This was my first year attending the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Conference and I can’t tell you how excited I was in the weeks leading up to the event. Over the last few years I have been blessed to connect with a number of authors online, but for many of them, this would be my first chance to meet them in person. I know that as readers, many of you can share in my excitement over meeting these wonderful women who have crafted some of our favorite stories. So I thought I’d share some of my favorite moments with you. (Presented in alphabetical order because I couldn’t possibly rank by favorite.)
Tamera Alexander
I actually met Tamera in the one place they tell you not to bother the faculty: the bathroom. LOL To be fair, it’s not like I stalked her in there. I just happened to come out of the stall just as she was finishing washing her hands. While I was washing my hands, I said, “Well, this is an awkward place to meet, but I have to tell you that I think your books are awesome.” Or something very similar to that. She very graciously thanked me for my compliments and that was it. Not much of a conversation since we were both hurrying to the next class, but a little while later I was able to sit in on a class where she was part of the panel discussing “Writing in Community.” It was great to hear her thoughts on the subject along with those of the others on the panel (many of whom I was also silently fan-girling over: Deborah Rainey, Jody Hedlund, Lynette Eason, Lynn Blackburn, Karen Witemeyer).
What I didn’t know about Tamera was that Deborah Rainey is her critique partner. The banter between those two kept the panel discussion fun.
Books by Tamera: A Note Yet Unsung (2018 Carol Award winner & 2017 Christy Award Winner & part of the Belmont Mansion series), The Inheritance (2010 RITA Award winner), From a Distance (One of my personal favorites & 2009 Christy Award Winner & part of the Timber Ridge Reflections series). Find more of her books here!
Pepper Basham
After reviewing a few of Pepper’s books for the blog, I’ve had the opportunity to begin a friendship with this wonderful woman via email. Getting to finally meet her in person was such a pleasure. She immediately recognized me when we spotted each other in the huge crowd and gave me a hug. She is just as friendly and genuine in person as you could hope for.
What I didn’t know about Pepper was how comfortable she could appear on stage in front of nearly 600 people as part of the conference worship team. Her beautiful voice blended well with worship leader Rachel Hauck’s(!). (Rachel isn’t on my list because I just didn’t get a chance to connect with her – so many people, so little time – but yes, I was totally fangirling over her, too.)
Books by Pepper: The Penned in Time series (the books that made me fall in love with her writing), the Mitchell’s Crossroads series (how can you not love a great reimagining of Pygmalion?), and Jane by the Book (featuring a hero like no other). Find more books by Pepper here!
Mary Connealy
Mary Connealy is a Carol Award winner and a Rita and Christy and IRCC Award Finalist. I have been a fan of her writing for so long, I can’t remember when I started reading her books. I only know if there’s a book of hers that I haven’t read (and I’m not sure there is), it’s only because I haven’t been able to get my hands on it yet.
It was the first day of the conference when I was speaking to Carrie Schmidt (another online friend I was thrilled to meet in person) when Mary’s name came up and I mentioned what a huge fan I was and that I hadn’t yet had the pleasure of meeting her. Carrie, dear heart that she is, immediately got up and went to pull Mary from the crowd and bring her over to introduce us. I’m not sure I managed a very fascinating conversation considering my brain just kept repeating, “No way. No way. I can’t believe I’m actually meeting her!” LOL But I do recall that she asked what genre I wrote in and I managed to get some intelligible words out . . . I think.
What I didn’t know about Mary was her willingness to help other authors. Later that night there was an event at which nervous authors were invited to come practice their pitches before facing agents and editors in appointments on the days to follow. Carrie Schmidt was one of the hosts so I stopped by to see how it was going and Mary was there, along with other experienced authors who’d volunteered to listen to pitches.
Books by Mary: The Cimarron Legacy series (don’t miss the novella prequel!), the Wild at Heart series, & The Kincaid Brides series, and Garrison’s Law is her fun new contemporary series that I’m loving. Find more of her books here!
Emily Conrad
You know what’s really fun? Having a casual conversation with another author and suddenly realizing you just downloaded their debut novel the night before! That’s what happened when I met Emily Conrad at the conference. If you haven’t heard of her debut novel, Justice, I definitely recommend you take a minute to check it out.
What I didn’t know about Emily was … well I already covered that, didn’t I? 😉 I had no idea the author whose book I’d just purchased would be standing in front of me the very next day.
Find Emily’s debut novel here.
Sarah Sundin
Okay, technically this was my second time meeting Sarah, but she is just too wonderful a person not to mention here. I first met her at the 2018 Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference in the spring. This time we happened to catch the same shuttle from the airport to the resort and were able to reconnect as we rode. It was lovely to get to know her better over the next few days through several conversations and her moderation of the Historical Fiction panel at the conference. (The panel also included: Karen Witemeyer, Carrie Turansky, & Melanie Dobson)
What I didn’t know about Sarah was that she is a serious outliner when it comes to plotting. Some writers start with a basic idea, then just sit down and start writing. Others outline nearly everything that happens in their novels before writing a single word. Sarah falls into the latter category and it can take her about three months to complete an outline, but then her actual writing goes pretty fast.
Books by Sarah: The Sunrise at Normandy series, the Waves of Freedom series, the Wings of the Nightingale series. Find more books by Sarah here!
Carrie Turansky
I just happened to cross paths with Carrie Turansky after checking in at registration for the conference. She was very sweet when I stopped her to tell her how much I loved her writing. We had a couple more opportunities to talk during the conference and I found her to be a very kind person.
What I didn’t know about Carrie was that she is not only a fabulous author but a mentor as well. She was a finalist for this year’s Mentor of the Year Award.
Books by Carrie: Shine Like the Dawn (My favorite!), Waiting for His Return, and Across the Blue. Find more of her books here!
Erica Vetsch
I met Erica at the Pitch Practice session where she was helping listen to authors practicing their pitch. While I was there, Erica very kindly took the time to look over some of my writing and provide me with invaluable feedback. The fun part is that I knew her name was familiar but couldn’t bring to mind her titles (my brain was mush by then – almost 10pm). So when I returned to my hotel room, I searched her name and discovered that I had actually read many of her books. Better yet, I immediately downloaded her latest novella, A Perfect Christmas, which has only recently released as part of The Victorian Christmas Brides Collection and, despite the anchors weighing my lids, I had a very difficult time putting that book down!
What I didn’t know about Erica was what a kind and helpful spirit she has.
Books by Erica: A Perfect Christmas in The Victorian Christmas Brides Collection (Highly recommended!), Prescription for Love in The First Love Forever Romance Collection, My Heart Belongs in Fort Bliss, Texas: Priscilla’s Reveille Find more books by Erica, here!
Karen Witemeyer
I first spotted Karen seated at a table beside mine, but she was engaged in conversation the entire time and I didn’t get to say hello until later that day when I mentioned to Kristi Ann Hunter (another great author!) how much I loved Karen’s books. Kristi kindly introduced me to Karen the next time we were in the same hallway together. After telling Karen how much I enjoy her writing, the first thing I asked her was if she had an assistant that helped her maintain the seemingly impossible schedule she keeps with her incredibly active Facebook Group (The Posse) and her writing deadlines and her fulltime job and everything else she does. The answer? Her assistant’s name is Karen Witemeyer. 😉 Her words. 😀
What I didn’t know about Karen (besides her not having an assistant) is that her humor is just as witty in person and she is genuinely kind. She really cares about her readers. I also didn’t know that she has a lovely singing voice. Karen and Kristi were both members of the choir that sang for us at the ACFW Gala.
Books by Karen: More than Meets the Eye (Laugh-out-loud-funny!), Heart on the Line (picked as one of my Top 5 Heroes of 2017), and A Tailor-Made Bride (the first book I read by Karen). Find more of Karen’s books, here!
Why only 8?
Well, because it’s 2018 and I had to cut it off somewhere. Honestly, though, I could fill 30 blog posts talking about all the wonderful people I met at the conference. I told my mom that it was like an actress who’s still waiting tables walking into a room filled with all the A-list celebrities you can think of and discovering their all happy to meet you and willing to help you, AND they all love Jesus!!!
Let’s Chat!
Have you had the pleasure of meeting one of your favorite authors?
Which Christian Fiction author would you most like to meet?
TWEETABLES
Ever wondered if Karen Witemeyer has an assistant? #ACFW2018
This author has a kind and helpful spirit AND her Christmas novella just released! #ACFW2018
When your talking to someone and suddenly realize their book is on your kindle! #ACFW2018
Meeting this author caused total fan-girl brain melt. #ACFW2018
Not only does she write incredible Christian Romance, she can sing, too! #ACFW2018
Do you know who @TameraAlexander’s critique partner is? #ACFW2018
This was such a lovely read, Kathleen. I have met a few of those authors in person, but a few of them I haven’t met and only know them from online writing groups. Thank you for the wonderful book recommendations.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂 Hopefully you found something new to read, too.
I did! 🙂 So many great books!
I’d love to meet Carrie Turansky and Sarah sundin.
I’ve met Francine Rivers, Rachel Hauck and a number of other favorites. I don’t really fan girl over anyone, but I definitely admire some people and would love the chance to meet them and learn from them.
Thanks for commenting. 🙂 I guess I shouldn’t assume everyone’s definition of “fan-girling” is the same as mine. For me, it just means that the moment feels surreal because it’s not something I ever expected and the unexpected excitement of the moment turns my brain to mush. While I don’t put anyone on a pedastal (we are all human and all glory goes to God), I truly love meeting people who have worked hard in God’s strength to use their gifts to bless people, particularly those whose works have touched my life in some way.
😂 I guess we all think differently. There are some amazing writers out there for sure and any one of them would be a treat to meet. Great post! Thank you for it.
Thank you 🙂 I’d love to meet you someday too!
I LOVED this post. I was the hostess for the panel Tamera and Deborah moderated, which is where I think we crossed paths (so many people I can’t remember who I met where). I snagged Tamera’s Carol award winning book and pretty much had it read by the time I got home. I don’t read cowboy stories except for Karen Witemeyer’s because they’re so much fun. My roommate and I drooled over Pepper’s Captain America backpack, but I didn’t really get to meet her. Sarah Sundin and I FINALLY got to meet. I think I said, “love your books” as I passed her at ACFW 2013, and we’ve exchanged comments on posts etc. but hadn’t met. We had a nice chat at the end of the day before we had to change for the Gala.
So glad you enjoyed the post. There were a lot of people at the conference, but you are probably right about where we met. I didn’t see Pepper’s backpack. I did see someone had a Captain America shield saving their chair at one of the meals. Thanks for sharing!
Gretchen – I was fangirling to finally really meet you 🙂 I’ve so enjoyed our chats online, and you were one person I really wanted to meet in person. So glad we had the chance to talk!
Mutual fangirling! You’re one of my all-time favorites and loved talking with you. We have so much in common with our kids and teaching Sunday school.
Thank you so much, Kathleen! What a sweet post. I truly enjoyed our chats at ACFW!
Great post! And I would be fangirling just like you! Some are my favorites and some I didn’t know, so I’m going to look them up. It sounds like after the conference and all that you meet, you would have an entire years worth of a tbr pile!!
LOL I have a lifetime of TBR! But in regards to these ladies, I have actually read 70-100% of everything they have put out so far. It is keeping up with their new releases while still discovering other wonderful authors that means I will never lack for great books to read. 😀