MidSouthCon wrap up

Whew, yeah I know MidSouthCon was over a week ago, but what can I say? Work has been nuts. Between my new job, moving (and all that entails), finishing up a bunch of writing projects (while others stare at me waiting to to be started/completed), and of course, I, like an idiot ran two races last weekend (in my defense they were FUN! Though my legs are killing me now).

If you want a full report on the races you can read my awesome husband’s running blog.

Also I started a Pinterest account, so feel free to add me there.

And if you’re on 365project.org, I’ve got a project there too (yes I know I’m behind – I’ll be catching up shortly).

But I’m assuming you didn’t come here for a running report, social media updates, or a list of HOW BUSY I AM (woe is me, *single tear*), and so I give you…

MIDSOUTHCON!, a wrap up.

I’d never been to MidSouthCon before AND as far as I knew going into it, my only friend was Mike Stackpole – but that was OK. I like Mike. 🙂 Lucky me though, turns out there were loads of people from other southern conventions that I’ve seen around (I’m looking at YOU Ink Monkey press, Geek Media Expo, and John G. Hartness), AND I made several new friends (hello John Jackson Miller, Joe Corroney, and Nicki and Lin Workman). Oh, and met a long time online friend, Jedi Trace, for the FIRST TIME EVER! 😀

Me & the GMX crew – I love these guys! If you’ve never been to Geek Media Expo, GO!

So, on the whole, a super fun weekend. And that’s without mentioning the BBQ!

My flight to Memphis was delayed an hour, and by the time I touched down, got my luggage, rental car & raced to the convention, I had 10 minutes to spare before my first event/panel. When I arrived MidSouthCon the staff were super helpful/efficient, got me my badge and took me to my first event… which happened to be a “street corner” reading. 0_0

Yes, it’s just what it sounds like – me with a microphone, and the open convention hall around me while attendees milled about.

I was terrified.

I can speak in front of a crowd no problem, but ask me to perform (sing, play my guitar, do a costume contest, or read my writing) and I immediately want to throw up.

I wanted to high tail it out of there so bad, and then these two young gentlemen sat down, and I couldn’t leave, so I read a short story while a few more people filtered in (hi Mandi!) and it was not all that bad!

I spent the rest of the evening socializing with old friends & making new ones – yes I was fingerling quite a bit over John Jackson Miller and Joe Corroney (thanks for the introductions Mike). I’ll always be a Star Wars girl at heart.

I will forever treasure my Joe Corroney original iPhone art.

Then I checked into my hotel & as much as I travel Marriott decided to give me a free room upgrade… INTO THE PENTHOUSE! HOLY CRAP! You guys… MY ROOM HAD TWO STORIES! As I texted to my BFF, “I can only sleep in one bedroom at once! I can only use one bathroom at once! I don’t need a full kitchen!” She replied with “First world problems… ;)”

I had the joy of my awesome Editor & friend Kelli Neier spending the night (Happy 30th birthday Kelli!) and then we went for a celebratory run through downtown Memphis the next morning. It was AWESOME! I maintain you can NEVER truly see a city until you run through it. And yes, “Walking in Memphis” was definitely stuck in my head after this run. 😉

Following our super fun run I linked up with Mike & some friends of his, Chris & Arwen. We went to Corky’s (no trip to Memphis is right without going there), and ate. And ate. And Ate. Man, now I’m getting hungry!

After lunch it was off to the convention where I linked back up with Kelli and Family… the most adorable 11, Amy, Rory family unit EVER!

He even let me wear his Fez..

One of the biggest events of the day WAS MEETING JEDI TRACE! Finally! After years and years of online friendship we FINALLY met face to face, and she was JUST as wonderful as I knew she’d be (so was her hubby).

Oh, and can I just say the Memphis FanForce rocks? I didn’t have a table at MidSouthCon so they graciously let me set up on theirs. Of course the entire time I was thinking “OH MY GOSH MY BOOK IS RIGHT NEXT TO JOHN JACKSON MILLER’S!!!”

John was fantastic & he spoiled me. Here he gifted me with the Iron Man series he penned because it all took place at my current office building (I just started working on Capitol Hill).

And here’s Jedi Trace getting her comics signed by John. If anything she’s a bigger fangirl than me (I know – hard to do!).

Why hello again Mandi! So glad you liked my book – I look forward to reading yours. 🙂

EXTERMINATE ALL DOCTOR BALLOONS

Dear future conventions – this what happens when you put me on an 11pm panel… I still go, but I have trouble staying awake. Though by all accounts the next morning I was quite humorous on the panel and had much to say despite my exhausted half-awake state. I can only imagine…

Speaking of panels, I was on many wonderful/fun ones with so many great fellow panelists. All so talented! You should check them out: Debra Parmley, Peggy Dekay, Roland Mann, A. Christopher Drown, Ethan Nahté, Jason Cordova (thanks for the AWESOME twitter tips!), Kara Ferguson, Stephen Zimmer. (I really REALLY hope I didn’t miss anyone… if I did, LMK!)

While prowling the dealer’s room I did see Mike hidden away. 😉

I did manage to bring home one shiny item from the dealer’s room. It’s from 1892. Doesn’t currently work, but we’ll see what we can do to fix that.

The littlest green lantern

Then it was time to head home. 🙁

But not before I got more BBQ!

And, that was it. On the whole MidSouthCon was a LOT of fun, and I learned so very much & made a lot of great new friends and connections. 🙂

Many Cheddar Bunnies were sacrificed to bring you this post.

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Lastly, need a copy of my books? As it happens you can buy them here.

Also, there are two new reviews about War of the Seasons, book one: The Human (one from a guy!) here and here.