I was at a book fair in Killeen Texas yesterday sponsored by Texas Authors. The Views of the Neighborhood this week will hopefully give you a taste of what went on.
Here is the entrance to the fair.
The main desk
A lot of authors are in attendance
Here is a shot of my booth.
More authors
I was happy to finally meet Jan Sykes. Here we are at her booth.
Gwen Plano was visiting Killeen and stopped by. This was the first time we met in person.
I call this “Thorn Between Two Roses.” It was so much fun seeing Jan and Gwen.
I hope you enjoyed the brief tour of the Killeen Book Fair.
Fiction Favorites 
Great post, dear John! Writers on duty! What might be better?!
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Ha ha ha. Yes, those pesky writers need to be on duty. Thank you, Maria. 😀
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🙂 Always at your service, my dear friend!
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This looks like a large event, John. It was great you got to meet the other authors. 🙂 — Suzanne
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I agree, Suzanne. Thank you.
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How terrific you and Gwen finally got together! I hope the fair was a winner for all of you!
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Thank you, GP. It was a good day all around.
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How great you were able to meet up with Jan and Gwen! Your display of books looked nice, John! Happy Sunday!
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Thank you, Jill. Happy Sunday to you as well.
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Nice to see you finally got together with Gwen, John. I had assumed you already knew each other.
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We had a 100% virtual collaboration. It was great meeting Gwen and Jan.
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Good to see you guys (gals) at work. I hope the fair was well attended.
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Thank you, Dan. It was a good fair for sure.
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I couldn’t help but zoom in to see what was on your table, John. Swedish Fish? I do like the toy cars, but what are those items on the plate?
I had no idea you and Gwen had never met. Well done for attending the book fair so shortly after moving home.
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The Swedish Fish are a nod to the Port Aransas location in my first book, My GRL. The toy cars and lunch box symbolize the theme in Circumstances of Childhood. The plate contains book marks made of ribbon and charms. The fair was only one and a half hours from my house so it was an easy matter to attend. (Also my wife felt I needed a break from unpacking.) Yes, Gwen and I worked together for a number of years and only met yesterday. Jan Sykes, Gwen, and I worked on a radio show for two years and We also only met yesterday. Thank you, Hugh.
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Thanks for the reply, John. What a great idea to have some props from books on the table. I’m guessing you get asked about them?
Seems like a great way to get away from it all after the unpacking. I had no idea you worked on a radio show with Jan and Gwen. I can’t imagine working with another author without meeting them, but you’ve proved it can be done.
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The props serve as ice breakers for sure. I think once you have a connection with someone, not having met becomes less important. Thanks again.
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That’s so cool. Love the title of the last picture. How did the show go?
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It was super. I enjoyed the interaction with the readers a lot..
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Lovely group…♥♥♥
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That’s interesting that your collaboration with Gwen was completely virtual. I did a very small project with a photographer that was wholly virtual, too. It’s amazing how well such things can work out. Another example: in ten years or more, I’ve never met Jeanie, who painted Dixie Rose. The old discussions about real world/virtual world aren’t what they used to be!
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So true, linda. 😀
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I can’t express what a great pleasure it was meeting you and Gwen both yesterday. It was such a treat! Like a family reunion! Thanks for sharing. I am reblogging!
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It was like a family reunion. Thanks, Jan
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Ohmigosh! I.cannot believe you wrote books together without ever having met!!
Wow. Just. Wow.
Wonder if this will.change the dynamic…🙂
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I don’t think so. She lives in the Midwest. Not likely we will get together often.
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Still… must have been f
Great to finally meet.
How did this collaboration come to be? You must have written about it sometime back…😏
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We are all members of the same book club which is a vertual international organization
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So very cool… and to decide to co-author – a chance that worked! (Will be checking the first out. My reading list is so long!)
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I can identify.
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😁
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It is amazing how when you meet a virtual friend, they feel like family.
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So true.
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[…] Sorry. I just realized the Link didn’t transfer. 🙂 Here you go! https://johnwhowell.com/2019/03/10/views-of-the-neighborhood-book-fair-in-killeen-texas/ […]
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Looks like everyone had a grand time!
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It was, Annette. Thank you.
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Love the pics. Hope a great time was had by all. And how great to finally meet some online friends in person!
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Yes to all of that, Traci. 😀
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Thanks for sharing, John!
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Thak you, Pit.
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Looking good Boss! Love the Leading Man pics . . .
You are fitting in just fine in the new locale. Not surprised in the least. 🙂
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Thank you, Marc.
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You’ve got the pose down cold. Some Clint Eastwood, a little Clark Gable and I would be remiss if I forgot John Wayne.
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Thanks, Pilgrim. There might be some Charlie Chan in there.
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We can work with that if you like.
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😁
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Such a joy meeting RRBC friends Jan Sikes and John Howell! I’m overwhelmed with gratitude. 😊
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Yes it was a joy. Thank you, Gwen.
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It brought a huge smile to my face seeing you Jan and Gwen together:)
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Thank you, Denise. Me too.
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It seems you were not disappointed in meeting up with these ladies at last. Your display table looked good. Nice to see a photo of you and your fellow authors. I am sure you will be closer to more events like this one since you are in Austin. You are missing Spring Break – you timed your move well!
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I don’t think I can face another spring break. I’m glad we got out in time. Thank you, Jo.
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Hope the show went well … and great that you got to meet the two ladies. 🙂
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It did, Frank. Thanks.
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That’s so cool that you guys all got to meet. Makes the rest of the event pale, but it looks like a good event too.
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Thank you, Craig. I agree on the event and the addition of Gwen and Jan was terrific.
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You just moved like a week ago, and you were part of a book fair?? Impressive, John. How wonderful that you got to meet Gwen and Jan!
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I know right? It was a fun event.
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I’m so glad!
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Nice set up at your table, John. How cool that you met Jan and Gwen in person!
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The photos are fabulous, John. It’s wonderful that you got to meet Jan and Gwen in person. What a special day! I got a chuckle from “the thorn between two roses” 😀
I love your author set-up too. The tabletop bookcase/shelf you have is especially attractive. Any chance you ordered that online? I’d love to add one for my author table.
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We found that bookcase at a garage sale. It was all beat up and just needed a little TLC. Thanks, Mae. Meeting Gwen and Jan was the highlight.
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I’m going to have to poke around online. Or maybe I can get my hubby to build one! 🙂
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That would be good. 😀
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Nice display, John! That poster of your book covers was great! How nice you got to meet Jan and Gwen in person, and while they may be roses, you are not a thorn 😉
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You are too sweet, Marie. I know a thorn when I see one.
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Oh, you! 😘
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It may not always feel like it, but you’re living the dream, John.
Well done.
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Thanks for the kind encouragement, Hook.😀
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I love book fairs! Unfortunately, I’ve had to miss our’s for the past two years due to conflicts. It looks like you had a great time!
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It was great. 😁
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