Aka: My thoughts on the Romantic Times Convention. (As for why this title? Well… you’ll have to read on.) First of all, it was held in Columbus, Ohio. I think you all know I love the Buckeye Nation. I’m quite attached to it, and for good reason. (GO BUCKS!) On my “RT Report”… let me apologize now. I’m totally out of the loop and unpopular, and wasn’t invited to any special author room parties, or author lunches and author/reader get together type things. And as this is being posted you know, well over a week after the actual event, everyone else has already said what you’ve wanted to hear – the juicy good stuff, and actual event run downs.
I thought it’d be weird to run around as “Limecello” – so I went as “me” – or “Elle Cello, Reader.” We had some mishaps with my name tag, but eventually I got it – and I wish I had the name of the woman who printed it out. She looked so harassed and I was very grateful she squeezed me in right before shutting down on Wednesday night. Granted, I had been hovering around the desk off and on (mostly on) for the past three hours. And been told the previous day that my badge would be ready first thing in the morning. (Hey, no badge = not allowed into anything. It’s important.)
I’ve always heard that the Romantic Times Convention is a reader-focused event, but that’s definitely not the impression I got, from the RT Virgin thing, to the end. I heard some colorful language in regards to thoughts about this RT compared to previous ones. I know there was a significant focus on book sellers this year, and all of them seemed quite pleased, so one supposes that’s a good thing.
I was grumpy Lime at times because of sleep deprivation… but I did have fun overall at RT. (Just, you know, not enough to entice me to go back.) In fact, let me tell you my highlights. I got to meet and play with Shiloh Walker. She has awesome fruit wines. I can’t be bought with books or e-arcs… but this blueberry wine she had… Anyway Shiloh is super fun and hilarious and definitely not adorabubbles. (Pst – she is, but don’t let her know I said that. She’ll come after me. And possibly vomit a little. On me. Not cool.)
Mr. Romance Contestants, Shayla Black, Sylvia Day, Lora Leigh
Totally tongue in cheek here – believe it or not I don’t look like a lime, and I’m, in fact, not even green. It made me difficult to recognize. For a very short period I amused myself by picking out authors, and smiling politely, wondering if they’d say hello. We’d be standing in the same group/within a few feet of each other. (Most didn’t. It’s ok – authors are solitary types and not necessarily social creatures. I wasn’t feeling the social butterfly vibe so I didn’t put myself out either.)
Cavemenboys
I had dinner with Shiloh Walker, Beth Kerry, and Julie James on Wednesday – which was totally random, and fun. They were chatting books. Shiloh and I bumped into Beth and Julie later at the EC party, and Julie James made me take a picture of the infamous EC Cavemen. She’ll deny it, but she said I had to. I have witnesses. I resisted until the bitter end, and, in fact, missed most of the show, and only got a picture of all the cavemen turning away, as you can see. During, Jay (one of the Mr. Romance contestants), Julie and I played a game of one-upmanship using the EC covers on the decks of cards at each table. I hands down won with the card that had a corgi on it.
Actually most of my favorite parts of RT happened off the conference site. Major highlights were meeting Ali (@simplyali), and Joy (@JoyfullyReviewd). Yes, twitter was my connection to 97% of the people there 😛 Those two were basically my constant companions and partners in crime for a number of events. I also took them out of the hotel to a few local bars. (Ok, so we stopped at the second one. Brother’s. I’ve got more stories about that but those are better left for another time and place. We had cheap – as in not expensive – drinks, and Joy introduced me and Ali to Patron. In fact, the saying “one tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor” – is not true.)
Prior to that, I went out for happy hour with the super fun, and super nice Lauren Dane and Anya Bast. We went to Due Amici, where they disappointingly didn’t have any happy hour drink specials, (boo site that lied to me!) but did have fantastic appetizers. I now regret not taking pictures, but we were having too much fun chatting, eating, and drinking. And rushing. We were on a tight schedule. Otherwise, another personal highlight/victory was convincing the concierge from the Crowne Royal that I was staying at that hotel and getting a ride around the city. 😀
I also have something about me that makes people tell me very strange things. For example, one of the Mr. Romance contestants told me he only has 4% body fat. Then an author’s husband told me he and his wife were together for XX years, but it took them ZZ years to get married, but now he lives in state AB and she lives in state CD. Believe me – it was weird and awkward. It was basically his introduction and I have no idea why he was telling me that.
I also met Lucy Monroe (and her husband), Shelli Stevens, Carolyn Crane, and Jess Granger. And others. I’m avoiding listing more people because I don’t want to forget anyone. I have to mention Carolyn though, because I walked up to her, and said “Hi Carolyn, I’m Limecello.” And she stood up and said “Oh! Hi it’s so nice to finally meet you and put a face to the name!” Then we talked a little bit more, she signed her League of Reluctant Adults passport, and I left. I then tweeted updates, and Carolyn said “Wait, I met you?!?!” This was on Thursday, so I proceeded to tease her mercilessly for the rest of the convention. I even rudely yelled across our table at the Fairy Ball to reintroduce myself. It was good fun. And the rest is extraneous.
Louisa Edwards (Kindly posed 3x's, told me I was less cute w/ each pic :P)
Lynne Connolly
Victoria Dahl (She's mad I destroyed her in the round face competition. Sorry, Vicki - next time!)
Oh – right, the signing. I hated it. Too many people. Reminded me of Times Square which I also abhor. Also I lived essentially without my luggage for two days, so I had nothing… but after that, I made Ali and Joy go to Louisa Edwards’s event with me. Free booze! It ran against Mr. Romance but… well – you can look up the “#mangeant” tweets. And, I wasn’t blown away with the whole thing… (The Mr. Romance competition, I mean. Although I saw some pictures and oh man camo pants and bad dancing? Still. I have no regrets.) Anyway – Louisa’s event was hands down one of my favorite parts of “official” RT. And I’m not saying that just because I won a bottle of rose petal infused vodka.
Lauren Dane
Lucy Monroe
Courtney Milan
Finally… Saturday night. Ali, Joy, and I tried to leave the hotel again, but 280 N. High Street defeated us and we couldn’t figure out the plaza. So we went back to the hotel bar, broken hearted and discouraged. I took the heat of the hot wings I ordered personally, and was determined to defeat them. I did. Then, we moved to the bar area, and caught Jess Granger as she was about to go to bed. We had some awesome conversation, and for some unknown horrible reason Joy brought up strange shifters. Were-trees were definitely mentioned . Then, were-ducks. Jess proceeded to traumatize us with stories about ducks on her campus…and mating season. Considering here at the pond we’re duckies… it was too good to pass up.
I also have to give Jess a shout out because I may or may not have threatened to bring the wrath of God down on her if she was lying to me/us about the number of books in her current series. (Seven to nine books – now you can all help me keep her accountable.) However, my feelings/rant on series is fit for another post.
Oh, and I’m sure I offended some people. I’m not a very gushy person. I squee and eee when I’m happy. Even in person. But nothing particularly set off my “whee” meter at RT. I actually met some authors that I’ve heard of but haven’t read/haven’t read in a while, so I had nothing to say. Considering how “big” [as in successful and popular] a few of these authors were, I think they expected more “yay!” from me. Sorry there. A few awkward silences occurred when I was introduced and followed with an “Oh hi, 🙂 It’s nice to meet you.” And then… silence. Awkward, of course.
In the end… I don’t think I’ll be going to another RT. Or, at least I don’t plan on it, and I can’t particularly see what would entice me to go. I know other people loved it and had a great time, and others said “well at least it wasn’t the worst one I’ve been to,” but… enh. So for those of you who missed out… or are feeling totally crushed, personally, I didn’t think it was anything super special.
I also felt that books people were getting were grudgingly given. Maybe it was the last day burn out. But that’s the vibe I got from the start. I won a grand total of four books during the whole conference, but managed to get more at “free for all” type things. And, I got some swag in promo alley and at the book fair. I hate crowds, however, so I only hit up a few authors and then sat along the side of the room.
I am giving away a swag bag, however, stuffed pull of promo items – signed and unsigned blurb books, bookmarks, cover flats, pens, knick knacks, and… 5 books. That’ll be on twitter so find me there.
And, of course, I’m happy to discuss more etc in the comments.
Limecello –
What were your expectations going into the RT Convention? That there would be more face time with authors or perhaps more reader friendly get-togethers? Did the authors you ran across seem to enjoy it or were they disappointed, too? Finally, were the authors all nice or were there any that disliked mingling with their readers? You can give a hint if you can’t publish names. LOL The gossip from these events can be more fun than the actual convention.
I’m all sad now because you didn’t gush over me. *rocking and weeping*
Lime, thanks for sharing your experience–it sounds like it was fun to spend time in small groups or one-on-one with authors when you could swing it, but that the crowd thing was way less cool. I, too, find crowds stressful, so maybe these conventions are not for me? ;p Anyway, thanks for the summary and the pics!
Kim… hm of course you’d ask the hard questions 😛 Well, I guess going in I thought RT would just be a lot more *fun.* Everyone gushes about how absolutely freaking fantabulous RT is, and how it’s practically life changing. I’m chalking my time there up to experience – now I know. I guess I just got the sense and feeling that because I was there at RT as a reader I should have been feeling some sort of slavish gratefulness that I was even *allowed* to be at such a hallowed event where there were AUTHORS and THINGS FOR FREE. Of course there were a number of very cool down to earth people and definitely authors there, but I just couldn’t shake that feeling. Anyway, I will admit it’s just the type of person I am. I’m very hard pressed to think of anyone I’d squee over off the bat just to meet him/her.
I wouldn’t know what authors *really* felt – because I’m a reader and not in the same group, and you know how that goes with fraternization, etc. – But a few of them did say this year was “different.” And that they wished one or two things had been handled differently. There was also an undercurrent that RT wasn’t quite as reader focused as it’s [advertised] to be.
And … as I said – there were a number of authors who had room parties, took out certain readers to lunches etc… I was never part of the elite crowd 🙂
As for gossip… oh gosh. The stolen shirt and surrounding drama I think would be the biggest thing of 2010 – and I only heard a tame version from someone who said s/he was there. There were only 5 (I thought but obviously 6) Mr. Romance contestants, and I only met 3 of them. I’d say 2 though, because 2010 Mr. Romance only ever said “hi” to me (and that he was a contestant). Although he was very good at charming others- so congratulations to him and all the best.
Lauren – Awweeeee are you cute. *points and laughs* 😉
Seriously though – I’d consider going to another RT to hang out with you and Anya, it’s just… no. Haha. I’m sure I could find other events we’d both go to where I could stalk you and it’d be a more enjoyable experience for me.
Fedora- aren’t you the nice and diplomatic one 🙂 Much better than me. And yes. I enjoyed listening to what authors had to say at panels. But oh my gosh – the signing. A veritable mad house, and lots of snippy people, elbowing, derision on the part of some [mostly male] volunteers… I hate crowds. Absolutely hate them. Do not belong in mosh pits, etc.
Oh and I guess I should caption the images – I tried in wordpress but it didn’t go through. The first is a view right outside the Hyatt doors – obviously at night. Next is the Mr. Romance contestants (see? I didn’t even meet the sixth one that was involved in the shirt incident and flurry of discussions) and Shayla Black, Sylvia Day, and Lora Leigh. The third picture is the Cave
menboys walking away – the picture that Julie James made me take. *angelface*The next picture is the damage Ali, Joy, and I did at Brothers. Even better? That’s not even all of it. 😀
Then, it’s a picture of the vampire ball, with “Edward Cullen” and his light up necklace and sparkly shirt- because vampires sparkle.
Then we have Louisa Edwards (who was a sweetie and patiently let me figure out my new camera, which washed her out the first two times – although she did tell me that I was getting less cute with each shot :P), Lynne Connolly, and Victoria Dahl. Victoria has her hands on her hips because she’s mad at me for decimating her in the round face contest. Sorry Vicki, next time 😉
Then there’s Lauren Dane, who had the most awesome shoes ever. (I wanted to take a picture but there were too many people in the way and I sure as hell wasn’t going to leave my safe haven hiding behind/next to Sabrina Jeffries.) Lucy Monroe, and Courtney Milan. See the kobo reader in front of Courtney? I should’ve jumped her and stolen it.
The next picture is the view outside the hotel room… and me playing with the lights. And lastly… a picture before the ravening horde descended on Louisa’s lovely event 🙂
I loved meeting you, and it was a bit scary meeting the three bloggers at once, but I wish I were more organised. I hardly got out of the hotel at all.
RT is fun for authors because for the rest of the year we sit at home in bunny slippers and furry dressing gowns, or (insert casual wear of choice) typing. We talk by typing. I call my kids down for their dinner by IM’ing them. I know, pathetic.
So we make the most of the parties whlle we can. But although I’m really not good at face-to-face stuff, I make an effort, and sometimes I’ll go somewhere alone. I find I meet more people that way.
I think it’s important to go with a plan, however loose, and have a list of “must go” events. Decide what you want out of the convention, as it’s multi purpose. Those days pass so fast. This year I really sucked at self promotion, I was too busy socialising and having a good time. Next year I have to remember that it’s Work and to put my sandwich board on every morning!
And yeah, I want to go. I’ve never been to LA, and I might be able to get a visit to San Francisco in, as well.
RT was in my backyard, but I did not attend the conference for several reasons that had nothing to do with RT itself. I did, however, attend the book signing. And I had a wonderful time. I arrived after noon and stayed until just before it ended at 2 pm. I got to speak with about two dozen authors who were all very kind to me, even when I didn’t always buy a book. I met LynneC (waves at Lynne!!) and we got to chat about Richard & Rose. I spoke to a few authors whose books I’d never read before and tried to buy a variety of new-to-me books. All in all it was worth wading through all the people, and even though I spent way more money than I planned to, I don’t regret going.
I do want to add that It must be a very strange experience for many authors to sit there and be virtually ignored while the line goes out the door for JR Ward. It must feel like a bit of a meat market. I was wearing one of my quilting t-shirts and several people wanted to talk to me about quilts instead of books. That was fun.
Waving back, Phyl! And yes, it is a bit strange, but hey, we should all be so lucky!
I’ve wanted to go to RT but wasn’t sure what kind of experience someone not in the industry would have, and as my RL friends don’t read romance I’d have to go alone. Thanks for sharing your experience. It does sound like you had fun.
Lynne – I’m glad you had a great time at RT – it was so nice to meet you too. And – heh- no worries about running into the “trio of bloggers” – we all enjoyed meeting you. I might be going to LA for another conference, but we’ll see.
Phyl – so glad you had a good time at the book signing! I was lucky enough to get in a bit early, so I kind of hit all the authors I wanted to – and also, I had none of my stuff so I helped friends get their books signed… and then stayed along the side lines observing basically for the rest of it. And, agreed – I felt bad for some of the authors. I know there were some to the sites as you mentioned, but Lori Foster was “in the middle” and lines were forming blocking other tables. I heard a few authors that happened to mentioning that.
Patti – I definitely think it’s something worth trying. :X Maybe I would’ve liked it even more in a few years? Also, with it being in LA and all those actor/model hopefuls, there could be a pretty fantastic Mr. Romance competition next year 🙂
Oh right- and the contest/giveaway – I’m on twitter as @limecello as I said:
Tote bag o Swag & books I’m giving away- tweet me a message w/ #tgtbtu to enter to win [you pay shipping] http://twitpic.com/1n85lj
Hi Limecello!
My favorite part of the whole convention was sitting around with you three talking about how scary ducks can be and how good men look in uniform. *wink* The whole tree thing had me in tears. I know this is totally backward, but as an author, I was the one who had to contain my squeefulness when I recognized readers from online. You guys are great.
Though I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, if given the choice to be a single woman in the midst of a group of hungry male were-creatures, I’d take just about anything over the ducks. They’re scary. And I hope I didn’t traumatize you too badly.
Jess – hahahaha. LOVE IT. Thanks for hanging out with us! And … oh gosh. :X Guess I’m going to have to thank you about the uniform bit, yeah? But then, you know I’d have to set everyone straight if that went viral 😛
Also, I don’t think that’s backwards at all. I think I was happiest to see Ali, and I even hugged her. (And I’d tweeted that I’m not a huggy person, and I even said “I’m not a huggy person but I’ll hug you!” when I met her.) So… I get that.
And oh my gosh- I feel like a were-duck “romance” and then being a female… that would be more a horror. O_o Do they have horror romances? Seems like an oxymoron. Also, I cannot think about that. ALSO DID I TELL YOU MY PARENT’S POND NOW HAS DUCKS? I BLAME YOU!!!
It was awesome meeting you! And Jess and I have had the duck rape conversation in Romance Divas I think 😛 This was my first RT as well and I think it was pretty good, but I don’t know. I’m going to miss RWA this year because I chose RT (that’s a bummer). I keep hearing this RT wasn’t very good, but I have nothing to compare it to. And I don’t get out much, so any time I can go out and socialize I’m ALL kinds of happy!
Hi Shelli! It was a lot of fun meeting you too! 🙂 I was also excited because I’d so recently read Anybody But Justin and so liked that book. Hahahaha and oh gosh – so now I know Jess likes going around traumatizing people with the whole duck rape thing 😉 And seriously though, so much worse where there are no lines with were-creature stories!
As for conferences… poor poor Nashville, and sad to miss RWA at Disney, but positive spin, erm, at least you didn’t have to deal with the stress of changed travel plans?
And anyway, yes 😀 As long as you had a good time, who cares how others compared it to previous RTs right? And/but, based on the murmurs, it can only go up, right? So whee! 😀
Hey, I don’t think I was the one who brought up the ducks at Divas. In fact, I don’t recall that conversation. I’ll have to look it up. If I did bring it up, I guess I’m just an anti duck-rape activist. Stop the horror! Waddle, girl, waddle as fast as those little webbed feet can go!
I’m thrilled to hear that Jess has so many more books planned!! I was so thrilled at meeting her at the book signing and finding a copy of Beyond the Shadows, I didn’t even think to ask what was up next.
And dang – I wish I knew you were going – it would have been loverly to meet you.
Kristie – yes, sad! I knew someone was looking for you at the Fairy ball but I can’t remember what happened. There were a few people I wanted to meet but didn’t get a chance to. I did know you’d be at RT because we’d talked about it at your blog a while back. We’ll have to try again at some other conference 🙂