I just spent the weekend in lovely Tucson, Arizona for the sixth annual Tucson Festival of Books. Wow! There’s something about a gi-normous book festival that renews your faith in people reading….

The event drew well over 100,000 people, was staffed by over 3,000 amazing volunteers, AND raised over $1 million for literacy programs! Our collective thanks for an incredible (and incredibly well-organized) event. (Check out a photo gallery and report on the event in the Arizona Daily Star, a major sponsor.)

I had the privilege of serving on three different panels on Saturday and Sunday that drew standing-room only crowds and featured really engaging questions from the writers and emerging authors who attended.

And, as typically happens during the course of such events, a theme emerges that becomes a focal point for ongoing discussions. During the course of our talks on blogging, social media marketing and living the writer dream, the theme that really took center stage was that of engaging readers in a meaningful and authentic way.

In talking and thinking about this, we decided that this whole author social media “space” is pretty much like a giant virtual cocktail party:

• You go in not knowing many folks, and hug the wall a bit ’til you get your bearings.
• You introduce yourself, get introduced to others, and HOPEFULLY have the good sense to ask those others about what they’re up to.
• If you’re clever, you’ll also have something to say that’s laced with a bit of humor (no, not off-color jokes).
• As you get to know the people you meet, you share other things besides what you “do.” Pics of the ski vacation, a great restaurant recommendation, whatever.

What you don’t do (well, unless you want to send the people you meet scurrying to refill their drinks) is loudly announce your presence and proceed to talk to everyone you meet as if you were on stage and they paid to see you perform. They didn’t.

Of course, unlike the live cocktail party, you don’t need to dress up or wear uncomfortable shoes.

But the point of course is that the best bloggers out there are “keeping it real” – having interesting and meaningful exchanges with the fans who read their blogs or check out their Facebook or Twitter pages.

And, if all else fails, quipped one clever attendee, sharing a photo of a cat always seems to get the most response 🙂

So, authors. Tell us how you’re keeping readers engaged. Do you use humor? Ask questions of your readers? Offer up lists or contests?

Want to read more about one of the largest book festivals in the nation? Click Here.