LauraJUnderwood
Silly Author Person
I am home, having rolled in about an hour ago. Have finished unpacking the truck and am catching up with emails and the like.
MidSouthCon is always fun. While the paneling was light (I had a reading and the Road Show), I still had a blast.
Friday, I arrived around 4:00 pm, got into the hotel and the dealer's room and set up books on my publisher's table (I had books from my other publishers). Hung out with the likes of David B. Coe, Janny Wurts, Don Maitz, Lee Martindale, Selina and Lynn and of course, the delightful La Reine (aka Esther Friesner).
Managed to miss opening ceremonies (was having a business meeting), but got to the Meet and Greet.
They had GREAT food. Barbequed meat balls, egg rolls, stuffed mushrooms, fresh fruit, fresh veggies. It was quite tasty and hit the spot (especially since I had not eaten since noon).
Followed Selina Rosen to her panel on small press. But in spite of all the witty words, I was falling asleep, so I decided I would retire.
Saturday, I must have slept like the dead because I woke up last. But since I had nothing before noon, it was okay. I could take my time getting up, dressed, fed and into action.
I spent most of the day at the table pushing the books. That is, after all, what I was there to do, and sales were pretty brisk.
My reading was small, but appreciated.
The Yard Dog Press Traveling Road Show was a blast (and I think it does better when there are less authors and more control, but that's just me--dragging it out like we did at Conestoga just seemed a little too much, and alas, some authors may write well but can't really read in public--no I will not name names). The readers were myself, Bill Allen, Selina Rosen, Julia Mandala, Linda Donahue and Lee Martindale, and as we read, there was "interpretive dance" taking place.
Yes, this is a unique, funny and fun form of entertaining the fans.
At any rate, it was fun and the audience laughed A Whole Lot!
Met the kindly gents from Gaylaxicon (which I am one of the guests at this October) who insisted on taking me and Selina to dinner (Lynn and David Coe were invited too). We met in the hall around 6:30 (after the dealer's room closed) and they guided us to a place in downtown Memphis which I THINK was calle McCalls, but will not swear to it.
All I know is that the food was expensive, but the atmosphere was fantastic and the tastebuds were entralled. Our wait staff was efficient, fun and thought we were a hoot.
We had the private room down in the cellar (looked like a dungeon, but it was the wine cellar, and there was a mask of Bacchus on one wall, and the tables and chairs looked down right medieval).
I had a rack of lamb with a cranberry sauce, several different appetizers and the best creme brulee I have ever tasted. Suffice to say, were it not for the prices (and I am thankful I was not the purchaser because it would have been No Go), I would gladly eat like that every day...
It was nice.
We went back to the hotel for the Masquerade. The costumes were not outstanding, but some were actually nice (the kids were cute). It was the half time entertainment that was a blast. Two of the Four Redheads were up to their usual strutting stuff (bellydancing to the tune of such songs as the theme from Conan The Barbarian and Pirates of the Caribbean). Selina was the Barbarian Queen whose beauty pageant banner proclaimed so (and had the Yard Dog Press website on the back).
The Redheads danced, then Selina danced to show them how to do it (Oy), and they danced again. Their best piece was the sword dance they did (swords balanced on their heads as they did their belly dance) to the tune of Pirates of the Caribbean.
It was wonderful.
I left after that, so I didn't hear who won what, but once more, I was getting too tired to stay put.
Sunday Morning, I had agreed to attend breakfast at 8:00 am with La Reine (Esther Friesner) and His Majesty (her husband Walter), and Lee Martindale. We had a good time sharing various tales and discussing a little business.
While we were there, GoH Terry Pratchett came over and asked if we could "help an Englishman find a cereal that would not be the death of him..."
Yeah, the hotel had a LOT of sugary cereals on the buffet. Esther and another person managed to roust a box of Special K out from among the Fruit-Loops and Sugar Pops...
After breakfast, I went back to the room to collect my luggage and pack it into the truck. Then I went to the dealer's room where I sold more books. Finally, I settled accounts with Ye Editor (room, who owes who what, etc.) and left quite happy.
The drive back was not really a long one, but I took my time, stopped and had a sitdown lunch, stopped for supper and got home.
So I am here, safe and sound.
A good time was had by all.
Laura J. Underwood
MidSouthCon is always fun. While the paneling was light (I had a reading and the Road Show), I still had a blast.
Friday, I arrived around 4:00 pm, got into the hotel and the dealer's room and set up books on my publisher's table (I had books from my other publishers). Hung out with the likes of David B. Coe, Janny Wurts, Don Maitz, Lee Martindale, Selina and Lynn and of course, the delightful La Reine (aka Esther Friesner).
Managed to miss opening ceremonies (was having a business meeting), but got to the Meet and Greet.
They had GREAT food. Barbequed meat balls, egg rolls, stuffed mushrooms, fresh fruit, fresh veggies. It was quite tasty and hit the spot (especially since I had not eaten since noon).
Followed Selina Rosen to her panel on small press. But in spite of all the witty words, I was falling asleep, so I decided I would retire.
Saturday, I must have slept like the dead because I woke up last. But since I had nothing before noon, it was okay. I could take my time getting up, dressed, fed and into action.
I spent most of the day at the table pushing the books. That is, after all, what I was there to do, and sales were pretty brisk.
My reading was small, but appreciated.
The Yard Dog Press Traveling Road Show was a blast (and I think it does better when there are less authors and more control, but that's just me--dragging it out like we did at Conestoga just seemed a little too much, and alas, some authors may write well but can't really read in public--no I will not name names). The readers were myself, Bill Allen, Selina Rosen, Julia Mandala, Linda Donahue and Lee Martindale, and as we read, there was "interpretive dance" taking place.
Yes, this is a unique, funny and fun form of entertaining the fans.
At any rate, it was fun and the audience laughed A Whole Lot!
Met the kindly gents from Gaylaxicon (which I am one of the guests at this October) who insisted on taking me and Selina to dinner (Lynn and David Coe were invited too). We met in the hall around 6:30 (after the dealer's room closed) and they guided us to a place in downtown Memphis which I THINK was calle McCalls, but will not swear to it.
All I know is that the food was expensive, but the atmosphere was fantastic and the tastebuds were entralled. Our wait staff was efficient, fun and thought we were a hoot.
We had the private room down in the cellar (looked like a dungeon, but it was the wine cellar, and there was a mask of Bacchus on one wall, and the tables and chairs looked down right medieval).
I had a rack of lamb with a cranberry sauce, several different appetizers and the best creme brulee I have ever tasted. Suffice to say, were it not for the prices (and I am thankful I was not the purchaser because it would have been No Go), I would gladly eat like that every day...
It was nice.
We went back to the hotel for the Masquerade. The costumes were not outstanding, but some were actually nice (the kids were cute). It was the half time entertainment that was a blast. Two of the Four Redheads were up to their usual strutting stuff (bellydancing to the tune of such songs as the theme from Conan The Barbarian and Pirates of the Caribbean). Selina was the Barbarian Queen whose beauty pageant banner proclaimed so (and had the Yard Dog Press website on the back).
The Redheads danced, then Selina danced to show them how to do it (Oy), and they danced again. Their best piece was the sword dance they did (swords balanced on their heads as they did their belly dance) to the tune of Pirates of the Caribbean.
It was wonderful.
I left after that, so I didn't hear who won what, but once more, I was getting too tired to stay put.
Sunday Morning, I had agreed to attend breakfast at 8:00 am with La Reine (Esther Friesner) and His Majesty (her husband Walter), and Lee Martindale. We had a good time sharing various tales and discussing a little business.
While we were there, GoH Terry Pratchett came over and asked if we could "help an Englishman find a cereal that would not be the death of him..."
Yeah, the hotel had a LOT of sugary cereals on the buffet. Esther and another person managed to roust a box of Special K out from among the Fruit-Loops and Sugar Pops...
After breakfast, I went back to the room to collect my luggage and pack it into the truck. Then I went to the dealer's room where I sold more books. Finally, I settled accounts with Ye Editor (room, who owes who what, etc.) and left quite happy.
The drive back was not really a long one, but I took my time, stopped and had a sitdown lunch, stopped for supper and got home.
So I am here, safe and sound.
A good time was had by all.
Laura J. Underwood
