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Authors After Dark 2011

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Well, it has been a crazy week, folks, but I am back home and ready to rumble. I’ve got a deadline fast approaching, so I’ll be scarce on the internet front until that’s met.

But first, I’ll tell you about my trip to Authors After Dark 2011!

WEDNESDAY

We arrived late. Very late. Starving. Binah and I very nearly gnawed our own arms off by the time we landed. Since when do planes serve crappy little sandwiches for $8 and a single-serve box of Pringles for $3? No matter! Drive-thru was to be had!

Once we got to the hotel, I immediately tweeted that Binah and I were there, as we were FAR too excited to do something sane like sleep. First we met up with Larissa from Larissa’s Bookish Life down in the lobby. Then Binah ran outside to find out why the heck a couple of guys in bear suits were running around.

0.o

…right.

Anyway, we were soon joined by the gorgeous and hilarious Dakota Cassidy, and then a few other people, but by then my eyes were partially glued shut and I lost track of most of the convo.

After a bit, we went to bed. I’m not sure what time it was other than to say it was late o’clock.

THURSDAY

My day started innocently enough. I sat on my first panel, Law in Romance, with Anton Strout (whose books I now must devour with relish and a nice Chianti), James Buchanan, Bianca D’Arc, and Larissa Ione (who was one of the kindest, loveliest people I met at the con). I think there was one other author there, but the name escapes me at the moment.

After that, we wandered around for a bit. We met up with Kate (Katiebabs from Babbling About Books and More), J (Insane Hussein), and grabbed a bite over at the Perch Pub across the street. If you’re ever in town, I recommend them–they have excellent burgers. We chatted about some stuff, but the one thing that really stuck with me was Binah making a reference to McK’s joke about Robert Pattinson’s face looking like he spent his childhood rediscovering the sliding glass door over and over again. The waitress overheard and cracked up so hard she had to leave the table for a minute to get a hold of herself.

The rest of the day was spent wandering. I’m pretty sure we hit another panel, but I spent most of the trip in a sleepless daze, so I couldn’t tell you which one. We did a lot of socializing and checking out the vendors.

My next author-y thing to do was play my part in the hospitality suite with Monica Burns, Carolyn Crane, and Nicole Peeler. Those ladies are a riot. Of course, if you were watching the #AADPhilly hashtag on Twitter, you probably heard about the Pin the Penis on the Founding Father game. Thank Binah for her lovely peen-tacular artwork.

The game was quite a success!

Later in the evening, we went on the Candlelight Ghost Tour.

Creepy-ass graves, eh? I took the pic with my phone, so it’s not very clear, but we did actually get to go into a cemetery as part of the ghost walk. Fantastically creepy, and I recommend taking the tour if you’re ever in the area.

Once we got back, there was an *ahem* adult toy party hosted by Insane Hussein. I’m pretty sure I’m still red from blushing so hard at being there. And I will never forget the Terminator dildo. Yes, these are the memories I cherish. *g*

After that, I think I might have been on the verge of swooning, but I had the late night blogger sleepover to attend. I got to meet some new authors and bloggers, as well as see some of my friends from last year. It was cool to learn more about Tigris Eden, Bells from Hanging With Bells, Marq from Love To Read For Fun, Pam aka Spaz from Wicked Little Pixie, Mandi from Smexy Books, Jojo from Jojo’s Book Corner, Felicia the Geeky Blogger, etc.

Though I was still very, very happy to be there, I was dying for sleep by the time it was over, and crawled back to my room around midnight or 1AM.

FRIDAY

This was the day the party really got started. We opened up with breakfast. My mom won a basket full of books and a brand new Kindle. Awesome! I also got to meet a lovely lady from my publisher and we talked books for most of the breakfast, until I had to run for my first panel.

I had back-to-back-to-back panels all throughout the day. I got to sit and sound like I knew what I was talking about with authors like Larissa Ione, Jennifer Estep, Kristen Painter (keep an eye out for my review of her novel, BLOOD RIGHTS, coming soon!), Tilly Greene, Lydia Dare, and a few others.

Mid-afternoon I was a presenter for the Bookie Awards. Right after that I had the Aspiring Author mixer, where a few published authors and editors sat down with aspiring writers to answer questions and give advice. I didn’t get to stay for the whole thing, as I had to run to another panel halfway in.

I also did my very first live public reading. I don’t think the reading on the radio counts, as I had to do this one in front of other people. The lovely and always gracious Leanna Renee Hieber was our hostess. Stella Price and Lia Habel also did readings. I’m dying to get my hands on Lia’s book, DEARLY, DEPARTED (she’s also gorgeous, and can totally rock out period costumes, by the way). I read the first chapter from my upcoming story in THE REAL WEREWIVES OF VAMPIRE COUNTY anthology. All in all, I think it went well.

After that, Binah was busy getting her tattoo done. I fortified myself with a rum and Coke from the open bar hosted by Mel Schroeder and Kris Cook, then held Binah’s hand. Figuratively. Then we had the Masquerade Dinner, where things simmered down a notch. After, instead of going to the Mythos Masquerade, a group of us (myself, Binah, my mom, my friend Kristin, Allison Pang, Mr. Myr, Katiebabs, Insane Hussein, and Carolyn Crane) headed over to a place a couple of blocks from the hotel.

I think I will call Max Brenner’s by its true title: HEAVEN.

Have you ever experienced a chocolate bar? We did. Hot chocolate in every variety you can imagine, ice cream dipped in melted chocolate, chocolate truffles, tiramisu, chocolate pizza…! It was all spectacular, and I have made it my mission in life to return to this place of wonder and delight.

SATURDAY

I really enjoyed my first panel of the day, It’s All About the Fangs, Baby, with Alexandra Ivy (who is SUCH a doll, by the way), Larissa Ione, Jennifer Armintrout, Lara Adrian, and a few other authors who I know by sight but not name (how silly is that?).

Afterwards, I went to the Demons panel–to observe, not to participate as an author–where I got to hear Allison Pang, Alexandra Ivy, Dakota Cassidy, Larissa Ione, and Meljean Brook speak. Dakota, Larissa, and Alexandra totally cracked me up. And they all gave me the weirdest looks when I asked if they kept notes and spreadsheets for their books like I do. *g*

After that, the usual gang (assume this includes: Allison Pang + hubs, Katiebabs, Binah, mom, and myself), Alexandra and Jessica Corra headed over to Applebee’s around the block from the hotel to grab a bite for lunch.

All was made of laughter and merriment as we brought Allison and Mr. Myr into the loving arms of the ‘Stache Brigade.

…but then…

*cue ominous music*

Folks, should you happen to be in Philly sometime, and wonder why the Applebee’s just down the street from the Hilton Doubletree is empty at lunch on a Saturday, wonder no more. Insane Hussein alerted us all to the bug problem when Roachzilla from HUNTED BY THE OTHERS made a guest appearance on the wall not ten feet from our table.

With much screaming and flailing, we rushed out of there and went to The Good Dog, a small pub across the street, instead. Somewhere along the way we picked up Monica Burns, too, whose books I am also dying to read now. Good times and food were had by all. Except when I spilled a drink on somebody. *redface* You can’t take me anywhere, I swear.

After lunch, we headed back to wander around leisurely for the remainder of the afternoon. We poked around the vendors, stopped by the Death By Chocolate hospitality event hosted by Torquere Press, and generally had a good time.

There was also a huge book signing open to the public. I lost track of all of the people I met, but it was awesome to see my blogger friends (Joy and Ali, I’m looking at you!), at least one of my internet fans, and to sit between Dana Marie Bell and Nicole Peeler.

Nicole brought some of the most awesome giveaway swag to the signing, by the way.

Also, as part of the shenanigans, Anton and Robert Roman got their snark on. As payment for their chicanery, I took their picture.

And inducted Anton into the ‘Stache Brigade.

After that, we got into costume and headed down to the Steam Dinner.

Now, I’ve got to say, while I liked the music being played at the Steampunk Victorian Carnival after dinner, it really wasn’t good dance music. The dance floor remained mostly empty (except for a few people, like Binah and Jessa Slade) until the show started.

I’ve also heard complaints about the show. Personally, I thought The Olde City Sideshow was awesome. They were, as the slogan puts it, Sexy Yet Disgusting. There was an act where a girl ate a goldfish and an earthworm. A dude walked on broken glass, then put his face in it. The emcee stuck a balloon animal up his nose, had the tail come out his mouth, then squeezed the air so it went into the part sticking out his mouth, then out his nose, then back, etc. So it was definitely not your usual sideshow. Considering my taste in movies, you probably won’t be surprised to hear I was entertained by this.

The bit where one guy swung an iron around by fishhooks stuck into his eyelids and some wire was a bit much, though.

Regardless! It was different. It was interesting. And I was entertained. After, there was more dancing to be had. We stayed up until the wee hours, dancing the night away.

SUNDAY

On Sunday, there was supposed to be a farewell breakfast, but unfortunately it was canceled. My mom and I both won raffle baskets. Since breakfast was canceled, we ate at the hotel with Sidney Ayers.

After that, my mom, Binah and I spent most of the day relaxing. In the afternoon, we enjoyed the vampire wine in my mom’s basket, read some good books, took naps, and then watched True Blood while devouring pizza and Dunkin’ Donuts munchkins.

MONDAY

Alas, this was our last day in Philadelphia. But we stayed busy! My mom, Binah and I checked out of the hotel and proceeded to explore Philly.

We saw the Liberty Bell. Okay, we cheated and viewed it from outside, since the line to go inside was all the way down the block.

We also saw Benjamin Franklin’s grave (darn kid stuck their arm in there right as I was taking the pic and I didn’t notice until we were across town).

The tomb of the unknown soldier who served under Washington.

And a few other things. We also wanted to see the Rocky Balboa steps, but got lost and ended up in a creepy part of Jersey instead.

From there, we went home, and left another awesome year of Authors After Dark behind us. Looking forward to seeing everybody in New Orleans next year!


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