If You Happened To Be In Tremonton Tomorrow Afternoon...

 Tomorrow afternoon, from 4pm to 8pm at Sherman Park in Tremonton, Utah, an event will take place, a gathering of readers and writers of all ages. It's called the Summer Reading Kickoff Party.

If you're in the area, you ought to check it out.

Since moving north, I've participated in the event once, and attended a few more times. I contacted the library last month to make sure they knew I wanted to be one of the authors. Since then I haven't received an e-mail back, so I'm thinking my name might not be on the list of authors. Then again, they told me when it was, I know where it is, and I am a functioning adult. I can figure it out.

Even if my name's not on the list, the people are so nice up here, they'll figure something out.

Whenever I find myself surrounded by writers and readers, it seems to always be a good time. Writers (usually...) like other writers and like hanging out with them. Throw in readers--especially readers with cash to buy books--and you have yourself a party.

Again, if you're in the neighborhood tomorrow afternoon, drop in and say hello.

It's going to be fun.

Give Thanks...Tremonton's Summer Reading Kickoff Party

 

I missed it last year, and I vowed I would not make that mistake again. This time I contacted the library with enough time to put me on the author list. They even gave me a pirate name and a cool drinking glass.

The event--the Tremonton Library's Summer Reading Kickoff Party.

So glad I went.

The worst thing about missing last year was hearing how great it was from fellow authors who traveled some up to a hundred miles or more to attend. I, on the other hand, traveled about five miles to our town's library (built in 1929...). When I arrived I spotted a fellow author (and fellow Immortal Works author...) Steven Heumann, who brought his entire family, and I noticed an empty table next to him. 

Score!

I then noticed another writer friend, Ben Simmons and his dad setting up on the other side of the table.

Double score!

The evening was crisp and windy...a perfect night for the community to come out and support the library. The theme of the event--pirates. A few cosplayers added ambiance to the festivities. Lots of kids came around. They passed by my table when I told them I did not have a scavenger hunt clue to help them on their treasure hunt.

There were a few other authors I knew and many I did not. Many said that they don't necessarily come to this event to make a lot of sales. No, they come for the atmosphere, the people, the fun. I'm grateful to live in a community that still had a library run by workers who understand the importance of what they do. They didn't have to put in all the effort for the event, but the did and you can tell they not only love what they do, but the people they serve.

This was my first year at the Tremonton Library Summer Reading Kickoff Party. Hopefully, it won't be my last.

My Pre-Covid Writing Life...I Didn't Realize Just How Spoiled I Was

 The first time I stepped inside the Tremonton Library, I noticed several flyers on the counter with pictures of authors I knew on them. These were notices that Utah authors would be visiting the Tremonton Library to chat about their books and/or do a reading of their works.

I was so stoked! 

I was going to have my friends come up to our local library--I'd get to see my friends again. We could chat, discuss books, and just hang out.

Turns out these incredible writers would be visiting our neck of the woods, but not in person...they'd be visiting virtually...digitally...not physically.

Bummer.

I was able to log into an author reading from Steve Heurmann on Friday. He's an amazing person with a wonderful story of how he became a full-time writer. You can access his information by visiting his website: HERE. He read from his book, Paper Heroes.

The meeting ended--I was able to say, "hello," I thought about how disappointed I was that the author chats are all virtual. I also thought about how spoiled I've been for the past eight years. Except for last year, I have been able to attend several writing conventions, writing symposiums, and comic cons every year. I was averaging one every three or four months. And I pretty much knew who would be attending these local events--many of my good writing friends.

How I miss those days.

If Steve had been able to attend his reading in person, or if we had been at a convention, we could have talked about writing, about how his latest project was coming along, any news on new books, new ideas. And I could have done the same things with a dozen or more friends. Attending these events to sell books is wonderful, but so is hanging out and chatting with friends.

Hopefully, we can return to normal soon. If so, I will try and go to as many as possible, so I can be spoiled again.

Visiting Friends...At The Tremonton Library

In another episode of New Life Is A Lot Like The Way Things Used To Be, I visited the Tremonton Library last week, and once again I was reminded of how life used to be. The library's not the largest collection of books I've ever seen, but it contains many treasures.

I saw many books written by friends.

The library is not big. Of course, in a modern world, you can order books to be delivered to even the smallest of libraries, plus, there's always digital downloads where you can get almost any book ever written. You don't need a big building for that...just a Kindle.

As we browsed, I spotted a book written by a good friend, Scott Tarbet. Scott and I sort of began our literary adventure together, both with Xchyler Publishing. I loved seeing Scott's first novel, A Midsummer Night's Steampunk. I've always loved that cover.

Then, I spotted Dan Willis's The Flux Engine. I met Dan at the first convention I ever attended--also the first time I met Scott Tarbet. The Flux Engine had been released and Dan was pushing it.

I spotted Margot Hovley's Glimmering Light next. I've been friends with Margot for a long time. She's a great author and a better person--so glad to see that book.

Before we left I saw Sara Larson's Warriors of Wing and Flame, I believe it's her latest. I've been fortunate enough to be on a few FanX writing panels with her and she's been kind enough to sign several books for my daughter, books I've read.

I'm sure there are more books from my friends in the library--didn't have time to check them all out. I hope to return many times, and I hope one day my book/books will be among those of my friends.

Even though it's a small building, it contains many treasures.