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?