A bibliophile conference in Colorado turned into an unfortunate disaster that some people called a “book fire festival,” leaving even some bibliophiles with black eyes. As a result, he has been trolled on social media.
Last month’s Readers Take Denver event was billed as a four-day reader’s paradise filled with popular authors, signed books, and a community of like-minded bookworms.
Instead, the conference was marred by hours-long lines, a lack of security and a lack of pre-ordered books, according to published reports and social media posts by attendees.
“All we did was stand in line. That was complete BS,” said Kelly Meyer, a self-proclaimed “RTD survivor.” denver postcalling this event the “Fire Festival of Books.”
“It was worse than Disney and by the end there weren’t even any rides.”
The April 18-21 event was the second in a series of conferences organized by organizer Lisa Renee Jones, an author who has written more than 100 books, according to the Denver Post.
She succeeded in holding a smaller version of the get-together in 2023, but critics say she over-promised and under-delivered on her mission to host a bigger and better conference in 2024. Point out.
The disaster was reportedly so bad that Leaders Take Denver has already canceled plans for the 2025 event.
“Many people have been wronged when it comes to this weekend’s events.” Rebecca Yaros, author of Iron Frame he wrote on Facebook.
“On behalf of all the authors who will be attending the event, dear reader, I apologize. I have not said it enough, so let me say it again. I am sorry. I’m very sorry that there wasn’t.
“I’m sorry it took so many hours to register, I’m sorry you ran out of food, I’m sorry there wasn’t enough security at the evening event, I’m sorry some volunteers raised their voices, I’m sorry it was confusing, I’m sorry you’re exhausted. I’m sorry you feel so overwhelmed.” You won’t be able to experience the overwhelming joy that comes from spending three days in the world of books. ”
Participants pay between $300 and $375; Attend a crowded meeting There were handshake events, panel discussions, book signings and even a movie screening, giving the impression there was no need to wait in line, The Denver Post reported.
A timed ticketing system using the WhatsApp messaging service aims to eliminate waiting times to meet your favorite authors, allowing guests to visit as many booths as they like.
A TikToker named Cass said the event was not only frustrating, but also ended in violence.
While showing black eyes, she told her social media followers She was caught in an uncoordinated mass of the crowd and was thrown to the ground, hitting her head on the concrete.
Another TikToker who calls herself Well Read Nurse also added that she was assaulted by a staff member during a medical emergency during a conference.
“I had hypoglycemia and the staff yelled at me to get up off the floor!” she insisted. “There have been so many horrible experiences among readers, vendors, authors, PAs, and volunteers. This is not just a breakdown in communication, this is a systemic problem with this program.”
In an email obtained by The Denver Post, Renee Jones acknowledged the reports of violence, which she called “bumpy,” but stressed that the aggression was under control.
“If someone claimed that a volunteer had touched someone, I immediately had security intervene,” Renee Jones wrote.
She also shared that many people were moved to tears in praise of the event, seemingly dispelling rumors of confusion.
Renee Jones did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
Next year’s event has already been canceled, but organizers have not disclosed the reason for the sudden cancellation.
“All subsequent charges to the payment plan have been stopped and the ticket has been cancelled,” RTD said on its website.
