#DragonCon2017 Recap and Photos

Dragon Con was once again a wonderful whirlwind of panels and signings.  I had a great time with fans and friends both old and new.

As a guest, I rarely get to attend panels, but I did find time to see the cast of Battlestar Galactica and the cast of Wynonna Earp.

#BSG

Even if you're not a Battlestar Galactica fan, you may recognize actors and actresses from other favorites such as The Magicians, Longmire, and Lucifer.

#Earpers

I even caught photos of Doc (Tim Rozon) and Bobo (Michael Eklund) hugging after their infamous kiss (video of the Doc/Bob kiss here!).

I also had the pleasure of attending a panel on Dracula's influence on horror (with Dacre Stoker, Kenneth Hite, Cherie Priest, and Chelsea Quinn Yarbro), a talk with Jonathan Maberry, and I caught a few minutes of an Urban Fantasy panel (with Laurel K. Hamilton, Patricia Briggs, Kim Harrison, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and Jim Butcher).

I would have attended more panels, but, as you can see, I had a busy schedule.

E.J. Stevens @ Dragon Con

Friday

Title: Still Going Strong: Vampires in UF
Description: Vampires remain a favorite topic in urban fantasy, and our panel discusses their ongoing appeal for readers and writers alike.
Time: Fri 02:30 pm Location: Chastain 1-2 - Westin (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: Declan Finn, Chloe Neill, J.F. Lewis, Linda Robertson, Jennifer St. Giles, E.J. Stevens)
-------------------
Midnight Revelry
Urban Fantasy Party
Time: Fri 10:00 pm Location: Westin Savannah Ballroom (2 hours 30 minutes)
-------------------

Saturday

Title: Across the Veil: Ghosts, Spirits and Souls in UF
Description: Protagonists in urban fantasy deal with the gamut of supernatural beings, and not all of them have physical form, posing additional challenges.
Time: Sat 02:30 pm Location: Chastain 1-2 - Westin (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: Leanna Renee Hieber, E.J. Stevens, R.R. Virdi, Myke Cole, David B. Coe, Cherie Priest)
-------------------
Title: Hello, Brother: A Vampire Diaries Fan Panel
Description: A moderated fan-panel discussion of the long-running hit show's final season, as well as a look back at highlights from the series' eight years
Time: Sat 08:30 pm Location: Chastain 1-2 - Westin (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: Valerie Hampton, Kathryn Hinds, E.J. Stevens)
-------------------

Sunday

Title: Autograph Session - E.J. Stevens
Time: Sun 10:00 am Location: International Hall South 1-3 - Marriott (Length: 1 Hour)
-------------------
Title: Y/A Genres: What's Hot?
Description: Y/A readers keep clamoring for more dystopian, urban fantasy, paranormal, dark fantasy...Which genre's for you?
Time: Sun 01:00 pm Location: Embassy CD - Hyatt (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: Claudia Gray, A. J. Hartley, Mari Mancusi, E.J. Stevens, Zoraida Cordova)
-------------------
Title: House of Dreadpunk
Description: Come meet Dreadpunk: the Next Generation as we discuss the popularity of NeoGothic horror and its fandom.
Time: Sun 08:30 pm Location: Peachtree 1-2 - Westin (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: E.J. Stevens, Bill Bridges, Ted Naifeh, Valentine Wolfe)
-------------------
Title: Santa Clarita Diet Fan Panel
Description: This unflinching gore-fest of a comedy seemingly came out of nowhere to the delight of some and the disgust of others.
Time: Sun 10:00 pm Location: Peachtree 1-2 - Westin (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: Phantom Troublemaker, E.J. Stevens)
-------------------

Monday

Title: Gone Too Soon? A Sleepy Hollow Fan Panel
Description: A moderated fan-panel discussion of the hit show's fourth and final season
Time: Mon 02:30 pm Location: Chastain 1-2 - Westin (Length: 1 Hour)
(Tentative Panelists: Kevin Bachelder, E.J. Stevens, Kristin Jackson)

I had the honor of being on panels with fantasy authors Chloe Neill, Myke Cole, Claudia Gray, David B. Coe, Mari Mancusi, A.J. Hartley, Jennifer St. Giles, and Cherie Priest (and so many more!).

Special thanks to Eric Asher, Shayne Silvers, Lucienne Diver, Linda Robertson, Dacre Stoker, and the many other wonderful people who stopped to chat between events. 

E.J. Stevens and Eric Asher @ Dragon Con

Were you at #DragonCon2017?

Did you come out to my panels or signings? Let me know! I'd love to hear your stories and see your photos.

#TNEE Atlanta Recap

This time last week, I was in Atlanta for TNEE (The Novel Experience Event).  I had a wonderful time.  Here are some of the highlights.

BTS Book Awards 

The BTS Red Carpet Book Awards was the absolute highlight of this trip.  I won this gorgeous, solid crystal trophy!  Birthright won 1st Place for Best Novel (the trophy) and an honorable mention for Best Cover (the certificate).

Panels

Parties

I co-hosted the Psychics (aka Purple Party) Party on Friday.  Sadly, I only have this photo during preliminary room decorating.  I guess we were having too much fun to take pictures during the party!

The Villains Ball was also a lot of fun. 

Book Signing

A huge thank you to all of the readers who visited my table during the book signing on Saturday.  You rock!

When I was in Atlanta last summer for AAD (Authors After Dark), it was 100F and 90% humidity.  This time the weather was much more tolerable, so I went on two fun excursions.  During the convention, I co-hosted a ghost walk in Oakland Cemetery and lunch at Six Feet Under pub.  When the convention ended, I stayed in Atlanta an extra day and made a trip to Atlanta's botanical gardens.  While in Piedmont Park, I also did a quick tour of the annual Dogwood Festival.

Oakland Cemetery

Botanical Gardens

In addition to these excursions into Atlanta, I also had the opportunity to hang out with amazing authors and readers.  Can you tell we're having fun?

The only downside of my trip was being taken aside by security for the "large, dense object" in my carry-on luggage.  Any guesses what it might have been?  *hint: solid crystal trophies set off TSA scanners.* LOL

That's it!  If you'd like to see more photos, visit my TNEE photo album on Facebook.

Were you at TNEE Atlanta?  Do you have any photos or memories to share?

Win VIP Reader Tickets to TNEE Atlanta

I have 2 VIP tickets to TNEE Atlanta to give away! 

Event: TNEE (The Novel Experience Event)

Where: Sheraton Atlanta

When: April 6-9, 2016

Cost: Basic Reader Ticket FREE

VIP Reader Ticket $100 (see how to win below!)

This event is FREE to readers.  At TNEE there will be parties, panels, book awards, a multi author book signing, and a fun filled week of authors and readers hanging out together in one of my favorite convention hotels.  There is so much to love about this event!

VIP reader tickets normally cost $100 each and include a special VIP welcome bag with goodies and books, a special VIP mixer with authors, VIP access to the event (VIP only line and Extra 30 minutes in the signing!), and special seating in panels and readings.

**In order to win, you must get a room at the convention hotel, the Sheraton Atlanta, for a 4 night stay.  This is non-negotiable.  Details regarding con rate will be provided by the convention when you receive your tickets**

To enter, leave a comment on this post letting me know that you would like to win!  Giveaway ends March 6, 2016.  Good luck. 

Birthright Nominated for BTS Red Carpet Book Awards

Birthright has been nominated for BEST BOOK and BEST COVER in the BTS Red Carpet Book Awards!

I am honored to have my book nominated in both categories, and I can't wait for the awards at The Novel Experience in Atlanta.

You can check out the full list of nominees here at BTS.

Will you be attending TNEE 2016?

Birthright is available in Trade Paperback and Ebook formats at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and other fine retailers.

Authors After Dark 2015 #AADATL2015

I had an amazing time this past week at Authors After Dark in Atlanta.  I had the pleasure of spending time with author, reader, and blogger friends, old and new.

Wednesday

Before the convention officially kicked off, I headed to Truva for delicious Turkish food.  I had a great time talking with Chudney and Cathy Clamp.  

Then it was time for the con to begin.  I found the ever wonderful Chudney and Summer at the Meet and Greet pizza party.  So much fun!

After the official events, I went out to the Hard Rock Cafe for a late dinner with a fabulous group of authors, readers, and editors.

Thursday

The next morning, I was up bright and early for breakfast with the wonderful members of the Paranormal Romance Guild.

The day was filled with events, including the (now infamous) Ghosts and Goblins panel.  Best. Panel. Ever.

Seriously, you had to be there.  I will never think of Alan Rickman the same way again.

Friday

Friday was another busy day.  I hosted a table at the Shifter Picnic lunch...

(that's my table in the background)

...and I was on the wonderful Psychics panel.

Saturday

Saturday was the book signing.  Thank you so much for everyone who stopped by my table!

Apparently, I pull really weird faces at book signings.  Who knew?

Then it was time to get dressed for the Bump in the Night Ball.

There were so many amazing costumes, and I had a wonderful time.

Were you at #AADATL2015?

My next event is In-CON-Ceivable in Northampton, Massachusetts August 28th.  I hope to see you there!