Wow, what an overwhelming, fun, amazing, and exciting weekend!!! There is nothing like meeting friends you have only chatted with online. Or getting together with other women who totally get why you can’t go out because you’d rather read your book, or meeting and actually hanging out with your idols who wrote your favorite book. Well it all happens at book signings, and Book Bash in Orlando is the biggest one!
My first book signing was my own, Wicked Book Weekend, Feb 2013. 14 Amazing authors (including Colleen Hoover, Abbi Glines, Tara Sivec, RK Lilley, Jasinda Wilder, Katie Ashley, Raine Miller and more) ate lunch at Houlahans with about 125 people, and we spent the weekend, including a bus ride (with Jell-o) to an adult toy store.
So imagine my surprise when the next event I went to was last year’s Book Bash–over 1,000 book lovers! It was crazy, and so much fun to meet up with all of my Wicked Book friends again! Since they didn’t have an after party planned until the event was almost upon us, I hosted an after party with 32 incredible authors who we got to dance with and hang out with all night!
Then this year’s Wicked Book Weekend in Ft. Lauderdale was 50 authors and 300 people and we all got to meet each other, really spend time together, and make amazing new friends. I had the best volunteers, and I couldn’t wait to see them all again at Book Bash!
Which brings us to Book Bash 2014.
FRIDAY:
I pull up to the hotel, and run in and immediately start screaming and hugging people. My original Wicked girls were in the lobby! Yay! Then, here is the thing about book events….you see all of these faces that look vaguely familiar. Are they authors? Are they fans of my blog? Were they at one of my events? Are we Facebook friends? I am the absolute WORST with names and faces, so between that, and the fact that nobody looks like their Facebook photos, I kind of wanted to crawl in a little hole, especially when I got a few hugs from people I couldn’t place!
**Note: Tara Sivec couldn’t be there, but she was with me in spirit, along with Megan!
Then Scheva, (my roomie) and I went to dinner with the Bookslapped girls, a pickle girl, a squirter, a rocker, the love of my life (Joanne), a few awesome women, plus RK Lilley and Mr. Beautiful, and Katie Ashley and her model Assad. OMG!!! Dinner with authors! ME!!!! Though they have been guests at all 3 of my events, I am still totally a fangirl when I am near them!
Left to right: RK Lilley, Mr. Beautiful, Katie Ashley, Assad Shalhoub
I got licked by one of my favorite people ever!
Back to the hotel for the pre-registration, we kind of missed most of it. But I got there in time for this!
Kylie Scott! OMG!
Then we get to the lobby and there is a line to meet THE Kristen Ashley. Gracious as always, her food sat there and got cold while she took photos and chatted with her fans.
Kristen Ashley asked for my phone number to talk about Wicked Book Weekend!
OMG, she has my phone number!!!! DYING HERE!!!!
Tessa Bailey and her great cleavage holding Tara and Megan.
Apparently RK Lilley and I rode Kim Jones while someone did push-ups!
BEST SWAG EVER. The buttons say “My other button is a clitoris”! And check out Scheva’s Ana’s Attic shirt!
SATURDAY, The big day!
People started lining up at 8am. Not me, I was happily asleep! I came down before noon and hung out in the lobby with some lovely fellow readers until they started letting everyone in. HOLY SHIT. IT WAS A MOB!!!!!! The volunteers were working their asses off, and despite 1500+ readers (I’m sure we had some PMSing) everyone was just happy to be there! There was lots of waiting online, but that was OK because we were with others who loved the same thing we did!
Top row l-r: Jenn Foor, K. Bromberg, Kathryn Perez, Trudy Stiles, Natasha Boyd, Kristen Ashley.
Middle: Maggi Myers, Renée Carlino, Debra Anastasia, Dawn Roberson, Kylie Scott, Joanna Wylde
Bottom: Emma Chase (An hour line!), Sylvia Day, Kallypso Masters, Alice Clayton (HUGE line), Kim Karr, Laura Kaye
Out of 81 authors I only went to these plus Harper Sloan (forgot to take a photo–it was my first stop), Tina Reber (oops, forgot again) and Jamie Mcguire (no time for photos) and Jasinda Wilder (I snuck behind her table for a kiss).
There were so many I wanted to meet, but there was just no way to do it in 4 hours! Just Alice and Emma alone were 2 hours.
After a bloggers meet and greet (um, interesting?), and quick trip to Friday’s for dinner, where thank goodness, I took a few swigs from Dawn Robertson’s bottle of Fireball, I was ready for round 2: The After Party.
All I remember was there was a LOT of boob squeezing! I think I felt more boobs Saturday night than I’ve felt in my life. Mine included!
I love squeezing boobs that have an Ana’s Attic shirt!
SUNDAY:
Sunday at around noon, I met with Kristen Ashley to chat about Wicked Book Weekend 2015. (Nervous wreck!!!) then we went out to lunch with a great group of authors and readers. Penny Reid (I have a girl crush on her), JL Berg (OMG I love her books), Dawn Robertson and her my little pony obsession, Rochelle Paige (love her) and Carey Heywood (who thought I hated her!!! 🙁 )
Then, at lunch I got a text from Kristen Ashley’s lovely sister. YES to Wicked Book Weekend!!!
I TOTALLY CRIED.
Then we went to Margaritaville for dinner.
Then dancing with RK Lilley and her husband (did I tell you how much I love them?), JL Berg and Carey Heywood who can dance their asses off, as well as Joanne and Shannon (Wicked whores) and some awesome readers.
This happened:
By the time I got back to the room, it was 3:45am and my roommates had to get up at 4 for their flight, so I stayed up with them till 5. Then slept till the maid knocked at 8:30. DON’T THEY KNOW BETTER??????
MONDAY:
My friend Shannon and I had a lovely lunch with 4 authors! Kathryn Perez, Sarah Dosher, JL Berg and Carey Heywood. Seriously. Lunch with 4 amazing authors. STILL DYING.
35 Things I learned at Book Bash 2014
- Book lovers are a bit crazy, but totally awesome.
- You will never find a broken book necklace
- Watch out if you bring sex toys in your carry on. (I didn’t fly, but my roomie did.)
- Pretending you don’t hear a fire alarm is a good thing.
- Sitting 10 feet away from a lightning strike is pretty cool.
- It’s not possible to see 80 authors in 4 hours.
- Coffee cups are very discreet.
- Pizza is always better at 2:30 in the morning when bought by Mr. Beautiful.
- RK Lilley is my hero. Always happy, awake, dancing, down to earth and awesome with her hubby, I love them.
- Kristen Ashley: pure class. I knew this already but she reinforced it. She and her sister have great genes.
- I enjoy rubbing against Harper Sloan. A. LOT.
- I will always see Dawn Robertson in a state of undress.
- My other button is a clitoris.
- Bellhops can also be creepy stalkers (we have a Tara Sivec stalker…he knew she was at a wedding!)
- There was room for 25 smuffins in Scheva’s pants. And they stayed there all weekend. Seriously Scheva is so giving, she ran around all day for all the people who couldn’t go.
- The volunteers at Book Bash were amazing.
- The organizers of Book Bash may be crazy. This event is just huge and there is no way they make money from it. But they work their asses off for a great event.
- It’s amazing being in a room with 1500 overwhelmed women and everyone is nice. We all love the same thing!
- If you want to get a lot signed, work with friends and split up. If you want to meet a lot of authors, lower your expectations a little.
- Tara Sivec and Megan Wickland like to be in my bra, amongst other places.
- Penny Reid. Seriously. I think I want to lick her.
- JL Berg, Carey Heywood and RK Lilley can dance all night.
- You can surf on a moving sidewalk.
- Blow-up dolls may not be appropriate when there is a youth ministry in the hotel.
- Lori Stern. Queen of volunteers (I knew this already).
- Women lose all self control around male models.
- Still being awake when people are just waking up to go to the airport is interesting…until the maid knocks at 8:30am.
- Boobs come in all shapes and sizes. I know now because I squeezed a ton!
- Authors are people too, but I still can’t get over actually hanging out with them.
- Take more pictures, and never depend on others to send the ones they took!
- I will trust Megan with my blog any time.
- I love Joanne Christenson more every day.
- I miss Mr. Ana when I’m away.
- There is nothing better than seeing all of my book buddies in the flesh!
- Wicked Book Weekend 2015 will be epic!
So yes, I’ve name dropped! I am seriously so fangirling that I actually got to sit and eat meals and dance and grab boobs with these people, that the signing part was just gravy.
Honestly though, the best part of the whole weekend? Seeing the friends you have made, making new friends and having fun with people who you can totally relate to. We all have one thing in common: WE LOVE TO READ!!!!
Can’t wait for Wicked Book Weekend!
I didn’t end up getting too much swag, and the tablet cases I brought look pretty empty with so few signatures, so I am going to save those and get more. So I am going to combine swag from Wicked Book Weekend and Book Bash for 2 nice big swag packs. US only. You will get a tote, tablet stand, TBR list, and lots of little goodies from authors, signed and unsigned.
Ana Jaen says
Looks like fun. I want to meet Kristen Ashley
Cassie says
Can I meet them all?
Carrie J says
Karina Halle! I think she would be fun and I love her work.
Yesenia says
There are so many I want to meet. Right now on the top of the list is Mia Sheridan and Molly McAdams.
Beth Wharton says
I am jealous and making a promise to myself that I will I will attend one of these parties soon!!
Nicole Newman says
I am supper jealous! Unless a big book signing event comes to the Denver metro area I will never get to experience this. I will pick one auther I want to meet but know that it makes me feel like I am cheating on all of my p ther favorite authors. AL Jackson is definitely on my wish list. I love all of her books and she is so charming and always thoughtful and kind to her fans. My dream is to be able to go to one of these big book events before I die. Thank you for sharing with us and for this Awesome Giveaway.
Kim Perry says
I would love to meet Raine Miller, Kristen Proby, Lisa Renee Jones, Cassia Leo, and RK Lilley!
Brandy Gibson says
I couldn’t decide on one or even ten because there are so many I would love to meet.
Shannon says
Kristen Ashley and AL Jackson! THANK YOU! 🙂
Karen G. says
I would love to meet Jill Shalvis and if Kristan Higgins dropped by that would be double the fun! =D
Rayanna says
Had a blast! It was great seeing you again! Can’t wait for WBW 2015!!!!
Kathy O says
Love to meet all of them, but if I only one if would be Trudy Stiles. Thank you for the chance on this giveaway.
Becky says
Harper Sloan!! Maybe one if these days lol
Meghan says
I’m so jealous! You look like you had so much fun – and you got to meet Kristen Ashley, my favorite!!!!
Tracie G says
I met so many amazing authors at book bash this year, but I would still love to meet; Tara Sivec, Tarryn Fisher, Teresa Mymmert, JA Remerski, S.C. Stephens, Pepper Winters & Gail McHugh to name a few!!!
Joanne Christenson says
I love you so much. I was so scared to meet R.K Lilley….even though I’d met her several times …I had a blast ganging with them and eating pizza until 3:45 am. ..they are the absolute best. You are the love of my life….cannot wait until WBW
Joanne Christenson says
Pay no mind to this one….I fat fingered before editing
Joanne Christenson says
I love you so much. I was so scared to meet R.K Lilley….even though I’d met her several times …I had a blast hanging out with them and you….. and eating pizza until 3:45 am. ..they are the absolute best. You are the love of my life….cannot wait until WBW
Ann T says
I got to meet Kristen Ashley last year and she is my fav 🙂
Kimberly says
I couldn’t pick just one author to meet because I have read so many books and I love them all that is a very tough decision but who stands out when I think of all EL James, AL Jackson, L.B. Simmons, Whitney Gracia Williams, and Jessica Sorensen. I’m so praying to go to a Book Bash soon.
Rachel says
I wish I could have gone! Looks like you guys had a blast!
Debbie Szabo says
There are so many authors I’d love to meet. Kylie Scott, K. Bromberg, J.A. Huss and so many more.
KellyMae says
Nicole Edwards
SusanR says
Picking just one is impossible. Lori Foster, Samantha Kane, J.S. Scott, Jessica Scott, Jill Shalvis, Dana Marton, Jennifer Lowery, Carly Phillips, Molly McLain and I’m sure I’ve forgotten a bunch of others!
Mary Mooney says
I have met the beautiful Kim Jones, she lives a town over from me. Would love to meet Jodi Ellen Malpas and Alteatha Romig. Is all of them an answer? Thanks for a great giveaway!
Debbie Terrell says
I would love to meet RK Lilley, I missed her at Book Bash and can’t wait until Wicked Book Weekend 2015!!
Joseph Hawkshaw says
I would love to Meet Natalie Nicole Bates.
Gina H says
Wow! This is such a hard one, I have so many I love! Erin Noelle, M. Robinson, Jason Luke, Dawna Raver, I could go on all day!!! I would be such a fangirl at an event like Book Bash!! Thanks for the giveaway!
Jenn says
I would love to meet Kristen Ashley and Tara Sivec. Two of my fav!!!!!!!
amy Wiater says
I am beyond jealous of your weekend. I am a huge reader and my husband says I should blog. Not sure to even begin but its a thought and you make it look amazing!
sandy says
it was a fun weekend sadly I learned my dad passed away 2 hrs before book bash signing started:(, but it was still a great time and I got to meet a lot of my fav authors, I will say I was not a fan of the tickets I never did get to meet Kristen in her line, but ran into her at party sat nite and she said she remembered me from last year so that made my day:)
Jansen says
I would LOVE to meet Kristen Ashley!
Amber @ Casual Readers says
I would love to meet Rainbow Rowell!
Trudy says
The only time I wish I didn’t live in the country, five hours from big cities, is when there is a author signing.
Liz says
sounded like a blast!
Jamie Jones says
Harper Sloan
Robin says
I’ve met Kristen Ashley twice, but I would love to meet her again. She is awesome! I would also love to meet Olivia Cunning. (Sigh)
Michelle M says
Definitely Kristen Ashley! She’s my all time favorite author! Sounds like Book Bash was a lot of fun. xD
A. Wood says
Sounds like a lot of fun 🙂
Loraine Oliver says
I would love to meet any of the authors that were there ut I would love to meet Ana herself!!
Ana's Attic says
<3 <3
Boz says
Alessandra Torre. But in all honesty I would be honoured to meet any and all authors.
Thanks for the giveaway.
Lola Figueroa says
There are so many!! But I would love to meet EK Blair 🙂
Jennifer Jones says
Thank yoy for the awesome giveaway!! I would love to meet Madeline Sheehan I love her writing
robin the book nerd says
Wow looks like a blast!
Melisa P. says
I would love to meet kristen ashley
Gail D says
I don’t know how you would pick only one!! Harper, Dawn, Kristen Ashley… The list goes on!!!
Jennifer Crawford says
Actually . . . . Stephen King. He’s TWISTED!
Rachael B. says
I would love to meet Jill Shalvis, Lori Foster and Susan Mallery.
Pam says
I’d love to meet Tara Sivec, among many others.
Nancy VanSpunky says
I had a good time, too, with my Mr. Handsome. BUT I think I loved WBW more!
Ana's Attic says
Thanks!!!
Joanne112 says
I think I would cry if I met Kristen Ashley. I just finished Cooper, by Harper Sloan. I would have loved to meet her someday. Man can that girl write some hot sex scenes.
Jodi says
I would love to go next year!! And i would love to meet Kristen Ashley!!
Kim M says
Wish I could have gone to Book Bash, it looked like a blast!! 🙂 Thanks for the wonderful giveaway!
Stephanie Lashbrook says
Hmm there are so many to choose from but I think Jade C. Jamison would be awesome.
Deanna says
Harper Sloan or Jasinda Wilder
Gretchen says
I would love to meet Jodi Ellen Malpas. (and number 24 on your list totally made me choke on my coffee, lol!).
Jan says
Looks like you had a great time!
Danielle says
Looks like a blast! I wish I could go!!
Bella says
I would love to meet Colleen Hoover, Abbi Glines, Jamie McGuire, Jodi Ellen Malpas, Mia Sheridan and more
Melissa B says
It would either be Kristen Ashley or Olivia Cunning 🙂
Trisha says
I had a BLAST at Book Bash! This was my first event and while I had to drag my mom and husband with me on our way home from vacation, it was worth it to meet my favorite authors. I met KA and got my pic with her at the bar. It was a top Ten moment for me for sure! Oh and lucky you that you didn’t leave the room for the alarm. I had a paranoid mother with me who thought we were all going to die 🙂
kp says
Looks like a great time!
Marcie Heath says
I can’t decided. I would love to meet them all.
Gina says
I would love to meet Jay Crownover, love her Marked Men series!
Karen says
I’d like to meet so many! I couldn’t choose one! Jamie McGuire and Colleen Hoover would probably be at the top of my list – also Abbi Glines!
jodi marinich says
would love to meet nicole edwards
Dena says
Thanks for the chance 🙂
Shelley Newham says
All of them??? 🙂
Heather says
The fabulous KRISTEN ASHLEY!!
Shandra Torbett says
It sounds as if you had a fabulous time. I love hearing the recaps. I would like to meet Kendall Grey because I think that chick has to be epic win.
Debra D says
Kristen Ashley!!!!!
Carrie says
Sounds like an amazing weekend…thanks for the awesome recap!
I’d love to meet Tara Sivec….she sounds like a freaking riot!
Audra says
I, too, had an awesome time! Your recap sounds like you had a bit more fun than we did – especially since we were on the 12th floor and DID evacuate 🙁 Can’t wait until next year!
Laina G says
I’ve already met several of my faves but I’d love to meet Gail McHugh, Olivia Cunning, Tessa Bailey, Kindle Alexander, Ella Frank, and Jamie McGuire!!!
Mick Murphy says
I’d love to meet Jamie McGuire! Thanks for the giveaway!!
Chanpreet says
Tijan is at the top of my list right now.
sandra murphy says
I went last year and had a blast. i would love to meet Emma Hart.
Yolanda says
I would love to meet Madeline Sheehan
Rachelle says
What a great post!! I’d love to meet Madeline Sheehan I’d probably faint lol
Kristen Ashley im soo jealous of you Ana!!!! 😉 Gosh they’re soo many authors I’d to meet..
Thanks for the awesome giveaway 🙂
Sue says
I wish I could have gone. Looks like you had a blast.
Seth says
Katie McGArry, MIa Sheridan and RS Grey :)) love the photos!!
Kelly Tannacore says
I always love reading all the recap from the signings, they always look like so much fun and you guys genuinely like each other 🙂 i would be excited to meet any one of these amazing women…I love reading their work! great post and thank you:)
Tequila Rose says
Looks like you had an amazing time!!! I would love to meet Sorcha Black, Cari Silverwood and Leia Shaw!
Gerri Lauzon says
Harper Sloan, sigh.
Kristy Petree says
I would really like to meet Colleen Hoover. (and Jennifer Armentrout and John Green lol) Thanks!
Kimberly T says
Kassanna and Tressie Lockwood are my top two!
Renee Sass says
Sounds like a blast! I hope someday to go myself! So many great authors!
Carey Piret says
I would love to meet Kristen Ashley!!
Merelyn Reads says
I would love to meet E.L. James!!! <3
Ashley Poteet says
I would want to meet Amy Bartol, I love her premonition series.
Deborah Favorito says
I am glad you had so much fun. I wish you good luck with your next book bash.
Deborah Favorito says
I would love to meet Amanda Maxlyn
Kathleen Nichols says
There are so many of them that I’d love to meet here are a few of them: Christine Feehan, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Stephen King,Jill Shalvis, Lori Foster and Susan Mallery to name just a few. However, this dream will remain unrealized as most authors and conventions do not get to the Midwest area.
Penny Reid says
Next time I’ll wear flavored lip gloss… you see where I’m going with this???? 😀
Ana's Attic says
Oooh!
Mary Lowery says
Ive been fortunate. Ive been to 3 signings and I’ve met several authors. ….I honestly can’t name one….a few would be Rachel Van Dyken Natasha Anders Kristen Ashley Carlie Sexton Lk Collins…..and many more.
Cristina Riquelme says
I would like to meet Raine Miller, she is awesome!!!
Anna Kidd says
Thanks for the chance! I would love to win this or another giveaway you’re hosting! Also I’m super jealous of you and everyone else that was able to go to Book Bash! Oh and the fact you know Dawn Robertson personally is just plain amazeballs. Anyways I would love to meet J Sterling, Kendall Gray, Jasinda Wider, Dawn, oh and so many other Indies too! I’ve only been able to go to one signing and that was to meet Jamie McGuire. I wish there were more signings near me! There’s one in Tennessee this weekend that I would love to go to because It’s not too far.
Kelly Scroggins says
I would love to meet S.C. Stephens. I love Thoughtless series and Kellan Kyle is my favorite BBF. Thanks for the giveaway!
nikki f says
Jasinda Wilder or Nicole Edwards
Elizabeth Quinones says
Colleen Hoover
Diana Doan says
I’d love to meet Samantha Young!
Stephanie F. says
I would love to meet Ella Frank, Kresley Cole, Larissa Ione, Ilona Andrews and JR Ward.
Joyce says
I love reading about all the exciting things that went down at the 2014 book bash. I’m so jealous! If I still lived in Naples Florida I would have not missed it for the world. Just meeting you would have been amazing I’m sure you were the light of the party and had everyone rolling. Meeting Harper Sloan would have just been the icing on the cake! Thank you for all your hard work and thank you to Mr ana for giving you the gift that has turned into the best blog hands down! you really have become a life line for me when it comes to picking my next book boyfriend!
Joyce says
I also wanted to tell you I just got done reading my very first Tara Sivec book (Burned) omg HOT! HOT! HOT ….. now I have to wait for book 2! I have only just got into reading in the last few years and wow I had no idea what I was missing. There are so many choices out their and I had no idea which authors/series I would enjoy and although I’m still lost at times you have never steered me wrong when it comes to choosing a new author or a new book series. THANK YOU!
Marija Peršić says
I would love to meet Rachel Van Dyken
Katty says
Well, I have so many I would like to meet! I have plans to meet some at the end of July! But I would LOVE to meet Nicole Edwards! (Among others! )
Heather Kirk says
Love you blog the most!!!! You’re Frackin awesome. Honestly I’d freak the eff out to meet Stephen King
Cheryl Nasca says
Ella Frank!
Claire says
john green
Stacy says
This year, I had paid for all registration fees, plane tickets bought, etc… And like 3 days before I was suppose to fly out, I had medical issues that caused my Doctor to advise me against travel @ that time. I was extremely disappointed!!! I really hope to go next year! 🙂
lesleyg says
I REALLY want to meet Jodi Ellen Malpas because Jesse Ward has just RUINED me!!! Hence, my trip to Vegas in Oct. I’m excited it will be my first signing & hoping that it will not be my last. I’m a little overwhelmed already but I’m going to take your advice of #19 above. 🙂
JennSmith says
Wish I could have been there! Would love to meet Harper Sloan and K. Bromberg.
JENNIFER says
I would love to meet Michelle Leighton and Courtney Cole!! AWESOME TWOSOME..!!! 🙂
Sharon Broom says
There are 2 authors I desperately want to meet – Mia Sheridan and Jodi Ellen Malpas 🙂