Thursday, May 24, 2012

SASFEST 9.5 NOLA 2012

This year's Saints & Sinners Literary Festival, a literary event co-produced by the NO/AIDS Task Force and the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival was held May 18th - 20th. It was a "mini" because they're getting ready for the big 10 year anniversary celebration which will occur next year in May, 2013. There was an opening cocktail party and readings from the short story contest finalists at The Hotel Monteleone, which was very nice. Jerry Rabushka was the winner, but three of the other finalists were in my workshop the next day - J.R. Greenwell, Jeff Lindemann, and Frank Perez. All fantastic men, and great authors. Saturday, was the Jameson Currier workshop. I submitted one of my short stories for review. There were 10 in all. I got lots of great feedback and advice, and gave some too. I also befriended Eric Andrews-Katz, a great guy who has a couple of novels out with Bold Stroke Books, one of the big sponsors of the festival. During lunch break, my friends, David-Matthew Barnes, and Edward Ortiz  had a meal at The Green Goddess, which is located diagonally across from the hotel. The food was good, but I should've ordered something other than what I did. We sat outside, and the weather was gorgeous this go around. The best it's been since the four years I started annually going to Saints & Sinners in May. In the evening, after the workshop there were several readings held at The Gallery Orange - beautiful place with many pieces I wish I could afford. Faye Jacobs is a wonderful reader with many great stories to tell, and I also enjoyed Jerry Wheeler's story. He was also in my workshop, and I very much enjoy his work. Overall, the mini-convention was a success, and I'd like to send shout-outs to a few of the people that help make it happen. Amie M. Evans, Paul J. Willis, and Greg Herren. The first picture is of the St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square.

Aside from trying out The Green Goddess this year, I ventured to my usual "must" haunts in New Orleans, Le Cafe Du Monde, and the Stanley around Jackson Square. I also for the first time tried the famous Muffaletta sandwich. My first one was at Napoleon's, where they make great drinks, and the second time, I went to the original place. Central Grocery Store. I thought of it as an Italian sandwich. The meats are salami, prosciutto ham, stuff like that, with Italian cheese, and this yummy olive "salad" in a large round, sesame covered bread. It was awesome salty goodness. But if you're someone who despises olives, like Ed Kurtz, of Abattoir/Redrum Horror Press, you may not want to try this sandwich, but you're missing out!

I didn't stay at the convention hotel because the blocked rooms were all taken, but they suggested a different hotel only a block away, called The Olivier House. I thought this was a quaint, rustic hotel, but the bed I had was very uncomfortable. I didn't mind or complain about walking up three flights of stairs every time I needed to go anywhere because the elevator is known as "the coffin". The staff was nice, and they have a cute courtyard, but my aging body needs sleep, and I couldn't get it from that mattress. It was reasonably priced however, and said to be haunted, but no ghost would've messed with me when I have a backache.
 
This blog about New Orleans will have to be in two parts. There's just too much to say. But the MOST important thing/tip I can write about is comfortable shoes. Bring them. They will be your life saver. Living in Las Vegas, I have a million pair of flip-flops, but after walking everywhere in New Orleans on uneven cobblestones, I still get blisters. Bring Band-Aids. Four to five usually do the trick. And if you wear shoes with socks, bring extra socks to change throughout the day. It is usually hot, very humid, and nobody wants to smell your stinky feet. I've yet to find flip-flops that are "the most comfortable", but a brand I do like and have several of are Tory Burch. They have funky colors and some that aren't just flat, but have an arch.

On the way there, I finally finished Mesmerized, by David-Matthew Barnes. It's a YA (older teen), coming of age/coming out book, but it was more than that. The MC had to deal with the death of her older brother, which was a hate crime. She had to help her family and friends get through it, while working through it herself. She had to face the criminal that did it. It was a powerful story in a neat little package. I enjoyed it very much. I don't often get to read stories with happy endings, and this one really came full circle for me.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

A Horror Mom's Day

First and foremost I have to pimp my first ever published short story, The Eyes Have It, in Horror For Good: A Charitable Anthology. If you haven't yet picked up this fantastic book, I highly recommend it and not just because I'm in it. Some of my favorites that left impressions are: Blood For The American People, by Lisa Morton, The Gift, by Monica O'Rourke, and Baptism by Tracie McBride. Go ladies! I'm so fortunate to be amongst these very talented women. Also enjoyed The Silent Ones by Taylor Grant. It's a mind haunt that creeps into you and takes a while to get over.  Brad C. Hodson's, The Other Patrick, is so fantastic it made me cry. And last but not least, Shiva, Open Your Eye by Laird Barron. All of them excellent reads. Trust me. Click the "BUY ME" text to order your copy today. And all proceeds go to amfAR, the foundation for AIDS research. It's a no lose situation.

BUY ME

My Mother's Day has been greatly accentuated by being a part of this book and meeting some fantastic people in the process, including some of the other authors in the TOC, and editors: Mark C. Scioneaux, Robert S. Wilson, and Jennifer Wilson.

This special day started with a Starbuck's Americano and Krispy Kreme donuts in bed, a call to my mother, who loved her Mother's Day present, and wonderful Mother's Day cards from my boys. Then reality hit, and I had to do some laundry. Went to see The Avengers with my boys, and it was FANTASTIC. Going to have some BBQ for dinner, then watching Game of Thrones. I couldn't have asked for a better day.

As far as Mother's Day gifts go, holidays are year round for me. I've learned to take care of myself, and what does a "cool", horror mom want for Mother's Day besides books? This one---Accessories!!

I received two scarves for Mother's Day. This first one is by Alexander McQueen, may he rest in peace. He was a most awesome designer and did a lot with the "skull" motif. And would I love to have one of his skull minaudiere's? Hell yeah, but four grand is pretty steep for anything.

The other one is a Givenchy, Tarot Card scarf. I've never seen anything like it, and thought it was too cool to pass up. The scarves are very light and can be worn in the summer to jazz up a T-shirt and jean shorts. Scarves can also be used to put up your hair, which is something that I love to do because it's a classic look, and I hate having my hair hanging in my face when it's hot and humid out. Scarves - they're not just for winter ladies! Bring 'em out and accessorize yourself cool.

For men, I prefer the casual look of cargo shorts and a polo shirt for everyday, out and about errands. I'm a big fan of the Pyscho Bunny line, and not just because Cameron Tringale, (the golfer), wears them. They have a ton of different colors, but I chose this one because the logo shows up.