Last year, I attended a conference-slash-book fair in Lumberton, North Carolina. I had a great time meeting other authors and trying my best to entice new readers. Not to mention, meeting a couple of online friends face-to-face for the first time. It was so much fun that I immediately agreed to come back in 2013.And now it's 2013! Wow! Where did 2012 go? No biggie, though. Let's just move on and start enjoying 2013. :)
Back to Book 'Em NC 2013...
I will be in attendance at Book 'Em NC on February 23, 2013. The night before is the author meet-n-greet with the actual conference & book fair the next morning. It's an all-day event (9:30am - 4pm) that's open to the public free of charge. There will be author talks, books for sale, authors on hand to autograph your books (even when our hands cramp from signing so many)... I think they're even having food stations this year.
Oh, and lest I forget, there's a big children's section upstairs. Last year, they had face painting and people dressed up as storybook characters. All the kids in attendance looked quite happy. Then again, that could have been all the candy I had on my table when they came by. LOL. For a moment I actually wished we'd brought our own kids to enjoy it... and then I came to my senses. ;)
This is such a big event and it benefits the local area there in Lumberton that I don't know anyone who would pass up the chance to help out, or even stop by to check it all out. Here's the description of the Book 'Em purpose from the website:
"The purpose of The Book 'Em Foundation and this event is to raise public awareness of the link between high crime rates and high illiteracy rates. Proceeds from the Book 'Em North Carolina book fairs go directly to increasing literacy in Robeson County, North Carolina and to reducing crime in the area."
Last year, there were over 2,000 people in attendance, with 75 authors, and they raised over $9,000 in only 6 hours for the community.
If you're anywhere near Lumberton on Feb. 23rd please stop by, even just for a moment, to check it out. You might even find yourself leaving with dozens of new books. I know I saw many people walking around with arm loads that day... several even left with some of mine. :D
For more details and directions, visit http://www.bookemnc.org . And hey, if you stop by be sure to find my table and say hello. I love conversation with fellow book lovers.
