The Kentucky Book Fair is an innovative book writing affair involving book lovers, readers, and writers, and it’s happening this weekend on Saturday November 16th, at Alltech Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park. Entrance to the Book Fair is free and plenty of free parking too. Two hundred authors will be there with their books just waiting to talk to readers.
As you can see from the picture, I’ve been fortunate enough to be invited to many book fairs. The picture was taken on one of my early visits with my young adult books. Not sure which book I had to that particular book fair or even what year it was, but I was a lot younger then. I was sitting next to a romance book writer. I don’t remember her name and I can’t make it out on the books in front of her. The books pictured are all hers. I think I had sold out of my books by the time this picture was snapped. I’m guessing the year was somewhere in the mid-1980’s. I attended the Book Fair for several years then with my books for young adults and middle readers. I missed a few years and then was invited back when Scent of Lilacs was published in 2005. I’ve been blessed with at least one new book a year since then, so this year will be my fourteenth in a row. I do love talking to readers and other writers at the Kentucky Book Fair.
My new book this year is The Refuge, my eighth story set in my fictional Shaker village of Harmony Hill. While the setting and the stories are fictional, I do use the Pleasant Hill Shaker Village in Mercer County, Kentucky as the inspiration for my fictional village. This new Shaker story is one of family relationships, mother and child, sisters, father and daughter. The fact that it takes place in the Shaker Village where the only family relationships allowed are those of sisters and brothers gives the explorations of other family ties even more meaning.
I have some great memories of from book fairs in the past. Once I even got to take not only a picture with Santa Claus but also a picture with Woody, the dachshund who with the help of his friend Leigh Ann Florence writes stories about his adventures. That year he even signed books with a paw print. His readers loved that. Having a dog signing books with you is a great way to get people lined up in front of your book table. If only I could take along Frankie and Marley Saturday. Well, that might not work out too well. Frankie would go crazy begging all those people for attention. Now! He doesn’t beg quietly or patiently. LOL. Marley might be easier since he’s more laid back about getting those head pats, but since neither of them wrote my books, I guess I’ll have to do the best I can without a dog along.
I do have fun talking to the people who stop by my book table. I appreciate those who pick up one of my books to give it a look. And it’s great when they decide to buy it for themselves or as a gift. This book fair is always at a good time of the year when people are ready to Christmas shop. What better gift than a new book signed by the author? I have a few of the books in the Book Fair catalog highlighted for some in my family.
Over the years, I have collected a few stories. One of the sweetest was where a young man brought his wife to the fair as a surprise anniversary destination. His wife was so happy she sparkled – she felt that loved. Later another reader told me her husband took her out to breakfast and then suggested going to the Book Fair. She was having fun too. Could be Book Fairs are the new romantic locations. At least for people who love books the way I do.
I’m not sure what stories people will share with me this year, but I hope some. Talking to people is the very best thing about being at a book fair and the Kentucky Book Fair is one of the best in terms of reader attendance. Special presentations will be going on all day too. You can check it all out at the Kentucky Book Fair website link and see the writers who will be there. I don’t think Santa will be there this year and not Woody and Leigh Ann either, but I can promise some other smiling writers will be waiting for you to stop by their table and say hello. I hope to be one of them.
Do you like to give books as gifts? Do you have any autographed by the author books?
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I love giving and receiving books as gifts. I often receive gift cards from my sons for Christmas and Mother’s Day, because they can’t keep up with the books I’ve read and they also know that books make the best gifts. Courtney and I had a great time today at the Book Fair! She’s my little “mini-me” in all things, especially reading! Afterwards, she declared, “we’re going to do this every year, forever!” She was eager to show her big sister the picture of herself with the Angel Sister author. (Yes, Hannah was a little jealous over that!) Thanks for that photo opportunity. It’s always nice meeting the writers that bring so much joy through their stories. I found books for most of my tribe of grandkids today. My Christmas shopping has officially begun!
I hope you did well today with lots of sales and loads of fun too! Maybe Frankie and Marley can join you at your next hometown party? 😉
Have a great Sunday tomorrow in worship and rest. I hope your hubby is feeling better.
Author
It was fun seeing you, Lavon, and meeting Courtney. She was a sweetheart, and it was fun taking a picture with her. More fun that she wanted to take a picture with me. And how great is it that she says she wants to go to the Book Fair every year forever. My grandkids didn’t get to come this year. The first one they’ve missed for a while, but their dad was on a business trip and didn’t get home in time to bring them. Might have been just as well since one of them came down with a stomach bug last night. I hate stomach bugs, and they are much too easy to share.
Glad you found books for gifts. So did I, but not for the grandkids. I got some for the big kids. Hope they will like them. They are non-returnable for sure.
Happy reading!
I do have a couple of books signed by the author. I consider her a friend and very good author! In answer to the question; yes I love to receive books for gifts. It would thrill me to have the latest Ann H Gabhart book under my tree!
Author
I’d be happy about that too, Donna. I’ll be sending out a newsletter very soon with the chance to win some books, so it could happen. I’ll have a December giveaway here on One Writer’s Journal too. That’s what I call my blog.
This will be our first book fair. I’m on a walker right now so I hope I can maneuver it. Do authors have other books or just the ones that are noted in the catalog?
Author
If others have additional books published, the book fair people will generally order two of three back titles to go with the new book on the author’s table. I’m not sure about those who independently publish, but I think the book fair organizers try to keep the books on the table to three of four different titles. They used to do more but I guess they don’t have enough room for authors to have multiple titles now. They do have wide aisles between the tables and I’ve seen people using walkers there. It is a lot of walking if you look at all the books and in from the entrance. But I think there may be a handicapped entrance that gets people nearer to the entrances. You might check that out on the Book Fair site online to see the best way to come into the arena. Hope you’ll come by and say hello at my table, Prudence.
Good morning,Ann! I hope you enjoy the Kentucky book fair to the fullest, this Saturday ,the 16th! I hope you have as much fun at the Kentucky book fair as some of the stories you shared from previous years! 😊Psalm 103😊
Author
I always have a good time at book fairs because I love to talk to readers and writers. I do feel a little like Miss American contestants at the end of the day with my smiling muscles sore. LOL. I’m really hoping I don’t catch my husband’s cold. He’s been sick all week. That would be a bummer for me on Saturday.
Have a great time at the Kentucky Book Fair. I’ve only been to school book fairs, and they were fun too. I love to receive books for Christmas, but I prefer gift cards to pick out my own books.
Author
My daughter usually gives me books for Christmas and it’s been interesting the books and authors we’ve been introduced to. I’ve liked most of them and then she’s usually read the books too. One of last year’s books wasn’t my favorite. A depressing story line. But I like having my reading tastes expanded, Suzanne. But a book gift card would be fun too. I had a Barnes and Noble card once I got for a library visit and I had fun downloading books on my nook with it. Still haven’t read them all. So many books to read. So little time. I’m sure you’ve heard that before!