Lori Foster Reader and Author Get Together

Okay, so actually I was going to call this post what I did on my weekend vacation but that didn't sound nearly as cool. Shrug. Most of the time, I don't sound cool.

The Lori Foster Reader and Author Event is one of the premier events to attend. Why? Because it's like hanging out with a ton of your favorite girlfriends who also happen to be authors. Yes. And it rocks. It's very PG rated, but really, do you NEED to have X rated all the time? Nah.

I left early on Thursday because I wanted to be there in time to put my stuff in the goody bags on Friday. Let me tell you. It was worth it, but man there was a LOT in those bags. Took the 20 or so folks (including me) about 3 hours to fill 500 or so bags. Yeah, that's a lot of bags. What was in there? Bookmarks, chap sticks, book thongs, lots of post cards, post-it notes, book samplers, print books (yes, I said print books), candy... all that.

I don't have a picture of it, but imagine two women-one wanting to eat lunch, both more than a little tired (already), trying to figure out how to get to the Quiznos. I love Quiznos, BTW. Needless to say, we missed a turn, ended up across the freeway, and Linda McMaken and I had a freaking blast. We ended up at the Steak 'n' Shake where I swear she got the world's largest tea. But it was worth it.

Somehow I ended up on the Welcoming Committee, which was so much fun, with Donna MacMeans, Desiree Holt, Keri Stevens, and a couple other ladies whose names (sadly) I've forgotten (sad because I loved working with them). We were instructed by Donna to pass out "virgin beads". Grin. Beads for those who were new to the con this past year. So I was one of the shouting people. "Who is the virgin? I want you! I want YOUR virginity!" Grin. I was very popular. Got a lot of blushes, too.

On a side note, I took part in the raffle for One Way Farm (check that out, if you haven't already - it's an awesome thing they do). I put tickets in for the Donna MacMeans basket. Why? There was a bottle of wine with her book cover on it in there. And guess what? I won!!!! I wasn't smart enough to take a pic of the basket before I dismantled it. Meh. I was excited. Grin.

I then took part in the massive epub/POD/digital signing. Talk about the company of fantastic people! Kaenar Langford, JA Saare, Desiree Holt, Dana Marie Bell, Christina Wolfer, yeah, there was some great talent there.

I have no idea what time I finally calmed down Friday night, but I happily went to my room with my Signed copy of Archeron. Yeah, the Sherrilyn Kenyon book. I went to sleep a happy girl.

What did Saturday entail? Lots! I hung out with Stephanie 'Flash' Burke, D Renee Bagby, Cheryl Dragon, Brannan Black, Camille Anthony, Drea Beacraft, Desiree Holt, Renee Vincent, the ladies of Turquoise Morning Press, Kelli Collins from Ellora's Cave, Moni Draper from Liquid Silver Books, my dear friend, Linda McMacken, as well as the Ladies of Book Obsessed Chicks.

I did some pitching, some freaking out (try pitching to seven people. kinda scary), had some supper, listening to everyone else win prizes, donned a cowboy hat, cracked up with Flash and D Renee, and the BOC. Yeah, it was worth it.

One of the best parts of the night had to be when I hung out with Virg Nelson. Started out talking at the cowboy party. We chatted at the table, moved to the atrium still talking, I kind of did another pitch (yeah, not sure how that happened), ended up hanging out outside with Gayle Donnelly and Robyn Mackenzie, Lydia Michaels and Erin McCarthy. Yeah, fangirl moment. Jennifer Mathis was out there, too and we had a blast. Talked necromancers, vampires, and racing books. Oh and Amish Vampires. Yes, it was eclectic. I know it was after midnight when I finally crashed. Well after midnight.

The next morning I was mistaken for Anne Rainey and saw a charcoal truck overturn. All in all, it was a good time.

Oh and I made a total fool of myself, but what's new? I'll leave you with that photo. Grin.

Thursday Thank You!

This week's thank you goes to Lora Leigh. Now if you've had the pleasure of meeting her, you will understand what I'm talking about.

When I met her down in Cincy for the Lori Foster Reader/Author Get Together last year, instead of talking down to me, or acting like I wasn't there, she sat at the table and laughed with us.

Now, you probably know by now that I am a TMI princess and love me a dirty joke or two. She cracked us (and yes, I wasn't the only one at the table) up with jokes, stories, little snippets of works to come, and was genuinely tickled that I brought Wild Card to have autographed.

(Did I mention I am also a fan girl? Duh.)




And when we asked her questions about the business of writing, she ANSWERED THEM, with details. I don't know about you, but there are a lot of authors who get to a certain point and refuse to share information. Lora Leigh's approach was more of the "I've been there and done this, learn from my mistakes." Heck yeah, I listened.

So for that, I say thanks. Just being friendly and wanting to spend time with fans is pretty darn cool in my book.

Okay, signing out before I sound mushy. (And I sound mushy so well....)

Thank You, Thursdays

This week I wanted to give a shout out to a writer who gave me an extra nudge when I was a tad lost and not sure how to get my buns in gear with my writing career.

Back about five years ago, I had these three manuscripts I thought were boff-o. Yeah, really great. There was one or two issues. One: I had sent them out to publishers and gee... no takers. Wonder why? Cuz they weren't polished enough. Duh. Two: I wasn't sure who to send them to. For some ridiculous reason, I thought I should go right to the top and send to Harlequin because if they saw I was plucky, they'd give me a shot. No.

I didn't lose faith, but I did gain some sense.

I joined some romance groups on yahoo... Read voraciously (I had since I learned to read, but I upped the ante) and made contacts. God bless the day I made contacts.

Who? The person I wanted to thank. Lori Foster.

Now don't think that I expected something from her, or pestered her into helping me. Nope. She's just a genuinely nice person. I posted a question asking for a bit of direction and she said, come to Cincy and meet editors. They might not take anything you've written, but in-person meetings are invaluable.

And wonder of wonders, she was spot on. Yup. I went to Cincy, met editors, got turned down yet again, but I made connections. They put a face to a name and saw my drive. Apparently it worked.

But I have to thank Lori for not only writing awesome stories that I read to improve my craft, but also for being approachable so I could actually learn something.

So thank you Lori Foster. You're one of my role models and friend.

This Was SOOO Cool

I went to the Lori Foster Reader and Author Get Together and I got to meet the very cool Barbara Vey, among other people. I wanted to share the link for the blog where she mentioned little ole me!I hope you get a chance to check it out!

I am standing with my good friend, Linda McMaken who introduced me to Barbara and that snazzy necklace was made by my best friend, Chris. Don't you love it? I do!

More tomorrow about the cool authors I met, but its getting late!