Was it only last week that I was in New Orleans celebrating the inaugural Book Lovers Con…aka #BLC19?
I have no idea where the time went, but it’s been chaos around here getting caught up on the home front and babysitting. I missed Jackie Boy and Hank Pank to pieces! Today was my first opportunity to blog about #BLC19 and it has literally taken me all day. I keep thinking of things I want to say, that I hadn’t already said when I posted some of these pics on my FB page and my FB Author Page.
There were so many events to choose from, and something for everyone. I had my agenda of the events I was a sponsoring author for, and events I’d promised to attend, in hand when I arrived (aka a color-coded spreadsheet)…and yes to those who love technology I even had my agenda on my smart-you-know-what phone.
This first pic is with the multi-talented author and dear friend, Amanda McIntyre. Her imagination and attention to detail were behind the decorations for the Faery & Fantasy Gathering. Between Amanda and Jo Carol Jones, the creator and driving force behind #BLC19 (and fellow Fae lover), this event was a true journey into the Land of the Fae. A huge thank you ladies, and especially to Jo Carol Jones and her wonderful staff of volunteers who made this Con a success! Without their tireless efforts organizing, staging, goodie-bag stuffing, room monitors, etc. #BLC19 wouldn’t have been possible.
I took some pictures of the Faery Ball decorations in the downstairs staging area when I was helping Amanda. BUT I didn’t want to spoil the surprise, so I didn’t post the pics to FB prior to the event last Thursday evening.
Morgana the Dragon 
Lovely little faeries holding flower be-decked books created by the talented Nate Beard.
Isn’t this Faery Bower beautiful?!?
So many people helped with decorations, creating rocks, etc.
Amanda supervising the hanging of the moon the morning of the Faery Ball.
This Faery house was created by the talented folks at Period Images who used scraps of paper and flowers in the staging area turning it into a beautiful decoration that I would have loved to have in our living room…if only it would have fit inside our little Scion XD. I think my hubby would have known I was crazy if I asked him. 😉
Elaine, the Lady of the Lake, wings and hair created by the the folks at Period Images.
Doesn’t she look enchanting?
Morgana guarding her Dragon’s Horde of books beneath the blue Moon, surrounded by faery lights.
Beautiful Faery lights created by the multi-talented Amanda McIntyre for her table at the Faery Ball.
These Faeries were stilt-walkers and lasted for the entire party…I cannot even manage high-heels for more than an hour or two these days. These ladies were amazing. So glad I got a few pics of them. I am terrible with names, but these ladies sat at my table. It wasn’t as easy to chat due to all of the other voices and music in the background.
I sat next to Amy Fasciane during the Faery Ball. Loved her costume and lovely flowers painted by her eyes.
Jean Watkins my editor at DCL and myself in our Faery garb 😉
Once the Con began, I was too busy to take pics during most of the events I was a sponsoring author for, but I did take a few pics of the evening events. From the JazzFest, here’s a pic of one of my Reader friends, Judy Christiana who I met for the first time a few years ago when RT was in New Orleans.
Here we are together during the JazzFest…the lighting was a bit too dark for the camera in my phone.
Yes Dear Readers, Elvis was in the building Saturday evening during the Book Bash Party sporting his costume from his 1955 movie Love Me Tender (the only movie he ever died in!) Most people I asked had no idea what movie it was from and one or two people actually hadn’t heard of The King. Truth!
Here’s a pic of author friends, Angi Morgan, and the Amanda McIntyre posing with Elvis.
And another friend Sandy (one of Jo Carol’s wonderful staff of volunteers), posing with the King 😉
My Mom was a huge Elvis fan, so I’m asking him if they’ve met up in Heaven yet. Odds are pretty good that if Mom hadn’t found him yet, Dad would have and dragged him over to meet Mom 😉
You’ll notice the Emergency Exit behind Elvis…as expected, fans were starting to crowd him. He must have used the exit partway through the party, because after everyone at our table had been dancing, he’d disappeared.
I’m not so great taking selfies, but I love this one Jean Watkins and myself. She edited my DCL Medieval Trilogy and is going to be editing my Christmas Novella, due out in October. Such a pleasure to be working with Jean again.
I was able to leave the hotel for a few hours on Saturday after the Book Bash Book Signing with friends, Amanda, Kimberly and Jameca to have our tea leaves read by the wonderful Otis at Bottom of the Cup Tea Room over on Chartres in the French Quarter. They’re celebrating 90 years in business in the same location–owned and operated by the same family. Can you imagine? Such rich history.
The last time Amanda and I were in New Orleans, we’d had our tea leaves read by Psychic Otis (he’s always in high demand). This year we were able to book appointments on-line ahead of time! Here are a few pics of the newly remodeled tea room. Check out the deck of Tarot cards on the table…they were a gift with the tea leaf and tarot card reading to celebrate 90 years. What a wonderful way to spend a few hours in the French Quarter.
All in all I had a wonderful time reconnecting with Readers I’d met at previous conventions and reader events, chatting with author friends, and a special part of the convention for me, hugging Jo Carol Jones and her wonderful staff of volunteers without whom this event wouldn’t have happened.
A special thank you to my darling hubby for sharing the driving down and back (22 hours one way) and for helping behind-the-scenes as he has for a number of events he’s attended with me over the years. You my Dear truly are a keeper! I love you 😉
Fingers crossed for Nashville #BLC20.
Writing from the heart, about the things I love the most: Family, My Irish Ancestry, Baking and Gardening.
Great blog. It summed up the event really well. Loved the pictures! It was great to see you again.
Thanks, Judy! It was wonderful seeing you again and having the chance to catch up. 😉