by Mary Saums
Whoa, I am still recovering from last weekend.
Seven days is not enough time to get your mind back to everyday life, not after being at the world premiere of the most original and totally fun book event ever conceived. Daddy's Girls' Weekend, a mini-conference for readers and writers, made its debut on the Mississippi gulf coast. It's the wacky brain-child of author Carolyn Haines, creator of the "Bones" Mississippi Delta series starring Sarah Booth Delaney.
Sarah Booth may be poor and the last of her family, but some of her friends are "Daddy's Girls", the pampered society-conscious daughters of wealthy parents. By showing contrasts between down-to-earth Sarah Booth and her D.G. friends, we readers glimpse that world too, a place where eccentricities are admired and you get extra points for being a little crazy. In a fun way, of course.
That's why it didn't surprise me a bit when I heard about the peignoirs.
Right away, I knew this wasn't going to be your usual mystery convention. If you've been to one, you know that the days are devoted to panels or talks by writers and sometimes crime-related experts. You rush from one panel or signing to another, trying to squeeze them all in, and then have to go up to your room to flop down on the bed before you collapse. After a few days of that, there's usually a big banquet where everybody dresses up, award nominees are recognized and the winners announced.
The DG Weekend wasn't like that. Nothing was rushed. The speakers - one publisher, one agent, one screenwriter, two booksellers and two novelists - held sessions both days. So if you missed one Friday, you could catch it on Saturday.
Or, if you preferred, you could go on a shopping trip hosted by a bona fide Daddy's Girl. Nice. Or just hang out around the hotel on the bayou.
On Friday night, we all met at a nearby guest house to hear opening remarks (and bribes) from three gentlemen contestants vying for the title of Big Daddy. Publisher Ben LeRoy of Tyrus Books, Mega-Screenwriter David Sheffield and NYT bestselling author Dean James were great sports and all so funny. In this photo, Carolyn oversees their first competition - Limerick Writing.
Instead of a Saturday night banquet, the ladies got gussied up in fancy peignoirs, or flannel pajamas if that made them more comfortable, and the men in their smoking jackets. That's Dean with the pipe and author Julie Herman in her grandfather's luxe-cool vintage jacket.
The evening's Big Daddy competition allowed each contestant to choose a song from a list of twenty and either sing or dance to it. None were best pleased. With much hesitation, both David and Dean chose to dance, so long as one of the ladies from the audience would dance with them. I loved Ben's unique way of neither singing or dancing. Instead, he gave an intellectual soliloquy while "Everybody Dance Now" disco-thumped in the background. When the votes for Big Daddy were counted, Dean James was announced winner.
Ben, David and Dean judged the final contest of the weekend, the one for ladies' best outfit. Woo-woo moment: I found a strange image on a photo that looks to me like the ghost of a party-loving Daddy's Girl who wanted in on the fun:
And then came the best part of the whole thing.
Stories on the porch.
David talks about Elvis and other important Southern topics ...
... I hate that I missed most of this one because, from all the laughing, it must've been a humdinger. All I caught was something about a rooster. Those two ladies down there with the boas and cigarette holders were hilarious and are ones to watch.
The book talks and sessions were great, the company was funny and inspiring. If they do this again next year, register early. You don't want to miss it!
For more photos and info, check the D.G. Weekend page and Carolyn's fan page on Facebook.
Thanks for the lovely comments on the Daddy's Girls' Weekend! I'm so glad you enjoyed yourself!
Posted by: Sarah | March 21, 2011 at 07:37 AM
That sounds like a whole lot of fun. Definitely sounds like something I would enjoy. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Leslie | March 21, 2011 at 03:00 PM
Sarah! I had a great time. Thanks for helping to make it such fun.
Today I realized I must have mixed up the song Ben chose with Dean's. If you remember which was which, let me know. :)
Leslie, if they do it next year, I hope you can go. You'd love it!
Posted by: Mary Saums | March 21, 2011 at 08:44 PM
Mary, what a cool conference. And Dean James so deserves the Big Daddy title.
Posted by: Elaine Viets | March 22, 2011 at 11:36 AM
Mary, what a great weekend it was! I'm still recovering myself and hope to see you next year
Katie
Posted by: Katie Wood Ruffin | March 22, 2011 at 02:21 PM
I wish I'd known about this event. Perhaps I should drop by and read this blog more often.
Posted by: Amber Green | March 22, 2011 at 02:50 PM
Yeah, Dean is such a great guy. I'm amazed at how all three contestants threw themselves into the fun, especially with it being 3 guys vs. about 30 women. :)
Posted by: Mary Saums | March 22, 2011 at 03:44 PM
Katie and Amber, glad you stopped by and please do come visit again. There's no telling what any of the Femmes are liable to talk about. :) I hope to see you both at DG II.
Posted by: Mary Saums | March 22, 2011 at 03:53 PM
Mary, it was a fabulous weekend!The opportunity to meet and visit with you and others in attendance was a treat. I loved every minute and can't wait for next year's event. Dean will be Big Daddy in my heart forever! :0)
Posted by: An'gel Molpus | March 24, 2011 at 10:12 AM
Hey, An'gel! Maybe Carolyn & Sarah will let Dean keep that title. They're so creative, they could think up something new for the next batch of victims. :)
Posted by: Mary Saums | March 24, 2011 at 06:26 PM
What fun! Thanks in particular for the pic of Dean and Julie, Mary!
Posted by: Dana | March 29, 2011 at 12:45 PM