Afterthoughts on Authors After Dark

It's been about a week since my writing partner Eon and I got back from Authors After Dark in Philadelphia. It took place at the center city Doubletree Hotel, which, while a beautiful facility, didn't deliver on the promises it made to the event coordinator. The Tease authors had planned a tea to welcome guests, and the hotel wanted to charge us sixty dollars for a gallon of hot water! But I won't dwell on the shortcomings of the hotel staff, because in spite of them the event was a terrific experience for us.

My favorite thing about the convention was the opportunity to meet some of my heroes and make new friends. I actually got to be on a panel with Jet Mykles, who's been a professional inspiration to me for a long time. Best of all, she was delightful and friendly and completely unpretentious. I also got to meet Ally Blue, Rick R. Reed, Victor Banis, James Buchanan, Belinda McBride and oodles of other authors I admire. None of these accomplished people had any kind of ego. It seems those who are entitled to be divas never are. Everyone I met was friendly and engaging.

We attended a reading at Giovanni's Room, the oldest gay book store in the country, and got a signed book from Victor J. Banis. Friday night was the mythos masquerade. Saturday Eon got Frank N. Furter's "Boss" tattoo for an upcoming role as that character from the fine artists of Voodoo Monkey Tattoos. That night at the Steam Ball we dressed as absinthe faeries and gave away a basket of absinthe and prizes. The winner was kind enough to share, and after the ball concluded, we met some fellow steampunk enthusiasts with which I hope I'll be friends with for a long time in the future.

Overall, I met some great people, learned some valuable trade secrets on the panels, promoted my work, and partied. A lot. It was a blast and I'm looking forward to next year in NEW ORLEANS!