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/

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.

When: January 23-25, 2009

The Winter Games will be centered in West Okoboji, Iowa, with other events held throughout the Lakes Region.  New additions to this year’s games will be an Opry-style concert at the SAMI Center, a tailgate at the Arnolds Park Pavilion, and a cooking demonstration and tasting, complete with a cookbook signing to be held in Annbelle’s Tea Room at The Wash House.

On Saturday, January 24, 2009, from 10am to Noon, Innkeeper Donna Muilenburg from the Okoboji Country Inn will be giving a cooking demostration and tasting. The cooking will begin promptly at 10 am and Muilenburg will be featuring recipes from the new cookbook, just released from the Iowa Bed and Breakfast Innkeepers Association, “Discover Iowa: Cooking with Wine, Meats, and other Iowa Products.”  Cookbook author, Amelia Painter, will be present to sign copies of this recipe-filled new cookbook.

Painter will also have her other books available for sale, and as always, will be happy to sign any of them.  Pictured below is Author Amelia Painter and Innkeeper Donna Muilenburg.

Amelia Painter with Donna Muilenburg