Please help me welcome urban fantasy author, Amanda Bonilla, to That’s What I’m Talking About. I had the privilege of meeting Amanda at Authors After Dark in August this year. She is here today to share her Top 5 moments from AADSAV. She’s also generously giving away one (1) e-copy of her new release Vengeance Borne. Details of the giveaway are below. It is open internationally! Take it away, Amanda…
My Top 5 Authors After Dark Moments
Thanks so much to Jen and the rest of the crew for having me as a guest today!
Until AAD Savannah, I was a conference virgin. There aren’t many events for authors in my neck of the woods and very few in the northwest at all. So I jumped at the chance to attend AAD this year and I’m so glad I did! Now I’m totally addicted and trying to figure out what organs I can part with to pay for future trips. No one needs a liver…right? 😉 And since I’m pretty sure you don’t want to read through my top 100 AAD moments, I narrowed it down to five.
The Ghost Tour
I was lucky enough to fly over with my pal, Amanda Carlson and our first night in Savannah was a busy one. Right off the plane, then to dinner, and straight to the ghost tour we braved the rain with a bunch of great ladies. Though the tour wasn’t quite spooky enough for me, we did have a few laughs and I had a great time.
Vampire Ball
The Vampire Ball was great! I loved seeing everyone’s costumes (in fact, the costumes at all of the events were impressive!) and the food was delish! I do recall someone saying they wanted to bathe in the pecan pie. I can’t remember if that was me or not. 😉 My most memorable part of the night had to be telling Kristen Painter that she looked like an ass kisser rather than ass KICKER which was what I’d meant to say. I swear, sometimes my mouth just doesn’t work right. LOL
The Book Signing
I was so nervous for the book signing. I mean, what if no one stopped by my table? What if the seller was unable to get my books? I had zero swag and I’m pretty sure Amanda Carlson brought extra sharpies to everything because she knew I’d come totally unprepared! But luckily, they did have my books and people actually stopped by my table! I signed a few t-shirts and programs, too! It was so awesome! As for the sharpie… Yeah, thanks, AC!
Panels
I was pretty nervous for the panels, too. I’m not a great public speaker and I usually turn bright red and stammer. But, lo and behold! I totally had my act together. I wasn’t that nervous after all. I felt confident about the subjects I spoke about and the other panelists were so great to interact with! All-time favorite moment on the urban fantasy panel: when I mentioned Queen Elizabeth I would make a great UF heroine. Amanda Carlson replied, that she would totally rock and throw her little hat off her head. “Isn’t she like a hundred and five years old?” AC asked. I replied, “She’s dead.” Too funny. Long live the Queen!
Hanging Out
Though the events were great, I have to say that my favorite part of the con was just hanging out with readers and the other authors. I kept thinking, These are totally my people! Usually, when I talk about industry stuff at home, people just sort of get this glazed expression and check out. But at AAD, everyone there was on board with the conversation. I really needed that week in a place that was all about fiction and I can’t wait to go back!
Have you been to a con? Which is your favorite? Do you have a favorite event or panel?
Thank you so much for stopping by today, Amanda! Readers, be sure to stop back later today when B. reviews Vengeance Borne.
GIVEAWAY:
To celebrate her new urban fantasy title, Amanda is offering one (1) digital copy of Vengeance Borne. To enter, please leave a comment at the end of today’s post answering Amanda’s questions: Have you been to a con? Which is your favorite? Do you have a favorite event or panel? Winner will be selected randomly from eligible entries. CONTEST IS OPEN INTERNATIONALLY, and the prize will be emailed by the author. Contest open from September 12, 2013 until September 18, 2013 at 11:00 PM EDT.
You can find Amanda online:
Facebook
Twitter
Website
Amazon Author Page
About the book:
Fated to Hunt…
As the local hunter, and a ward of the Sentry, a secret organization dedicated to eradicating the forces of evil, Jacquelyn has been protecting the small town of McCall, Idaho for the past five years. The hours are horrible, the pay is nonexistent, she has to work with her jealous ex-boyfriend – and forget about quitting. She’s in for life.
Destined to See…
When a rugged drifter comes through town, Jacquelyn immediately knows what he is – an Empath who can read emotions and sense what others are thinking – even though it’s clear the handsome stranger has no idea what, or how powerful, he is…
A Town in Peril…
When people in McCall start turning up dead, viciously ripped to shreds as if by a wild animal, Jacquelyn knows better. Furies are loose in Idaho and hell-bent on exacting revenge. But against whom? And for what purpose? Jacquelyn has until the full moon to stop the Furies’ killing spree and save the people of McCall, figure out how to work with her ex – oh, and there’s a handsome stranger in town who’s in desperate need of some schooling…
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Fated to Hunt…
I haven’t been to a conference in years, and that was held by my employer at the time. I’m a fantasy reader not an author and have never been to any kind of writing conference/convention ;o)
(Not entering giveaway since I read the book already)
I went to AAD this year and last year and RT back in May of this year. I liked both conferences. AAD is smaller and you get to spend more time with authors than RT and it’s mostly UF/PNR authors so that’s great since those are the two main genres I read.
I liked RT because there were bigger named authors there that don’t go to the smaller cons.
If I have the money to go I’d like to go to both cons again in the future.
[…] Giveaway: Amanda Bonilla is offering a chance to win an ebook copy of Vengeance Borne. Stop by her guest post from early today HERE. […]
I was suppose to go to AADSAV, but my mom died. I’m hoping to go next year.
I’ve never been to an author/reader/book convention before, but it sounds fun and exciting.
I haven’t been to any cons but I so want to. They just happen conflict with other engagements or are just too far away. I think they are wonderful events though and hope I can manage to get to one in the future!
Sadly I have not been to a Con or any type of book convention YET. The closest I have been was arriving in San Diego the last day of the huge San Diego Comicon and saying directly across the street. It was really fun seeing everyone dressed up and my daughter got her picture taken with several of the poeple dressed up at the booths! The lines were outragesly long.
I do believe BOTH Amanda’s wanted to bathe in pecan pie. Oh and who can forget the AMAZING cornbread! YUM!! Good times! 🙂
I’m not participating in the giveaway.
I went last year to AAD and had a blast. Now I’m trying to see if I can make it to RT next year, we’ll see.
My favorite part was meeting some of my favorite authors and bloggers/twitter friends.
I hope one day to meet Amanda.
I have never been to a con but I do enjoy reading posts about the recaps. They do look like a lot of fun.
[…] you all for stopping by to hear about Amanda Bonilla’s fun from Authors After Dark 2013. And thank you to Amanda for offering a digital copy of her latest release, Vengeance […]