Why AAD?

For the last few years, my travel and appearances schedule has been pretty heavy. I'm away from home about three months of the year altogether. Because I'm in California and most events tend to take place on the other side of the country, I've had to be careful not to live half the year in a plane. So what made Authors After Dark one of my must-attend conventions? Lemme tell you. :)

I wasn't able to attend Authors After Dark the first year I was invited, but I did get it worked out last year and I'm so glad I did! I can really gush about this event and since that's the purpose of this blog post, I will.

* Personally, I'm going because there were so many opportunities to sit down with other readers and talk about books and how much fun we were having. Every meal found me at a new table, with new table-mates. I talked with new readers in the hallways, at breakfast, in the elevator... everywhere. Because of the intimacy of the event, it was so much easier to connect with others than I've experienced elsewhere.

But overall, here are the some of the things that really impressed me about AAD:

1) I have no idea how Stella pulls it off, but AAD was the best coordinated event of this size that I've attended. It was very much like one of the larger reader conventions on a smaller, far more intimate scale. Basically, all the benefits and far less of the detriments.

2) There were a TON of books there. I came home with more books from AAD than I did any other convention last year.

3) The food was really good. No rubber chicken or congealed WTF-is-that? stuff anywhere. From the rolls to dessert, I was impressed with the quality and quantity of the food.

4) The presentation was stunning. From the banners in the hallways to the beautiful themed table centerpieces, it seemed like every small detail had been carefully considered.

5) There were authors everywhere. I met so many new-to-me authors because of AAD, and I was able to spend time with them while they were relaxed and having fun.

I'm really looking forward to AAD this year, and I already have AAD-2012 on my schedule. It's a really wonderful time. I look forward to seeing YOU there! :)

Sylvia Day
www.sylviaday.com

Twitter: @sylday
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorSylviaDay
Goodreads: Sylvia Day

Authors After Dark Share the Love

Hi Everyone! I’m Susan Hanniford Crowley author of the Vampires in Manhattan series about vampires, shapeshifters, and rare supernaturals. I write steampunk and mythos romance as well.

What do I love most about the Authors After Dark Convention? It’s the ability to share the love. Of all the events, I love the authors’ raffle baskets most. All the money raised goes to an animal rescue. My adorable Buffy and Bella came from a cat rescue, and I have to tell you those volunteers work tirelessly to give those sweet creatures more than just food and water. So when the time comes for buying raffle tickets, think of the homeless cats and dogs and buy! Buy! Buy! Share the love with animals that really need it. My basket will be especially cozy and romantic this year.

Last year I went to my first Authors After Dark Convention. It was the most outrageous fun I’ve ever had at a convention. I love that it’s dedicated to the enjoyment of readers. There’s an intimacy to the panels, workshops, parties, and other events that I’ve never seen anywhere else. It’s a bit like joining a village for a festival. Everyone gets to know everyone else and have a great time together.

I love all the freebies at my plate at each meal. I love meeting new people and having fun on the panels. Learning new things at the workshops. The parties are amazing. This year I am especially looking forward to the Mythos and Steampunk balls. The vendors rock. A friend of mine wants to cheek out the tattoo artist wearing the kilt. He rocks too. LOL There will be unclassifiable events of fun. Ah, the mystery. I can't tell you everything where would be the fun in that. I want to try to bellydancing. I’ve heard you can get thighs of steel.

This Authors After Dark is special to me because most of the Nights of Passion blog crew will be there with me. C. Margery Kempe, Cara North, and a.c. Mason will be there. OUTRAGEOUS FUN! Mason and I are two of the hosts for a Chocolate Party. YUM! Find out more about our passionate crew at http://nightsofpassion.wordpress.com/

I’m planning a lot of impromptu giveaways. I’ll be on panels and at the booksignings too. Be sure to ask me about Vampires, and I’ll give you a little gift until they run out. I’m ecstatic about Authors After Dark, and I’m sure you are too. I love talking about writing and reading---vampires, steampunk, and mythos romance.

To find out more me and my books, visit Nights of Passion blog or my website http://susanhannifordcrowley.com/. Twitter me at http://www.twitter.com/SHCrowley
Share the love on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/people/Susan-Hanniford-Crowley/629298868

See you there! Absolutely say hi!

The Draws of AAD

Over the past few years, I’ve attending a variety of writers’ conventions, from Detroit’s ConFusion all the way to WorldCon. It’s given me a taste of a variety of sizes and styles of cons. When Authors After Dark came on my radar, I will admit the size made me a little nervous. I can be shy and sometimes prefer to lose myself in crowds. Plus, I knew I’d only be able to attend two conventions this year since there weren’t any local ones that really hit my radar.

Basically, I had to choose really carefully.

However, I do love connecting with readers, and because of the size limits, attending as a featured author was a huge opportunity. Too huge to pass up. Plus, I’m always on the lookout for a new convention to fall in love with and I haven’t been to Philadelphia since I was a kid. Then I found out that both Nat and Pam from Wicked Lil Pixie were going to be there (along with several other book bloggers I adore), and I was sold.

I’m on three panels, which I’m very geeked about. Though I will admit to being a bit nervous about the erotica panel. I’ve made jokes about why, but they were just that. The reality is I’m just not a morning person, and considering I know some of the people on the panel with me, I have a feeling much fun may be had at my expense. It’s okay though—laughter is always a good icebreaker.

Then there are the parties and the outings. As excited as I am for all of that though, I’m mostly excited about meeting some people I’ve only had the opportunity to talk to online and others I haven’t ever talked to before. I hope to see you there, and if you attend the erotica panel…please pass the sleepy chick a red bull or something.

Seleste deLaney (aka Julie Particka)

www.selestedelaney.com

www.julieparticka.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/SelestedeLaney

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001203081398

Staying Up Past Our Bedtime - Why We're Attending AAD

Hi, I'm Reesa. I write space opera/sci fi romance with my partner, Michelle Moore.

We wanted to attend Authors After Dark 2010, but we just couldn't get it together in time to make the registration cut off. At the time, we would have been attending as readers, and we were looking forward to meeting authors, bloggers, and fellow fans.

This year, we're attending as authors, and we couldn't be happier to join the ranks of the other creative people who are dedicated to making Authors After Dark a great experience for readers.

AAD won't be our first con. That will fall to Balticon 45, our local science fiction and fantasy convention, but AAD follows it up in a way that's uniquely appropriate for our books. We write science fiction romance (the Ylendrian Empire series, to be exact), and it's really important to us that both aspects of the story are given the same amount of care. It makes it great that we can attend a sci fi con and subversively add a little romance to the panels, and then turn around and get people's heads in the stars at a romance con.

Our main decision was made for us in the Authors After Dark tagline- for us, it's all about the readers, and we can't wait to hang out with everyone in Philadelphia!

First Time at AAD by Nancy Holzner

I'm the author of the Deadtown urban fantasy series, and this will be my first Authors After Dark. I'm very excited to be included!

I can't say exactly when AAD first crossed my radar. I remember some of the bloggers and authors I follow on Twitter talking about what a great time they were having last year. I saw references to it on some blogs I frequent. And when I went to Albacon in Albany, NY last October, people were still buzzing about it there.

What I heard was that Authors After Dark was a reader-centered conference that had great panels, great parties, and tons of opportunities to talk with readers, bloggers, and other authors. This sounded exactly like the kind of conference I was looking for. I love going to science fiction and fantasy conventions, but so often what I'm there for—the chance to talk about books and writing—is one track out of many. It's easy to get lost. AAD focuses on readers, and I can't wait to get there and talk books with people.

I work at home (I'm a freelance writer and editor), and sometimes I really NEED to trade my work PJs for some real clothes and get out of the house. Heading off for a weekend of socializing and talking shop with people who love the same kinds of stories that I do—that's guaranteed to get me to comb my hair and pack a suitcase. I'm looking forward to being on and attending panels, hosting a hospitality breakfast with other UF authors, being at the book signing, and checking out the balls. Most of all, I think, I'm looking forward to the casual conversations that an event like this allows—a chance meeting in an elevator, a discussion that begins in a panel discussion and then continues in the hall, as dinnertime conversation where you discover a common interest with someone who was a stranger half an hour before.

I've loved reading the posts this month to see why people are going to AAD. If you haven't chimed in yet, why are you going? If you've been before, what's your best memory? Or if this will be your first AAD, what are you most looking forward to?

See you there!

Nancy Holzner

http://nancyholzner.wordpress.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nancy-Holzner/163746834500?ref=ts

Twitter: http://twitter.com/NancyHolzner

What I Love About AAD by Jess Haines

Authors After Dark was the very first author convention I ever attended. Actually, it’s the only author convention I’ve ever attended. Not knocking the other conventions out there, but many of the others I researched were either too small and expensive, or too big and therefore too likely to lose me in the shuffle. Having some experience with overwhelming cons—and, in my experience thus far, nothing beats Anime Expo—I wanted to have a chance to meet people instead of be pushed around by the tide.

All that said, Authors After Dark was a blast! I had a ridiculous amount of fun last year meeting crazy/funny bloggers like JoJo (link: http://jojosbookcorner.blogspot.com/), Larissa (link: http://www.larissaslife.com/), Joy (link: http://www.joyfullyreviewed.com/), Ali (link: http://simplyali.blogspot.com/), etc. I met the lovely Leanna Renee Hieber, Jacquelyn Frank, Stella Price, KT Grant, and many other authors—too numerous to mention. Many of these people have become good friends and stayed in touch since then. My fancy-schmancy business cards and new series logo came courtesy of Robin (link: www.rldprint.com), who gave me her card at AAD. I took a truckload of books home with me.

We did fun things like charity raffles (which are always near and dear to my heart), I both sat on and attended interesting panels on everything from writing sexy shifters to interracial romance, got to drool over some amazing costumes at the ball, and I had loads of fun dancing like a dork until the wee hours on Saturday night! The atmosphere was relaxed and all about having a good time. What isn’t to love?

The best part of going to Authors After Dark was getting to meet my fans. Getting to know readers, not bloggers or authors (though they are also awesome, and often started out as readers), always makes my day.

I’m talking about the people who came because they love our books, they love us, and they wanted to have a chance to rub elbows with their favorite authors. It was an amazing opportunity to get to know people I might otherwise never have met. Twitter and Facebook and email are great ways of contacting and staying in touch with fans, but it makes all the difference in the world when you get to shake their hands, give them a hug, or swap naughty stories over dessert. Where else will you get to pop by the hotel bar at any hour of the day and not have to worry about imposing if you stop by to say hello to one of your fellow attendees—no matter their occupation?

I’m looking forward to more of the same in the coming year. Come say hi to me—I promise I don’t bite—and get ready to have a great time! Panels, parties, and swag await!

Jess Haines

http://www.jesshaines.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/Jess_Haines

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jess-Haines-HW-Investigations/199575306328?ref=search&sid=100000426805820.1600836246..1

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/jesshaines

a.c.Mason, who am I and why Authors After Dark?

Who am I?
I should start at the beginning. I was born. Mayhem followed.

Hi yall, I’m a.c.Mason! Everyone calls me Mason and I hope you will too.

I love spending time in the strange worlds I create and hiding in my writer lair. I’ve got hot men tied up in there. Shhsh. Don’t let word get out.

I should give you the lowdown on me and what I write.

In 2009, I released my first short novel fantasy mainstream fiction Aequitas I Betrayal and the sequel Aequitas II Punishment followed in 2011. This year so far I have three romance novellas coming out.

From Decadent Publishing http://www.decadentpublishing.com Available
Surrendering to the Right Man, Book 1 of the Soul Food Diner Series,






From Lyrical Press, Inc http://www.lyricalpress.com
Chocolate Damsel, Wolf-Spirit Series Book 1, coming May 2nd, 2011
Chocolate Temptation, Wolf-Spirit Series Book 2, September 19th, 2011



Why am I going to Authors After Dark?

A fellow author Susan Hanniford Crowley attended Authors After Dark 2010 and was telling me how great it was. After a little arm-twisting, Susan agreed that I should go too. lol. That’s the version of the story that I’m sticking to. I had heard there was a male tattoo artist in a kilt. I’m not against seeing that. I wouldn’t mind a Philly steak and cheese. My other more risky plan is to have either Daniel Craig or Joshua Jackson as my roommates for the conference or both. I'll share with my other two author roommates of course. Wink.

All right, enough of that for a moment, not that there can ever be enough of either one of those fine men. Lol.

I absolutely couldn’t wait to connect with readers. My pps. As much as I love writing about the strange worlds in my head, I adore when authors can carry me away to theirs. So I know what it’s like to be on the other side “a reader”. I’d love to pull aside some of my favorite authors and get a chance to find out where the idea for a character I connected with came from. How did they think up the world for a book I love?

I’m also being granted the opportunity to be on the following panels Erotic Historical, The Digital Revolution, Motivations For Writing, Choosing a Publisher.

I look forward to connecting with you at the conference.

If you want to learn, more about a.c. Mason go to http://www.acmason.com/.

Mason
a.c. Mason
Darkness ♀♂ Desires
www.acmason.com

Why Im going to AAD by Jean Murray

I am proud to say I’m an AAD veteran. I attended the very first conference in 2009. I was so thrilled. I met so many fabulous authors and devoted readers, like myself. The food and entertainment was killer. It was such an intimate setting to get to know the authors behind the fabulous stories I had read. I was forever inspired by the experience. At the time I was just beginning my writing journey, never once thinking the next time I would be attending as an author.

This year I’m an AAD author virgin. So be gentle J All kidding aside, I’m so excited to introduce my debut novel, Soul Reborn. It just released this month. I chose AAD to launch my book because of the fabulous people that will be there. I’ve never met such a diverse and friendly group of people willing to give support and encouragement. And by coming, I’ll be able to reach out to the readers and introduce myself. I’m going to participate in the great paranormal panels and am a featured author at the Mythos Ball. What better place to show off the theme of my book than going dressed as an Egyptian goddess!

The other reason I like AAD – it’s twisted. I love the unusual and unexpectedness of the panels and workshops. Where else can you learn to belly dance and strengthen your love muscles or get a tattoo. If you get a chance, stop by my website for a visit. I would love to meet you before the conference. See you in August!

Jean Murray

www.jean-murray.com

www.wickedromance.wordpress.com

Why I’m headed to Authors After Dark

Easy. This is a reader con. I want to hang out with people who love the same kinds of stories I do. Books are my passion. I live to read and to write. Nothing, aside from my family, captivates me more. And to get to play with others like me? I am so there.

When not wrangling kids, I’m lucky to spend my day in a book—either the one I am writing or one from my formidable TBR pile. For the most part, my passion is solitary. I often spend hours in the quiet listening only to the voices in my head (crazy, I know). A book, some chocolate (hazelnut) and I am good to go. During one stressful period of my life, I remember begging my sweet and enduring husband for the weekend to spend in bed and READ. I figure there might be one or two (or all?) at AAD who understand and can relate. If I weren’t a writer, I’d be wild about AAD anyway.

But I am a writer. I’ve got a book coming out this fall, so I’m also hoping to have my cake and frost it and then eat it with ice cream and chocolate sauce. In other words, I hope readers discover my books. I hope they dig my Shadow world and snatch up my romance trading cards. And then I just want to hang out and have fun with everyone.

I heard about AAD last year, but too late to come. When I saw the excitement online for this year, I said… YES! I can’t wait.

Readers, and by that I mean everyone, I’d love a chance to hear what you’re reading. I write dark paranormal/urban fantasy, so to lighten things up, I’ve been digging into some historicals. And I’ve just discovered steampunk. Why--I cry to heaven—did it take me so long?

So what are you reading? What’s on your must-read list?

Erin Kellison

A New Kid on the Block...Headed to AAD

Last year was my first experience at AAD, and one I’ll always remember. I attended as both a reader and an aspiring author, and didn’t know what to expect.

Upon arrival, my friends and I were greeted by the wonderful conference staff, eager to assist in any way possible. When you’re told this conference caters to readers, BELIEVE IT!

The panels were informative and entertaining, the parties were unique, and the vendors had a wonderful selection. Did I mention the number of free books?  Let’s be honest, who doesn’t love FREE books?  

But what impressed me most, was how authors, editors, agents, and readers intermingled. For example, my girlfriends and I hosted a party after hours in our hotel room. While providing refreshments for our guests, I stepped back and surveyed the area. Among the crowd stood Stella Price, Leanna Renee Hieber, Joey W. Hill, Eliza Gayle, a talented tattoo artist, an agent, an editor, several bloggers and readers…just to name a few! At the end of the event, I walked away with dozens of books, and new authors I’d just met, who I couldn’t wait to add to my ever-growing TBR pile.

Now, for you aspiring authors: As the event approached, I completed my first manuscript and scheduled live pitching opportunities with several editors from various publishing companies. I left AAD with a number of successful pitches and a lot of submitting to do! In October, I signed with Tease Publishing and released my first novel, MYTHIC, in February (available at All Romance ebooks). I’m still celebrating! So, I’m sure you can understand why AAD is dear to my heart, and why YOU should consider attending.

This will be my first year attending AAD as an author and I’m honored to be among such amazing talent. I look forward to meeting other authors, speaking with and gaining new readers, and having a wonderful time.

During the convention, I’ll have the distinct pleasure of participating in the following panels:

Myths and Magic (alongside Stella and Audra Price, Stephanie Julian, Carolan Ivey, Tilly Greene, Jennifer Armintrout and Erin Kellison)

Behind the Scenes of the Average Author (with Carolan Ivey, Judy Fennell, Diana Marie Bell, Rosemary Laurey, Misty Burke and Lydia Dare)

When the Ending isn’t HEA- Bending the rules and still being considered romance (alongside Stella and Audra Price, Jennifer Armintrout, PJ Schynder, Dahlia Rose and Yvette Hines)

If you’ll be in attendance, feel free to stop by and say hello. I’ll have prizes and swag to give away and I don’t bite…usually.  I hope to meet you all at AAD in 2011!

Jae Lynne Davies
Adding a Little Spice to the World of Romance
http://www.jaelynnedavies.com/

5 reasons why I love going to AAD

Oh man, there are a multitude of reasons why I love going to AAD, but I think I'll give you five to get you started, and then you can discover the joy that is Authors After Dark for yourself.

Charity Raffles—there are always so many fabulous bags/baskets to try and win, I don’t even think how I’d get it home if I won them.

Panels—are relevant, interesting, informative, and a great exchange of ideas and insights between readers and writers.

Parties—always unique and a total blast, plus panels don’t start too early the next day you can’t enjoy the evening stuff to the wee hours.

People—a pleasure to meet new folks and old friends, and then there's those I get to meet in person who otherwise I only get a chance to talk to online.

And, last but not least, I eat—the food is always light and very edible for me, the pickiest of the picky.

All this and so much more is why I'm eager for Authors After Dark in Philadelphia, and already have New Orleans on my schedule.  See you all there and be sure to bring your camera - there's always exciting stuff happening at AAD!

Tilly Greene
WARNING! Red hot romances ahead!
www.tillygreene.com

Facebook│Twitter│Blog│ARe Cafe

Authors After Dark on the Con Schedule

I'm no stranger to attending conventions. They come in many different forms and flavors, all with their strong points and disadvantages, temptations and pitfalls.

The Day Job Cons:

I've spoken in front of between 50 and 250 people at conventions for the day job. These are venues full of suits and science, cutting edge technology and the latest in government guidance and requirements.

The food is good, the alcohol flows as a trap for the non-business savvy. You learn to drink with the big dogs and how to accurately gauge how much you can have to be effective in networking while avoiding making an idiot of yourself.

The Anime Cons:

Fun filled land of the otaku, anime conventions are packed with cosplayers and Japanese cartoon-lovers. I trade in my biz suit at these cons for cat ears and plaid Japanese school girl skirts, scampering around watching the latest fan subs and anime music videos, meeting Japanese directors and rocking out to J-pop concerts.

These are full of relaxation and shenanigans, with a touch of bouncy cuteness thrown in on the side. I'm a yearly attendee at Otakon and Anime Boston. I've been to Sakura Con, Anime USA, Katsucon and NY Anime Fest.

The Literary Conventions:

Romance, sci-fi, any genre on the shelves are covered in these conventions. They are the places to meet authors, agents, editors and publishers. There are tracks on both the craft of writing and the business of it, as well as the promotion and marketing of a writer's work. Workshops and panels cover every aspect of the writing world and beyond.

For me, these are an interesting mix of business and fun. I've attended Romantic Times, WisCon and PhilCon, sampling a taste of the differences in focus at each.

This year, I will be attending Authors After Dark for the first time. As a newly published author, the key reason I'm attending is to meet readers. I'd be tickled beyond imagining to meet readers of my work, definitely, but I'd also like to meet readers of the genres I write. Heck I'd like to meet readers just to enjoy with them the excitement of being at a convention to not only meet their favorite authors but to discover new ones (like me!).

I'm looking forward to getting a feel for another literary convention. Plus, there's always budget to consider. AAD is in Philly this year, allowing me to commute to the con from home. There's little you can argue when the con fee covers food and you have no airfare or lodging expenses. Plus I'll be lucky enough to speak on several panels, very huge opportunities for me.

Finally, AAD was scheduled at the right time. RT hit during a challenging time of year for me personally. Lori Foster and Balticon are the week of my little brother's wedding and family must come first.

Often, it's the timing as much as anything else that plays a roll in where you end up in life.

I do hope you'll all stop me at AAD to say Hi. I'm looking forward to meeting new people, be they readers or industry or fellow authors. To make it easy to find me, I'll be on the following panels:

• "When the ending isn’t HEA"
• "E book Authors"
• "Guess the book from the Sex Scene"
• "Author Blog Fail"
• "Food and Clothing in Romance: DETAILS"

I'm also on the Steam Ball Court and joining a group of authors in hosting at the hospitality suite from 4pm to 6pm on Saturday with lots of prizes and swag. :)

~ PJ Schnyder

www.pjschnyder.com

What Authors After Dark Has That Others Don’t From Theresa Meyers

I’m skipping the big conferences this year. You know, Romantic Times, RomCon and RWA national convention, but I’m making sure I go to Authors After Dark. Why? Because this year AAD is offering me something the others can’t. A chance to get to me you, really meet you, not just say hi as you pass by a signing table in a crowded ballroom.

I’ve never been to AAD before, but from everything I’ve heard from others, it’s one of the few conferences where you get to actually have fun and just hang out with others who love the same things I do—books!

Oh, I probably should have gone to some of the bigger conferences. I had my first print Nocturne, The Truth About Vampires, out in March and my second, The Vampire Who Loved Me comes out May 24^th. I also have my first book in my steampunk romance trilogy, The Hunter, coming out from Kensington in late October. But there were other things I had to think about. Did I want to be just one of the crowd? Did I want a chance to really sit down and mingle? While I’ve been to RWA’s national conference many times and spoken there frequently since I joined in 1993, I’ve always found it to be more about building up my craft as a writer and making business connections.

This year that’s not my goal. My goal is to meet more readers. Have fun with them. Get a chance to hang out and really enjoy the people who love to read paranormal romances featuring hot, sexy vampires and those who are into steampunk as much as I am. And since I live in Washington, I’ll get a chance to meet people I have only “seen” on Twitter or Facebook.

All in all, I’m really looking forward to AAD. I hope you are too!

Theresa Meyers

ETA: Theresa's Editor said that her Steampunk story will be out in NOVEMBER instead of October!