PJ here. I've just returned home from Atlanta, Georgia and another terrific Georgia Romance Writers Moonlight and Magnolias Conference. This regional conference brings writers a splendid mix of educational workshops, inspirational speakers, and networking opportunities galore..not to mention the prestigious Maggie Awards plus a Literacy Book Signing open to the public. Whether you're a writing newbie, a seasoned published professional, or a reader looking for a chance to meet a favorite author, Moonlight and Magnolias has something for you.
Here's a look at some of my highlights of the 2014 Moonlight and Magnolias Conference!
Let's kick things off with my fifth annual "Sister" photo with former GRW President, multiple Maggie award winner and Golden Heart Finalist Nicki Salcedo. I adore this woman!
Romance Bandits Nancy Northcott and Caren Crane. Many thanks to Caren for inviting me to join her group for a delicious Mexican dinner at Zapata. If you're in the Norcross, Georgia area, I highly recommend this restaurant!
Good friends, Wendy Wax and Jennifer St. Giles.Wendy was the GRW featured speaker at this year's conference.
Elizabeth Michels always rocks the best footwear!
Boots were very popular at this year's M&M!
This year's keynote speaker, New York Times Bestselling author, Marie Force. Marie also signed at the Literacy Autographing and hosted a gathering for local readers afterwards. She's awesome!
Jennifer McQuiston is not only a New York Times Bestselling historical romance author but also a brilliant scientist and infectious disease researcher with the CDC. She's putting her writing aside for the next six weeks to join the battle against Ebola on the front lines in West Africa. Please keep her in your thoughts and, if you're so inclined, your prayers.
It's the Maggie's...time for fancy dresses, sparkly shoes, cover models and the year's top awards.
Regan Black with friends Kim and Tracy.
Jennifer Jakes, Sergey Volkov and Kim Killion. The Killion Group employs the nicest, most gorgeous guys. Watch for Sergey on a romance cover near you!
Former GRW President and Fantasy Romance author Anna Steffl.
Heather McGovern and Elizabeth Michels. They really bring the sparkle!
Conference co-chair, Noelle Pierce. Fabulous dress, fabulous shoes and fabulous conference!
How do you bring the sparkle, readers?
Do you don a fancy dress? Glittering tiara? Sky-high shoes? Brilliant smile?
One randomly chosen person will receive a signed copy of
All You Need is Love by Marie Force, the
first book in her best-selling Green Mountain series.
U.S. addresses only
I have glitter makeup and hot dress, thanks
ReplyDeleteKimh
Sounds sparkly! :)
DeleteGreat pictures, as usual. I always look forward to your conference pictures. I am not a shoe person, but like the shoe pictures. There were some wild ones this time.
ReplyDeleteI like to dress up, but it has been so long since I needed to, nothing fits. No sky-high shoes. I would kill myself.
Better get to bed. It is late and those severe storms have started moving in. Thanks for sharing,,,,,,,,,,
I'm the same, librarypat. I can't wear those wild shoes any longer but I sure do love looking at them! :)
DeleteHope you stayed safe overnight. The storms should arrive here late afternoon.
Wear a silver dress. Great pictures, as usual. You captured the highlights. I enjoyed seeing you at the conference.
ReplyDeleteI love silver!
DeleteGreat to see you too, Marilyn. I'm looking forward to reading your new book!
PJ, you're so lucky to know all these fabulous authors. I just finished reading Marie Force's latest book. She's really a talented writer. Love her Gansett Island series. Ruth
ReplyDeleteRuth, I do feel very fortunate to have met so many lovely, talented women - both authors and readers!
DeleteI picked up a copy of Marie's latest this weekend and am looking forward to reading it. I discovered her back in 2009 and fell in love with her writing.
If I wear anything besides jeans lately, I am dressed up...lol. I like wearing a nice pantsuit and lits of makeup with sparkly sandals. Live this series!
ReplyDeleteLOL! I hear you, Donna. I pretty much live in jeans too but I do love dressing up and getting sparkly every now and then. Romance conferences give me a good reason to do so!
DeleteI'd have to go with 'Brilliant Smile'! If I attempted some of those amazing shoes, I'd be on my butt in 2 seconds flat! ;)
ReplyDeleteLove Marie Force and her Gansett Island Series is my all time favorite!!
tammyfaris1966 at gmail dot com
I'm not sure I could last that long! LOL!
DeleteThanks for stopping by, Tammy!
I love the photos and yes, the shoes! Glad to see so many wonderful smiles. Prayers to Jenni M, brave woman.
ReplyDeleteMy personal "sparkle" would be smiles and jewelry.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the photos and recap. I enjoyed the post. And I will definitely be keeper Jennifer McQuiston in my prayers. What a loving and selfless gift she is giving.
I would have to say my smile is my bring it sparkle. I smile a lot :-) I had a favorite black dress with silver sparklie things on it, but have not worn it in a very long time. Love the shoes in the pictures, but I would probably suffer a few broken bones and a concussion if I braved wearing them!
ReplyDeleteI haven't worn "sky-high" shoes in years and I am allergic to jewelry so my sparkle would be a glittery dress and my smile. The smile would be easy because I would be fangirling over the authors that I would excited to meet. I loved the pictures you shared. I have said a prayer for Jennifer McQuiston.
ReplyDeleteI don't have too many fancy outfits anymore but back in the day...lol. Now I have a longish black skirt that I can dress up or down. I love all the pics though and those conferences sound like so much fun.
ReplyDeletesmile
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing M&M with us, PJ!
ReplyDeleteAbout the only time I literally sparkle these days is Christmas when I dress up for a couple of parties and wear my famous, blindingly sparkling Christmas sweater complete with Christmas tree, candy cane, wreath, etc for the family gatherings. On other occasions, I let my eyes and my earrings supply the sparkle. Love the shoe pics, but I'm another who will never again wear high heels.
LOL... a smile! Thanks for sharing! Looks like you had a blast!
ReplyDeleteIt was so great to see you at M&M, PJ! I'll admit, I wore no sparkly shoes. My only sparkle this year was my red fascinator! I did enjoy it, though. Usually I sparkle with very shiny necklaces, but somehow those got left at home this year.
ReplyDeleteAwesome photos and some totally to die for boots and shoes (minus the high heels for me). I have to admit I really don't do sparkle much - I'd break my neck if I tried to walk in most of those shoes. I have to rely on my smile and occasionally jewelry. :-)
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to Jennifer McQuiston in her journey to Africa!
all of the above
ReplyDeleteI love the recap and pictures, PJ! I wish I could have been there!
ReplyDeleteJewelry of course!! and shoes, shoes can bring sparkle to any ensemble =D
ReplyDeleteAnd I really hope Jennifer McQuiston is doing good and I do have her in my prayers so she returns home safe and sound.
Joanna M
annaoj (dot) mortes (at) gmail (dot) com