Atria Indie Authors Jamie McGuire, Abbi Glines, and Colleeen Hoover toured this week and Friday Oct 25th was our stop in the Houston area! It was held by Katy Budget Books but the event took place offsite at a nearby school so that there would be more space for everyone attending. It was definitely nice to get a chair to sit in rather than standing or sitting on the floor.
It was kinda weird that the store manager stood up and read their bios to us, like we don’t know who they are!
We started with a Q&A session, then we got books signed. I took some notes during the Q&A so I could have some fun things to share 🙂
The first 50 people who arrived got a tote bag that included lip gloss and a button you could wear and write in your book boyfriend’s name. I wasn’t one of the first but Rose was, and rather than putting just one name down on her button, she used post its to write in 3 names! So, the first question asked was by Rose (cause she’s fun that way)! She asked the ladies who their book boyfriend is. Colleen said her book boyfriend is Augustus Waters, Abbi said Mr. Darcy, and Jamie responded her book boyfriend would always be Edward.
When asked whether they know the full story before they start writing, Colleen said she doesn’t know and has no clue where the story is going to go. She doesn’t outline, she just writes. Abbi and Jamie both outline and plan out their stories. Abbi says she doesn’t always stay with her outline. Jamie told us she has a story in her head several years before she starts writing it, so it tends to change a bit when she does write it.
The ladies were asked if they would ever write a book without a HEA. They all said no way! Jamie says real life is hard enough with sad endings and books are a happy escape. She wants to feel good when finishing a book. Abbi wants everything to be happy when all is said and done. She told us that Nickolas Sparks made her mad! Colleen said while she enjoys stories without a HEA (she gave Forces of Nature with Sandra Bullock as an example – yes its a movie not a book), she will not likely write one. She also hates cliffhangers. I really like Colleen 🙂 ‘Cause I hate cliffies too.
Jamie told us she is getting ready to start writing books for the Maddox brothers, starting with Trent’s book.
Colleen was asked to read one of the poems from Slammed the way she pictures them being read aloud, but she said no. Apparently just because the characters are able to do something, it doesn’t mean the author has the same tricks or talents. Hmm..
The ladies got a tattoo during this tour! They showed us their wrist with open and closed quotations. They said it was peer pressure, but I didn’t catch who’s idea it was.
Abbi was asked if she always planned to have something, but no spoilers, happen in one of the series (that I haven’t read so I have no idea what plot twist they are talking about). She said she always had it planned, but was nervous to write it. Does anyone know what this could be about?
The ladies were asked about their inspiration to write their most recent books (the ones sitting up at their tables). Jamie (Red Hill) said she has always loved zombies, and watches The Walking Dead with her oldest daughter. She said when she was building her current house, she would make specific vetoes on design based on if it was zombie proof or not (for example, no windows by the door). She said the story was based on the fear of what would happen if she was separated from her own children when zombies happen. Abbi (Twisted Perfection) told us that everyone really liked this particular character so she decided to give him a spin off story. She told us she used to have a job where she had to deliver medication to an old woman who never left her house and had to wear gloves to slide the medication through the window. She based that experience on her female character. Colleen (Losing Hope) simply said the readers wanted a book from Holder’s POV, so she wrote one. Yay readers! As far as Hopeless goes she said the readers wanted a bad boy and she thought Holder would be a badass (and then went oops cause we were in an elementary school cafeteria).
The ladies were also asked what they like to read. Colleen likes to read what she likes to write – contemporary romance. She likes to read her peers’ books. Abbi likes to read romance. She used to read a lot of NA but now that she writes it, she has stopped reading it. Now she reads more historical and paranormal romances. Jamie told us she writes fast but reads slow. She only read 4 books last year. Next year she hopes to read 5. She did say she likes to read her friends’ books.
When asked who their favorite indie author was, they really couldn’t pick ’cause they love all their friends and there are so many great indies out there. But Colleen did mention she really loved The Sea of Tranquility. So did we!
Phew! Great questions! Then we got our books signed! We were in the first line of people (they went up by 20s) so here we are in line:
And here we are with all 3 of the lovely ladies!
And here’s a pic of Rose’s puppy Maddox that she brought to show Jamie. Yes he really is still a puppy (10mos). Any guess as to where inspiration for his name came from? 🙂
So, who’s ready for another giveaway?! From this event we are giving away a signed paperback copy of Red Hill. (US only, since we have to send it ourselves) You’re welcome. 🙂 In case you’re wondering, you, our wonderful readers, selected Jamie McGuire and Colleen Hoover for our next giveaway. Colleen’s book is being given away in our Austin Author Event post.
Subscribe to Chapter Break posts.
Join 2,828 other subscribers
I like their answers about the happy endings and the cliffhangers. It sounds like a great event.
This is fabulous! You guys seem to get to meet a ton of authors! Thanks for the awesome giveaway, too! Glad you linked up to the Spread the Love Linky Party! Hope to see you next week, too!
Rebecca @ Love at First Book recently posted…Spread the Love Linky Party
sounds great! thanks for the giveaway… nice doggie
This looks so good Thank you for the great giveaway.
I love Jamie McGuire and I can’t wait to read this book!!!!
Red Hill is already on my To read list. I have heard only wonderful things about it. I am looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the chance!
I love books with happily ever after endings, but that’s not to say I wouldn’t enjoy an unusual ending as well. 🙂 Great book cover. Love the art, and the title. 🙂
I love this author!!! I can’t read to read this one:)
I love books with an HEA but sometimes I think a book is better without it. One of my very favorite books is “Me Before You” by Jojo Moyes and SPOILER, there isn’t a HEA. That’s part of what makes that book SO GOOD! You ache for the characters and it moves you to tears. When a book can touch your heart that way, you know that it’s good. Oh, also, Nicholas Sparks makes me mad too, but not for the reason Abbi states. I just think he’s not a very good writer and he’s wayyy too sappy.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Meghan, I just read Me Before You and really liked it. Look for my review to be posted sometime this month. And I am in the same boat as you when it comes to Mr. Sparks.
I have been seriously wanting to read “Red Hill”! It’s on my must-read list. Oh, and must say, Maddox is adorable!!
Thanks Veronica!
Jamie McGuire is a master storyteller and she’s proven she is capable at writing books in different genres that are just as amazing as the one before it.