Armchair BEA: Networking

Design credit goes to Nina of Nina Reads

Today is the day that we discuss networking. For Day 3, we want you to share your positive experiences of using your blog to get involved in your community. This can involve partnerships with the local literary scene, attending author events and signings, or getting together with bloggers in your area. We want to hear it all!

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I'm sort of an introvert, definitely shy, when it comes to meeting and making friends with people. I started my blog because I wanted to get to know those  people that already followed me on Goodreads and Facebook. Since my blog started growing, I've been more in contact with our local library system about purchasing newer books that they might not otherwise purchase on a given day. As of today, I've given them a list of new releases through July. Need to work on August and September sometime soon. I've read several responses about contacting independent booksellers and partnering up with them. That's such a great idea!


For the record, I also donate lots, and lots of books to the library. Usually they go towards the monthly library warehouse book sales where you can get bags filled with books for a really cheap price. You can even get a tax credit, write-off, if you itemize your taxes. Just something to think about.

As for going to Book Conventions, well, that's not going to happen unless I'm graced with a new job or my family continues to offer their support in regards to my obsession with reading. I definitely want to go to DragonCon over the labor day holiday and have informed the parental unit of my intentions. I've heard it's so much fun and it's only 4 hours away from where I live! Had I remained in New York, I would most likely be taking in the sights and sounds of BEA.

Pertaining to author signings, believe it or not I've never been! Seriously I live such a sheltered life it's a wonder I can get out of bed in the morning without some serious help from others. On that note, I'm "planning" on driving from Jacksonville to Fort Lauderdale on June 14th to meet Richelle Mead. Hopefully my camera and phone won't go all freaky Friday on me and quit working. Yes, that has happened to me as well.

We also have Jennifer Armentrout's Onyx tour coming to Jacksonville on June 10th. I seriously want to go if only to receive a free signed copy of Onyx. Hoping that other authors will find themselves in and around the Jacksonville area. It's kind of depressing that we live in one of the biggest cities in the south, and yet they avoid us like the plague.

So, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. My only advice to others in my situation is to keep your head held high and know that there are others in the same situation.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

*Shelley*