COVID-19 changed the way we interact with the world around us. And, one of the biggest ways it has affected me, as an author, is the cancellation of ALL physical book festivals. I absolutely love spending a day visiting with potential readers, talking about my stories and learning about them and their interests.
So, as a way to try and continue having this experience and opportunity, we are experimenting with virtual book festivals.
How is it going to look? To be honest, I’m not quite sure. But I’m willing to take a chance and participate just in case anyone wants to pop in and chat.
I have a Zoom session scheduled to begin at 9:30 am Central time, on Saturday, October 3rd. It will run until Zoom kicks me off. 🙂 From what I understand, that will be 40 minutes.
So, if you are free on Saturday morning and want to stop by, I would absolutely LOVE to chat with you about any and everything!
Here is the invitation:
Jan Sikes is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: 3rd Virtual Book Festival AMG
Time: Oct 3, 2020 09:30 AM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/77057926887?pwd=N3h0OVBTNEFnWVROSk5IR3AzUGU2UT09
Meeting ID: 770 5792 6887
Passcode: 4a2wct
I’d love to see you there! Here is a lineup of all the participating authors.
3rd VBF Zoom Room (10 min)
B Alan Bourgeois VBF Zoom9:00 AM https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88248056069?pwd=MTEvT0V2SkxMY1dzWXJvbC9Wam1Rdz09 Barb Geiger VBF Zoom9:10 AM https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88248056069?pwd=MTEvT0V2SkxMY1dzWXJvbC9Wam1Rdz09 Denise Montgomery VBFZoom9:25 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88248056069?pwd=MTEvT0V2SkxMY1dzWXJvbC9Wam1Rdz09 Sandra Rhea VBF Zoom9:40 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88248056069?pwd=MTEvT0V2SkxMY1dzWXJvbC9Wam1Rdz09 Julie Connor VBF Zoom9:55 AM https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88248056069?pwd=MTEvT0V2SkxMY1dzWXJvbC9Wam1Rdz09 Julia Hayden VBF Zoom10:05 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88248056069?pwd=MTEvT0V2SkxMY1dzWXJvbC9Wam1Rdz09 Roxanne Hodge VBF Zoom10:20 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88248056069?pwd=MTEvT0V2SkxMY1dzWXJvbC9Wam1Rdz09 Diann Floyd Boehm VBF Zoom10:40 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88248056069?pwd=MTEvT0V2SkxMY1dzWXJvbC9Wam1Rdz09 Steve Freidman VBF Zoom10:55 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88248056069?pwd=MTEvT0V2SkxMY1dzWXJvbC9Wam1Rdz09 VBF Zoom11:10 AM https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88248056069?pwd=MTEvT0V2SkxMY1dzWXJvbC9Wam1Rdz09
Their Own Zoom Rooms:
Greg KelsoZoom9:30 – 1010 AM https://us04web.zoom.us/j/9461221585?pwd=KzBGV2tjQURweFdVbUp0REc1NGNEZz09
Jan SikesZoom9:30 – 10 AM https://us04web.zoom.us/j/77057926887?pwd=N3h0OVBTNEFnWVROSk5IR3AzUGU2UT09
Marsha WestZoom9:30 – 10 AM https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88392322507?pwd=V3o1SW1zV0ZqV2hWVG0xbm5lKzlVQT09
Rachel BoehmZoom9:30 – 10 AM https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89147548284?pwd=bXJmbmY3Tm9TTzdyOVN2OG9iOEk0UT09
Ann NobleZoom9:20 – 10 AM https://us04web.zoom.us/j/7638188238?pwd=M1lPU2hHa0o0V29EVHZlbUxKYU0xZz09
Shelly Lee (Lady Lee)Zoom10:30 – 11 AM https://us04web.zoom.us/j/74382538668?pwd=QTJxbEhqTDFNMzhKYWU0OUdIRXV5QT09
Michael NewmanZoom10 – 10:30 AM https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84576011322?pwd=TDJPaWJGT0JmN2IvN2Ird0VaNlVzZz09
Diane Windsor (Motina Books)Zoom12:30 PM https://us04web.zoom.us/j/77153608841?pwd=VUdmbTJnbmJZc2xIYXBRd3ZZbncwUT09
Writing and Music 
Hope you get a good turnout- have fun!
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Good luck, Jan – hope it goes well!
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Thank you, Teri!
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This does look like the future–for lots of things. Can’t be at this one–have another Zoom event, a memorial service from the East Coast for a friend from the past who passed away a week ago.
Zoom works for lots of things, but it’s not the same as in person. Not going there now, though!
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You are so absolutely right, John. Zoom will never replace person-to-person contact. I don’t like it either. So sorry about the loss of your friend. Thanks for stopping by!
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Awesome! 🙂 Sharing…
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Thank you, Bette!
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That’s such a good idea! You are a wonderful supporter of the community. I would have loved to take the chance to chat with you. But from Saturday till Monday, we are in a SPA in the Austrian mountains. I hope that there will be another occasion!
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Oh my goodness, Erika! I want to be with you! 🙂 Thanks for leaving a comment and have a great getaway!
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Thank you so much, I need a little time to charge my batteries. It had been crazy for the past 2 months. You are very welcome and again, much joy tomorrow!
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This sounds like a lot of fun, Jan! I won’t be able to drop by but I hope you will tell us all about it after. Wishing you much success xo
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Hi, Denise. Thanks for dropping by. Yes, I’ll have to give a report on how it goes. 🙂 This is a new concept for me.
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Good for you. I will be busy Saturday getting my child moved but will be with you in spirit.
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Spirits count in my world, John! Happy moving day. 🙂
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Hi,
I can only say that at least it is happening at a decent hour for me. October 3rd is a holiday over here in Germany and I plan to relax so I’ll just drop into your Zoom session and chat with everyone.
All the best on your book tour.
See ya Saturday.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat Garcia
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Oh, how wonderful, Pat! I would love that! Thank you!
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This sounds like a great event, Jan! I’m never around online on weekends but I’ll be with you in spirit cheering you on. Wishing you an awesome time!
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Thank you, Mae. It’s a whole new world out there. 🙂
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That sounds like fun. Normally, I’d try to stop by, but my parent s are coming up. We haven’t seen each other since Covid started.
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How wonderful, Craig! Enjoy the weekend with your folks. You are lucky to still have them in your life!
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I agree. Now more than ever.
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COVID has changed a lot of things, that’s for sure. I hope to be able to join you. I’ve not done Zoom, but will give it a try!
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That would be awesome, Joan. I have no idea what this will look like and whether I’ll just be talking to myself, but I’m willing to give it a try. 🙂
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Hurrah that you are remaining flexible and innovative during these challenging times. My life is devoted to music these days; so I probably won’t join your Zoom experiment/experience on Saturday. But I look forward to reading how it goes…
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Thank you, Willedare! Flexible is the only fitting word for 2020!
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This sounds like great fun, Jan. Sorry I won’t be able to be there, but I wish you all the best with the event! 🙂
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Thank you, Harmony!
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