Authors After Dark Savannah 2013 Part 1

Image taken from the Authors After Dark website, designed by Robin Ludwig Design Inc.




First things first, Authors After Dark was amazing!!!!!!!!!! A lot happened in just a few days so I've decided to do a few posts to get all the information across. There are lots of pictures and lots to tell you all.
So our first day in Savannah was our own and we went on a very long walk to see as much as we could. I really wanted to visit Forsyth Park to see the beautiful sights and the fountain and it didn't disappoint. I could honestly live there!

Also that first night we attended the AAD Welcoming Ceremonies and then went to the Blind Date Book Party which was brill. Basically you entered a room one at a time and chose a wrapped book from a table, not only did you get a book you had the chance to win extra prizes. I won :D I got a lovely little note book and pen and a really pretty necklace that is just so me!



Thursday saw the start of the convention and honestly from start to finish it was just brilliant! We attended a Cherry Popping Waffle Party hosted by Torquere Press where we got some fab freebies and met some lovely people. There were panels running throughout the day to attend with your favourite authors discussing their book themes and lots of Q&A.
There was lots of swag to grab but you had to be quick, book people are crazy , in a good way ;)



We attended the Bookie Awards which was great to see the authors getting awards which had been voted for by readers. And later that night we went to the Magical Carnival Inflatables Party. Oh! My! Word! It was a total blast and we laughed so much while not only playing all the carnival games but having several go's on the large inflatable obstacle course.

Friday saw similar things with panels throughout the day but also saw the start for the YA events with readings panels from several YA authors. The first reading I attended was with Jordan, Estep, Souders and Habel. It was fab hearing the authors read their own stories, it really gave the books a different feel. I also attended the readings by Redwine, Wolfe, Miranda and Lindsey which was just as good as the first.

Friday also had the YA chocolate party which was full of games where you could win books and chocolate of course! We also went to a brilliant cowboy hour with several authors including Cat Johnson and the awesome Hildie McQueen who we just adore! And later that night it was the Vampire Dinner and Ball. It was great to see everyone dressed up and after a lovely dinner where we got yet more free books and swag we danced the night away.

Saturday was the full YA day with panels and readings throughout the day as well as readings including more giveaways. I went to some really fab panels and learnt a lot! I met some lovely authors and was really excited to get my books signed, authors are like rock stars to us readers! There was also an ice-cream party on Saturday which as you can imagine was very busy! I also went to the YA Author Promo Pa-loozza where I again got some freebies an met the fabulous Leanna Renee Hieber!

Saturday was also the night of the Elemental Masque Dinner and Ball which again saw everybody dressing up which was just brilliant! (Unfortunately I got a little ill this night and only lasted an hour but later that night felt better and the girls and I went to one of the local bars and had a brilliant night!)

The Sunday morning was the farewell breakfast and winners of the gift baskets were announced. All week you could buy tickets to try and win a gift basket and all money raised went to charity so the girls and I did our bit and on that Sunday morning all three of us won gift baskets! haha!! We already had so much stuff to bring home and the girls won really big baskets but mine was a lovely little one which was the most perfect basket for me given by author Tilly Greene which had a lovely cup and saucer, spoon, AAD t-shirt and bookish goodies.

I think I'll end part one there and in part two tell you a little more about the books, signings and all the lovely authors I met while at AAD. And of course, there'll be more pictures.