I attended the 2nd annual Hot Mojave Knights event in Las Vegas a couple weeks ago. I live here so that made it almost a no brainer. The reasonable price was a bonus. Breakfast included as well as dinner each night through the various events. There were also simple lunches provided for those that didn't want to go downstairs to the casino. I went to the first one last year and enjoyed it a great deal. It's put together by 3 wonderful ladies...authors Shannan Albright, RM Sotera and Johanna Riley. The event was slightly longer than last year, starting on Thursday night with the Wine tasting and Meet and Greet, moving into events on Friday and Saturday and then the "Meeting of the Minds", is what I'll call it...lol...on Sunday morning.
First, what most people need to realize it that it's a boutique event. It's not meant to be on scale with RT. It's a reader event with fun and engaging panels, along with classes for writers...such as the marvelous Kathryn LeVeque's class on KDP publishing (she had hand outs! You all should know by now how much I love hand outs), Courtney Sheets' class on Second Life (it's a virtual world you can create a character in and do stuff with...that would be a whole other post) and Cynthia Vespia's interactive How to Write Fight Scenes class (again, more handouts!!). I particularly enjoyed this one as, for once, I volunteered to help and got to attempt to "shank" Cynthia, as Courtney so eloquently put it. Cynthia, in turn, showed us how our characters would move to get away from said shanking. I'm lucky she likes me at least a little since I'm roughly two and a half times her size but have no doubts she could have planted me on my ass at any given moment. True story.
One of the issues from last year was that there was too much going on. You rushed from place to place and had to choose between classes and panels you really wanted to take and hope someone else attended that you were friends with so they could fill you in on what you missed. This year, it went a little too far the other way. Don't get me wrong, it was very nice to have a slower pace (especially for my mom who has RA and needs breaks) but a few times it became a "ho-hum...what do I do for the next hour while I wait for the next thing to start." I have no doubt that the ladies will find a medium balance next year. They're good like that. Scheduling got a little tricky with changes (it happens) that didn't always get out or around.
The two events I had the most trouble with was the Wine Tasting Meet and Greet and the Salsa party. There are rules you can't break with hotel in regards to food and alcohol so these events had to be done in the hospitality suite and there just wasn't enough room for everyone and it was hot. Not so much fun, except when a few of us sat chatting in the hall. It was amusing watching people come and go but not as much as if we could have mingled...in a cool, not sweaty kind of way. Keep reading though, as there are already some updates on this particular issue.
I enjoyed the Military Ball much more this year than last. It wasn't as loud, so that you could actually talk between the folks sitting next to you, whereas last year, my mom had me yelling in her ear all night. The food, dessert and bar were really good. I bought a ticket for my sister, who was nervous being around so many people she didn't know, but by the end of dinner, she was ready to do the whole weekend next year. The Jello Shots (not my cup of tea but woo-hoo, was it fun seeing my mom do them) and pajama party were a lot of fun. The pajama party was definitely on the naughty side (the stories we could tell but won't...lol) but lots of good laughs were had (along with a lot of secret confessions). A slightly tamer side event wouldn't go amiss for those of us who don't do too great in loud situations. Perhaps a pajama movie party would be cool with a chick flick or, for us geeks, a super hero action flick, with popcorn or whatever (Courtney, let's talk to the ladies! Maybe we could do one!). I digress...
The Knights were six of one, half a dozen of the other for me this year compared to last. Last year there was, I believe, four of them (pros) and only one of them ever even spoke to my mom and I over three days, even though there were all kinds of mingling events. He got our favours last year though he didn't win the "Knighthood". This year, there were only three and while they were much more chatty and friendly, we rarely got to see them as they were regular guys (there's nothing wrong with that) that had to work and so were only able to be there some of the time. Again, I have no doubt the Ladies have already got plans for that.
What did I love? I loved the Pleasure party...the lady presenting (and I can't think of her name) was knowledgeable and hilarious to boot. Her teasing of the freshly minted 21 yr old Knight was insanely funny. I loved the swag room...that was a nice addition this year. The book bingo was a lot of fun. It was hosted by the ladies of the Vampires, Werewolves and Fairies, Oh my Blog. They were generous in the humor department as well as the prize department. I also loved seeing a lot of the people I met last year. I loved catching up as well as being recognized by them. I liked sitting and chatting with the HMK ladies in between panels and classes. They were constantly asking how it was going, what suggestions did people have, even before the "Meeting of the Minds" on Sunday. They are determined to make this event better every year.
Some of the items already in the works is having the registration downstairs where we can register and them move into a large area to grab a drink and mingle. SWEET! They're also looking at adding a few panels and classes back in as well as how the scheduling is done and changed. The Book Fair...oh yes, let us not forget that. I liked it so much more this year as last year, it was spread over two days for a couple hours and you weren't quite sure who was going to be where. This year, everyone was together and it made it much easier to spend money...LOL. The only glitch was that there was a class or two scheduled during the book fair so that the authors could not attend and book buyers were buying books and missing the great class offered. There's already talk of doing "serious" things in the morning and "fun" things in the afternoon. A teensy bit more advertising to bring in more readers would be great for it.
Overall, it was a great weekend that I'm already signed up for next year...as a featured author!! I can't wait. Lots of the ladies will be back and it will be wonderful seeing them again. There are already lots of plans and changes in the making and I can't wait to see what is next! My recommendation? Give it a shot...it's well worth it.
-Lynn
The Paranormal Panel...Tisha Wilson, Viola Grace, Misti Martine, Jewel Quinlan, Nikki Prince, CR Moss and Courtney Sheets
Me and my Mama...we have such a good time when we go to these things
My sister...yeah, I know we don't look anything alike...no, we are not blood sisters...and yes, I do believe 30 years of friendships automatically qualifies us for sisterhood...LOL <3 em="">
Author and HMK Committee member Johanna Riley presenting a check to Operation Homefront for over $800...money was donated by author's and readers buying raffle tickets for gift baskets...it was well worth it
The wonderful husband/wife writing team known as Adriana Kraft...I so want to be them when I grow up :-D
The ever hilarious Courtney Sheets
I call them the Ladies of HMK
Book Bounty!! Woo-Hoo!
