Post-AAD and recovering

Well, I'm home. I still have allergies. For those that were there, my deepest apologies for sounding like Kermit on steroids. Not fun, but we managed, right?

There was so much going on. It was a crazy, hectic weekend. Panels, editors, publishers, READERS! (YAY!) It was awesome seeing everyone again who returned from last year, meeting new faces (Giving the hotel hell! LOL).

Thursday was laid back. Just get in, get your room, and get fed. And OMG!!! The layout of this hotel block was awesome. Could live there. Restaurants galore, Walmart down the street--literally two blocks away! A movie theatre... Next time. Everyone arrived on Thursday night in our room (Got to meet the wonderfully talented Sonya Bateman as a roomie and spent a wonderful time with the gorgeous Selena Illyria. Can't wait to do it again next year!)

Friday was Meet and Greet with the start of books falling from the sky!! Seriously. Books were everywhere for the taking. At every seating of a meal, at panels, at parties. You went, you got GOODIES!!! And not just books. We got scented oils, candy, SWAG by the bucket. Just... Believe me. You need to go to Philly next year. More on that later.

Saturday was the rest of the panels, and the masquerade ball. That was a blast. Awesome music, fabulous desserts and costumes!!! Incredibly well thought out comstumes. My fave was Neil Gaiman's DEATH. You so have the balls man. There were gorgeous muses, fun gypsies, a belly dancer, Eve Dallas (from J.D. Robb fame) and so many that I know I'll screw up who they were and what books they were from. The theme was literary characters. As a small shout out squee, because of my bestest friend in the whole world it wouldn't have happened, Kathy and I got second place in the costume contest. Little Red and Grandma. Tag team baby!

Sunday was the basket giveaways and there were some scrumptious ones to go!! Some I know I'm glad I didn't have to take through airport security. EEEP! But to all the wonderful winners, I'm glad they enjoyed winning them. There was also no less than three (yes that's 3) NOOK giveaways, an iPod Touch, and oodles of wonderful fun stuff. See? And this is going to only get better.... Start planing....

Okay, now for the 'later'. 2011 will be held in Philly. There will be a new website and blog design coming up soon thanks to the most awesome energizer bunny, Stella P. So if you want to go meet and mingle, hang and generally have a great time while getting to know some of your favorite authors, AND finding new ones, then check out this link for the details. Authors After Dark Because you have TO GO to do any of this. Everyone comes away with something, no one leaves without winning a prize, without more reading material than your local library, and without making new friends that will last for years to come.

So to all of you, I extend the invitation and a challenge. Will you be there next year?

I know I will!!!

A short list of attended (squuuueeeeeee!!!!!) authors:

Jacquelyn Frank
Caridad Piniero
Joey W. Hill
Stella Price
Rosemary Laurey
Diana Castilleja/Diana DeRicci
Leigh Ellwood
Samantha Sommersby
Eliza Gayle
Bridget Midway
Jess Haines
Jennifer Armintrout
Laura Baumbach
Augusta Li
Sylvia Day
Selena Illyria
Cat Johnson
Leanna Renee Hieber


So who do you want to meet?