"The Best Book Festival Ever"

One of the best parts of being a writer is getting to go to book festivals. Prior to having my first book published I didn't know such events even existed. But after I had a book in print I was contacted by an organization sponsoring a festival and invited to attend. I went, and now I am addicted to them.

The best thing about book festivals is getting to meet other authors. I have always been in awe of people who write and getting to know some of them personally has been a wonderful treat for me. When I meet some of my idols I kind of detach myself from the reality of who they are. That is the only way I can stand and converse with them without behaving like a blubbering idiot. Then when I get home and think about who I have actually spoken with, I am amazed. I play the conversation over and over in my mind and have a ball with it.

I was particularly happy to get an invitation to the South Carolina Book Festival this year. There are two reasons why this event is special. Number one, I am a South Carolinian by birth so this was my "homecoming" in a sense. Secondly, I attended this Festival last year so I knew how nice everyone associated with it is. These people treat the authors like royalty and stay pleasant and attentive the entire time.

My wife and I drove up to Columbia, South Carolina on Thursday even though the Festival didn't kick off until Friday. I had agreed to talk to two of Bob Lamb's writing classes at the University of South Carolina. Bob is the author of ATLANTA BLUES and is a good friend of mine. His classes are small and the students were very attentive when I spoke. Then they read some of their work and that was exciting to hear.

On Friday afternoon I went to Sumter, South Carolina and had a book signing at one of the malls. I was told there was not much traffic in the mall that day because a writer was speaking to the Friends of the Library. That writer turned out to be Mary Alice Monroe, who was also attending the South Carolina Book Festival. Mary Alice is the author of several books, the latest being SWEETGRASS.

Mary Alice drew a crowd in Sumter and also a crowd at the Festival. In one of the first author signings I was stationed between her and Sandra Brown. People were lined up in droves, and they weren't coming to see me. I did manage to bask in the reflected glow of "celebritydom" emanating from both Mary Alice and Ms Brown.

One person I had been particularly excited about seeing at the SC Book Festival was Anne Rivers Siddons. I had met Ms Siddons and her husband several years ago and was impressed with both of them. Sadly Ms Siddons was felled by the flu and was unable to come to Columbia.

I did get a chance to finally meet Cassandra King in person. I had interviewed her by phone for a radio program a few years back when her book THE SUNDAY WIFE was released. I had read the book and found it to be enjoyable and insightful reading material. I was also interested in her because she is married to my favorite all time writer Pat Conroy.

Between the time I interviewed her on the radio and her appearance at the SC Book Festival I had met Pat Conroy. So now I was able to relax and get to enjoy talking with Ms King again. She is a very down to earth person who is just as friendly as can be. Once you engage her in conversation you are able to relax completely.

Every author I met at the South Carolina Book Festival was interesting, from Ken McCullough to James Huston to Bob Meyer to Jennifer Cruisie. And the list goes on and on. My wife says that authors are more down to earth than actors and I think that is true. Or maybe I have just been blessed to meet some of the very nicest around.

The South Carolina Book Festival featured panel discussions, book signings, and the chance to meet and greet in a one on one setting. It was the best festival I have ever attended, and I look forward to going back again and again.

 

 

 

 

 

©2006 Jackie K. Cooper

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