The Utah Book Bloggers Summer Social – Photos of a Few of Your Favorite Bloggers and Authors
I’m very fortunate to live in Utah. Utah not only has a HUGE author presence but also HUGE number of book bloggers. Meeting bloggers, specifically bloggers who blog about books, bloggers who actually speak your language and don’t roll their eyes at you is a very satisfying experience. Meeting people that you “know” from the internet? Scary? Not so! Not at all.
This past January, the bloggers who live nearby me had their first social, which I hosted in my home. Since then I’ve been astounded with other bloggers who just seem to come out of the woodwork and then happen to mention to me that they live in Utah. Is there something in the water here? I was excited to host another social because our numbers have doubled.
These are the bloggers who were able to make it!
- Emily from Emily’s Reading Room (@eellsworth)
- Britt from Confessions of a Book Habitue (@bookhabitue)
- Becky from One Literature Nut (@mjmbecky)
- Melissa from One Librarian’s Book Reviews
- Drew from Books Lies and Alibis (@booksliesalibis)
- Cari from Book Scoops
- Lynn from Chronicle of an Infant Bibliophile (@I_bibliophile)
- Angie from Angieville (@angiebookgirl)
- Stacy from Stacy Whitman’s Grimoire (@stacylwhitman) – Children’s Editor
- Suey from It’s All About Books (@sueysays)
And I was super bummed that these awesome bloggers weren’t able to come. Next time? And would you believe that even MORE bloggers came out of the woodwork after our get together. I think I have everybody. And if I missed somebody, I’m going to feel so bad!
- Amy from Haiku Amy (@haikuamy)
- Jessica from The Bluestocking Society (@thebluestocking)
- Sharon from SherMeree’s Musings
- Booklogged from A Readers Journal
- Kim from Good Clean Reads
- Alison from So Many Books, So Little Time (@utahalison)
- Stephanie from Children’s Literature Book Club
- Framed from Framed and Booked
- Patricia from Horror and Fantasy Book Review
- The gals at My Favorite Author
- Edgy at Books are King (hope he’s still around!)
- Shelly at Book Fanatic
- Mellissa at The Reckless Reader (@Aelysium)
- Cindy at Kiss the Book
- Lisa at Bookworm’s Library
- Tristi’s from Tristi’s Takes
. . . and we say goodbye to Jenn at The King’s English Bookstore (@jennIRL) who is taking a manager position out East. We are going to miss her out here!
The Bloggers!
From left to right: My husband Taylor, author LeAnn Wiffman’s husband and Leeann Whiffen (more about our authors below), Stacy and Drew:
Melissa and husband:
Suey and her wonderful family:
Angie, Emily and Becky:
Suey, Suey’s family, Cari, and Stacy:
Melissa (sitting down), Angie, Emily, Britt (sitting), and Becky:
Stacy, Melissa, Becky (in back), Britt, Drew and Melissa and husband sitting:
Lynn from Chronicles of the Infant Bibliophile, the Infant Bibliophile himself, and me:
Melissa from One Librarian’s Book Reviews and me:
Drew from Books Lies and Alibis and me:
Cari from Book Scoops and me:
Myself and Suey from It’s All About Books:
Myself and Britt from Confessions of a Book Habitue:
Myself and Becky from One Literature Book Nut:
Angie from Angieville and me:
Emily from Emily’s Reading Room and me:
Myself and Stacy Whitman Grimoire – Children’s Editor
We had such a fun time talking about books and blogging! And as if hanging out with your favorite online bloggers isn’t enough, several of our local Utah authors and writers came! It honestly gave the night that *extra* bit of magic. I was thrilled that they would take the time to come hang out with us and I’ve got many more authors who would love to come next time!
The Authors!
Pictured from left to right:
- Brodi Ashton (@brodiashton), who currently has her YA novel out on submission with an agent. Although she’s not published yet, I like to treat like she is!
- J. Scott Savage, author of Far World, Water Keep (my book review) and its sequel Far World, Land Keep out this fall.
- Emily Wing Smith (@emilywingsmith), author of The Way He Lived (my book review).
- James Dashner@jamesdashner), author of The 13th Reality Series (my book reviews of The Journal of Curious Letters and The Hunt for the Dark Infinity and the upcoming The Maze Runner due out in October.
- Bree Despain (@breedespain), author of The Dark Divine, released this December.
- Leeann Whiffen (@leannwhiffen), author of the memoir, A Child’s Journey Out of Autism.
Emily Wing Smith talking writing with Cari from Book Scoops.
James Dashner, Stacy Whitman, Taylor Maw and J. Scott Savage
J. Scott Savage, Brodi Ashton, Emily Wing Smith, Bree Despain, James Dashner
Bree Despian, Emily Wing Smith, Bree Despain
James Dashner, Stacy Whitman, J. Scott Savage
J. Scott Savage brought a uncorrected proof of the sequel of his book Far World. Suey’s son loved the first book, so Scott gladly signed him a copy and gave it to him! Here they are with James Dashner.
Brodi Ashton has a book out with an agent right now and myself.
Leeann Whiffen, author of A Child’s Journey Out of Autism, and myself:
Myself and Bree DeSpain, author of The Dark Divine – out in December:
Emily Wing Smith, author of The Way He Lived, and myself:
J. Scott Savage, author of the Far World and myself:
James Dashner, author of The 13th Reality Series and The Maze Runner – out in October:
So there you have it!! Our fun time with all the Utah book bloggers and a few of our amazing authors. If you have bloggers in your area, I would highly recommend getting to know them offline. It really is a rewarding experience and only serves to enhance the online experience.
I know many of you have met other bloggers (I’ve met a ton of you from LA Festival Times and Books and BookExpo America). What’s the best part of meeting them? And if you haven’t met anybody, if you could, would you?
Hey you! Yes. You! I've noticed that you've stopped by to visit a few times! But I don't know who you are. Why don't you take a moment and introduce yourself. Don't be scared. I try not to bite. I know you're a lurker but I'd love to hear your thoughts about what's been bringing you here. And if you haven't done so already, don't forget to never miss a post by subscribing to my feed or receiving updates by email. Thanks for visiting!
Tags: Utah Book Bloggers
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oh that looks like so much fun! glad you all had a good time! did people have to travel far to meet up? Utah is a fairly big state right? Was everyone from a certain part or all over?
on September 3rd, 2009 at 8:52 amI had a great time meeting everyone! Thanks so much, Natasha!
on September 3rd, 2009 at 8:54 amLooks like a great time. Maybe we should all just move to Utah!
on September 3rd, 2009 at 8:59 amLooks like an awesome time! I’d love to meet other bloggers, but it hasn’t worked out for me yet. I’m hoping for next year’s BEA!
on September 3rd, 2009 at 9:07 amFun times! What a great pile of pictures you have here. Can’t wait to do it again!
on September 3rd, 2009 at 9:25 amNatasha, I’m so bummed I couldn’t make it! It looks like there was a great turn out, though. Thanks for bringing everyone together.
(It looks like you might have left Suey off of your list of people who came.)
on September 3rd, 2009 at 9:56 amLooks like a great time was had by everyone! I hope you guys meet up again!
I unfortunately don’t live in Utah with you awesome bloggers.
on September 3rd, 2009 at 10:08 amHow fun is this… makes me what to move to Utah to attend a picnic like this one
on September 3rd, 2009 at 10:48 amIt’s so cool you have so many bloggers and authors in that area! Like Deborah, I was wondering, what was the longest/farthest someone traveled to be at this gathering? Are most of the people close?
on September 3rd, 2009 at 11:04 amIt really was so fun! Thanks for the recap complete with lots of photos.
on September 3rd, 2009 at 11:07 amOh my gosh, that looks like so much fun! I’ve only come across 2 other book bloggers in South Carolina and they’re both clear across the state from me.
on September 3rd, 2009 at 11:24 amDeborah & Word Lily – Utah is a fairly large state yes. Fortunately, most of the population lives in a fairly dense location in the Northern part of the state along the Wasatch Front. For this particular gathering, I would guess that Suey, Angie, and Melissa came the furthest at about a 30 minute drive in traffic. We have just a few bloggers who were unable to come due to distance. Most notably, Framed from Framed and Booked who is probably a few hours. Otherwise, I would say that most everybody I listed is within an hour or an hour and a half of each other.
Jessica – Oh my gosh! How could I forget to link to Suey?!! I only have like a billion photos! Thanks.
Leeann & Melissa – It was fun to meet you gals!
on September 3rd, 2009 at 11:47 amJust amazing how many bloggers you came up with! What fun it looks like you had! Thanks for sharing the pictures!
on September 3rd, 2009 at 11:53 amNatasha- so fun to meet you in person. Thanks for putting the shindig together!
on September 3rd, 2009 at 12:07 pmCan I just say that I love your “me with everyone” pics. You are SO good at remembering to take pics WITH people and not just OF people. My kids are going to grow up and say that I never took them anywhere since I am NEVER in any pics.
Looks like you had a super time. I can see why everyone flocks to Utah. That’s apparently where all the fun is. Honestly though, when I go to Salt Lake the people are sooooo friendly and it’s just so beautiful.
on September 3rd, 2009 at 1:33 pmThis looks like so much fun! Jealous of the huge book blogger and author community!
on September 3rd, 2009 at 2:27 pmOkay, I knew we had a lot of bloggers missing, but seeing that list… crazy! Hopefully more will make it next time!
We had so much fun!!
on September 3rd, 2009 at 3:37 pmThe best part of meeting other book bloggers is knowing you’ll have plenty of things to talk about. The next best thing is that you probably already know each other at least a bit – you’ve really already met.
Which reminds me – are you coming back for the LA Times Festival of Books next year
?
on September 3rd, 2009 at 4:35 pmThis sounds like an absolute blast! I have yet to meet a fellow blogger, but I’d love to! Hopefully I’ll be able to.. One day.
on September 3rd, 2009 at 4:50 pmLooks like fun! I have yet to find another Central Coast book blogger.
on September 3rd, 2009 at 7:37 pmHow fun! I’m sad I don’t live in Utah now.
on September 3rd, 2009 at 8:18 pmWhat an amazing event! I would love to do something like that. I only know a few Minnesota Bloggers that I have connected with on Book Blogs.
Thanks for posting!
on September 3rd, 2009 at 9:01 pmNatasha!
Nothing ever fun happens out here (in the East) Why? I’m MOVING!! : )
It looks like SO much fun… Awe.. I neva’ getta’ do anything! *kicks rock*
I love you but I’m going back to MY blog now and sulk!! LOL I’m just kidding! I’d LOVE to have gone! It’s so nice to see faces behind the blog names! I hope it was as great as it looks!
THANK YOU FOR SHARING!!
x0xx Amy (Park-Avenue Princess)
on September 4th, 2009 at 12:18 amI’m so jealous of all you Utah bloggers. I lived in Utah for 8 years, but it was long, long before blogs came around
I’m usually in Provo for the 4th – how ’bout a get-together around then, just for me??
on September 4th, 2009 at 12:51 pmThanks Natasha for hosting yet again a wonderful book blogging and author social. It was definitely a fun! Can’t wait for the next one.
on September 4th, 2009 at 2:06 pmOh my gosh. I had NO idea there were this many of us in Utah. My jaw dropped. This may sound completely nerdy Natasha, but if you have a third hoopla, can I come?
on September 4th, 2009 at 3:10 pmWow! What a super posts with all the pictures and so many bloggers and authors! Did this run all afternoon and into the evening? One of the pics looks like the sun is starting to set … such fun for you all!
on September 6th, 2009 at 7:37 pmHeather – Absolutely! Announcements will always be made through the ning, so make sure you check in there everyonce in a while.
Dawn – We started at 5pm and headed out sometime after 8pm. So it was a few hours! The only reason most people left was because of young children.
on September 12th, 2009 at 8:47 pm[...] The Utah Book Bloggers Summer Social – Photos of a Few of Your Favorite Bloggers and Authors [...]
on September 13th, 2009 at 8:09 pmCan I just say HOW JEALOUS I AM??? I don’t know of any other bloggers in the Dallas area and the other cities are such a hike to get to. Seriously–next time I head over to Utah, we are setting up a date.
on September 14th, 2009 at 8:49 pm[...] us (although that’s really a dumb question)? Check out my posts about our first social, our second summer social, and our last winter social. I also have a blog project that will be revealed at the social which [...]
on August 4th, 2010 at 5:12 pm[...] that sounds)! Since then we have had two socials – The Utah Book Bloggers Bash and the Utah Book Bloggers Social – and our size has grown from half a dozen to literally 30+ bloggers. Our local authors [...]
on May 23rd, 2011 at 4:17 pm