Sorry for the lack of RWA post day before yesterday.
Thursday
I took no pictures on Day 2, so I'll just tell you what I was up to. I got to the hotel about 3:30 and met up with Monica Burns on my way up to the Smart Bitches signing. Mon and I chatted for a few minutes, and then we scooted over to the Smart Bitches signing. I really wanted to meet Sarah and Candy, whose work I really admire. I bought a copy of Beyond Heaving Bosoms (all money going to literacy again) and had a chance to tell them how much I love their site and to chat with Sarah about an issue we both had recently. I also caught Kate's eye. She and I were due to meet Julie James and Colleen Gleason for drinks at 4:00. Monica and I ran down to the lobby where she was due to meet Deirdre Knight, who is Monica's agent. I had an opportunity to meet Deirdre and tell her how much I'd loved Butterfly Tattoo which is one of my favorite reads of this year. It's an unusual and deeply emotional book.
Shortly afterwards, Kate came down and we found Julie and Colleen (who we introduced). We all sat down for a drink. PJ and Gannon came by and I had a chance to totally ogle the shear magnitude of numbers of books PJ was carrying from the Avon sigining. We chatted for a while (I love Colleen and Julie) and Monica came and got me and we headed off to the Passionate Ink party at Ireland's Four Fields, and Irish bar. Passionate Ink is the online chapter for erotic and erotic romance authors. They were giving out awards and had a lovely spread of yummy bar food. Monica and I sat with Angela Knight, who is one of Monica's idols. It was interesting to hear them talk craft. After the party, Monica and I headed back to the hotel, and I texted Kate to find out where she was. She and Julie and Colleen had (awesomely) crashed the Jenny Cruisie dinner party at a restaurant called Pesto. Well, if they can crash, so can I!! I scooted over and sat with the group for a little while, but at about 9:00, I headed home for the night.
Friday
Yesterday was a busy day for me at home, so I didn't get downtown until about 5:00, just in time to meet up with a group of bloggers and a few authors who were going to join Kate and I for dinner. We had a group of 22, which was so fun. We went to Lebanese Taverna, right near the hotel. Great food, but very garlic laden. I tried to warn folks, but there was much enjoying of the chicken schwarma with it's crack-like garlic paste. Anyway, we had an amazing dinner with a lot of really fun conversations and authors like Meredith Duran, Sherry Thomas, Samantha Kane (who I have a girl crush on) and Mari Freeman, plus, of course, our very own LB Gregg. I was absolutely thrilled to meet Wendy, the Super Librarian, who is just as awesome as you'd imagine. She's got this amazing very dry sense of humor. And no, this is not a euphemism, she let me fondle her Sony reader. After dinner we went back to the hotel to go to the bar.
Confession: I now have a total girl-crush on Rosie from Nobody Asked Me, who told me multiple stories that had me seriously laughing my ass off (especially the one about her sister's calves). We bonded over our mutual love of the infinity sign and had so many terrific conversations. Rosie, I know you're on the fence, but please, please, please consider going to Nashville!! I was also beyond excited to meet KristieJ, who is just the sweetest thing. She's like a blogging legend, so I was so excited to get to meet her. I also got to meet Anime June, who seriously impressed me with her Buffy the Vampire Slayer Knowledge. And bloggers Barbara and Lusty Reader (who is my new local romance connection) came too! Soon Julie James and Shiloh Walker joined us. Shiloh is from Kentucky and has the most charming southern accent. I finally left the hotel about 10:30.
Here are a few photos from last night: Some of these shots are very unflattering of me, but really cute of other people. So, I'll just say, I know.
Thursday
I took no pictures on Day 2, so I'll just tell you what I was up to. I got to the hotel about 3:30 and met up with Monica Burns on my way up to the Smart Bitches signing. Mon and I chatted for a few minutes, and then we scooted over to the Smart Bitches signing. I really wanted to meet Sarah and Candy, whose work I really admire. I bought a copy of Beyond Heaving Bosoms (all money going to literacy again) and had a chance to tell them how much I love their site and to chat with Sarah about an issue we both had recently. I also caught Kate's eye. She and I were due to meet Julie James and Colleen Gleason for drinks at 4:00. Monica and I ran down to the lobby where she was due to meet Deirdre Knight, who is Monica's agent. I had an opportunity to meet Deirdre and tell her how much I'd loved Butterfly Tattoo which is one of my favorite reads of this year. It's an unusual and deeply emotional book.
Shortly afterwards, Kate came down and we found Julie and Colleen (who we introduced). We all sat down for a drink. PJ and Gannon came by and I had a chance to totally ogle the shear magnitude of numbers of books PJ was carrying from the Avon sigining. We chatted for a while (I love Colleen and Julie) and Monica came and got me and we headed off to the Passionate Ink party at Ireland's Four Fields, and Irish bar. Passionate Ink is the online chapter for erotic and erotic romance authors. They were giving out awards and had a lovely spread of yummy bar food. Monica and I sat with Angela Knight, who is one of Monica's idols. It was interesting to hear them talk craft. After the party, Monica and I headed back to the hotel, and I texted Kate to find out where she was. She and Julie and Colleen had (awesomely) crashed the Jenny Cruisie dinner party at a restaurant called Pesto. Well, if they can crash, so can I!! I scooted over and sat with the group for a little while, but at about 9:00, I headed home for the night.
Friday
Yesterday was a busy day for me at home, so I didn't get downtown until about 5:00, just in time to meet up with a group of bloggers and a few authors who were going to join Kate and I for dinner. We had a group of 22, which was so fun. We went to Lebanese Taverna, right near the hotel. Great food, but very garlic laden. I tried to warn folks, but there was much enjoying of the chicken schwarma with it's crack-like garlic paste. Anyway, we had an amazing dinner with a lot of really fun conversations and authors like Meredith Duran, Sherry Thomas, Samantha Kane (who I have a girl crush on) and Mari Freeman, plus, of course, our very own LB Gregg. I was absolutely thrilled to meet Wendy, the Super Librarian, who is just as awesome as you'd imagine. She's got this amazing very dry sense of humor. And no, this is not a euphemism, she let me fondle her Sony reader. After dinner we went back to the hotel to go to the bar.
Confession: I now have a total girl-crush on Rosie from Nobody Asked Me, who told me multiple stories that had me seriously laughing my ass off (especially the one about her sister's calves). We bonded over our mutual love of the infinity sign and had so many terrific conversations. Rosie, I know you're on the fence, but please, please, please consider going to Nashville!! I was also beyond excited to meet KristieJ, who is just the sweetest thing. She's like a blogging legend, so I was so excited to get to meet her. I also got to meet Anime June, who seriously impressed me with her Buffy the Vampire Slayer Knowledge. And bloggers Barbara and Lusty Reader (who is my new local romance connection) came too! Soon Julie James and Shiloh Walker joined us. Shiloh is from Kentucky and has the most charming southern accent. I finally left the hotel about 10:30.
Here are a few photos from last night: Some of these shots are very unflattering of me, but really cute of other people. So, I'll just say, I know.
The *other* Katie and me. How cute is she? We look like Mutt and Jeff though, she's like 10 inches taller than me.
Me and the marvelous LB Gregg. Isn't she gorgeous? Every conversation I had with her made me laugh hysterically. She's smart, gorgeous and writes some damn hot manlove.
Rosie and I. You know how sometimes you meet someone and you just want them to live closer so you can hang out more with them? Yeah, that's me with Rosie, who lives on the other coast. I just adore this woman!I'm not going back today, I've got a variety of things to do. But I so loved my RWA experience. I didn't actually pay for the conference because I wasn't sure it would be worth the money for a romance reader, but you know, I think it is. Readers get a ton of books and there are smaller signings by each publishing house. Plus food and the RITA awards, which are going on tonight. I think it ends up being a good value for the money. I'm already looking forward to next year!
16 Comments:
Fabulous recap, and wow, I'm so freakin' jealous right now, but ever so glad you had such a wonderful time. How cool you got to meet so many of the readers whose blogs I visit regularly. Sounds like such an amazing time. Thanx for all the sharing :)
That was one great recap - thank you Kati! And I love the photos of you :) It must have been such fun finally being able to put faces to names :)
I love the pics, especially of you and Katiebabs. So cute. :)
And you crashed a party! How awesome is that? Very Hollywood-sounding, too.
You are too adorable for words :D
Friday night was so much fun!!
I say about Rosie--Our eyes met from across the room, and I KNEW.
She's just easy to love. :)
As are you, chicky-boom boom. What a great evening. Thanks so much for inviting me.
I loved the food...and good thing, too, cuz it lingered.
PS. I miss you.
I miss you too already, LBea! And yes, yes, yes! You're exactly right about Rosie!
I'm sorry your food had such a high talk-back factor. But it was yummy going down, wasn't it?!
Glad you made it home safely!
I’m so glad that you had so much fun! It sounds like you some awesome people and had fun with Monica. I had so much fun hanging out with her last year. Hopefully I’ll be able to go next year.
Well, I had the funnest vicarious experience just reading this. I can't believe you crashed that party! And what cute pics. You met a lot of the people I would so love to meet. I can't wait until next year!
I had such a blast hanging out with you and Katiebabs. And thanks for introducing me to Colleen! I've heard so many good things about her books, and it was great getting to know her.
Too much fun, too little time. ;-)
Julie - I'm so glad you and Colleen hit it off. She's a delight, isn't she? Somehow I knew y'all would connect.
CJ - You were SO missed at RWA! I can't wait for next year!
You are my hero, Kati! I was at the booksigning and totally overwhelmed, especially since it was my first. I did get to meet Katiebabs and Wendy, as well as Mo, the prez of the NJRWA. Next time I come to one of these shindigs, I plan on networking, which is one of my biggest fears... ;-)
I should have let more people fondle my Sony Reader :-) I think that's part of the problem with many eReaders. People want to actually "see" one in person before plunking down that kind of cash. I only regret that I don't have a Kindle or else I'd let people fondle it as well.
OMG! What with the fondling and eyes across the room it's enough to turn a girl's head.
I very conveniently showed this post to GG. It's the beginning of the Nashville negotiation. Although LB and I have a pact. I go if she goes (she says she is) because we want to be roomies for the next like 20 years and tell stories about our salad days to Marines in the hotel bar.
Oh, and one more thing... Why is this the first I'm hearing of crashing parties?
Rosie - I've already suckered CJ into rooming with me (she doesn't yet realize how crazy I am, or all the talking). Heh.
I really hope you will come to Nashville. It won't be anywhere near as fun without you!
Great pictures Kati! So nice to see everyone with big smiles on your faces. You can't help it though when the person on the computer finally comes to life! :)
I love the recap and photos, Kati. It's been great reading about everyone's amazing experiences at RWA this year.
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