One of my favorite things about being a reader is talking to other readers about a book we both love. What’s even better is talking to the author who wrote that book! I’ve been lucky enough to go to a couple of panels, and I loved getting to hear the authors speak about their books, their process, and their inspiration firsthand. So today, I wanted to share who I would choose to be on my dream author panel.
Speaking of author panels, did you know that Eventbrite is a great place to find book conferences, author signings, and other book related events? You can also plan and organize your own event; like this dream panel I’m writing about.
When I was planning out my dream author panel, I actually found it a lot tougher than I thought it would be. There are so many authors I would love the opportunity to hear speak, so it was difficult to narrow it down.
As an avid reader of women’s fiction and romance, by both independently and traditionally published authors, I thought this would be a great opportunity to imagine a panel that features both. Some of these authors got their start writing fan-fiction, others published their first book with a traditional publisher, and one is a very successful author who publishes all her work independently.
Here is a little about each author, and why I chose them to be on this dream panel. What authors would you choose to be on yours?
AUTHORS
PENNY REID
A little about the author: Penny Reid is the USA Today Best Selling Author of the Winston Brothers and Knitting in the City series. When she’s not immersed in penning smart romances, Penny works in the biotech industry as a researcher. She’s also a full-time mom to three diminutive adults, wife, daughter, knitter, crocheter, sewer, general crafter, and thought ninja.
Why I choose her: I am a huge fan of Reid’s books and have devoted all of them multiple times. I’ve had the opportunity to meet her twice, and both times she was so fun and just lovely. She is an expert at writing anti-trope romances and her most recent publication, Beard in Mind, was a touching, and funny story that hit it out of the park. I think she’d make an awesome addition to the panel, and could give us all an in-depth look at what it is like to publish books independently.
K.A. TUCKER
A little about the author: K.A. Tucker writes captivating stories with an edge. She is the USA Today bestselling author of 14 books, including Ten Tiny Breaths and Burying Water, and her latest Adult Suspense novel, He Will Be My Ruin. Her books have been featured in national publications including USA Today, Globe & Mail, Suspense Magazine, and Publisher’s Weekly.
K.A. Tucker currently resides in a quaint town outside of Toronto with her husband and two beautiful girls. Unfortunately, there is no Chug to keep her company while writing anymore, but she’s hoping that her husband will relent and welcome another four-legged creature into the house again, and soon.
Why I choose her: I recently read my first book by Tucker, Until It Fades, and it made me an instant fan of hers. I immediately put all her books on my TBR list and can’t wait to read them. She’d make a great addition to the panel as she has published books independently, but now publishes with a traditional publisher. She’d add great insight to both sides.
CHRISTINA LAUREN
A bit about the writing duo: Christina Lauren is the combined pen name of long-time writing partners/besties/soulmates Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. The #1 international bestselling coauthor duo writes both Young Adult and Adult Fiction and together has produced fourteen New York Times bestselling novels. They are published in over 30 languages, have received multiple starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews and Library Journal, won both the Seal of Excellence and Book of the Year from RT Magazine and have been featured in publications such as Forbes, The Washington Post, Time, Entertainment Weekly, O Magazine and more. Their third YA novel, Autoboyography will be released in September, followed by a contemporary romance, Roomies in December.
Why I choose them: Not only could they bring the unique perspective on writing books with a co-author, but their first book was originally fan fiction. It was so popular, that it gained the attention of the traditional publishing houses, and was expanded and republished by Gallery Books. I loved their recent book, Dating You/Hating You, and would love this duo on the panel.
TAYLOR JENKINS REID
A little about the author: Taylor Jenkins Reid lives in Los Angeles and is the acclaimed author of One True Loves, Maybe in Another Life, After I Do, and Forever, Interrupted. Her most recent novel, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, comes out June 13th. Her novels have been named best books of summer by People, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, InStyle, PopSugar, BuzzFeed, Goodreads, and others.
In addition to her novels, Taylor’s essays have appeared in places such as the Los Angeles Times, The Huffington Post, and Money Magazine.
Why I choose her: Reid has always been traditionally published. Her debut novel, Forever, Interrupted, was published by Washington Square Press in 2013. I am a huge fan of Reid’s work and have had the chance to hear her speak twice. Her most recent book, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, was a step outside what she normally writes, but was still at its core, essential Reid. She also has a background in television writing and adapting her books for tv and film. Her experience would bring an interesting unique viewpoint to the panel.
MODERATOR
JENNIFER WEINER
A little about the author: Jennifer Weiner is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of fourteen books, including Good in Bed, The Littlest Bigfoot, and her memoir Hungry Heart: Adventures in Life, Love, and Writing. A graduate of Princeton University and contributor to the New York Times Opinion section, she lives with her family in Philadelphia.
Why I choose her to moderate: Weiner has written fiction books for adults, as well as middle-grade novels. Her most recent book was a nonfiction collection Hungry Heart: Adventures in Life, Love, and Writing. Her book Who Do You Love is one of my all-time favorites. With her extensive experience in the publishing world, I think she’d be the perfect candidate to moderate this panel.
I hope my post has inspired you to think about your dream author panel or dream book related event. Let me know in the comments below what authors you would choose!
Dating You / Hating You by Christina Lauren
Trust by Kylie Scott
