Since I never did the rest of the posts everyday as I intended, I guess I'll just do one big one now. This event was amazing. Not so big you couldn't meet people and talk to them and not too little either. Everyone was so nice and I think there was much fun for all. The panels were really fun and creative. In addition to being on a few--Taboos in Romance, yeah that was fun and interesting. Shifter sex in full shift and mpreg, I say no more...lol Then there was Blending Erotica with Genre Fiction. I had a blast on that panel. The author Q&A's had lots of questions and answers. I got to hear Shira Anthony sing happy birthday to Becky Condit...opera style in the middle of a restaurant, which was fantastic and I'm still kicking myself for not yanking out my phone and recording the whole thing. On the other hand, Shira probably would have kicked me, and she wears HEELS. Ouch. The guys on the Male Perspective (dubbed the Man Panel by the attendees) had such an interesting and enlightening views on the subject of gay romance and fiction in general. I really learned a lot and they made me feel good about being a woman and writing M/M romance. All of them are gentlemen in the truest sense of the word. I must thank all the con organizers, but one person in particular made the whole thing not just great but uber fun and special. Jodi Pushkin was such a wonderful, cheerful person the entire weekend. She made a group of people welcome in her city and was genuinely fun. I loved every minute spent with her and hope we can be friends for years to come. She's got cute cats too. I believe she has recently been promoted on Facebook from coffee wench to coffee goddess! Congrats. Shannon Shell and Katriona Skye from Dreamspinner Press are always a delight to spend time with and good grief can they throw together an outing at the last minute and keep everything organized like no one else can! You're both the best. When I left Cleveland Wednesday morning before the convention there was snow and frost. These little guys greeted me when I got home! Meeting other authors, so many readers and reviewers like Lisa H and Jackie from The Novel Approach and Becky Condit from Mrs. Condit and Friends, Jodi Pushkin and Princess So was the best. I loved hearing their side of things. Mostly I enjoyed learning about all the different reasons one gets into the review business to begin with. Grace R. Duncan did a fun and informative panel on How Not to Write Sex, we were all laughing so hard there were tears. Grace and Shira kindly shared their room with me, a big hug and thank you to them. I always knew authors were very nice people to hang out with, but this weekend is the first time I've gotten the chance to rub elbows with some of the reviewers. Holy cow, what nice people. So far I've had the pleasure of meeting Becky Condit from Mrs. Conit & Friends as well as Lisa and Jackie from The Novel Approach. Such lovely and fun people and Lisa is just a bundle of energy. I spent some time lurking at the Dreamspinner table, all my books are there, as well as many other great titles. Shannon Shell and Katriona Skye are not only very helpful members of the DSP staff, but as you can see, they're a lot of fun. Yesterday's panels, which were great fun were the Blending Erotica and Genre Fiction, and an author Q&A. There were many laughs during both of them. Today my panel is Taboos in Romance (guess I'll be talking a lot about Todd and Nick!) The hotel we're staying is fabulous and the staff are very nice. They actually talk to you in the way that says they enjoy their jobs, and not simply because they have to be nice to the guests. I'm rooming with Shira Anthony and Grace R. Duncan, lovely ladies. |
Welcome to My World
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