I got my conference cherry popped! Or something like that. Last Friday, Bells and I hopped in my “Van O’Fun” and drove eight hours to Cincinnati, Ohio to attend the Lori Foster Author/Reader Get together. We had a blast.
The drive itself wasn’t too bad. Our route took us west through the mountains (or at least as mountainous as Maryland can get) and there were many ooh and ahhs as we took it all in. Bells had her ipod going, and all of a sudden a Kenny Rogers song came on, which made me gasp. When I was little, my grandfather had given me a Kenny Rogers cassette tape and I listened to that sucker forever. All of a sudden, Kenny was belting out “Lady” and we were passing a beautiful mountain. I said, “Bells, we are having a moment!” Then I yelled out “Moob” or something vulgar and we were back to our immature selves.
(Bells and Mandi finally out of the car)
Anyway, we arrived at the conference in the late afternoon Friday and just chilled with other readers, bloggers and authors for the rest of the night. If anything, this conference is low key. Which I love. They have round tables set up in this big ballroom. When you get there, you plop down at one of them and that is your little base for the weekend. If you choose to sit there all weekend, you can. If you want to get up and mingle, you can. It is sooooo laid back.
Seated at our table were: Bells, next to her Nikki Brandyberry, behind Bells – Liza, and next to her, Stacy.
Also at our table were LeeAnn and Kati Dancy.
And Bridget Locke!
And Colette from Buckeye Girl Reads (not pictured) How did she escape my camera? :)
First thing Saturday morning, Nalini Singh was scheduled to have an “Intimate chat.” And when I say intimate, we sat at this table, I think there was a dozen of us in the room, and we could ask her anything we wanted to.
For an hour, we talked Psy/Changeling and Guild Hunter books. It was SO much fun!!! She talked about writing Slave to Sensation in about three weeks as the idea just flowed out of her. It sounds like there are 3-4 more books in this Psy arc, and then she might go onto a tangent series about the Falcons. Of course we asked who the ghost was, and if Kaleb was getting a book – and we got a giggle and no answer from her ;)
After Nalini’s chat, I ran down to where Leanna Renee Hieber was discussing writing different types of heroes and heroines.
I think I could listen to her talk for hours. So much fun.
That was pretty much the extent of what I did Saturday. The event is not heavily focused on workshops. After this I went back and huddled at my table. Oh, and I decided to have some fun with the cardboard cutouts, of Lori Foster’s Edge of Honor Series.
I think I was pointing to his flat moob. These poor cutouts were quite molested the entire weekend. I mean – look at this naughy Nikki:
After lunch, there was a book signing, open to the public, so I walked around and got a few shots.
Jess Granger and Marie Force
Monica Burns and Dakota Cassidy (We see those bunny ears Monica!)
JA Saare
Samantha Kane
Keri Ford
Eliza Gayle, Lissa Matthews and Mari Freeman
I also met Jenny and Mollie during the booksigning and had a fab time walking around with them. Also a shout-out to Mary G. who comments here a lot. So much fun meeting you! And to my Goodreads friend, Mahlet who can talk some serious books y’all. Loved getting some recs from her.
Overall it was so much fun. Definitely going back next year.
Next up, Authors After Dark in Philadelphia in August!
Oh how fun!! Loved your re-cap. :)
I so wish I could have gone to this!
Had a ball with everyone! Love this post and brings back so many great memories. Mountains, Kenny, and…roadkill. LOL!
Srsly – the road kill was so nasty!
This weekend was soooo much fun! I’m so glad that I got to meet all of you.
So nice meeting you!
Sounds like so much fun! When I ever come to America, I will be sure to hunt down a convention somewhere as well!
That was a fantastic recap! Thanks for sharing all the photos. I’m so jealous that you’re going to the Authors After Dark too! That’s Lora Leigh’s convention right? All the good authors live on the east coast!
No, not Lora Leigh’s convention. But Larissa Ione and Meljean Brook will be there (along with many, many others!)
I’m so jealous!! It looks like you had such a blast!!!
It was great meeting you on the fly in the elevator :D
The only thing I wish I had done differently was mingle more.
I met up with some peeps that I chat with on a yahoo group, and that was pretty much the extent of my mingling!
Next year if I make it down I will try and get out more!
Yes – we had a lovely elevator ride! LOL. I hope to be able to chat more with you next time :)
So great to meet you Mandi!! It was tons o fun. Bellie…you all are just too much fun!! *G*
We never got a pic together! Next time darn it!
You had an awesome first time, Mandi and you got to meet and talk with Nalini Singh *thud* In October I’ll have my convention cherry popped as well ;) I’m looking forward to it! :D
Looks like a fantastic time and sooo many spectacular authors! I wish I could have been there.
Sounds like you had a great time, I wish we had those conventions here too in Europe.
sounds like a fun time and meeting authors–lucky
YAY!!! You all look so dang CUTE! Muy jelios. :( Oh well. Wonderful post Mandi. Looks like everyone had a blast.
Ok so I’m not *as* jealous anymore. ;) I’ve stopped sipping the haterade. LOL! Looks like a fun time. I will definitely be there next year. I am so looking forward to AAD Philly!
Love me some Kenny Rogers. And the Oak Ridge Boys!!! :D
YAY!!! You all look so dang CUTE! Muy jelios. :(
Wonderful post Mandi. Looks like everyone had a blast.
(oh no this blog did NOT just tell me to slow down, I’m posting to fast. LMAO)
Great-now it just made me look like an idiot. LOL
You are cracking me up Tori! LOLOLOL
OH my goodness, I am tagging along next year…. hehe
I hope you do!
I’m so glad you guys had a great time. So jealous.
You do realize you’re now going to be required to get pics of someone touching a guy’s crotch at every event now, right? Even it is just a cutout guy. ;)
I am jealous! I want to go next year.
I’m so jealous that you were able to talk to Nalini Singh for an HOUR and discuss ANYTHING YOU WANTED TO!!!! Oh no, I’m turning a bit green over here. Ugh, so jealous.
And yay on the 3-4 more books announcement! I don’t know how I feel about her switching over to the Falcons though. I don’t know what I’m going to do without the wolves and cats taking centerstage but I’ll give anything to continue coming home to her Psy-Changeling world. Anything!
Glad you had a great time. Loved all the pics!
It looks like you had so much fun. I want pics of Authors After Dark too!!
I am SO EXCITED!!!!!!! I love seeing you all!!!! This is making me so anxious for Philly!!!
Sounds like you had an excellent adventure and made lots of memories!
Wow! Looks and sounds like a wonderful time.
WOW!! I’m glad you popped your cherry so you can hold my hand when I pop mine at AAD! I’m already trying to plan a trip to OHIO next spring and can’t wait to meet so many of you in Philly. Thanks for sharing your trip!
Looks like you all had a blast! Thanks for sharing :)
I’m so jealous girls. Sounded like a ton of fun!
Sounds like you had a blast – love all the pics :)
Thank you so much for posting the photos – they are fantastic! And you look gorgeous :)
It was so great meeting you Mandi. I was thrilled to put a face to the name. Love the pic with the cutout. I thought of doing that too late. You suit it better though being tall & slim LOL. Glad you enjoyed the event. It was my second year & it was so cool reuniting with old friends & making new ones. See you next year!!
How did I miss this post?? I loved your recap of it & your pictures. I don’t know how I escaped all the pictures-I didn’t even take that many. ): It was great meeting you!