Monday, May 7, 2012

More pictures from the conference - continued

The hospitality suite was well provided with food, and well attended, thanks to the efforts of our Hospitality queen, Heather Palmer, and her team of volunteers, as well as donations from the Desert Rose members.






The raffles offered a slew of baskets and all kinds of prizes.  Here they are displayed in the room reserved for prizes. But this is a small part of the table running all around the room. In the back is the bookstore, handled by the Scottsdale's Barnes & Noble.

At the start of most of the general events gathering all the attendees, the raffle was drawn. These two gentlemen are the husbands of both Conference Coordinators. They went back and forth across the crowded room to distribute the prizes to the lucky winners. Thank you so much Mr. Graham and Mr. McBright, for helping selflessly. They also provided the muscles to do the heavy lifting during the entire event.



Here are a few shots of lucky winners.

The baskets were quickly stripped of their clear wrappings and explored

This prize front and center came in a bird cage

Jordan Summer is ecstatic with her win

Gini Koch certainly bought enough tickets (the red strips spread out on the table in front of her), but she won her coveted prize... and it matches her outfit and her agent's outfit (Cherry Weiner right)


Robert F. Mager (right) is wondering what the heck his wife Eileen just won. Since I was sitting with them (left), I can tell you it's a ceramic hand to hang rings and other jewelry.


Sunday, May 6, 2012

Pictures of the event - continued

Registration in the conference center lobby went very smoothly


Morning coffee between workshops on the conference center terrace


Some seriously prepared their agent/editor pitch in an isolated corner


Others waited nervously for their turn to meet said agent or editor


A professional photographer was providing head shots on CDs for $20. Authors always need new head shots for their web sites, blogs, FaceBook page, etc. This was a bargain, and the photos were great.


The food was fantastic. Even the dinner salads looked pretty


As you may not know, the conference was sold out. So, the dining room was always full for all the major events.


THE BOOK SIGNING

Besides the pictures of our main guests posted on the last blog, here are a few general shots of the book signing, handled by B&N and gathering over thirty authors.

Patricia Brooks (standing right)




And the line at the B&N cash register was long...


More pictures of the Hospitality suite and raffles to come tomorrow.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Reminiscing in pictures

From the registration desk to the raffle, to the fantastic workshops and the book signing, everything was so well orchestrated that it was a smooth ride for the attendees. I wouldn't say the organizers didn't meet challenges. I'm sure they did. But we never saw them sweat, and the event seemed flawless.

First, I want to recognize a few of the speakers the camera liked. Unfortunately they weren't all in the pictures, but here are a few hilights. 

Bob Mayer is thinking hard

Agent Cherry Weiner had a great time

Brenda Novak had a long line at the book signing

Allison Brenan (right) chatted with our Newsletter editor, author Rebecca Boshee


We also had a few local celebrities

Psychic Debbie Wellborn gave readings over the course of the three days


RWA life time Achievement Award recipient Vicki Lewis Thompson (left)
Kris Tualla, authorprenor extraordinaire and historical author (standing right)

Vijaya Schartz (far right) has blind readers (amazing what a kindle can do)

Patrizia Murray was all smiles


So was McKenzie McKade

And Katrina Covington Whitmore
Notice the gorgeous poster in the background, it's a Vijaya Schartz medieval series cover

Shelley Coriell (left) was happy to pose with her favorite author, Roz Denny Fox (right)

I'll post more pictures in a few days.




Saturday, April 21, 2012

Weather forecast for the conference next weekend

Since we are experiencing three-digit temperatures this weekend in Phoenix, I wanted to reassure our attendees and publish this official forecast for next weekend, graciously sent by Susan Lanier Graham, our conference  co-coordinator:

According to Accuweather, the forecast is as follows:

Thursday: High 79/Low 63 Sunny
Friday: High 90/Low 58 Sunny
Saturday: High 79/ Low 58 Sunny
Sunday: High 81/Low 63 Sunny

That should be ideal springtime weather in Arizona! Don't forget your swimsuits if you want to enjoy the pools. :-)

Susan Lanier-Graham
Freelance Food, Wine & Travel Writer

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

PSYCHIC READINGS by Deborah Wellborn at the conference!

Positive answers and insights that will light up your life!


Deborah Wellborn, The SunShine Psychic has been practicing her "positive-practical-potential" approach to astrology and psychic readings, throughout the Southwest for more than 20 years. She is the witty author of astrology columns and heart-warming articles for Singles Profile Magazine, AccesssArizona.com, and Practical Spirituality. Her background in theatre brings a warm, entertaining style to her readings, radio appearances, workshops, speaking engagements and life.

Deborah will be providing readings throughout the conference weekend. Her schedule fills up fast. Please contact her directly off the loop at SunShinePsychic@aol.com_ (mailto: SunShinePsychic@aol.com ) or call her at 602-881-0436 - Fint out more about her at http://www.thesunshinepsychic.com/

Readings are 15 minute slots. Yes you can sign up for more than one!

Conference special $20 (normally $25) Cash or check accepted. Readings will be in the Hospitality Suite and other areas. Watch for signs.

Weekend reading schedule

Friday - 9am - 12noon, 2pm - 6pm, 9:15pm - 11pm
Saturday - 8am-930am, 530pm-7pm, 9pm-11pm
Sunday - 12noon - 4pm

We all need a little luck in our careers.
See you there.

Vijaya Schartz
Blasters, Swords, Romance with a Kick
http://www.vijayaschartz.com/
Official Desert Dreams Blogger and speaker
Find Vijaya's books on Amazon at:
http://www.amazon.com/author/vijayaschartz

Friday, April 13, 2012

ANNOUNCING THE FINALISTS OF THE REALIZE THE DREAM CONTEST

Linda Style, contest coordinator, is happy to announce the five finalists in the Desert Dreams 2012 Realizing the Dream Contest. This contest was reserved to those who registered early for the conference and the deadline closed in January.

In alphabetical order, let's give it up for:

Kerrie Droban - THE WATER'S EDGE
Libby Hougland Banks - A FAMILY OF HER OWN
Patricia Friedrich - A MODERN WOMAN
Shanyn Hosier - BRIMSTONE
Leslie Jones - NIGHT HUSH

CONGRATULATIONS one and all! The winner will be announced during the conference.
This contest was judged by the featured agents and editors from the conference, and the winner  will definitely get many opportunities during the conference. In the past, many winners did get a publishing contract as the direct result of entering and placing or winning this contest.

Well done!

Linda Style, Coordinator, Realizing the Dream Contest - Desert Dreams Conference 2012
A SOLDIER'S SECRET - JAN 2012
THE MISTAKE SHE MADE, still available online - 4.5 Stars Top Pick RT "...an original story with wonderfully compelling characters."

http://www.lindastyle.com/
http://www.bootcampfornovelists.com/
http://www.facebook.com/LindaStyle

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

How to dress for this conference?

Traditional business attire is not always suited for the late April weather in Arizona. Scottsdale, despite its fashion reputation, is much more relaxed than the East Coast. Understand that you will be walking outsite in a rather hot sun, along swimming pools with sunbathers, then you'll enter a very cool, air-conditioned convention center.

You may want to wear short sleeves with a light sweater or business jacket, with layers you can shed when walking outside from the rooms to the convention center. Above all, you want to be comfortable, especially if you have to pitch your book to an agent or publisher. In previous years, a few agents and editors even took their appointments under an umbrella at an outside table in 90 degree heat. You never know where you are going to be.

Nylons, so prized in New York, are a nuisance in the Arizona heat. Do not wear casual shorts for the events, of course, but you may want to wear sandals rather than boots, a nice summer dress rather than a business suit (with a jacket or sweater on the side). Business casual is the word in Arizona, with the emphasis on casual.