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A few weeks ago I went to a conference in Shreveport where I gave a workshop and then participated in a booksigning with several other authors. I happened to mention the booksigning on Facebook and a reader contacted me and said she lived in that area and would try to come by to meet me. I hoped she’d be able to make it.
Come time of the booksigning and things were going well, my books were selling, many of whom had attended my workshop and had favorable things to say. Always nice to hear. But then in walks this lovely woman clutching my first book, Courting Claudia, to her chest. She comes over smiling broadly with her husband following behind her. After a brief introduction she holds out the book and says she’s read all my books and loves them, but that one is her favorite. What a wonderful moment, perhaps for her (she seemed excited enough) but most definitely for me.
It’s always a joy to meet readers, but there is something magical when you meet one who comes just to see you. Who comes in with a tattered and loved copy of one of your books and holds it tightly to them gushing and grinning. It makes all those hours I spend tolling away alone in my office so worth it. All those times when the book isn’t working and the writing isn’t flowing or the revisions seem insurmountable so worth the pain, sweat and tears put in to reach that finished product.
So all you readers out there, please know that every time you send us a note or come meet us at a signing, you make us want to rush right back to our offices and write you another book. So thank you. And as a small token of my appreciation I’m giving away copies of one of my backlist books to three of you. Just make a comment on what makes a keeper book for you and you’ll be entered.
And don’t forget to enter my contest with Fresh Fiction.
Filed in: Jaunty Post,Our Books
Apr 6th
2010
6:38 am
kristan higgins Said:
Aw! What a nice story, Robyn! I agree…it’s always a surreal and utterly lovely moment when a reader lets you know she loved the book. On the flip side, I also love telling authors how much I enjoyed their books, too…I always review something I liked on Amazon and email the writer.
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Apr 6th
2010
7:58 am
Margo Maguire Said:
Sigh. What a great moment, Robyn! (PS – I loved that book, too!)
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Apr 6th
2010
8:18 am
eap Said:
A keeper is in the characters who I can relate to.
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Apr 6th
2010
8:22 am
EmilyMcKay Said:
That is such a great story.
Last year at the national conference I had a reader come by and tell me she loved my books. She wasn’t a writer attending the conference, but a reader who’d come just for the booksigning. Nearly made me cry. Readers are so great!
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Apr 6th
2010
8:37 am
Shana Said:
Awww! I can imagine how much that meant to you, Robyn!
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Apr 6th
2010
9:35 am
Kathryn in Montreal Said:
What a lovely compliment… and well-deserved too!
A keeper for me is a book that, after reading, I wish was part of a series so I can continue to be immersed in the story and characters.
I read a wide range of books, romance, mystery, contemporary, some thrillers, epics and I like books that keep my interest, move me along in the story, have characters that are believeable and that I can relate to on some level. The book also needs to have resolution… problems solved, good ending (not necessarily a happy ending).
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Apr 6th
2010
10:46 am
Quilt Lady Said:
What a great post Robin! I don’t always contact an author when their books are really good but sometimes do when I have the time and think about it! I have a lot of books on my keeper shelf! A keeper to me is a book that gets me in the first few pages and keeps me up until 3 a.m. reading! I read Seduce Me of yours and loved the book and yes its on my keeper shelf, it was a 3 a.m. book!
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Apr 6th
2010
10:48 am
Serenissima Said:
I know, that a book is a keeper, if I have to start it again the moment I have finished it. Keeper is also a book you read slowly, because you don´t want it to end too soon.
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Apr 6th
2010
10:53 am
Danny Said:
A keeper for me is a book that touches me deeply, that keeps me glued to the pages or moves me to tears.
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Apr 6th
2010
12:23 pm
Teresa W. Said:
My only keeper books are my autographed ones. I also enjoy keeping my favorite series!
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Apr 6th
2010
12:41 pm
Kirsten Said:
Keepers are books that: stay on my mind for a long time after I read them.
With beautiful writing so that I read a sentance more than once because it is so powerful.
That make me laugh out loud, or cry, or both. That move me.
Stories with a H/H that I relate to, feel for.
That have a romance so poetic it seems magical to me.
The ones I constantly tell others about.
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Apr 6th
2010
12:48 pm
Jessica C Said:
This makes me want to watch out for book signings, so I can visit a favorite author!
I love books that are heart wrenching, and the conflict reaches me deeply…. Sometimes I can’t wait to finish my day, and open it back up! Laughing and crying are a good indication that I will remember, and want to re-read a book.
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Apr 6th
2010
1:39 pm
catslady Said:
That was wonderful. I’ve never been to a signing (usually transportation problems). But I do write emails to authors sometimes when I’ve especially enjoyed a book (and they have a website lol).I must admit all books are keepers for me (I’m totally addicted to books) but some books get put on shelves where I can always see them. They also are the books that I’m sure to let others know about.
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Apr 6th
2010
3:50 pm
Lori Ann Said:
A book is a keeper if it provokes strong emotions in me. Books that make me cry, books that make me laugh out loud, or just books that I am really pulling for the hero and heroine to end up together and happy – they all end up on my keeper shelf.
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Apr 6th
2010
4:20 pm
Catherine Kean Said:
What an awesome story, Robyn! You’re absolutely right about how we savor those notes, emails, and comments from readers on how much they enjoy our books. Speaking from the author perspective, kudos from readers totally make my day! Congrats to you for writing a wonderful book, definitely a keeper, that has won you loyal fans.
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Apr 6th
2010
8:09 pm
Sharyn Said:
A keeper for me is when I relate to both the heroine and hero and feel like they are REAL people. That I want to know them better and I want them to be together because then that means that true love does exist.
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Apr 6th
2010
8:56 pm
RobynDeHart Said:
Y’all have great ideas for keepers. My keeper shelf has been in storage for the last 5 years and now I have it proudly displayed in our new house and it’s so lovely to have my “friends” back.
Will pick those winners tonight before I go to bed so keep those comments coming!
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Apr 6th
2010
10:35 pm
Gillian Said:
If I laugh out loud or cry–or burn dinner because I forget everything but the story–it’s a keeper.
And I have a lot of keepers.
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Apr 7th
2010
1:46 am
Fran Said:
The keeper for me is when I feel the emotions of the characters and connect with them so I can understand their motivations and actions
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Apr 7th
2010
3:08 am
Jane Said:
That’s a great story, Robyn. A keeper is a book that I don’t want to end and stays in my mind long after I’ve finished reading it.
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