Conference Prep - Trixie style

I’m getting ready to go to a conference this weekend (the Lori Foster Reader Author Get Together in Cincinnati, Ohio) where I'll be signing copies of Trixie's Treats, IV and The Martian Affair (read about them here). As is usual though, I’ve left things to the last minute.

There are two parts to conference prep. Part A is the business side: bookmarks, pens and other goodies to hand out, which I always have on hand.

It’s the personal side that is my Waterloo. I can’t speak for other authors, but the fact is my glamorous writing life consists of ragged shorts, holey t-shirts and generally scruffy disinterest in my personal appearance. So, here I am a mere two days before the conference (one if you consider I’m driving up to Cincinnati on Thursday) and it has just occurred to me that I need to check my “author outfits” for dust-bunnies and pet hair.

As I sit here blowing the too-long bangs out of my face, I also realize that it will now be impossible to get an appointment with my normal beauty consultant, who is booked well in advance and probably vacationing at the beach this week.

Then there’s the underwear or lack thereof. Now, before you say, “TMI, TMI”. I don’t mean I don’t have underwear. Of course I have underwear but not UNDERWEAR. You know, the kind that makes us feel powerful, successful and confident. (Does such a thing exist? If so, have I ever had it? No, I think I’m superimposing life as a Victoria Secret commercial over my reality, which is the kind of underwear that comes in bulk packages, lasts about 126 washings and has elastic bands that have to be pinned in place with industrial safety pins.)

But it isn’t just about clothes. What about that rarest of items – makeup? The last time I bought any of that stuff, Bill Clinton was turning things over to George W. Bush. When was the last time I wore that stuff? Normally, I take it with me, then because I oversleep or just plain forget, never remember to wear it. Has it ever been unpacked from the suitcase? Wait a minute, while I go check. Tick, tick, tick…

Okay, so, we have to schedule a stop somewhere that sells underwear, makeup and has a hair stylist on demand. Talk about impossible tasks!

Oh well, hope all of those that live in or near Cincinnati, stop by and say hello. There’s a link to the conference here.

Also, I’ll be making updates on Facebook and Twitter this weekend for those who can’t check it out in person! If you come to the Saturday book-signing, just mention you read this blog for free gift from my bag of goodies!