The found Weekend: Lori Foster’s Readers and Writers Conference 2008
I know, it’s a weird title, but I flashed on the old film the lost weekend, and this definitely was not that. Let me preface, by saying, I had a really good time last weekend. And so my story begins:
For weeks it was a question whether I was going to be able to go at all. Family issues and general stress wreaked havoc for a time, but I weathered the few weeks that it took to deal with those concerns. (A special thanks to MB, My sister and Mary, who talked me into seeing all the positive.) By the weekend before I was looking forward to meeting the nearly three hundred that attended the weekend.
The only problem with the drive was the amount of money the gasoline cost. There was some bumper traffic in Cincinnati the last thirty miles. When I reached the hotel I was surprised to find out that the place was over run by teenage baseball players there for a play off. With so many groups and luggage the four luggage carts were no where to be found, so I made four trips in the ninety odd degrees carrying in luggage, baskets and promo material.
I will admit, since I have multiple witnesses anyway, that I will wear a headband, just like Tammy Fay and pull out a fan to cool down. I blame it on my father. I inherited his sweat glands. Oh, excuse me, his perspiration apparatus. (I sweat, I only wish it were a glow.) I was looking forward to sitting back in my hotel room and cooling down with an ice cold drink before running out for a late lunch. I snatched up the ice bucket and headed to the ice machine. EMPTY. The baseball families had filled their buckets and ice chests. I went to my room steaming. I was hot and sweating, but steaming sounds so much more intense. I finally went to another floor in my search. In conclusion of my chilling drama, I found ice on the third floor. A diet coke never tasted so sweet and cold.
After lunch I was a much better person and by the time I made it to the lobby again there was a line around the main lobby forming to register and pick up our name badges. I got in line and within two minutes was befriended by Gia Dawn, one of the nicest people I have ever met. She is funny and smart and writes a great story. We chatted and she shared her hand fan, though we both felt that gorgeous males should have been fanning us with large palms. (I will say that by the next morning the hotel was talked into turning up the air conditioners. Three hundred people in a room is a mighty furnace.) Can you tell I’m menopausal?
For the dinner portion, The one table where I knew the majority of people only had one chair open and though I was invited to join them, I decided that I’d spread the joy and head to a table with only one or two people. They had it set up to where four authors were asked to be at each table. I sat down with a couple of nurses – It’s like radar, we can find each other any where. We did some chatting and then another author joined us, sci fi and paranormal romance writer, very sweet lady – Hi Laura. Right after that Susan Carr was with us.
The cool happened just moments after they opened the buffet, Michele Boungufiglio sat down to my left and next to her was Ann Christopher. I figured there were about 250 other authors that wished they were sitting with the lifetime TV book reviewer and I wasn’t budging. She is a petite thing and had this fabulous purple purse that was as big as she was. Nearly everyone in the place came over to say hello to her, so that was fun to watch her be gracious and fun.
As new writer, there were only a few that had ever heard of my book or me. I meet folks from an Indianapolis book club that I’m looking forward to seeing when the book is out in print. My Nashville Chapter of the RWA was represented and we hung out quite a bit.
Late on Friday I joined Gia for a drink at the bar and met several Samhain Authors and the amazing Chrissy Brashear. Bianca D’arc was among those there and I found out when I got home Sunday night that Friday was her birthday. I even managed to offend her when I made an inappropriate comment about New York men being rude – I meant that men in any group mentality can be rowdy – I think I managed to get my foot out of my mouth by the end. J Like so many of the people I met, she is a lovely, brilliant woman.
Saturday morning there was a continental breakfast and after I headed over to hear the two agents speak with my Nashville crew. (Yea, we wear gang colors when we hang.) They had some interesting information to share. The market for super sexy is there, the erotic market – kinky – is not. Romance is the way.
All of the Writers and Readers were winning baskets from the raffle and we raised over four thousand dollars for charity.
To my Nashville Homies, including two Samhain authors Jody Wallace and Marie-Nicole Ryan, thanks for letting me hang with you. Gia, Bianca and all the authors at my table it was a great honor to meet you and share a meal and conversation. I will be looking forward to next year.
Oh, and the added plus was my trip to the AKEA store. They have very fun stuff. I managed to get back home before my car battery died in front of the Borders. I say, if you gotta wait for a tow truck, it might as well be while you’re having a smoothie and reading.
Do I recommend this conference? You bet ya!
Rhianna Samuels
Wow, sounds like a lot fun. I was hoping you’d dish on all the goins on. It must be so nice to hang with fellow authors and maybe get juiced up again to keep going?
So, did you schmooze any readers and turn them on to your very sexy, but not kinky book????
I asked my sister if she would go with me next year and she said yes. Maybe I will get a chance to go then.
NY men rude? What’da u tawkin bout?
So, where is the pictorial evidence of you in a head band and a fan?
Ikea? You crack me up. we have one not far from us and I like going there once in a while. Very nice stuff.
You need a new battery, as if you didn’t know that.
But maybe your personal battery got charged?
Comment by MB (Leah) — June 13, 2008 @ 1:38 am
I hate to admit that I don’t know how to do this, but I don’t know how to put a picture up on an url so that I can download it to this blog. I am waiting for my neice to come in this weekend and show me how, then by sunday or monday I’ll put up some pictures. Seeing as how you put up your picture!! I’ll consider putting up a picture of me. Oh no, I didn’t take any pictures of me. Muaaah!
I talked about my book and the coasters were often commented on as an interesting promo. The book club girls from Indy wondered where they could buy my book. Selling ebooks is hard, most folks want to wait for the print. Heck, there is a lot of folks where I work that won’t buy it until it’s in print. They want something in thier hands. But, yes, I did talk about the book as much as I could without being a complete bore. I was only half boring-
I’ve lived in a dozen cities and I love New Yorkers. It was less about New Yorkers and more about males when they gather in groups and how often conversation turns inappropriate. You’ll say things when your buds are encouraging you that you would not say one on one to a woman. Am I right? I’m open to being wrong…It’s happened a couple of times. (Can u believe it?)
There is no IKEA near me, so it was fun going through the place. I decided it would be a great to go there each morning and do your daily walk. Then you can splurge on a big danish at the end. I’ve been trying to find a peice of furniture to keep all my note books with partial stories without them being stacked and never wanting to go through the stack. I found a shoe dresser, you open it and slide in your shoes. I’m going to use it to keep my partial notebooks.
WEll, I gotta scoot to work, I’ll chat back at you this evening. I got a charge out of the weekend. Now I have to get back to concentrating on finishing the three books I’m working on. The four hour drive there and back juiced up my brain and I moved forward in those stories. Yippee!
Rhianna
Comment by Administrator — June 13, 2008 @ 12:04 pm
It sounds like you had a wonderful time and a terrific experience. I imagine that, as a writer, something like the past weekend must really help to recharge your batteries ~ relatively speaking (not car-wise, obviously!)
And that’s GREAT news about the progress on your stories; again with the patience, but I’m workin’ on it. *grin*
Anyway I’ve gotta run ~ something smells very off when the little one comes strolling by ~ and unfortunately no one else is interested in changing her diaper ~ gee, I wonder why? LOL
Comment by KathyK — June 13, 2008 @ 7:56 pm
Rhianna, I don’t expect that you would ever put up a pic. I’m just messing with you cause…I enjoy to. *snort*
You did leave me no choice though since you now associated yourself with an image of Tammy Fay(e) (Baker?) Ack!!! But I say that with no disrespect, may she rest in peace.
I had to post mine to save my honor. There were words, nasty words, some mud slinging and some minor bitch slapping. It was becoming a flame war! LOL I’m only joking!!! Seriously, I was shamed into posting it. I won’t leave it up very long, I don’t think. I’m not too worried as I’m sure I’m not getting that much traffic at the moment.
Now though, see, you gave out much info, and now I have something to go on (the head band) as I’m quite the Sherlock and I might find that someone else has taken a pic with you in the background somewhere and posted it. One can only hope.:P
I think your book will get a lot of traffic when it’s in print. I know I will buy a few for some friends and family and will use subversive maneuveral (yes I know it’s not a word) tactics.
I will agree that men can get really obnoxious when they are in a group. And, it’s all over the world, not just NY or America. But by the same token, chickies getting together can get pretty raunchy as well. But I wouldn’t know anything about that, really.
Comment by MB (Leah) — June 13, 2008 @ 9:08 pm
HI Kathy…so glad you stopped by to comment. A moms delicate nose can scent a dirty diaper from three rooms away. I’m home from work and it’s been fun with all the new nruses in training. I think we are tripping over them. They are so eager and excited, and I love that. It gets me all cranked up too.
I’ve been mostly ignoring all but a few minutes of online time and tyring to write instead. Though, I do love to hear from you guys.
Leah, Leah. I have one picture of me with Michelle. How could I pass that up, but it is for my private scrap book only. tehe! I did take a few nice pics though. I never take as many as I think I’m going to, mostly because when the pictures are printed, I’ve forgotten the names of most of the people. And even if you write them down, there’s no mix and match with the photo.
You are right, both men and women become pretty obnoxious in groups. And we explored that in our conversation. Women have no hesitation teasing a man when they have back up. Just as males will whistle and comment on your anatomy without any encouragement.
Yep, I’m working on super sexy.
Rhianna
Comment by Administrator — June 13, 2008 @ 11:58 pm