One of my favorite memories will always be at a writers’ conference a few years ago when I
was tasked with the job of shepherding Pat Conroy. I was thrilled, and in awe as I watched him
interact with fans. Anyone who stopped him and asked a question or made a comment, he
gave them his full attention. That’s when I realized what my job really was—not to keep him
from getting lost, but to part the crowds and keep him moving toward the next venue where
he was supposed to speak or sign books. Without a shepherd, he would happily have held
court with fans the rest of the weekend. He didn’t want any fan to feel slighted. Yes, there are
reclusive authors, but most are like Conroy—we loved to hear from our fans.