Party time and you're invited!

Happy October!

Nothing makes me happier than being surrounded by people who are immersed in their joy. And man, do we need joy right now. Which is why I love putting together parties and next weekend I am hosting a monster of a party.

So I am inviting you to the Passport to Romance reader appreciation event. The "booktail" party of the year is where readers and authors can come together and celebrate the romance genre.

What makes the Passport to Romance so awesome? First off, it's free. Yep. Admission is free! Also this is NOT a book fair. So anything the authors have to promote their books is given away. Books, pens, bags, some authors even have wine glasses!

And who are these fabulous authors you can chat with? Check it out-

Darynda Jones	Debra Elise	JC Hay
Sarah MacLean	Amanda Forester	Joanne Jaytanie
Rebecca Zanetti	Cheri Champagne	Linda Hope Lee
Cherry Adair	Merien Grey/Kate Brass	Margaret Mallory
Karen Rose	Jasmine Silvera	Lauren Marie
Christy Jeffries	Jennifer DeCuir	Danielle Monsch
Anna Alexander	Joleen James	Darlene Panzera
Pam Binder	Gerri Russell	Shirley Penick
Julie Brannagh	Stephanie Aviles	Hanna Rhys Barnes/Tolden Rhys
Kristine Cayne	Kristi Lea	Olivia Waite
Carmen Cook	Danica Winters	LE Wilson
Cara Crescent	Crista McHugh	Arwen Paris
Jami Davenport	Amy Lane	Augustina Van Hoven
Jillian David	Moxie North	Kathy L. Wheeler
Dana Delamar	D.B. Reynolds	Sally Brandle
Tammy Dennings Maggy	Debby Lee	Regina Kammer
Saranna DeWylde	Sabrina York	Asa Maria Bradley

I know!

What else makes this party awesome? These guys!

I know!

So what else could possibly make the event even better?

Raffle baskets. That's right. You do want to bring some money for raffle tickets. They are $1 each or 12 for $10. We have baskets from Dena Garson, Christy Jefferies, Karen Rose, and lots of other surprises. And a portion of the proceeds go to the Domestic Women's Abuse Network. These are an amazing group of people who've helped women and children escape horrible situations and find a new path. We are honored to work with them.

So when and where is this magnificent event taking place?

October 14th from 6pm-8pm at the Bellevue Westin in Bellevue, Washington.

And if you can't join us in person, join us in spirit and online by following me on Facebook. I'll be live streaming some of the event.

Books, writers, pretty men, raffle baskets? My heart is happy already.

Until next time, y'all!

Anna- The Super Diva

Get your copy today

books2read.com/u/me0GDg

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Website- http://annaalexander.net/

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7th Annual Barbara Vey Reader Appreciation Weekend

7th Annual Barbara Vey Reader Appreciation Weekend

April 27-29, 2018

Clarion Hotel – Airport

5311 S Howell Ave

Milwaukee, WI 53207

Please join us as we welcome Keynote Speaker Susan Wiggs to Milwaukee for the 7th Annual Barbara Vey Reader Appreciation Weekend.

REGISTER NOW! SPACE IS LIMITED

http://barbaravey.com/bvw17/

Hotel Reservations will available in October. The hotel is all reserved for us, so no worries about getting a room.

Schedule of Events

Friday  Author/Reader Bingo (3 Sessions!) – Authors TBA- FREE

Friday Night Author Q&A followed by Meet & Greet – Click for more info  – FREE

Romance Jeopardy – Authors TBA – FREE

Saturday Luncheon with the authors – Click for more info – TICKET REQUIRED

Book signing – Click for more info – FREE

Saturday Night Pizza Party – Click for more info – TICKET REQUIRED – No Sales at the Door

Saturday Night Party Hosted by Damon Suede and Eloisa James – Click for more info -FREE

Sunday Breakfast with an author – Click for more info – TICKET REQUIRED – No Sales at the Door

#BVW18

Attending Authors*

Abbie Roads romantic suspense

Alanna Lucas historical

Alex Kava mystery

Ann Marie Walker Contemporary Romance/Comedy/Suspense

Avery Flynn sassy, sexy romance

Brenda Drake YA Fantasy

Candace Havens Hot contemporary romance

Cathy Clamp paranormal

Christine Wenger cozy mysteries, romance

Damon Suede M/M romance

Danica Favorite historical, inspirational, contemporary

Deborah Coonts humorous mystery, thrillers

Denise Swanson cozy mysteries, romance

Desiree Holt erotica

Elizabeth Watson Historical

Elicia Hyder Paranormal, contemporary

Elisabeth Barrett Contemporary and romantic suspense

Elisabeth Naughton Romantic Suspense, Paranormal Romance

Eloisa James Historical

Erin McCarthy Contemporary romance, New Adult

Gennita Low Romantic intrigue

Heather Graham Paranormal, contemporary

Janna MacGregor Historical

Jeannie Moon Contemporary

Jennifer Ashley romance: paranormal, historical, contemporary; mystery

Jennifer L. Armentrout YA, New Adult, Adult

Jocie McKade Mystery and romantic comedy

Josie Brown Humorous romantic suspense

Julie Moffett Mystery, historical, timetravel

Karen Hawkins Historical, contemporary

Kelly Moran Contemporary romance, paranormal romance

Lenora Bell Historical

Lucy Farago Romantic Suspense

Maggie Marr Contemporary & romantic suspense

Marilyn Baron romantic suspense/historical romantic thrillers

Marina Adair Contemporary Romance

Mary Strand YA, romantic comedy, women’s fiction

MK Meredith Contemporary

Mollie Cox Bryan Mystery/Historical fiction/romance

Nan Dixon Contemporary

Nancy Herkness Contemporary

Nancy Naigle Small town suspense

Pintip Dunn Young Adult

Piper J. Drake Romantic suspense, Contemporary

Rochelle Alers Romance and Women’s Fiction

Rose Lerner Historical

Sabrina York Romance (Contemporary, Historical and Fantasy) and Sci Fi/Fantasy

Sandy Parks Thriller

Sharon Hamilton Romantic Suspense

Shirley Hailstock Romance, thriller

Sonali Dev Bollywood

Susan Carlisle Medical Romance

Susan Wiggs Historical, Contemporary

T.M. Cromer romantic suspense, paranormal, contemporary

Tara Taylor Quinn Romance, Suspense, Women’s Fiction

Tiffany Snow Contemporary

Tina DeSalvo Contemporary

Tonya Kappes Small town mystery

Violet Howe Romantic Suspense, Women’s Fiction

Winnie Griggs Historical, Inspirational, Contemporary

*List is subject to change

Romancing the Reader

I absolutely love reader events. I especially like the smaller conferences of 200 or less, with a great reader-to-author ratio.

I look forward to the opportunity to put my promotional materials and budget to good use. I've given up on doing promotion at conferences like RWA's annual event. To me, spending my hard-earned promotional dollars on author-only events is like preaching to the choir. I'd much rather *spoil* those readers who might just buy my book!

In mid-October I'll be joining 49 other authors, including Decadent's own D.L. Jackson, at the Fall in Love with New England reader/author event. And, I admit, I overspent my budget ... a lot. Let's just hope I can make some of it up in book sales at the Saturday book signing.

Shout out to anyone in the Manchester, New Hampshire area ... that's where we'll be so stop on by. Information is in the link above. I'd love to meet some more readers and other SMP authors.

So just how do you spoil readers ... short of giving away the books you want to sell?

Suggestion #1 - No paper for paper's sake. It's amazing the amount of post cards, unadorned bookmarks, and business cards that get thrown out.

Suggestion #2 - If you're itching to do a bookmark, get creative. A long, paper stick (even with your cover and blurb on it) doesn't hold the attention that you think it does. I did create bookmarks, but then I also "added" a tassel and a story-related charm.

Suggestion #3 - Do something unusual for your big promo splash. Since I'm signing four different books this year, I needed to find a way to showcase each one. So ... like any author on a budget ... I went to Costco. I bought boxes of gum in assorted flavors. I created labels with my book cover and blurb for all four books. Then, I matched the level of heat in the book to the flavor of the gum. The hotter the book, the spicier the gum. The 2x4 labels fit perfectly on the back of the packets.

Suggestion #4 - Participate in promo ops with the other authors. One of the authors is buying inexpensive charm bracelets. The other authors were able to sign up and provide charms for the bracelets. So, since I was ordering charms for my bookmarks, I thought ... why not? BTW ... I found a great (and cheap) source for charms: 8 Seasons (from China). I was pleasantly surprised (okay, really, really pleased) with the quality of the product.

Suggestion #5 - Take chocolate. The organizers are tying the conference to Halloween and planning a trick or treat route for the readers. All authors who wish to participate hang a decoration or a sign on their door and then hand out goodies. Apparently, last year there was wine.

I'm also doing a workshop (geared to readers) about how a reader can influence an author's creativity. There will be prizes for participation. And, I'm hosting a table at the costume dinner party on Friday night. (Psst ... don't tell but my costume also ties into one of my books!)

I know it sounds like a spent a fortune (a small one) but cultivating great relationships with readers who are eager to meet you and hear about your books is far more important, at least in my opinion, than providing swag to other authors.

I'd love to hear from both readers and authors about the types of swag you enjoy receiving. There's always room for a new idea.

Nancy