10 Things I Want to Do at GRL 2014

The excitement is in the air. We’re about 6 or 7 weeks out from GRL and all of the attendees are getting their little ducks in a row. My bedroom is filling up with boxes of swag (my own and boxes from friends), we’re planning out our time travel costumes (I’m part of a theme group this year, no leather, sorry), and we’re throwing together rough outlines of things we want to accomplish.

 

Here are the top ten things I want to do at GRL this year:

Talk about books. I love GRL because that is our safe place – it’s the place where we as gay romance authors are loved and accepted. I love talking about our books, hanging out with the people who love to read our books, and sometimes we even put together little writing circles and get some work done before the weekend starts.
Hang out with my friends (old and new). I purposefully scheduled myself for very little this year for two reasons: first, I’ve heard that people found me standoffish last year. Between the body painting, the guys, the events, working the publisher tables, and two spotlights, my weekend was CHAOS. Second, while I talk to people like William Cooper, Michael Chulsky, Andrew Gordon, Chris Koehler, and others almost daily – we’re spread across the country and I never get to actually see them except at the occasional conference.
Meet Zathyn Priest. I’ve been a fan of Zathyn Priest for a long time and I was absolutely psyched when I heard he’d be there this year. I’ll admit that Jamie’s seizures were inspired by Curtis Reincarnation because that boy crawled under my skin and just stayed there. I re-read that book at least once a year.
Help out at the Dreamspinner table. Poor Shannon and Nessa. I’m way more of a hindrance than a help – but Dreamspinner, their staff, and especially Elizabeth do so much for me, I can’t help but want to help in return.
Go to the supporting author signing. I’m going to have a few friends in there this year, and I’ll be checking it out to support them. William will be in there signing, and he and I are putting together very special swag for the event.
Give out swag bags. This year, I’ve invited any author or blogger who got in under general registration to distribute swag in my drawstring backpacks. I’m really looking forward to getting those out and helping other authors get themselves out there.
Our Storyteller Spotlight. Last year, I was on an Angsty Storyteller Spotlight with two of my very favorite people—Amy Lane and KA Mitchell and we had a blast. This year, I’m on another spotlight, one that I pitched and got approved. The two other authors involved are two I have an immense amount of respect for, and who share one of my deepest passions. It’s sure to be a wicked time.
The night-time events. The night time events are a great way to kick back and just hang out with people without being in the spotlight. Yes, I have to be “JP” because trust me, “Trish” isn’t all that interesting—but it’s without the pressure of being in front of a room full of people.
Rooming with Jodi. Jodi is one of my closest friends and rooms with me at a lot of events because she keeps me focused and calm. Her “dude, it’s a hobby” attitude towards my writing career keeps me from freaking out at events and helps me do all the things I need to do during the weekend.
 Having fun. I like most of the events I attend every year—especially things like the Dreamspinner author conference, Atlanta pride, and of course, Gay Days. But GRL is a very unique experience. It’s the conference where my name is recognized. It is the event for JP Barnaby, gay romance author, to show her quality. And I plan to do it with fun, joy, and pride.