When reading a book, people often forget that the individual who wrote the book is actually a real person.
He or she is not a myth, they are a human being just like you and me.
Of course, not every author is alive, great writers such as Hemingway or Fitzgerald have long since passed even though their books live on, but many great writers are still alive and well.
Some people say “Never meet your heroes,” but I disagree. Here are four reasons why you should go to author events and meet authors.
Meeting Jocko Willink and Leif Babin (retired Navy SEALs turned bestselling authors).
1) The Event is likely free (And You might get Some Goodies)!
As the old saying goes, “If it’s free, it’s for me.” A lot of author book signing events are either free or close to it.
If you could meet one of your favorite authors for free, why not go and do it?
I went to a book signing event and got to meet both Jocko Willink and Leif Babin. How much did I pay for that?
$0.
Granted, since it was free there were a lot of people and I had to wait in line for an hour or so to meet the authors, but you could always read in line or listen to a podcast while you wait. Plus, the staff headed out free bottles of Jocko’s tea to everyone who was waiting.
Another event I went to, where I met authors Ryan Holiday and Jame Altucher, was free to attend but had a two drink minimum which cost me about $20. However, I got a free brand new hardcover copy of Altucher’s book which retails for about $10 and a box of Athletic Greens supplements so the cost of the goodies basically covered the price of entrance.
Free admission to meet Jocko and Leif? Sign me up.
2) You get to network with like-minded people
Will you meet your next best friend or future wife at one of these events?
It’s unlikely, but possible!
You get to hang out with a lot of like-minded people, you do read the same books after all, and it’s likely you also share other similar interests.
I’ve met a few people at these events and just like myself, they enjoy reading books and offered me some great recommendations. I’ve also been able to tell them about my site and gained new supporters for both my blog and Instagram account.
Also, many book readers are introverted so it’s a good idea to leave the house every now and then, socialize, and talk with new people.
3) You Get To ask The author questions
At every author event I’ve been to so far, there was a questions & answers session where anyone in the audience could ask the author questions.
Have you ever read a book and a question popped into your head and wished you could’ve called the author and asked them about it?
Well here’s your chance.
Successful authors are usually incredibly busy and many don’t respond on social media to the hundreds of questions asked in the comments section. Some authors offer consultation calls, but those cost hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, for a short 30-60 minute call.
At author events, you get the chance to ask the author a question free of charge!
Author event with Michael Scott Moore (left), who was held captive by Somali pirates for almost three years.
4) You get to meet Your Favorite Author
The final and most important reason why you should attend author events: You get to meet the author in person!
At the vent, you realize the author is some kind of extraterrestrial or mystical being. He (or she) is a human being just like yourself.
You realize that authors are just regular people who worked exceptionally hard to write a great piece of work because they felt the world needed to hear what they had to say. Their work paid off, and now their books are read and loved by thousands, or in some cases, millions of people.
And fortunately for you, now is the chance to meet them.
Of course, there are a ton of people that also want to meet the author so it isn’t like the two of you will sit down, sip on coffee, and talk for 45 minutes, but you do get to spend a minute or two with them.
You can ask them a quick question, get your book signed, and even get a photo with them.
Every author I’ve met so far, (be it a Navy SEAL, stoicism expert, successful entrepreneur or ultra endurance athlete) has been humble and friendly. None of them were rude and each experience was positive.
So go out there and meet the authors who have best-selling books that you’ve enjoyed and made your life a little better.
And remember to thank them for doing so.
Humbled to have met former Navy SEAL and ultra endurance athlete David Goggins (I highly recommend his book!).
Bonus:
Here are a few ways to find author events: Look at popular bookstores and check out their events page, look at author events on book publishers’ websites and follow the author you want to meet on Twitter and other social media forms.
Examples:
If you want to stay up to date with the authors I’ve met, books I'm reading and see behind the scenes pictures, check out my Instagram!