An Authors' Event to Remember Summary

The six authors signing books

On January 31, 2012, The Gem Shop hosted an Authors’ Event to Remember at the Tucson Showplace in Tucson, Arizona. Six authors of different agates and jasper books were present and spoke about their books to a crowd of about 100 collectors and rock enthusiasts. Organizer and V.P. of The Gem Shop, Inc., Veronica Woods, welcomed everyone and then President of The Gem Shop, Inc., Eugene Mueller, introduced each author. A gathering of the six distinguished authors had never occurred before and according to Johann Zenz, “would be the talk of Tucson 2012.”

Gene introducing the authors.

The event was held from 3-7pm on January 31^st, and preparation began early in the day. Workers at The Gem Shop began by clearing out 20 tons of rock from the showroom at the Tucson Showplace. Once that was done the air was already to begin to buzz with excitement about the authors’ event. Jesus and Anthony provided delicious food for the cocktail reception following the authors’ speaking.

Scott Wolter

The authors came in one by one and were able to mingle with each other before the event began. Another unique aspect of the event was that while some of the authors were old friends, not everyone knew each other and all were glad for the opportunity to meet their fellow authors.

Brad Cross

Quickly it was time for the event to begin. The authors’ event attracted many different people, including other authors like Bill Atkinson (Within the Stone) and Michael Carlson (Beauty of Banded Agates). Once everyone settled in, Veronica welcomed and thanked everyone for coming and the authors for participating. Then Eugene personally introduced each author with personalized antidotes pertaining to his relationship with each author. Once introduced each author spoke about their books and their love of stones.

Karen Brzys

Scott Wolter told some stories about finding agates and reviewed the latest developments of his book on Lake Superior Agates. He also spoke about his books on the Kensington Rune Stone and the hooked X.

Brad Cross spoke about his books and announced that an expanded version of his book, “Agates of Northern Mexico,” currently out of print with be published sometime in the next year.

Roger Clark

Karen Brzys spoke about how she became involved with the Gitche Gumee Agates and History Museum. She also reviewed the museum’s programs, which include agate collecting classes. Please click the link for more information on the Gitche Gumee Agates and History museum: http://www.agatelady.com/

Hans Gamma spoke about his love of jaspers originating back to when he lived in Switzerland and his fascination with the jasper from the Owyhee area in Oregon.

Hans Gamma

Roger Clark reviewed the process of the creation of his book on Fairburn agates, and joked with the Lake Superior Agate collectors about the relative merits of “Lakers” versus “Fairburns.”

Johann Zenz

Finally, Johann Zenz discussed how his monumental book, “Agates,” became three books. He also discussed the problems and rewards that come with working with the publisher and those who helped with the different parts of the books.

Following the presentation and question session the authors gathered in the agate showroom to sign books. All the participating authors’ books were available for purchase and signed with personal messages by each author. Rock enthusiasts and the authors socialized amongst each other until late in the evening. At the end of the night one of the authors’ event posters, signed by all six authors, was raffled off and won by Brent Stewart of Stewart’s Gem Shop in Boise, Idaho.

Following the presentation several announcements were made about the upcoming agate show, “A Celebration of Agates,” in Minneapolis, Minnesota, July 26-29, 2012. More information is available at http://www.minnesotamineralclub.org. It was also announced the theme for the Denver 2014 show will be agate.

The authors interacting with rock enthusiasts.

Please visit www.thegemshop.com for a more detail account of the event, and more pictures.