Iowa author Amelia Painter will be featured again this year as she joins other authors to sign and talk about their books and writing projects.  Last year was a fun event that was enjoyed by all that attended, so clear your calendar and head to Orange City’s 2010 Tulip Festival.

Amelia chatting with a local volunteer that enjoyed talking about books in the Author's Corner.

Iowa author, Amelia Painter, returned home from fourdays of book signings at the Tulip Festival Author’s Corner held in Orange City, Iowa May 13 – May 16th.

The Tulip Festival was an entertaining celebration for over 100,000 visitors this year.  The Author’s Corner was a new addition to the 2009 celebration.  There was a total of 22 authors featured.

My husband and I attended the public reception on  Wednesday, May 13th from 6-7:30pm and we met a number of local residents that later would be volunteering at various festival events.

I initially schedule for two days in the Author’s Corner, but we were having such a good time that we ended-up staying all four days.

And we were in good company.  We met a number of authors that were new to us, and had lots of laughs with local authors with which we were already acquainted. Noteworthy authors new to me included: Patricia Phipps, author of “My Grandma Always Told ME” — a collection of stories that range from humorous to serious and religious to ridiculous; Nicole Baart’s books. Nicole writes redemptive, hope-filled fiction; Tricia Currans-Sheehan, author of “The Egg Lady” and “The River Road;” and  Dan Reinking from Bartlesville,  OK, with his fascinating book “Oklahoma Breeding Bird Atlas” that provides comprehensive information on all species of birds known to nest in Oklahoma and other Mid-west states.

On Saturday, Spencer’s Vicki Myron, author of the New York Times Hardcover Non-Fiction Bestseller, “Dewey,” was on-hand to showcase and sign her book.

As for my book signing adventures, I have to report honestly that we had a great time.  The facility was really nice and the organizers even nicer.  My cookbook, “Discover Iowa: Cooking with Iowa Wines, Meats & Other Iowa Products” was the popular of the two books featured at my table.  It is a real favorite of cooks of all ages across the state.

If you’d like to learn more about my writing go to: http://published.ameliawrites.com/

The Author’s Corner will be open to the public from 10:00am – 1:00pm and 4:00 – 6:00pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday and it is located in the basement of Northwestern State Bank, south of the Windmill Park Information Booth, in Orange City.

2009 Tulip Festival in Orange City, Iowa

The Midwest’s outstanding authors will come together for three days of book signings in our Author’s Corner. Also, come and meet Vicki Myron, author of the New York Times Hardcover Non-Fiction Bestseller, Dewey.  Myron worked at the Spencer Public Library for 25 years, the last 20 years as its director.  Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World written with Bret Witter, is her account of the unforgettable cat that became a fixture at the library.

There will be a variety of activities, speakers and programs during the 2-day event. IBBIA will be featuring workshops that assist innkeepers of all levels of experience. Look forward to a variety of important workshops covering valuable information for every innkeeper. Topics will vary from marketing in a down economy  to marketing on the Internet to adding wine as a revenue stream.

Amelia will be teaching an advance blogging workshop at the conference this year.  IBBIA members know it is important to keep Web visitors informed and that it is important to promote lodging packages — blogging is the easiest way to accomplish this.  The IBBIA blog also keeps regular online visitors coming back to see what’s new when they are planning a trip. Amelia will discuss the latest news on Internet marketing and will teach attendees how to generate more interest in their B&Bs via blogging.

Amelia will also be teaching a workshop on Internet Press Releases and their importance in any B&Bs marketing mix.  Both workshops will be extremely informative and attendees will be given written handouts.

Amelia will also be on hand to autograph her books.  Find full information on the conference at:  http://www.iabedandbreakfast.com/Conferences/index.htm

Click here to view conference schedule for both days.

Author, Amelia Painter

If you’d own a book store or gift shop in Iowa Falls and would like to schedule a book signing contact Amelia Painter at 712-580-3117.

Author Amelia Painter at Okoboji Winter Games Book Signing

The University of Okoboji Winter Games added a Cooking Demonstration, Food Tasting and Book Signing to is fun-filled schedule this year.  Around 10am on January 26, 2009, Winter Game attendees filled Annabelle’s Tea Room anxious to learn how to prepare new edible creations from well-known restauranteur Donna Muilenburg and buy a copy of the Iowa author’s new cookbook, “Discover Iowa: Cooking with Iowa Wines, Meats and other Iowa Proudcts.”  Click here to read full story.