RWA 2008 Conference Report: Part I

2008 RWA National Conference (July 30 - August 2)

by Kate Garrabrant

First Impressions

This is my very first RWA conference. As a “newbie” I wasn’t sure what to expect. I have read countless reports and posts about past conferences and everything interested me. To interact with authors I've read and come to admire is a dream come true. I decided this was going to be my year to finally attend a writers’ conference.

The 2008 Romance Writers’ Association Conference is in San Francisco this year, which is one of my favorite cities. I came early, on Monday rather than today's "official" start date. My roomies are KristieJ, who founded the blog I write for - Ramblings on Romance - and two other well known bloggers, Wendy a.k.a. the Super Librarian, and Rosie.

San Francisco is a great place to visit, even if it is one of the most expensive cities in the U.S. I left the East Coast very early on Monday, very excited, and with less than five hours of sleep the night before. I hoped for an uneventful flight, but first a very large man stepped on my foot while I was wearing $2.50 Old Navy flip flops, which led to a bloody toe, and then, as I settled into my seat and bent forward to stow my carry-on, the man in front of me pushed his seat back and hit my head.

Not a terrific start, but at least the remainder of my flight was uneventful. San Francisco's BART is much like D.C. Metro, which made my trip to the Marriott, where the conference is being held, very easy. Because the conference didn't start for two days, there weren't many yet in attendance, so I spent much of my time sight-seeing. Lots of walking...lots of wind burn...lots of fun. By Tuesday night the hotel lobby was filled with so many women that I knew RWA was finally getting into gear. The hotel bar, as usual, is truly the local watering hole and I met with a bunch of bloggers for drinks, where I finally met my first author. Carrie Lofty debuts with Kensington in December with What a Scoundrel Wants. She offered great advice to the aspiring authors in our group, particularly those who will be pitching their own manuscripts to agents on Wednesday.

I'd already been cautioned by Laurie and others to pace myself, so I went to bed by 10pm on Tuesday in order to be full of energy on Wednesday, when I would truly begin to learn about romance publishing - from the inside – and those who make it shine. And, of course, to meet those authors who are my idols and thank them for all their hard work, imagination, and making my life a bit brighter because of their books that help me get through my days.

I'll be reporting often throughout the conference, so be sure to check AAR After Hours often for the duration.

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