Authors, Winners, And Wieners

      Last Sunday, September 24, YourBookMyBook.com, a Columbus-based book website that connects readers to authors through podcasts and events,

​...presented Authors & Winners,  an open-mic and book-signing event featuring eight local and non-local authors, at Dirty Frank's West, a hot dog eatery on Columbus' West Side.

     Though quite unassuming-looking from the outside,

     The interior decor of Dirty Frank's is bright, hip and fun, with the bar on one side,

​...and the dining room on the other.

   At the front of the dining room is a karaoke stage, which suited our purpose perfectly, 

...as did the super-friendly and helpful staff and the delicious food, which I'll get to down the line.
     The event was organized by Miguel Lopez, the YourBookMyBook Media Production Coordinator,

​...who I met and hit it off with last month at the Mid-Ohio Indie Author Expo when he interviewed me - that is to say, had someone else interview me while he recorded - for his site's podcast (See post from  8/14/2014).

     (Here's the URL for my interview in case anybody missed it but has a hankering  to see it:)

https://www.facebook.com/yourbookmybook/videos/1927625530828337/

    Miguel then invited me  to - well, I actually sort of asked him if I could - be the MC for the Authors and Winners event.
     As the event was scheduled to begin at 11:00 am I arrived at Dirty Frank's at 10:30 with part of my help-and-support crew, hubby Tom and daughter Theresa,

​...and shortly thereafter met up with my nephew Randy, who arrived to take photos while I was busy MC-ing.

     First on the agenda was hanging the YourBookMy Book banner and getting the authors' table set up,

...as, along with speaking, the authors were also there to sign and sell copies of their books. 
​     Deborah Johnson

​Mina Raulston

             Leon Walker

Gary Thomas

​Wayne Henderson

Serena Brown Travis

      Since  I wouldn't have time to man my place at the authors' table, Theresa took over the job for me,

...while I went about my job of welcoming  and introducing each author,

...attempting between authors   to entertain the audience with a little  comedy - my first attempt at stand-up in many decades - on the trials and tribulations of the writing life,

...and, with Miguel, keeping things moving along.

     Each author had a fifteen-minute slot in which to speak and answer questions.
     I was amazed at what captivating speakers these authors were, each one with with a compelling story:

       Of overcoming great obstacles,

​...or addictions,

...of their work and experience with children,

...of the challenges and rewards of parenting,

​... of the pursuit of a dream.

...which they told while the audience sat rapt,

...and inspired.

     After the last author spoke there was socializing and discussion,

...and time to chat with the authors and buy books,

​...and, as Tommy proceeded to do as soon as he arrived and took over for Theresa,

...sample some of the awesome Dirty Frank's dogs.

     It was an experience of great food for the body and the soul.