AAD Featured Author Interview: Rita Sawyer

Welcome Authors After Dark 2014 featured author Rita Sawyer!

Is this your first year attending AAD?
No. I’ve been coming back each year since I attended in Secaucus NJ back in 2010.

What brings you back to AAD?
For me AAD has it all. Approachable authors, fun book loving readers, and an atmosphere that is designed to bring them all together.

So where will attendees be able to find you at AAD? Do you hang out in the bar? The lobby? Or are you the one who throws parties in their room?
I’ll be found hanging out in the lobby.

If you were to suggest one of your books to the AAD attendees, which book would it be?
It would depend on what they were in the mood for. If someone’s look for a few quick reads with romance and laughter I’d have them check out my romantic comedy anthology Being Naughty Can Be Fun. If they want something hot and steamy then my Brazen Sister Series would come to mind, but a little less steamy go with the Heiresses In Aprons Series.

Tell us about the party you’re hosting at AAD!
I’m not hosting, but I am taking part in Game’s With Gooden And The Gang. You play games collect tickets and WIN prizes. I’ll have 2 games going. A Wheel of DOOM, and Ticket Pong.

What panels will you be on at AAD?
I’m on the Contemporary Romance, Humor, and Blue Collar Hero.

If an adoring fan wanted to buy you a drink at the bar, what’s your poison?
I’m not much of drinker, but when I do fuzzy Navel is my go to.

SWAG. We all love SWAG! What cool stuff are you bringing?
Complete and utter randomness. I look for stuff that’s different and fun.

We’re all excited about the book signing. What books will you have on hand to sign and sell?
I’ll have the first three on Heiresses In Aprons Series and a random assortment of my other titles.

Where can readers find you?
Website: www.RitaSawyer.com
Blog: Reflections Fron A Romance Writer On The Loose
FaceBook
Twitter

AAD Featured Author Interview: Nina S. Gooden

Welcome Authors After Dark 2014 featured author Nina S. Gooden!

Is this your first year attending AAD?
Nope, this is my second time.

What made you want to come to AAD?
The authors! I’ve gotten to meet so many fabulous people at this convention. Even though I came as an author myself and did my best to act professional I ended up totally fangirling it up a few times. I may or may not have stalked some of my favorite authors, so if you see a moving potted plant or a giant cardboard box, please don’t mind it.

If you were to suggest one of your books to the AAD attendees, which book would it be?
I’m here to promote a new series of mine, which is completely focused on a clumsy fledgling cupid who hooks people up with candy magic. I will deny all claims that this idea sprung out of my obsession with sweets and anime. Deny, deny, deny.

Tell us about the party you’re hosting at AAD!
I’m hosting the Game Parlor with the help of the fabulous Rita Sawyer. It’s a lot like the carnival we did last year but with better prizes and less booze. Oh, there wasn’t booze last time? I guess that was just me.

If an adoring fan wanted to buy you a drink at the bar, what’s your poison?
So! I...super, super enjoy being drunk. It’s a problem. I’m a dirty lush. =( Therefore, I should not drink at cons. I should remain professional at all time and carry myself with dignity, poise, and grace. Pfft. I’m not doing any of that! Lemon drop shots all the way!

Everyone loves the conference costumes. Can you give any hints about what to expect?
I would just like to say that last year I didn’t know there would be contests. I. Didn’t. Know.
This year, even though I can’t actually win anything...I will. I hope you feel the fire in my tone here. I really like to win things and dress up. Winning something for dressing up sounds like something I need to be all over like me on cake. Yeah, I went there. I like cake too.

SWAG. We all love SWAG! What cool stuff are you bringing?
Swaaaag! I’m bringing the usual bits: pens, bookmarks, and a free book. However, I wanted to add a little of my own stank for my readers so I’m also offering a ton of candy (going back to that new series I was talking about) and some very special Mason Jar goodies. Because Pinterest is evil.

Where can readers find you?
I’m all over the place! You can find me on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nsgooden
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/nsgooden
Blogger: http://nsgooden.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nina.gooden.98

Pros of the Con AAD by Rita Sawyer

For anyone who’s wondering what to expect at AAD I’d have to say FUN. Seriously. I decided to attend AAD last year because I had been hearing it was a more personal conference where the readers got to interact with the authors. Okay yeah I’m an author, but I’m a reader too so that was a big reason for me to go. I met great people and had a fabulous time. Let me break down a couple reasons why AAD is such a good conference.

I attended RT in 2009, RomCon 2010, AAD in 2010 what I found comparing the three events was AAD gives you more bang for your buck.

1st: The low registration fee included meals unlike RomCon where you had to purchase meal tickets separately from you registration. Meals were included in RT, but their reg. fee was more than double AAD’s.

2^nd: AAD seemed more relaxed (maybe not for Stella since she’s the one making sure everyone is having a good time and things go as planned). RT was a blur of rushing around and trying to figure out the layout of the hotel. RomCon was a little chaotic (in their defense it was their first year so they needed to work out some bugs).

3^rd: The authors at AAD do their best to be approachable. Maybe it has to do with the relaxed feel of the event, but I felt more comfortable chatting with people at AAD than either of the other two conferences I’ve been to.

Now there are a few things you don’t want to forget. A camera (because who knows what you might see), visit the gift basket raffle room (there were some AMAZING gift baskets last year, and the proceeds go to charity), don’t be shy (I’m kind of a wall flower myself so I’m going to let this be a note to myself), watch for those romance trading cards (I’ll have mine, but I’m hoping to get some other authors), have fun.

Now I’m not saying I won’t do any other conferences, because I’m starting to like traveling a little. I just know AAD is going to be first on my list of choices.

Hope to see everyone there! And remember I’m shy so come up and say hi!