Over the years I’ve attended many writing conferences, author readings, and had classes with published authors. It’s always inspirational and challenging to hear authors read their work or talk about writing. It’s also encouraging when authors not only autograph a book but include a personal note.
One of those memorable experiences was when I attended the Sewanee Writers’ Conference in 2000. It had always been a dream of mine to attend the conference, and to my surprise I was placed in a workshop that was led by Barry Hannah and Padgett Powell, two southern writers I have always admired. It was a privilege to have them read my work and give me feedback.
While Hannah and Powell led the workshop, there were other amazing authors in the workshop, one of which was Daniel Wallace, the author of Big Fish. Being an economically challenged college student, I went to the bookstore and bought two hardback books for Barry Hannah and Padgett Powell to sign at a book signing event. I couldn’t afford another hardback, so I purchased a paperback of Daniel Wallace’s Big Fish. At the end of one of the workshops I got up my nerve to ask him to sign it, which he graciously did, and he also drew a picture and added a personal note.
Periodically, I pull out those signed books, recall the experience of meeting those authors, and get a second wind for my writing. Today after another rejection on Submittable, I did that again.
Below is a picture of my autographed books from that workshop. A big thanks to Daniel Wallace for his added art and note of encouragement. If you haven’t read Big Fish or seen the movie, both are wonderful.
And remember, if you are an author who has published a book, pass on some encouragement now and then to those not so fortunate. It means a lot.
Karen T Miller 