Do you have a favorite author? Well then buy them a drink.

My dinner last night was the result of a cascading series of events that started several months ago. I’ll just skip to the end though. Last night, my friends and I treated New York Times Bestselling author Steven Brust, one of my favorite authors of all time, to Steak and Scotch. 

Steven has authored numerous short stories and 25 novels, including the very popular, best-selling Vlad Taltos series, published by Tor books. Just a note here, if you haven’t read these books, starting with Jhereg, then rectify that at your earliest convenience, you can thank me later.

Or, better yet, you can thank Steven Brust later, he’s fond of Steak and Scotch. 

Seriously, one of the most significant things I learned in our dinner at Cool River Café, in Austin, TX, is that, if you want to really show thanks to a favorite author – offer to buy them a drink. 

Like most of you, I had often thought that anyone so well-known just has to be unapproachable. Surely they have better things to do than hang out with eager fans, being peppered with questions and plied for details and insights. 

And yet, like the rest of us, they have to eat and drink also. Furthermore, when you think about it, who wouldn’t want the reassurance and proof that something they have created for mass consumption is adored and beloved. 

Steven was gracious, witty, entertaining, told brilliant stories and in sitting down with us for a few hours, helped build a set of personal memories and experiences that will last a lifetime. 

To our delight, he also brought along Reesa Brown, a respected, developing author in her own right, and a name you are sure to see in years to come. When hers is a household name among the literate crowd, I’ll be able to wink and say, “Yeah, I bought her dinner once.”

Those of you reading this and wanting to buy your favorite author a drink or dinner, may come up against the slight issue of living nowhere near your favorite author or of not having as much gumption as I do. When I was a kid, I was described by my family as having never met a stranger and it’s true. Those of you who know me, will know this. 

If you just don’t think you can muster the courage to extend an invitation to someone you adore, abandon ye not, hope remains! 

Find your favorite author’s personal webpage, dig around in it and you’ll probably find a place to donate money to or support the author, or you’ll find an online store, contact information or the like. 

Using those means, send them $20 and a note, “Thanks for everything, the next round’s on me.”