Remembering................
9/11
9/11
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I hope each and everyone of us will take the time to remember and most of all to thank not only our Veterans but those currently serving. God Bless! 
These are just some random pictures taken in Savannah. The last four are from our dinner out with our guys. We went to the Pirate House. We walked from the hotel which was pretty close but then the monsoon hit and we ended up taking a cab back. The dinner was fabulous. It was probably one of the best dinners I've ever eaten in a restaurant. The pictures below are some more from the panels and events. (special Thanks to my sister-in-law, Martha, for sharing her pictures) Admittedly, I don't have any experience on conventions as this was my first one. It won't be my last. Any time Authors After Dark has a convention I can get to, I will attend. The whole experience was fantastic. It was well organized, the authors were great and I the attendees even more so.
I learned what to pack and what not. Always bring a sharpie and have it on you at all times for signings. Some of the authors brought their own. Authors are people too and enjoy the interaction. They work hard to provide us with good quality books and they work hard to entertain us on the panels. If you get the chance to attend an Authors After Dark (AAD) convention, DON'T PASS IT UP. Registration for AAD - Charlotte begins on the 10th of September. It is worth the money and the time. I'll be anxiously waiting to register. I can't say enough great things about Stella Price and her staff. Wow! Unbelievable. Friendly, efficient and calm. The hotel Stella picked was top-notch. The venue fabulous. She is one hard working lady. She is also heading The Novel Experience Event in Atlanta in March 2014. While it doesn't look good for me to attend, I'm still trying to figure out a way. It is a huge book signing and party event. You should check it out! WOW, just WOW. Back home safely from my first ever book convention. My thoughts - pick a convention that sounds interesting to you and find a way to attend!! I absolutely hate reading extra long blog posts, so I'm going to post about my thoughts on Author's After Dark (AAD) in parts. I had signed up for AAD 2013 - Savannah over a year ago. Somehow or other I stumbled across their site right before their 2012 convention in New Orleans. I wanted to attend that one so badly but by the time I found out about it, it was full. Once registration opened (usually in September of the year before the next convention), my sister-in-law and I took the plunge. We even talked our husbands into taking time off and driving us the 10 plus hours to get there. I wasn't familiar with the names of many of the featured authors and there numerous ones I hadn't read. But, and this is key, be open minded. I went to panels to hear certain authors speak and behold, the ones I didn't know made a huge impression. Enough that my TBR pile is growing to unbelievable numbers. First off, kudos to Stella Price, the convention director and her staff. The hotel she picked, Riverfront Marriot, was sensational. It was right on the Savannah River. As a matter of fact, the back patio, was ON the river, separated by a railing to lean on and watch all the ships and boats. The first morning there, we even got pictures of a dolphin. 
Checking in was a breeze and the hotel staff was great. We let "the boys" unload the vehicles while my sister-in-law, Martha, and I went to check in with the convention staff. This is where the staff was amazing. They had everything laid out and were ready to help in anyway. Sometimes I wondered if they ever slept. They also made themselves easily identifyable by wearing things that said, "Staff". I don't know how many times I asked them questions (that they probably heard 100 times or more a day) and they were always helpful, personable, patient and NICE.
A personal highlight of the Welcome Event Wednesday evening, my name was drawn for the Free Registration for next year's convention in Charlotte. Needless to say, I was speechless and very happy. More to come................. Good Morning everyone. Currently sitting in a hotel in Montgomery, Alabama on my way to my very first book convention, Authors After Dark 2013 in Savannah, Georgia.
We have about 6 hours of traveling to do today. Time to get up and moving around. Have a great day!! |
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August 2017
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2017 Reading Challenge
Dolly has
read 0 books toward
her goal of
117 books.
my currently-reading shelf:
 
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