The Romantic Times Convention starts today with the pre-convention classes for aspiring writers, and the trips out for early arrivals. And you can really tell. During last week, the Wyndham was really quiet, but now it’s starting to hum. I’m staying in a hotel across the road, and I arrived early, to shake off the jetlag and to see a bit of Orlando. 

So yesterday, I went to Universal with my friend Cait Miller, who writes for Ellora’s Cave, Jenny, an aspiring author, and her brother Jimmy Gaskin, one of the Mr. Romance entrants. We had a cracking time, and yes, the Simpsons ride is everything they say it is. Amazing. Anyway, Jimmy has my vote. A genuinely nice guy, lots of fun and I think his face and incredible bod would be great on all-American covers, and the military ones. He’s already featured on several covers, and hopefully Mr. Romance will give him more. He’s not just a (very) pretty face, though. His day job is Something In Oil, very impressive, so it’s my guess that he’d make a good romance hero in his own right!

Last night I met Linnea Sinclair and Stacey Klemstein for dinner. As always, meeting them was a delight. Linnea and I have known each other from way back, and she is only getting what she deserves with her current success. But three martinis later, things got a little fuzzier, so I’ll draw a discreet veil over the rest of the evening.

As for putting the RT convention in Orlando – I think it was a great idea. If the convention occurs on or near places of interest, I think it will draw more attendees. I came early to see the sights and to meet my miniaturist friends (Ron’s Miniature Scene is world famous and the White House in Miniature is a fantastic model everyone should see). It is set up for large conventions and it’s not all Disney here. It certainly won’t be in the week ahead!