10.13.2008

Photo Finish: The Big Event

The Fantasy Fiction Tour is over. All the authors are home (I think). The event at Calvary Chapel Refuge went extremely well. I got caught up in hosting the event, so I didn't get all the photos that I wanted. Somehow I completely missed getting pictures of Donita K. Paul and Jonathon Rogers. And I really wish that I could have gotten a photo of all eight of them when they were on stage for the question and answer session.

But for now, here is a photo essay of the evening . . .

Christopher Hopper (The Lion Vrie) and L.B. Graham (The Binding of the Blade) stand outside the sanctuary. Chris was posing for the camera because it took me nearly half an hour to figure out how to take a picture. Arrgghh.


The event began with Jennifer and Christopher Hopper leading worship. Beautiful music and beautiful couple!


L.B. Graham spoke on "God's Faithfulness" earlier in the evening. Here he visits with fans during the book signing.


Rebecca Luella Miller and Sharon Hinck (the Restorer series) during the book signing. Becky helps run the CSSF blog tour and hosts the popular site, A Christian Worldview of Fiction. She also helped throughout the event.


Bryan Davis (Dragons in our Midst) and Wayne Thomas Batson (The Door Within trilogy) discuss all things literary with their fans. Bryan delivered a powerful message titled "Why Fantasy" and Wayne performed an excellent dramatic reading.


Eric Reinhold (Ryan Watters and the King's Sword) and fans. Eric spoke on "God's Timing."


Sharon Hinck and me. I have to confess, she is a talented lady with a heart of gold. Truly. Her message titled, "How to be a Hero" made me cry.


Andrea Verde and Jeremy Clendening--faithful workers that helped pull this event together. And, oh, that's me in the middle.


Me and Jeannie Kleker--another wonderful volunteer that helped throughout the event.


Here we have an optical illusion--it looks like Wayne just chopped off someone's head. But, in fact, everyone left with all their body parts intact. Thank goodness. Can't read a book without a head.

10 comments:

Bryan Davis said...

Thank you for hosting this event. You did a fantastic job. All the authors talked about it later as a highlight of the tour.

I hope we can get a copy of the audio and/or video recording of the program.

Thank you again!

Bryan Davis

Merrie Destefano said...

Thanks, Bryan!

It was a blessing to be able to help out on your tour. Everyone who attended had a wonderful time.

Yes, I will see that you get a copy of the audio/video.

Praying for you--
Blessings,
Merrie

Sharon Hinck said...

SO fun seeing all these pictures, when I was already starting to miss the team. Thanks for this thorough post!

It was a HUGE treat for me to get to see you in person again. I know you faced some big challenges as the event approached - so you really experienced the sorts of things the tour members have encountered. Thanks for persevering and facilitating an amazing evening. :-)

Merrie Destefano said...

Sharon,
It was wonderful to see you too!

It was an honor to get to serve all of you. Truly.

You spend so many hours alone behind a computer screen to produce your art. I wish the whole world could get to meet you and the rest of the team, and that they would love your books as much as I do.

Now, don't forget where you put those ruby slippers.
: )
hugs,
Merrie

Jonathan Rogers said...

Thanks, Merrie, for hosting
Friday night's event. As Bryan said, it truly was a highlight of the tour. Is your husband any closer to seeing the value of fantasy fiction? :)

Merrie Destefano said...

Jonathan,
It was our pleasure to have all of you visit Calvary Chapel Refuge. You authors ROCK!

Is my husband closer to appreciating fantasy? Well, after almost 20 years of marriage I just convinced him that sci-fi was cool. And SOME authors have scary alligators in their books. Very scary.

You know all those alligators were born and originally lived under the bed of a nine-year-old boy--my husband. So apparently he's been part of the fantasy world all along.

[smile]

Thanks for stopping by Huntington Beach and for sharing your vision with us. It truly was a blessing.

: )
Merrie

Christopher Hopper said...

HEY MERRIE!

Wow...what a JOY it was to meet you in person! You're too cool! And what an absolute BLESSING it was to be at CC Refuge in sunny So-Cal! Now if only I could have surfed a little before the event, THAT would have been the perfect day. But your TLC and time invested into organizing and promoting our event more than made up for that. ;)

Hope to see you again soon out there! And thanks for your kind words about Jennifer and I, as well as posting the picture.

Blessings!

CH

Merrie Destefano said...

Christopher,
Oh, my gosh--that would have been too much fun if you could have gone surfing! Next time you end up in So. Cal. you HAVE to make time for some waves.

It was a joy to meet you and Jennifer. What talent you both have. Your children are going to be blessed for sure!

Keep singing and keep writing!
Blessings,
Merrie

Marcus Goodyear said...

Looks like great fun was had by all. Sometimes the isolation of being in the middle of Texas feels great. Other times (like now) it feels a bit disconnected!

Merrie Destefano said...

Mark,
I know how you feel! I was landlocked for about half my life in Illinois.

Seriously, I felt a bit envious when the first Fantasy Fiction Tour took place on the East Coast last year. So, I can relate.

It would have been SO much fun if you could have been here!

How is your book coming along? Have you finished it yet? And hey, thanks for pointing me to Facebook. I love that crazy place now!

Blessings,
Merrie