FAB FIVE OF 2013: Best of Moments at UTopYACon 2013

Well, the day I found out that I was one of the official bloggers for UTopYACon 2014, I was on Cloud 9 and I still haven't come down from it yet...
This is such an amazing honor and even though I was already looking forward to the conference in June, I am now beyond excited about getting back there...
So, since my first post happened to be at the end of the year, and since we are doing TOP lists for 2013, I thought that I would share with everyone my FAB FIVE MOMENTS of UTopYACon 2013...

Meeting Friends

I was so excited to head to Nashville.  My emotions were all over the place and since this was my first time attending, I had no idea what to expect.  

But, the one thing I knew for sure, was that I was going to finally meet Mary and Candace.  Sharing a love of Quinn Lofis brought us together as friends online, but now...in Nashville....the live meeting partakes.

It was an awesome moment in which you hug and feel like you have known each other forever.  

Now, even as I was meeting people I already knew, I was even more happy that I walked away from UTopYA with more friends and people that as the next year comes around, I cannot wait to see...

Jackie McPherson, Delphina Miyares, Ren Reidy, Toni Houseworth, Megan Bagley, Amanda Daws, and many more....

These friendships were definitely one of the highlights of the conference....

Can't wait to see them all again in 2014...

Meeting the Authors

Well, now, this moment was monumental.  Will I even be able to describe just how phenomenal it was to you guys?  

From the moment I arrived until I left I was able to have one on one talks with some of my favorite authors ever.  Not only that, groups of us congregating together after the conference day is over and  just hanging out, getting to know each other and sharing our love of books.

This is a moment in which as I remember these amazing times, I sit here and smile, eager to get back there in 2014 to see all this awesome authors.

What I walked away with after Nashville was not only a new love and admiration for my favorite authors, I walked away with new friends. 

The list is extremely long but I am going to name a few to let you know just how excited I am to get back there in 2014...

Lila Felix, A.M. Hargrove, M. Leighton. Quinn Loftis, Shelly Crane, C. A. Kunz (Carol & Adam) Tiffany King, Heather Self, Amy Bartol. Samantha Young, Teal Haviland, Misty Provencher, Angeline Kace, Megan Curd, Bailey Ardisone, Tabatha Vargo, Melissa Andrea, Cameo Renae, and many, many more....

The Panels

After arriving and receiving the materials for the conference, I sat and looked at the daily schedule.

Each day was filled with panels with interesting topics that I was able to go in, sit, and hear authors and experts discuss.  

I truly took some fabulous ideas and some great advice away with these sessions.

Getting to hear more on the topic of YA vs NA, understanding what a publicist does,

music and writing, and so many more...

I can't wait to be able to dive in to more in June....

Awards Ceremony

The Awards Ceremony on Saturday night was fantastic.  Everyone was able to dress up and get together for a night of amazingness.
With great planning, the show was started giving us winners from many categories, entertainment from the Amazing Amanda Havard, and just the fantabulousness of camaraderie from everyone in that room....
It was defnitely a night to remember...
Major congrats to all the winners!!!

Key Note Speakers

Lastly...we had two keynote speakers for UTopYACon 2013.
The Ever Fabulous Jennifer Armentrout and Jen Sincero shared their thoughts and opinions on the writing and publishing world.  So many questions were answered and details provided in their road to publication... Showing us just what it is like to make writing as your career...
 

So, as this year ends and I look ahead to 2014, I am counting down the days until June 21 arrives.  UTopYACon is the one conference that I made sure to reserve way in advance.

If you haven't attended UTopYACon yet, don't wait...Make sure you get your tickets and come and join all of us for a FAB FUN TIME!!!!

To see what UtopYA is all about, visit http://utopyacon.com/  and for tickets visit http://www.eventbrite.com/e/utopya-2014-tickets-on-oct1st-registration-7219041347

 Be sure to follow the rest of the Official UtopYA Bloggers for exclusive content and news!

Delphina of Delphina Reads Too Much

Toni of My Book Addiction

Heather of SupaGurl Books

Ren of A LIttle Bit of R&R