Member Mondays is a new feature on the Women’s National Book Association- Charlotte blog. Interviews are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis. We plan to cycle through all members each year. Special highlight posts for members with new publications or announcements are available on an ongoing basis.

This week, we have WNBA Charlotte President, Susan Walker.

About Susan:

I’m currently the President of WNBA-Charlotte, finishing my 2-year term at the end of May. I’m also the Events Chair and the chapter’s coordinator for National Reading Group Month and our annual Bibliofeast “Moveable Feast” Book & Author Dinner.

I’ve worked in the book industry since 1975 and have had a variety of jobs over the years. Taken in reverse order, they have been:

— Executive Director of the trade association now called the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association — 1987-2010

— freelance author media escort in the Minneapolis-St. Paul market — 1986-1997 or so

— freelance advertising and marketing consultant in the book industry — 1986-1987

— advertising manager and author & special events manager for the B. Dalton Bookseller chain — 1980-1985

— publicist at Simon & Schuster in NYC — 1980

— events manager and children’s dept. manager at B.Dalton Bookseller store on Fifth Avenue, NYC — 1978-1980

— promotion associate at The Dial Press/Delacorte Press/Dell Publishing in NYC — 1975-1978

Since I moved back to NC and semi-retired in early 2011, I’ve continued to be involved in the book industry, but on a volunteer basis. In addition to my involvement with WNBA-Charlotte, I also serve on the Programming Committee for the BookMarks Festival of Books in Winston-Salem, NC, and I’m on the coordinating committees for the Book Clubs of Davidson and ReadDavidson community book programs in Davidson, NC.

Do you prefer ebook, paperback or hardcover?

I read both hardcover and paperback books, and to date, I’ve never read an e-book.  While I agree that e-books can be handy, they have no appeal for me.  I simply prefer my books printed on paper.

What are your reading habits?

I have stacks of books I’m planning to read, I love to read, and I read quickly.  However, I don’t spend as much time reading as I would like to, since computers and smart phones and assorted responsibilities and distractions seem to take up too much of my time!

What book are you currently reading?

My taste in books usually runs to historical and contemporary fiction, biography and memoir, history, books about France and about the fine arts and performing arts. I’m currently reading several book — A LAND MORE KIND THAN HOME by Wiley Cash (the 2013 ReadDavidson pick); LIFE AFTER LIFE by Jill McCorkle (the author will be featured at the 2013 BookMarks Festival; CATHERINE THE GREAT by Robert Massie; and APOLLO’S ANGELS — a fascinating history of ballet.  And there are plenty more waiting for me to read.

Where can other WNBA members connect with you?

email:  susan.walker.books@gmail.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/susan.e.walker.7

Twitter:  @SusanWalkerBks  —  but I don’t use this very much at all

LinkedIn:  Susan Walker

Goodreads:  Susan Walker