Tuesday, July 21, 2009

RWA in Reflection

I wanted to do daily updates while at the conference but there was no free Wi-Fi anywhere in the hotel (although they implied it on their website *grumble*) and I am too cheap and not addicted enough to actually pay for an internet connection.

So here's MY conference experience:

Wednesday's Events:
- Arrived very early (7am) and couldn't check in. But was able to check my suitcase with the bellhops. Then did the whole registration thing then volunteered to help with registration (so that I had something to do since there was no Wi-Fi *pout* and to generally keep myself out of trouble). Once my conference roomie (KatieBabs), the party really began.
- Drinks and a few little munchies with Jill Myles and Kasey Mackenzie and Kati of Katidom. And briefly met Mandi of Smexy Books.
- Checked into room and shower!
- "Readers for Life" Literacy Signing. Met the love Charlotte of The Lusty Reader.
- Dinner with Lisabea, Rosie, Kati and KB at Medaterra. The food was superb and $3 margaritas cannot be beaten..
- Slumber Party hosted by Ann Aguire and Carrie Lofty. KristieJ, Megan Frampton, Anthea Lawson and Sarah Frantz as well as many others were present. Up until hotel security called told us to shut up (though more politely).

Thursday's Events:
- Opening Session by Janet Evanovich.
- Raided the Goody Room (mostly books marks and such)
- Keynote Luncheon with Linda Howard. She was great. Sometime I too feel like I am the "Keeper of the Nuts" in my family.
- Avon Book Signing (Free Books! Wheee!) And while I was waiting in line I got Silvia Day (aka SJ Day) to sign my Marked Books.
- Smart Bitches book signing. Met the crazy and lovable AztecLady (and was shocked to find out that she really does have a name! *g* ^_~)
- Dinner with Rosie, KristieJ, Barbara and AztecLady.
- Midnight Madness Bizaar. Where I bought soap. I am such a sucker for handmade soap.

Friday's Event:
- Breakfast were I met the lovely Alyssa Day (and got an autographed book) and AnimeJune.
- "Mastering Your Domain" workshop hosted by Alyssa Day, Stephanie Julian and Melissa Mayhue. It all boiled down to this. Do your research and use the oldest text you can find if you are dealing with a myth/legend. But in the end You Make This Stuff Up!
- "Paranormals: Writing Outside the Box" workshop hosted by Kelley Armstrong, Jeaniene Frost, Melissa Marr and Erika Tsang
- Harlequin and Pocket book signings!
- Awards Luncheon where Eloisa James gave a very moving speech on writing with emotion.
- Berkeley and Grand Central book signings! Had a complete giggly *blush* fangirl moment in front of Jim Butcher who was signing next to his wife Shannon K Butcher. But then he was a complete surprise for me since he doesn't write romance.
- Samhain Publishing's open house.
- Dinner with the Kati(s). There was a great turn out (22 people) and the food at the Lebanese Taverna was fabulous. Met the lovely Meredith Duran and now I must run off and find her books.
- Drinks at the bar where I had a lovely conversation with Charlotte and Mari Freeman.

Saturday Events:
- NAL and Ballantine/Bantam Dell book signings.
- Lunch with KB, Sarah Parr, Sally Mackenzie, and Katie the Young Librarian.
- Shipped and BIG box of books home since there was no way I was fitting it all in my suitcase and carry-on.
- "No Holds Barred" workshop with Jessica Andersen and JR Ward. Enlightening as it was funny.
- St. Martin's Press and Sourcebooks book signings.
- "High Octane Kisses" workshop hosted by Ann Agguire, Carrie Lofty, Laura Bradford and Cynthia Eden. Lots of great tips on how to keep the action in romance scene and how to keep the romance in the action scenes.
- Had drinks at the bar with Samantha Kane, Mari Freeman, Lisabea and KB while the RITA ceremony was going on. Met some very interesting Marines. Why is it people are really nice and charming but after a few beers they have a personality change. *sigh*
- Dinner with KB
- Post RITA drinks with Julie James and Colleen Gleason.
- Blogger Party. It was a quiet gathering. But it was nice to chat with fellow bloggers. Candy was as funny as ever.

Sunday Events:
- Breakfast with KB and some people I can remember their names *hang head in shame*. By this time I had long passed my brain's capacity for new names and faces.

Best of Conference:
- Rooming with KB! She's the best! Not only did she let me tag along after her (because EVERYone knows her) but she also got us the room. A lovely person all around. And Mho is a complete PLAYER and he certainly got around. See KB's for details.
- Everyone at the conference was super nice. I have never been around so many happy, friendly people.
- Talking with a lot of my favorite authors. Silvia Day totally rocks. Not only is she a great writer but she is also a lovely person. Ann Aguirre and Carrie Lofty were great!

Worst of Conference:
- No Wi-Fi in the hotel! How were we supposed to stay in touch with the outside world?
- Someone stole a crate load of books that authors were going to sign during the books signings. Melissa Marr and Kelly Armstrong were among those who lost their books. Why must people take things that aren't theirs!

Anyway.... Now I have many many many books (UPS man is supposed to deliver the rest of my loot on Monday, hope he is wear protective garments! *g*). And now I must prepare myself for my upcoming interviews!

11 comments:

KT Grant said...

Mho and I thought you were the best roommate ever! He loved sleeping with you :D.
Boo to no free Wi-Fi in the lobby and craptastic coffee.

Kristie (J) said...

It was great seeing you again and spending time with you. Hard to believe it's all over now isn't it?

Cecile Smutty Hussy said...

Awwww a little jealous!!! I so wish I could have been there. First I have to learn to know how to find out about these things, then I need to find out what happens at these things so I am prepared for when I really do get to go!!!
Thank you for sharing your experience with us!!!
I hope you had a great night and a wonderful tomorrow!

Shaymless Aymless said...

Mho: You're the bestest demon sheep I know! *smooch*

KB: It was tons of fun!

Kristie: Good to see you again too! still need your snail mail for your surprise gift. *g*

Cecile: Save your money now! It's in Nashville next year. And its tons and tons of fun!

AnimeJune said...

I had such a great time ... but yeah, those Marines on Saturday night went from hot to creepy way too fast for my liking.

It was great meeting you, by the way! Great blog!

Wendy said...

Also was unhappy with lack of WiFi, and major bummer on the missing books. I was hoping to score the second Melissa Marr book for Lil' Sis The High School English Teacher....but no such luck.

Tracy said...

Great thoughts! So glad you had a great time.

orannia said...

Sounds like you had an amazing time! Fantastic round-up - thank you!

And while I was waiting in line I got Silvia Day (aka SJ Day) to sign my Marked Books.

LOL! I thought you might hunt....I mean find her :)

Oh, and CS Harris also lost books :( There are some not very nice people around!

Christine said...

Fantastic RWA Recap! I'm so happy that you had such a wonderful time, especially that you got to meet and hang out with so many blogger and author friends. And a little jealous, too, I might add!

Shaymless Aymless said...

I was lucky enough to get CS Harris's book. I know AL got the new Melissa Marr. I think someone went out a bought some for them to sign.

I'm definitely looking forward to next year. Just need to figure out how to make that happen.

I've also started scribbling so maybe it'll turn into a book someday. Who knows.

Amy C said...

Wow! I'm with Christine. I didn't realize how many bloggers go to the RWA event! I may not visit all of your blogs but over the year I've been blogging the names are all familiar from this blog or that blog!

Very neat!

 

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