April 10, 2017

NIBB 2017 or I’m not Rae Matthews…

A.R. Miller books, Conventions, Events #nibb2017, Aaron Bunce, author signing, bfbookies, book signing, cassie leigh, craig a. hart, craig hart, Dennis Green, dennis w. green, erik therme, michael koogler, Micki Fredricks, north iowa book bash, Rachel Smith, rae matthews, readers, savannah verte, Tamara Siler Jones, tammy jones, writers 6 Comments

The authors of NIBB2017, stolen from the BFbookies!
Way in the back, you can see me trying to put distance between Erik and I.

Well, I’m back from the North Iowa Book Bash and rested. Okay, not fully recharged yet, that’s going to take at least a week. If you’ve ever attended the immense party, Micki, Rachel, and Lori—with a ‘little’ help from their volunteers—put on, you understand where I’m coming from.

Where to start… I wanna fill you in on everything, but much of it is a blur!

This has to abso-freakin’-lutely be my favorite event. It’s small enough that you’re not totally lost in the crowd, but big enough that there’s something for everyone. It’s the Goldilocks of events. As a writer, I get to see old friends and make new ones, both other writers and readers. As a reader, I get to fangirl out over my favorite authors and fill my ‘to be read pile’ with new authors.

As most of you know, my favorite things to do is meet my readers. Even better? I get to introduce them to authors I love. Guess it’s my years of working in a small library taking over, making book suggestions was my favorite part of the job. I also love getting suggestions. I have so little time to read for pleasure, I want to spend it reading really good stories.

Meeting Monica and Lea was completely off the charts awesome! With a twinkle in her eye, Monica proceeded to tell me she’d won the first three Fey Creations books in a charity auction. As if my heart wasn’t singing enough, she also confessed to ordering and reading the fourth. And even better, she’d been sharing them with others. You guys have no idea how it makes me feel to hear that you LIKE my crap! Topping this off was the announcement that Lea had won one of the Kindle drawings, talk about making my day. I’m so glad they agreed to document the occasion with a picture, something I will cherish forever.

Lea & Monica rock!

In the crush of readers, Laurel circled back and managed convince me she needed a book, guess she didn’t want to share with her mother. She also snagged reading material from Tammy—Tambo—Jones and Aaron Bunce.

Total book lover!

I managed to get Annika Martin—a.k.a. Carolyn Crane—to sign my copy of Mind Games. It’s amazing what happens when you follow someone around and whine enough. Not getting a picture with her is a huge fail on my part, maybe I can catch her at another event. I’ll probably have to go in disguise…

Many of my writer clan were in attendance. The always professional, Dennis Green—I could spend hours talking to Popcorn. I try not to stand too close to the prettier than me, Aaron Bunce and Erik Therme. The goddess of dark and twisted, Tammy—Tambo—Jones, dubbed me her ‘punk-ass-bitch-writer-bestie.’ Seriously, how cool is that title! I finally got to meet Craig Hart in person. I got to spend time with the woman who can juggle more in a day than I can in a year, Savannah Verte. Slap me back to the 1950’s, Cassie Leigh was lucky enough to get out of sharing a table with me this year. And the almost famous, Michael Koogler had the honor of sitting across from me.

The most hysterical moment of the day went something like this…

Lady approaches my table: I’m here to see Rae Matthews.

Me, more than a little confused: I’m not Rae Mathews.

Lady’s grin widens: I know, you’re A.R. Miller, but I’m here to see Rae Matthews.

I’m wishing I’d printed out one of the seating charts: I think she’s over there.

Lady’s head swivels as I wave a hand toward the center of the room: Okay, thank you.

As we file out for lunch, I turn around and glance at the name tag of the woman behind me: I’m NOT Rae Matthews.

Dark-haired beauty in the silver, take-me-now pumps: Huh?

Fighting to keep a straight face, I proceed to tell the ‘real’ Rae Matthews the story. This little story led to an afternoon of tomfoolery and discussions about Rae’s knitting abilities. Maybe next year she’ll do some classes! And yes, I pilfered this photo from her Facebook feed, but I’m in it, so she was asking for it…

A momentary lapse of professionalism with Tambo & the ‘real’ Rae Matthews!

Gosh, this is getting long—heck, it’s almost longer than one of my books—but before I go, I NEED to thank Micki, Rachel, and Lori for making me feel like ‘kinda a big deal in Iowa!’ And oh, yeah, the honorary prize, think it will become my new drinking vessel at signings. Without you ladies, I would never have met such awesome people and had such a great time. Much love to all three of you and your volunteers!

Can’t wait till #NIBB2018! Here’s hoping you can make the jaunt to Clear Lake, Iowa next year, ‘cause I wanna hang with you too!

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May 6, 2016

North Iowa Book Bash 2016

A.R. Miller books, Conventions, Events, Life, News #NIBB2016, Aaron Bunce, barbara malmberg, book convention, cassie leigh, Cheryl Corbin, clear lake, elle boon, jed quinn, michael koogler, Micki Fredricks, Rachel Smith, rt, second run reviews, Tamara Siler Jones, tammy jones, Terri LeBlanc, Terry Maggert 0 Comments

me nibb2016

I promised you the skinny on North Iowa Book Bash 2016. I also promised to get it up in a timely manner, well, timely for me.
There is nothing I can say about the BFBookies that hasn’t already been said. Lori, Rachel, and Micki are AWESOME in every way possible and a few that aren’t. Those girls and their amazing team of volunteers pulled a rabbit out of the hat again this year.
My one sentence description of NNIBB2016 is “Iowa’s answer to RT.” Seriously, it was that good and I expect it to grow in the future. Hell, there were authors from all over the States and even Canada.
I even had my own appointed assistant for the convention. Christin drew the short straw and had to put up with my B.S. all day. Something I wouldn’t have done if I were in her shoes. Joking aside, it was nice to have someone checking in to see if you needed anything, or just stopping to chat when there was downtime. I would love to hire Christin on a permanent basis, maybe someday…
Cassie Leigh is a bundle of awesome wrapped in vintage style. Think I freaked her out a little with my creepy greeting of “Hey, tablemate,” while wiggling my brows. She got over it pretty fast as we discussed books with editor extraordinaire, Barbara Malmberg and blogging queen, Terri LeBlanc. I finally delivered on that promised cup of java, hope Terri enjoyed it as much as I did.
It’s with a heavy heart, I concede my run for President of the Sisterhood of the Potty Mouth to Elle Boon. That woman can drop Fbombs faster than I can open my mouth. Anyone who knows me, knows my mouth is rarely shut.
Muscle cars rule, especially, Mustangs! You already knew I’d say that, but bet you didn’t know there were two of us in the writing world with a love of classic ’Stangs. Terry Maggert rocked my world by chatting ’Stangs with me. He also writes urban fantasy, so double win.
The most of the usual suspects were there. Jed Quinn and Michael Koogler where sharing a table, of course, they love each other like brothers and argue like them too. Sweet Cheryl Corbin was at the table next to me, lucky her. Aaron Bunce collected more Bunce’s Bunnies, because he’s so darn cute. The incomparable Tammy Jones and her hot assistant, Bill, topped off our little writer’s family reunion.
With over fifty authors there it was difficult to chat with everyone. Thank the gods for the interwebs. I can connect with them in cyberspace, if not real space.
I said it once, I’ll say it again, the North Iowa Book Bash is Iowa’s answer to RT. I can’t wait until next year.

Terri of Second Run Reviews and fellow coffee lover.

Mustang Terry!

Tammy and her hot assistant.

Sweet Cheryl!

Hamming it up again, while Barb continues to pretend she doesn’t know me.

P.S. We loved Clear Lake so much, we brought home a souvenir.

Schatzi

October 20, 2015

ICON 40

A.R. Miller books, Conventions, Events, News, Panels, Writing Aaron Bunce, ann leckie, Barnes & Noble, David Gerrold, Dennis Green, Gay Haldeman, icon 40, Iowa scifi convention, Jamie Robyn Wood, jedd quinn, Jim C. Hines, Joe Haldeman, lettie prell, michael koogler, patty templeton, Rachel Eliason, scifi convention, second run reviews, Tamara jones, tammy jones, terri m. leblanc 0 Comments

ICON 40, what can I say? In a nutshell, it was fantabulous!

I felt more comfortable than last year, less nervous about being on panels, and not quite as starstruck by all the talent around me. It helped that I had a huge support group. Thank you, Writers Anonymous, for bringing me into the fold.

Speaking of talent and panels, I was on five—if you count DreamCon—with some wonderful people. Most of the panels I participated in revolved around my favorite part of writing and story, characters. I hope my rambling was helpful and the participants understood my point of keeping your characters grounded in reality by questioning what ‘real people’ would do, no matter the race of your character. I’m also hoping they understood my views on how it’s not just females who are objectified in fiction. Someday, I’ll write a post with my thoughts on the subject.

On to my esteemed co-panelists. Yes, this is where I start dropping names. Take notes, you’ll want to check out their work.

I was lucky enough to share tables with many of the usual suspects, R.J. Eliason, Tambo Jones, Aaron Bunce, Jed Quinn, and Dennis Green. We all know each other so well our words flow together as if we’re of one mind. Yet, we manage to hold true to our individual thoughts and opinions, never judging, always discussing in an adult manner, even when we don’t ‘act’ like adults.

Stepping outside the comfort zone, I was honored to be on panels with the likes of Jim C. Hines, Ann Leckie, Patty Templeton, David Gerrold, Michael Koogler, Tara Tolly, Gregga J. Johnn, Anna Kathryn Davis, and Terri M. LeBlanc. They were all gracious and welcoming.

Michael has been added to my Eastside Boys, along side Aaron, Jed and Dennis. I wish I could have chatted with Ann more, she’s fascinating, intelligent, and absolutely wonderful. Her Ancillary series is going on my TBR list, along with Patty Templeton’s There Is No Lovely End. Patty and I were seated next to each other at Barnes & Noble. I’ve got to say I was a bit intimidated, but she quickly had me laughing and enjoying her company. There is nothing like books and library chat to bring people together. My other B&N buddy was the petite, Jamie Wood. So damn delightful and sweet your teeth might hurt, but her fairy tale based stories will have you coming back for more.

As great as spending time with these people was, what stood out the most was the convention attendees. I met people who read, or are reading, the Fey Creation series. It always astounds me when writers and reviewers read my fluff, but to have readers say they enjoy the books…that’s an entirely different feeling. Even more astounding was watching one lovely lady hesitate to approach me. I know I have resting bitch face syndrome, but seriously, I don’t bite. Never be afraid to come up and say hi, or ask a question. More than likely, I’m more nervous than you.

I have to thank the organizers for all the work they put into the convention. Adam, Lettie, Erin, Terri, Dana, those I didn’t have the pleasure meeting, and Amanda Zhorne, from Barnes & Noble, you ROCK!

Now that the weekend is over, along with my fifteen-seconds of fame, I go back to being Amy from the block.

I’ll leave you with a few pictures The Breadwinner took.

Patty pretending to listen to me gab. Yes, that’s Joe Haldeman on her right!

Patty, Jamie, and I chatting with book lovers.

Look at all the people! And a candid shot of the lovely, Gay Haldeman.

Without the flux capacitor, it’s just a car!