you can have all these meet up’s and blogger events. I live in England and these opportunities sre just few and far between.
Lovely post, thanks for sharing x
beckie @ becca’s book bug recently posted..Waiting on Wednesday (1)
Twitter: stephscottIL
says:
You’re a pro – and at BEA – how cool! Thanks for sharing all the awesome places you’ve been. My twitter exploded during last year’s ALA after I’d followed a bunch of authors. I wondered, what is this ALA? haha. So much is out there, sometimes we don’t even know about it. Great to connect through blogs.
Stephanie Scott recently posted..Armchair BEA: Beyond the Blog
You’re awesome and so glad we are friends now!!!
stacy – girlsinthestacks.com recently posted..Want by Stephanie Lawton – GIVEAWAY
Twitter: bookandlatte
says:
Me too! I’m so happy we were able to see each other again at BEA, even if just for a little bit. I also loved finally meeting Shannon. Please say hello to Nancy for me. Hugs to you all! 🙂