The Where Writers Win team has been in full force at this weekend’s Southern Festival of the Book in Nashville, TN. This is a special edition, the 25th anniversary of this great festival, featuring dozens of brilliant authors from Ron Rash and Rick Bragg, Cassandra King and Mary Alice Monroe, to Chuck Palahniuk, Bill Bryson and even Al Gore.

 

As authors and lovers of books, there’s nothing quite so satisfying to us as seeing hundreds of readers in sessions, or in line to buy books or to have a book autographed by their favorite author.

 

Book festivals let us take the temperature of readers, so to speak: Nashville was red-hot with eager readers, and it warmed our hearts to see readers from age 5 to 95 having so much FUN at a book festival! But it also gives us a live glimpse into how authors are using book festivals and book reviewers to their best advantage.

 

And so it was that a favorite panel of ours (though there were so many) was one featuring Kathy Patrick, founder of the Pulpwood Queens book club (photo below), with several authors whose work was selected by Kathy to be a book club read.

 

It was so clear when listening to Kathy and these lively authors that the influence of both book festival participation and book reviewers is critical to the success of an emerging authors. Nearly all Kathy’s picks have become best-sellers, and many have gone on to become major motion pictures. Attention brought to these books has earned them both critical acclaim and awards, not to mention thousands more readers.

 

In speaking with several more authors throughout the festival, each have been keen to find more reviewers and book clubs to engage with and more festivals like the Southern Festival of the Book to get out and meet readers in person.

 

Sure, it makes us prouder than ever to be providing those vetted reviewers, conferences and festivals for authors in our Winner Circle. But we’re prouder still to be a part of all the excitement of a great book weekend.

 

To all the authors who attended – we applaud you for bringing new books and new ideas to the masses. And for all you readers – we salute you and your good taste!