I went to the Coastal Magic Convention with my daughter this past weekend (Thursday evening until Sunday morning) in Daytona Beach, Florida.
This was my first book-related convention. It's a reader-focused event that began in 2013.
Authors in the urban fantasy, paranormal, sci-fi, and romance genres come out to meet their readers with Meet n Greet panels. The hosts made this easier by doing passports, scavenger hunts, and pick-the-lie activities to get folks chatting.
There were various panels where authors discussed their processes for storytelling and information about their various books and series.
Friday night was a Las Vegas Murder Mystery where authors played roles in the WhoDoneIt. We guessed the murder victim but got the killer wrong.
Saturday night was a pajama game night. We played Harry Potter Trivia. Erika was a finalist. I was in the final place.
Saturday, we had Lunch with an Author and joined Melody Johnson for delish ravioli. Erika got her vampire book, The City Beneath, and I got her sci-fi book, Beyond the next Star. She signed them for us, too.
I also got to meet Ilona and Gordon Andrews, my favorite authors. They signed Magic Tides for me, and I got a picture with them. They are sweet and funny.
The asparagus in the hotel restaurant was really good. I had some every night with dinner.
