Hiya, all.

So, I've been asked a few times about my trip to Denver for GayRomLit 2017. I thought it might just be easier to post a blog about it. There were a few disappointments related to my trip, but I'm trying not to focus on those too much.

Overall, it was a rewarding trip and I met a lot of people over the 5 days that I was in Denver. Everyone I met was very welcoming and the organizers checked on us newbies quite often to make sure we were okay and weren't too overwhelmed. And let me tell you, the first time doing something like that, I was overwhelmed. I didn't go to a lot of the panels like I wanted to, but a lot of that was because I'd lose track of time and wouldn't realize it had already started until well after it had started. Some of them sounded really interesting though and hopefully the next time I go, I'll be able to take full advantage of all the panels up for offer.

I had the supporting author signing on Thursday, and there were sooooo many people. I don't think I was quite prepared for it, but talked to a lot of people and it was amazing how many people recognized the cover of Barbed Wire Cowboy. Mann Ramblings did an awesome job on it for me, and people that didn't recognize the name, recognized the cover. I signed a few books (I had about 14 pre-orders) and a lot of postcards. I nearly ran out of the Barbed Wire Cowboy postcards.

I had two lounge sessions Thursday and Friday, which are more informal. For those just kind of hang out and visit with people, offer up swag, that kind of stuff. Tables weren't assigned, but two authors shared a six foot table. Both of my lounges I ended up sitting with Featured Authors. (I went as a Supporting Author which is a lower tier). For the first one I shared a table with Wade Kelly, and let me tell you, she was sooooo friendly and when we didn't have people at our table, we visited. It was great. The second day, I shared a table with P.D. Singer and she was just as awesome. We talked quite a bit, and she even gave me some advice about how to get over my issues with focus that have been preventing me for writing. I hope to put some of her advice to work really soon!

I did get my first fan girl moment which was kind of awesome. I'd been talking to this girl since Wednesday, and on Friday she came by my table during my lounge session. She was one of those who hadn't recognized the name, but instantly recognized the covers of both Barbed Wire Cowboy and No More Hiding. She was so excited to meet me that I really thought there for a minute we'd have to pick her up off the floor. She completely made my day!  She made it even more when she started saying how jealous her husband was going to be, because he liked my books just as much. I ended up giving her signed copies of both of my books. Every time I saw her after that she would get flustered, but we still visited, so that was good. P.D. Singer got a kick out of the fan girl moment and just grinned and said "Your first fan girl moment, and I got to witness it." Nothing else really exciting happened Friday, and I had dinner with a new friend (Patty) and we just hung out for the rest of the night.

Saturday was the big Featured Author signing and Patty and I wandered around together. I got to meet a lot of wonderful authors, and even got a brief "in the moment" reading from Andrew Grey! I visited with so many authors that I've read that it was surreal (TJ Klune, Andrew Grey, KC Wells, Charlie Cochet, Wade Kelly, Layla Dorine, SJ Himes, etc). And let me tell you, they were all so nice and I got pictures with a lot of them too!!! I also talked to a couple publisher representatives, a few review blogs (one of which requested I send them Barbed Wire Cowboy for review), some editors, etc. I also now have a fight scene consultant (if needed) and a ranch consultant (considering he bought Barbed Wire Cowboy, I'm just really hoping I didn't screw something up!!!!) Saturday, we had an early dinner and while waiting for our dinner to be delivered, sat and visited with K.C. Wells. Absolutely wonderful lady!!!!

Then it was time to get ready for the costume party, and that was almost a disaster. Before we go there, there was a lot of controversy surrounding one of the the major sponsors for GRL this year. The Cockyboys. First off, they were all super nice, visiting with people, being willing to take pictures, and just very friendly. I ended up in the elevator with them a few times, and always willing to talk. I realized exactly how great these guys are when I started to get ready for the costume party. I was going as a Saloon girl, as the theme was The Wild West. I'd searched online and after ordering two separate costumes, I finally had one I liked, that fit well. As I was getting ready, the zipper came apart, with the little slide part of it coming completely off. Well, believe it or not, I actually had a pair of pliers in one of my bags, so I fixed it. All good, right? I wish!!!!! Since it was already weakened, it came off again. I didn't see much point in trying to fix it again and at this point was about ready to say bag it. A friend I had with me ran down to the hotel store, hoping to find safety pins.

When she came back, she brought help in the form of Taylor (one of the Cockyboys). Apparently he held the elevator for her when she hollered, and when he heard what was going on, he immediately came to help. He had snaps with him, but unfortunately he had forgotten the tools for the snaps. Poor Taylor spent ten to fifteen minutes trying to get the snaps to work using the pliers I had. When that didn't work, he helped Patty fix the safety pins in such a way that you couldn't see them, and wouldn't have known anything was wrong with my costume. It just amazed me that he rushed to help like he did.

Overall it was a good weekend, despite a few hiccups and disappointments. There was a primary group of about 12 people that were great support for me throughout the weekend, and hopefully it won't be too long before I can go again and get to see all these wonderful people that made my first GRL so wonderful. The drive home wasn't the funnest as 4 1/2 hours of the drive was me fighting 60+ MPH crosswinds. But I made it home safely, and in the end, that's all that matters

If you want to see pictures, hopefully you can here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/FEX7HSlyhpcNebo23