RT Booklovers Convention Recap

I've been preparing to go to the RT Booklovers Convention held in Columbus, Ohio for what feels like forever but was more like a few weeks, month at the most. The big question is: Was it worth ignoring everything except it?

Yes and no.

Yes, because it is always nice to get out from beneath the laptop, and talk to like minded folks. Readers! While I met and met again some fantastic authors, it was the aspiring authors, readers, booksellers and librarians that boosted my energy levels.

The "no" comes because of the lack of time. There were some really interesting panels and they were over before they started. Every panel I went to had another one going at the same time.  So that's both good and bad.  Although it would be nice for more fresh - relevant and informative - material.

Frustrating, but totally worth going for having fun. That was short, sweet and to the point of my RT 2010 experience, here the extended version.

I arrived on the second day of the conference, but it was my Day 1 and even though I made it an hour earlier than I'd expected, it was a mad dash. After checking in, dropping luggage off in room, I went down and sat in on a friends panel, saw Eliza Gayle - a great lady and author - and met one of my cover artists - Kendra who did the spectacular Good, Bad & Kinky covers - for the first time, and then went to two more panels, and a third to support a friend. Next was a publisher [Samhain Publishing] event with booksellers [met Bonnie Dee and she's a real sweetheart, caught up a bit with Samantha Sommersby, and found the fabulous Queen JC Wilder sitting outside - she absolutely glowed]. From there, I put on a red sweater, and went to the Ellora's Cave Paint the Town Red party. Luck of the draw gave me a tall handsome man to escort me across the stage [prime place for tripping, but didn't], and then it was off to help man the swag table.

Like I said, it was go, go, go from the minute I landed and that meant I never had a chance to do any of the things I promised the cutie I'd do whilst there - eat, take my medicine or put my feet up. So I wasn't surprised to crash and had to go up early.

My Day 2 went more smoothly and it started with sitting in on a publisher's spotlight that interested me. Will I submit to them?  Maybe, I'll do some more research and we'll see.  From there it was a couple panels with a publisher lunch for its authors in between. Next was the RT Book Reviews ceremony and while I love supporting other authors achievements, I was horribly uncomfortable - the chairs, ugh. The only thing I came out of that event remembering is that Barbara Taylor Bradford gave the Brotherton Library [to the right thanks to Light Night Leeds] at my school, University of Leeds, her archive. Okay, I admit it was hearing Brotherton and Leeds mentioned and that sparked my attention. Later, for the first time ever, I went to the Faery Ball and think Stella Price [horns] and Stephanie Burke [entire costume] were dressed to the tens.

My Day 3 went even better, established my routine and went to two really good panels - maybe because they were handled well, informative and relevant, and coherent. After those two were finished and lunch had, it was off to Club RT and I was late. Hate being late, but thankfully the fabulous Stella Price made it not so bad. I chatted with all sorts and then, while not really paying attention, placed a shoe box on a bigger box and the table toppled over with a huge bang. Silenced the entire room. Didn't loose any toes, but it was close.

From there, it was time for the 'Ebook, Indie Publisher, Multimedia and Graphic Fiction Expo'. The authors I sat with [Cat Grant, LB Gregg, and Kathleen Grieve] were all wonderful. I briefly saw and chatted with C.H, Admirand [local to me author and met her husband] and Alessia Brio [the lady in charge of the Coming Together alturistic series which I strongly support] before the doors were opened.  Last but not least was another party I usually pass on, the Vampire Ball, and again Stella Price [that's her to the right and you can check out her photo album on Facebook] was the cat's meow of costumes. The lady is seriously creative.

My Day 4 was also my last. I checked out and then went to set up for the 'Giant Book Fair'. Before the doors were opened, I caught up with Francesca Hawley, a fabulous lady and author. Unfortunately my latest book, Double Punch, wasn't there but I still had fun talking about Hamish from Highland Heat and Hephaestus from Hephaestus Lays Down the Law from the two books I did have. Sitting beside me was Cat Grant, Kathleen Grieve and Donna Grant - another lovely lady.  Nothing can prepare someone for the wildness that is a Giant Book Fair.  Many people come prepared with not one but two or three suitcases to fill with books - yes, SUITCASES!  My advice is don't get fussed with the crowds, it is what it is - enjoy the experience.

When it was time to go, I said my goodbyes, and shared a cab with Carrie Lofty to the airport. From their it was all good - easy flight, no lost luggage, and we went for a Chinese takeaway on the way home.

I know there were many more people I met and chatted with, trully enjoyed spending time with [Ann and Robin], only I have a sieve of a mind for names - I'm sorry.  All in all, it was fun, great to see and chat with everyone which for me is the best part of events [booksignings to conferences], and it feels so good to be home.

The question now is:  Will I go next year to the one in Los Angeles?  Southern California in the Spring?  Maybe, okay a strong maybe.  It always depends on what else is going on in life, but I am thinking very seriously about it.  Besides, my family is nearby, and a visit to the beach and the total relaxation it offers me, is always wanted.

Thursday 13 #33!

My trek over the past couple of weeks culminated in the 25th Annual Romantic Times BOOKlovers Convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Wow, was it a wild experience. So, let me share with you some of what I happened and a few people I met.

1. We arrived at the hotel on Wednesday around 12:30 and were told our room wasn't ready. Uh-oh, I was supposed to help stuff goodie bags for Ellora's Cave and now I was standing in the lobby with a couple of big boxes and luggage. No problem, the cutie saved the day and got us in only the group had already finished up and cleared out. No problem, it gave me a couple of hours to set up on promo alley for Stella and Audra Price and myself before heading in for the eBook Expo.

2. Ahhh, the eBook Expo was fabulous. The ballroom was filled with long rows of tables with authors ready to sign either books they wouldn't have on Saturday. Before it started I met up with Cat Johnson, a fellow East Coast Author and booksigning partner. She had her new book Model Soldier. Brenda Williamson and Rayne Forrest stopped by the say "hi" before the doors opened as well. They are both at a couple of my publishing houses so we cross emails often and it was lovely to put a face to the name.

3. I was sat between the lovely Bronwyn Green and Treva Harte [the latter went up to sit at another table to sign an anthology]. Bronwyn was such a sweetheart, a beautiful soul inside and out. We chatted in between people stopping by and had a blast.

4. Suzanne, Lisa, Susan [of West of Mars fame] and her friend Ann, all did the social thing. Susan was a crack up! First thing out of her mouth after a hug was "You look nothing like what I thought you'd look like." So yes, I had to ask what she thought I'd look like. This is fabulous, "Curly hair, like out to here." With her hands far from the side of her head, I laughed because that is not me at all. Of course I asked what it was about my emails and online chatter that said that...can't remember the answer because I'm still laughing over the image she had of me. I also had a chance to meet Joy of Joyfully Reviewed...this woman is gorgeous!

5. After the eBook Expo finished I went upstairs and stuffed bags with the Samhain gang. What a spectacular group of ladies and included Jennifer, one of the two Asheligh Raine authors, D. Renee Bagby, Beth Williamson, Bianca D'Arc, Cindy Szolyga and a couple others I'm drawing a blank on right now - forgive me]. Crissy, Amanda and Marty were the magic on the ground and all were there throughout the convention whenever a question arised. But more on that later. There were maybe seven or eight of us and no one brought the same promo item for the bag...what are the odds of that!

6. After this I went back to the ballroom for the Ellora's Cave Fantasy Party. All I remembered was I was in group 5...had no idea what it meant, but I was going with five. It was dark but I found a lovely group of authors and sat myself down to wait for the walk across the stage. There was Anny Cook and her husband, Kelly Kirch, JL Wilson, and Tiffany Bryan [I think :-)] along with her friend. I wasn't pleased in walking and hope the video of that never sees the light of day. All I can say is thank goodness I didn't trip.

7. By ten I was upstairs in the room watching hockey with the cutie. He was such a sweetie in coming with me. We'd been on the road for long enough that the lure of the same bed a few nights in a row was too good to pass up.

8. Thursday I was up and at Club RT for 9:00am. Along with other authors, I helped man the table to answer any and all questions about Samhain, what they had to offer readers and writers as well as encourage people to sign up for the scrumptious gift bags that would be drawn for at the final function on Sunday.

9. I made my way over to the Phaze table for the same thing and met up with Alessia Brio, Will Belegon, Sammie Jo Moresco, Brenna Lyons and Sapphire Phelan. Alessia had a giveaway that was the treasure of the convention...a small bottle of chocolate and cherry flavored lubricant.

10. After attending a session on Promoting through Emerging Technologies, it was back to the Samhain table in the afternoon where I had a chance to meet up with Amy T. and Laura K....both are great ladies. Laura is a reviewer who handed me the June RT BOOKreviews which had Zandia inside...she was thrilled to see her name in lights as well as I quoted one of her reviews for the print copy. The cutie and I went for a walk around the city [it was gorgeous] before heading back up for more ice hockey.

11. Friday started out at a breakfast hosted by Jacqueline Frank with Lisa and Suzanne having saved me a place. After this I spent a little time at both Samhain and Phaze tables in Club RT before heading over to listen and eventually pitch ideas to both St. Martin's Press and Kensington [thank you Susan :-)]...now I need to get those both pulled together and sent off [panic time]. See not all fun and games, there was some business going on as well. And, I went to the awards lunch. We had a great table. Susan, Lisa and Suzanne, a mother from Texas [she has a ms waiting for an acceptance from Dorchester] and her daughter who now lives in Wisconsin. Then there was an EC author from Wisconsin [who unfortunately I don't remember her name but she was so sweet] and a reader from upstate New York. See, what a mix. After this it was over to the Phaze table at Club RT and then to a course on Writing a Marketing Plan [fabulous ideas came from this one] and then back to close out the Samhain Club RT and then the cutie and I walked over to the Original Oyster House. No, I don't eat fish but the beer and fries were lovely.

12. Ahhh, Saturday, the Giant Book Fair. I was set up in the ballroom and sat down by 10:30. Before the doors opened I revisted with many authors I'd met up with throughout the week and then the nerves set in. Yup, I was nervous but also very excited. This was a fun event. It ended with the last five minutes or so in darkness. Interesting and disorienting. As I promised the cutie, little chatting as I made my way out the door with Selena Illyria...we gave her a ride back home. She is such a sweetheart...gave me chocolates :-)

13. It was the cuties birthday on Sunday and one of his pressies was to buy me a fabulous new laptop! Why me the laptop and not him? Apparently not having to listen to my old one's fan is pressie enough :-) Actually after we dropped off Selena I took him to a friends house where he indulged in beer and burgers. In case you're wondering, he survived the convention by spending very little time downstairs amongst the chaos. The next morning I dashed out and picked up a copy of Harlan Coben's latest and a new game for the Xbox...he's very happy :-)

I met with so many other people that I didn't mention and while I'm not a name dropper or anything like that, a couple that stuck out for being genuinely nice people were Jade Lee and Barry Eisler. In the end, all of them so nice and friendly. It was a great book event so if it ever comes to your neck of the woods - GO. Will I be attending next years in Orlando...most likely, if it fits in the calendar. Whenever I get a chance to talk books with readers, authors and everyone else, it's a great time.

And Sparky Duck, if you're reading this...I met up with your favorite author and had a picture of you and the Mrs in my mind :-)

Two things...or is it three?

First, I'm going to be on the Samhain Blog later today...I was feeling motivated to talk about women :-)

And secondly, with the Earth Day having come and gone without a word from me about eBooks, well, Fictionwise is carrying the torch and having a sale. That's right, a dicount on eBooks...tap your finger on over there and see what you can find to read - the sale ends April 28th.

Tomorrow's Thursday 13 I'm going to finally try and get my thoughts settled about the RT BOOKlovers Convention so see you then.

AHHH! Did you hear that scream?

It was me!

This past week at the RT BOOKlovers Convention the fabulous Laura found a June copy of the BOOKreviews and Zandia was in there! It received a **** [4 star] review from Keitha Hart! Woohoo! Here's a snippet:

"This wildly entertaining story incorporates romance, hot, talk-dirty-to-me love scenes and commentary on women's role in society. It's fascinating to watch the protagonists develop a lasting relationship."

When I get my head stops spinning I'll tell you why the event was such a blast, but for now, trust me when I say the eBook Expo and Giant Book Fair were both WILD!

Where the heck am I!?!

I've been traveling...went to the cutie's convention in Lexington Kentucky and will eventually stop at the RT Booklovers convention in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania starting this Wednesday.

Today I'm peeking into the closet on The Romance Studio blog where I look into the question: Why Does it Matter What Dress We Wear?

Wednesday at 3:00pm I'll be on the Samhain Publishing blog talking about Conventions from the hotel in Pittsburgh!

Wednesday night from 5-7:00pm will be the eBook Expo and it is open to the public. So even if you don't fancy the convention, there'll be loads of authors and eBook chat to keep everyone pleased.

Saturday from 11-2:00pm is the Giant Book Fair and it's open to the public as well.

So, if you're in the Pittsburgh area, head over to the Hilton [600 Commonwealth Place] and seek out a favorite author or find a new one, there'll be many to tempt your reading tastebuds. And, if you're not nearby, there's other events going on this week to keep your book/ebook needs fulfilled or something coming to your neighborhood at a later date.