Have you ever met an author in person?

thewalkingdead111 · Post by **thewalkingdead111** » 02 Aug 2013, 19:58

I met Terry Brooks, the author of the Sword of Shannara series. He is very, very nice. He talked to everyone while he was signings their books and even remembered people he met 10+ years ago.

Sieron1 · Post by **Sieron1** » 05 Aug 2013, 04:06

Sir Arthur C Clarke,now deceased. I met him for a school assignment. Took me loads of phone calls, security checks and follow-up. He was nice but a bit intimidating. But that might have been my impression because I was a kid. He also had a super-ugly chihuahua running around.

books_magic · Post by **books_magic** » 05 Aug 2013, 23:07

No, not even one!

Starric · Post by **Starric** » 06 Aug 2013, 08:24

Yes, at RavenCon in Richmond I was able to meet a couple of authors. Also, my daughter is an avid reader and we've met a few children's authors. In fact, we've went out of our way to meet more of them than anyone else in the last two years.

Loveabull · Post by **Loveabull** » 12 Aug 2013, 17:44

Maya Angelou when she spoke at a local university many years ago. I only wish I could carry myself the way she does both onstage and off...phenomenal woman indeed. What do you say to someone who's words you grew up with? I was completely tongue tied...awestruck...but she was amazing

Happily Candied · Post by **Happily Candied** » 17 Aug 2013, 16:29

I've met a few authors in person over the years...

Nicholas Sparks - He did a reading and a signing at a local bookstore when I was in college. I was one of the only younger people there at the time; I think most of the store was packed with older women. It was one of those experiences I'll never forget since everything was so chaotic while waiting to talk with Nicholas. I remember feeling completely overwhelmed when I finally spoke to him. He was such a down-to-earth, polite guy. It was nice getting the opportunity to have him sign all of the books I owned by him!

Sarah Dessen - This meet was a bittersweet experience. I had been a fan of Sarah's during high school and my early college years. The first time I was able to go to a signing of hers was when I was in my mid-twenties though. The store (which was more than a two hour drive from my home) was like a sardine can of extremely hyper teenage girls who couldn't hold still for more than one minute, and there was no air conditioning inside the building on a 90 degree day. I was happy to finally be able to tell Sarah that I'd "found my Dexter" (my favorite character from This Lullaby and all of her books combined), but I don't know if all of the other conditions made the experience worth it.

Alice Sebold - Meeting Alice was probably one of my favorite "celebrity" experiences. One of my favorite English professors knew I enjoyed Alice's work and gave me her ticket to a more private reading at another college campus. The atmosphere was quiet and serene, and the whole setup was very low key. I was even able to rush up to her table at the end of her reading of Almost Moon quickly enough to be second in line. She had been a fantastic speaker who put a lot of heart into the personal stories she shared with her audience.

barscoinc · Post by **barscoinc** » 17 Aug 2013, 20:04

When I lived in Botswana years ago I met South African writer Bessie Head. She told me in detail how she wrote the novel Maru by working backwards from the last sentence.....BBS

aislingii · Post by **aislingii** » 21 Aug 2013, 08:33

I met Darren Shan, the author of the demonata series and the Darren shan series. Although these books are more for young teens, they are well worth a read! They are unbelievable and very well put together.

MikeScantlebury · Post by **MikeScantlebury** » 21 Aug 2013, 11:15

Hey, this is brilliant - everyone is talking about household names, you know, 'famous people'.

I've met an author, and I do so every day - when I look in the mirror.
It's me.
I know I'm an author because when I type my name into Amazon I get '23 answers'.
That's pretty good, right?

Still, sorry guys, but I ain't famous.
If you meet me in the bookstore, you won't be able to tell your friends
and make them jealous!

greak · Post by **greak** » 23 Aug 2013, 18:48

I have read various authors but wish i could meet any of my favourites

Lena_Fernandez · Post by **Lena_Fernandez** » 27 Aug 2013, 00:22

I met Ruskin Bond at a book signing. More interestingly, I saw Alan Moore at a pub in Northampton. Didn't go up to him, he seemed to be having a good time.

MikeScantlebury · Post by **MikeScantlebury** » 27 Aug 2013, 05:59

I'm sure Alan Moore would have had an even better time if you joined in!

-- 27 Aug 2013, 07:00 --

I must confess one thing:
I saw Val McDermid at a Crime Convention in Doncaster in 1997.
She was in the bar with a large group of people.
I wanted to go over, introduce myself, and point out
that I was from Manchester too.

This story doesn't have a happy ending -
I didn't do it!

TD Matzenik · Post by **TD Matzenik** » 27 Aug 2013, 07:51

Douglas Terman had some very successful airport fiction back in the 1980s. He was a friend of mine from the sailing world. I made him read my first novel in ms. He told me it was rubbish. He was right.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » 27 Aug 2013, 08:54

TD Matzenik wrote:Douglas Terman had some very successful airport fiction back in the 1980s. He was a friend of mine from the sailing world. I made him read my first novel in ms. He told me it was rubbish. He was right.

Just scared of the competition I bet