LauraJUnderwood
Silly Author Person
Dragon*Con Report
Friday
So I hopped into Black Beauty early Friday morning and carefully (bad tire) made my way to Atlanta. Traffic was much lighter than I expected, but I think that is because most folks hit the 285 to bypass the city and end up stuck in traffic.
At any rate, I easily found where to park, pick up my badge and then had to walk through three hotels to get to the dealer's room.
Decided then to wait until Saturday to unload books.
Selina was just putting the finishing touches on getting the YDP Store ready. My new short novel The Lunari Mask was prominantly on display (along with its sister, Mel Fletcher's novella Sabre Dance).
Because I didn't have anything to do before Saturday (obligation wise), I hung around the table. I did take a short tour of the "Gawk of Fame." Mel and I took first went out and sat and watched people in the middle of the Hilton because it was just fun. Then we went to dinner (though I had already eaten, so I just sat and had Thai Tea while Mel ate) and discussed our plans for pushing Double Dog #4.
After dinner, it was play catch up with the YDP crew. The plan was to hang out until we found the rooms where all the stuff we were a part of were taking place.
Selina also had a late panel on "Fightin' 'n' Writin'" where the guests spoke of many things concerning weapons, logic in fighting in stories (and how most stories and movies miss it because the bottom line it, someone hits you with a blade, you are going to bleed...)
Afterwards, we all made our way back to the Hatcher Household, divided into bedrooms and went to sleep.
Yeah, we were sorta tired.
Saturday
Back to the dealer's room where I stepped up the "sale's pitching" a bit and pushed YDP books (and my own). So far, I had sold nothing of my personal stuff (though as crowded and small as the table was, there was little room for prominant displaying of my stuff, and by rights, since Selina payed for the table, YDP stuff got the better location), but I was selling the heck out of YDP titled, including the infamous Double Dog #4. In fact, sales on Saturday picked up quite well.
My minions...er...personal assistant and her groups arrived, and I handed them bookmarks to distribute which they did with glee. This was their first Dragon*Con and they were kids in a candy store. So I didn't work them too hard, knowing their eyes were wide with wonder and adventure...
And they had money to spend (money they had been saving up just for this convention).
I walked over to the "Gawk of Fame" again and I was good. I didn't steal Kevin Sorbo (be still my heart) or try to kidnap and stuff him into my backpack. His line was too long to get there anyway, but I talked to Claudia Christian, and I shook hands with Mark Singer (BeastMaster), who turned out to be delightfully friendly and talkative. I met one of the actors who was in one of the alien suits in Star Wars and chatted with him (alas, his name now eludes me). And I chatted with Richard Hatch (Yeah, Battlestar Galactica--the orginal series) and cheered on Major Victory as he hung a sign. (And met Fat Momma too).
Fun stuff.
Back to the dealer's room, made more sales, walked around and looked at stuff now and again. Then I headed back to the far reaches of hoteldom because I had a reading.
Two total strangers were there, so I read from Bad Lands, The Lunari Mask and Hounds of Ardagh.
Then back to the dealer's room in time to shut down.
Tonight was the night Selina decided to generously take her "peeps" out to eat, and where did we end up?
Hooters. Yeah, there was one down the road, and while Selina described it as "MacDonald's on Acid" in appearance, we were treated to a grand time. Our waitress Kellye was cute and personable, and she kept things lively and showed no fear of Selina. ;-) In fact, we got her to pose prettily with Selina.
She made Lyndon (Mel's hubby) a hat out of a balloon and a coffee filter and a ribbon (balloon was helium filled) because she wanted him to smile. Selina kept trying to convince her that it was Joy's birthday, and Joy was able to prove otherwise, but could not escape getting the balloon hat transferred to her head as she was declared woman of the day.
Yea, we got pictures and video...
It was fun...
We headed to the other hotel for the Rainbow Party. Hung out with old friends, and made a few new ones among those who are putting together Gaylacticon (the next con I am doing). They had made a cool poster of my cover art, but I never got to see it because the crowd was thick. I did dance some, and I sat and sweated for a bit, and then we all slipped out and went home.
Sunday
We crawled out of bed to start all over again. Sell, sell, sell.
The people who came to my reading stopped by and they bought a TON of YDP books each. I even sold some of my own stuff (go me!) and got enough of money for a new tire (yeah!). More wandering around, and then when the time came, I wandered over to the Autographing Tables (which were in the darkest back corner of the Gawk of Fame) to sit and idle a while. I talked to one of the con staff (who turned out to be a Tennessean himself). I worked on a story. A man stopped and told me he was sorry I looked lonely, and he didn't have any of my books today, but he wanted me to keep writing and keep telling stories because he really loved the stuff I wrote, and then he walked on...
Another woman stopped by and asked for my autograph. I gave her bookmarks and YDP stuff and we chatted, and just then, another person lined up behind her and patiently waited. I ended up signing the program book for that one. Then another writer I know stopped to chat for a minute (had been getting yet another writer's autograph).
The staff thanked me for being patient and coming, even though no one really came. I assured them it was okay as I had already (no lie) signed over 100 items while at the YDP table.
We closed down the table after I got back and went to the food court for sustinance. Afterwards, we managed to get through the Hyatt to reach the Gaylacticon Party. Stopped in at the Green Room (each of us with a "guest" in tow) and watched a bit of the masquerade there. Then on to the party, where once more we chatted and pushed YDP books on people.
Partied hearty, and then got tired so we went home earlier than the night before (Pre Midnight instead of After Midnight). Seemed like we had hardly fallen asleep when we awakened again.
Because it was...
Monday
And the last day of the con. We trundled in to the convention. I drove the truck this time because I knew I would be leaving and heading home from here.
By Sunday, there were only THREE copies of DoubleDog #4 left (well, 4, but Mel bought one for someone who asked her to get it for him). And believe me, I made SURE those copies were gone so WE SOLD OUT of the book!!!
GO ME AND MEL!!!!!
I think Selina was overjoyed at the success of Dragon*Con for YDP. While it was not a giant profit margin, the expenses were covered.
I even went and got me a little souvenir--a small beanbag dragon (very Cute) to celebrate the victory.
Around 4:00 pm, I decided it was time for me to hit the road home. Said my goodbyes, gathered my remaining stuff and hit the road home.
I was tired when I got in last night, but I felt like it was a weekend well spent.
Laura J. Underwood
Friday
So I hopped into Black Beauty early Friday morning and carefully (bad tire) made my way to Atlanta. Traffic was much lighter than I expected, but I think that is because most folks hit the 285 to bypass the city and end up stuck in traffic.
At any rate, I easily found where to park, pick up my badge and then had to walk through three hotels to get to the dealer's room.
Decided then to wait until Saturday to unload books.
Selina was just putting the finishing touches on getting the YDP Store ready. My new short novel The Lunari Mask was prominantly on display (along with its sister, Mel Fletcher's novella Sabre Dance).
Because I didn't have anything to do before Saturday (obligation wise), I hung around the table. I did take a short tour of the "Gawk of Fame." Mel and I took first went out and sat and watched people in the middle of the Hilton because it was just fun. Then we went to dinner (though I had already eaten, so I just sat and had Thai Tea while Mel ate) and discussed our plans for pushing Double Dog #4.
After dinner, it was play catch up with the YDP crew. The plan was to hang out until we found the rooms where all the stuff we were a part of were taking place.
Selina also had a late panel on "Fightin' 'n' Writin'" where the guests spoke of many things concerning weapons, logic in fighting in stories (and how most stories and movies miss it because the bottom line it, someone hits you with a blade, you are going to bleed...)
Afterwards, we all made our way back to the Hatcher Household, divided into bedrooms and went to sleep.
Yeah, we were sorta tired.
Saturday
Back to the dealer's room where I stepped up the "sale's pitching" a bit and pushed YDP books (and my own). So far, I had sold nothing of my personal stuff (though as crowded and small as the table was, there was little room for prominant displaying of my stuff, and by rights, since Selina payed for the table, YDP stuff got the better location), but I was selling the heck out of YDP titled, including the infamous Double Dog #4. In fact, sales on Saturday picked up quite well.
My minions...er...personal assistant and her groups arrived, and I handed them bookmarks to distribute which they did with glee. This was their first Dragon*Con and they were kids in a candy store. So I didn't work them too hard, knowing their eyes were wide with wonder and adventure...
And they had money to spend (money they had been saving up just for this convention).
I walked over to the "Gawk of Fame" again and I was good. I didn't steal Kevin Sorbo (be still my heart) or try to kidnap and stuff him into my backpack. His line was too long to get there anyway, but I talked to Claudia Christian, and I shook hands with Mark Singer (BeastMaster), who turned out to be delightfully friendly and talkative. I met one of the actors who was in one of the alien suits in Star Wars and chatted with him (alas, his name now eludes me). And I chatted with Richard Hatch (Yeah, Battlestar Galactica--the orginal series) and cheered on Major Victory as he hung a sign. (And met Fat Momma too).
Fun stuff.
Back to the dealer's room, made more sales, walked around and looked at stuff now and again. Then I headed back to the far reaches of hoteldom because I had a reading.
Two total strangers were there, so I read from Bad Lands, The Lunari Mask and Hounds of Ardagh.
Then back to the dealer's room in time to shut down.
Tonight was the night Selina decided to generously take her "peeps" out to eat, and where did we end up?
Hooters. Yeah, there was one down the road, and while Selina described it as "MacDonald's on Acid" in appearance, we were treated to a grand time. Our waitress Kellye was cute and personable, and she kept things lively and showed no fear of Selina. ;-) In fact, we got her to pose prettily with Selina.
She made Lyndon (Mel's hubby) a hat out of a balloon and a coffee filter and a ribbon (balloon was helium filled) because she wanted him to smile. Selina kept trying to convince her that it was Joy's birthday, and Joy was able to prove otherwise, but could not escape getting the balloon hat transferred to her head as she was declared woman of the day.
Yea, we got pictures and video...
It was fun...
We headed to the other hotel for the Rainbow Party. Hung out with old friends, and made a few new ones among those who are putting together Gaylacticon (the next con I am doing). They had made a cool poster of my cover art, but I never got to see it because the crowd was thick. I did dance some, and I sat and sweated for a bit, and then we all slipped out and went home.
Sunday
We crawled out of bed to start all over again. Sell, sell, sell.
The people who came to my reading stopped by and they bought a TON of YDP books each. I even sold some of my own stuff (go me!) and got enough of money for a new tire (yeah!). More wandering around, and then when the time came, I wandered over to the Autographing Tables (which were in the darkest back corner of the Gawk of Fame) to sit and idle a while. I talked to one of the con staff (who turned out to be a Tennessean himself). I worked on a story. A man stopped and told me he was sorry I looked lonely, and he didn't have any of my books today, but he wanted me to keep writing and keep telling stories because he really loved the stuff I wrote, and then he walked on...
Another woman stopped by and asked for my autograph. I gave her bookmarks and YDP stuff and we chatted, and just then, another person lined up behind her and patiently waited. I ended up signing the program book for that one. Then another writer I know stopped to chat for a minute (had been getting yet another writer's autograph).
The staff thanked me for being patient and coming, even though no one really came. I assured them it was okay as I had already (no lie) signed over 100 items while at the YDP table.
We closed down the table after I got back and went to the food court for sustinance. Afterwards, we managed to get through the Hyatt to reach the Gaylacticon Party. Stopped in at the Green Room (each of us with a "guest" in tow) and watched a bit of the masquerade there. Then on to the party, where once more we chatted and pushed YDP books on people.
Partied hearty, and then got tired so we went home earlier than the night before (Pre Midnight instead of After Midnight). Seemed like we had hardly fallen asleep when we awakened again.
Because it was...
Monday
And the last day of the con. We trundled in to the convention. I drove the truck this time because I knew I would be leaving and heading home from here.
By Sunday, there were only THREE copies of DoubleDog #4 left (well, 4, but Mel bought one for someone who asked her to get it for him). And believe me, I made SURE those copies were gone so WE SOLD OUT of the book!!!
GO ME AND MEL!!!!!
I think Selina was overjoyed at the success of Dragon*Con for YDP. While it was not a giant profit margin, the expenses were covered.
I even went and got me a little souvenir--a small beanbag dragon (very Cute) to celebrate the victory.
Around 4:00 pm, I decided it was time for me to hit the road home. Said my goodbyes, gathered my remaining stuff and hit the road home.
I was tired when I got in last night, but I felt like it was a weekend well spent.
Laura J. Underwood
) but she still managed to make herself seen and heard--especially in Hooters. 
