Author Nation in Las Vegas

 

 In the beginning of November I took a great road trip to Las Vegas to Author Nation. I knew there was a conference in Las Vegas, but in the past it was called 20 Books Vegas. In 2023 co-founds Michael Anderle and Craig Martelle announced that there would still be a facebook group, 20 Books To 50K, but the conference was changing.

  Author Nation is led by Joe Solari and he and his team did a fantastic job organizing this event. The Horseshoe in Las Vegas held the event and it was very convenient to stay there and just walk down to the different conference rooms.

  

  There were so many great speakers at the conference. It was hard to pick which class to go to. Thankfully, if you purchased a ticket to the conference you get access to the recordings in January so you can watch what you missed.

Willow Winters was a speaker and it was enjoyable and informative to listen to her during her interviews. Her story to becoming a full time author was interesting and she gave us a little information on her battle with AI using her work without her permission.

 I have read a few of her books and they are great.

J.D. Barker was also a speaker at the conference and he is a very interesting man. I was lucky enough to see him speak in the past at the Chanticleer conference in Bellingham, Washington.

His story is interesting and amazing. From ghostwriting bestselling books, to selling everything he owned and moving to focus on creating a career as an author. He told us how he is both traditionally published and self published. 

  I have read his book Fourth Monkey and liked it. Not my usual genre but I plan on reading the rest of the series.

   

   The main event was an interview with James Patterson! 

  Sadly, he fell ill with Covid and couldn't attend the conference. Thankfully, he was feeling well enough to join us through Zoom. 

  J.D. Barker interviewed him and James Patterson is one of a kind. He was funny and honest about his career. It was very enjoyable interview and I was glad he was able to join us via Zoom.

  I confess I havn't read any of his books, but I did get his latest book at the conference and plan on reading it soon.

When Author Nation was over, the next day was Reader Nation. Many authors set up booths and sold there books and gave fans a photo opportunity. This even took place in the Paris Ballroom at the Paris Hotel. It was easily accessed through the Horseshoe Casino. So many great book but so little room in my suitcase to take them home!  I did go home with nine new books and got to visit with some author friends.

  

  I was lucky enough to catch up with and finally meet Jordyn Kross and got a signed book from her.

   Is Author Nation something I would do again?  Absolutely! 

  Though I will probably stay at the Paris. The Horseshoe was very fragrant between cigarette smoke and something that smelled like Axe Body Spray to cover it up. So people with sensitive sinuses will struggle. Paris didn't overpower me with smells as I explored the casino and restaurants. 

  I didn't budget for how expensive food and coffee would be. Lesson learned.

  I did manage to take in two Las Vegas shows while there. Tournament of Kings was great and so entertaining. Cirque du Soleil Ka was AMAZING!  Loved it.

So if you ever get a chance to go to Author Nation I recommend it. 

Threads of the Frontier ~ D. K. Deters

My latest research for my current work in progress (WIP) carried me back in time, to the days of frontier weddings held under open skies and the gowns that defined them. I thought you might enjoy a few discoveries from that journey.

On the American frontier, a wedding dress often told a story. It reflected the couple’s means, the season, and a moment of beauty in a harsh world. European fashion influenced styles of the day, but life out West demanded practicality.

        

Figure 1, ca. 1868 

Many brides wore their best dress, in various colors—brown, blue, burgundy, gray, or green. If she were fortunate enough to afford it, the bride might order a special dress that could be worn again for Sunday service or a dance. Among the upper and middle classes, white and ivory grew popular, a symbol of refinement slowly spreading West.

Imported materials were available, but local stores were likely to stock calico, wool, and silk. Brides often added lace collars, ribbons, or small brooches for decoration. Some gowns had detachable trains so the bride could reuse the fabric later, perhaps for a baby quilt.

       

Figure 2, Date: 1872

By the late nineteenth century (1870 to 1889), styles shifted with the rise of the bustle, a pronounced, graceful fullness at the back of the skirt. You’ll see a clear difference when comparing Figure 1 to Figures 2, 3, and 4. The bustle style reflected Victorian ideals of femininity and marked one of the most recognizable silhouettes in fashion history.

        

Figure 3, Date: 1879        

      

Figure 4, Date: 1881

For fun, I've added a wedding parasol (Figure 5). The late nineteenth century marked the height of the parasol’s popularity. Considered both essential and fashionable, it was a must for outdoor weddings. A bride’s parasol, often made of fine materials such as silk or lace, could reveal her wealth and social status.

Figure 5, ca.1890

In every gown and accessory lived the hopes and dreams of women forging their futures on the frontier.

Resources:

The MET - Public Domain