Lori Armstrong: My Favorite Type of People

Today's guest blogger, author Lori Armstrong talks about her wonderful book club visits, her new book NO MERCY, and her upcoming virtual book event.

As much as I love to read, I’ve never belonged to an official book club—mostly due to time constraints with writing deadlines for my own books. But I love hearing what books my friend’s clubs choose. So I was beyond flattered when a local group picked my very first book as their monthly selection, and they invited me to their club meeting to participate in the discussion. When I showed up on the stranger’s doorstep, nervous as all get-out, I was immediately whisked inside, seated in the center of the room, handed a glass of wine and a plate filled with delectable chocolate desserts.

And to think the night went uphill from there!

In the years since the publication of my first book, I’ve been invited to speak at different types of events. I always say yes to book clubs because the members are my favorite type of people. They love to read. They love to talk about reading. They love to talk about books. They love to hear how authors create the books they stand in line to buy. Sure, I’ve attended book club meetings where I know several members haven’t cracked the spine of my book. But I’ve also been to meetings where readers have bought multiple copies for family and friends because they refused to share their personalized copy. I’ve even attended one or two meetings where I’ve been told—to my face—that my book was unrealistic and my heroine offensive. On occasion I’ve been reamed for rough language and dark themes in my mysteries. Yet I’ve also been to book clubs where the members ask insightful questions that blow me away. Sometimes the readers seem to know more about the books than I do.

My most memorable book club experience happened a year after the publication of BLOOD TIES. A woman from Minot, North Dakota, contacted me after her book club, The Ragged Edges, had chosen it for their monthly read. All the members loved it and she asked if I’d be interested in talking to their book club, if they made the eight-hour trek to Rapid City during the summer months.

I was stunned—and humbled. This club would drive all that way to meet with…me? Really?

Coincidentally, one member had a sister who lived here; so ten members piled into two cars and toured Rapid City and the Black Hills. The cool thing was they drove around looking for specific places I’d named in my book. Still, I was nervous as once again I found myself standing on a stranger’s steps. What if they drove all that way and ended up disappointed because my entertainment skills were sorely lacking? I needn’t have worried. These gracious, well-read, well-traveled, funny and fabulous women treated me like a…celebrity. They dragged out their tattered copies for me to sign. They convinced me to read them a section of my next book. They even bought me a gift—a beautiful coffee mug made out of North Dakota clay by one of their members. Easily one of the best experiences I’ve had as a writer.

With the launch of NO MERCY, once again I’ll be embarking on a new experience with book clubs and libraries: a Skype virtual book event. I’m really excited about this venture—although I’ll have to spiff up my office since the attendees will be able to see every mess behind me, live via webcam. This is a perfect solution for an author like me, who wants to connect with as many readers as possibly, but who basically lives in the middle of nowhere. Travel, especially this time of year with raging blizzards and sub-zero temps, can be problematic whether I’m driving or flying. And then there’s the pesky detail that I am under deadline for the second book in the Mercy Gunderson series and I need to spend time working.

I’ll also be doing live appearances during this book tour (check the appearances section of my website to see if I’ll be in your town!) If you’re interested in jumping on the technology spaceship and hosting a Skype book club discussion with me, please email my publicist at Simon and Schuster for details. Also click here for a detailed reader’s guide into the creation of my character Mercy Gunderson and her world.