I know there are several authors who are feeling the same kind of conference hangover that I am. And I didn’t drink while in New Orleans!

LOL!

I didn’t. I fully admit to being a stick in the mud and to have held up several of the hotels walls. Afterall, it was an older hotel and all that… 😉 It truly is amazing what one can learn when one simply observes… I loved the panels I was on. They were incredibly fun and informative. I was on them with some very wonderful and accomplished authors… Carolyn Crane, Melissa Schreoder, Andrew Grey, Tilly Greene, Joey W. Hill, L.A. Witt just to name a few. I met some fantastic people…readers, bloggers, authors. I think I have come away with several new friends even. I spent some time picking the brain of m/m author Damon Suede. He is incredibly genuine and forthright. I was captivated by his enthusiasm.

Wonderful aspiring authors and readers who made me feel amazing in my accomplishments. The petting and good natured ‘fighting’ over Vinter always makes me smile. I signed posters and post cards and one day will have books to sign. I sat next to Teresa Meyers, who writes historical and steampunk. She was so nice and down to earth and so open. She liked looking at the men in my posters but really, who could blame her, right? And debut author Amanda Carlson, who was all smiles and even nervous like me.

I spent a ton of time with new people and spent a ton of time with familiar faces and friends: Eliza Gayle, Cat Johnson, Mari Freeman, and Samantha Kane. I don’t know what I’d have done without them. That Mari, Samantha, and another friend Marti came to the Male/Male panel one because they love the genre and two because they were there to support me. It meant the world to me that they were there and though I thought it would make me nervous, but it didn’t, it rather eased me.

I’m not good speaking in front of people, but I love talking about books and writing so as I got into the panels I was able to be more and more at ease. The friendly faces I saw eased the nerves.

Then of course, there was the incomparable and completely wonderful Dakota Cassidy. There are no words beyond my being totally and completely and utterly in love with her. She’s the most fantastic and fabulously charismatic author and woman I’ve ever met.

My new friend and aspiring author Kristin took me to Cafe du Monde for beignets and cafe au lait. They were so amazing and delicious and everything that I’ve ever heard they were.

And don’t despair, there are so many new story ideas in my mind right now… Just y’all wait! There will be a new one titled Up Against The Wall, thanks to the constantly smiling and laughing author Siobhan Muir. It was also impressed upon me how many people want me to write another book in the same vein as Pink Buttercream Frosting. I am deeply considering it. Thank you to those who have given me their support and desire for more…

I think that is all for now. I have edits to attend to. I love y’all so very much! Oh, and whatever you do, never stay in a hotel where there is NOT a coffee pot in the room! Grins…

~lissa