If you think the first night sounded a bit tame, I found this video after publishing my recap:
Day 2: Book Signing and Seduction and Snacks Evening
The extreme tiredness has turned into hungover, overtired brain collapse. After Scandal fell asleep around 4?? I realized I hadn’t been online all day. As she softly slept next to me, I was too nervous to sleep. I finally passed out at 4:30 only to wake up at 8 to CC and Scandal blowing their hair in the middle of my room with the bathroom in the middle. Of course I got right up (OK, I kind of crawled) because everyone was up and I hated the idea of missing anything.
T minus 3 hours till the signing.
Exhausted and hungover, with a line for the keurig, my brain would not wake up. I am NOT a morning person. Like not at ALL. I’m also not a drinker. But I think Abbie “don’t be a dick” roofied my grape kool-aide. She really didn’t like my warning…
So not only did my brain need to wake up, we had 100 bags of swag, boxes and boxes of books, t-shirts, and decorations to load up. We are on the 5th floor, trying to get ready and get shit brought down. These fucking swag bags about killed me. I worried about them all night the night before, and now had no clue how to get them to the restaurant. They filled up the entire floor of our room and the gigantic bathtub/pool.
Right before heading out:
Tara groping me
After following crazy Shannon in her big “get outta my way” truck, we finally arrived at the signing about 45 minutes later than we planned. I had never seen the restaurant, and it was nothing at all like my brain imagined. It was WAY smaller. And I had no clue that the authors had so much stuff! There were already people there, nobody knew what to do or where to go….but with the help of some really awesome women, especially Scandal, Kim, Squirting Suzy, and the rest of my roomies, there started being some order to the chaos. I got the authors set up at the bar and a table or two, and they set up shop. Props to Raine Miller who had a really gorgeous display set up!
The Lunch
For some reason, it didn’t occur to me that a room full of women would be REALLY loud. I didn’t think to bring a PA or a bullhorn, so my Q & A was shot. So basically, I just opened it up for shmoozing.
We sold additional raffles at the door, and there was a ton of swag to raffle off, that the authors were so so generous to offer! So throughout the lunch I had to use my very un-ladylike, reserved for rock concerts only whistle, and SCREAM raffle numbers non-stop instead of enjoy the signing. I still have no voice today. But in the end, it turned out to be everything I wanted it to be. I wanted it to be casual and social, not line-up and sign, and it totally was. It seemed like everyone walked away happy.
My brain was asleep, and I had Tara and Buffy’s perversions floating through my head, so of course I had to use the word ‘Vagina’ several times, because you just can’t be around Tara without her personality (that of an 8 year old pervert) rubbing off on you (yes, I know I said rubbing off…quit giggling).
Four servers called in sick that day, so there were two servers for about 120 people. Luckily it seemed everyone was rather forgiving about it because they had extra time to shmooze and sign. My husband’s company made some beautiful books with a page for each author and it was really fun making sure authors signed each page.
The authors were great. I finally got to meet Jasinda Wilder (See my review for Wounded). I had seen her at the elevator the night before with her 5 kids (yes 5), and she sent her adorable husband with swag the night before, but I got to meet Jasinda (and her underwear) better at the event, and I loved her! Tara Sivec signed my boob, Luke Young/Ian Dalton gave away a clone of his penis or something like that, and Sarah Ross was a sweetheart to everyone. We got to meet the amazing writing team C.A. Kunz. A mother/son team, I totally wish they had a chance to hang out at more of the events, because they were awesome. Loved them! Raine Miller, RK Lilley and Katie Ashley were overwhelmed with fans and were so gracious and wonderful to all of them that I heard compliments non-stop. Rachael Wade enjoyed the beautiful Florida day on the patio, quietly visiting with her fans. Tiffany King is such a cute little sprite, I’m not even sure where she was. The three YA/NA authors Colleen Hoover, Abbi Glines and Katja Millay were at the front table enjoying each other’s company, unfortunately I barely got a chance to meet them in the chaos. CC Wood tried to hide out at our table because she didn’t have print books yet, but her personality alone and her awesome door hangers were a hit!
All in all, despite a few mishaps, I would say the day was a complete success….but the real fun was yet to begin…stay tuned for the next post about Saturday’s party bus for Seduction and Snacks night, coming soon……
PS-thanks Ricki, for taking over screaming out raffle numbers when my voice gave out!
In the meantime, I will give away another load of swag with this post!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Even though I was beyond fortunate to spend time with all of these authors this past weekend (and had a mighty fine time doing it), there is one author I still want to meet. The original Rock Chick herself, Kristen Ashley!!!
me too!
She’s going to be at Book Bash! So excited!
I know! I’ll be in her line!!
I’m not sure if I could pick just one author. Going to an event like “Wicked Weekend”, would be so amaze balls!
I would LOVE to meet Darynda Jones! I’ve chatted with her through FB and email, but to meet her in person would be awesome! I’m soooo jealous of all the fun you had!
I had the best time. I was beyond thrilled with the incredible line up of authors, I was definitely tongue tied and starstruck……..I would love to meet Olivia Cunning
me too!
Ummm…Tara Sivec, I mean who wouldn’t???????
My mom and sister got to go and I am so jealous! I was invited but my kids had a dance competition(damn them!) I really, really, really wanted to meet Tara Sivec along with some of the others like Colleen Hoover and Jasinda Wilder. Hopefully you guys do something like this again.(fingers crossed)
Plans are already being made!
I would love to have been a fly on the wall to witness all the craziness! I dont think you can put tame and tara sivec in the same sentence lol
You can’t, not even when she sleeps….
You’re awesome! You really did a great job pulling everything together, Ana! 4 months til Book Bash and many more memories in the making. xo
Thanks! I can’t wait!
Looks like you had the time of your life! What fun to be with those amazing women!
They were awesome.
makes my daughter’s college parties look tame! lol
I joked Saturday morning that our room looked like a fraternity party during Homecoming!
You guys did a Great job
Thanks! xo
Yay! Squirting Suzy got a shout out!!! Great re-cap…does your voice still make you sound like a crack whore?
Yes, yes it does.
Ana you did an amazing job at organizing this wonderful and crazy event. I went with my daughters Karinna and Yari, and 2 of the friends. And we had the best time ever. Can’t wait for next year “party cruise” .
I’m re-thinking the cruise, but a hotel on the beach is an option.
Erica Chilson!!! I would LOVE LOVE LOVE did I say LOVE? to meet her! I got to meet two of my favorite authors over the weekend and Thank you Ana for making that happen. I had the time of my life (Now the song is in my head) I <3 Jasinda Wilder and Tara!
Me too–they are awesome. I haven’t read Erica yet.
Even though I would love to meet so many of these amazing authors, I would have to choose JR Ward….I LOVE her!!!! Kristen Ashley would be a close second and Tara Sivec right behind….
Great taste in authors!
Kristen Ashley or Tara Sivec
I can’t wait to meet Kristen. We had cashews in her honor.
Every Rock Chick knows you can’t throw a good party without cashews, and dam I we didn’t throw a hell of a great party!!!
Emily Snow Emily Snow Emily Snow!!! I may have to “drug” her at BookBash! hahahaha
just don’t be a dick about it.
looks like you had a great time! Can’t wait for the next part
its up! Check it out!
Sounds like it was a blast! I’m sorry I missed it !! I would love to meet any/all of the authors that were there ! I have to many favorites to say which I would love to meet most !
I would love to meet Tiffany Reisz and know she is up for meeting people if you are near her in KY!!
Would have loved to meet Tara Sivic and Colleen Hoover, two of my favs but the list is too long to include them all!
I would love to meet Tara in person. I have talked to her a few times online but I know it’s nothing compared to seeing someone face to face. Also Jeaniene Frost and Lori Foster
Thanks for the giveaway and the hilarious recaps
I have met a few great authors over the past 2 years and in a couple of months I will meet some more, but one that pops into my mind that i would love to meet is Stephanie Nelson.
I would LOVE to meet Colleen Hoover! I really want to go to Book Bash so that I can meet her and get my books signed
If you go, I’m having an after party!
I did not get to attend this year but next year I will not miss out!
I would love to meet Tara Sivic, only because she just seems like such a trip and her books crack me up. It sounds like you guys had an awesmoe time this weekend. Thank you for sharing all your pics and videos, omg hysterical!
I would have loved to see you all! I’m really hoping for a signing close to me this summer. Enjoyed your posts pictures and hilarious stories!
Sounds like an amazing time! Wish I could’ve been there. Will be meeting Tara in April in Columbus!
Looks like a lot of fun!!If only it was in NorCal!!
I couldn’t pick only one. Definitely Colleen Hoover, Katja Millay, and Tara Sivec. It looked liked everyone had a blast at the signing event in FL. I wish something like that would be planned in MD.
Alice Clayton and Tara are the authors I would love to meet!
I’d love to meet Alice!
Would love to meet Tara Sivec of course and Colleen Hoover.
Rebecca Donovan and Colleen Hoover!
There are so many authors I’d love to meet. I don’t know that I could put one at the top of the list. Maybe Cj Roberts or S.C. Stephens…and pretty much every author listed in all the comments above mine, lol.
Tara Sivec
It looked like you all had a blast… I love to meet just one of those wonderful authors… Thinkin I should be taking trips to FL more often lol.
I had the chance to meet some awesome authors in Chicago 2012.
I would love to meet Kristen Ashley.
Oh gosh..there’s so many. I’ll list a few though–Kristen Ashley, Tara Sivec, Colleen Hoover, Katja Millay, Jessica Sorensen, J.A. Redmerski, EL James, and of course JK Rowling! <3
I would love to meet Jessica Redmerski!! The Edge of Never is one of my favorites
Tara Sivec, Colleen Hoover, J.A. Redmerski and so many others
Kristen Ashley, Colleen Hoover, Tara Sivec, Tina Reber, and Olivia Cunning are my top 5…I can’t narrow it down any more than that!
I would LOVE to meet Jamie McGuire!!! I also wld really like to meet Tara Sivec, K.A. Linde, and S .C. Stephens,
There are so many incredible authors!
I would love to meet Debra Anastasia, author of Poughkeepsie! Absolutely loved the book and she is funny on FB!
Child me would still love to meet J.K Rowling
I would love to meet Kristen Ashley and Cherise Sinclair.
I would love to meet Colleen and after reading these posts Tara is a must!!! I’d probably pee my pants from laughing lol
I sure wish I could have made that 2 hr. drive to Orlando; but I had prior commitments. Trust me, I’m blocking off next years as soon as the dates are out. I cannot pick just one author that I would have liked to meet. I have been lead to so many authors that are new to me because of book review sites/blogs like yours. I truly appreciate everything you do! TY
I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to meet Kristen Ashley and Cherri Lynn…….
I would love to meet Jill Shalvis, Kristan Higgins, and Jenny Lawson
I think all the authors that attended would be fun to meet. Though Tara seems like a hoot to be around.
There are many authors that I would love to meet. I would probably either go all fan girl, squeeling, and OMGing…either that or just go all shy and not be able to say anything
Tara Sivec!! I laughed so much just reading these posts!!