Since Syb has done her bit, I thought I’d add my mite.
Main reason—expense. I live in the UK, so I can only afford one US conference a year. So I go to RT. Lots of reasons for that—more below.
I’m not a member of the RWA. I belong to the RNA (the UK Romantic Novelists’ Association). I was a member of the RWA, but I didn’t get enough out of it. Only because I live abroad. If I lived in the US, hell yeah, I’d be a member. Even though the RWA has snubbed me twice, and my fellow authors. It’s not personal. But first, ebooks aren’t good enough for them. If you write ebooks, you don’t count. You can, by earning $1000 join PRO, and I do that with most of my releases, but before that stipulation, it used to be by publisher. Secondly, they don’t like writers of erotic romance. My paranormals are of the erotic variety. I’d still be a member, though.
I get a great deal from the RNA, the local chapters and the national conference (which was earlier this month and was totally awesome). Unlike the RWA, you only have to be published by a royalty or advance paying publisher, and to contribute nothing towards publication to join. And there’s the totally awesome New Writers scheme, where unpublished members can present a full manuscript to the RNA and get it critiqued. If the RNA thinks it’s good enough, they’ll even submit it to a suitable publisher for you.
Anyway, back to the RWA. My main reason for visiting the USA is to promote my books, and catch up with friends. I wish it could be different, I wish I earned Rowling-money so I could visit when I wanted, but I can’t. And Romantic Times is far better at the reader-meets-author thing. It really is. They have two big signings during the conference and many readers come to party with the authors and publishers and booksellers. That conference has done a lot to further my career. I’ve met people who have helped me, and I’ve been able to meet people face to face. Although I’m not the greatest socialiser in the world (most writers aren’t) I do need to get away from the laptop from time to time.
The RWA conference looks like a blast, and I have a friend who’s popped over to give it a whirl. Others have visited, and one day I’ll go. Just to see what it’s like. And oh, San Francisco! I’ve never been, and I’d love to go. And at Nationals, Mary Jo Putney might not have stopped me in the lift because she recognised me. Oh wow, I squeed all the way to my room. Sorry, I was so ultra-cool when I met her, but I still squeed later.
syb note: I will enter comments here into the ‘betcha contest‘ too
LOLOL I was all holy hell gwen changed my fucking title and was about to beat her *G*
hi lynne
Hi Sybil! I thought you could make a series out of it! You know series do better than single titles!
I want to know why people don’t go. Hey folks – consider this a chance to say why you didn’t go…
I will enter comments from this post into the ‘betcha’ contest too.
I would love to go to any sort of convention/ conference but I never can find the time or $. Between hotels, airfare, etc I just cant really afford it.
That being said I wish more people would post reviews or comments about what the events are like because then I could maybe pretend I am there, lol!
xoxo
Oh and today is my birthday, yay 4 me hahaha
Happy Birthday Becky Jean!
I would love to go to RWA. I think it would be fascinating, b/c I’m into the writing stuff.
It’s the $$$ pure and simple. If something came to NYC, I’d see if I could go for the day or something.
I have always wanted to attend a RWA or RT conference but it costs more than I can afford. I love hearing about other’s experiences at the conferences.
I wish I could go, too, but my budget wouldn’t allow for it, either. ah, well, maybe someday.
I don’t mind going to RWA one day but I don’t know much about it. Is it more oriented towards writers rather than readers?
I saw the posting about the contest so count me in.
M
Happy Birthday, Becky Jean.
I wish I were in San Fran hanging out with the writers and seeing the sights. I’ve never been to a book convention or author/fan get together before.
My plan is when I win the lottery to travel around to all the different conferences and author signings…hope it happens soon!
Anyway, I’ve never been to anything like a fan/author signing but I love reading about who’s going where, etc. Sadly, I live vicariously through the blogs.
BTW, Lynne, I really enjoyed “Met by Chance” it was an entertaining read with enough of a twist to take it out of the usual historical romance realm…thanks!
Keep posting and I’ll pick another winner.
Winner to get a book from my current booklist (check my website if you need a reminder). A download, in pdf or another version, if you prefer.
Go for it! Why aren’t you at Nationals?
I understand the whole expense thing, I think a lot of people are tighting their pockets. I’ve never been to a conference but I would like to go to one just for the experience. I’m a reader not a writer, but I would still like that experience.
As a shy reader, I think I would be a tad overwhelmed with meeting some of my fav authors face to face. Never been to any kind of convention before for my work either, imagine the wall to wall people might be a wee bit unnerving.
lol i got a kick out of your blogs got alittle lost too.. dont read blogs while having migrain is my advice…. but i can see why you didnt go! I am with you!
why not there…… well expense is pretty much the biggest reason. 🙂
Lynne, as an addicted reader I would LOVE to go to any one of those just to drool over my favorite authors and all the books. Unfortunately, it’s not in the budget.
So I follow them on the web when I have the time (like today).
LOL
sandie
I’m just starting to learn about the Kindle so my comments may be incorrect, but maybe the success of the Kindle will legitimize ebooks more to the general publishing world. Even though the downloadable books promoted by Amazon for the Kindle seem to have paper versions as well, I have to think more exposure to ebooks will spill over to authors with e-publishers and garner more respect from the author associations for ebook authors.
Ah well, on the one hand I think it would be interesting to go to, just for experience value, on the other it would mean being sociable and meeting people, shudder. Besides I, too, live in the UK so trips across the pond for conventions/signings etc are out. Though I wish I could transport myself somehow for a Kenyon signing.
I love San Francisco. I honeymooned there and really wanted to go back but finances and someone to watch the kids prevented that this year. ho-hum.
I don’t know that I’ve really gotten a lot out of RWA per se but I love my local chapter. It’s really great and all the published authors are more than willing to talk to you.
BTW, Lynne – I love your paranormals and hope you keep writing them. 🙂
I would dearly love to attend a book convention some day. Right now, with three growing boys ten, seven, and three, there is never enough money to let me go, not to mention usually they are states away from me. Hubs has a problem with me going “too far” if it was in Ohio or close there, he’d be alright.
**snip
And there’s the totally awesome New Writers scheme, where unpublished members can present a full manuscript to the RNA and get it critiqued. If the RNA thinks it’s good enough, they’ll even submit it to a suitable publisher for you.
** end snip
Sounds pretty good to me. Can a Yank join?
Yes, you can, or I think so anyway.
http://www.rna-uk.org/index.php?page=nws
I’m poor, too. And I seem to be becoming more of an introvert as the years go by. I’m not a squee-er or a gusher, and while it would be fabulous to meet my favorite authors and hang out with other readers, neither conference has been anywhere close enough for me to attend. *Sigh* Maybe one of these days.
I REALLY thought my friend and I would get to RT this year since it was in Pittsburgh (her sister lives there, so we would have saved the expense of a hotel), but unfortunately, my friend has been going for chemo. I had several hundred dollars saved for this event, so instead I spluged on items from Brenda Novak’s Auction and a trip to the bookstore.!!!!!!
Since I know that it will not be held in a city that would be close to me again for a number of years, I guess I’ll just have to dream on.!!!
From what I have read and heard, I would say that RT is better than RWA.
And BTW, WHAT IS WRONG WITH EBOOKS?????????
This is a great way to have a number of books at hand to read while traveling, in waiting rooms, etc. and you can take a lot more books with you without the added weight or space needed.
OK will get off my soapbox, now.
Wishing everyone a wonderful evening.
Ruth C.
A woman after my own heart! Even if I didn’t write them, I’d still love them. I read on my e-reader in preference to anything else these days.
I would love to attend one of these conferences too. Unfortunately, I live in Japan and its just way too far and too expensive for me to go! I wonder if these conventions would consider doing a promotion internationally with an all expense paid trip to attend! That would be great!
I’m not in SF, either, because,
1. although I love to schmooze with my friends and/or meet new ones as much as the next person, a couple grand (airfare, conf fee, hotel, food, at least SOME new clothes and incidentals) is a lot to pay to go to a party. Even a four-day one.
2. I could have seen my editor this time, I s’pose, but it would probably have been lunch with two or more of her other authors, so it’s not as if we could have really chatted.
3. I tend to overload reeeeally easily in crowds.
4. I hate to travel. Like BEING other places, don’t like the part where you have to get from Point A to Point B.
Guess you could say I’m not their target market, huh?
Part of me would love to go to one of the conference/conventions some day and the other part, the shy part, doesn’t want to go. I only met an author once at a book signing and I was a complete basket case. Couldn’t even remember what her stories were about. lol Doesn’t make for a good conversation.
Hi Lynne,
Don’t feel bad! You do live outside of the country. I live in the US and I didn’t go last year either. I love your books and can’t wait for the next relelase.
Teresa
the trip would be fun.but its the cash for me.
I wish I could go to. But money is tight for mr right now.
Someone has to keep the world going while everyone else is at RWA. 🙂 Maybe next year the rest of us can go.