"Oh, Kaye!" Goes to Birmingham

An introverted, self-published writer attends her first fan/writer book event as a participating writer/panelist instead of in her normal role as a fan.



That would be me.



Can it possibly go well?


Whew.  I am happy to say, it went beautifully!!!


When the one and only, perfectly delightful (and very patient) Margaret Fenton invited me to participate in her annual Murder in the Magic City event in Birmingham, my first reaction was "Wheeeee!  I would love to!"

But, as time went on and we got closer to the actual event, the more I fretted.

I've been to book events, but as a fan.  The book events I've attended as a writer have been signings only, never as a panelist.

Let me tell you, the prospect of being a "Virgin Panelist" was terrifying to me.

Add in the fact that I suffer from fairly severe hearing loss just made it that much more terrifying.

Could I do this without making a fool of myself?

Well, the only way to find out is just do it.  I figure if I make a fool of myself, it wouldn't be the first time, nor would it be the last.  I've learned over the years that there are worse things that can happen than looking foolish.

And so -

I pulled up my big girl panties and sent a prayer up to the god of hearing aids (I call him "HuhI'mSorryWhatDidYouSay" or "Huh" for short).


And, I had a ball.

Let me tell you.  If you're new to all this, there is no place better to get your toes wet than "Murder in the Magic City."  Margaret Fenton could give lessons on how a small con is done.  I doubt anyone can top her when it comes to making their guests feel so welcome and special.

Her warmth permeated the entire event, and the group reacted with warmth in return.  In spades.  What a fun, generous, supportive group this was!

Murder in the Magic City, Class of 2014 

Rocks 

I got to hang out with friends I don't see near often enough, and I was able to finally meet some people I'd been dying to meet.  Like our own Red Julia!  Finally! And if there's any doubt whatsoever, let me assure you, she is every bit as smart, funny, beautiful and delightful as she appears right here at Jungle Reds.

Toni Kelner, me, and Julia Spencer-Fleming

And, I learned some things.


I learned I'm a better moderator than panelist.

Often I find myself in situations that I will ask myself, "what would Hank do?"  And if I don't know, or can't guess, I just ask her for advice.  So, thanks to some excellent advice from our Hank, I think I was as prepared as any moderator in the history of moderators, and because of that, I was able to relax a little and have fun - and able to remember that the panel was about them.  I had three panelists who were complete pros and who were engaging and funny.  We seemed to connect with one another and with our audience.  To me, connecting with the audience and entertaining them was what it was all about.  I was pleased as punch that we seemed to do that.

Our panel was "Murder: In Four Courses with Cocktails"

They each enjoy food - preparing it, eating it and writing about it - along with the appropriate beverage of choice.  And because I do also, I could relate to each of them and the conversation went smooth and easy.  It was an easy and fun topic, with an easy and fun team.  So much fun, I forgot to be nervous.

Mike Orenduff, Don Bruns, me and Kathleen Delaney

As you'll probably guess from all the pictures I've posted below, it can go very well, indeed, for an introverted, self-published writer attending her first fan/writer book event as a writer instead of a fan.

But, I was scared.


And, in the spirit of being honest, while the first day's event, "Murder in the Magic City" was tons of fun for me, the second day's event, "Murder on the Menu" was hard for me.  That is not to say it wasn't a perfectly organized, fun event.  It was.  But part of it included sitting down at tables with groups of people we didn't know.  A lot of people are very good at this.  I admire that so much - and I envy it.  It's not something I'm good at and it's exhausting for me.  I've never learned how to make small talk with strangers (not very good at it with people I've known forever, truth be told).  But, I did it and am so proud of myself for doing it when I really wanted to lock myself in the bathroom stall.   Because the people I met were delightful and I found myself having very interesting, very insightful conversations about books and authors.  Well, of course, that's what they would talk about.  It was, after all, a book event!   What was I thinking?!  I'm an idiot.

So. Now I want to know, Dear Reds, have you pulled up your boot straps and done something you were really scared to do?  How'd it go, and are you glad you did? 


P.S. - My "Whimsey" is now available as an audiobook, and I have a few coupons for freebies.  To celebrate no longer being a "Virgin Panelist," I'd like to give one away today.  If you're interested, just leave a comment and I will toss the names into my magic Willie Nelson baseball cap.  I'll draw a name tonight and the winner will be announced in tomorrow's post.

AND!

Our buddy, the always upbeat, always delightful, Dru Ann Love is also giving one away at her place.  So hop on over to Dru's Book Musings for all the details.  (thank you, Dru Ann!!)

AND, our friend Mason Canyon is also giving one away at her place, Thoughts in Progress. Thank you, Mason!

And now catch a glimpse of some of the members of
Murder in the Magic City, Class of 2014

The event started with a reception at the hotel.

Me and Margaret Fenton

Mike Orenduff, Flo Fitzpatrick and Lynda Fenton

Karen Cunningham, Margaret Fenton and Sheila Lawrence

Denise Swanson, Jennifer Brooks and Jennifer's sweet dad

Toni Kelner/Leigh Perry, James M. Jackson and Brenda Witchger/Brynn Bonner

Robert Dugoni, Paula Benson, Bert Goolsby

Linda McCracken, Jane Tesh, Dee Phelps

Dee Phelps, Mike Orenduff, Lai Orenduff, me

Kaye Barley, Dee Phelps, Toni Kelner

Dee Phelps
Big Day for Dee - it was pub day for her "The Disappointment Room" 
(Don't miss it!!!!)

me and Dee

Dee Phelps, Denise Swanson, Toni Kelner

And, of course, Harley was there too!

The next day was
"Murder in the Magic City"
in the
Homewood Library


It really was a terrific event and a very special time was had by all

Jennifer Brooks and Flo Fitzpatrick

Jaden Terrell and Ellis Vidler

Polly Iyer, Linda Lovely, Neil Plakcy, Mike Orenduff

me, Jennifer Brooks, Don Bruns, Kathleen Delaney

Kaye George and Toni Kelner

Denise Swanson

James J. Jackson and Toni Kelner

me and Brynn Bonner

Dee Phelps, Jaden Terrell, Stacy Allen, me and Jennifer Brooks

Robert Dugoni
(I have to say this.  IF you ever, EVER have a chance to hear Robert Dugoni speak - do not miss it.  He is awesome!)

me and Mike Orenduff

Jane Tesh, Brynn Bonner, Flo Fitzpatrick, Dee Phelps and Karen Cunningham
Murder: In Time Panel

Neil Plakcy and Polly Iyer

Dee Phelps and Brynn Bonner

me, Jennifer, Don and Kathleen

along with a very fun group of readers

This is Susan.
Susan and some friends drive to this event from Atlanta every year.

She recognized my name from DorothyL and wanted to say "Hey!"

This is Lynda Fenton
Lynda was responsible for putting together the gift baskets for auction and
they were incredible!

Seriously, I've never seen baskets quite so beautifully and creatively put together.

I really wanted this basket full of chocolates, but Stacy Allen was the winner (lucky girl!)

Dee and Me

The Whole Group

Steve Herring our Delightful Official Photographer

Brynn Bonner/Brenda Witchger and her husband Bob (Delightful Unofficial Photographer)

And then - - - 

Dinner!

catered by Margaret's favorite Birmingham BBQ place

(it was delish!)

Polly Iyer, Linda Lovely and Kathleen Delaney

Stacy Allen and husband

Kaye George and husband George

And the next day -
Event #2
Murder on the Menu
in
Wetumpka, AL


This was another delightful event - an annual fund raiser for the Wetumpka Public Library
Organized by Tammy Lynn.

Tammy and Margaret

me, Linda Lovely, Neil Plakcy, Denise Swanson and Don Bruns
"I Don't Know These People! Building Great Characters from Scratch . . .  Or Not" Panel

Jaden and Dee

Jane

Don

Dee and Bert Goolsby

me and Ellis

Jaden, Toni and Polly

me and Dee



And the final highlight of a perfect weekend

Donald's parents threw Donald and his brother Steve a family birthday dinner.
So nice to be able to spend our last night in Birmingham with family

and I thank Linda McCracken, Toni Kelner and Kaye George for getting me there!

Note: My thanks to Steve Herring and to Bob Witchger for allowing me to use some of their photos - Thanks, guys!!!!!