Author events are always an amazing amount of fun for readers. I've been lucky enough to attend several and have always had a great time at all of them. Meeting the writers of books I've enjoyed reading is always interesting, always fun to see how funny and personable they can be in real life. So, when I heard about this fabulous contest which would bring 5 unbelievably talented writers to one city, free of charge to the venue, I thought it was one of the most ingenious ideas I've ever heard of. In my opinion, there would be no greater city in the U.S. for Marissa Meyer, Beth Revis, Marie Lu, Victoria Schwab, and Megan Shepherd to bring YA2U to than Lexington, Kentucky. More specifically, these wonderfully talented authors would be treated to one of Lexington's treasures by having their event at the renowned indie bookstore, Joseph-Beth Booksellers. Need some convincing? OK, here are some wonderful tidbits about Kentucky:
1. Lexington is the "Horse Capital of the World." Kentucky is also commonly referred to as "The Bluegrass State." Fun Fact: When author Richelle Mead visited Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lexington last summer, she mentioned that she had used areas of Kentucky and Lexington within her best-selling book series because it had "the greenest grass" she'd ever seen. Yep, even Mrs. Mead loves the beauty that is KY! Not only is it home to the Kentucky Horse Park, the largest and most unique park/museum dedicated to horses in the world (and where many infamous race horses are buried and honored with beautiful monuments), but nowhere else will you find more lush, gorgeous horse farms anywhere else. Multi-million dollar horse farms are heavily scattered across Lexington and it's surrounding areas. Farms with the most expensive, sought-after Thoroughbreds are everywhere to be seen. Many of the world's most famous race horses came from and are now buried near Lexington. And if you visit in May, you could hop on over to Louisville for the world's most famous horse race, on the world's most famous race track, the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
2. Kentucky is full of delicious treats. Two of our most famous and well-loved are the bottled ginger-ale based soda pop called "Ale-8" and a delicious, chocolately treat you'll not soon forget called "Blue Monday." Ale-8's are unique to Kentucky. Not only were they developed here, they're bottled and only sold within Kentucky. I think you can possibly get some shipped outside the state, but there's nothing like walking up to an Ale-8 pop machine with your $.75 and buying an ice cold bottle of this Kentucky fave!
Are you a chocolate lover? Then Blue Monday is just what you need! Invented by the locally owned Ruth Hunt Candy, Blue Monday's are one of the most widely loved chocolates to Kentuckians. Comprised of your choice of milk, dark or mint chocolate, each bar is filled with a sweet, soft filling of cream candy, all made completely fresh by the makers at Ruth Hunt Candy. A staple all over the state, and especially at the world-famous Kentucky Derby, these little wonderous chocolate delights will make you re-think ever eating another bar of chocolate again. (Oh, and if you like your chocolate with a bit of kick to it, you must try one of their other most famous treats, Bourbon Balls. Chocolate + KY Bourbon. Yep, you heard that right!
3. Nowhere, I mean nowhere, else in the U.S. will you find more die-hard college basketball fans than Lexington, KY. Home to the most winning college basketball team in history, the University of Kentucky continually places only the nation's best players on their team every year. And with one of the most widely recognized basketball coaches ever as their leader, coach John Calipari has lead the team, and their legions of dedicated fans, to many victories over their rivals. If you ever want to experience an insanely intense basketball game, head over to Rupp Arena for one of the Wildcats home games, pick up a UK shirt emblazoned with their uniquely shade of blue, "Kentucky blue"...and good luck finding a seat and obtaining your hearing after the game!
4. A couple of fun facts about Lexington:
*Forbes magazine named Lexington as one of the world's seventeen cleanest cities.
*Esquire magazine named Kentucky the most stylish state in the country.
(You wouldn't be here long to figure out why those wonderful accolades were bestowed upon us.)
5. As mentioned before, I sincerely wish for this event to take place at Kentucky's greatest bookstore, Joseph-Beth Booksellers. Located in the heart of Lexington, Joseph-Beth is one of the truest treasures of the city and state. I've been to many bookstores over the years, but I'm always in awe when I walk through the doors of this independently owned store. Standing two-stories, this bookstore houses countless books, from YA, adult, graphic novel, children's, and everything between. They're also very dedicated to showcasing local authors by promoting their books through beautiful displays and bringing the authors for events.
In just the past two years, I've attended some amazing author events at Joseph-Beth. I was in great company with hundreds of other book-lovers at each event. Everyone from Erin Morgenstern, Charlaine Harris, Carrie Vaughn, Molly Harper, Kristen Simmons, Amy Plum, Richelle Mead, and Cherie Priest have had events that I've attended. That doesn't even come close to counting the events by other well-known authors who had events so huge that security had to be in attendance as well. Sarah Palin came to Joseph-Beth while promoting her biography and people waited for hours to get their books signed. George R.R. Martin sent hundreds and hundreds into a frenzy. And very recently, Brandon Sanderson and Harriet McDougal had well over 700 fans piling into the bookstore!
6. Like many states, Kentucky is home to many talented authors. I'm sure all of you are familiar with Kentucky's own: Julie Kagawa (The Iron Fey series and the Blood of Eden series), Bethany Griffin (Masque of the Red Death and coming soon, Dance of the Red Death), Katie McGarry (Pushing the Limits and the upcoming Crossing the Lines), Molly Harper (the Jane Jameson series and the Naked Werewolf series), and Gwenda Bond (Blackwood). Now, even though Kristen Simmons isn't a native Kentuckian, she did live in Louisville for several years. It was while she lived there that she came up with the idea, and later wrote, Article 5, the book that finally got her published on her long road to publishing. (Go check out her bio on her website. She's very inspiring for all up-and-coming writers!) For anyone who's read the book, you'll know that key areas of her story take place in Louisville and Lexington. Showing some Kentucky love!
7. Also like all other states, Kentucky has been home to many famous people, from all walks of infamy. From actors to musicians, from writers to musicians, Kentucky has an eclectic list of famous peeps. Here is a very small list of some people you've probably heard of:
* Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States
* Ashley Judd
* Wynonna Jud
* Naomi Judd
* Dwight Yoakam
* Muhammad Ali
* Hunter S. Thompson
* John Carpenter
* Tom Cruise
* Florence Henderson
* Molly Simms
* Nick Lachey
* Brian Littrell and Kevin Richardson (2 of the 5 Backstreet Boys)
and for all you Hunger Games fans:
* Jennifer Lawrence (a.k.a. Katniss Everdeen)
* Josh Hutcherson (a.k.a. Peeta Malarck)
Now, when Beth announced the YA2U author event contest on her blog, she did mention that she'd be willing to go to wherever Nathan Fillion could be promised to her. Sorry, Beth, I cannot get Nathan Fillion for you (not that I wouldn't try, it's just that I have no connections to his peeps! ;-) )
BUT!!!!
I can promise you this:
That's right! George Clooney AND Johnny Depp...
...are both from Kentucky!
Is there a chance of either of these handsome faces showing up at Joseph-Beth? Er...probably not...But hey, it's not like you can't daydream about them being in the audience...sitting right beside you...mischevious grins on their faces...those dimples...with those intensely beautiful eyes staring into your souls...Um, that's not only my fantasy, right?
So, there you go, my attempt to convince Marissa, Beth, Marie, Victoria and Megan to consider Joseph-Beth Booksellers and bring YA2U to Lexington, KY. Do I think we'll get the most votes of any city? I doubt it. I mean, Lexington can't compete with the kinds of numbers that much larger cities will garner, cities like NYC, Portland, Chicago or Dallas. But, what we can make up with is charm. And humbleness. And warm Southern accents. And warm summer days. And beautiful nature. And the country's greatest indie bookstore. And the fantasies of George Clooney and Johnny Depp. (Dreams really do come true.)
*All photos, except where noted, were courtesy of Wikipedia.
*Because, you know, I haven't actually met George or Johnny. Yet.
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