Going to GayRomLit in October

For those who haven't heard of it, GayRomLit is a retreat for writers and readers of gay romance to get together, talk about books, have fun and treat fictional characters like they are friends...This year's event will occur October 18-21, 2012 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Last year's retreat took place in New Orleans, and a wonderful time was apparently had by all. As a new writer at the time, I didn't go. But hearing the stories coming back from people who did attend, I thought "Maybe someday." I didn't think someday would be yet. I'm horribly shy in groups, although I can fake it. And then there's the cost of the trip, even though the registration isn't that much, but there's the flight and... I had all kinds of excuses.

But the death of William Neale before I had a chance to meet him was a nudge of one kind, and I met writer K-lee Klein and we talked for three hours without me saying anything too stupid (I hope.) And I got a royalty check that would cover the trip. So I went ahead and signed up.

I'm going as a reader, since author sign-ups are full. That means I'm not doing any of the Author Q&A or excerpt-readings, and I probably won't have an official spot at the book signing (unless they decide to squeeze me in.) But that's okay; I just want to hang out and maybe meet a few people, and listen to some of my favorite authors who will be there. You can find the current list of authors participating in some of the events on author and organizer Ethan Day's website. I'll be around with my nametag on if anyone does want a book signed or something. So I'm looking forward to it, wishing only slightly that I was an extrovert and did drink. But I expect I'll find some fun regardless. Last I looked there were a handful of late-registration spots still open, if anyone else is inspired to make the trip. I look forward to seeing some of you in New Mexico. Check out the darker corners - you'll probably find me there.
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Published on August 12, 2012 12:28
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message 1: by Elle (new)

Elle Good for you going--it is so hard to push past comfortable boundaries isn't it? I am so afraid of opening my mouth in an unfamiliar crowd and having something totally stupid fly out of it... I won't be there as it is the annual girls weekend but I am sure to think of you and wish you the best of fun!


message 2: by Sue (new)

Sue KAJE!! I get to meet you?! I'm so excited :) That is awesome. What day are you arriving?


message 3: by Kaje (new)

Kaje Harper Sue wrote: "KAJE!! I get to meet you?! I'm so excited :) That is awesome. What day are you arriving?"

Coming in Wednesday evening and leaving Sunday afternoon. I hope to meet lots of people... I think. One at a time :)


message 4: by Sue (new)

Sue I'll be there Tuesday afternoon to Sunday morning. You are going to meet a lot of people that will be thrilled to see you. It'll be okay and if you need a break, take one! Be stealthy and elusive Kaje. :)


message 5: by Kaje (new)

Kaje Harper Sue wrote: "I'll be there Tuesday afternoon to Sunday morning. You are going to meet a lot of people that will be thrilled to see you. It'll be okay and if you need a break, take one! Be stealthy and elusive..."

I'm going for kind of quiet and lurking, but your version sounds more romantic.


message 6: by Ez (new)

Ez Oh, cool! Looking forward to meeting you, Kaje. :) Last year people told me that I was "elusive." LOL. You can take breaks if you need to. I was part of a scavenger hunt (as Piper V.), so people were intentionally looking for me. :P


message 7: by Kaje (new)

Kaje Harper Harper wrote: "Oh, cool! Looking forward to meeting you, Kaje. :) Last year people told me that I was "elusive." LOL. You can take breaks if you need to. I was part of a scavenger hunt (as Piper V.), so people we..."

I think MLR may have some such thing going this year. Well, I'm mostly looking forward to it, and definitely to meeting you :)


message 8: by Ez (new)

Ez Kaje wrote: "Harper wrote: "Oh, cool! Looking forward to meeting you, Kaje. :) Last year people told me that I was "elusive." LOL. You can take breaks if you need to. I was part of a scavenger hunt (as Piper V...."

Oh, do they? Cool. :) The scavenger hunt we did was fun. I was supposed to do an Author Q&A this year, but I chickened out and cancelled. I'm pretty shy, and I had a "will people really want to ask me any questions?" moment. LOL. If I was elusive last year, I might be ninja-stealth Piper this time around. :P


message 9: by Heather C (last edited Aug 14, 2012 05:21AM) (new)

Heather C Harper wrote: "Oh, cool! Looking forward to meeting you, Kaje. :) Last year people told me that I was "elusive." LOL. You can take breaks if you need to. I was part of a scavenger hunt (as Piper V.), so people we..."

Haha. I made Tina get my bead from you!! Lol I'm quite shy


message 10: by Heather C (new)

Heather C Kaje, I already told you I'm hunting you down. We can hide in the corner together


message 11: by Kaje (new)

Kaje Harper Works for me.


♥Laddie♥ (Lee Lee) You definitely don't have to drink to have fun. I don't drink but somehow tend to be the silliest one when I go to a bar. Especially if there's pool to be played.

@Sue
I didn't know I would get to meet you at GRL lovely lady!! I knew Tina and Sadonna were coming but now I get a Sue too.


message 13: by Jess (new)

Jess Candela ♥Laddie♥ wrote: "You definitely don't have to drink to have fun. I don't drink but somehow tend to be the silliest one when I go to a bar. Especially if there's pool to be played."

This describes me perfectly. Laddie, methinks someday the two of us need to not drink in a bar while playing pool and see what high jinks ensue! :)

Kaje, glad you're going but all the sorrier now that I'm not!


♥Laddie♥ (Lee Lee) Jess (jeayci) wrote: "♥Laddie♥ wrote: "You definitely don't have to drink to have fun. I don't drink but somehow tend to be the silliest one when I go to a bar. Especially if there's pool to be played."

This describes ..."


Sounds like a plan! Lol.


message 15: by Kaje (new)

Kaje Harper Jess (jeayci) wrote: "This describes me perfectly. Laddie, methinks someday the two of us need to not drink in a bar while playing pool and see what high jinks ensue! :)
..."


Heather and I will be in that corner over there, watching and also not drinking.


message 16: by Heather C (new)

Heather C No drinking for me. I can laugh at all the drunks soberly


message 17: by C.J. (new)

C.J. Anthony Kaje, I am pretty quiet myself too, so I totally get it. I'm going too, and SUPER excited, but also afraid I'll end up over in the corner quietly watching everyone. :) So glad to hear you'll be there and looking forward to meeting you!


message 18: by Dianne (new)

Dianne Hi Kaje,
So happy to hear you are coming to GRL (I was bummed your name wasn't on the author list). I didn't make it last year and am really looking forward to it this year. I'm going to be traveling there alone and meeting up with people I've talked with and gotten to know on FB etc. - so it should be very interesting and fun! Hope to be one of those who meets you :-)


message 19: by Sue (new)

Sue ♥Laddie♥ wrote: "You definitely don't have to drink to have fun. I don't drink but somehow tend to be the silliest one when I go to a bar. Especially if there's pool to be played.

@Sue
I didn't know I would get to..."


Laddie! I had no idea there was more to this thread...stopped getting notified. :(

I can't wait to meet you! It's going to be a blast :)


message 20: by Archie (new)

Archie I can't really believe I'm actually going. I'm excited to meet you Kaje, but I'll try to reign in the exuberance, which can be cringe worthy!
My greatest fear is once my mouth starts jabbering my brain will shut off! I've seen it happen..*groan*

It's gonna be a blast!


message 21: by Kaje (new)

Kaje Harper Archie wrote: "I can't really believe I'm actually going. I'm excited to meet you Kaje, but I'll try to reign in the exuberance, which can be cringe worthy!
My greatest fear is once my mouth starts jabbering my ..."


The more people I already kind of know the better. And the more other people talk, the less I have to. :) It's good.


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