Student Travels to Meet Best-selling Author Jay Crownover

Editor-in-Chief Hannah Middaugh poses with author Jay Crownover. Photo provided by Hannah Middaugh

Kristen Ashley, the author of the popular contemporary romance series “Rock Chicks,” hosted a weekend to connect with her fans and talk about her books and future plans in Parma, OH on June 25. Fans gathered at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland to party with the authors. The following morning, approximately 400 fans gathered at the Cuyahoga County Library at noon for the main event.

Ashley also invited New York Times best-selling author Jay Crownover—a popular Young Adult author from Denver, CO. Crownover has written “The Marked Men,” “Saints of Denver,” “Breaking Point,” “Welcome to The Point,” and “The Getaway” series.

As a big fan of Crownover myself, my friend Adriane and I decided to get tickets to go meet her. We made a whole day out of the trip to Ohio, even going to visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ourselves. My friend and I had never heard of Ashley until we arrived at the library; however, we enjoyed listening to both authors discuss their previously-published books and as well as books coming out in the future.

Some fans attended to meet Ashley while others were there to meet Crownover. The two authors discussed what inspires ideas for their stories and how they picture their characters. After the Q&A, the authors sat down to sign books.

Standing in line with groups of older women who came to the signing for Ashley, Adriane and I heard some very interesting conversations. Once we made it to Crownover’s table, our excitement was palpable as Crownover spoke with us. We discussed how we had traveled hours to meet her and which books were our favorites. She took photos with us and told us she was so happy to have met us.

Crownover was just as genuine in person as she seems online and in her Author’s Notes at the end of her books. As an author, she always tries to stay in contact with her fans. She has a Facebook Group where she posts updates and news while interacting with everyone.

Although we were both exhausted from the ride and excitement of the event, Adriane and I were overjoyed to meet an author we both love. The experience was definitely worth the drive.

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