At every book signing I do, I always meet interesting people. Sometimes it’s old friends who use the book signing as an to stop by and say hello, other times it’s pure coincidence that I see an old friend or meet a new one. On Saturday at Sweet Spirit, I saw my friend Emily (pictured below) who now lives on the other side of Atlanta, my friend Amy who lives really close but I never see, my friend Shelby who I used to go to the same church I did, and my friend Adrienne who now goes to the same church I do.

It was great to catch up with each of these women. All leading very different lives but each was inspiring in her own way.

But I also got to meet some new friends. On Saturday, John Young whom I’ve never met in person but have talked on the phone with quite a bit (he’s interviewed me a number of times for his radio show) stopped by and I got to hear him speak person. What a treat! He has the most wonderful voice to listen to. If only I could figure out how to have him do the voice overs to the thoughts in my head, everything would sound profound.

When John walked in I was talking to another man who was waiting for his gift to be wrapped. Turns out the man I was talking to was also a well known Atlanta voice talent and the two of them spent some time reminiscing.

Last year at Sweet Spirit, I met a remarkable young woman named Jenna that I eventually interviewed for a new book that I contributed to called Loved. It’s edited by Rebecca St. James and tells the stories of prodigal daughters who returned home.

This year I was talking to a man who was telling me about his daughter’s interest in writing. Turns out it was Jenna’s dad! Jenna is now in college and studying writing. How cool is that?

I have a book signing coming up at the Barnes and Noble in Cedar Rapids on May 23 .  I can’t wait. Last year my junior high music teacher, my high school drama director, old friends from junior high through high school, and family I haven’t seen in years were all there. It was great to see each of them and catch up on what they were doing. This year, through the magic of FaceBook events, I am excited to learn that even more friends I haven’t seen in almost twenty years will be there.

I know my job at these events is to sell books, and while I like hearing the ka-ching of the cash register as much as any author, I have to say the best part of these events for me is talking to friends–old or new.

If you’re in the East Cobb area tonight, I’ll be signing books at The Bookmark in Johnson Ferry Baptist Church.

Stop by, I’d love to see you!

~ Jennifer