Saturday I had the honor of being a special guest at the Southern Magic Luncheon in Birmingham, Alabama. This event is dedicated to readers and the Southern Magic RWA goes all out in showing their appreciation by hosting this not to be missed gathering.
The programming is tight with a meet and greet, buffet luncheon, achievement awards for their members, door prizes donated by authors, raffles baskets with proceeds going to Literacy, a welcome speaker and keynote and a popular booksigning.
Authors Debra Glass and Naima Simone
Not only did readers start off with a loaded tote bag at registration, once they reached their author’s table they were greeted with individual gifts. While all the personal items for the readers were generous and amazing, one pair of authors stood out. Debra Glass and Naima Simone brought large pillows (made by Naima’s talented mother), throw blanket, travel mug, exquisite compact, books and more. It was like Christmas morning at their table. Apparently, they keep their offerings secret til the last minute and there is a mad rush to sit at their table.
Keynote Sherrilyn Kenyon and Welcome speaker Dianna Love
Dianna Love welcomed the readers by referring them to reviews of past books. This was met by much laughter and put the reviews of today into perspective. She spoke about how all authors get dinged on reviews and shared several negative ones that authors like Ernest Hemingway and Walt Whitman suffered in their time, plus this one by the British Review on Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights – “Here all the faults of Jane Eyre are magnified a thousand fold, and the only consolation which we have in reflecting upon it is that it will never be generally read.” Dianna added, “Some things never change. Like the fact that readers will always control the destiny of a book.”
Keynote Sherrilyn Kenyon did not disappoint her many fans by relating the 10 Myths About Being a Writer. Here’s a few: “Once you hit the bestseller list you gain immediate fame.” “Writers spend all of their time touring exotic locations as they research their next book.” “All writers live in gigantic pink houses with gorgeous pool boys named something sexy like Juan-Carlo or Arturo.” “Once you become a New York Times bestselling author you immediately have control over your
cover, your title, your back cover blurb, your release dates, the price of your book, the format of the book and sometimes even the content of your book.”
Line for Booksigning
Luncheon room before guests arrive
I’ve got to say that going to the Heart of Dixie Luncheon prompted me to start my own Barbara Vey Reader Appreciation Luncheon, but attending the Southern Magic Luncheon showed me how much I could improve my event. Their luncheon was so efficient, yet so much fun. It wasn’t even over and readers were talking about attending next year.
The keynote speaker for next year’s luncheon will be Jeaniene Frost.
Bottom Line: They’ve already asked me back for next year, so it’s on my calendar…hope to see you there.
It was Southern Magic’s pleasure to have you as our special guest at the luncheon. Thank you for your kind words. We look forward to seeing you next year!
I am so there. Your group is extremely gracious and generous to the readers who attend your sold out event. I’m sure you’ll have to expand it next year.
I enjoyed chatting with you and I am glad you sat at my table. You make me miss the north so much! I am very glad you are coming back next year. And I am excited about your Readers Lunch as well!
I had the pleasure of meeting your family and your daughters were delightful. I’m looking forward to them joining my group of YA Readers.
It was my honor to sit next to you during the luncheon! I’m so happy to have the chance to know you and will see you next year!
The food was good and the company better. Always love to chat with authors!
Barbara, it’s always a pleasure to see you! I’m so glad I was one of the inaugural authors at your luncheon, and I’m willing to come back any time.
I know it’s going to be a fabulous event!
Wonderful news that you’ll be back in Birmingham next year!!
Lynn, you always make every event fun. Wish we would have had more time to chat.
Aw, thanks! I did feel like I didn’t get to visit with you enough. I wanted my hubby to talk to you too. Y’all could have talked football. Plus, he’s a Yankee (from snowy Buffalo)! *gg* Next time for sure!
It was so good to meet you at the luncheon, Barbara. Thanks very much for coming and being a part of Southern Magic’s big day. Next year (hint, hint) you know with whom to sit.
Love of the pic of Naima and me!! Thanks for mentioning us.
It was a pleasure to meet you both. Your latest book cover is amazing.
It was so nice to see you again Barbra! I agree, Debra’s cover is gorgeous! I might be a tad biased on that.
Barbara–Seeing you made a fun day spectacular! It’s always a pleasure.
Alicia, there is no way to go to an event like this and not make new friends and connect with old ones. What a terrific get together!
Barbara it was so wonderful to see you again! We HAVE to keep meeting like this
The Southern Magic Romance Readers Luncheon was the first event I attended of this kind…and I loved every minute!
Rashda/Mina, I know this was your first, but it won’t be your last. These events get addictive. I’ll be seeing you at more.
Barbara, it was an honor, a privilege and a delight to have you attend. Come back soon, ya’hear?
Laura, how can I resist that Southern Hospitality?
Barbara,
It was so good to see you this weekend! Reader luncheons are one of the best things about being a writer. What could be bad about enjoying a fun afternoon with others who love to read? Not a darn thing! Thank you for visiting B’ham and sharing the day with us.
Kira
Kira, it was so nice catching up with you and I’m really looking forward to 2013!
Hi Barbara! It was great to have you join us this year! I enjoyed chatting with you again and look forward to seeing you at future luncheons. As Heart of Dixie’s former Luncheon Chair, I wish you the greatest success during your 2nd Annual luncheon next year. What you do for the romance industry is phenomenal!!! Thank you!
Heart of Dixie and Southern Magic have charmed me. Anyone who attends these events will not be disappointed.
Barbara, it was so nice seeing you again. Readers like you (a-book-a-day) are what make us so happy.
And, yes, we have some smart cookies running the show: Heather Leonard, Lisa Dunick, Katherine Bone, Amanda Kin, Angela Blount, Laura Hayden, and many more that I’ll kick my rearend for not remembering to mention. So many hands.
Stay warm and be safe as we look forward to seeing you in Birmingham next year!
Carla, I came home to 30 degree weather and am cranky. Need more winter luncheons in the south.
Hi, Barbara!
It was wonderful seeing you again! Thank you so much for coming to the Luncheon! The day was just that much more special because you were there. “Yaay!” about you coming to next year’s luncheon! Debra and I have a seat saved for you!! And thank you for the mention and the beautiful picture!
Naima, I was so happy to meet your talented mother. It runs in the family. Southern Magic is on my calendar for next year…definitely!
Hi Barbara,
It was so great to see you again visiting down here in Alabama!
You are so wonderful to come to see us and share time with all of your fans!
You made the event even more fun for us!
I hope you will be able to make it back down here for the Heart of Dixie luncheon, June 8th.
We would love to see you even sooner than next year’s Southern Magic event.
Stephanie
Heart of Dixie will always hold a special place in my heart. It was my first reader’s luncheon and I loved seeing all the authors in tiaras. I’d love to come again
Yay, I am so excited about that thought. I would love to see you in June, Barbara. Bringing another basket with goodies in it as well as my tiara
It was so much fun! Very well organized I agree. They did a great job. And I won two baskets! Score!
It was great seeing you. I definitely wouldn’t mind going next year. I love Jeaniene Frost so you just might see me there.
Missy, you were a big winner and I was so jealous. Hope you had an extra suitcase to get all that stuff home.
I hope to make it next time. Would’ve loved to see you and all my Magic pals.
Looking forward to it.
Yay!! I’m so glad you’re coming back next year. So much fun to see you and spend time with you in Birmingham. I may have to head up to your luncheon just to give away more awesomeness in a basket. Thanks again for the review and the support, too.
I would be honored to see a group of you from Birmingham at my luncheon. I’d show you some northern hospitality.
Barbara!
It was so nice meeting you Saturday.
My friend and I are seriously trying to work the logistics of being in Milwaukee in April.
I am really hoping we can make it happen.
BTW–I WAS at the Simone/Glass table. We had way too much fun.
Jan, I hope it works out for you to come to Milwaukee. It should be a blast.
Thank you so much for the kind words about our luncheon, Barbara! We were so pleased you came and we look forward to seeing you there next year. Southern Magic is my home chapter and the women who volunteer to run this luncheon are some of the most amazing women I know. But best of all they are the most supportive and encouraging people any aspiring writer could ever wish to have in his or her corner. And may I say many, many writers say the very same thing about you! Thanks so much for all you do for the romance genre! Perhaps we will both be fortunate enough to get a seat at the legendary Simone / Glass table next year!
Louisa, there’s nothing better than a supportive chapter. Your group rocks!
What a rockin’ luncheon we had in Birmingham, Al this past weekend. I so love going to see everyone and Southern Magic always shows the world what southern hospitality is all about, with elegance. I had such a good time visiting with readers and other authors. Heather, Lisa and Kathy (and volunteers!) did an amazing job, as always. Laura Hayden (Author Author owner) put on a great book signing, but being a top author she knows what makes a great one.
Huge thanks to everyone, especially the readers, who came out to spend the day with us Saturday. That was a real treat.
And thank you, Barbara, for joining us and writing up this terrific blog on the luncheon.
Dianna, it’s always great visiting with you. I’m so glad the readers get a chance to meet their favorite authors up close and personal. The real prize is meeting new authors you may have missed otherwise.
It was an amazing event and I won’t miss it next year. Dianna, Sherrilyn and you, Barbara were all class acts.
Loved seeing you again Barbara! And this was my first Southern Magic Luncheon too – I cannot wait til next year!
The authors and writers of this RWA chapter rock – and the swag isn’t bad either. It’s a great group of talented authors and supportive women who pull off a fabulous event every year.
Thanks so much for coming, Barbara! I’m glad you’ll be back next year.