January 25, 2010

Girlfriends Weekend 2010

Kathy Patrick, owner of the Beauty and the Book hair salon/bookstore, hosted her annual gathering of the Pulpwood Queen Book Clubs. It was especially festive this year because they were celebrating the 10th anniversary of what they call Girlfriends' Weekend.

All of Kathy's book clubs from all over the country travel to Jefferson, Texas. During the days, the clubs congregated in the Convention Hall where author panels and workshops were given. There was a diversity of authors--children's authors, fiction authors, non-fiction authors. So many you can't imagine. The highlight, of course, was when Pat Conroy (Prince of Tides) gave his keynote address. And he didn't just zip in, give his talk and zip out. No, he participated in the ENTIRE weekend. Wow.

I did a panel with author Shellie Rushing Tomlinson--who wrote Suck In Your Tummy and Put Some Color On. And River Jordan, who's most recent release is Saints in Limbo. Those two gals are too much fun. We had a blast.

At night, all books were put away and everybody let their hair down. Thursday night was a dinner where the authors acted as the waiters and waitresses. Friday night was the Happy 50th Birthday Barbie party. Both authors and readers came dressed as their favorite Barbie. (pics in our Dee's Circle of Friends section)

The culminating event was The Great Big Ball of Hair Ball which, this year, had an Over the Rainbow theme. One and all came dressed in costumes inspired by the Wizard of Oz. Do you remember that gown my best friend from high school made me for my first book signing? Well, I pulled that out, shook off the dust and wore it as part of my Glinda the Good Witch costume.

I made my Glinda-crown out of an Abraham Lincoln hat that I covered with glittery felt, then hot glued sequins and pearls onto. The rest of the pictures from Girlfriends' Weekend are in my scrapbook. Go to my Circle of Friends page, click on the Scrapbook and log in (if you haven't registered, it only takes a second). You don't want to miss these pics of authors and readers dressed up in the most creative costumes ever! Be sure to leave comments under the pics!

posted by Deeanne on 01/25/2010 - 7 comments - Post a Comment    RSS FEED

January 17, 2010

Caffeine, Romance and Barbie

Rae Byuel is doing a "Spotlight on Dee Gist" this week. She posted some Q&As we did as well as "10 Random Things You Never Knew About Dee".  Things like: when I was little I made up romance stories for my Barbie and Ken dolls. To read more click here.

I'm still at Girlfriends Weekend and having a blast. This is me at the 50th Anniversary Celebration for Barbie. The authors went down the catwalk holding their latest book and modeling their Barbie costumes. I was "Valentine Barbie."

As soon as I get home, I'll post pics of me dressed up as Glinda the Good Witch at the big Saturday night "Over the Rainbow" bash. (I left my camera/computer connector thinga-ma-bop at home.) So, check back!

posted by Deeanne on 01/17/2010 - 7 comments - Post a Comment    RSS FEED

January 11, 2010

Girlfriends Weekend

 It's not too late to sign up for Girlfriends' Weekend if you want to join me! It is an annual get-together of a nationwide bookclub called Pulpwood Queens. Every January they meet in Jefferson, Texas for a big party. Lots of authors will be coming and mingling with readers.

I went last year, too. Here's a peek:

To register, email kathy@beautyandthebook.com or call Beauty and the Book at (903) 665-7520

***

Gail from San Antonio is last week's winner of an Advanced Reading Copy of BEGUILED. Congrats, Gail! 

Since BEGUILED is now showing up on store shelves, our ARC giveaway has come to a close, but we are going to be picking a winner soon for the giveaway in my Circle of Friends section. To enter, click on the "Dee's Circle of Friends" tab at the top and then the trophy!

And don't quite commenting. I read your comments every day. They mean so much. We all love hearing from you!

posted by Deeanne on 01/11/2010 - 10 comments - Post a Comment    RSS FEED

January 04, 2010

Not A Creature Was Stirring

Everyone has gone home. The youngest son left on Thursday. The newlyweds left on Friday. The youngest daughter and our friend from Germany left on Sunday. Greg went to Norway on business. And our daughter's boyfriend went back to Dallas this morning. So it is just me and her. Boy, is it quiet around here!

Here's a recap of our holidays:

'Twas the Night Before Christmas. All have gone to bed and are awaiting Santa's arrival. Our "from" boxes--see post from Dec 14--are underneath the fireplace on the left.

Santa came and he brought our 23 yo a pair of boots and a lone-star jogging outfit--so she'll be styling in her street clothes and styling in her work out clothes!

Our daughter-in-law knitted us gifts this year. Isn't that scarf beautiful!

The girls made Christmas cookies.

Our son's girlfriend made us Christmas candy.

My daughter and I did our 2000-piece Coca-Cola puzzle we do every Christmas.

And we had a special visitor from Germany. It was his first time in the States and his first time on an airplane!

Tonight, all is calm and very quiet. And though I have plenty to do, I feel a little lost without all the hussle and bustle.

***

We've heard from Candy of Texas and Ashlee of Alabama. Congrats, girls! We still have one winner we are waiting to hear from. When we've heard back from her, we'll let you know. 

If you would like a chance to WIN a free advance copy of my new romantic suspense, BEGUILED, leave a comment here on my blog between now (January 4) and Saturday (January 9).  We will pick a winner at that time, then start all over again on Sunday.

For more opportunities to win, click on the "Dee's Circle of Friends" tab at the top and join in on the fun!

posted by Deeanne on 01/04/2010 - 40 comments - Post a Comment    RSS FEED

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