Ten Authors I REALLY Want To Meet - or maybe authors I've already had the privilege to meet...

This is a weekly event hosted by The Broke and The Bookish where bloggers relate their "top ten" of a certain topic.  This week's topic - Ten Authors I REALLY Want To Meet.  Now you guys know that many times I tweak the topic a bit....and today is no exception.  I'm going to talk about 10 authors that I've already had the fun of meeting.  And I have pictures for some of them!

I haven't talked about the Poisoned Pen Bookstore in Scottsdale, Arizona too much have I?  Well, if I have, I'm going to talk a little more about it.  I love this great independent store that specializes in mysteries.  However, that's not all they sell. No indeed.  I have attended several book events at The Poisoned Pen while on vacation.  It's kind of a tradition for my husband and I.  He loves the winter golf in Scottsdale and I love the author events.  We plan our trips around them.  Really.  Some of my pictures are from these and a few from other locations.  So, here are 10 authors that I've gotten to meet.

1.  Louise Penny - She writes the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache mystery series set in Three Pines, Quebec, Canada.  I've seen Louise on 3 occasions.  Always a huge pleasure.  This picture is from an event in Austin at BookPeople.

2.  Charles Todd - A mother/son team, Charles and Caroline Todd.  They write the Ian Rutledge mystery series and also the Bess Crawford series, both set in early 20th century England.  I really enjoyed hearing about their research at the event I attended.

3.  Thomas Perry -  This author has written several series, most well known - Jane Whitfield mystery series.  Jane is a Native American who helps people disappear.  Thomas Perry also writes standalone novels.  Again, a very interesting presentation at the Poisoned Pen.  He's pictured with Barbara Peters, the owner of the PP.

4.  Clive Cussler - Clive Cussler writes multiple series, among them the Dirk Pitt adventures.  He is also the author of the NUMA Files books, the Oregon Files series, the books starring Isaac Bell and the treasure hunters series featuring Sam and Remi Fargo.  Cussler now writes all of these with a co-author.  If you've ever seen one of his books (and I've only read the Dirk Pitt books), this author appears on the back with a classic car from his collection.  He lives in the Scottsdale area and that's where his cars live too.  My husband and I went to see Mr. Cussler and, to my husband's delight, he brought some of his cars.  So, no picture of the author, but here's one of the cars.

5.  Earlene Fowler - She writes the Bennie Harper mystery series, which I know I've mentioned before.  I saw Earlene and also Carolyn Hart at the Velma Teague Library in Glendale, AZ, a suburb of Phoenix.  At that time, Lesa Holstine of Lesa's Book Critiques was the manager of that library.  She was able to schedule many authors to appear while they were also in town for events at the PP.  Lesa now lives in Indiana and has a different sort of library job.  Earlene is on the left in the photo above.

6.  Carolyn Hart -   Carolyn writes the Annie and Max Darling mystery series, set in a mystery bookstore called Death on Demand.  Her 25th book in this series has just been published.  Amazing!  She also has written standalones and a couple of other series as well.  When I attended the event with Earlene and Carolyn, I felt like a total fangirl.  I had read both of these authors books for years and years.  It was like meeting royalty to me.  Carolyn is the lady on the right.

Yesterday, Cathy from Kittling: Books (which you should totally read if you love mysteries), shared her experience at a Poisoned Pen event this last weekend.  It was in honor of Carolyn Hart, but many other authors attended.  Here's the link.  Click over and take a look if you love mysteries and cozies or if you've ever read a Carolyn Hart book.

7.  Jane Cleland - Jane writes the Josie Prescott antique mystery series set in New Hampshire.  And, believe me, Jane knows her antiques.  Her event was very interesting indeed.  I always love the covers on her books.  I saw Jane and Rosemary Harris at the Velma Teague Library as well.  Told you they had lots of good events.  Jane is on the left above.

8.  Rosemary Harris -  This author writes a mystery series with protagonist Paula Holliday, who owns a landscaping/gardening business.  I remember that Rosemary was the first author I ever heard say to read a later book in the series and don't necessarily start with the first book because she, as the author, felt like her writing had improved.  I do think that is true in many cases, but it was the first time I'd heard an author say so.  Rosemary is on the right.

9.  Donis Casey -  I've written about Donis' early 20th century Oklahoma series, starring Alafair Tucker and family.  I love this series and have actually seen Donis twice at the PP.  No picture though.  Not sure why.  I've included a shot from her website.

10.  Lisa Lutz - Lisa has written the Izzy Spellman mystery series, a really funny bunch of books.  Izzy is part of a family of very different private detectives.  The first book is The Spellman Files.  I recommend it.  I think this series is at an end, but this author has other books that she's written and her new book, which is out today, is called How To Start A Fire.  Her presentation was very funny.  Again, no picture.  Got one from her website (photo credit - Morgan Dox).

So, as you can see, I love to attend author events.  One day, maybe next year, I'm planning on attending a mystery conference and there will be authors everywhere.  Left Coast Crime is in Phoenix next spring.  I'm already making my plans.

What authors would you like to meet?  Or have you met?  Tell!