The Bookworm Box Signing

12/10/16, I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the signing at Colleen Hoover’s The Bookworm Box bookstore in Sulpher Springs, Texas featuring Colleen Hoover (obviously), Christine Brae, Amy Harmon, Brittainy C. Cherry, Alessandra Torre, BB Easton, and Christina Lauren.

I bought my ticket for the signing the day before Halloween, so I have been anxiously awaiting meeting my favorite authors for weeks! The night before, I could hardly go to sleep, like a kid on Christmas Eve! Saturday morning I woke up early to head out, since it is about a three and a half hour drive to Sulpher Springs. Christine Brae (!!!) invited three of us “Brae’s Butterflies” to lunch before the signing- Ashleigh, Rachel, and Me. I was running a little behind schedule — slow poke Texas drivers were in between Christine and me for too long!! Finally, I made it to town to Muddy Jake’s restaurant to eat lunch with Christine and my book buddies. I felt like I had a million things I wanted to talk to Christine about, but couldn’t think of any of them when I was actually there. It was exciting to finally be with her in person after talking to her all year on Facebook, nonetheless! I can’t say enough good things about her, she is the sweetest, most impeccably dressed woman! Of course, I already knew I would love her, but I just wanted to spend all day with her!

Christine and Kiki had to head over to the Bookworm Box to set up for the signing, so the Butterflies and I finished our lunch, went back to our cars to get our suitcases full of books (ha!) , and get in line. While we were having a blast and waiting in line, we were able to spot Kim Holden, author of Bright Side and So Much More, when she hopped in line behind us and J.R. Rogue, the poetry goddess and author of La Douleur Exquise and Burning Muses! Our stalking skills were on point, to say the least.

Finally, we made it in the store to Brittainy C. Cherry’s line first. It was surreal to see the authors in person after watching their careers and lives unfold on social media for so long. Everyone talks about how nice and genuine the authors are after they meet them, but that is such an understatement. They are humble, and almost fans of their readers as much as we’re fangirls of them. I was worried, much like Colleen is about meeting Ellen DeGeneres, that the authors may not live up to my expectations in person. I am happy to be wrong, I only love them each So Much More after meeting them. 😉

I have a journal to write my favorite song lyrics, movie and book quotes inside that I was anxious to have the authors sign by their quotes, along with paperback copies of their work. I was able to spot Kim Holden and JR Rogue again in line and find their quotes in my book to have them sign as well!

I was completely in awe of how the writers were signing unlimited books for their fans, especially Colleen and Amy! Talk about hand (or neck) cramps from writing non-stop for 3+ hours! My favorite moments were simply being able to chat with everyone, lunch with Christine, and snagging an indie copy of Making Faces! The day was such a blast, I wish I could go back in time to relive it again.

This book community has become one of the highlights of 2016 for me, and I’m just so thankful to be a part of it. Readers and authors are so down to earth. I’m convinced the ability to put ourselves in our favorite character’s shoes makes us more compassionate and loving towards others. This is one of the most supportive communities there is- people go out of their way to take care of others they have only met through social media, and if and when book friends finally meet, it is as if they’ve been friends for life.
I’m speaking from experience!

Now it’s time to build a bigger bookshelf… 🙂 Though my books aren’t quite ready for the shelf yet. I have to keep holding them and looking at them because I can’t believe I really have these awesome signed copies of my favorite books! ♥