Authors at a paid book fair are a special breed of optimists. They pay for a table, pay for the travel, pay for coffee to stay awake, and then spend the day convincing strangers to buy a book they already spent years writing. If they break even, it's called success. If they sell out, it's called a miracle. Three times a year, I attend book fairs that don't charge authors for a stand. On June 7, I had a book stand at the Fismes festival “L’amour fait livre” -- this theme was based on a paronomasia/pun “L’amour fait vivre” (Love keeps us alive). Two fellow authors visited my stand and exchanged their autographed books for mine; we agreed to stay in touch, which was one of the highlights of the day. I did not sell a single book in the afternoon (for the first time 🙃). Another author joked, “How could you? You were surrounded by teenagers trying to practise their English!” He was right. Six teenagers stayed at my stand for several hours (my legs felt exhausted afterwards). Four of them left only when their mothers came to pick them up, while one politely excused herself after receiving a phone call. A 19-year-old male student was the last to leave at around five o’clock; his father, who had come to tell him it was time to go home, was grateful and thanked me generously for spending time with him. These six teenagers talked and listened without checking their phones (except when I requested one of them to show me his Australian friend in Queensland, where I came from) or fidgeting; they were polite and interacted with interest. It was worth it. I collected smiles, conversations, and enough human connection to almost pay for my petrol. Fismes “City of Coronations” is a small town in the Marne department, France, about 30 km west of Reims, which is famous for its cathedral, Champagne houses, and its role in French royal history.

Your readers know you write, but what else do they know about you? The largest number of responses and follows have come from photos with me on various motorcycles. Although I don't drive, I ride "backpack" or "*itch", but it's a part of me rarely seen by my readers. I strongly recommend that you share your hobbies with your readers and potential readers. Connect with them on a deeper level to make them WANT to learn more about you as a person and as a writer. Happy connecting, my friends!

This thread is for authors in the Historical Fiction Genre to be able to meet and discuss topics and issues faced in this genre. If you are in this genre and you do not see your name listed, please comment below and tag me in it. Link to the Historical Fiction Member Database: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Xit4uXpX5x8MjCpfnUdP__ar8KnnkkgpAtGpmV89hWo/edit?usp=sharing ----------- @Jessica James @Sophie Perinot @Rebecca Phillips @Gary Olive @Sam Smith @Kate Wiseman @Keith Wood @Christopher Tradgett @Charlotte Fox @Fabian Foley @Margaret Moxom

Thank you to everyone who could make it to tonight's Book Club Meeting! Special Thank You to @Sophie Perinot for coming to the US from the UK and taking the time to talk about her latest book! She was one of the Books of the Month and she was incredible tonight!

Book club Meeting in 1 Hour. See you there!