New Orleans, LA
May 17, 2019
The Book Lovers Con started out with a bang Wednesday night. Readers waited with anticipation in a packed room, greeting old friends, meeting new ones, and admiring each other’s fun, jazz-inspired costumes. The Jazz Festival started off with a “first line”, complete with a roaring jazz band, a colorful conductor, and writers marching around the perimeter of the room waving bright, feathered parasols.
That entrance got the room on their feet, cheering and stomping as they welcomed their favorite authors. A “second line” soon formed as everyone else following behind in a raucous, dancing parade around the room, along the hall, and down the escalators to the jazz-themed ballroom.
There, another band played songs that brought people out on the dance floor, local food trucks offered delicious, free food, and readers lined up en masse to meet some of the biggest authors at the convention. It was a great beginning to what looks to be a fabulous time ahead. I stayed up way too late catching up with friends old and new, laughing and dancing, and eating great NOLA fare. My feet hurt the next day, but it was worth it.
JoCarol Jones, BLC owner and creative director, had some big changes planned for this event. She promised “interesting and fun”, and delivered, not only with the kickoff event on Wednesday, but also a full day of fun on Thursday. Included in the changes is a reader-focused track, aimed at delivering extraordinary experiences with authors, more opportunities to mingle and connect, and daily “Lottery events” with authors. More details on that later. Sometimes change is hard to take, but I’ve enjoyed the fun new experiences so far.
When it came to Thursday night’s Faery and Fantasy ball, all I can say is “Wow!” BLC truly outdid themselves with this one. The amazing atmosphere of twinkling lights and sparkling costumes, fantastic decor and centerpieces, and music was practically magic. Everything down to the smallest detail brought to life a glittering fairyland. And to top it all off, a smoke-breathing, ruby-red dragon at center stage.
~ Kathie Firzlaff for Readers Entertainment
