Monday in Maryland - There's something about Barbara Vey

United States Naval Academy

Last week, the Maryland Romance Writers (MRW) hosted Barbara Vey as their guest speaker.  From her website (link),

As Contributing Editor for Publishers Weekly for 7 years, Barbara Vey left to start her own website with the goal of bringing readers and writers together. She is the recipient of the 2012 RWA Vivian Stephens Industry Award and 2013 RT Melinda Helfer Award. Barbara has created the ultimate reader experience with the Barbara Vey Reader Appreciation Luncheon held in Milwaukee, WI every April. An avid reader, Barbara consumed a book a day before taking on the glamorous life of a roving reporting. Traveling all over the world to conferences from Romance to Thrillers, Mysteries to Horror, Historicals to Comic Con, her love of Romance and the Happily Ever After keeps her grounded while she offers readers a place to step away from life's daily trials to take a positive journey through the world of books.

Barbara shared her journey from author cruise to Publishers Weekly to the reader luncheon. She entertained the audience with her own "Lucy" moments while finding readers along the way. Barbara's enthusiasm for life in general, but reading in particular, was infectious to the entire audience. She offered examples of author branding and reader connections. Check out the tweets from the meeting at this link.

I invited Barbara to stay with me over the weekend so I could share the sights of Washington, DC. After our tour of the Pentagon, we joined Diana Belchase (link) for a driving tour of the Marine Corps Memorial, Fort Myer, and the Air Force Memorial. We ended the day at the Chart House in Old Town Alexandria. On Saturday, we visited the United States Naval Academy in search of a few good men and women serving our country.  We found John Paul Jones, "father of the American Navy".

Midshipman in front of the
US Navy Submarine Centennial Monument

Before this weekend, I had a casual acquaintance with Barbara. Back in 2008, Mary Gramlich (link) recommended I check out Barbara's blog on Publishers Weekly - it was a refreshing change to the snarky blogs dominating Romanceland. I attended Barbara's reader luncheons in 2014 and 2015 at this link, link, link, link, link, link, and link. I advocated for more luncheons like Barbara's at this link.

After this weekend, I have found a kindred spirit in this reader advocate. During the meeting, Barbara explained the importance of always carrying a business card and even a book. She shared several examples of how she gave away books to others in restaurants. As we left the meeting, Barbara noticed MRW members left books they received from conferences on a table for other members to take. Since we were the last to walk out of the conference room, Barbara grabbed the leftover books and gave them to the receptionist at the community center. She discovered the receptionist's daughter worked at a local library where books were always welcome. Barbara demonstrated there is always pockets of readers to discover.

I recommend any writer's group to invite Barbara as a guest speaker to a meeting or conference. I also encourage authors to request an individual consultation from Barbara - she is attending RWA in San Diego. Connect with Barbara at this link.

Mahalo, Maryland Romance Writers, for inviting Barbara to Baltimore!

Annapolis Book Store

I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash. To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about "author event" you have attended - book signing, luncheon, convention, or passing by on the street. What made it special?

2. Comments are open through Saturday, March 26, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 27.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Navy personnel patrol Annapolis Harbor

Weekly Winners

I am a winner for having spent the weekend with Barbara Vey (link).  She spoke to the Maryland Romance Writers (link) on Thursday night.  I then played tour guide, showing her the sights in Washington, DC, and Annapolis, Maryland. Along the way, Barbara taught me more about marketing - tidbits I'll share in teh coming week. 

Celebrate Romance Every Day: SOS Aloha 6th Anniversary (Part 2): An Old Fashioned Tea Party
- Charlene wins a book choice from my convention stash.

Alice Lake's DANGEROUS KISSES

- Mary wins a book choice from my convention stash.

WHEN LOVE CONQUERS TIME from Ria Cantrell, Nancy Lee Badger, Dawn Marie Hamilton, and P.A. Crust

- BN100 wins a digital copy from Nancy Lee Badger

Washington Loves Readers Luncheon

- Library Pat wins a book choice from my convention stash.

Aloha to Downton Abbey, Brooklands, and Barbara Cartland

- Girlygirlhoosier wins a book choice from my convention stash.

Aloha to Daphne Du Maurier, Jamaica Inn, and Bodmin Moor

- Patty wins a book choice from my convention stash.

From Aloha Author Assistant, Di wins a book choice from my convention stash.

Winners, please send your mailing address to sos.aloha@yahoo.com.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City 

 

Celebrate Little Victories ... Part Time Job, Romance Conventions, and Hawaii Five O

Aloha!  I am now back to work, part time, where I was employed before we moved to Hawaii.   I am thankful that my boss welcomed me back and remains flexible with my schedule. My job will fund my adventures at this year's romance conventions.  So far, I am signed up for:

Big Book Getaway at the Mohegan Sun Resort in CT, February 21 - 22.  From its website (link),

Friday, Feburary 21, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
> Steamy Stories ~ An Intimate Conversation with Bestselling Romance and Erotica Authors: panel presentation in the Convention Center featuring Avon authors Eloisa James, Laura Kaye and Cathy Maxwell; joined by Lisa Gabriele, author of the S.E.C.R.E.T erotica series.

Saturday, February 22, 11:00 - 11:45 am

> Racy Romance ~ Bestselling Authors Presented by Avon featuring Eloisa James, Laura Kaye, Cathy Maxwell and Lisa Gabriele

Barbara Vey's Reader Appreciation Luncheon in Milwaukee, April 26.  From its website (link),

Join us as we welcome 50+ authors to Wisconsin ... including NYT best seller Debbie Macomber.

I am sitting with the fabulous Eileen Dreyer!

RT Booklovers' Convention in New Orleans, May 13-18.  From its website (link),

SOS America Military Salute: Kathryn Falk, founder of SOS America Inc., invites all booklovers to join her for this annual salute to military families. Our celebration includes an Honor Guard, barbershop quartet, and special guest speaker, Chief Michael Jaco, retired US Navy SEAL. We will recognize military veterans from the US and its allies plus the extended family who serve back home. Goodie bags will be presented to the military families.

Color Guard at Military Tribute
RT/Chicago 2012

I'm eyeing a few others:  WRW Retreat (link), Book Expo America (link), and RWA Annual Conference (link).  All this travel translates into more books to giveaway!

Speaking of RWA, I receive its monthly magazine and enjoyed this month's issue with Shana Galen's article, IS A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT RIGHT FOR YOU?    I read the magazine at the gym and I almost fell off the exercise bike laughing when I read a quote from Eileen Dreyer,

"My husband once tried to be helpful and filed the paperwork in my office.  I still haven't found it".

This is why I am sitting with Eileen at Barbara Vey's luncheon!

Eileen Dreyer, Patricia Rice, and Cathy Maxwell
RT/Los Angeles, 2011

Hats off to the producers of Hawaii Five O for last night episode, HO'ONANI MAKAU KANE - HONOR THY FATHER.   This episode, airing one week after the anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, focuses on an unsolved murder from WWII.   The episode offered a historical perspective of the surprise attack, the internment of Japanese Americans, and the 442nd Infantry Regiment - comprised of Japanese Americans who served in the European Theater.  The 442nd is the nicknamed the Purple Heart Battalion because it is the most decorated unit in Army history.   For an excellent review of the episode, check out this link.

Byodo In Temple on Oahu
Built on the 100th anniversary of the arrival of Japanese Immigrant

The emotional content was gripping ... and I enjoyed the scenes shot on Pearl Harbor ... places I've lived, visited, and posted on my travel blog, ALOHA ON MY MIND (link).  

Well done, H5O, well done!

How was your week?

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

The cast of H50 visited my son's school, Hickam Elementary.
Pearl Harbor is behind the school.