GayRomLit Wrapup: Is it GRL 2013 yet?

Posted by Kerry Freeman

s i l v i u/Flickr

This morning I sat in the lobby of the Hard Rock with Mercy Celeste. We were both exhausted, but in a good way. It’s that exhaustion you have when you’ve enjoyed an event but you’re ready to sleep in your own bed. (BTW, that’s obviously not me in the pic, and it’s not Mercy either. She threatened me with bodily harm if I ever post the picture Hubby took of us, and honestly she’s scares me a little.)

There is so much to say about GRL. I don’t think I could condense it into a single post. So here are my highlights:

- It was absolutely surreal to meet people who read my books and wanted to meet me. They were all incredibly nice and a absolute pleasure to meet. When you’re writing, you often wonder if anyone will love your characters as much as you do. They do, and it’s so wonderful to know how much your words have connected with another human being.

- The authors, editors, and publishers of gay romance are the most supportive people you will ever meet. We offered advice to aspiring authors. Experienced authors supported newer and newbie authors like me. Editors and publishers were more than willing to discuss writing and the publishing process with anyone who had questions.

- Finally, you couldn’t leave GRL without feeling a huge shot in the arm of adrenaline for what you do. Whether you were a reader, reviewer, author, or publisher, you walked away from GRL ready to take on your next book. And two weeks before NaNoWriMo? Yep, I’m absolutely raring to go.

The flights back home were packed, and Hubby and I both were battling sinus problems. I don’t know who the hell first said dry air was good for your sinuses, but I want to sneeze on them. My in-laws picked us up at the airport and took us to dinner at one of our favorite BBQ places. We told them all about red vs. green and admitted we probably would never again truly enjoy the Mexican food served at restaurants here.

It was this view that told me I was finally home. I already miss everyone, especially Bella Leone, who I would have hugged harder if not for fear of hurting Ninja Baby. I so hope everyone who is a fan or an author of gay romance considers going next year, ‘cause Atlanta is going to be a PARTY!