RWA National Conference: Part IV

2008 RWA National Conference (July 30 - August 2)

by Kate Garrabrant

Exhausting, Exhilarating Friday

My last day at RWA was the most eventful of the whole week. Free author signings for conference attendees begin on Friday, and the first two I went to were for Avon and Grand Central Publishing, beginning at 9:45 in the morning. I decided to go to Avon first and waited in line for half an hour before they opened their doors. Avon broke down their two hour signing in 45 minutes segments so they could fit all their authors in. The first author I met was AAR alumini Kathryn Smith (pictured to your right). The second author was Susan Elizabeth Philips (seen below, to the left of Carolyn Jewel) , who is truly a very lovely woman. As I asked to take her picture, she wanted me to be in it with her and is so very grateful that I enjoy her books and that she has such wonderful fans and readers. I also had the honor to meet Lisa Marie Rice, who came all the way from Italy. I can put to rest any rumors that she is a man. My future brother-in-law is a big fan of her books and I promised him and signed copy of Dangerous Secret, her latest release. She was so very happy to hear that she has male readers! By the end of the signing, I met Julia Quinn, who ran out of all her books. Julia was so down to earth and her reputation proceeds her as both wonderful author and a lovely person.

The next signing was Grand Central, which was not as packed. I talked with Carolyn Jewel (seen below, to the right of SEP), and Cheryl Holt. Cheryl Holt also wrote under the name Vanessa Marlow this year. As Marlow she published her first erotic thriller under St. Martin, Sleeping with the Devil. She received the most fan letters ever for that book in her career and will soon be writing for Grand Central publishing. I also chatted with Shari Anton who writes historical fiction and saw Larissa Ione, who’s paranormal romance, Pleasure Unbound was being grabbed off the table by everyone.

Connie Brockway was featured at the awards lunchon at which awards were given for service in the romance industry to librarians, book sellers, and RWA volunteers. I was very lucky to sit at a table right in front of the stage and sat with Meredith Duran, who had no one to sit with. The food at the luncheon was spectacular and Connie Brockway was another exceptional speaker who gave advice on writing and shared her own experiences in what led her into romance writing.

The next signing I went to was Berkley, and the most popular because there were some very famous and beloved authors there such as Nora Roberts, Christine Feehan, Nalini Singh, Meljean Brook, Joanna Bourne and Marjorie M. Lui. Even thought I have never read Marjorie Liu, Laurie is a big fan of her Dirk & Steele books. She was signing for The Iron Hunt, a book not a part of that series, and I hear she has a new D&S novel out this month. I also met Christine Feehan, who was signing her graphic novel, Dark Hunter, with assistance from her daughter. I would have loved to meet Nora Roberts, but her line was massive! I saw Meljean Brook and commented on how her hair was a lovely shade of red, unlike mine! I also made sure to stop by Ann Aguirre and Nalini Singh’s table, but their books were all gone! Joanna Bourne had a massive line, as did Kinley Macgregor, aka Sherrilyn Kenyon. One author I glom like crazy is Robin D. Owens, whom you see to the left. She writes wonderful fantasy romance.

I was able to make my way through the Berkley fans and moved on to the Harlequin signing. By this time, I'd already been back to my room because my bag was overflowing with books. If someone really wanted to, they could have taken every single book off the tables, signed or otherwise. No wonder people have crates and boxes to be shipped back home!

The Harlequin signing was almost over, but I had the pleasure to meet Pamela Morsi. I am such a big fan of hers, especially Courting Miss Hattie, which is one of my all time favorite romances. She was beyond thrilled that I am a fan of her older romances. I also saw Susan Grant, who’s Moonstruck is a big hit. I also has the pleasure to meet Susan Andersen, Julia Justiss, Brenda Jackson, and Kayla Perin.

I was so very lucky for myself and Kristie(J) because we were invited to Dorchester’s dinner at a wonderful Italian restaurant. There were about 50 authors there and the food and conversation was fantastic, I sat at a table with Joyce Henderson, Gerri Russel, Farrah Rochon (depicted to your right), and soon to debut author Helen Scott Taylor. Also there was Eve Silver, Leigh Greenwood, Christie Craig, Jade Lee, and C.L. Wilson.

After the Dorchester dinner, off I went to the Harlequin party at the Four Seasons hotel. The room was packed and the table laden with food, including a chocolate fountain. Everyone was getting down on the dance floor, even Nora Roberts and Gena Showalter. Unfortunately I didn’t last that long...11pm, I headed back to the hotel and my room for some much needed sleep.

RWA continued on Saturday without me. I headed back to New Jersey. This was a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget. Hopefully I will be able to attend to 2009 RWA conference in Washington D.C.

Click here for quick links to all of Kate's reporting of this year's conference, and this year's RITA/Golden Heart winners.  

links: digg this    del.icio.us    technorati