Shannon here: R.F. Whong shares her joy over interacting with readers at a recent conference. Because authors write because they love to read. Comment or answer the question in any post dated May 19 – 30 to enter the drawing for her nonfiction title, My Journey into Writing Fiction along with 2 other titles. Deadline: June 6th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s R.F.:
My Experience at the 2026 Suffolk Virginia Writers Festival:
There is a specific kind of electricity in the air when hundreds of book lovers gather under one roof. This year, I had the incredible honor of experiencing that buzz firsthand as a featured author at the 2026 Suffolk Virginia Writers Festival. It was a day of selling books and also a masterclass in community, marketing, and the sheer power of the written word.
The journey to the festival began months ago. The selection process is rigorous—this year, the committee received over 300 applications from talented writers across the US. Being one of the 70 authors chosen was a humbling milestone. With our slots confirmed, the logistics began. Each author was permitted to bring 50 copies of their work, and as I packed my boxes, I wondered how many would find new homes.
The day kicked off early. We arrived for setup before 10:00 AM, transforming a quiet venue into a literary wonderland. One of the best parts of these events is networking. I spent the morning chatting with Tia and Bonnie, two fellow writers whose energy and insights made the hours fly by. There’s something validating about swapping publishing stories with people who truly “get” the grind.
From 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM, the doors opened for the VIP session. This was an intimate window for roughly 100 dedicated readers who had purchased early-access tickets. This time included a shared lunch, allowing for deeper conversations that you don’t get during the afternoon rush. It was the perfect “warm-up” to hear what readers are looking for in 2026.
When the clock struck 1:00 PM, the public flooded in. The traffic was phenomenal—a steady stream of bibliophiles that lasted until 5:00 PM. Before 3 PM, I’d sold over 10 books.
However, the biggest “celebrity” of the day was undoubtedly Joe Kenda. The line to get a book signed by him was legendary, with wait times stretching up to two hours.
While some might see a massive line as an obstacle, I saw it as a captive audience and decided to get proactive. I walked the length of the queue, handing out my custom bookmarks and inviting people to read the blurbs on the back of my books while they waited.
The Result? People who were originally there for one specific person discovered my stories. By engaging with the crowd and giving them something to do while they were waiting, I turned a “wait” into a “win.” The sales climbed significantly once I started working the “Kenda line.” More importantly, I walked away with new connections, a boost in confidence, and a reminder that being an author is as much about the hustle as it is about the prose.
Suffolk, you were a dream.
Question for Readers: Have you attended any book festivals recently? Why did you go?
Giveaway: My Journey Into Writing Fiction
Note: To download this giveaway, you’ll need to sign up for my weekly newsletter.
May Book Bundle #2
My Journey into Writing Fiction by R.F., free download with newsletter signup
A Troubling Suggestion by Betty Woods, Historical Romance, print
When Plans Go Awry by Denise Colby, Historical Romance, digital
About R.F.:
Dr. Ruth Wuwong (PhD in biochemistry, MBA in finance) has published 120+ scientific books and papers (under her legal name) and a few Christian fiction books under R. F. Whong. She lives in the Midwest with her husband, a retired pastor. They served together at three churches from 1987 to 2020. Her grown son works in a nearby city.
She currently runs a small biotech company (www.vidasym.com) and has raised more than twenty million US dollars during the past few years for Vidasym.
In addition to her weekly newsletter and the platform (www.ruthforchrist.com), she is active in several writers’ groups, including ACFW, Word Weavers, Facebook, and Goodreads. Through these connections, she plans newsletter/promotion swaps with others and has writers endorse her books, write forewords, and host her on guest blogs.
Ruth was chosen as a featured author by the Minnesota Anoka County Library in 2025 and by the Suffolk Virginia Authors Festival in 2026.
One of her books, Echoes over Stormy Sea, has won a few awards, including being chosen by readers as a winner in the HOLT Medallion Contest. Learn more & connect:
Ruth’s Facebook Ruth’s Twitter Ruth’s Website
Ruth’s Linkedin Ruth’s Instagram Ruth’s Goodreads
About the book – Zenith of Tea:
A cookbook, a glimmer of fairy tale, a spoonful of history, and a teacup of hope.
In the early 1920s, accomplished martial artist Wang Mijen is haunted by her past and the red birthmark that she believes prompted her family to abandon her at six. She survives by robbing ancient tombs and living in a cave concealed from the soldiers. When she saves Joseph Cheung, a Chinese Christian educated in Canada, from bandits, her insecurities whisper that such a man could never love an “ugly” girl like her.
Growing up in San Francisco’s Chinatown, Joseph experienced anti-Chinese prejudice. Still, he helps Mijen move to Canada to avoid danger. In Vancouver, amidst anti-Asian riots and the looming Chinese Exclusion Act, Joseph helps Mijen open a teahouse. As they work together to rescue young women trafficked into brothels in North America, Joseph’s unwavering faith and fight for equality challenge Mijen’s hardened heart.
From China to Canada, can Mijen and Joseph overcome their challenges, rediscover their identities, and open their hearts to each other?
A stand-alone novella in the Apron Strings Tea series, inspired by The Nightingale.
Want a copy? Interested in Ruth’s other titles? Need extra books for gifts? Get your copy/copies now!
Come back May 21st for Betty Woods!
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