Ok… ok… yes, that was super cheesy… but… I’ve added the 49th and 50th authors to the Featured Authors list!!!!

*tosses imaginary confetti*

So, while 50 was the target total for the event when I began planning for this year, I’ve actually got MORE AUTHORS who are very serious about wanting to join us, but just need to get some things ironed out in order to confirm. No, I’m not going to tell you who those are (don’t want to add extra pressure on them, just in case things don’t work out), but I’m very excited to have an “overflow” of authors.

I’ve also started a waiting list, in case we have cancellations that bring us UNDER the 50 author mark. Honestly, right now, I’m feeling a bit… make that a LOT… lucky. Not many readers get to surround themselves with such a talented, creative, passionate group of storytellers.

So… with most of the authors settled, it’s time to spread the word!! We’ve got panel rooms and meet & greet events to fill up with people who want to talk to and meet & greet our authors!! If you’re coming to hang out with us that weekend, please make sure you let your friends know, so they can join you! If you have a book club, or reading group… pass along the website and/or Facebook event info! The more the merrier… well, kind of.

One of the benefits of this event is that there’s a very high author to reader ratio. Our attendee limit is 200 readers (plus 25 Featured / Registered bloggers)… that equals LOTS of up close and quality time with the Featured Authors. If you’re planning to head Florida way in February, I would strongly suggest you do NOT wait to register!

OK… I think that’s it for right this second. I have some VERY overdue emails to send out, and pretty soon I’m going to start working on the beginning of a schedule. Lots to do… lots to do. I can’t wait to share it all with you!!

REGISTRATION FOR COASTAL MAGIC HAS BEGUN!!!

I’m SO EXCITED!! We’ve still got 7 months until it’s time for our party, but I love that you can all start joining in!! A few things you should know…

– When you register for the convention, you’ll have the chance to register for additional activities. Many authors are opening up their breakfast time to hang out with fans. Each person is responsible for their own breakfast costs, but this is a fantastic opportunity to work in extra face time with your favorite storytellers. Three readers can start the day with each participating author.

There are also some authors who have volunteered to captain Supernatural LaserTag teams!!! For those of you who buy tickets for our offsite activity at Daytona Lagoon Family Fun Center (on Friday night), you can choose to be on the lasertag team of one of our Featured Authors. Each team will consist of one author and four readers. You’ll choose your supernatural race, and battle with 2 or 3 other teams in the glow-in-the-dark arena. You can purchase Daytona Lagoon tickets even if you don’t want to be on a lasertag team, there are many other activities covered by the pass.

– The Bad Movie Tweet-up is back!!! This year’s showing of The Covenant, with Master Snarker Damon Suade, was absolutely hilarious. Next year’s title is a secret for now, but rest assured it is worthy, lol. We’ll have a hashtag for everyone who wants to follow along and pitch in from home. Be sure to RSVP early if you want to be a part of this opening night activity.

– Kevin J Anderson (yes… Kevin J FREAKING Anderson!!) wanted to join us, but is unable due to scheduling conflicts. Just because he’s a cool guy, he’s sending a special gift to the first 50 people who register during this week!! (Who wants a li’l bit of Dan Shamble in their welcome bag??)

– This week our Featured and Registered Bloggers will be posting special promo blogs to share Coastal Magic with their readers. Be sure to pop in to see how each of them is spreading the word!

• July 1st – Little Read Riding Hood, Close Encounters With The Night Kind, and After Dark Rendezvous
• July 2nd – Bitten By Books, Readers Confession, and MANtastic Fiction
• July 3rd – Ramblings With This Chick, Donna’s Blog Home, and Literal Addiction
• July 4th – Smart Girls Love Sci-Fi and Paranormal Romance, Goldilox and the Three Weres, and Joyfully Reviewed
• July 5th – SarahNicolas.com, Book Lovin’ Mamas, Books Make Me Happy

So… ladies and gents… mark your calendars, pack your flip flops and sunglasses, and register to come hang out with some fabulous authors and passionate readers. While the rest of the country is watching for snow flurries, we’ll be talking about “creatures of the night” in the Florida sun. We’re going to have a lot of fun and would love to see YOU!!

Hi everyone!!! It’s been a few weeks since the last update here, so I thought I’d give a little idea of where things are right now.

We’re just over 3 weeks from General Registration opening, and I’m SO excited to get that underway!!! I love meeting people who are just as excited about the stories and the authors as I am.

The Featured Bloggers and I have organized a fun Blog Blast for the first week of registration. It’s similar to a blog hop, but this time around there aren’t really prizes (a more traditional blog hop, with a very cool prize, is coming closer to holiday time), just lots of information about the event, and making sure everyone knows how to register. We were lucky enough to have NYT Bestseller Kevin J Anderson offer a special gift for the first 50 people who register during the blog blast!! (He won’t be able to join us this year, due to schedule conflicts, but we’re hoping for next year.) Those first 50 people will receive their gift in their welcome bag at the event.

Our Featured Author list is still growing! The goal is to have 50(ish) authors joining us for the weekend. Between those already showcased on this site, and the authors who have confirmed to me that they’re attending, but haven’t finished their registration yet, we’re getting VERY close!! I’ve honestly  had a few *squee* moments while compiling the list, and I’m pretty sure there are a few more to come 🙂 Everyone is going to have SUCH a fun weekend! I’m hoping to have a very-close-to-complete list when general registration opens on July 1st.

In addition to regular registration, readers will be able to sign up for two limited availability activities. These two activities will require a separate signup, and a small additional fee.

• Breakfast with an Author will happen on both Friday and Saturday mornings. Breakfasts are “each pays their own”, but will be with the participating author of your choice (not all authors are participating, limit 3 readers per author).
• On Friday night, you’ll have the chance to go head-to-head with other readers and participating authors in Supernatural Lasertag battles!! Lasertag teams will be up to 4 readers per participating author (not all authors are participating), and tickets are under $15 each (tickets will include other activities at Daytona Lagoon Family Fun Center that evening).

I’m working with a few really interesting vendors to offer everyone something fun to bring home. I’m also working on adding a basket raffle to the charity aspect of the weekend (part of the proceeds from the signing will be donated to our chosen charity). More details on these things coming soon.

So… lots of things to be excited about! Lots of things coming up to mark your calendars for. Be sure to let me know if you have any questions, and I’ll try to get back to everyone as quickly as I can.

I hope you’re all as excited as I am. I can’t WAIT for February!!!