Authors After Dark 2013 Sheep Style! (part 1) + prize pack #1

This is the first of 3 post going up today about AAD. Each post has a different prize pack giveaway so make sure you visit them all. 

*You only have to comment on one post to get those extra points

AAD part #1

AAD part #2

AAD part #3

Was AAD 2013 worth the money and 5 1/2 hour drive?

Authors After Dark 2013 in Savannah, GA was my first reader/author convention. Compared to the multi-media cons I go to, AAD was a relaxed atmosphere for the readers. Relaxed doesn't mean not a lot to do because there were things to keep you busy from the time you got up till the time you went to bed. I liked the way the events and panels were scheduled. And OMG! the books and swag the featured authors gave out! The time and money the authors put into making this event rock for the readers was incredible and I truly appreciate every one that participated (list of featured authors)

The great thing about this con was the accessibility of all the authors. You could grab them before or after panels, at all planned events like lunches, themed dinners or parties and even down in the main atrium where the bar was. Lots of authors were kind enough to invited large groups of fans to go out and eat diner or lunch with them.

Having Mary Janice Davidson as the Master of Ceremonies was genius. That lady is a freaking hoot! If you ever get a chance to attend a panel with her on it GO! You will laugh your ass off. 

The Riverfront Marriott was a great choice. My bed was so comfortable and the staff was for the most part pleasant. The location couldn't have been better. You just walk out the back door and head down the Riverwalk where there were tons of stores and restaurants. 

There was a strong indie press and self-pub author presence with a a slant towards erotica and GLBT. 

And remember, AAD 2014 is in Charlotte, NC next year! Registration starts Sept 10. Here is the link to the website if you are interested in going.

The drive to Savannah (Wed)

I rented a car for the drive. Baaart wanted to stop at South of the Border at the NC/SC line, but I told him it was a tourist trap and we would stop at the SC welcome center.

At the SC welcome center I sat in the lobby and checked email. Baaart went out to do his business and I caught him trying to call Katie collect!

The Hotel- Riverfront Marriott

this was the lobby looking out at the Savannah River

On Sat. Baaart and I walk along the River Front to by some souvenirs and enjoy the sites. 

This freaked Baaart out a little bit

This was our room who I shared with the lovely Lisa Guertin. Baaart brought his favorite pillow

This is lovely Lisa! In her water costume for the Elemental Ball. She made this from a the pattern I sent her that I found online.

Rednecks and Romance Welcome Event and

The Welcome Ceremony (Wed)

first we had small welcome event where we got swag, books and redneck wine glasses. Made from a candle stick and a mason jar.

At the big Welcome gathering Stella Price, one of the masterminds behind AAD, welcomed us and then MJ said a few hilarious words

It was a packed house and check out what was waiting for everyone at their seats! More Swag and books! That red bag is FULL of swag!

 Baaart was just wanted to chill after the long drive.

*then it was off to sleep while visions of authors danced in my head*

Thursday was our first full day with panels and fun!

We (by we, I mean me and Baaart and sometimes lovely Lisa) went to the Cherry Popping Waffle Party breakfast with Torquere Press

then it was off to the panels!

Self-pub panel with (left-right)

Melissa Schroeder, Kallypso Masters, Eliza Gayle, Kendall Grey, Sahara Kelly, Jenn LeBlanc, Cat Johnson

they talked about everything from marketing to street teams to $.99 books.

Kendall (her book Inhale is free for kindle and it looks fantastic!) and Sahara. Cat had this next to her and made it hard to concentrate.

Eliza writes naughty books with titles like Roped, Displayed, Whipped and Burned! 

Urban Fantasy Panel (left to right)

Dianna Love,Seressia Glass, Jennifer Estep, Kristen Painter, Amanda Carlson and Amanda Bonilla

these women were a hoot and talked about my favorite subject. Kristen Painter kept the room in stitches.

Blogger meet and greet

 It was cool to meet the girls I have been talking with online. Special shout out to Jackie from Literary Escapism, Annie Slasher from Booked and Loaded and Steph from Fangs, Wands and Fairy Dust. I found out I was the oldest reviewer there! Not sure what that says about me...

There were the Bookie Awards! There were a lot of them and Joey Hill won a lot <G> No pics, which sucks cause everyone dressed so nice :)

The Magical Carnival  Inflatables Party

(and NO they didn't have 'those' kind of inflatables!) Some people went to the Riverboat Ride and the rest of us... played and won books and swag! I also got a golden sword which might or might not be made of plastic...

Rita Sawyer ran the balloon pop and Tes Hilaire did sparkle tattoos! I got a howling wolf (duh!)

Shhh... pretend you don't see the pink unicorn in the room

Virna DePaul sponsored the bean bag toss, but CJ Ellison (her room was party central each night by the way) was running the "Ring" toss... things that make you go hmmmm.

Hanna Martine ran the roulette wheel and I won her book A Taste of Ice with a sexy cover.  There was a table for party hats. Baaart picked mine out you can see it below.

 The lovely Julia Talbot and BA Tortuga did face painting. Yes, I did get a sheep! (duh!)

 Sydney Ayers ran the cotton candy table

*day one was over so I got all safe and snug in my bed while visions of man-titty danced in my head*

GIVEAWAY
Prize Pack #1 PNR/UF giveaway
one winner will get a crap load of stuff
(US only because of cost)
*there is a separate rafflecopter for INT only entries for some AAD swag

here is everything including the big purple bag! You can fit a small child in it.

close up of the books. The Vampire Bites is a sampler of the 12 authors that sponsored the Vampire Ball

close up of swag from two different angles. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway