A Favorite Aspect for AAD is...

It started in 2010, was requested by many and so there again in 2011, and Voodoo the favored tattoo artist for Authors After Dark will be traveling to New Orleans in 2012!

There were three tats done this year that I saw up close and they were all as unique and fabulous as the next.  Stella has a beautiful snowflake on her inner wrist and was being interviewed by a PBS crew while it was happening - the chick was dead calm, spooky.  Another was Bindah's [sp ?] of a partially opened book that looked ready to read on the back of her hip - totally delightful.

And the third belongs to Eon [of Augusta Li and Eon de Beaufont fame], the man to the right who recently stared as Frank-n-Furter from Rocky Horror Picture Show.  I begged him for a pic of his bicep tat because it is gorgeous and I wanted to share it here - thanks darlin', hugs!  The color of the heart is so bright, it says Boss over the top and fits on his arm perfectly.

Yes, tattoos were happening around the clock at AAD and none of them are the similar.  Can't wait to see who gets what next year!

The Who Am I? Answers

1. So, I'm an Olympian that isn't perfect, but am married to beauty - who am I? Hephaestus

2. I'm an ugly god with a sarcastic and lusty attitude who never hides his most important attribute - who am I? Priapus

3. Basically, I'm a smart diverse Olympian who loves both sexes, and am sometimes seen with a snake or lyre - who am I? Apollo

4. We are a primordial race with 1 being our thing but 3 of us being the most well known - who are we? Cyclopes, specifically Brontes (thunderer), Steropes (lightning) and Arges (brightness)

5. In short, I'm an Olympian who is a patron of many things, but never to busy to ensure a delivery is made - who am I? Hermes

Who Am I? Greek Mythology Brain Teasers

1. While I don't have a birth certificate, I consider Zeus and Hera my parents, and am a god. While mother and father are both hot tempered, I'm much more calm, peaceful, and think before I act. I'm not an immortal who sits around and looks pretty, far from the latter. Despite my physical limitation, hard labor is how I spend my time, and I do it very well. Many of my bretheren request my expertise. My work keeps me fit and yet my gorgeous wife strays.

So, I'm an Olympian that isn't perfect, but am married to beauty - who am I?

2. I get little respect for me or all that I do for humanity. There is no major worship sessions for me other than an occassional ass and agriculture goods. I'm a minor rustic god, but I'm very important. Despite my mother - at least the one I claim today - being beauty incarnate, I'm not much to look at, but a part of me is huge, and always appreciated. I'm a guardian, protector, and the harder I grow, the more things grow around me.

I'm an ugly god with a sarcastic and lusty attitude who never hides his most important attribute - who am I?

3. Zeus is our father. I have a twin and am considered the ideal kouros, a beardless youth. That means all those Greek statues of naked athletes you see in museums and books are based on me. I know just about everything, even how to divine the future, and continue to monitor various fields advancements such as medicine. Something I will not stand for is competition. There is no one better than me in any field I choose to master and will dispose of all challengers as I see fit. That includes my love life. I'm not married, have children who have gone on to do great things, and play with both men and women.

Basically, I'm a smart diverse Olympian who loves both sexes, and am sometimes seen with a snake or lyre - who am I?

4. We were born from Gaia [earth] and Uranus [sky] coming together. From the beginning we were big and strong, so much so, our father feared us and what we were capable of, and chose to lock us away. Eventually a relative released us to help him takeover power and we supported his endeavor. There is nothing handsome about us, but we are physically powerful, all of which encourages people still fear us by sight.

We are a primordial race with 1 being our thing but 3 of us being the most well known - who are we?

5. The man I believe is my grandfather holds the weight of the world on his shoulders, while my father rules it. I'm an Olympian god who works and it entails a great deal of travel. Some have said I'm a thief while others have called me the bringer of good luck, charming and a schemer. The stone marker on the side of the road pointing you in the right direction is mine. I flutter from bed to bed and as a result, am a single father of boys, girls and a little something in between.

In short, I'm an Olympian who is a patron of many things, but never to busy to ensure a delivery is made - who am I?

There you go, a few teasers to get you thinking - I'll post the answers tomorrow. Have fun!

The Problem Crossword Puzzle Answers

Here are the answers to the Tilly Greene’s Mythos Masquerade Greek Mythology Crossword Puzzle questions which I handed out at this years Authors After Dark Mythos dinner.

ACROSS


 2 Goddess of the hunt, virginity, archery and all animals. (7)
Artemis

3 Penetrating warning sound. Greek sea nymph whose singing lured sailors to their destruction. (5)
Siren

5 What was left as a consolation inside Pandora’s Box? (4)
Hope

7 An analgesic and sedative. [derived from the*] God of dreams. (8)
Morphine

9 They were the twins who weren’t really twins. (6-3-6)
CastorandPollux

11 She was seduced by a swan. (4)
Leda

12 God of Wine, theater and ecstasy. (8)
Dionysus

13 He was a very powerful god, serial seducer, and carried a bolt of thunder. (4)
Zeus


DOWN
1 Food of the gods. (8)
Ambrosia

2 God of light, music, poetry, prophecy and archery. (6)
Apollo

4 She offered Paris the love of the world’s most beautiful woman and won the golden apple inscribed ‘for the fairest one’. (9)
Aphrodite

5 Married to the most beautiful goddess and he was not physically perfect. (10)
Hephaestus


6 The 12 Titans are descendents of Gaia and him. (6)
Uranus

8 Agres, Steropes and Brontes had 3 eyes between them. (8)
Cyclopes

10 Titan who carried a sickle and castrated rivals. (6)
Cronus

Hope you enjoyed figuring them out as much as I did and I'm sorry if it was more difficult than fun.  If you're in the mood for a bit more Ancient Greek mythology, I'm posting tomorrow the brain teasers I dropped in various places leading up to the conference.

Told you the other day I liked puzzles!

Crossword Puzzle Problems

I like puzzles, they make my mind work and I feel satisfied when I get the right answer.  Knowing this, it shouldn't surprise you to read that I created and placed a crossword puzzle with a pen on each participants chair at the Authors After Dark Mythos dinner and, from those who turned one in, picked a winner for a Nook. The puzzle was meant to be fun, get everyone in the mythology mood and that wasn't the case.

Apparently it was too hard.

Well, here you go, the Tilly Greene’s Mythos Masquerade Greek Mythology Crossword Puzzle questions.  Give it try for yourself.

ACROSS
2 Goddess of the hunt, virginity, archery and all animals. (7)
3 Penetrating warning sound. Greek sea nymph whose singing lured sailors to their destruction. (5)
5 What was left as a consolation inside Pandora’s Box? (4)
7 An analgesic and sedative. [derived from the*] God of dreams. (8)
9 They were the twins who weren’t really twins. (6-3-6)
11 She was seduced by a swan. (4)
12 God of Wine, theater and ecstasy. (8)
13 He was a very powerful god, serial seducer, and carried a bolt of thunder. (4)

DOWN
1 Food of the gods. (8)
2 God of light, music, poetry, prophecy and archery. (6)
4 She offered Paris the love of the world’s most beautiful woman and won the golden apple inscribed ‘for the fairest one’. (9)
5 Married to the most beautiful goddess and he was not physically perfect. (10)
6 The 12 Titans are descendents of Gaia and him. (6)
8 Agres, Steropes and Brontes had 3 eyes between them. (8)
10 Titan who carried a sickle and castrated rivals. (6)

*=I should have put this on the original puzzle and didn't, my bad!

I'll post the answers tomorrow.

Remember, the people at the dinner weren't there to think but to have fun, get their party feet moving, and it may not have ever been a subject they were as fond of as I am. There was also a time constraint - but I loved seeing all the smart phones working :-)

Oh, and it's GREEK mythology, not Roman.

Conference Panel Comments

I've sat on a few panels over the past few years that talk about a variety of subjects, but they all are based in romance and books/ebooks.

From shifters to blogging as an author, bondage to genre definition, there are no guarantees how it will be received. Participants, both in the audience and those there prepared to talk about the subject, are all coming from their own places and experiences, and they are what make it work when they come together and enjoy the session.

Last year at AAD I remember sitting on a panel and listening to a reader share her personal life in regards to the subject [BDSM] with cameras rolling. If we go there as authors, that's one thing because we've set out limits, but for a reader to step up is a big deal and I worried about her and any potential backlash being on YouTube might present. I remember talking to her a couple times over the next few days about my concerns and she was okay, so I followed her lead.

Fast forward to this year, AAD Philadelphia, and another camera crew showed up for the BDSM panel. I took my moderator roll seriously and, with that reader in mind, forewarned everyone that they may show up on YouTube or elsewhere talking about tying up their lover. With everyone ready, we set off on a fabulous ride. The conversation was flowing and then I posed a question for the audience. For a second I wished I could take it back and then I saw her, Lady Dee, that fabulously calm and composed woman from last year was the first this year to pipe up and put a real face on the subject [a delicate one at that].

Loads of people are telling me it was a great panel, thank you, but I think it was a room full of great people there to share, learn and laugh while doing it.  If you have time, go check out this years BDSM in Romance panelists, they're fabulous!  They are James Buchanan, Eliza Gayle, Cat Grant, Mari Freeman, Bridgit Midway, Brynn Paulin, Melissa Schroeder and me, Tilly Greene.

Now, in case you're wondering what makes a panel fun, it takes the readers throwing in their opinions, comments and questions and panelists stepping away from the desk, deadlines and promotional pitches to make it fun and rewarding.

Up for some fun?!?

Are you in or near Philadelphia?

Then come to the Doubletree Hotel [237 South Broad Street, Philadelphia] today!

Saturday from 2-5:00pm at the Authors After Dark event there's a big booksigning open to the public and then, starting at 8:30, you can come into the Victorian Steampunk Ball for a $20 charge at the door.  The Olde City Sideshow are the band, there's photos, another signing, vendors, psychics and an Absinthe Party to check out as well.

A great way to spend a Saturday - hope to see you there!

Funny and Naughty Ends the Week

Do you want your partner to worship your throbbing rod of thunder and lightning with her sweet mouth and she has an excuse?

Well, now you can get what you want, feed your lover's desire for chocolate and play dress up time all at once!  

Don the hat of a Viking, Indiana Jones or Halo's Master Chief on your penis and reap your reward.  There's only one problem, I can't find the website that showed how to make these, so you're on your own - sorry!

Fine Naughty Jewels

Sperm Ring by Betony Vernon

A ring that is sure to raise questions such as: 

Is that a sperm swimming around your finger?

or

Will you honor, cherish and love Joe Shmoe and his sperm?

Hump Day Visual Naughtiness

Model Eric Belanger Photographed by Rick Day
was found on Homotography.com


Sweaty muscular man is nicely naughty for hump day delight.

Tuesday can be naughty too

Can building a book or ebook be naughty?

Absolutely and also interesting!

What I'm talking about is in the font and this one by Gatis Cirulis is called Bound Type, and here is the alphabet:


Bound Type by Gatis Cirulis

You can find more on this typeface and by Cirulis here on Behance Network.  Although artistically done and not obvious, the site has individual pulled out and painted making it - possibly - NSFW.

It's Naughty All Week!

Rose of Weimar

I'm either getting ready, traveling or having a blast at Authors After Dark in Philadelphia and in celebration I'm posting a variety of naughty stuff all week.

Because of the Tease Tea Tasting party is one of the things I'm preparing for, I thought china would be the ultimate starting point.  First up is a cup and saucer from a 12 piece limited edition set of fine porcelain.



I first discovered the Rose of Weimar pattern on the Elit Alice site.  Can you see yourself at High Tea sipping the leaves with a crustless sandwich on the side and pinky in the air whilst holding this gem to your lips?  Conversation could possibly be about the nice ta-ta's on the cup.

What about a dinner party, placement of the food on the plate below would be interesting.

DesignSpotter Details
Designer: Dirk Kels (Germany)
Manufacturer: Weimar Porzellan (Germany)
Inspired By: ... der Rose von Weimar
Price: 249 euro per set ( 12 pieces )

Test Your Knowledge

Since Tuesday I've been posting short Who am I? brain teasers on the Authors After Dark convention blog - yeah, I'm that kind of excited it's just around the corner.

There are 4 Greek mythological figures giving you hints of their background and accomplishments.  Go over and see how many you can guess.  It's a fun brain teaser kind of thing.

I guess this is also a great time to point you guys in direction of the new free Night Owl Reviews magazine.  It's a great issue and I answered Bennet Pomerantz great question of When did You Consideer Yourself a Writer in his A Piece of My Mind: Advice for People Who Want to Write column.

Readers Conventions Rule!

I love them because no matter which hat I'm wearing, reader or writer, I love to talk books!

That said, Authors After Dark is my favorite, and there are a few spaces left for the one starting August 11th in Philadelphia.

Don't wait, go register as it's on a first come basis.

Oh, go here, register, and be prepared to come back exhausted from the fun with loads of books and goodies.

Quite a bit has been happening lately

I've been interviewed by JoJo of JoJo's Book Corner fame [and am chatting as well as hosting a giveaway today] and also by Grace of the Livre de Amor.

In regards to writing, I stood up for the In-Betweeners with 'Grey is a Good Starting Place' on Selena Illyria's blog which hosted a month+ discussion on Hero, Villian or In-Between.

With AAD coming around the corner, I offered up the '5 Reasons Why I Love AAD' on the Authors After Dark blog, and now even more eager for August to get here.

On a personal level, I talked about my 'Favorite Things' on the Samhain Publishing Blog, and 'My Big Sin' on Leigh Ellwood's Me Want Food blog.

During all that, I also had "Tied Up For Love" released, and shall share an excerpt soon.

Phrew, need to catch my breath, and finish "Missing"!

Another Great Fashion Find

Recently I was looking through a magazine and the fashion being shown was credited to Vintage Luxury.  I was intrigued and, a few days later, went online to seek out more information.

Their store is the Fashion element of 1stDibs.com, which also offers Furniture & Lighting, Fine Art, Jewelry & Watches and Special Searches.  If you love vintage clothes, then this is a treasure trove of delight, and if I had $8,900 I'd buy my dream dress: 

Mariano Fortuny Shell Pink Delphos
italy

Mariano Fortuny shell pink pleated silk Delphos gown circa 1930. Striated white murano glass bead and silk cord trimmed down side seams and armhole. Silk belt stencilled in silver foliate patterns.

As renown specialists in Fortuny, Vintage Luxury is always interested in acquiring the finest examples of Fortuny including entire collections.

Size is flexible due to pleating.

I can put finding this gown into my weird coicidence file.  You see, I was researching Fortuny gowns about 4-5 months ago for a book, and that was when I figured if I knew where one was, I'd wear it to Authors After Dark's Mythos Masquerade in August.  Now I know where one is and it's way out of the budget.

Oh well, but I shall keep tabs on Vintage Luxury, there are other gowns and jewelry that are gorgeous, maybe they'll come down in price.

By the way, AAD registration is going to close soon, have you signed up to go to Philadelphia yet?  No?  Have you heard about where it's going to be in 2012?  No?  Well I can help you with that one - it's going to be in New Orleans, August 8-12!  The hotel is right there in the heart of Bourbon Street and there are some seriously cool happenings scheduled.  I'll be there and hope you can make it as well.

AAD Philly Panel News

I'll be attending Authors After Dark 2011 which will be in Philadelphia this August and the panels have just been released.

So exciting!

You can see them here, but I'll share with you here the one's I'll be sitting on:

Myths and Magic, Sexy Shifters, BDSM panel, Menage and More, and last but not least When the details are just as important as the Story: Food and Clothing in Romance

Aren't they great?  And these are just the ones I'm sitting on, there are many others I can't wait to be in the auidence for, which, I have to say, is why this is a fabulous conference to attend.  Besides being a not for profit conference [and on that actively tries to raise money for specific charities], AAD actually understands that everyone is a reader at heart, and we want to know everything there is to know about the books/ebooks we love!

Enough, if you haven't signed up yet, you still can here, and I look forward to meeting you in person.

Let's Chat about AAD!

December 8th at 1:00pm est there will be doing a radio show at Books Beyond Boundaries Blog Talk Radio show and it will be both a live talk to listen to, and a chat room to talk in and ask questions!

Shall be fun!

It's Open!

Registration for the Authors After Dark 2011 is open and it's rockin'!

It's August 11-14 in Philadelphia - yes, Philly - and the Master of Ceremonies is Larissa Ione!  As for what's new and/or different this year, well, there's going to be ebook only authors and All Romance [ARe] are going to be there selling ebooks alongside Borders [which also happens to have a shop around the corner].  The GLBT and Bloggers tracks have been extended. 

And then there's the Bookie Awards.  These are, as the AAD website states: the "first industry awards nominated and voted for by readers and bloggers alone! And all the presenters will be bloggers, readers and book clubs!"  I'm excited about this bit because I just so happen to have two nominated [Cyra's Cyclopes and Double Punch] - honestly, when you look at those also nominated alongside me, I am thrilled to be in such company!

Some of the authors who are going to be there are*:  Sylvia Day, Melissa Schroeder, Cat Johnson, Bridget Midway, Samantha Sommersby, Zoe Archer, Meljean Brook, Elizabeth Amber, Kate Douglas, Leanna Renee Hieber, Gail Carriger, Monica Burns, T.J. Michaels, Bianca D'Arc, Jess Haines, Michele Lang, Suzanne Lazear, Stella and Audra Price, Liz Strange, Elizabeth Darvill, Kristen Painter, Ariel Tachna, David Juhren, Kayleigh Jamison, Rosemary Laurey, Judi Fennell, Augusta Li, Eon DeBeaumont, Theresa Meyers, Beth Wylde, Nick Valentino, Diana Castilleja, Yvette Hines, Denise Jeffries, Stephanie Jullian, Sonya Bateman, Bronwyn Green, Brynn Paulin, Adele Dubois, Natalie Gray, Laura Baumbach, Kris Cook, Felicitas Ivey, Susan Hanniford Crowley, and Eliza Gayle


The hotel, a Doubletree, is right in the midst of it all and books up easily because of the location.  Oh, and, I heard rumors that there's going to be a group of partners going to South Street for proper Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches.

Like last year there's going to be auctions from the authors and all proceeds will go to Pet's Alive!  Hopefully they'll be able to bring some of their animals so you can see where your money is all going.

What's staying the same is that this is a rare breed of conference in that no one makes any money, which keeps the price way way down.  How low?  $130.00 for registration and meals!  Love it!

More details to come as they are announced!  Hope to see you there - yes, I've already registered :-)

*= Subject to change until March 2011