The "Readers for Life" Literacy Autographing has become one of the most popular events at RWA's Annual Conference. This year over four hundred romance authors participated in the event.
The 2012 literacy autographing raised $52,933 for ProLiteracy Worldwide, Read Orange County, and Literacy Volunteers of Huntington Valley.
Here I am stopping to pose as I set up for the event. I packed 96 copies (48 each of Mitzi's Marine and Marry Me, Marine) for Anaheim. This was the first year supplying my own books for the signing and 10 was the suggested number.
As you can see I brought 10 each to the signing and sold out of Mitzi's Marine and most of Marry Me, Marine so I was glad for the sake of literacy I'd over compensated.
Why lug a suitcase full of books all the way to conference? Not just for the signing or goodie room giveaways--though did that, too. But because I wanted to see how many books I could fit into my spare suitcase without going over the luggage limit of fifty pounds. That way I'd know how many books (after getting rid of mine, of course) I could bring home!
I'm not greedy, okay maybe I am when it comes to books, and there are a lot of FREE books at conference. My roommate, who drove in, carted away five boxes--225 books. In past years I've shipped books home for more than it would have cost to buy them. Or at least that's what it seemed like. So this year I was determined to pack them out.
Since only two boxes of Supers (which weighed in at 15 pounds each) would fit into my suitcase, I knew my limit was 96 books--give or take--depending on size. Without straining my back or my budget I came home with 80+ weighing in at 34.5 pounds.
While putting them away last night I realized I still have some unread books from last year--oh, oh. I'm never going to read all these books I came home with. That's why I'm giving away a variety of Harlequin books to one lucky commenter today. Just confess to me your own book addiction!
Also, we will be drawing from all of July's comments for this month's Super Six pack. Next month we'll draw from August, etc. So keep those comments coming! Even when we're not giving away a daily prize your comments count toward the monthly drawing!
39 comments:
Since i know about english books, OMG i just buy a many books (PNR and Harlequin) and since i work and also a mommy too, m m m .. alittle big mistake.. so many books that i never to read..:p
I'm right there with you on the book addiction. I'm going to be the old lady that the home nurse can't get through the door to, because of the towers of books!
Sounds like you've had a lot of fun. No idea you could get so many stories for free... I'm jelaous ;)
I'm always, always short for new books. I used to have a tbr pile but as I had a vacation of 2 weeks I'm done reading it. Which is a sad thing indeed. Saved them up for a year and kept a few stories for my keepers shelf. But am again in DESPERATE need of new reading material.
It's kind of like chocolate, you got to have some on a daily basis. If only a chapter or two. :D
Kristen, I don't know what I'd do if I ever ran out of books :?
Scarlet, I'm right there with you on the book hoarding .
Cecilia, I once made myself cull my collection of anything over two years old and unread--that was tough.
I am a book hoarder. I admit it Just don't let my husband see this! I own close to 6000 books. Then I got a Kindle and I have almost 4000 books on that. My husband says I will die before I read them all. But, I sill want more books.
I don't care if i'm too greedy as long as i have so many books because i love reading book and collecting book :D
although i have so many books and about 70% i have not read yet (ouch..) still i can't if not buy a new book or want to win book ;D
I buy way too many books. If I could get free books I'd be packing an empty suitcase as well. I never knew about the RWA conference until 2008. I'm only a reader but I'd love to attend the literacy signing. I would have such a big bill at the end of the day.
I'm praying that I'll be able to stay in my house until I die as it would break my heart to have to get rid of my pikes of books. Some poor niece or nephew is going to end up with the chore.
Man that should read piles of books. I have boxes full of read ones and boxes full of unread ones.
I love books and I am always getting more and more. It doesn't matter if the paper or audio. Now if I can only find the time to read or listen to all of them.
Hi, my name is Marcie and I am addicted to Harlequins. But namely I am addicted to SuperRomance.
Go over to eHarl Community folks - SuperRomance is the Spotlight Series of the month!!
MarcieR
I too have books all over, always have had. I learned late in life not to keep too many after they are read, too many books in the world to re-read any no matter how good they are! I now give all the books I've read away, some to the local food bank which lets people have them free, some to neighbors who are out of books, plus I have a friend I trade books with. I always hope someone will find a new series or author they love and start buying that authors books!!!! Looks like loads of fun at the conference.
I confess I am addicted to romance novels. I have so many in my tbr pile that I have lost count.
Thanks for the giveaway.
CrystalGB
I confess big time to my book addiction.. I have over two hundred book to read on my tbr bookshelves on my kindle I have that many too... My addiciton as never been this bad, since I retired for medical reasons. Lots to time to go to great blogs like t his one and so many others who have awarded me some great prizes in books by some of my fav authors..
I have been thinking about this post for a bit now. I didn't realize that authors had to provide their own copies of books for the signing. Saw a picture of the table set up on another blog. It didn't look as busy as I thought it would be.
OOPS ~ Just saw a lot of pictures of the literary signing and it was busy in those pictures. Quite a good crowd.
Your secret is safe with us, Tammy.
Eli, it's clear to me we need to come up with a rotation system. I keep mine in alphabetical order and in face out racks -- yes I'm anal and I used to be a bookseller :)
Kaylee; next year the RWA conference is in Atlanta! I hope that's near you so you can make the signing.
FYI, Romantic Times puts on a great annual conference for readers! With lots of authors and lots of books!
I must confess, I read Harlequins about seven hours a day. Three hours while grandbaby naps and four hours after dinner when real people watch TV (or more if I just can't put the book down.) No matter how many Harlequins I buy, I am always running out. Then the worst thing happens. I have to do laundry or vacuum or wash windows until my new book order arrives.
If I have to choose between buying a book or food or an item of clothing I always go for the book.
I'm very much addicted to reading romance and love nothing more than to be transorted to a fab story with a bit of action, loads of fun and a lot of love.
I have many books in my bookcase but there will often be room for more. A girl can never have to many books in my opinion.
Marcie, I think we all need to join your support group--only our focus won't be on how to kick our adiction, but on how to get more...more...
You're welcome, Crystal. As far as adictions go book hoarding is harmless--maybe I shouldn't say that, here's the qualifier--unless of course we're all living between the stacks and blocking our fire exits book hoarding is a harmless form of recreation
Here's to many more wins, Kathleen to add to your collection!
Books are by far my favorite treat to give myself whenever I have a little extra money. I love the feel of them in my hands, the smell, the way they can take you anywhere without having to leave the comfort of your home.
Wow, Ro! I'm impressed by lengths you employed to get those books home. You're a pro!
I didn't bring as many home this year as I did in years past. I've definitely got a book addiction, but I don't read as much as I did before I was published. No time now. Too busy creating and folding my kids undies. LOL.
Marcie is right! Come drop by the Harlequin forum. I'm going to try and get the link to work. It's a great place to hang out with the best writers and readers.
http://community.harlequin.com/showthread.php/511-Harlequin-SuperRomance-3/page5
Liz
I am right there with you all. I'm a total book addict too! I can't go to the store with out buying at least one book, lol! I have huge bin filled with books waiting to be read but it doesn't stop me from buying more. I get it from my Mom, she is the same way.
Have a fabulous day!
Way to make time to read, BW!
Kaylee, I think that's because those pictures were, like mine, taken before or even after the actual signing. I was too busy signing and chatting to take pictures during the event.
I hear you, Linda. Who wants to stop reading long enough to do laundry. Okay, maybe tossing a load in at a chapter break isn't too bad and keeps the rest of the family happy :)
Jo's Daughter you're a gal after my own heart. Somehow I can always scrape up money for books and chocolate when I really need them.
Rogenna, it was great to meet you in person at the Literacy Autographing!
I've gone mostly to Kindle, so I can be addicted to books without having to ship boxes home. :-)
Summer, you difinetly fit in with the rest of us adicts.
Thanks, Liz for the reminder about the Harlequin forum.
Gloria, you're right sharing is the best part of owning a book.
Alinda, at least you know you'll have the right book for any mood.
Cathryn, it was great meeting you at conference too!
I can't imagine coming home with 5 boxes of books from a conference. I definitely need to attend one in the near future.
Hey Ro,
It was great seeing you for a few minutes at the conference. I didn't bring home that many books because of the weight. Good for you for figuring out how to bring home more books without paying for them
Jane, my roommate had the hometown advantage and a husband who picked her up in a minivan :)
Oh, the lengths I will go to for FREE books :) It was nice to see you too, Linda. Next year we should make time to sit down for a long chat
Good night everyone! Thanks for stopping by. Check back this weekend for prizes. And good luck!
I buy as many books as I can afford. Most of them are supers with some Romance, Suspense, Intrigue, historicals, love inspired and American thrown in to the pile. :) Now that I have an ereader (thank you superblog) I constantly use it and I have a tbr pile on my ereader which is much better than on the floor. Even though I like the feel and read of a real book, nothing beats the ereader for saving space and instant gratification! :)
It's 10:30 p.m. August 1 here, I think this blog must be on EST :)
Ro,
Wish we had sat closer to each other at lunch that day. I would have loved to have talked with you:-) I ended up shipping a small box of the free books home, and you're right, it was much too expensive. But the thought of my heavy purse on one shoulder, a heavy bag of book on the other, and two pieces of rolling luggage seemed like more than I wnated to handle:-)
I love my ereader too, Snookie.
I understand one of the publishers was giving away free ereads at the conference, but heard atendees walking through the room just thought the authors were out of books and left without the free read.
Nothing beats the look and feel of a book :)
And you're right BTW, the blog is set to EST. Aloha, Hawaii!
Pam, it would have been nice to have a cozy chat. Two words for you on the 2 suitcases--curbside check-in! And then of course a husband, or son, or any guy to pick you up at baggage claim.
If you don't bring books you can pack the smaller suitcase with closthes and nestle it inside the larger one and still have room for shoes :)
I used to store my 500+ books in stacked boxes and then pass them on immediately to friends once I'd read them. Then I started to blog and realized I needed to keep track. Now I have my newest books in alphabetical order by author laid out in a vertical filing cabinet and only occasionally go back and read the ones in the boxes. The difference is that before blogging, I didn't care who the authors were; I just read the back blurb and bought accordingly. Now I have certain authors and genres I prefer so only buy those books. I keep track of what I have read so that I can tell others about my "finds" in future blogs. It's a vicious circle, but I'm still able to read over 250 books a year (since 1974).
Rogenna,
Glad you had a great time at RWA. Thanks for the heads up for taking an extra suitcase next year!
My book addiction has gotten so bad, my husband bought me a Kindle. Scary knowing I can download a book at any time. As long as there's wireless access. My oldest son has one too, and has blown through the Hunger Games trilogy this summer.
I also like that I can send my own work and read it on my Kindle. I can then make changes in the orignial document without having two versions open and wondering if I saved the right version.
I love books. For me reading isn't just something I like to do. It's a necessity. I do have to say I prefer paperbacks over any other format, but a recent trip to Barnes & Noble made me realize how limited the choices are in a brick and mortar store. There were no Superromance (GASP!) and very few non big name authors on the shelves. I did find one of my chaptermate's debut release (two copies) and a few of some of the more established authors from my chapter, with one or two titles available.
I live in a small town where the only bookstore is a used one. I love the flexibility of Amazon. If I know what I want, I can get it. It's a little harder to browse, but I'm learning that sometimes the recommendations are useful.And I can always go to my favorite author websites and link to Amazon from there.
My book addiction is so bad that I have books I haven't even read. I went to Borders every day, spending close to $100 each time I was there when they were going out of business. I try to stop but I kept buying. I think I went into the wrong career path. I should have been a librarian.
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