Middle/Northern GA/Southeast and surrounding area

[jst5150]

Hey all:

I'm looking to try and get a few folks together who might live in the greater Atlanta and middle Georgia areas. However, for those who want to make the drive, the greater southeast, too. This thread is about gauging interest. I can work the logistics once I have an idea of interest.

If you're in that geographical area, poke me here and we'll get the ball rolling. Poke others who might fall into this category, too.

jt

[Siddow]

Are you gonna throw a party? After seeing your vid of the Nerds show, I wanna come! I can poke Ben Bradley, too. He's in my local group, way, way up here by Lake Lanier.

Oh, and RumpleTumbler! If he's still talking to me...:D

[Perks]

I'm a few hours out of Atlanta. If it could be up that way, I'd love to be included!

[benbradley]

I just got poked...

I know just where you live (having seen that big Road Trip map) - I lived in the area about four or five years ago when all the local signs said "Go Diana!" There was supposedly some girl from Shiloh singing on TV??? <g>

I'm now a good 80 miles north (that's even north of Siddow!), but I'm up for an Atlanta-area or north Georgia get-together. I'll even go to Chattanooga (it's about as close as Atlanta is for me!), if there's any AW'ers left in Tennessee...

[Uncarved]

where are you ben??
I'm the same, 60 miles from atlanta, 60 from chattanooga.
I'm up in Rome, so count me in whereever and whatever

tina

[RumpleTumbler]

Will Summer Glau be there?

[Susan Flemming]

Depending what day/time is chosen, I'd be interested.

where are you ben??
I'm the same, 60 miles from atlanta, 60 from chattanooga.
I'm up in Rome, so count me in whereever and whatever

tina

I'm in Rome too... so maybe if this gets going, we could carpool.

[kdnxdr]

I'm in Mississippi, I'd like to come, depending on when and such.

kid

[AncientEagle]

Other responsibilities prevent my attending, but I'm glad to see I have so many fellow Georgians on AW who're ready for a party.

I live in Columbus.

[benbradley]

where are you ben??
I'm the same, 60 miles from atlanta, 60 from chattanooga.
I'm up in Rome, so count me in whereever and whatever

tina
I'm 40 miles away, on the other side of I75 from you, in Jasper ("First Mountain City"). I went to Darlington School 30+ years ago...

[Uncarved]

Most cool Susan and Ben, I am in Jasper from time to time actually.

[jst5150]

This is starting to shape up into a little shindig. :) And of course, even if you're not from these parts, you're certainly invited. :)

How's everybody schedule look for, say, October? Kids in school. Maybe a Saturday meet somewhere. We could do a couple of writing classes and just talk southern authors and some AW stuff. That might fill eight hours. Then, the evening.

As to location, Atlanta seems most central to everyone. I can start drawing up some tetnative plans if I can get some buy in here.

[Perks]

October?!?! Crap. I'll be old by October.

[RumpleTumbler]

This is starting to shape up into a little shindig. :) And of course, even if you're not from these parts, you're certainly invited. :)

How's everybody schedule look for, say, October? Kids in school. Maybe a Saturday meet somewhere. We could do a couple of writing classes and just talk southern authors and some AW stuff. That might fill eight hours. Then, the evening.

As to location, Atlanta seems most central to everyone. I can start drawing up some tetnative plans if I can get some buy in here.

I was thinking more of an Animal House type toga party.

[Siddow]

Jason, there's the big book festival in August, http://www.decaturbookfestival.com/2007/News/2008-dates-announced.php. Just an idea. I'm open for whenever, and probably hitting the festival anyway. :D

[jst5150]

Good point. I almost went last year. I am, however still scheming. ;)

[Siddow]

Good point. I almost went last year. I am, however still scheming. ;)

Ooh...you should come this year. I walked away with, I swear, 50lbs of swag. Free books? I'll take 'em!

[jst5150]

"Never turn down a free meal." -- Dad ;)

[GhostAuthor]

Hey folks, fellow GA author chiming in here!

October is BAD for me, lots of book signings and conventions that time of year for me (I write dark fantasy and ghost books).

However, there are two conventions going on in the Georgia area (one in Marietta in June and one in Newnan in April). Both are small and author friendly! (and don't charge an arm or a leg - or both). Meeting at one of those would give us the opportunity to mingle and spend time doing what we love - talking about writing and books!

Seriously though both conventions are seeking published authors for their guest roster - you can PM me for contact information.

I'm up for meeting, though my schedule is very tight - I'm booked with events since I have two books coming out this year.

Lemme know!

[GhostAuthor]

Jason, there's the big book festival in August, http://www.decaturbookfestival.com/2007/News/2008-dates-announced.php. Just an idea. I'm open for whenever, and probably hitting the festival anyway. :D

That is the same weekend as Dragon Con (the southeasts largest convention). I'll be at Dragon Con if anyone is planning on hitting that up!

Last year, a friend went to the Decatur Book festival, had a good time despite the heat! LOL!

[jst5150]

That's why I was torn between the DBF and DragonCon -- and I ended up hitting neither due to some technical difficulties. :)

I will attend one or the other this year, probably DC.

But I'm still scheming our meeting.

Would you guys prefer just meet and greet, mix in some seminars or a balance of both or what?

[GhostAuthor]

I vote for a mix - meet and greet combined with a seminar or such.

[Siddow]

I went to Dragon*Con once and realized that I totally don't fit in that world. The Furries really freaked me out, along with the painted naked ladies (although, admittedly, not as much as the Furries). Jason, DBF is free and just a short train ride from the Con...do both!

I like the idea of having 'stuff to do', but perhaps that's because I'm socially awkward. :) Or maybe I'm thinking that if there's more of a draw than just our lovely selves, more folks from the outlying areas will be inclined to visit.

But I'm in for A, B, or C. Anything to get out of the house meet you fabulous people (other than the ones I already know, and that is no diss on their fabulosity).

[Perks]

I vote for a mix - meet and greet combined with a seminar or such.I'd agree with this. Makes dashing off without the children sound a tad more on the up and up.

[Perks]

I went to Dragon*Con once and realized that I totally don't fit in that world. The Furries really freaked me out, along with the painted naked ladies (although, admittedly, not as much as the Furries). Jason, DBF is free and just a short train ride from the Con...do both!

Holy crap. I don't want to do that. As much as I'd like to strut around in nothing but some body glitter and a Mardi Gras mask, it's gonna have to be anonymously. Wouldn't, you know, be able to hang out with you guys too...

[jst5150]

I'm for the mix as well. perhaps morning seminars and need to knows. If you'e gonna attend, might as well be fun and insightful.

I can line up maybe a person or two to instruct, maybe for an hour at a time, on writing, specifically journalism and feature writing. I think. Then we can maybe have some other discussions.

In all this, I am open to ideas. As long as you give them to me I;ll handle the heavy lifting and the logistics. :)

ETA: Probably will not be duirng DC, just because the element is so ... diverse. :)

jt

[GhostAuthor]

I went to Dragon*Con once and realized that I totally don't fit in that world. The Furries really freaked me out, along with the painted naked ladies (although, admittedly, not as much as the Furries). Jason, DBF is free and just a short train ride from the Con...do both!


Siddow - you must have attended Dragon a long time ago. In the four years I've been going I haven't seen any furries and they've really cracked down on the naked part. Yeah, you'll still see the few in skimpy bathing suit type costumes, but you MUST have a costume or be booted out.
There is a whole writers track - which is very well attended plus even a writing seminar.
But I digress. Thread jacker, I am. . .

[jst5150]

I;m going to start building a draft itinerary and pass it along here to get your thoughts. Since it's just the one day thing, we'll have to confine the beer drinking to the latter part of the day. But I may be buying, so, good times.

I've also got a tentative room for us in Marietta. Just need to confirm it. :) So, this IS off and running.

Stay tuned here. I'll try to put up a draft by Friday.

[GhostAuthor]

Cool! :e2headban I'm there!

[mlbrownassociates]

I work Dragon*Con every year so that weekend is bad for me. At this present time my weekends are booked solid from May 30 until September 7. However if you guys are doing a GA event and I am in the area I will be more than happy to swing by. I live 20 mins south of Atlanta so if its happening in ATL then I can probably swing through.


MB

[Siddow]

Atlanta Peeps:

new conference coming in May, info here: http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2140840#post2140840

[Perks]

Are we narrowing down a date? I'm confused and I wanna play!

[Siddow]

Perks, come on down May 9 and 10th and we'll get Nathan Bransford plastered. :D

[RumpleTumbler]

I shaved my beard yesterday. I naked.

[Siddow]

I think you're in the wrong thread, Rump.

But I bet you look like a goofy bastard. :D

[RumpleTumbler]

I think you're in the wrong thread, Rump.

But I bet you look like a goofy bastard. :D

haha.....you just can't imagine it.

I look like a * with eyes.

Perks is driving.

[Perks]

Perks, come on down May 9 and 10th and we'll get Nathan Bransford plastered. :DI can probably do that, but did you guys select a conference. I feel a little muzzy. 'cause I read the thread and I still don't know. Lol! Are you guys playing monkey-in-the-middle with me?

[Perks]

Perks is driving.Where am I driving? What am I doing? Am I buying the beer too? Wha?

[RumpleTumbler]

Where am I driving? What am I doing? Am I buying the beer too? Wha?

:e2tongue:

[Perks]

Perks, come on down May 9 and 10th and we'll get Nathan Bransford plastered. :DYou like sushi and you're a non-smoker? Holy shit. We can hang out!

[Siddow]

Perks, I don't know what Jason is up to, but the Atlanta Writer's club is holding a one-day pitch-slam/crit session/workshop, four agents, one of whom is the hot-even-without-a-haircut Nathan Bransford. :D

And yes, we can hang out! Do you still have the Bon Jovi haircut?

[GhostAuthor]

Wow. I want to go, but the question is. . .

What IF I've already signed an agent??? I have a full out right now (anxiously awaiting a response). Then again, if I haven't. . .

UGH!!! What to do, what to do?

So - is this the meet-up?

[Perks]

Perks, I don't know what Jason is up to, but the Atlanta Writer's club is holding a one-day pitch-slam/crit session/workshop, four agents, one of whom is the hot-even-without-a-haircut Nathan Bransford. :D

And yes, we can hang out! Do you still have the Bon Jovi haircut?Is Nathan cute? Oh dear.

And yes, I still look like I belong in an eighties hair band. I don't know what to do.

[Siddow]

Christina, from the post:

The deadline to register for a critique and submit your work for this evaluation is April 10. The deadline to register for a pitch is May 5, assuming spots remain unfilled. You may register and pay for the workshop all the way up to the morning of May 10.

So you've got some time.

This isn't Jason's meet-up, just something cool I thought I'd pass along to the locals.

[Perks]

Do we know what Jason has in mind for dates? (I realized that I've already queried Nathan Bransford with the only completed novel I've got. He said 'no'.)

[RumpleTumbler]

So it's going to be a bunch of married women and probably a few stragglers who don't wash their hair.

Yuck!

I think I'll stay home and clean my dogs ass that day. :)

[Siddow]

Hey, can I drop Sam off and you can give him an anal express? :D

[RumpleTumbler]

Hey, can I drop Sam off and you can give him an anal express? :D

How was that for ya the first time the vet asks that?

At mine (it was like 9 years go)..........

Would you like an anal express?

I'm like.....*shocked look*.......whaaaaaa?

My mouth would never form the t.

So anyway after they "explained it properly" my dog had one.

Due to the increased happiness level when leaving the vet I often wonder if I should give it a shot in the shower or something. After all, eventually I'm going to have to convert totally to asexual reproduction.

The vet I have now I'd have known how to answer but she's married. :(

[Perks]

Nevermind. I'm not going to Georgia. You people are gross.

[RumpleTumbler]

Nevermind. I'm not going to Georgia. You people are gross.

You sure that sig is big enough? Here try this. :)

www.jamie-mason.com (http://www.jamie-mason.com/)

[sassandgroove]

....Alabama is next door, but y'all are weird.

[Perks]

You sure that sig is big enough? The font in my signature is the exact same size as the letters in 'screw you'.

[Siddow]

::cancels the day-spa facial, manicure, and anal express she had planned to do with Perks::

[Perks]

You're trying to make me cry, aren't you?

[RumpleTumbler]

The font in my signature is the exact same size as the letters in 'screw you'.

You wouldn't be so angry if you had an anal express.

[Perks]

Atlanta Peeps:

new conference coming in May, info here: http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2140840#post2140840

I'm doing it. I'm joining, as a long-distance member, the Atlanta Writer's Club and I'm going to my first conference ever! I'm very excited.

So, how many of you will I see there?

[RumpleTumbler]

I'm doing it. I'm joining, as a long-distance member, the Atlanta Writer's Club and I'm going to my first conference ever! I'm very excited.

So, how many of you will I see there?

I'll go if I win the Mega Millions tomorrow night.

[Perks]

I'll go if I win the Mega Millions tomorrow night.

If you win, drinks are on you.

[RumpleTumbler]

If you win, drinks are on you.

On me like you consume them from the surface of my body or I'm buying?

[Perks]

You're buying. Hair and tequila are far more revolting together than they are separately.

[RumpleTumbler]

You're buying. Hair and tequila are far more revolting together than they are separately.

Man.....I miss Tequila.

I need some social event to get me drinking again. :)

[Foinah]

Let's try and keep the topic focused on the meet and greet and away from bodily functions, descriptions and veterinary procedures...m'kay?

Have fun at the conference!
Cheers --

[sassandgroove]

where's Jason? What weekend is he talking about? I might be able drive over for the day.

[jst5150]

Hello:

I'd taken a bit of a break and went on some military travel.

I'll be firming up some dates by Friday. If you'd like to look at those and make some decisions, I'd appreciate that.

[Perks]

Well, I'm completely bummed. I was all ready to pack my laptop and overnight bag for the conference on May9th, but I've found out they filled up before they could turn around. I'm locked out and very sad about it.

Anyway, there goes that plan.

[RumpleTumbler]

Well, I'm completely bummed. I was all ready to pack my laptop and overnight bag for the conference on May9th, but I've found out they filled up before they could turn around. I'm locked out and very sad about it.

Anyway, there goes that plan.

They filled up before they could turn around.............

They filled up before they could turn around........................

They filled up before they could turn around.....................................

Hmmmmmmmmm.

[Perks]

Well, in a reversal of my earlier post, I will be at the Atlanta Writers Club conference on May 9th and 10th. I can't do the critique session that I'd hoped, but there's still enough to get out of it to make it worth the drive.

I want to come up early in the day to see if I can meet any of you people... new thread time!

[CKelly]

It's been a while since anyone has posted here, I hope you are all still out there.
Are any of you members of the Atlanta Writers Club, and if so are you going this weekend?
Chris

[badducky]

Hey, I'm in Alpharetta, now. I'm off to an SF Writer's Group this afternoon, in Lawrenceville.

Also, I'm going to OUTLANTACON!

Just gotta e-mail the folks a picture and a bio...

[sassandgroove]

Badducky, what brought you to GA? weren't you up north somewhere? or was I hallucinating about that?

[badducky]

I've been many places, Sass.

In the last three years, Vancouver, Germany, and Texas.

I'm in Georgia now, doing video game stuff.

Edit: Wow, that sounds a lot more exciting than it actually was when I say it like that...

[sassandgroove]

Yay I am not crazy.

:)

[shawkins]

I'd be up for it.

[jodiodi]

Though I'm not in Atlanta, I'm in TN (Clarksville, on the border with KY). However, I'm from GA originally and consider it home. We're about 5-6 hours from ATL, depending on traffic. So I'm about as close as when I lived in GA.

I'm looking for something to attend so I can get out of my basement bunker and interact with sentient beings; and I'd love to interact with writers. I just need a reason to leave the darkness and go into the light.

[badducky]

www.outlantacon.org

I'll be there. You can tell because I'm listed as a "guest".