FAN CONVENTION with Brenda Novak

by Jo Robertson

Please help me welcome NY Times Best-selling Author Brenda Novak back to the Lair. Not only is Brenda a prolific writer and mother of five, but she runs her annual Diabetes Research Auction every May. Check out her website and the current auction information at www.brendanovak.com.

Brenda's latest book, INSIDE, releases June 28. Here's an advance review:

Ms. Novak has been a favorite of mine for some time, but this has to be The Book for me out of all her work. It’s the one I will remember for many years to come. It’s the one that stands out not only because of the content, but the depth of the romance that is instant and intense. You aren’t going to want to miss this one! FIVE STARS

We Read Romance

Today Brenda is discussing her and Christine Feehan's FAN Conventions.

WHAT IS A FAN CONVENTION? by Brenda Novak

When #1 New York Times Best-selling Author Christine Feehan came to me with the idea for FAN (Feehan And Novak Reader Appreciation Weekend) I was excited and definitely ready to jump in, but because I’d never been to such an event I had no idea what we should plan. That problem was quickly solved when we realized that our only goal was to make our event fun and exciting and a party our loyal readers would want to come back to again and again. We also wanted to make it intimate so that we’d be able to grow close as a group (and keep it manageable), so we capped it at 100.

Our first event last year was a smashing success. We had so many of our guests tell us they wanted to come back—and they did. We just held FAN 2011, of which 40% were returnees. We also had guests from as far away as London and Calgary join us.

Follow the link for a slideshow experience of last year's event: http://animoto.com/play/1Tie5jz0hx4RqVQcINL8Mg

So what do we do at FAN? All kinds of things! Our first two events were held aboard a 1920’s riverboat, The Delta King, in Old Sacramento, which means we had a fabulous setting to start things off. Friday we threw a 1920’s Speakeasy, complete with gangster and flapper costumes and cigarette girls (candy), and played poker for prizes. A large key in each gift basket enabled the winner to unlock the treasure chest of bigger prizes, so we had some very excited winners--but everyone got a gift. That’s part of the fun of FAN—the registration bag alone had 10 or more books in it and we gave presents away at almost every function.

Saturday, we had a delicious brunch and played FANGO (basically Bingo) for more prizes. Then we had a chat with the authors, a booksigning (with a palm reader doing free readings in the other room) and the most hilarious Murder Mystery Dinner I’ve ever been to. (My husband killed Christine right in front of her agent and editor. ) There, we gave away more gifts and repeated the tradition at the send-off brunch in the paddlewheel room the following morning. At FAN 2011, we even had a few surprise guests—New York Times Bestselling Authors Cherry Adair and C.L. Wilson!!

It was really fun to get to know the people who joined us. As with 2010, many claim they want to return, so I’m looking forward to seeing my new friends at the next FAN--only this time we’re changing up the party. We’re not sure of all the changes quite yet, but we’re going to do a Venetian Ball, complete with gowns and masks, in place of the Speakeasy. I’m already on the hunt for the most beautiful period costume ever.

If you’re interested in three days of rubbing elbows with fellow bibliophiles and enjoying one party after another, FAN 2012 is scheduled for March 2 – 4. Visit http://www.fanconvention.net/ for more details (and pictures of our past events).

And if you think I’m going to sign off without telling you about my NEXT event for THIS year…you don’t know me very well. My seventh annual online auction for diabetes research opens May 1st at http://brendanovak.auctionanything.com. Go there now to register so that you’re included in all the updates because this is going to be an AMAZING year. Check out some of the items we have up for auction:

Lunches with Bestselling Authors Suzanne Brockmann, Karen Rose, Dianna Gabaldon, Barry Eisler, Steve Berry and more!
A Selection of COACH Bags from Bestselling Author Anna DeStefano
Exquisite artwork, quilts, paintings, and jewelry from dozens of donors
Hundreds of autographed books
A Mexican Beach Getaway, A Week-Long Stay in Hawaii, Florida or Tennessee—even an African Safari
A Personal Styling Session/Makeover with Bertrand Pellegrin
A haircut from celebrity hairstylish Alyn Topper
An tanzanite/diamond ring set in 18k white gold from Michael Greene & Co. (valued at $8500)
A pave diamond heart necklace (valued at $3500)
Electronics, including Nooks, Kindles and iPads!
Agent for a Day With Jessica Faust
A Day at Kensington Books
For aspiring writers--Nearly 100 top agents and editors who are donating their time to evaluate your submission
To top it all off, the person who places the highest number of bids, even if that person doesn't wind up winning a single auction item, will receive a fabulous prize package that includes a brand new laptop computer, an autographed advanced reading copy of my new book, INSIDE (due out June 28th), a FAN 2012 Convention Registration and a mystery box filled with goodies!
See you at brendanovak.com!


A question for today's readers: Have you ever attended a reader appreciation weekend? Is this something you'd like to do in the future? Why or why not?


Be sure to leave a comment to win a copy of Brenda's latest release.