Sunday, February 20, 2011

Chartueuse Anyone?

2012 is right around the corner. No this is not a blog post about the end of the world, who knows if we are all going to go down the drain in a year, we are circling it now as we speak… so because of this I have decided that we are going to (possibly) go out with a bang. How so? Well dear readers… read on.

So this is meant to be a happy post… and I think by the end of it you might all be standing up and cheering because this is pretty fucking awesome. So before I get to the amazing awesome news, lemme start with the possibly not so good news (depending on how you look at it.)

Authors After Dark for 2012 will have a MAX of 80 authors. Now why you ask? Because AAD is about readers and I think with the insane amount this year, we might be straying from the original focus of the event. That said, AAD will have 80 authors in this breakdown:

The Master of Ceremonies

Myself (yes I count me and Audra as one entity and as an author because we ARE authors first and foremost)

11 field trip authors (I will explain this in a few)

37 small press authors (which will be regulated by publisher participation)

30 NY published authors

Now by “regulated by publisher participation” it means that unlike past years, we wont have an over abundance of authors attending from one publisher. Yes, I understand that there’s lots of authors that have several publishers. This will help to place you in. I'm only counting each authors under ONE of their publishers. Now this doesn’t mean that’s the only work you can promote, it just means that it will allow me to ensure we have a good smattering of authors and publishers.

Now, publishers that are participating (by way of book donations and parties) will have a larger list (because that’s how we reward people for helping us out). All of this is subject to change, but remember, I will NOT be going over 80 authors.

OK. So some even better news? We are upping our attendee list to 400. that means 80 authors and 320 attendees (including industry). Why have we done this? Because we NEED to for 2012.

Now… You wanna know where it is right? Well… Authors After Dark 2012 will have a new theme as well… AAD Summer Camp! That’s right! And what better then having camp in the readers play ground rich in history and romance… NEW ORLEANS? Yep… I shit you not AAD 2012 will be in New Orleans, at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in AUGUST! Now.. who is excited?

AAD’s event is going to be a LOT different then previous years, leaving everyone more time to explore the city with their favorite authors and get some quality time in. Oh yes, we will have tons of stuff to do during the day like panels and parties and the like, but I'm leaving breakfasts open (can you say Café DuMonde?) and most nights except one. Lunches will be at the hotel during the con panel hours, and most of the parties will be alcohol based as that’s what its all about in Nola (Chartreuse anyone?).

There will be tons of field trips with authors that write with Nola as a location, as well as tours to take and pub crawls! Yes… wring out your livers cuz your going to need as much room as possible!

We wont have a vendor room this year, because nothing is better then the French quarter and river walk, and there wont be 2 parties, just one… and it will be WORTH staying in for…

Rooms will be 119$ a night DOUBLE OCCUPANCY. Any extra person added to the room is an extra 30$ a night per person (up to 4). Yes there will be a special suite price, and I will have those soon as well. This is the CHEAPEST you will find a room in the city (let alone on Bourbon St, where the hotel is located) and guess what else? You can use the price for three days before and three days after the con, allowing you 9 days in NOLA for hella cheap. That’s right! Plan your vacations now!

Dates? August 8-12 for the event so mark those calendars!

Registration isn’t open yet (obviously) but the website (which is NEW) will be up soon and you can watch all the insanity as we get it out there. Yes, its hella early, but seriously? Who doesn’t wanna start planning and preparing for New Orleans? I know I do (and believe me, I am). So follow along as well bring you what could very well be the best convention you have ever attended!

So shall I spill the beans on some of our Field trip authors?

Jaye Wells

Diana Rowland

Merrie Destefano

Jeanine Frost

Sydney Croft (Larissa Ione and Stephanie Tyler)

Eliza Gayle

Including 7 more authors who write with New Orleans as a backdrop… and no Im not spilling the beans yet!

Other authors already accepted:

Mark Henry

Nicole Peeler

Kristen Painter

T J Michaels

Leanna Renee Hieber

Alexandra Ivy

Allison Pang

Jess Haines

Carolyn Crane

Tilly Greene

Cat Johnson

Stella and Audra Price

So… who is excited? And whats more… at AAD Philly you'll get even MORE information about the event, and opportunities to win your way to the event (that’s registration, not your room!)

So… comments?

43 comments:

WickedLilPixie said...

*shakes booty* I'm already packing.

Joy said...

YOU HAVE ROCKED IT BABE! Thank you so very much. After attending AAD last year for the first time, my room-mate Ali & promised ourselves that this would be one of the Romance Conventions we would always attend! Looking forward to 2011 and count us in for 2012!!!

Grace- said...

Oh man. I've never been to New Orleans. This sounds like so much fun. I know I might consider going again Stella. Stella always knows how to throw the best parties.

Gwen Hayes said...

Sounds like a BLAST! I've always wanted to visit NOLA.

Bronwyn Green said...

hOMG! I've always wanted to go to New Orleans. And Stella? This was news TOTALLY worth waiting for!!!

Marq said...

OMG!!! Can I book a flight now?!??!

AWESOME!

Cat Grant said...

This is going on my calendar for next year right now! Can't wait! :)

ParaJunkee said...

So excited. If you need any local help let me know! Ooh I see a BIG party in the future.

Felicia the Geeky Blogger said...

Love it! I can drive there :) I used to go every Thanksgiving and now it is like every other year. PERFECT!

Vampires, Ghosts, and Murder oh my (and that isn't counting what is in the books). As a History Buff this is one of the best cities ever :)

Diana Castilleja said...

I'm so in!!! I can drive to this one. Kat and I are gonna make it a road trip, lose her hub along the way at a casino and _maybe_ think about picking him up on the way back!!!

Rock on!! Can't wait. 2012 is going to shake the ground!

Unknown said...

Up until a year ago I have always lived less than an hour away from that city. Looks like AAD will be a 2 year in a row thing for me.

Cecile Smutty Hussy said...

OMG.... this freaking rocks apples - big time!!!!!!!!!!!!

smexys_sidekick said...

Ok. Now this AAD is one I could handle. NOLA? I'm so there.

Tori [Book Faery] said...

Already saving up for this!

Unknown said...

Aww....man, I totally want to go now. I wonder if I could talk my husband into letting me go?

C. Margery Kempe said...

AWESOME! I love New Orleans and can't wait to be back (all three of us).

Tawania said...

Doing my Happy Dance! I so can't wait. I Love The Big Easy :)

pj schnyder said...

Fantastic! And you already know I'm signing up as soon as you let me ;)

JaneE2059 said...

I'd love to go. I've been to NOLA before, but I've never been to an
AAD event before. I'll have to see if I could get the $$$$$$ together. The room rate sounds great...$179 a night for up to 4 people...good deal.

Sarah said...

Oh wow! I haven't even finished saving for my flights for this August yet but I definitely need to start saving for next year now!! I'd love to go to New Orleans & OMG you've got Jeaniene Frost going!!!! How can I miss it?? :o)

Anonymous said...

Love New Orleans a lot - Royal Sonesta room rate is great. Considering it's Summer though I'll wait to see the rest of the author line up before deciding. LOL Who I am willing to melt in August for?

Amanda Leigh said...

I can't wait! I've been saving up for one, and this is it! Woo hoo!

Unknown said...

OMFG YES!!!! Stella you freaking rock my world!!! =D

Unknown said...

Two words... Author. Field trip. *dies* Stella you know you are my new and forever travel agent. An extra hug is coming in Philly for NOLA too!

kyattorney2007 said...

Am already planning and saving. Sounds friggin AWESOME!! Author field trips?!? Wow...thanks!

Margie said...

Stella, you are the best!!! Not only is NOLA a super location, but the plan to have author field trips is just super, super, super!!! So looking forward to AAD 2011 and AAD 2012. Thank you very much.

Cynthia Eden said...

How awesome! New Orleans is one of my favorite cities. I know this event will be great!

Caridad Pineiro said...

Very exciting. I hope I can make it.

Jools said...

Who needs London 2012! NOLA here I come!!

Anonymous said...

I will abso be there in 2012...had I known about this sooner, I'd be there this year too! Sounds like a blast!!
Can't wait to get all the details as they are available!!

Seleste deLaney/Julie Particka said...

Woot! I'm in as soon as you let me sign up!!!

Roxanne Rhoads said...

OMG I love New Orleans I wish I could come- hmmm maybe I can work something out. So many of my favorite authors are going to be there- Nicoel Peeler, Diana Rowland, JEANIENE FROST...

Twimom227 said...

Oh. Hell. Yes!

Roxanne Rhoads said...

so I talked to the hubby and it looks like we might be able to swing it- of course I had him at New Orleans- no kids LOL

Unknown said...

That is great news Roxanne! Would love to meet up in NOLA :)

Kelsa P. said...

That's only two hours south of where I live. I'll have to see about going next time :)

Alisha (MyNeedToRead) said...

holy moly. I need to figure out how I need to move heaven and earth to be available for this event.

K Giardina said...

Holy smoke: 1-1/2 hours from home! Woo Hoo!! See you in New Orleans! :)

Roxanne Rhoads said...

Robin definitely looking forward to meeting you and all my blog friends- and of course all the authors.I hope to attend RT 2012and AAD 2012. They'll be my first conventions ever because since becoming a professional writer I've had a little one- by next year he'll be 6 and almost 6 (at RT time)so hopefully he can function without mommy for a few days cause it's time for mommy to party with people who love books as much as she does :-)

trinity said...

I've never been to New Orleans or to one of your conventions, but after Lori Perkins told me about it I've been watching and waiting. I can't wait to go! I'm so going to have a ball with no kids and husband!

Trinity

Shan AKA Preternatural Addict said...

*throws some kicks and punches and finishes off with a backflip* WHOOP WHOOP WHOOP!!! Abcolutely can't wait!!! Already saving to come from Australia mainly to support my #1author/addiction "Joey W. Hill". All the other authors attending is just a bonus so look out NOLA OW!

Socks said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
FW1 said...

I was in Philly for a business meeting at the Double tree all week when I saw the AAD convention. I meet Leanna Renee Hieber in the lobby by chance and told her I had at least 300 of these books on my nook. I wanted to stay but couldn't. I told my sister about the convention for 2012 and we are ready to book our flight and make our reservations! My sister has more of these books on her kindle than I do!