Things I Learned/Things of Note From Wicked Book Weekend

I had an absolutely AWESOME time at Wicked Book Weekend, and if you know what's good for you, you'll attend next year. Still not convinced? Well, maybe this stuff will do the trick.

1. People used to the cold tundra of the north will find Florida warm at all times, while Floridians are wearing nothing short of a parka.

2. Certain lighting will make Tara Sivec's face look like she's contracted a flesh eating virus, and at the same time, make me look possessed by the devil.

3. Pam Godwin is really effing hot. Like really, really hot.

4. Joanne Christenson wins everything. And she deserves to. She'll also make a really classy recovery from a fall by yelling, "Bitch down!"

5. Jenn Cooksey has one of the coolest tattoos ever on her arm. She'll also let you admire it for awkward lengths of time.

6. Ivie is one of the sweetest, most awesome organizers you could possibly ask for. And her husband is a G.

7. If at any time you disappear to call your husband, people's first assumption will be that you've been kidnapped.

8. Attending husbands will gravitate toward other husbands like heat seeking missiles.

9. Desiree Gorman can freaking move. Like whoa.

10. If you ask really nicely, certain tattoo artists will "talk dirty to you".

11. The life of a bellhop at events like this is one thread short of suicide watch. Boxes, boxes, and more boxes.

12. If your roommate jokingly answers with "no" when you ask if she's decent, the bellhop will come to a screeching halt just outside of your room. The look of panic will never leave his face the whole time he's in your room.

13. Buffy walks really, really fast.

14. One reader in particular doesn't find her brother cute enough to consider partaking in incest.

15. If you ask a reader their favorite sexual position at this event, they'll answer with no hesitation.

16. You will see more boobs than you would at a bachelor party in a strip club.

17. Tessa Teevan has the best blank stare ever. She will stare you down after you say something to her until you're considering crawling away in shame, and then resurrect your self esteem at the last second with a really big smile.

18. Harper Sloan's personality is almost as nice as her ass.

19. Being seated directly next to the vibrator races is like hitting the lottery.

20. In NO way will you ever manage to spend enough time with all of the awesome people that you really want to.

***Addition***21. As a signing author, unless you make someone your bitch and send them around the room with your stuff you want signed, you won't get any autographs. :(

There is SO much more I could include on this list, so I'll add to it as more and more memories come back to me. :)

HUGE 2000 Facebook Likes Giveaway!

I can't thank all of these generous authors enough for their donations!

23 separate winners!!!!


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Wicked Book Weekend Giveaway-Remix!

Okay, so the winner of the ticket to Wicked Book Weekend cannot attend, and thus, it's back up for grabs!!!

You know you want to be there! :)


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Wicked Book Weekend Giveaway!

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I Think I Peed A Little

Earlier today I made a post concerning negative reviews and the ways I (and likely other authors) not only feel about them, but also the strategies we use to cope. Honestly, it was mostly just a lead-in to Tara Sivec's hilarious post on the same topic, including fun videos from her friends and family.

BUT, it (and several other seriously negative shit storms between authors and other authors AND authors and fans (or more likely non-fans)) got me thinking. What about the flip side. Positive reviews---and behavior, for that matter---deserve the same amount of recognition.

Positive reviews often act as nourishment, encouraging new and well seasoned authors alike to keep writing, believe in themselves, and push to be better and better each and every book.

Sometimes a really glowing review will make me feel so warm and tingly, that I momentarily fear I've peed myself.

Okay, not really. That only happens when I sneeze. But you get me.

I've also found some serious entertainment out of some of them.

Like this one...

How can I not be proud that I contributed to the "neglect" of her children?
"Could not put it down. Gave my kids candy and let them watch awful cartoons just so I could sneak in more reading time."---LS "LS" on Amazon

And I do mean "neglect", not neglect. Seriously, we're more alike than you think. How do you think I entertain my child so I can write these books?

Anyway, I didn't intend for this to be long-winded or some sort of philosophical masterpiece. I only wanted to thank my readers for each and every positive review, kind word, and book purchase.

I read every note (and try to respond) that you leave on my Facebook page or on here. Every time someone tells me they've enjoyed one of my books, it means something to me.

Thank you. Thank you for reading and encouraging me with kindness.

All my love---Laurel :)

Making Lemonade...Out of a Pile of Shit

I frequently remind myself that to be an author you have to make like Hannibal Lecter and put on your thickest, flashiest skin daily. People are going to hate your book. They're going to do it without tact by calling it "a big steaming pile of sh*t" or make some reference to you being a "talentless hack" or a "waste of life". I have personally had people say that my characters are ridiculous and that real people would never act like that, so this blog post by Tara Sivec just made my day.

http://www.tarasivec.com/negative-reviews-no-problem/

Ironically, when a negative review manages to bring me low, I just read negative reviews that people have left some of my favorite authors, on my favorite books. So, Tara, your negative reviews serve yet another purpose...making me feel better. Congratulations. LOL If people think Tara's books are a pile of sh*t, I want to be one too.


<3

It's My Birthday B*tches!!!

Or at least, it's gonna be on December 30th! In celebration of that, the holidays, and your overall awesomeness, I am having a MAJOR giveaway!

FOR A FREAKING KINDLE PAPERWHITE! For real, peeps. This is what I read on, and I LOVE it!

All you need is to have reviewed one of my books on any of the major review outlets (Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes and Noble, etc.)

Already reviewed one of my books? You are ready to enter!
Haven't reviewed one yet? That's okay! There's still plenty of time! Do it now! :)


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