UtopYA 2014: A Recap

Hi everyone!!
Well, it has been a week since UtopYA 2014 has ended and I have been going through pics and trying to put together this post just so you guys can know how awesome this conference is...

So, I figured the best way to fill you guys in on all this fabulousness is to just start from day one and tell you everything...LOL!!!

So, upon arriving, it's like a family reunion.  You meet up with friends that you haven't seen in a year (more or less) and that's when the screaming begins...YES...there is screaming, squealing, hugs...just any type of excited emotion you can think of is pouring out of you...

Hence the amount pf pictures being taken now...Yes, we must have those memories solidified so that we can always treasure these moments..

So, starting on Thursday and all the way until Sunday...I was getting as many pics with my friends as possible...

Check out the amazing people I was able to see...

 Pictured: Carlyle Labuschagne, Starla Huchton, Michelle Warren, Lila Felix, Heather Lyons, Teal Haviland, Rachel Harris, Heather Self, & Bailey Ardisone

 Pictured: Jackie McPherson, Heather King, Lisah Stephens, Candace Selph, 

Jessica @LovinLosLibros, & Val @Stuckinbooks

That was just a fraction of the awesomeness that was there by the way....

Now Thursday evening I was given such an honor by the amazing Janet Wallace to be able to dine with our keynote speakers for the conference.  I was extremely excited and as you can see it was a beautiful place to dine...

After choosing the table in which I would sit at, I had the esteem company of fellow blogger Toni @Mybookaddiction, Janet Wallace, her husband, Katie Cook and the wonderful Sylvia Day.  Yes, my nerves were crazy...but it was beyond FANTASTIC!! Between the fabulous dinner and conversation it will definitely be one of those nights you will never forget. OH...and check out this delicious dessert that was served...Mmmmm....To die for!!!

And yes, to wrap up the awesome dinner evening, the awesome Sylvia Day posed for pics...Words cannot describe how memorable this night was...

But, it wasn't completely over...As soon as dinner finished I ran downstairs to see if I could catch up on the Reader Appreciation Party hosted by the Marvelous Tiffany King, Quinn Loftis, Carol and Adam Kunz, and Jennifer Armentrout (who couldn't make it b/c of the craziness of the airlines)...

This party was epic and they had games, prizes, and of course cupcakes...

Just ask Quinn and Tiffany how good those cupcakes were...(they had icing everywhere..LOL)

So, day one ended and I headed to the room to chill.  So much to do and I knew Friday would be non-stop...

I had a fab roomie this year...Jackie @SatedFaery...Thanks Jackie for rooming with me!! Major shout out to you!!!

Ok...so Friday begins and we begin as always meeting together to hear announcements, win prizes and hear from the keynote speakers.  

Janet started it off right with music and getting everyone pumped for the day...

Our keynote speaker was Sylvia Day and she packed in an amazing speech that riddled the guests with informative advice and interesting experiences.

After this, we all headed out to catch some of the awesome panels that were offered as well as head in to the exhibitor rooms to see some of our favorite authors...

Check it out...

Here is Nely Cab with her award winning Table..Yep she won Best Swag and Best Decorations...(yes, she had some cool swag...)

Later on Friday evening, there was a huge FAN INVASION author signing...

Check out the authors that were here....

It was a lot of fun and people were lined up eager to see their favorite authors...

So, for me...I was completely exhausted and checked out for the night...

Saturday has now rolled around and as we all meet together this morning, our keynote speaker comes in and again, delivers a phenomenal speech that totally captivates the audience...

Meet Gennifer Albin, author of the Crewel series and Catching Liam...

Directly afterwards, Gennifer was meeting and signing... Heather and I jumped in together to get our picture made...Just loved meeting her...

After this the level of my nerves skyrocketed because I was about to be on my first panel...Blog Your Face Off...I seriously thought I could puke...But, I have to say that I felt it went very well and so much was learned during our hour...

Blog Your Face Off Panel: Heather Smiddie (moderator), Michelle Miller (author), Tess Watson (author), me, & Toni @MyBookAddiction

 The awesome crowd for the panel...(I see you Heather :D)

Once the panel was over...I could finally breathe and time passed hanging with my amazing friends...

The Beta Babes with Rha Babe...

(Heather, Jackie, Misty, Me, Candace & on the phone is Lisa!!)

 The Awesome Annie Hargrove and Mary Smith  

 The fabulous Lindsay Paige

The Awesome Jordan Deen

 My girls: Heather & Jackie..

I have to add...Flat Ian arrived and seemed to stop the show...Heather here giving us a show of his hotness...

But...UtopYA offered us a few live bodied models too...And lets just say that you could be having a conversation with someone and BAM hotness walks by...

Check out one of those moments here...

 I whisper to Jackie to let me get a pic of her so this way the model can be in the pic...Jackie steps it up and pssst's him...

 Yes, it was funny to see that we wanted a pic of him...But he was awesome and decided to pose for a pic...

So everyone, meet Jesse Daniels, cover model...

The last thing to come is the awards ceremony that night...

 Janet welcoming everyone..

 Katie Cook hosting the awards...

 Heather and I 

 Annie and I

 Myself, Bailey, Mary, & Candace

 Back: Jackie, Toni, Candace

Front: Me, Starla, Mary

Everyone dressed up and looked BEAUTIFUL!!!

Having fun...

 Me and Nely Cab

  Me and Lila Felix

Me and Heather....

So, as you can see there was so much to do and so many people to see...

Being able to hang out with some of the most amazing people I know is priceless...

While there are some that I didn't get to spend as much time with as I would have wanted, being able to see Mary, Lindsay, Bailey (and hubs), Candace (and Jason), Annie, Toni, Nely, Misty, Carol, Adam, Heather, Quinn, and so many more....

Heather: Thank you...thank you for being YOU...When I look back on UtopYA 2014, my most fondest memories have you wrapped up in them...

Jackie: Thank you for being an awesome friend and roomie!! WOOT!! We had some awesome times!!

So, now that this year is over...Plans for next year are already under way...

 Check it out..Next years theme is TIME TRAVEL!!! Woot!! How fun is that going to be??

So, now is the time to get in on the action...

You can go to Eventbrite now to get your earlybird tickets...Here are your options:

$70 Earlybird General Admission

4-day pass to the UtopYA convention (UtopYACon)
Fan admission to the Saturday Public Signing Event
Admission to the Fourth Annual UtopYA Awards

$95 Earlybird VIP
4-day pass to the UtopYA convention (UtopYACon)
Fan admission to the Saturday Public Signing Event
Admission to the Fourth Annual UtopYA Awards
Lunch Thursday and Friday
Souvenir T-shirt

For more information you can go to UtopYACon 's website or their Facebook page

So, I am closing now and saying thank you to Janet Wallace for such an awesome Con...What she has created here is something that you just can't describe.  I really encourage you to get in on the full experience of this powerful conference next year...

Happy reading everyone!!
Kat

2014 UTOPYA Awards Nominees

The world is A BUZZ right now....

The 2014 UTOPYA Awards nominees has been announced and the let's just say...the fun has begun.

Straight from the UTOPYACon Blog 

It’s (finally) time to announce the nominees chosen by their peer members of the utopYA Academy, and open the voting in the Third Annual utopYA Awards to all the fans out there!

With 10 new categories for a total of 30, there are even more opportunities for your favorites to win! Voting Ends 11:59 PM Friday, May 16, 2014. Congratulations to all the nominees!

And GUESS WHAT????

Our blog has been nominated for Best Blog and our very own blogger, Kathryn Grimes, has been nominated for best blogger!!!

~Kat here...

I have to say, I am extremely honored to be nominated!!! There are some fabulous bloggers in this category and being among them is just pure awesomeness!!  AND thank you so much for the nomination for this blog.  Shell and I put our heart and soul in to it and just being nominated for this is beyond anything I could have fathomed!! 

~Shell here...

I am so thrilled to have our blog recognized along with some other fantastic blogs, and our favorite authors. Really folks, this is a HUGE honor! I have to say, Kat does an amazing job representing us everywhere she goes. And she makes us look beautiful every day. Kat keeps things running smoothly, and is the best creative sounding board, and blog partner, a book chick could ask for. So, CONGRATS to Kat, THANKS SO MUCH for nominating us, and be sure to VOTE!!!

So, what does this mean for you guys??
Well, click the link below and let your voice be heard!!
VOTE for your faves!! I am sure you will see several on there that we have showcased here on the blog!!!

You can VOTE HERE!!

GIVEAWAY: Welcome Bag Insertion for #UTOPYACon2014

Want to ensure you reach every single attendee, exhibitor, and panelist at the 2014 UTOPYA convention??

With over 650 people attending, a #UTOPYACon2014 Welcome Bag Insertion would be a great way to do just that....

Soooo....today, you have a chance to win a Welcome Bag insertion which is valued at $500...

All you have to do is enter the rafflecopter and on April 1st, we will pull a winner...

GOOD LUCK!!!

From the UTOPYACon Team:
**We do not accept food or flammable items. While we do allow paper, we discourage it due to environment issues. If you're going to use paper, make it useful--a download code or discount offer of some kind.  Don't just create a flier or post card.**

Make sure you guys find out all the awesome details on UTOPYACon...

To see what UtopYA is all about, visit http://utopyacon.com/  and for tickets visit http://www.eventbrite.com/e/utopya-2014-tickets-on-oct1st-registration-7219041347

 Be sure to follow the rest of the Official UtopYA Bloggers for exclusive content and news!

Delphina of Delphina Reads Too Much

Toni of My Book Addiction

Heather of SupaGurl Books

Ren of A LIttle Bit of R&R

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DIGITAL or PRINT?? Which do you prefer?? #UTOPYACon2014

HELLO EVERYONE!!!!
As UTOPYCon draws near, I start looking at the authors attending and thinking about having books signed...
It also brings that question that always runs through my head DIGITAL or PRINT???
Majority of the time I have already bought the digital copy, so, do I go ahead and buy the print??
And since this question doesn't necessarily revolve around conferences and signings, which format do you prefer??
I go back and forth in my own head but I wanted to find out what some of my friends thought about it..
So, I asked them these questions:

1.  Do you prefer DIGITAL or PRINT?
2.  When you attend a conference/signing, if you already own the digital, do you buy the print for collection? If you don't have the digital, do you buy the print to actually sit and read??
Here is what they had to say... 

Shelley Bunnell

Do you prefer digital or print?

I find both have their place. I like digital for the ease of convenience. I have a kindle so when I read an eBook, I am able to read it virtually anywhere. If it's low light, total darkness, OR I prefer candlelight to relax for the evening, I can still read the book on my phone. I have a first generation kindle. I find I read most digital ARC's on my phone's kindle app these days, since it is always on me. (I can easily sneak in a chapter or two while at work.) BUT... in the end, I LOVE my print books. I love to actually touch the artwork and raised lettering. Obviously the live version is much more brilliant and detailed. And yes, I'm a cover whore so the art really is important to me. I love the feel of the pages. The smell of the paper and ink. I like that I can use an actual bookmark. I can mark a quote or favorite passage with a Post-It®. Yes, I love those too! It's also easier to critique something printed out. You can underline, highlight- mark it with a red pen and let your inner teacher/editor fly. When I first got back into reading a few short years ago, I would write word or phase definitions and origins in pencil in the margins, and scribble notes about characters.  Now, I use a notebook if I feel the need to write something. PLUS! Hello! Autographs!!! You can't display a digital book on your bookshelves. So what is my answer? Print. Print. PRINT. I admit. I have a paper obsession. And it's not ending any time soon.

When you attend a conference/signing, if you already own the digital, do you buy the print for copy?

If I go to a signing I'm usually attending for an author I love and adore. Even if I've already read the digital I will get the print. Most likely, I already have it too. Why? Please see previous question and answer. I. Love. Print. I like proudly handing my book to the author. I want that personalized message inside the author has graciously given me. It's rare you don't get something special written for you. It's a big part of the experience. It gives me a reason to speak to the author. It shows I'm a big fan and supporter. It helps the author, the event, the stores, and the publishers. And it makes me giddy.
For a conference or panel, I'll go through the list of authors in attendance, gather the books I already have, and order those I haven't read or am interested in. This generally results in carrying bags of books to the event. At the event, if the books are on display, I'll grab a couple that I may have been on the fence about, or I'll cave under peer pressure and get one- or two after a friend has quite cleverly twisted my arm. Yeah, I'm hard to convince. *cough cough*  An example of my previously confessed print obsession??? For our annual Portland festival, Wordstock this year, I had several books already in possession. I even had a couple of print ARC's. The fest/conference/workshop hosts close to one hundred authors. It was quite a list to go through, but I had my faves. I purchased new releases and ordered from a local store. Dare I say I spent around $200?! Ugh. I had to have those books. Had to. BUT, to top it off, over the two day event, I spent another $150 more. Why all the mad spending? Well, sometimes you sit in on a panel and just enjoy what the author has to say SO much or you fall for their personality, you run right out the panel door, grab their book and boogie to their signing line hoping a friend has saved you a place, and that you make it in time. Other times, after passing the bookstore and author display tables a few times, the books just call to you. Or maybe that's just me. At any rate, I've never been to a signing where I didn't leave with more books than I started with. Especially when the signing is at our wonderful Powell's Books, where they ALWAYS have special editions and great sales at the time of the signing. They also make great displays. Impulse shoppers know what I'm talking about. Oh yes, they are a big contributor to my addiction. I may regret some of the spending, but I never regret getting the most out of an event and having new beauties and treasures to add to my shelves.

Candace Selph

I prefer print - but I usually get digital, for two reasons. 1 it is less expensive and I purchase a lot of books, 2 my husband hates to move things and makes me limit them. Typically at a conference/signing (the two I've been two) I have been known to purchase books I have digital copies of, but typically I try to avoid doing that (see reasons above) and the only ones I have reread were Quinn's because I'm that much of an addict

Ren Reidy
It's funny that you ask that. When I started readying, I always read print copies until I discovered indies and bought a kindle. I love the convenience of an ebook. If I loved the book then I most definitely buy the print copy when attending a con. There's something special about meeting an author and having them sign a book you enjoyed. I used to love ebooks but I've recently switched back to print copies. I love having a physical library even if I like the convenience of ebooks.
Oh, and Kathryn... I hate leaving a crease in the spine of my paperbacks. Another reason for ebooks LOL but when I do read them I'm very gentle.

Heather King
I prefer print but still love digital. I will buy print copies from my fave authors to have signed ones. I also love signed ARCS.
I love the cheaper prices and space saving features of ebooks, but if it's one of my faves and I can get it signed, I want a hard copy too especially if the cover is gorgeous or there is some kind of limited edition thing. Splintered, my avi, is so beautiful-it even has purple ink! Had to have that in hard copy. Lol
Misty Provencher
Starting to prefer digital, unless it's a book I HAVE TO HAVE in my library.  Then, I want both.  :)

Jackie McPherson

I tend to buy digital because it's easier & cheaper - but all my fave series I have to have in print, preferably signed.  Once it's in print, I will read it that way.  Any of my faves will get read several times. :)

All such great insights and opinions in the age old dilemma of buying either DIGITAL or PRINT...
Which do you prefer?? I would love to hear your thoughts...
Just comment below and let me know...

Make sure you guys find out all the awesome details on UTOPYACon...

To see what UtopYA is all about, visit http://utopyacon.com/  and for tickets visit http://www.eventbrite.com/e/utopya-2014-tickets-on-oct1st-registration-7219041347

 Be sure to follow the rest of the Official UtopYA Bloggers for exclusive content and news!

Delphina of Delphina Reads Too Much

Toni of My Book Addiction

Heather of SupaGurl Books

Ren of A LIttle Bit of R&R

#UTopYA EXCLUSIVE!!!

HELLO EVERYONE!!!!

I am super excited to bring this to you today...

Your help is needed....

A fabulous awesome group of authors have come together to create an anthology of works just for UTopYA...
How fantastic is that??  *Squeeee*

Those authors include:

Amanda Havard

C.A. Kunz

Raine Thomas

Sarah Ross

Amy Bartol

Tiffany King

Heather Hildenbrand

Tammy Blackwell

I bet you are wondering, how am I going to help??
Well, I am glad you asked...

We would LOVE for you all to CHOOSE the title of this AMAZING anthology.
In the poll below, you will see 4 titles that have been nominated and now it is up to you lovely people to decide on the FINAL leading title!!

So, get to voting...this will only last until Thursday at 8 pm when the poll closes.  

To see what UtopYA is all about, visit http://utopyacon.com/  and for tickets visit http://www.eventbrite.com/e/utopya-2014-tickets-on-oct1st-registration-7219041347

 Be sure to follow the rest of the Official UtopYA Bloggers for exclusive content and news!

Delphina of Delphina Reads Too Much

Toni of My Book Addiction

Heather of SupaGurl Books

Ren of A LIttle Bit of R&R

Choose your favorite title for the anthology.

Take Me to Your Reader

UFOPYA

Close Encounters of the Written Kind

2014: A utopYA Oddity

Poll Maker

FAB FIVE OF 2013: Best of Moments at UTopYACon 2013

Well, the day I found out that I was one of the official bloggers for UTopYACon 2014, I was on Cloud 9 and I still haven't come down from it yet...
This is such an amazing honor and even though I was already looking forward to the conference in June, I am now beyond excited about getting back there...
So, since my first post happened to be at the end of the year, and since we are doing TOP lists for 2013, I thought that I would share with everyone my FAB FIVE MOMENTS of UTopYACon 2013...

Meeting Friends

I was so excited to head to Nashville.  My emotions were all over the place and since this was my first time attending, I had no idea what to expect.  

But, the one thing I knew for sure, was that I was going to finally meet Mary and Candace.  Sharing a love of Quinn Lofis brought us together as friends online, but now...in Nashville....the live meeting partakes.

It was an awesome moment in which you hug and feel like you have known each other forever.  

Now, even as I was meeting people I already knew, I was even more happy that I walked away from UTopYA with more friends and people that as the next year comes around, I cannot wait to see...

Jackie McPherson, Delphina Miyares, Ren Reidy, Toni Houseworth, Megan Bagley, Amanda Daws, and many more....

These friendships were definitely one of the highlights of the conference....

Can't wait to see them all again in 2014...

Meeting the Authors

Well, now, this moment was monumental.  Will I even be able to describe just how phenomenal it was to you guys?  

From the moment I arrived until I left I was able to have one on one talks with some of my favorite authors ever.  Not only that, groups of us congregating together after the conference day is over and  just hanging out, getting to know each other and sharing our love of books.

This is a moment in which as I remember these amazing times, I sit here and smile, eager to get back there in 2014 to see all this awesome authors.

What I walked away with after Nashville was not only a new love and admiration for my favorite authors, I walked away with new friends. 

The list is extremely long but I am going to name a few to let you know just how excited I am to get back there in 2014...

Lila Felix, A.M. Hargrove, M. Leighton. Quinn Loftis, Shelly Crane, C. A. Kunz (Carol & Adam) Tiffany King, Heather Self, Amy Bartol. Samantha Young, Teal Haviland, Misty Provencher, Angeline Kace, Megan Curd, Bailey Ardisone, Tabatha Vargo, Melissa Andrea, Cameo Renae, and many, many more....

The Panels

After arriving and receiving the materials for the conference, I sat and looked at the daily schedule.

Each day was filled with panels with interesting topics that I was able to go in, sit, and hear authors and experts discuss.  

I truly took some fabulous ideas and some great advice away with these sessions.

Getting to hear more on the topic of YA vs NA, understanding what a publicist does,

music and writing, and so many more...

I can't wait to be able to dive in to more in June....

Awards Ceremony

The Awards Ceremony on Saturday night was fantastic.  Everyone was able to dress up and get together for a night of amazingness.
With great planning, the show was started giving us winners from many categories, entertainment from the Amazing Amanda Havard, and just the fantabulousness of camaraderie from everyone in that room....
It was defnitely a night to remember...
Major congrats to all the winners!!!

Key Note Speakers

Lastly...we had two keynote speakers for UTopYACon 2013.
The Ever Fabulous Jennifer Armentrout and Jen Sincero shared their thoughts and opinions on the writing and publishing world.  So many questions were answered and details provided in their road to publication... Showing us just what it is like to make writing as your career...
 

So, as this year ends and I look ahead to 2014, I am counting down the days until June 21 arrives.  UTopYACon is the one conference that I made sure to reserve way in advance.

If you haven't attended UTopYACon yet, don't wait...Make sure you get your tickets and come and join all of us for a FAB FUN TIME!!!!

To see what UtopYA is all about, visit http://utopyacon.com/  and for tickets visit http://www.eventbrite.com/e/utopya-2014-tickets-on-oct1st-registration-7219041347

 Be sure to follow the rest of the Official UtopYA Bloggers for exclusive content and news!

Delphina of Delphina Reads Too Much

Toni of My Book Addiction

Heather of SupaGurl Books

Ren of A LIttle Bit of R&R