How to Fangirl an Author

Fangirling author Julie Klassen

fangirl
\ˈfan-ˌgər(-ə)l\
A girl or woman who is an overly enthusiastic fan of someone or something.

If you could fangirl any author, who would it be? Go ahead and make a list. I'll wait.

Now that you know who you want to fangirl, let's go over the basics of how to do it . . .

5 Steps to Fangirl an Author

1. Join a fandom.

A fandom is a group of people who are as passionate about a particular author as you are. You can find these people on Goodreads or Facebook or pretty much any social media. And if you can't find any, then start your own fandom realm. Just be sure to go public with it so you're not alone. Also, if you create your own fandom, make sure to give yourself and other members a name. Example: Whovians are those who love Dr. Who.

2. Be a follower.

It's a given that your favorite author is somewhere on social media, and usually on more than one platform. Follow them all. Most importantly, check in on their website frequently for special events in your area.

3. Get off the couch.

If your author is having an event within a hundred mile radius of where you live then go. You don't want to miss out on a prime selfie with the author photo op, do you?

4. Be creative -- not creepy.

I once had a reader send me some pretty sweet handmade bookmarks. That's the kind of reader I adore -- not the ones who email me and tell me they love me so much they want to watch me while I sleep.

5. Share the love.

If you're a passionate fan of an author, the best way to spread that passion is to write reviews for their books. Post on Goodreads, Facebook, Amazon, wherever.

If you happen to be of the male persuasion, don't despair. Fanboys are every bit as important as fangirls.

Be on the Lookout

Two of my writerly buddies have books coming out in the very near future that are both fanfreakingtastic and you won't want to miss them. Here's what to put on your Christmas list.

The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill
(book I in the Tales From Ivy Hill series)
by Julie Klassen
Release Date: December 6

The lifeblood of the Wiltshire village of Ivy Hill is its coaching inn, The Bell. But when the innkeeper dies suddenly, his genteel wife, Jane Bell, becomes the reluctant owner. Jane has no notion of how to run a business. However, with the town's livelihood at stake and a large loan due, she must find a way to bring new life to the inn.

Despite their strained relationship, Jane turns to her resentful mother-in-law, Thora, for help. Formerly mistress of The Bell, Thora is struggling to find her place in the world. As she and Jane work together, they form a measure of trust, and Thora's wounded heart begins to heal. When she encounters two men from her past, she sees them--and her future--in a different light.

With pressure mounting from the bank, Jane employs innovative methods to turn the inn around, and puzzles over the intentions of several men who seem to have a vested interest in the place. Will her efforts be enough to save The Bell? And will Thora embrace the possibility of a second chance at love?

A Moonbow Night
by Laura Frantz
Release Date: January 3

**Bonus** the paperback version of this is currently on sale for $8.56

On the vast, uncharted Kentucky frontier of the 1770s, Temperance Tucker has learned to be fleet of foot, accurate with her rifle, and silent about the past. But her family secrets complicate her growing attraction to a handsome Virginia land surveyor with a harsh history of his own. Will the hurts and hardships of the past prevent them from a fulfilling future?

Laura and Julie really are spectacular authors. I hope to be like them when I grow up. If there's any chance your name is on the naughty list and you don't think Santa will put these in your stocking, run (don't walk) over to Amazon and snatch up a pre-order for yourself.

Cyber Monday Deals for Writers and Readers

If your credit card isn't still smoking from Black Friday, whip it out because here are some sweet deals for Cyber Monday . . .

Whether you're looking for a writing craft book or just a nice piece of fiction to curl up with, both Amazon and Barnes & Noble have discounts galore. Fill your shopping cart at either one, and when you're ready to check out, here are the codes to save 30% at Amazon or 25% at Barnes & Noble:
For Amazon: HOLIDAY 30
For Barnes & Noble: 25CMONDAY

And while you're at it, THE CAPTIVE HEART is on sale before the discounts for $8.00.

Kindle Paperwhites are on sale for $99.99 HERE. And the cheapest Kindle is only $33.33!

Writers Digest has 50% off their craft books and other items, plus if you enter the code CYBER10, you get an additional 10% off.

Groupon has up to 80% off on some of their deals. Okay, so that's neither reading nor writing related, but 80% is a dang good dealio.

The Writer's Store has some great specials HERE.

Who can't use some office supplies? Ink. Paper. Yada, yada. Pop over to Staples for their Cyber Monday offerings.

And for the really hard person to buy for in your life, check out Uncommon Gifts. They're not offering any super sales, but they've got unique items you won't find anywhere else.

Discontent vs Gratitude

The Emotions of Typing The End

I finished yet another manuscript today. Book number, umm, I dunno. Do you count books in which your story is but one of several? Whatever, even when I type THE END on a novella, there are a boatload of emotions that whack me upside the head . . .

What it Feels Like to Type THE END

Scary
What if the story is a pile of literary manure? What if you get laughed off the face of the earth? Or booed? It's frightening to think of sending off a manuscript because you know it's not perfect. It will never be perfect. And therein comes the fear.

Exhilarating
I'm told that there's a certain high achieved when you run. Something about endorphins or maybe dolphins. Not sure. I've never experienced this because personally I'd rather stab my thighs with forks than feel the burn of a long run. Nevertheless, I'll give the benefit of the doubt to those who say running is exhilarating. So is typing THE END. Way less sweaty, though.

Satisfying
There are moments during the writing of a book when you wonder if it's worth it. All the angst over plot and characters and what the heck to make for dinner besides frozen pizza. But then the day comes when you finally finish the dang thing and, yes, indeedy, it was all worth it. You feel like a champion.

Energizing
Sticking with a project until it's completely done spurs you on to do yet another project. The success of one manuscript makes you realize you can do another. This is a temporary feeling though. By the time you're mid-way through another book, that energy is gone.

Lot's of people say they're going to write a novel, but never do. If you've ever typed THE END, here is a cyber high-five from me to you. And if you haven't finished writing a book, what are you waiting for? These emotions can be yours as well.

A Bookish Thanksgiving Activity

So after the food coma subsides this Turkey Day, what are you going to do? Stare at each other? Argue about Trump? Pull out a deck of cards and play Kings in the Corner for the bajillionth time? Sounds like you could use a new Thanksgiving activity, little cowboy, and have I got one for you.

Play Thanksgiving Lie-brary. Here's how it works . . .

1. Pick out 6-8 fiction books ahead of time. I'm using Thanksgiving-themed books. You can use whatever.

2. Read the title and show the book. Then give everyone a pencil and paper.

3. Each person writes down what they think the first line of that book ought to be. While they're being creative, you write down the actual title on a piece of paper. Then collect ALL the papers.

4. One by one, read each first line, instructing everyone to listen for what they think is the real first line.

5. Then read them again and have people vote on what they think is the real first line. Put a tally on each paper for the votes.

6. Here's how to score it: each person who guessed the correct first line gets a point. Each person who wrote a line that someone else voted for gets those votes.

7. Go through all the books, tally up the prizes, and give the winner a chocolate turkey.

If it turns out everyone really loves this activity, you can buy the actual game HERE.

INFOGRAPHIC ~ 7 Reasons to Become a Writer

Yep. It's yours. Steal and/or share wherever you like.