Our 2022 Featured Authors Share their Favorite thing about Meeting with Readers
We asked our featured authors about their favorite thing about meeting with readers. Find out what they had to say below.
Authors of Children’s Fiction and Nonfiction
I love the twinkle in young readers' eyes, as they make connections to the text.
-Adrienne Purnell Brown
I love to share the love of reading and writing, especially with children!
-Rachelle Burk
I love seeing the emotion on children's faces when I read a story.
-Dr. Marisa Castronova
Meeting with readers is the very best part of this writing life — watching their faces, listening to their questions, finding the words to answer honorably, helpfully, and, dare I say it, memorably.
-Beth Kephart
Sharing my latest book called, Piecing It All Together.
-Kathleen D. Lindsey
I'm happy to share unknown true stories with readers and to hear what they think about the topic.
-Ann Magee
When they provide feedback and their personal experience based off my book.
-Steph Ox
My favorite thing is inspiring little minds to dream big.
-Keosha Sath
I love how the kids process the story of Princess Nylah while it unfolds.
-Susan Small
I love when I'm told that one of my books is their favorite. I especially love hearing from a parent or teacher how a kid really connected with one of my titles, read it over and over and sometimes I'll hear that a student chose one of my books to be the first that the read in front of their whole class. I love that so much.
-Timothy Young
Authors of Teen and Tween Fiction and Nonfiction
Hearing about them, what they're reading, and what they love about stories!
-Maria E. Andreu
Being able to talk face to face with readers about their favorite books and authors and feel the excitement as they share their enthusiasm.
-Darlene Beck-Jacobson
I love talking books! What they like to read, what I like to read, how to write one, what I'd like to see, what do they want me to write?
-Charlotte Bennardo
I love talking about our amazing world, particularly the incredible animals we share it with, and finding out what excites readers. I always hope to share one fact someone didn't know before, as well as to imagine all the possibilities the future holds.
-Jeff Campbell
Listening to them. Learning what's important to them. Hearing about their favorite books.
-Donna Gephart
I enjoy answering readers' questions, listening to their comments/observations, and learning about their backgrounds.
-Kwame Ivery
The things teen readers have to say always fascinates me.
-Jeffry W. Johnston
As a former teacher, I love interacting with young readers and talking about what they love to read.
-Dianne Salerni
Answering questions and chatting about their own writing goals.
-Eric Smith
I love meeting readers, and I love the conversations we have about Spanish influenza. Many people did not know much about the Spanish influenza epidemic of 1918 until now; they often express their surprise at finding out about it. Other readers share their own family stories of Spanish influenza, and I am so glad we can make those connections.
-Kate Szegda
Authors of Adult Fiction and Nonfiction
The surprises that come when discussing the work with people--to think more on what the work is about, to hear what readers think about when they read my work. Our relationship to our ideas and the things we make is always changing, and it's rewarding to catch up to what's new.
-Justin Coffin
I enjoy most creating “seat” within each story for a woman to find herself and unfold. I too enjoy creating flash/short stories with readers as a way to build community and share experiences.
-Sannii Crespina-Flores
Hearing their often surprising perspectives, insights, and interpretations
-Ann de Forest
I love getting to meet readers because every single interaction sparks a new conversation about the issues I tackle in my fiction from social justice and gun violence to women running for political office.
-Jo Piazza
It feels as if fewer people actually read novels nowadays, so to have the opportunity to talk to fellow fans is always welcome. And of course, if I end up meeting someone who has actually read one of my books, well, that's like a miracle! :)
-Sung Woo
Poets
As a teacher, I love talking craft with people and hearing about their projects.
-Laura McCullough
The shared passion for reading.
-Kathleen Volk Miller
Just the validation of knowing that they may have heard or read my work and been moved or inspired by it in some way. I always appreciate the opportunity to share my work publicly.
-Bruce Niedt
Hearing what excites them.
-Robin Palley
I love when a poem invites someone to share their own story, or inspires them to write something of their own.
-Nancy Reddy
The opportunity to connect with other people who have a passion for poetry and poetry accessories
-John Wojtowicz
