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

For me, AAD is passion!

So here I am, not an author, but so very honored to be sandwiched between them. Let me repeat that! Author, then me, then author. *dies happy* Who am I? Really. I am a blogger (Intense Whisper), reader, wife, mother, designer, business owner and yes, the AAD webby. What's an AAD webby you ask. No, it is not an uncomfortable under-thing. It is what Stella affectionately calls her design slave *giggles*. I am assisting in design and promotion for AAD 2011, 2012 and hopefully many more.

I also attended AAD in 2010 as a blogger. So this is my perspective and why I cannot wait for the next conventions. Passion. I have this little problem with obsession. Finding little hobbies that encompass my whole being. I like to call this passion, you can call it insanity if you wish. After attending in 2010, I found a new little hobby. A little passion. Everything AAD. What can I say, Authors After Dark fulfills me *big grin*.

Authors After Dark gives book lovers the opportunity to meet authors, readers, bloggers and industry professionals who all share the same admiration for romance. No matter the genre, everyone had something in common. A true sense of belonging. I have said before that it feels like friends getting together, long lost friends and family. The atmosphere is relaxed and inviting, authors are accessible. Not just from behind a table either, I am talking about standing in line, sitting at a table, the bar, dancing, laughing, taking a break... they are everywhere. Could a reader define a better paradise? I think not.

That is why readers of romance will love AAD, but what do I love about AAD? I love that I met Jodie (JoJo's Book Corner) after talking online for months. I love that I get to see her again in 2011 along with many other bloggers I network with. I love that I may have the opportunity to ride in an elevator with Jennifer Armintrout again. I loved being star struck by Stella, she LOOKS just like her pictures! I loved sharing ideas with authors in panels and laughing. The food was spectacular and the dessert even better. Each meal had a new surprise. The event was spectacular from start to end.

Books. I loved the books. I met so many new-to-me authors as well as some whom I had already read. Each panel starts with an introduction to the authors and their current releases, but many also gave sneak peak into future books. Inside information on how characters came about and why. I soaked it all up! But like every book lover, there can never be enough. This year I am preparing before hand by reading books by as many attending authors as I can. Passion.

I am just a normal woman, who loves romance and is not ashamed of it. I am fortunate to have attended in 2010. An enthusiastic designer with a new muse. A passionate reader who could not have found a better little hobby.

Why Ask Why

I've heard that readers are wondering why authors have chosen AAD in addition to, or even over other conferences. Now, I can't speak for everyone, but I can tell you my reasons for deciding to come to AAD this year.

Last year, one of my dearest friends, Jennifer Armintrout, said "Dude, you HAVE to go to the Authors After Dark conference with me. It's like the best thing ever. You're gonna love it."

Now, when Jen says I'm going to love something, it's either because she's lying and she wants to get me to do something terrible so she can point and laugh, or it's because she really thinks I'm going to love it. I'm happy to report, that it was the latter. She wanted me to go to AAD 2010 because it was really that awesome of a conference.

I've been to the RWA National Conference and I've also been to the to Romantic Times conference. Both of those conferences had their pros and cons. They were experiences I'm glad I had, but neither hold a candle to AAD. RWA and RT are giant conferences that can be downright overwhelming at times. It's difficult to get more than a couple minutes at most to chat with your favorite authors, the food is iffy and often the parties end up being on the generic side. Not so at Authors After Dark.

At AAD, you'll have tons of time to hang with your favorite authors as well as meet some new faves. The thing I like best about this conference format is that it's geared toward readers first and authors second. The parties are all different and the vendors are like nothing you'll find at any other romance conference - seriously - there was a tattoo artist there last year and he did amazing work! There was jewelry, bath and body products, books, graphic novels, art, and I've heard that there will be even more variety this year.

I'll be participating in the ARC party with the amazing Brynn Paulin, another one of my bestest friends - seriously, I don't know what I'd do without this woman. We'll be giving away shiny new promo to the attendees, but the biggest and best comes at the Resplendence Publishing Party. Now, in theory, it's going to be a karaoke party (the fantabulous Stella is trying to help us find the right equipment) and the really awesome part is that Brynn, Jen and I along with Mia Watts, Jessica Jarman and Gwendolyn Cease are giving away...wait for it...An iPAD 2 with WIFI!!!! And we're also giving away a ton of e-books to go with it!!!!

So I hope you'll all come and say hi at the party and at the panels or meals or really whenever. We'd love to meet you. And I promise, none of us bite. Actually, I can't be responsible for Jen or Mia, but you're safe with the rest of us.

A Little Taste of RT!

Now that I am back and settled from the RT Convention, i'm busy getting back into the groove of writing and working along with the unpacking and downloading of a gazillion pics. (although so many are blurry)

It was great to connect with some of the Authors After Dark authors and many readers and booksellers as well. I'm feeling really geared up for the Authors After Dark Convention this fall and can't wait to attend. It's going to be a lot of fun. If you haven't already I hope you will check out the website and consider this fun event. Authors After Dark Weekend.

Now that the convention dust has settled here are a few pics to enjoy.



Jacki being interviewed for the What's Hot In Romance radio show with host Cat Johnson.



The lovely Larissa Ione at the Vampire Ball on friday night.



Stella looking fantabulous in her gorgeous sari!



Me and author Cat Johnson waiting in line to get inside the Fairy Ball on Thursday night.

Somehow the super talented Bianca managed to evade my camera but she was in attendance as well. Maybe next time we can get a group photo.

I'm off to write lots and prepare for the Book Expo of America in New York City on May 28th and The Lori Foster Readers and Authors get together beginning June 5th.

Enjoy and see you next month!

Eliza