Coastal Magic Convention (formerly Old City New Blood Convention) is the brainchild of Jennifer from Books Make Me Happy. A rather informal three day convention held in central Florida, it’s jam packed with fabulous bloggers and authors. Rather like Lori Foster’s Reader & Author Get Together, this convention allows readers, bloggers, authors, and fan girls to intimately mix and mingle with one another.
I arrived very late Thursday as I was playing chauffeur for Shiloh Walker and we had to come in from Orlando Airport aka Hell. We arrived in Daytona Beach, grabbed Jess Haines and headed to the Hilton Daytona Beach Resort.. We signed in and headed to the bar because that’s how we all roll. :)
As I was a volunteer for the convention, I arrived early Friday in order to help mod some panels. I’d never moderated before but luckily, the authors are pros at this and pretty much kept the conversation flowing.
I had lunch with Jen from Fiction Vixen, Shiloh Walker, and Selena Bell. We had a lovely lunch of BBQ and discussed menages, quatro-tanges, and incontinence. :P Fun times.
Saturday was more of the same while I moderated a few more panels, got into an intense twitter discussion on the mainstreaming of Gay Romance, helped set up for the public author signing, and watched Jen (FV) and Damon Suede fall in love. :) Damon assured me the second book of his Hot Head series is almost done and is coming.
Crossing my fingers.
A surprise guest showed up at the signing which sent Shiloh Walker into an Oscar winning swoon-Lynn Viehl. When she mentioned she read Smexy Books on a regular basis, I joined Shiloh on the floor.
All in all, Coastal Magic Con in a great convention that has all the appeal of a big convention for a much small price. I plan to be there with bells on next year.
Now for the REALLY good stuff.
I picked up some swag for Smexy Books and all you have to do to enter to win is comment. Tell me what author you would love to meet and chat with.
First Prize Pack-
An autographed set of Kristen Painter’s House of Camorres series. Books 1-4 and a nifty CMC tote bag.
Second Prize Pack-
Autographed copies of My Big Fat Demon Slayer Wedding by Angie Fox, The Shadow Reader by Sandy Williams, Flirting Under A Full Moon by Ashlyn Chase, & Tall, Dark & Vampire by Sara Humphreys (not pictured).
This giveaway is for US residents only. You have until end of day February 23 to enter. Two winners will be chosen and announced the next day. If you have a preference for what prize pack you want to win, be sure to mention that in the comments!
Thanks for sharing your adventure and for the wonderful giveaway! Either prize would be awesome to win!
TORI!! LOL We did not fall in love (sigh, if only). I am guessing his hunky boyfriend would have something to say about that. I’m dying.
Jen-Shush, leave me to my fantasies.
You and me both, babe.
I’m sorry I missed out on seeing you, yet again. I’m glad you met Shiloh and Jess, two of my favorite authors. As to your question, I would love to sit down with Kristen Painter, and win her prize pack, whom I adore. I think we’re around the same age group which is just totally awesome!
You were there??? Dang it. Are you going to book bash?
Sounds like lots of fun! I’m really hoping one day I can get to an author/reader convention. Thanks for the giveaway!
Truly, there are a ton of authors I’d love to meet, but it’s the “chat with” part that trips me up! I seriously get into a panic attack! But one author, Jenn Bennett, talked me down a while back at an RT signing, and I’d love a chance to have a real conversation with her.
…yes, I get panic attacks when in large groups &/or meeting someone who is famous. And I still try to go to any signings in my area. Barmy? Maybe. BIG fan of reading/authors? DEFINITELY! :)
Sounds like fun! Love reading about conventions :) I would love to meet Shiloh
Each recap I’ve read makes it seem like a good time was had by all; that’s awesome! I would’ve loved to have been there for the Lynn Viehl fangirling!
Sounds like a great conference. I would love to have prize pack 1.
It sounds like you had a great time!! Thanks for the giveaway!!
Looks like it was fun; any, but prefer #1
Sounds like you had a lot of fun! Thanks so much for sharing and for such a fun giveaway!
That looks like SO much fun! Thank you for sharing the experience with us. I’d love #2 if I were to win :). Thanks again.
Sounds like you had a blast…someday I’ll get to one of those but it will have to be in the Pacific Northwest because I can’t drive too far, sigh. Sometimes it stinks to live in Oregon even it is is an emerald paradise, lol. No one EVER has conventions here or it seems gets close. Seattle is a little far. Anyway, I’m looking for Angie Fox and Ashlyn Chase’s books please if I get lucky and win.
Not Entering! Thanks for the recap Tori, it sounds like a lot of fun. Next year, I hope you put names to the pictures you post. I would love to meet Lynn Viehl some day. Perhaps she can come to the LoveLetter Convention in Berlin, Germany, next year :)
Sounds like a fun convention! I’ve stayed at that Hilton multiple times before, and I love sitting out there in the evening. I really need to get to one of these things one day…
It sounds like fun. I’d love to go to a Con at some point, but I’m not sure when that will happen. Until it does I’ll just live vicariously through you.
That sounds amazing! And that hotel is beautiful! I would love prize pack one!
I’d love to talk with Shiloh, aka JC Daniels! The Colbana Files are my favorite series right now. Pissed I have to wait til Jan.2015 for a new book. I would love either prize.
This sounds like fun and I think it’s awesome when authors fangirl other authors – it makes me feel like less of a nerd ;)
I’d love to win the Kristen Painter pack – I’ve heard really, really good things about that series. Thanks Tori?
Will you be at RT this year?
Did you tell Jess Haines to put down the socks? ;P
sounds like you had a good time. prize pack 2 would make me happy :)
I would love to FANGIRL all over Kristen Ashley!!!
Thanks for the awesome giveaway
Lunch with Shiloh Walker sounds fun!
We can’t wait to get our shirts in a coulpe weeks! We will definately take pictures and include my daughter and the rest of our dog family. I shared the post with some Wally/Tori pics with my family. Without exception, they loved it and think Tori is adorable. I say she is cuter in person! I really like the dancing too!
It was fun surprising Shiloh that night. I didn’t think I could pull it off without someone spilling the beans before I got there, but Jennifer knew and didn’t say a word, bless her. This should serve as proof that I really do read the blog :)
Ha! Somehow I missed this wrap up/contest. I’m so glad you had a good time, Tori, I hope to have you back next year. Also, I’m SO glad your surprise worked out so well, Lynn. It was definitely one of the most exciting events of the weekend. Thank you so much for popping in!