Saturday, April 30, 2011

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

12 comments:

Unknown said...

Looking forward to seeing you as well dear. We need to eat together once this time :)

CeeVeeDee said...

I will be there! I can't wait!

Margie said...

AAD can't arrive soon enough! Getting to meet you and other great authors will be wonderful. Hope you still plan to try to have a meal or something with those of us who follow the Wicked Writers Group who are attending.

Margie H

Grace Fonseca said...

I love your books. Hoping to see more of everyone this year. I'm hoping to eat once with everyone, but I do like this con more than any other one because it's more fun than the rest.

Sylvia Day said...

Robin,

Yes! Let's plan on it. :)

Sylvia Day said...

CeeVeeDee,

I'm looking forward to seeing you!

Sylvia Day said...

Margie,

Absolutely! We'll have a Wicked gathering for sure. I think a breakfast would be great. Or happy hour...? :)

Sylvia Day said...

Grace,

Thank you! I look forward to seeing you. :)

JaneE2059 said...

I can't go to AAD this year, but I'd like to attend AAD in New Orleans in 2012. I miss reader conferences, and this one sounds fun.

Joy said...

Last year was my first AAD conference. I had a great time,books aplenty & there was enough time between events so that you didnt feel like you were running around like a chicken with it's head cut off. I applaud Stella & her helpers who helped to make this event a wonderful conference to attend & have AAD on my must attend conference schedule as long as it exists.

its me said...

I'm so excited! Wish I could fly out with you guys :0( but I suppose I'll live...LOL

Karin* said...

I can't wait to go!!