RWA 2012 – Anaheim!
I just returned from another great writers’ conference put on by Romance Writers of America. This one was in my own neck of the woods, which meant I could drive.
It’s always fun to catch up with other authors from around the world, and this year was no exception.
Well, wait a minute. That’s not entirely true. My daughter, Christy, attended the conference and was my roommate. She wrote a Young Adult romance and met with several editors while at the conference. It was fun to share in her excitement—and to have some time for girl talk.
After the Wednesday night booksigning at the Anaheim Convention Center, I had dinner with Harlequin Special Edition authors, Christine Rimmer and Susan Crosby. We don’t get a chance to meet in person very often, so it was nice to play catch up—and to wish Christine all the best on her two, well-deserved Rita finals!
On Friday, I met poolside with the Special Edition authors. What an amazing group of women. They’re all just as awesome in person as you might guess from reading their heartwarming stories.
Harlequin threw another fabulous party on Friday night at the Hyatt Regency. As usual, the desserts were to die for and the music was awesome. You should have seen the authors dance up a storm.
I had the honor or presenting a Golden Heart at the awards ceremony on Saturday night, and it was my very first time to read off a teleprompter. I’d post the pictures, but they were taken from so far away, you’d never believe it was me at the podium!
It’s always nice to connect with long-distance friends at the national conference. So I thought it might be fun to blog about my experiences—and to ask some of the other Special authors to share theirs with you, too.
Judy, how cool that you had your daughter with you! It was so great catching up with you even for just a few minutes! For me, going to the RWA conference is like being in a cafeteria line when I’m hungry. I want to eat everything, but darn, it’s just not possible!:)
Tell stories! Tell stories!!
Judy–
I had to laugh a little when you presented–the podium was almost taller than you are!
I had a great time, too, and it was wonderful seeing old friends and meeting new ones!
Stacy
Hi, Judy! I thought the whole conference was upbeat and low key (does that make sense?). It was a pleasure meeting you and several others whom I hadn’t met in person before. The Harlequin party was loud and fun–all those desserts, oh my. I was exceptionally pleased with the conference hotel, the Anaheim Marriott, which I thought did an excellent job, top to bottom. And the luncheon speakers were also good. Robyn Carr is funny! Judy looked cool as a cucumber walking across that big stage to present the award.
Susan
Judy, you looked fabulous presenting that award. And so good to share potatoes with you. (Everyone, when we had dinner after the Literacy Autographing, Susan ordered a baked potato and a salad. Judy and I knew a good thing when we saw it and ordered the same. Yum!)
Wonderful to meet a few of my fb friends at the big Literacy signing. RWA raised over 50k that night for literacy. Yay!
I really did love this conference. I always love rooming with best pal, Susan Crosby, so there was that. Wonderful. And visiting with other buddies from all over the country. And the weather was to die for.
And seeing favorite Harlequin eds and execs and Dream and Jayne from eHarlequin? So great.
LOL. I tried to post a photo of my daughter and I at the awards ceremony, but I couldn’t get it to stick. Sorry guys! But if you go to Leanne Banks’ Facebook page, she has conference photos posted! I’ll bet Christine Rimmer does, too!
And I was going to say something about needing a step stool during that awards ceremony. I have a feeling I’d still be too short to look out over the podium!
MarcieR, it really was a great conference. You’ll have to check out some of the photos.
Christine Rimmer looked so pretty on Saturday night! She made us all proud.
someone needs to tell the director of the rwa to change the venue to chattanooga next year
(just saying)
I can feel the adrenalin rush way over here. The RWA sounds fabulous. Did anyone get any sleep?
Amy,
I’d love to visit Chattanooga. I’ve heard Tennessee is a beautiful state. Trouble is, RWA has to find hotels that can accommodate at least 2000 authors. So they’re limited a bit. We’ll be in Atlanta next year and San Antonio the year after that.
Linda,
There’s definitely a rush at the conference. We spend so much time in our writing caves that it’s fun to get out and meet up with real people, especially our online friends.
Hi Ladies! Sounds like everyone had a good time even though Christine didn’t come home with a RITA (darn!)
Weather has be good in Anaheim, Mickey demands it! lol
So wish I could have been there, and that Chris had brought home a gorgeous golden Rita lady for us!
Seconding everything people have said about how much fun writing conferences are.