A Note:

6/2/13

I once told myself: IF I am accepted into grad school, this blog would no longer be updated. As it turns out, in April, I received news of my acceptance for the Fall 2013 semester, where I will attain a Master's degree of Science in Nutrition.

Running a blog, as many of you may already know, is a demanding side job once the excitement wears off. And once I fell out of the blogging community's loop (have you SEEN how many blogs there are now? Wow!), it was like the kiss of death. Despite my best efforts, I couldn't get into a blogging routine once this happened due to the disconnect I felt from the community.

So I took a break. I struggled with the loss and with missing my blog. And then I realized I didn't have to run Book Faery to still be a book reviewer; I could read my books and post reviews online. I'm still a book review blogger, just not in the traditional sense.

I'll still be online. You can chat with me on Twitter, where I'll be posting links to my reviews and talking books. I'll also be posting links to nutrition articles. And if you'd like to connect with me where I guarantee I will post reviews, just add me as a friend on Goodreads.

So that's all, folks! It's been a fun and amazing journey, and I thank you all for listening to my thoughts about books. I hope we all can keep in touch elsewhere :)

Tori

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

AAD NOLA Author Spotlight: Carolyn Crane



Ten things I’ll be discreetly (and not discreetly) doing at AAD
by Carolyn Crane


Hey Tori! Thanks so much for inviting me to your blog!

So, AAD! There are so many things I love about this conference: the excitement of meeting people I know from online and the book world, and being with a group of hundreds of writer/reader types who are just like a tribe with instant and fierce things in common. And also discussing things about publishing that weigh on my mind with other authors. But there are some specific things I shal do at this conference. I have identified ten of them!

Get the hotel layout in my mind right away
The last time at AAD, you can’t believe how much time I wasted being lost in that hotel! It was like a funhouse, with the floors vaguely resembling each other, so you sort of never knew where you were, which is a huge impediment to getting where you’re going, believe me. This time, I am going to memorize the freaking hotel map. If you are lost, see Carolyn Crane, biotches!

Get that panel schedule app on my smart phone
I would highly suggest this for you. Last year, there was an app that had the schedule and the people who had it really knew what was up. I am of the pathetic generation that sort of sucks using a smartphone. I have one, but I am not fluent in the whole apps thing. and so I was always bugging people to tell me not only where I was, but where I was supposed to be. This year, that all changes! I will be working that app!

Secretly look at the other authors’ outfits
There are authors that I admire that somehow manage to look authorly, an ineffable combo of polished, yet cool. Relaxed, just dignified. Authorly. Certain bloggers and readers have this going, too. A kind of smartypants chic. How do you do it?? I don’t know how they do it but when I go to conventions, I try to get ideas and often record outfits in my memory for copying. I will be wearing shoes that are the identical ones that Jessica from ReadReactReview.com wore to Romcon one year. I am a very outfits-challenged individual. I wore the same outfit at my 10 and 20 year high school reunions. My sister helped me choose it. In fact, I will likely wear it at the convention. It seems to have worked so far. I’m a clothes dork.

Gush about heroes out loud
There is something massively different between typing the words “I love Aiden the Fierce!” onto a keyboard and saying them to a live human being who totally understands, and can be all squeeeee! Back. Don’t you think? I will be taking advantage of this in NOLA. In normal life, I think most of us don’t have outlets through which to say such things aloud. Or, maybe you do. Maybe you have local galpals you talk books with. I don’t have a whole lot of that here.

Pig out
In my normal life, I eat really healthy. However, get me around a lot of regular food, and I tend to go a little crazy. Chocolate, cheese, breads, fried things. OMG is it August yet? And we’ll be in New Orleans!! Who wants to go out for pastries?? I’m so there!

Look at nametags soooo discreetly
There’s this weird thing at conventions where, as soon as you run into a person, you look down at their nametag to see if you know them. I always feel sort of weird doing it, like, Who are YOU? But, if you don’t do it, you often don’t know who the person is. I’m also horribly challenged at remembering faces, so even if I have met a person, I often won’t remember them. I live such a solitary life, I get overwhelmed when meeting many people at once. Sometimes my brain just turns off.

Work really hard and probably fail at connecting twitter avis with names
I sort of wish people had their twitter avatars on their nametags. That is so how I remember people. If you’re on twitter and haven’t been to a convention, you’ll totally see what I mean. Unless you twitter avi is your face. Then it would be a bit overkill. LOL.

Covet your books
Let’s face it, you readers and bloggers get the good book swag! We authors get some books, sure, but I tend to feel that it’s a bit unseemly for authors to go around snapping up too many of the freebie books, especially when they’re given out by other authors. There isn’t any specific rule about it, but it seems like they’re not really for us. So, you readers and bloggers, if my eyes drop below your face, it might not be your nametag I’m looking at…it might be your books haul!

Pick up after myself and be a better roommate for Nicole
I roomed with Nicole Peeler last year, and will again this year. However, Nicole, if you are reading this, you will discover I have turned over a new leaf! I will not be the slob I was at AAD 2011! I will pick up my things! I will not dump swag all over the chairs and floor!

Have fun!
I so can’t wait.

So, do you have any under-the-radar plans for AAD in New Orleans? Do tell!



I’m a writer living in Minneapolis with my husband and two daring cats.


I work a day job as a freelance advertising writer, and have for years. I’ve also waited tables at a surprising number of Minneapolis restaurants and bars (though not as many, incidentally, as my writer husband has). I’ve also been a shop clerk and a plastics factory worker, which I was dismal at (think I Love Lucy).


Also, I can relate almost any life experience to one or another Star Trek episodes, and if you invite me to your party, your cheese plate will be in grave danger.


During rare moments when I’m not at my computer, I can be found reading in bed, running, helping animals, or eating Mexican food.


Connect with Carolyn:  Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads




Add MIND GAMES to your Goodreads shelf.


JUSTINE KNOWS
SHE'S GOING TO DIE.
ANY SECOND NOW.


Justine Jones has a secret. A hardcore hypochondriac, she's convinced a blood vessel is about to burst in her brain. Then, out of the blue, a startlingly handsome man named Packard peers into Justine's soul and invites her to join his private crime-fighting team. It's a once-in-a-lifetime deal. With a little of Packard's hands-on training, Justine can weaponize her neurosis, turning it outward on Midcity's worst criminals, and finally get the freedom from fear she's always craved. End of problem.

Or is it?

In Midcity, a dashing police chief is fighting a unique breed of outlaw with more than human powers. And while Justine's first missions, including one against a nymphomaniac husband-killer, are thrilling successes, there is more to Packard than meets the eye. Soon, while battling her attraction to two very different men, Justine is plunging deeper into a world of wizardry, eroticism, and cosmic secrets. With Packard's help, Justine has freed herself from her madness - only to discover a reality more frightening than anyone's worst fears.

21 comments:

  1. Lol, great guestpost! Living in Holland, going to a convention in America is a dream, that is not going to come true any time soon. But I do wish you all a lot of fun!

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    1. Hey Aurian!!
      Oh, I always so feel for you folks in Europe - so sucks it's so hard for you to get to cons here. My critique partner lives in Scotland, and I despair I'll never meet her. Thanks for the well wishes!

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  2. haha I loved this post!

    I will be taking in as much as I can while spreading the AADNOLA PR love and hopefully not nagging Stella too much. I am super excited to meet all the fantastic authors and really just hoping that I don't get too star struck, but I have made little cards that I can hand to someone just incase I can't actually form a thought... that way they don't think I am an escaped mental patient that just stares at them with my mouth open, making odd partial sounds, as my face turns red.

    I agree people's twitter avitars on their name tags would be a huge help! I am horrible when it comes to putting author names with books, books with charcters, but if I hear, read a couple of lines, or see a book cover I will chat your ear off about the whole book/series if I've read it. :)

    thanks for the wonderful post and I look forward to meeting you in person!

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    1. Oh, I never thought of having a picture of my book cover! Okay, well, I will be looking for one of those little cards from you!! So looking forward to AAD!!

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  3. You will look like royalty next to me. I always look like a schlub...even in brand new clothes. I look at nametags too, but I'm not discreet. Great tips about the hotel layout. I'm really looking forward to meeting you!!!

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    1. Hey! haha, don't bet on it. Unless I bring my tiara. I'm looking forward to meeting you, too! It's only a few months now. Seems just yesterday it was soooo far off.

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  4. Lol, love this! Now you've really got me hankering to attend AAD :D

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    1. LOL now that you know it is not for dermatologists! ;)

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  5. I am going to have to be rolled on the plane home from all the food I will consume in NOLA.

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  6. I also do not understand exactly how to dress for these things. I had one outfit that I thought was particularly rockin' last year, and I couldn't wait to show up to my panel. And then I went out to the food truck and a bird shat upon me, and I ended up going to the panel in jeans and t-shirt.

    Oh well. At least this year I won't be 9 months into a "See if you can go the entire year without brushing your hair" bet.

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    1. Yes, it is confusing how to dress. I do see everything, though. And, did you last the year??? With the no brushing?

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  7. So looking forward to AAD. Really nervous that I'm going to come across and some crazy uber-fan, but I also don't have a ton of people I can talk books with where I live so I'm really looking forward to being able to do a little hero worshipping too.
    Can't wait to try all the great food!I'm already scoping out menus at restaurants near the hotel.

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    1. Hah! You'll have a blast. And, already scoping out menus! Awesome! You are on top of things!

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  8. lol I love that you can't remember faces and are clothing challenged. I feel a little more normal, now!

    Also, I had no idea they had apps for con schedules. What a great idea!

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    1. Yes, you're not alone! I do think so many of us writers and readers are used to not interacting with lots of people at once.

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  9. Carolyn,

    I have Mind Games, Double Cross & Head Rush. Great reads.
    Wish I could be at AAD, NOLA. Say hello to Suzanne Johnson for me, that will surprise her. Big fan of Royal Street. Roger

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    1. Hey Roger! Thanks so much - I'm so glad you enjoyed the reads! ROYAL STREET! I will give Suzanne a tap on the shoulder with that!

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  10. The doors, lololololol. There is NO way to discreetly look at name tags, lmao.

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    1. How about bunny ears? I will look discreetly at those!!

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  11. Toooo much fun! Since I use the same avatar on all my online places, I put the thumbnail on the back of my Alpha Heroes moo-cards, and I think it was a really good idea.

    My vow for the next con is to go find author sites and study up on peoples pictures so I can recognize them in the hall or bar. Especially the bar. Heh.

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