The 52 Book Club: 2026 Challenge discussion

WEEKLY CHECK-IN
April 9, 2023 -- Week 15

Have you ever met an author in person? If not, who would you love to one day meet?

I've met quite a few authors in person. The most well-known is Nicholas Sparks.

Quite a few self published or small publishing authors, but none of any notoriety.

I have a cousin and a cousin-in-law (not married to each other) who are both published authors.

I met Harlan Coben once... I was fan-girling soooo bad, that I couldn't formulate a proper sentence!

I have not, but my sister is good friends with Elly Griffiths and has met several authors. As for me, I would love to meet Robert Dugoni, Louise Penny and wish I could have meet Mark Twain, Agatha Christie, James Michener, and several authors from the past.

I would have loved the opportunity to meet the late Sir Terry Pratchett.

Christopher Paolini - Eragon
I met him when I was in middle school. He told us the funniest story about a flying squirrel biting his finger.

I've met a few self-published authors. I've also met Sean Keefer, as well as some scholarly authors when attending seminars. I would most like to meet either Heather Cox Richardson or Kara Cooney.

I've met a hungarian author in high school, who writes middle-grade novels, and also some of my university professors were authors of various kind of books, not just textbooks.

I've never met an author in person.

Liza Palmer (Conversations with the Fat Girl, the Nobodies)--she was hilarious!

Zara Raheem (The Marriage Clock)

Abbi Waxman attended a book club of mine where we were discussing one of her novels via Zoom--also hilarious!

I've met Jack Whyte, John Barrowman, Anne Wheaton, Clare C. Marshall, S.K. Aetherphoxx, Konn Lavery, Elizabeth Whitton, Suzy Vadori, Mike Perschon, Amanda Muratoff and Kayla Mansur. Mostly thanks to local Comic Expo's. I've seen Margaret Atwood, Neil Gaiman, and Michelle Obama do book talks in person but didn't get the chance to meet them.

I've met a few authors at their book sign days. All of them were Turkish authors. İskender Pala, Varol Yaşar and a few other authors.

I've met David Sedaris and he was pretty great! Super funny. When he signs your book he tells you a funny story and makes a little doodle on the inside cover of your book. However, I would really like to meet Neil Gaiman, Daniel H. Turtel, or Fredrik Backman.

I attended two author speaking events through the Baltimore County Public Library system events in 2019-2020, but I can't remember if I spoke to either of them. I also caught the end of an author event at one of my recently-opened indies before the author left and bought their book but only talked to the bookstore owner.

I've met Laura Best (author of several books, her newest is This is it, Lark Harnish); Budge Wilson (many books, including Before Green Gables); Jan L. Coates (Hare in the Elephant's Trunk, among many); Carolyn Murray (Painted Skies, and other nature books); and a few others.

Yes I have....I was blessed to meet two:
Jamie Ford when he was on a book tour for his recent book at the time Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet


and
Thrift Store Saints: Meeting Jesus 25¢ at a Time by Jane F. Knuth