Speak Easy, Bet High and Have Fun!
by sue on Mar.06, 2010, under Book Chat
The Fan Convention in Sacramento started and ended with a lot of happy people having fun. The goodie bags provided by Christine Feehan included some unique items like specially made kaleidoscopes, cookies with the author’s logo on it, containers that had wolves, owls or dragons on them which I loved and several other smaller items. I have to say the kaleidoscopes are beautiful and were my favorite!
People arrived to the Speak Easy at 7 PM and though the event was suppose to end at 10PM it didn’t actually end until well after 11PM. I watched Christine Feehan start on one side of the room, stopping at tables to chat and she made her way to the other side before the night was over. I saw her sit down with one girl and later Christine told me the girl had come without knowing anyone and by the time Christine left her a group of women had befriended her. I discovered that Christine Feehan hates to see anyone by themselves, without friends to have fun with and chat with. I wondered how that fan felt having her favorite author come sit next to her and ask her about her trip to get to the event and what she liked to do in her spare time. It was very sweet.
I played Texas Hold’em for the first time in my life. The table I sat at included Denise Tucker, Christine’s daughter and Erin Galloway from Berkeley Publishing. Erin was dealing and Denise was shuffling. Our little group had a blast with everyone laughing and encouraging each other. One girl lost her chips early on so some of the other girls gave her some of their chips so she could stay in the game. No, no real gambling was going on, but the person with the most chips at the end of the game got an incredible prize. So, giving up your chips to someone you just met is a pretty significant thing. In the end, the lady who won got her gift basket and took one thing out for each of us from our table, so we all got a little something. So, a big shout out goes to Cheryl, a generous lady!
Many people wore costumes, including myself and there was some fun music going on in the background. I was glad the music wasn’t too loud to prevent talking. I made an effort to meet as many people as possible. Unfortunately my camera battery died so I have to wait until tomorrow to upload pictures.
Afterwards I was invited up to Christine’s room for a little after-party chat. When I got there she was asking people if they thought she’d done okay in her effort to meet each and every person who attended. I don’t know if she did or not, but I think she gets an A for the attempt.
The readers were talking about their gifts, some were talking with old friends that they met up with at the event. Everyone was full of smiles and friendly. No doubt about it, the Speak Easy was a huge success!
I did get to catch up with Christine prior to the party and ask a couple of questions. I had my little handy-dandy Flip camera with me and thought you might like to check out the video!
Do you think themes, like the Speak Easy ‘20’s theme or the Mystery Dinner Theater are something you’d like? What are some ideas for themes that you think people going to fan conventions might enjoy?
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Speak Easy, Bet High and Have Fun! | trueromance | Surfemotion-Blog
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May 20th, 2010 on 7:00 pm
Hey may I use some of the insight here in this blog if I provide a link back to your site?
March 8th, 2010 on 9:40 am
Oh man, I wish I was there!!! It sounds like a lot of fun!! You spoke about Christine putting an excellent effort in trying to meet people and not liking someone to be alone. I can honestly say that I’ve had that experience with Christine. I was so nervous in meeting her that I was shaking but after she spoke to me, all the nerves and possible fainting went away! LOL! She and her family are one of the nicest and generous people I know, not just in the industry but in general. I just love the feeling and energy when I’m around Christine and her family… lots of laughs and naughtiness are a great combo! I’m glad all of you had fun and the whole event was a success! I hope to be there next time she has it. THANKS Sheila for sharing the experience with us!
March 6th, 2010 on 9:02 pm
I wish I could have been there.. I LOVE Christine Feehan!! It sounds like y’all had lots of fun!
March 6th, 2010 on 4:00 pm
Wow, sounds like a whole lot of fun.
March 6th, 2010 on 3:49 pm
Here’s my list of the second set of books I got at the convention-
Scandal Sheet by Gemma Halliday
Stolen Seduction by Elisabeth Naughton
Destined for an Early Grave by Jeaniene Frost
Gotcha! by Christine Craig
Lover Avenged by J.R. Ward
Come the Night by Susan Krinard
Dark Legacy by Anna DeStefano
Lady of the Light and Shadows by C.L. Wilson
Darkness Calls by Marjorie M. Liu
The Wild Road by Marjorie Liu
Crimson & Steam by Liz Maverick
The Maiden’s Hand by Susan Wiggs
Blazing Bedtime Stories by Tori Carrington and Tawny Weber
March 6th, 2010 on 3:37 pm
Lucy if you ever had a fan convention I would certainly attend!
I really love that Hollywood theme idea.
I’m hoping to see some of the attendees posting pictures soon.
I’ll post some later today as well.
There’s an author chat and then the Mystery Dinner Theater still and I’m grabbing my little Flip camera to see if I can catch anything fun for the blog!
March 6th, 2010 on 1:08 pm
Thanks so much for sharing that video with us, Sheila! What a great weekend…I so hope to attend one myself in future.
And I think themes are great, depending on what they are.
The Hollywood Glam theme is spectacular - of course my daughter just used it in her wedding and I loved it. LOL But seriously? If I were to do something like this for readers, I’d use that theme for sure.
Hugs,
Lucy
March 6th, 2010 on 12:49 pm
I think theme parties are great. Something that fits with the area you are visiting. Like cowboy theme for Nashville or Texas.. Mardi Gras for New Orleans. Horses for KY.
March 6th, 2010 on 12:41 pm
Thanks, Sheila. Glad you got some goodies.
Pat L.
March 6th, 2010 on 12:17 pm
Any chance to dress up and step away from the ordinary and I’m there… But I have to say that getting a chance to meet Christine Feehan is so phenomenal (did I spell that right?!) She was sooo nice (even to the party crasher we shall not name, but who was willing to sing for her supper ;=) and I can’t imagine a fan who may have loved her books before meeting her but that now doesn’t love the author even more!
Everyone was a winner at this event! (Any chance we can mark our calendars for next year??)
March 6th, 2010 on 11:56 am
Here’s a list of the book I’ve gotten so far at the convention-
My Zombie Valentine anthology by Katie MacAlister, Angie Fox, Marianne Mancusi and Lisa Cach
Guardian by Angela Knight
Obsidian Prey by Jayne Castle
Skin Game by Ava Gray
The Fire King by Marjorie Liu
Walking Nightmare by Kylie Brant
Blaze of Memory by Nalini Singh
Dark Legacy by Anna DeStefano
Feel the Heat by Cindy Gerard
A Tale of Two Demon Slayers by Angie Fox (who is VERY funny btw)
My Wicked Vampire by Nina Bangs
Heart of Darkness anthology with Gena Showalter, Maggie Shayne and Susan Krinard
March 6th, 2010 on 11:24 am
Pat I love the idea of a movie star theme!!
A big Happy Birthday to your Mom! 90?!!!! Wow!!! Have a great time!
March 6th, 2010 on 8:03 am
Sounds like a fun time was had by all. Sure, a theme is great. How about movie stars for a theme? I really have no imagination.
Hope everyone has a great weekend. We are celebrating my mom’s 90th birthday tomorrow.
Pat L.