It’s Saturday, the big day! Yesterday I slept 2 hours, drove 3.5 hours north then drank my weight in jell-o shots, saw strippers and kissed a girl. (See the day one recap here) I finally went to bed around 4am, and was awoken at 8am by voices outside the window (I was on the 6th floor!) I saw people were already lining up for Book Bash outside in the Florida heat (it didn’t start for 4 hours!). Well, my head was pounding so I fell back to sleep…until there was banging on the door around 10. Authors delivering MORE swag.
At this point the hotel room was a figgin’ mess. We had 300 swag bags all over the room on top of empty food and drink stuff everywhere. Of course, I tripped over everything. It’s always lovely to answer the door to your author idols hungover, half asleep, hopping from stubbing your toe, and not remembering if you removed makeup from the night before or had it all over your face.
By the time I got the room in some order it was noon and I heard the line around the hotel let out a big HOORAY! as the line began to move into Book Bash.
I finally got in the shower, got my Ana’s Attic shirt on, and got semi-ready to run and check out Book Bash at around 1:45. Armed with my iPad, Camera, Kindle, 9 books, business cards, bookmarks, pens, tablet stands and the Book Bash swag bag, I was loaded down and ready to go. I wasn’t planning on spending a lot of time there, there were a ton of great authors, but I just hate standing and waiting, especially knowing I had so much to do.
The entrance
Entry was quick and painless! No line! The event was really well run with a Books a Million store and Fedex set up. But it was HOT in there, and I think all I saw was a cart selling chips. So everyone was tired, hot and hungry. The hotel had no working soda machines or a place to buy a drink open. Even room service said they were out of cups, so if you were thirsty, you were out of luck!
The line for Kristen Ashley
I stopped by all the tables I could, but couldn’t go to the ones with lines. I was holding way too much, then I added to it by buying books and having 4 more authors give me swag for the event that evening!!!
Pictured L-R, Top to bottom:
Top row: Kristen Ashley (Rock Chick, Chaos & More), Madeline Sheehan (Undeniable Series), Katie Ashley (The Proposition Series and more), Cherrie Lynn (The Ross Siblings Series), Laura Kaye (Hearts in Darkness)
Shey Stahl (Racing on the Edge Series), JM Darhower (Sempre), Carey Heywood (Him), Joanna Wylde (Reapers Property), Lisa M. Harley (Destined to Change), and RL Mathewson (Neighbor From Hell Series)
Kim Karr (Connected), Renee Carlino (Sweet Thing), Liliana Hart (The Mackenzie Brothers), Alice Clayton (The Redhead Series and Wallbanger), Rachael Wade (Love and Relativity)
Bottom row: J. Sterling (The Perfect Game), Tina Reber (Love Unscripted), Elizabeth Reyes (5th Street Series), Gail Mchugh (Collide), Nicole Edwards (Club Destiny)
I made sure to make a special visit to Ethan Blackstone and Alice Clayton:
By this time I was weighed down with swag, sweaty and exhausted, and had to get ready for Wicked Book GNO. My wonderful husband was on his way up (3.5 hour drive) to set up at the restaurant, and then he planned on turning around and leaving to go home to the kids.
When I got back to the room, freak-out was not a mild word for what I was doing. I had 6 new batches of swag, and had to go ahead and add it to 300 bags. And I needed to GO! Thank goodness Kerry from Writers Resource came to my rescue and was soon joined by Deseree from A Love Affair with Books and Angie from Smut Book Club (who turned me on to Zingers!)
But it still took us till 6:30 to load up all the purple bags and giveaways and get our asses to CRAVE!
Stay tuned for Part 3: Wicked Book GNO!
1st Place: (One winner US only)
- A Wicked Book GNO filled Swag Bag
- A Wicked Book GNO Tote Bag with all 31 author’s names
- Wicked Book GNO t-shirt
- A Wicked Book GNO Book Whore bracelet
- An Ana’s Attic TBR list pad
- An Ana’s Attic tablet/phone stand
PLUS
- A Signed Book from one of the Book Bash Authors
- A Paperback copy of a book by Tara Sivec
2nd Place (1 winner US Only)
- A Wicked Book GNO Tote Bag with all 31 author’s names
- A Wicked Book GNO Book Whore bracelet
- An Ana’s Attic TBR list pad
- An Ana’s Attic tablet/phone stand
- A Tara Sivec Paperback Book
- Swag
3rd Place (2 winners US only)
- A Wicked Book GNO Book Whore bracelet
- An Ana’s Attic TBR list pad
- An Ana’s Attic tablet/phone stand
- Swag
I will be following my kid on tour for a few weeks when this giveaway ends. Please allow 3 weeks for delivery.
Mc says
I’ve never been to book signing but would love to go one day. Love your Book Bash Pics!!
Pam says
No, I have not been to a book signing.
Carole says
Was at Book Bash–my first signing!! Total FUN!!
denise smith says
no i have never been to a book signing wish i could
Donna Sherritt says
I’m so excited, I’m going to my first book signing in New York next weekend!
Megan Wickland says
No…not yet…but it is on my bucket list!! ★★
JennS says
Was at the Texas book signing in May – Tara Sivec, Jasinda Wilder, R.K. Lilley, Raine Miller, Katie Ashley, and C.C. Wood. Would have LOVED to have been at Book Bash!!
Darci says
I haven’t. I missed the one in Minneapolis, but heard it was awesome!
Holley says
I have never been to a book signing
Tracy says
No, but I think it would so much fun!
Elizabeth says
I will be going to my first book signing in Aug.. in SIN CITY!! wooo!
Kristen says
Ty for the giveaway!!!!! I love your blog.
Sarah says
Went to my first book signing this spring in Boston. Met SO many awesome authors.
dawn says
Never been to a book signing but they look fun!
Jenny Dauksa Schaber says
I have been to 1 book signing YEARS ago at a book store. I’ve never been to anything nearly as large as the events I see here, but I look forward to attending one someday.
Tracy S says
Thanks for the giveaway!
Sue says
I have never been to one. I have one singed book, Beyond Uhura, written by Nichelle Nichols from Star Trek.
My sister gave it to me for a birthday gift one year.
Sue Pfannenstiel says
Not yet. Planning on Seattle Sept. 7th.
Jenn says
Not yet, but I’ll be going to the Naughty Mafia event in Vegas next month!
Joanne Christenson says
Yes….I go to all local events. …especially yours
Valerie Rhodes says
I’ve never been to one.. but wow you ladies make it look like so much fun!
Rosarita Reader says
I have never been to a book signing. However; I AM going to Naughty Mafia in Vegas! I’m SO excited I can’t stand it. I’ve made some super awesome friends in the book world on FB and even though we live all over the world, we are very close. It’s gonna be so cool to see them in person along with our favorite authors. We’ve got our photo books ordered and we are counting down the days!
Thanks for this giveaway opportunity, fingers crossed!
Lariza says
I’ve been to book signings in Seattle and Dallas can’t wait to go to more!
Tina says
Not yet
Rhonda Beyer says
I went to the Chicago singing in 2012, it was a blast. My first signing was Jim Butcher a few years ago there were so many people and I’d never been to a signing so I disnt know how it worked I never even got his signature. I also have been to a Sherrilyn Kenyon signing once. Thanks for the giveaway!!!!
Joan says
I have actually never been to a book signing but I hope to attend one very soon!
Robin the Book Nerd says
I love to go to book signings. I feel like a total fan girl spaz when I get to meet some of the great people that write my favorite books.
Heather says
I’ve never been to a book signing. Hope to soon.
Nicole Huffman says
I have not been to a signing but my fried and I plan on going to the one in Chicago in may next year!
Erika S. says
Yes, one in Texas
Dana says
I haven’t been to a book signing, but it is on my to do list one of these days!!
Ginnie Hutto says
I have been to the Decatur Book Festival, Wicked Girls Weekend 2013 and Book Bash 2013
pam metz says
No I haven’t but I would love to!
Bobbye Booth says
I have, Charlaine Harris in New Orleans 🙂
Melissa D says
No, I haven’t because there has never been one close enough to me. I would absolutely love to attend one though!!!!
kp says
I haven’t but would love to!! There was one in Boston recently but the timing didn’t work for me to be able to go!!!
Kelly Tannacore says
I have never been to a book signing, but I would love to go to one!
Tammy V. says
No. Being a single mom of 2 couldn’t really find time or money to go. Now one is finishing college and one is starting. May be able to in the future. Plus I don’t like crowds 🙁
Casey Britton says
I have never been to a book signing or event 🙁 I keep seeing pics though and I really want to go to one!! Thanks for the chance to win some awesome goodies!!!
Meagan W. says
No I never been. But I want to.
Heather - Not Everyone's Mama says
I haven’t been to a book signing. I need to go to one. Someday. 🙂
Tatia White says
I have never been, but I really want to. I would have loved to have been able to go to Book Bash.
Vickie Milizia says
I’m going to my first book signing in September, can not wait!
Yvette says
I haven’t been to one yet. My first will be in October in Austin. So excited!
jodi marinich says
never been to one but would love to if it was in my area
Kim says
No I have not been to a book signing yet but would love to. Thank you for the giveaway.
Amy Pollard Woolard says
I have never been to a book signing 🙁 There is one next year in a town only a few miles from me & I WILL BE at that one!! I am so excited!!
Stacy F says
Yes I have, Jaime McGuire was doing her Walking Disaster tour and had a contest for coming to your town. Columbus Ohio won but the closest she could get was Dayton, which was fine by me because it was little bit closer to me. I was super excited and had to rein in my fan girl, I totally played it cool 😉
Cara O says
I haven’t been, it sucks, living in Orlando area, I wanted to go, but it was all sold out. 🙁
Natasha says
Not yet, but I would love to go to one!
Thanks for the chance to win!
Deb Liu says
Not yet, but I am going to the one in Phoenix on September 14th. Can’t wait..
Andrea C says
Not yet, but I would love too soon!
Kim M. says
I’ve never been to a big book signing like book bash but I do have one coming up in November in Houston and one in March in Orlando!!
Kirsten says
Yes, I have. I live in Tucson, AZ and every spring they have the Festival of Books. Last year I got to meet Dana Stabenow, J.A. Jance, Craig Johnson, T. Jefferson Parker, Jennifer Ashley, Terri Molina, and Kerrelyn Sparks and got books signed by all. I try to go every year. They always have so many people and different kinds of writers. It’s amazing!!
danielle james says
No, not yet but I am dying to go to one!
Wendy S says
When my daughter was in elementary school, I took her to a book signing for Lemony Snicket. Very funny and strange man.
When I was in elementary school (back in the Stone Ages) I wrote a letter to an author whose books I loved. Back in the old days, the letter went to her editor in New York. They forwarded it to her. Turns out she lived in the same small town I lived in California. I ended up going to her house and meeting her in person. At that point I had only ever borrowed her books from the library so my dad took me to the bookstore. I couldn’t decide which of her books I liked the best so my dad bought them all. She autographed all of them and I have since past them on to my daughter.
Crystal says
I haven’t gotten the chance to go to one 🙁
Kim U says
No I haven’t been to one yet but hope to go to one next year in my area!
Cathy Lasky says
I went to one book signing in Nashville, Tennessee many years ago to see Brad Paisley. He was signing a book that was produced with one of his songs.
Emily B says
No. I am hoping to do one later this year or the beginning of next.
Tina V. says
I have not been to a book sign, but would love to! I am hoping to rally some of my book loving friends to join me on a road trip!
kristina m says
no, I am hoping to get to the one in NY in a couple of weeks
robynkuhn says
no I haven’t 🙁
Gloria Landavazo says
Nope I wish!!!!! I was going to try to go to naughty mafia but then found out I’m prego so I have to save money
Suzanne D says
<3
Yvonne C says
No but I am soon!
Heather@Redheaded Bookworm says
Sadly no, 🙁
Erika says
I haven’t been to a book signing. Hope to soon! Thanks!
June M. says
I haven’t. I have problems with crowds (they tend to cause panic attacks in me) plus I can’t stand for very long or walk for too long due to medical problems/disablities. I am trying to work on the panic attacks and my doctor is trying me on a beta blocker for anxiety as needed. If I can just figure out something to help with the walking/standing, I would love to go to one. Possibly Lori Foster’s since it is just about an hour and a half to two hours from my home and is smaller.
Irene Rosa says
NO I haven’t…but next July there is going to be a convention here in NC. I can’t freaking wait. It is only 2 hours from me.
Diana Doan says
No, I haven’t been to a book signing 🙁 Something always get in the way and I can’t seem to get my schedule to line up to go. I will one of these days though, hopefully. 🙂
lisa w says
I’ve never been and I soooo want to go!
Lacey G. says
No I have never been to a book signing, but I would love to attend one!!
Linda Bordonaro says
No, not many of the authors I like seem to come to Brampton. I have taken my daughter to one though.
Julie Cole says
No I have never been to a book signing. I entered a contest for tickets to AAD and won but I had to decline because my daughter is getting married on the 18th of Aug. so hopefully I will get to attend one in the future. (Her original date was in Oct. but the venue only had an available date in Aug.)
Sabrina D says
I have not been to a book signing, but will be going to my first one in September and looking forward to it!! Thanks for the giveaway!!
Karen says
No, but hoping to go to Chicago in May
Cindy says
No not yet.
Erica says
This one looks like SUCH a fun event – I love book events, they are always a blast
Nicole A. says
Sadly, no. =(
heather kennedy says
nope but they look super fun!
Brianne says
No sadly I have never been to a book signing.
Melissa B says
No I haven’t been to a book signing. There is one coming to town next month and I am nervous on what to do when you attend one. I don’t want to look like a dork lol
jennifer jones says
No never I would love it that would be better than meeting a famous actor to me maybe one day thanks for the giveaway!!! 🙂
Skye K. says
I went to a Sherrilyn Kenyon book signing once. She was fun to listen to and I won a really cute little swag things(which has since disappeared). It was interesting and I would really like to go to another someday.
Megan M. says
I haven’t actually been to a book signing 🙁 I live in a small college town, so the only authors that ever sign books here are either professors at the university or professors from other universities…which is great, but I’m not much of a non-fiction reader, so those aren’t really my bag. Events like GNO sound like a ton of fun, though 🙂
Jenn McElroy says
Nope, no book signings 🙁
Annie says
I went to the Los Angeles signing with my sis in-law. It was amazing meeting some of our favorite authors and also getting me other avid book lovers. The experience chatting with the other women (and husband) waiting in line was so much fun. I can’t wait to attend a monster event!
Karen H says
Not to a big one with multiple authors just small ones for individual authors. Would love to go to one of the bigger ones
Donna Reynolds says
No I have never been to a signing to far for me I live in WI 🙁 maybe next year I can make it to Chicago
Carolyn says
no not yet
Kimberly Mayberry says
I have been to several in the past, but my health took a turn for the worse and I lost my income, so it has been about at least seven years since I have been to an event.
Angel says
No, but I’d love to! Thanks for the giveaway
Rebecca says
NO!! But I am going to my first one in May of 2014 in Chicago and I can’t WAIT!!!!
amanda h says
I’ve never been, but would LOVE to!
Denise F says
Never been to a book signing 🙁 I need to get out more, they look like so much fun!
Annie says
I went to RTC in KC!
Julie K says
Wish I had the time to go to a book signing, I just live them vicariously through you all!
libbyporter says
Yes I have been to book signings. Love them.
Jennifer M. says
Nope!
Jess says
#2 on my bucket list is to meet as many of my favorite authors as I can, but sadly I’ve never been to a signing. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity and good luck to everyone!
Becky says
Haven’t been to a book signing but would love to go someday!!
Stacy Bleach says
Never been to a signing.
Sara says
No but I am dying to go to one!
Jeannie Platt says
Yes,
And i loved it… I get star struck when i meet an author for the first time… sometimes random shit comes out of my mouth but i love meeting the authors who write the books i love… I can’t wait to go to my next one 🙂
Alyssa says
Not yet =[ I want to go so badly!
Arely Z. says
I have! I went to my very first one this year! I was very excited <3
Wish I could go to more but financially I can't 🙁
cindy says
No, but I hope to one day
Mica says
No, but I do hope to go to Wicked Weekend in the Spring! 🙂