Running With Quills: Peer Group, anyone?

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Peer Group, anyone?

Has anyone noticed a trend among the Quills?
How we're all scrambling and frazzled and barely keeping up?
Must be why we're a group. Instead of Quills, we should be called The Frazzled.
Or The Insane Ones maybe.

Loonies has a nice ring to it. (Just kidding Quills, don't shoot me!)

Anyway, yeah, I'm scrambling to keep up. Sorry. I'm trying, but I know I'll be scrambling until after my June event and the delivery of my current work in progress.
I keep telling myself that come August 1st, my benefit stuff will be over, my son will be married, the work on the house will be done, my book will be turned in, and I'll have a handle on life so I can enjoy the summer!
The next book after this one won't be due for awhile.
Ahhhh... Time to recharge the gray matter!

I plan to do that with a LOT more reading. I've been soooo good about getting on the treadmill, thanks to Elizabeth's book. It's just yummy. I should be done by tomorrow, and I hate to see it end!

Next I want to read a Stella book. Suggestions anyone?
Then, I hope I hope I hope, Susan might tell me that Jared and PJ will finally have a book! I can't wait much longer for their story.

So anyway, while going insane, I've been exercising and eating better and taking my vitamins and reading. I might be nuts, but I'll be a healthy nut!

Very soon, June 1st in fact, I'll get to hang with my homies - the chicks who like what I like, the ladies who share my sense of humor and love of books.
My peer group!

Let's talk about my June event!

Why aren't you attending???
C'mon, it's only $35! A steal when you consider that you get to meet 55 authors (yeah, seriously, 55 authors!) and two editors, and two agents, not to mention over 100 like-minded readers.

It's casual, loads of fun, and informative.

The editors are Rose Hilliard from St. Martin's and Cindy Hwang from Berkley, and the agents are Jennifer Schober from Spencerhill Associates Ltd. and Roberta Brown from Brown Literary Agency.

Here are the authors:

Liz Andrews
Becky Barker
Anya Bast
Julia Bennett
Jacki Bentley
Elizabeth Bevarly
Toni Blake
Monica Burns
Dianne Castell
Sam Cheever
Ann Christopher
MaryAnn Chulick
Edwina Columbia
Debby Conrad
Diane Craver
Lauren Dane
Gia Dawn
Jamie Denton
Carol Ann Erhardt
Gail Faulkner
Lori Foster
Nia K. Foxx
Shelley Galloway
Heather Grothaus
Carolan Ivey
Marcia James
Isabo Kelly
Rosemary Laurey
Mary Lennox
Michelle L. Levigne
Kimberly Logan
Melissa Lopez
Sasha Lord
Donna MacMeans
Janice Maynard
Erin McCarthy
Sarah McCarty
LuAnn McLane
Dianne Miley
Shelby Morgen
Beth Morrow
Anne Rainey
Tracy L. Ranson
Patricia Sargeant
Barbara Satow
Katherine Smith
Catherine Spaulding
Michele Stegman
Kay Stockham
DeNita Tuttle
Eve Vaughn
Kelley Vitollo
Shiloh Walker
Ann Warner
J.C. Wilder
(Sorry, I don't know how to do columns on here!)

Awesome line-up, huh?

Many of those authors, and some of the Quills, contributed to our cookbook, which is for sale at Samhain, Amazon, BN, and our event!
Proceeds from the sales go to worthy causes, mostly the troops!

On top of all that, we have over 60 donated raffle baskets coming, and 20 authors offering critiques to be raffled off.

We have a pizza party with colas Friday night, a continental breakfast and buffet lunch on Saturday. (That's why I charge $35 - to cover the food.)

Friday night events include games , line dancing lessons, and a fun presentation by the Vamps and Scamps authors. (Prepare to laugh!)

Saturday we have loads of opportunities for photos with authors, agent & editor appointments, a used book exchange, the bookfair, raffle, and our infamous rotating lunch, where authors literally pick up their plates and switch tables every 15 minutes so that everyone has a chance to visit with them.
Fun, huh? (The authors don't complain too much, and the readers love it!)

Sound good to you?
Allrightythen... now for my rush of the moment questions to you, to round out this hodge podge blog.

What authors would YOU love to see at a large gathering?

Is there any particular author that would entice you to attend an event like this?

What type of activities would you want if you were to attend? (We're always open to new ideas!)

For me, I wish I could get all the Quills to attend. But as I said in my first paragraph, we're so blasted swamped with work and life, I can't see that happening any time soon.
But I can continue to dream....

HUGS,

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

(Yeah, I know this blog is short on pictures, but I promise to do better next time!)

40 Comments:

Ranurgis said...: I think I already apologized for not being able to come, even though I thought it might work. Yeah, $35 isn't much but I have to get there too, and without a car and paying horrendous gas prices?

Besides, everybody looks at me: You still haven't moved everything in?!? Yeah, how about helping me carry up some of those heavy boxes and furnishings, hmm. Sometimes having to take care of everything yourself really is the pits.; 10:58 PM
Ranurgis said...: Though I have quite different things that keep me swamped, I can definitely empathise with you. I feel as if I'm on a never-ending treadmill that won't stop but isn't really going anywhere. After all, it is just a treadmill or one of those hamster wheels. I empathise with anyone who'd like to just let out some lusty screams and/or find a hole to hide in for the next few months. Just thinking of last summer makes be break out in swea...uuh, sorry...perspiration and today seems like a bad start.; 11:06 PM
DFender said...: Aw Lori,

You certainly are a busy woman! Congratulations on your June Event... you've done a marvelous job of gathering people and planning stuff. No time off for me to come south since we just got home from vacation, maybe next year.

A Stella Book?
My recommendation? FRENCH QUARTER. Rowr. Great, great book that started my love affair with all things Toussaint.

What authors would YOU love to see at a large gathering?
Oh, any of the over 100 that I religiously read...lolol

Is there any particular author that would entice you to attend an event like this?
Aw, you're draw enough, Ms. Lori! Rest of the Quills, though? Icing on the cake.

What type of activities would you want if you were to attend?
No idea, I've never been to any type of author event but hey, I'm gonna try to get to yours next year. If you're crazy enough to do it again...lol.

Ahh... thank GOD it's Friday. Have a happy one!

Deb; 3:20 AM
Lori Foster said...: Ranurgis, big, big hug! I can't imagine having *only* me to rely on. With 3 sons and a hubby, I don't think I'd lift a single heavy box. You take your time and get stuff put away when it's put away!
You are SO right about gas prices! It's been a big topic of conversation on my loops, especially for people who have to commute. It's insane.

Deb, I hope you make it next year. :-) Our event is super relaxed and casual, and mostly about chatting with like-minded people. Very fun.
But I'm always open to suggestions!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day planned. We're having family over on Sunday, so lots of good food and talking with people who we love, but who are seldom like-minded. LOL

HUGS,

Lori; 4:15 AM
dee from Australia said...: why don't I go? there is a 20kg limit for each luggage item, then a excess weight fee, having a used book exchange and bookfair, well that's trouble for me, like a kid in a candy shop, now lets see how many bags would I have to take?; 4:16 AM
Stacy~ said...: I consider myself very lucky to be able to go to the 3rd one, living only 5 hours away. I also think it's not just the authors, who are all great, but also to meet on-line friends. I love the informal atmosphere of the event, the chance to chat with authors and just have fun, no pressure. It's a wonderful event.

As for any authors outside of who are going, I'd love to have Suz Brockmann there. She is just so down-to-earth, and wrote about half the books on my keeper shelf.

Happy Friday, and here's to the long weekend!!!; 4:37 AM
Laurie D. said...: I'm fortunate enough to live just a couple of hours away and have attended the previous two events - I can't wait for next weekend! On top of spending the weekend with bunches of great friends that I don't see nearly enough, I get a hotel room with a king size bed all to myself for two nights - woohoo! I lay right in the middle with all of those pillows around me - it's like being on a cloud!

It would be great if all of the Quills would attend - I'd also like to meet Alison Kent and Jill Shalvis, just to name a couple.

I hope everyone has a terrific holiday weekend.; 4:52 AM
Anonymous said...: I wouldn't miss the event, it is about 5 hours away and it is so much fun. We spend most of the time laughing and talking. LadyB as mistress of ceremonies is worth the 35 dollars alone. LOL

As for a Stella book? If you haven't read French Quarter yet then grab it, it has my man in it Father Cyrus. :) yeah he is a priest but he is a VERY hot priest. If you already read that one then pick up COLD DAY IN JULY, which is awesome too.

BadBarb; 5:45 AM
Diane Craver said...: I'm attending the June event for the first time. I've heard so many great things about it. Several attending I know only from chatting online so will be nice to meet these ladies in person.

Everyone, have a safe holiday weekend!; 7:06 AM
Anonymous said...: I'm a 1st timer also..and can't wait! The only one's not on the list that I would like to meet would be Sherrilyn Kenyon and Christine Feehan. : )

Oh yea, I love the Elmo near your sig...it makes up for the lack of pictures. : )

Shana; 7:15 AM
Monica Burns said...: Lori,

I'm sooo excited about coming to the event. I love the smaller conferences where you can spend more time with writers and readers chatting about our favorite topic; romance books! Especially because their eyes don't glaze over when you're discussing the finer points of why a hero should or shouldn't do something! LOL

Oh, and I'm looking forward to riding that bull. *evil grin*

Monica; 7:59 AM
patricia sargeant said...: Oh my word, Lori! I don't know what recommendations to make. I love the Readers & Authors Get Together. I can't wait to attend next weekend. I had such an awesomely great time last year. Thanks to you, Dianne Castell and all the wonderful volunteers who make it such a spectacular get together.; 9:45 AM
Lori Foster said...: Dee, mail them here ahead of time! LOL. YOu can send them to me, and I'll bring them to the hotel for you. ;-) Although, yeah, Australia is a fair piece away. LOL

Stacy, I would LOVE to have Suz Brockman here! Isn't she incredible? Next year, I'll try to send her a special invitation, and you can help me talk her into it. LOL

Laurie, now I've got an image of you in that big bed. LOL. The things you say...!

Hey Bad Barb, I agree that LadyB does an amazing job as the raffle queen. She rocks. And so do you! You help so much with everything - and you run the book trade! THANK YOU.

Dianne, I have those buttons that say, "It's okay, I don't remember your name either." I NEED those buttons for all the people I know online, but can't remember face to face. LOL

Hey Shana, I actually SHerilyn could be talked into it. I don't know about Chris though. I'll work on her and see. They're both really awesome people :-)
Glad you like my Elmo. LOL He's my grandson's favorite. ;-)

Hey Monica, the bull is Dianne's responsibility. LOL. I hope it's working this year! And I want lots of pictures! Being a fuddy duddy, I'll be home catching some zzzz while y'all are at the bar.

Happy Friday everyone!

Lori; 9:46 AM
Lori Foster said...: Thanks Patricia! I'm soooo looking forward to seeing you AND that special blanket/quilt!

Lori; 9:47 AM
karende said...: Well, there are writers and then there are writers. I think I mentioned once that my ex was [is] a writer, and I knew quite a few others back in Alaska. There are a lot of writers I’d like to meet, under any circumstances, and others I wouldn’t make the effort to cross the street to say ‘Hi’ - but that’s because I already know them and it’s a function of who they are rather than what they do. The one I did make a real effort to go see was James Michener. After he finished doing his research for Alaska, he did a series of presentations around the state.

As for going to conferences of any kind these days, I’d love to - but I can’t afford it, at least the ‘getting there’ part. I’d have to go by train or bus, and neither one is a good option for taking a service dog. But she’d love to stay in a hotel with a king-size bed to share!

karibear; 10:51 AM
Anonymous said...: Hi Lori and all -- I'm planning to be at the event next week, and I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone! This will be my third time to attend and you couldn't ask for a better group of ladies for fun and support. See you soon:-)

Becky Barker; 11:20 AM
Barbara said...: This will be third time at the event as well. It is always so relaxed and fun. Looking forward to it.

As for other authors I woul like to attend. Would love to spend time with Lucy Monroe, Jill Shalvis, Alison Kent, Mary Janice Davidson and od course Suz and Sherri and Christine would be fun. Would also love to spend some time with Nora...although I suspect she would make me really nervous.; 12:24 PM
Judy F said...: I live in town and I can't wait. It really helps me with my tight budget not to have to swing a hotel bill too.

I can't wait to see my favorite authors and my online cohorts or my partners in crime. LOL

I am with Barb. I would love the Quills to come. Plus, Lucy Monroe, Jill Shalvis, Alison Kent, Donna Kauffman, Linda Howard, Karen Rose. The list goes on and on.; 2:18 PM
Lori of Canada said...: HI Lori,

I would love to be able to attend - but there is no way I could do this year. Getting there from Halifax, Nova Scotia, is a little bit too pricey for my pocketbook. However, I am definitely hoping to make it next year!!!

Lori M>; 2:22 PM
Elizabeth Guest said...: I'm up to my ears in finishing my current manuscript that must be sent off before the national RWA (Romance Writers of America) conference in Dallas in early July.

But have a wonderful time at Lori's conference, everyone!

~EG; 3:40 PM
Anonymous said...: Aww shucks Lori, it is a lot of fun and if you want help in asking Suz brockman I will help too. :)

Some of the authors I would really like to come, are the Quill authors here. I would love the opportunity to hang with Stella, Jayne, Elizabeth and Suzanne. It is such a relaxed atmosphere and you can just sit and talk.
I also would like to see Cathie Linz, I love talking with her too.

bad barb; 6:05 PM
susan andersen said...: I know Lori's June event is a HUGE draw. I was in her neck of the woods last year for a mini-bus tour and the people from the local RWA chapter who dropped for one of our signings said that so-and-so said they were sorry they couldn't attend but they were on their way to Lori's author/readers do. And those who did stop by said, hi, bye, gotta go!, because they, too, were on their way! I'd love to attend some year--it's gotta be a hoot!

And psst, Lori, PJ and Jared's book is hitting the shelves August 28th. But I'll have an early copy with your name on it.; 7:05 PM
Stella said...: Lori: I enjoy all the Quills and feel honored to be included in such a group. Each time it's my turn to blog, I scream, "Waaaa, what can I write about?" Then an idea comes and I get right into it and enjoy myself.

If I let myself become completely cut off by work pressures, there wouldn't be any point in all this. We write stories to please people but we can't know what people might enjoy if we're too out of touch. That's my excuse for seeking a good chat and I'm sticking to it.

You are so giving, Lori. And you're a dynamo. I wish I could be with you for the Big Event. I wish we could all be there. But I've got a blippety-blip book to write and no hope of time off until it's finished. But one of these days, one of these years... Wow, it would be fun, wouldn't it?

Stella XOXO; 10:47 PM
Lori Foster said...: Karibear, yeah, the "getting there" for many is the most expensive part. I wish there was some way Dianne and I could make it cheaper!

Becky Barker, you made it! Yay. Hope you remember your password this time. LOL. For anyone who hasn't met Becky, she's one of the really, really nice folk who gives you a smile just by being there!

Barbara, I'm pretty sure that Sheri and Chris are listed as attending Lora Leigh's event in... I want to say Sept, but I wouldn't swear to anything. You could check her site for details.
I'd LOVE to get those ladies here as well. I'll try to send them special invites next year.
Lucay Monroe is pretty far away and this year she had a TON of writing to do. I might be able to convince her to make the trip for next year though.
I'll add her to my "authors to specifically invite." LOL

Happy Saturday everyone!
It's going to be a scorcher here today, but I love summer so much, I won't complain.
HUGS!; 3:57 AM
Lori Foster said...: Hey Judy F, I'm glad you live in town too. :-)
So Lucy, Jill, Allison seem to be repeat names! I'll have to let them know that. ;-)

Lori M., if you can swing getting here next year, then you HAVE to come a day early so we can hit up a movie together! LOL It's a requirement. I would SOOOO love to meet you in person!

I have a hair appointment today. I need a trim in a very bad way, but unlike most of you, I detest going to the salon. It just eats up my day when there are so many things I'd rather be doing!

Hugs!

Lori; 4:00 AM
Lori Foster said...: Hey Barb, have you met Suzanne/EG yet? I haven't. I'd love to get to say "Hi" in person. (No pressure, EG, I know you're working on deadline!) I suppose if I can't get the Quills here, I need to make RWA. :-P

Susan Andersen, you're my hero! I can not *wait* to read that book!!! I'll be chomping at the bit until my early copy arrives. :D Thank you!

It would be phenomenal, Stella! We should pick a year - like 3 years down the road - and then we could all plan around it. ;-) You could all consider it your charitable donation for the year, since we give so much to the shelter. LOL

Okay, I know, you'll all be under writing deadlines then, too. But a girl can dream. :-D

Lori; 4:18 AM
karende said...: Heh. The 'getting there' part reminds me of several past experiences. There was a Neil Diamond concert in Anchorage many years ago that I really really wanted to attend. My kids said 'Why not go?' and just didn't quite get it when I said I could pay the airfare, OR pay for the ticket, OR pay for a hotel for the weekend, but I could only afford 1 of the 3. Then there was the time a friend had just gotten a new job - she and her DH and children had been planning and saving for several years to go to one of the overseas Olympics. When she requested leave to go, the Powers said Absolutely Not, You haven't been here long enough. She said 'I'll take leave without pay, I don't need it to be vacation time' and they said once again, NO WAY. So she said, Consider this my notice of termination. We haven't saved and planned all this time for you [the 'Powers' was actually just one person, the superintendant] to ruin it all. It's been nice, and I'll work until the end of the school year - she was a nurse - but I won't be back in the fall.

karibear; 6:25 AM
Lori of Canada said...: Lori,

That sounds awesome!!! I am definitely going to try and swing it!

Lori M>; 6:34 AM
Jayne Ann Krentz said...: Sounds like a lot of fun, Lori. Give my best to everyone! One conference a summer is all I can manage, unfortunately, and this summer it will be the annual Romance Writers of America event. We'll miss you there.

--Jayne; 7:26 AM
elizabeth said...: Susan--any way for me to work out an ARC swap? I'd love to read your next one early!

Lori--I admire your energy! Actually, I downright covet it. :-); 12:18 PM
dee said...: next year if it is on, I might just organise myself and go. :); 5:16 PM
Kay Stockham said...: Hey Lori!

The June event is fabulous! Anyone who hasn't tried it yet has to come! It's sooo much fun! Thanks, Lori & Dianne, for putting it together.

Kay; 5:39 PM
Lori Foster said...: Lori M., keep me posted. I hope you can start a "get together" fund. LOL. It'd be great!

Jayne, I have almost given up the "big" conventions. I thought about doing RWA this year, but with so much going on, I decided against it. Now I wish I hadn't. We could have take a "Quill" photo of all of us together. :-)
Maybe next year, since y'all only do one, and it's RWA, I'll break down and plan to go. :-)

EL, I admire how much you read!!! I am SO trying to get back to it. Little by little. I figure when the addition is done to the house, I'll tackle updating my office, then I'm done. So that won't interfere.
We're settling some things for my youngest son, and that's going to simplify our lives a lot. My middle son will be married and moved out.
I set up a new writing schedule (with a new contract) that is MUCH more manangable, so...
good books to read, here I come!

Dee, we would LOVE for you to make it, and Kay, it's always a pleasure to have you there.

Happy Sunday all! We're having a boatload of family over today for a grill-out and chit chat and catch-up, etc... Ought to be fun. The weather looks hot but sunny.

Lori; 4:23 AM
dee said...: that is sooo nice to say so, but can't this year.; 5:26 AM
Lori of Canada said...: I definitely will, Lori. I have some ideas as to how I might be able to swing it, I just have to wait and see!!!

Enjoy your grill and the sun!! I am off to mark for most of the day

Lori M.; 5:36 AM
Ranurgis said...: Lori of Canada, whereabouts exactly do you live?

I was hoping to go too but without a car and the distance it still is from here, with the little money I have, I won't get very far. Which direction do you have to go to reach where the group will be? I'm not even sure exactly where it is. I tried finding it on a map through Google but I really don't find them very helpful when you are just looking for a place rather than maybe looking for a route from one place to another through Mapquest.

Google just showed me a map of a place and for all I know, it could be in Alaska because none of the surrounding areas like where each highway comes from or leads to seem to be marked on them.

I doubt I'll be able to make it this year even so but it's something to think about, if not this year, then perhaps next year.

I'd probably have to go west for about 150 km and then south.; 2:26 PM
Ranurgis said...: dfender, I'm glad to see that you're recommending "French Quarter" as a good starter for Stella. I've read a couple of earlier ones but I would like to read the Cajun series. So this is the one I got to read next. With so much talk about the series, I feel very left out when Stella asks whose story we'd like to read next, i.e., she should write next.; 2:29 PM
Ranurgis said...: EL, I figure two things must drive Lori:
1. all that testosterone around her. 2. the fact that she's a wee bit younger than we are.

Good excuses that work for me anyway.; 2:34 PM
dee said...: off topic
aargh, for those that occasionally visit Squawk Radio, it is closing June 1st.; 4:47 PM
Lori Foster said...: Ranurgis, I'm almost 50. My sister asks me why I keep bragging about that. LOL. I'm just pretty happy to still be here and still be having so much fun. ;-)
But yeah, each year slows me down a little. And the testosterone does help. The boys and hubby are all so active that I'm shamed into moving a little more. LOL

Ranurgis, I'm in Ohio. South Ohio. I hope that helps.
I'm not sure where Lori M. is in Canada either.
It'd be waaaay cool if you could both come next year!

HUGS all!

Lori; 4:40 AM

Previous Posts

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Peer Group, anyone?

40 Comments: