RT 2014 Recap: Part I

Sorry for the delay. Some personal stuff happened right after I got back from my trip.
Anyway, as you all know, I recently returned from my very first book convention, which was none other than the RT Booklover's Convention in NEW ORLEANS!!!!!
I figured for my first con, I'd go big or go home.

Well, it was more than big, it was HUGE.

My best description for my mental state during those action-packed four days was "Overwhelmed and Overjoyed." There was just so much going on that I'm going to split this into at least 3 posts.

I'll start with the overview. After a long plane ride across the country, I arrived in NOLA and thankfully didn't miss my airport shuttle. On the shuttle I met some fellow excited attendees and a nice local who point out the cemeteries and landmarks along with recommending some good restaurants.
The Marriott in the French Quarter was large and imposing. However I managed to check in and get my badge and track down my roommate, Urban Fantasy author Jess Haines.

Releases July 1st!

If you haven't read her already, CHECK HER OUT!!!!

Anyway, she showed me to our room and since we were both starving, she immediately took me to a nifty restaurant called Daisy Dukes and we split a basket of the best fried shrimp that I've had in my life. She then played sherpa and took me on a mini tour around the block. I just gaped at everything and forgot to take pictures. She treated me to my first beignet. OMG, the fluffy, sugary goodness!!

Still joyous and staring at everything, we returned to our room to get ready for a Mardis Gras party. I got to meet my first book reviewer, Casey from Literary Escapism and she is a doll, so I totally gave her one of my few copies of WRENCHING FATE.

We talked books while changing into festive costumes and heading down to the bus that took us to Mardi Gras World. Jess was to participate in the event so I tagged along with Casey and Amy Boggs, a charming literary agent. I pretty much stayed glued to them as we headed into the building because they were the closest to familiar people I knew. We really had no idea what to expect and were awed and delighted at what came next. Ready for a slew of pictures? Great!

Lining up outside Mardi Gras World

There were some awesome statues that I think they use on floats.

BATMAN!

Headless Horseman!!

After that, there was a parade with Jazz musicians and authors in floats and stuff throwing beads at us.

Sara Humphreys yanked me out of the crowd so we could take a selfie with her and Susanna Kearsley.

It was freakin' awesome.

After the parade we got to visit a bunch of booths and try New Orleans food. And that is how I fell in love with Shrimp n' grits and Crawfish Etoufee.

I also met a bunch more authors and reviewers and readers and industry people.

The bar outside was too spendy and exact cash only, so Jess and I took off shortly afterward and she gave me a quick tour of Bourbon Street and we visited a cool outdoor bar called Pat O' Brien's and had a nifty cocktail (I got to keep the glass) before shambling back to the hotel.

Then we passed the heck out because we were exhausted and had a full schedule of more RT fun early in the morning.

So the first day was... WOW!

Stay tuned for part II!