|
RWA Annual Conference
Live From Dallas! RWA Conference Blog
 Closing Comments by RWA President Jill Limber
Saturday, 11:00PM
It’s late, the Awards Ceremony is over and everyone is basking in the glow of another wonderful conference. Congratulations to all the winners!
We met up with editors and agents, heard terrific speakers, earned a bundle for literacy, caught up with old friends, and made a lot of new ones. To me that is the highlight of the conference.
Now we will return home, and after a few good nights sleep missed at the conference, dive back into our writing.
Many thanks to Allison Kelley and her hard working staff for all they did to make this conference so amazing. Thanks to the Workshop Committee who worked the entire year to find fabulous presenters. Also, I want to thank all the marvelous volunteers who gave their conference time to make things run so smoothly.
If you’ve never been to conference, you need to plan to come to the 2008 conference in San Francisco.
Hope to see you there!
Jill
 Author, Niki Burnham
Saturday, 11:00AM
I’m late.
I was scheduled to blog at eleven a.m., but at ten minutes past eleven, I was still sitting in a workshop room hanging onto every word the fabulous Karen Rose had to say about promotion and branding. My notes had spilled into the margins. Writers sitting to my left and right flipped notebook pages, scribbling furiously. At this point in the conference, I write down every single word, because I know I’ll need to read it again later, when I’m in the relative calm of my home office, to absorb it. But while I’m here at conference, I revel in every snippet of information I can glean, hoping it might be of use to me as I travel along my specific career path, or of use to a friend while she travels her unique path.
overwhelming. With the spectacle of the Harlequin party (picture the authors of all your favorites in one room dancing the Cotton-Eyed Joe), the constant, vibrant hum of conversation in the hotel bar, and the experience of hearing bestselling authors tell the stories of how they once walked a mile in your shoes, you’ll soon find your brain hitting its input capacity. Yet despite the threat of mental overload, you’ll be unable to pull yourself away. Things will spill into the margins. You’ll be late.
But you’ll revel in it all.
 Author Carly Phillips
Saturday, 1:00PM
I’m loving Dallas! I confess to not remembering much about the last RWA conference here except for a large hotel and the Mary Kay people … but this year is different. The hotel is wonderful and the people are so very friendly and the food . . . I am definitely coming home heavier than when I arrived because here in Texas they know how to do desserts.
I got here on Tuesday afternoon without any flight mishaps, which if you know me, is quite a huge feat. I am sharing a room with my fellow Plotmonkeys (www.plotmonkeys.com), Janelle Denison and Julie Leto (with a big shout out – WE MISS YOU to Leslie Kelly!) We managed to snag adjoining rooms and that is letting us get lots of plotting done in between the wonderful conference.
The Literacy signing was a sight to behold! I arrived two minutes before start time to see a long, long line winding its way around … and the number of authors inside was equally impressive! Although my July book was absent, I signed a January reprint and managed to sign them and finish fairly quickly which let me walk around and catch up with people. I saw Theresa Madeiros who was sweet as always, Gena Showalter gave me a big hug and I snapped a picture of her “win this Gnome contest”. I chatted with Lara Adrian which was exciting for me, and I gawked at Susan Elizabeth Phillips as usual, but thankfully her line was so long she couldn’t possibly notice!
In addition to business meetings I have also had fun meeting up with friends I only get to see once a year, including a champagne party with the lovely Goddesses (www.thegoddessblogs.com), Claudia Dane, Karen Hawkins, Karen Rose, Sabrina Jeffries, Rachel Gibson (another lovely author I adore seeing every year), Suzanne Enoch, and Julia London. They invited a monkey into their Goddess lair. Very nice of them, I must say. I had a blast!
In the next two days, my schedule kicks up … I have a Chat With Carly Phillips tomorrow at 8:30 AM, I am giving a PAN workshop on Saturday, and I’m Emcee’ing the RITA/GOLDEN HEART Awards … and I am trying NOT to think about having to walk on stage and speak in front of everyone …
This is the perfect opportunity for me to thank EVERYONE at RWA for treating me so well this conference and inviting me to Emcee our organization’s awards. I am truly honored.
Okay I’ve gone on long enough. I’m off to a Blaze party at the Harlequin Suite …
Thank you again ….
Carly Phillips
www.carlyphillips.com
www.plotmonkeys.com
 Author Kimberely Raye
Saturday, 2:30PM
Confessions of an elevator stalker
Okay. I’ll admit it. My favorite part of the RWA conference isn’t hanging out in the bar or vegetating in the room and ordering ridiculously expensive room service (though I’ve been known to do this at least once during every conference experience). It isn’t going to luncheons or meeting with my editors or schmoozing with my agent. For me, the most fantabulous part of any conference is (drumroll, please) riding the elevator.
I always tell people that I’m a reader first and a writer second, and the first invariably rears her ugly head during conference time. See, it’s the one place where Kim the fangirl gets to meet ALL of her favorite authors. At first, I thought the easiest way to get close to the Noras and the J.D.s and the Janets was to stand in line like any self-respecting writer and ask for an autograph at the literacy signing, or maybe ask an intelligent question during a workshop. Wrong. While the aforementioned might get you a brief moment, there’s no time for any real conversation. No, the best place to get up close and personal with the superstars is to ride the elevator.
I learned this by chance during my second year when I walked onto the elevator and found (after several discreet glances at the nametag), that I was standing next to none other than Dara Joy. If you’re a reader over the age of twenty, you know who she is. Anyhow, after gushing and making a complete fool of myself (which I DO NOT regret because, personally, I’m living for the day when someone—hint, hint—gushes over yours truly), I realized that it didn’t matter that I didn’t have an invite to the hottest parties (I was an unpub back then), or that no one, with the exception of my critique partner, wanted to take me to lunch. If I wanted to rub elbows with my faves, it was as easy as walking down the hall and pressing a button.
Over the years, I’ve met hundreds of authors zipping up and down floors. Just yesterday, I found myself standing behind Lindsey Longford. Since I cut my teeth on Silhouette romance back in junior high, this was the moment of a lifetime. Did I gush? Stammer? Fall at her feet and worship? Unfortunately, not this time. She walked off just as I got on. But still . . . Lindsey Longford. The Lindsey Longford who made me want to write romance in the first place. She made me laugh and cry and I will NEVER forget how deeply her books have touched me. That Lindsey Longford. In the same elevator with me. I know, it’s too much. But, ultimately, it’s why I come to conference every year and it’s what I miss most when I can’t come.
Needless to say, I’m having a fabulous time. I’ve met tons of wonderful authors and several old friends riding the big E over the past few days. I’m a little sad that it’s all about to come to an end, but at least we’ve got the RITAs and Golden Hearts tonight. Everybody will be going to that. And the best part? They all have to ride the elevator . . .
Kimberely
Author Lisa Jackson
10:00 Saturday, July 14
 So here I am in Dallas. Wow!! I escaped 100 plus degrees in the Pacific Northwest, but it’s still pretty hot here. I’ve not been to an RWA conference for a couple of years and I’d forgotten the energy and excitement of the venue. So many writers! So many ideas! So much fun! How great is it to run into old friends and make new ones all while discussing my favorite topic: books?
So today I get to speak at the luncheon and I’m going to talk about SUCCESS since the conference is titled: RWA: Signature of Success. I think it all goes back to the books. Sure there’s a lot to be said about promotion and “getting yourself out there”, but I really feel that it all goes back to the book, rather than the author. That isn’t to say that every great book gets published or recognized, luck and hard work, and a publisher’s vision come into play, but without the basic product, the book, no, the GREAT book, nothing will happen.
I’m kind of a glass is half full kind of person and I feel so lucky to be able to write for living. I’m never happier than when I wake up in the morning, pour myself a cup of coffee, slop around in my PJs and write, write, write. I have a beach house and when the storms are raging, I cozy up with my laptop and go to another world, one I create. It’s heaven! Oh, sure, it’s not always that easy and gee, I really have to work out or go to the grocery store, or walk the dog in the rain, while I try to untie the knots in my plot, but so what? I’ve developed headaches from trying to work out the kinks in a story, but I usually talk them over with my best friend and writing partner, fellow author Nancy Bush, and away we go. She and I spend hours together writing in our separate quarters, reading each other’s work, or, when our brains are full and our fingers numb, sneaking down to the den to watch LAW AND ORDER, HGTV, or some dog competition (don’t ask!). Last winter while I wrote ALMOST DEAD and SORCERESS, Nancy was pounding out ULTRAVIOLET, the third in her Jane Kelly Mystery Series, and I swear we each gained ten pounds, but oh, what fun we had with our characters (and the characters on CRIMINAL INTENT.)
I’m hoping to remind everyone at the luncheon what a fabulous career we all have. I figure anyone who is at this conference has already succeeded. RWA is a tremendous organization for writers at so many levels and the conference is fantastic. What an incredible place to meet other writers, learn from pros, make new friends, share stories, and soak up the excitement and pulsing energy of everyone who came to Dallas.
I hope my speech goes well . . . and I wish you were here!
Lisa Jackson
Author Susan Elizabeth Phillips
1:00PM, Friday, July 13
 Hi, everybody. Susan Elizabeth Phillips here living the glamorous life in Dallas. This is what I’ve decided about the glamorous life. It’s only glamorous because it doesn’t happen very often. Let me give you some highlights.
The most fun always is hobnobbing with the writers we all admire—exchanging cheek kisses with Nora Roberts and Linda Howard. Meeting Suzanne Brockman in the hall. Spending time with your favorite Avon authors. Trading hugs with Christina Dodd, Eloisa James, and Theresa Medeiros. Having coffee with Carla Neggers, who’s been my buddy for years, and having lunch with my dear friend Robyn Carr, who’s really enjoying the success of her new Virgin River trilogy. (Her husband Jim and my husband Bill enjoyed several spectacular rounds of golf in February when we all got together.)
On Tuesday night I went to dinner with three of my oldest friends: Jayne Ann Krentz, Kristin Hannah, and Jill Marie Landis. We had a l-o-o-o-ng (and very enjoyable) cocktail hour before we ate. Jayne is one of the most thoughtful, interesting women I’ve ever met. Even though I just might be a few years older, she’s been a powerful mentor. Kristin and Jill are both extremely funny, not to mention smart. They’d also terrific writers. (I believe Kristin’s brilliant new book FIREFLY LANE comes out in March.) Several years ago, my husband and I stayed at Kristin’s house in Hawaii and socialized with Jill and her gorgeous husband Steve. Jill even demonstrated her considerable hula skills.
But back to the conference… I wish all of you could have been with me yesterday when I attended high tea at the Adolphus Hotel along with about 20 other authors. We were the guests of John Charles, librarian extraordinaire at the Scottsdale Public Library. John, along with three others, has written a Dummy’s Guide to reading, but I don’t have the book with me and I can’t remember the exact title. Visit my message board at susanelizabethphillips.com next week, and I’ll post. It’s excellent. The books we want to read as opposed to the books we should read.
The Adolphus is a beautiful, historical hotel. I sat with the fabulous Patricia Gaffney and my dear friend Jennifer Green. High tea consisted of four courses: tea sandwiches, pastries, scones, and chocolate truffles accompanied by three different kinds of tea. A “tea master” explained the characteristics of the various teas. The room had large, old-fashioned oil paintings in gilded frames, heavy drapes, and was the last word in old world elegance.
As if the tea didn’t provide enough food, I joined editor Carrie and agent Steve along with publisher Lisa for dinner last night at the Mansion at Turtle Creek. (I wore my new leopard patterned dress which is rah-ther sexy.) Dinner was the best ever. The salad really stands out in my mind. Red and yellow watermelon and heirloom tomatoes with fresh herbs and a very light vinaigrette. I was surprised at how well the vinaigrette complimented the watermelon. I’m going to experiment with it when I get home.
I’ve done three television interviews so far, and I have a hot make-up tip from this morning’s make up lady. You all know Lancome’s Juice Tubes. Try the one that’s blue. Yes, blue. You wear it over the top of your lipstick. It’s an amazing gloss that gives your lips really cool highlights.
This evening I’m going to the Hotel ZaZa for the Avon dinner with all my fellow authors as well as our editors and various other VIPs from Avon and Harper Collins. I’ll be wearing a second new outfit, which is another good thing about the glamorous life—you have to buy new clothes to live it.
All this glamour comes to an end on Saturday when I head back to Chicago and the real world. But that’s really what makes this unreal world of famous friends, glittering hotels, and amazing restaurants so magic. Because it’s only temporary—something to be savored and then left behind.
Hi and hugs to all the Seppies on my Message Board. Kisses to Lil Sis who’s probably causing way too much trouble in Cyberspace while I’m gone.
SEP signing off in Dallas
Author Julia Quinn
1:00PM, Friday, July 13
 I’m sitting here next to Hope Tarr, author of THE HAUNTING, and we’re both supposed to be blogging about our experiences here at the RWA National conference in Dallas. Hope is typing away, her fingers clattering along the keyboard with remarkable speed considering that she appears to use only two fingers. Me, I’m people-watching. Much more fun.
For example, here comes Christina Dodd. She just had her make-up professionally for LifetimeTV.com and she looks fabulous. Okay, I think she always looks fabulous, but now she looks professionally fabulous.
And poor Hope. She’s sitting next to me, so she’s stuck with being people-watched constantly. Someone needs to teach the poor girl how to type with both hands.
Now here comes Christina again. This isn’t really people-watching. Okay, really it’s gossip. But Christina insists that I tell you that last night, when the smoke alarm evacuated the eleventh floor, Teresa Medeiros refused to leave the room without putting on lipstick.
But back to Hope. She forgot her glasses. She tells me she actually doesn’t need glasses. (They’re only when she wants to see.) She has the type on her computer screen magnified to 400%, which means it’s really easy for me to see what she’s writing. She seems to have a lot more of interest to say than I do. And suddenly it occurs to me. She has ideas. Ideas! Where are my ideas? Is this why I never know what to say when people ask me, “Where do you get your ideas?”
Maybe when it all comes down to it, all of my ideas come from the people around me. The world is such an interesting place if you just open your eyes. So don’t be surprised if my next heroine is a nearsighted brunette who does her needlework with only two fingers. Her best friend knows she shouldn’t wear make-up but does, anyway. And everybody gossips all the time.
What could be more fun?
Author Hope Tarr
1:30PM, Friday July 13
 I’m three days into the RWA Conference, soaking up the writing vibe in steamy Dallas. Wednesday kicked off with a yummy Southwestern-style lunch with my Harlequin editor, Brenda Chin. That evening I signed THE HAUNTING at RWA’s Readers for Life Literacy Autographing with proceeds benefiting ProLiteracy Worldwide. Think aisles and aisles of romance authors—450, to be exact—representing all aspects of the genre packed into one grand ballroom. How cool is that?
But there’s more. An impromptu meeting with historical writer buddies Kathryn Caskie and Sophia Nash in the Hyatt hotel lobby scored a foray out of the hotel under the auspices of Romance Novel TV. Piling into a white stretch limo as the cameras rolled, we headed for Cowboys Red River. After a dose of Dutch courage in the form of a Margarita on the rocks with salt, I conquered Jell-O knees and pounding heart to climb aboard an authentic Texas mechanical bull. Think Debra Winger in URBAN COWBOY—well, sorta. I did have a borrowed hat donated by a “real live” cowboy in the audience and a bunch of writer buddies to cheer me on.
That hat must have been magic or maybe it was the Margarita or my stubborn Yankee pride or some combo of all three, but whatever the reason, I rode that bull for the full eight seconds. E-i-g-h-t seconds. That may not sound like that long when you still have your dogs planted on terra firma but when you’re riding out a “bucking bronco” with one hand thrown back in the air and thighs squeezed tight as a lid on a vacuum sealed jar, it might as well be eight hours.
Afterward I had another Margarita, go figure, bought by my new best friend, a Texas oilman named “Ray,” who’d loaned me his hat.
“You did good—real good,” he said, reclaiming his Stetson. Warm gaze sliding over me, he asked, “You wanna learn how to two-step?”
“Sure,” I said.
I’m not ordinarily much of a dancer but what with all the bull riding and Margarita guzzling, I thought, what the heck? I figured when in Rome…or in this case, Dallas, a single cowgirl out on the town might as well seize the day.
Ray turned out to be a great dance teacher and a true Texas gentleman. No matter times I stepped on his toes, he just smiled and kept on dancing. One, two, three…
Afterward, our merry group re-banded to film the line dancing portion of the evening. We’d just gotten through the first practice run and were just getting the swing of it, so to speak, when the lights went out. No electricity. By the time it came back on, our limo had returned. It was time to leave.
As for “Ray,” he was headed to Austin the next morning with some buddies. Sigh. I suppose it’s all for the best. Weary but smiling, I hobbled—make that headed—back to my hotel room, smiling at the just-made memory of what had turned out to be a fun ladies night out and a fruitful research expedition both. When you write fiction, no experience—absolutely no experience—is ever wasted.
Who’s to say, but there just might be a handsome cowboy with a heart of gold wearing a Tecas style grin and a white Stetson in a future Hope Tarr novel. You just never know. ;)
Hope Tarr
Author Connie Cox
1:00PM, Friday, July 13
 Wow! Has this been the BEST conference ever!
Tapping away on my keyboards is such an isolated endeavor. When the only conversation I have all day is with my imaginary characters, it’s too easy for me to forget what a massive and far-reaching support system I have. Then I come to Nationals and I remember. The energy, the excitement and the desire to communicate with the world recharges me and renews my pride in being a writer.
This year, the energy has been like lightning. Being a Golden Heart finalist is an honor. Selling my first book has been awesome. My family and friends have feted and toasted me and cheered at the appropriate cues. But writers know. We know what the Golden Heart represents. We know the joy of the first sale after all the struggles and ego blows. And here, everyone has shared with a joyful heart. The outpouring of best wishes and congratulations from writers who don’t even know me has made this one of the best moments of my life.
And pulling it all together to set such a magnificent stage have been all the staff of RWA. Even while they are working for the multitudes, their care and consideration has been for each and every individual writer. (One staffer is skipping lunch right now to help me with this blog.) Thanks and gratitude to all who have made this the best conference ever.
Author Trish Milburn
11:30AM, Friday, July 13
 Good morning! It’s the day after our fabulous PRO Retreat here at the National Conference. The program went really well, and the attendees seemed to enjoy the wide variety of topics we covered. It was exciting to give the PRO Mentor of the Year award to Jo Beverley, who was truly surprised. I’d managed to get her to the PRO Retreat by asking her to give opening inspirational remarks. Little did she know that I had ulterior motives for getting her in the room. Ha ha ha. ?º
I want to publicly thank Jo Beverley, Colleen Gleason, NAL Editor Ellen Edwards, Jane Porter, Dianna Love Snell, Tawny Weber and Sherrilyn Kenyon, our wonderful keynote speaker for speaking at the Retreat. They all has such interesting and useful things to share with us PROs.
It’s been fun this week, even despite being really tired most of the time. It’s a fun feeling to not be able to walk through the hotel without meeting up with someone I know. I’ve hugged approximately 876 people. I just came from the Harlequin book signing where I picked up books from authors like Linda Lael Miller, Robyn Carr, Debra Clopton and Rachel Vincent. Nothing like free books for the girl who already has 900+ books at home.
I’m being interviewed by Romance Novel TV today along with other members of the Wet Noodle Posse. I’m a journalist by trade, so it’ll be really weird to be on the other side of an interview. Wish me luck! And copious amounts of Pepto Bismol.
Author Allison Brennan
11:30am, Friday, July 13
 So I don’t plot. Which is why I’m sitting here thinking about what I want to blog about. This happens every time I start a new book. I know the premise and a general sense of character, but where do I start?
I just returned from my workshop called No Plotters Allowed. I always have fun giving this workshop because I can commiserate with my fellow non-plotters about all the people who tell us that if only we’d plotted we wouldn’t get stuck. Ha!
Beginnings are hard. I shared a story about one of my books where I rewrote the first chapter six times, giving my heroine different partners, changing the crime location, and even changing the cause of death. Finally, it clicked and I was able to move forward.
One of the questions posed was what do you do when you get stuck in the revision loop? One writer lamented that she gets to a point, chapter five or six or seven, where she comes up with a better idea and then has to go back and fix it. But she repeatedly has this problem and never gets beyond that point. My advice? If you have a better idea, make note that you have to make a change in chapter one, and keep writing forward. You can’t sell an unfinished book.
Writing is hard. No one promised it would be easy. Yes, we love it. The characters, settings, the story—becomes part of us. Sometimes I think we deliberately engage in self-defeating behavior. It’s really easy to make excuses to not write. The kids need me. The husband/mom/sister/grandparents need me. I have an outside job. I’ll never sell. I’m not as good as so-and-so. All these excuses are just that—excuses to prevent you from writing.
No one cares if you write except you. When you’re unpublished, no one cares if you sell a book except you. Give yourself a goal and stick to it. Because if you don’t, you’ll fail yourself and it will make the next goal that much harder to achieve. Start small—“I’ll write one hour every day”—and build from there. As you achieve your small goals, you’ll set bigger ones.
One of the questions I had in my workshop was what do you do when you use your kids as an excuse? Well, kids have needs. I have five kids, I know they can be very demanding of mom’s time. But kids can also do things themselves. My older kids do their own laundry. The older kids know how to cook so if I need to go out, they won’t starve—and if I pay them, they’ll even cook for the little kids! Responsibility is a good thing.
Seriously, life is busy and complex. But if we don’t work toward our dreams, we only have ourselves to blame. If you’re reading from Dallas, I hope you’re having as wonderful a time as I am! If you were unable to make it to conference this year, there’s always next time, right? Until then, keep writing and keep dreaming.
Author Wendy Tolliver
10:30AM, Friday, July 13
 Hello everybody! This is Wendy Toliver blogging live from the RWA National Conference in the Big D. You’re probably wondering why I’ve been asked to do this today, because let’s face it, I’m not a NY Times best seller or an otherwise VIP like the other guest bloggers. So I’ll tell you my big news right off the bat. I’m a Golden Heart finalist in the Young Adult category.
Over the last few years, I’ve learned to shoot for the moon, so I decided to enter the contest with the second YA MSS I’d written, CUPID GIRL. I truly had no hopes of becoming a finalist. In fact, when Nic Burnham called to tell me the news, I think I went into shock. Dropping the laundry I was folding (I’m a stay-at-home mom with three little boys, so chances are, if you ever call me, this is what I’ll be doing.) I paced around, trying not to scream into her ears.
For those who are thinking about entering the Golden Heart or the RITA, go for it. I can’t even tell you how exciting this conference has been for me so far. I’ve had so many people come up to me -- my lovely “golden heart” pin a beacon -- to offer me their heartfelt congrat’s. I was just interviewed by the AP reporter (along with Jill Limber and Nora Roberts)! And my schedule is so full of fun little parties; I packed five cocktail dresses in addition to my special gown for Saturday night’s awards ceremony. (Yes, Nordstrom Rack and a friend’s closet were lifesavers.) And since many of you who are reading this are into romance, you’ll be glad to know that my husband is flying out for the awards ceremony. I haven’t seen him sporting a suit since our wedding 12 years ago!
And it gets even more exciting. Soon after the entry deadline for the GH contest, I got The Call from my agent. Simon Pulse wanted to publish my first YA manuscript, THE SECRET LIFE OF A TEENAGE SIREN. It comes out in December and I’m positively glowing from the idea of seeing it in bookstores. So, in addition to my Golden Heart Finalist ribbon, my conference nametag is decorated with a First Sale ribbon.
I’m here for another couple of days, but I know what I’m going to take away from this event is a genuine love for the people in the RWA. Coming here reunited me with my 3 original CPs, who I met for the first time 3 years ago here in Dallas. I shared a cab (though they insisted on paying) with two past RWA presidents and met our current president last night. I was able to put faces to the names of writers I know through RWA internet loops or whose novels grace my bookshelf. I finally met my agents and the other authors they represent. Thank you, Jill Barnett and the other generous souls who provided me with a scholarship! Everyone has been so supportive and positive and … real. It makes me want to keep writing, to keep meeting people, to keep learning, and to keep believing.
xoxo
Wendy
Author Jayne Ann Krentz
10:00AM, Friday, July 13
 Three things I’ve learned here at RWA in Dallas:
First, do not believe anyone who tells you that a restaurant is within walking distance. I do not think that they have a good grasp of the whole concept of “walking distance” here in Texas. Not sure anyone actually walks around here…
Second: Susan Elizabeth Phillips is in for a little surprise this year when we do our annual Susan & Jayne show (otherwise known as Secrets of the Bestselling Sisterhood workshop). Yes, folks, I’m tired of hearing her announce to the audience that SOME of us (that would be her) have won LOTS of writing awards and OTHERS (that would be me) have NEVER won any awards. This year I’m fighting back. I have a cunning plan: What she doesn’t know is that I have changed my bio (which will be read by the moderator at the start of the workshop). My bio will make it clear that, while I have never won any writing awards, I am a big enough person to rise above that when Ms. Phillips points that out…as she surely will.
Third: Here at RWA you can’t help but realize what a wonderful genre romance truly is. It is incredibly diverse, fluid, and impossible to define at the edges. There seems to be an infinite variety of stories here, ranging from the traditional to the paranormal and everything in between. There is far more innovation and experimentation going on in romance than in all of the other genres combined! I wouldn’t want to write anything else.
Sincerely,
Jayne Ann Krentz
Author Roxanne St. Claire
4:00pm, Thursday, July 12
 Hey y’all (I always wanted to say that) – Roxanne St. Claire here coming live from the Press Room in Dallas, Texas. Sadly, I did not buy Manolos, or even get to pet Linda Howard’s, I have not seen LaNora, SEP or the blindingly beautiful Lisa Kleypas, and I’ve yet to meet one of the Smart Bitches (my personal conference goal), but I have plenty to blog about from Dallas. I’ve been here since Tuesday, long enough to pack away a few million calories courtesy of the lovely editors I like to call “mine” (regardless of the fact that others do, as well), celebrate the win of the Book Buyers Best Award in the Short Contemporary category, and hit a cowboy bar for a special taped segment of www.romancenovel.tv – a very cool new web site taping lots of videos this week. Oh, but it hasn’t been only fun and games – this is work, remember? And part of the job is to pick up important industry buzz. And I have! In the last two days, I’ve heard some big news. Including:
- The New York Times List is changing! This is not a rumor and I’m excited to break this bit of news. This coming fall, the New York Times will split the paperback lists into two separate entities for trade and mass market paper back – a huge change that will open up lots of slots for both sides of the paperback world. In addition, the Times “position” will now increase to twenty-two slots, giving many more trade and mass market paperback books a chance to earn “New York Times Bestseller” status. Very positive and exciting news for all of us.
- It’s true, it’s true: the historical romance novel is alive and selling! In the words of a buyer from one of the major chains, historicals are “trending up” for the first time in a while. This is especially true of the bestselling authors of historical romance, and booksellers are closely watching the numbers of new and midlist authors in this sub genre, because increased sales from those authors is the sign that the trend is real and lasting. Terrific news for the hundreds of writers and millions of readers of the beloved historical.
- Holiday books, especially anthologies, are super strong sellers and booksellers love them. (I do, too, since I have two nominated for Ritas this year in the Novella category – a category that WILL be back next year -hooray!). In addition, booksellers are thrilled to see strong sales for “sweet” and more traditional romances, a trend led by the phenomenal success of one of my personal favorites, Debbie Macomber. (Not that erotica writers should worry: that sub genre is sizzling, in more ways than one.)
- According to the romance buyers of the top three booksellers, the numbers across the board are solid and sales are up. While the picture they paint isn’t unrealistic or rosy, the general consensus is that America is reading and, as we know, they are reading romance. And we thought we lost our audience to reality TV! Nevah!
- The new RWA web site is a HIT! The buzz is that the new look is lovely, and the content is awesome. Lots of kudos being spread to the brave souls who took on this monumental task and succeeded! And they say there’s MORE to come.
That’s about it for industry buzz, but I’m sure there’ll be more in the next few days. And no doubt a few rumors will fly. Like this one….did you hear that a well known, talented and dearly loved Rita nominee in the paranormal category with the initials KC broke the world’s record for length of time on a mechanical bull?
Thanks for stopping in for a virtual report – I’m off to stroke me some Manolos.
Rocki
www.roxannestclaire.com
Author Kayla Perrin
2:30pm Thursday, July 12
I’ll admit, I wasn’t too excited when I learned that this year’s conference was going to be in Dallas since it was here only a few years back, and I wanted to explore a new city. In fact, I almost didn’t attend. At the last minute, I registered and am I ever glad I did. From the moment I got here, I’ve run into one old friend after the other, which is really what I love about RWA. I met someone who wanted to know where the Goody Room was, and by the time I led her there, so many friends had stopped me to say hi that this woman said, “Wow, you know a lot of people.” I told her that I’ve been coming for a long time—since my first RWA conference which was in Dallas in 1996.
After that many years, it’s like coming to a family reunion. Last night, I had fun at the literacy autographing. Sherrilyn Kenyon was decked out in a great corset and huge swan-shaped hat (complete with feathers) and a black veil. She was behind my table, and graciously signed books until the very end. After the signing, I ended up in “conference central”—the bar—where I laughed and ate and drank with old friends and some new ones. There’s nothing like being around others who do what we do and love the romance genre as we do. It regenerates you like nothing else.
I recently left today’s luncheon, where Lisa Kleypas gave the keynote speech. She’s been a friend for several years, and she really is a class act. Her speech was funny and poignant, and ultimately a compelling tribute to our genre and the importance of what we do. She pointed out that after her very first radio interview years ago, the host had the nerve to say, “Hopefully one day this lady will go on to write a real book.” As fellow romance authors, we all know what that’s like—people dismissing our work as trash. You get so much of that during the year that it’s exciting to be at a conference like this with thousands of people who “get it.” As Lisa Kleypas said, we provide hope—and a life without hope is no life at all. I don’t know why that’s so hard for many people to understand—and I know you understand where I’m coming from.
Tonight, I’ve got a dinner with Mira, then tomorrow I’ll be dancing the night away at the Harlequin party. I’m not sure why I ever thought I didn’t want to do Dallas again! If you’re at home reading this and have never been to an RWA conference before, I hope you’ll plan to attend the next one in San Francisco. Trust me, you’ll have a blast. How can you not, when you’re among such a great family? Hope to see you all next year!
Author Lisa Kleypas
10:00am Thursday, July 12, 2007
 Warm heart, sore feet. The RWA annual conference is always like that for me . . . by the end of each day, I’ve covered miles in my high-heel shoes, and every blister is unquestionably worth it. As soon as I arrived on Monday evening, I saw Nicole Kennedy and Kathleen Adey, who were lovely, composed and smiling as always. I went to my room and collapsed from the ordeal of having packed approximately three hundred outfits to wear in the space of six days.
Tuesday I saw Teresa Medeiros, Stephanie Laurens and Victoria Alexander, and basked in their radiance, and later had quesadillas with Kathryn Smith, Adele Ashworth and Laura Lee Gurkhe, who were all fabulous and funny.
Yesterday I did a group interview with my usual partners-in-crime : Teresa, Christina Dodd, Eloisa James, Elizabeth Bevarly, and the head of Connie Brockway. Yes, just her head. Since she couldn’t make it to the conference this year, Connie was kind enough to make a big cardboard-reinforced photo of her head, which we propped up on the table. And I can proudly say that we resisted the temptation to draw a mustache and horns on the photo, so I hope she’ll be appropriately grateful.
At the bookseller’s tea, I was lucky enough to steal a few minutes with Karen Hawkins, Sabrina Jeffries, Suzie Enoch, and Jacquie D’Alessandro, who are all charismatic and beautiful and absolutely goddess-like.
And last night at the literacy signing, I had the MOST wonderful time. I ran out of books fairly early in the evening, which gave me the opportunity to go and pester other authors, and watch their interactions with readers. It is almost more fun to watch someone else’s booksigning than to do my own! The love between authors and readers is truly wonderful.
I look forward to seeing many more people over the next few days . . . and if anyone sees me grimacing, it is only because of my feet! The rest of me is smiling and very happy :)
Love to all,
Lisa
Author Carla Neggers
3:00pm Wednesday, July 11, 2007
 I just finished a long, leisurely lunch with Mary Blayney, a wonderful author and friend, and it occurred to me that what I love best about the annual RWA convention is seeing people. Yesterday when I arrived, I had a drink with Susan Elizabeth Phillips and ran into Nora Roberts and Jayne Ann Krentz, and I got to meet Lina Gardiner, a new author from New Brunswick, Canada, for the first time. Lina and I have emailed each other, and I’m looking forward to heading up to the New Brunswick coast—I hope—in September for a writers’ retreat. We ended up scooting out for dinner. Someone said the place we wanted to go was six blocks, which sounds like an easy walk, but he added—“they’re Texas blocks.” I figured that meant take a cab, and we did! But we walked back in the heat and humidity and had the best time.
Between lunch and heading here to the “press room” to blog, I ran into Geralyn Dawson and Nicole Burnham, two members of the RWA board. They were coming from one meeting and on the way to another. I’m so grateful for the service of all the volunteers who make this conference happen. It’s got to be a ton of work. I’m speaking on Friday, but for the most part I’m enjoying the fruits of the volunteers’ labor. We all do as RWA members—even those of us who can’t be here. So, I’ll take this opportunity to say thank you.
When I finish up here, I’m off to have a drink with Joan Johnston and Julia London. Then I put on my party shoes for the big benefit booksigning later this afternoon. That’s always a ton of fun. I’m having dinner with Jasmine Cresswell, who’s new back-to-back trilogy starts in September…Have you noticed that most of my “events” involve food? Hm…
Tomorrow the conference goes into full swing. Right now, people are reconnecting—lots of hugs in the lobby—and kicking back, having a good time. At lunch, our waitress said, “I love all these strong, powerful, smart women!” I couldn’t agree more.
Roxanne St. Claire just walked in…I have to run say hello.
Have a great day, everyone!
Carla
Author Linda Lael Miller
3:00pm, Thursday, July 12
 Hi Everyone, Since I’m the winner of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award—thank you, RWA!—the Conference is even more exciting for me than usual. I’m seeing a lot of old friends and making some new ones.
Everywhere I look, writers are bustling to and from one of the stellar workshops RWA is famous for, and there is a lot of laughter. The book store room is doing a bustling business. No surprise there—nobody loves books more than writers do! I always say, if you want words to come out of your head, you’ve got to pour a heck of a lot of them in first.
If you’ve never attended RWA National, think about joining us next year in San Francisco. I hope to see you there!
Linda Lael Miller
Author Linda Howard
2:00pm Wednesday, July 11, 2007
 Oy. I’ve been here since last Saturday, but then the entire Board has so that doesn’t make me special. On Monday, our meeting ran from 7:30 in the morning to midnight, with some intrepid souls carrying on until 3 a.m. with the proofing and wordsmithing. No, I’m not one of the intrepid souls. I’m a wimp — but I’m a wimp with good shoes. When the board meetings finally ended at 3 p.m. yesterday, what did I do? Did I rest? Did I relax? Hah! I went shopping. After all, the flagship store of Nieman Marcus is just eight blocks from the conference hotel. I couldn’t have lived with myself if I had let this opportunity slip away.
I admit it. I, Linda Howard, am a shoe-aholic.
What did I buy? A sparkly gold pair of Manolo sandals. They’re gorgeous. They are so gorgeous people shriek and try to stroke them, which explains why, if anyone murders me while I’m wearing them, the cops will find something like eighty-three different sets of fingerprints on my shoes. Could be a tad confusing.
Over the weekend the hotel was quiet, but now it’s alive and jumping with conference attendees. The constant noise of chatter and laughter have filled the meeting rooms, the elevators, the hallways. Friends are meeting up with old friends, and making new ones. The Goody Room is buzzing. The Book Fair has some fandamntastic research books, of which I bought enough to fill a box and which I’ll have to ship home because it’s so heavy I can barely pick it up. Books are always a joy, though, now matter how much they weigh.
The Chapter Presidents are meeting and doing their thing. Ditto for the librarians. Soon, everyone will be dashing to their rooms to get ready for the Literacy Autographing, which is so big and overwhelming I can’t even begin to describe it.
I ran into Nora Roberts and Ruth Langan in the Book Fair, and they’re looking as great as always. Gayle Wilson, this year’s Emma Merritt Award winner, is radiant and relaxed. Can’t wait to give her a Standing O, because she deserves one.
Coming up is the Bookseller’s Tea, which I need to go to NOW, but I might not make it because I’ve seen so many people I want to stop and talk with. Too many things to do, and not enough time to do it – but that’s how the Conference goes! Wish y’all were here.
Linda Howard
Author Suzanne Brockman
11:00am Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Hey writer gang! Suz Brockmann here, blogging from the RWA National Conference in Dallas, Texas!
The conference is huge, as usual, and wonderful (as usual!) but the facility is enormous. Picture me, wandering aimlessly, lost (as usual), Starbucks cup in hand… The cool part of RWA National is that when you wander aimlessly, you tend to bump into authors like Susan Elizabeth Phillips. (I’m a huge SEP fan — she’s always so gracious when I see her and have gushing fangirl moments!!!)
So it’s only Wednesday, and the conference hasn’t officially started, but my fellow romance writers are arriving in droves, getting ready for tonight’s Literacy Signing. (Lots of readers coming in, too — not just from Dallas, but from all over. The RWA Literacy Signing has become a yearly gathering spot for many, many fans of the genre!) It’s always a blast to see everyone, and get caught up in the cosmic energy that results when you put thousands of writers together in one room. (Alternative energy source…?!?)
I’ve got big plans for this conference — lots of people to talk to — but the big thing for me this year is the video blog. I’m going to be doing video taped interviews with both Michelle from lifetime.com and the gang from Romance Novel TV. Cool stuff. (I’ve also had the pleasure of already meeting and talking to Barbara Vey, the PW blogger!)
The workshops don’t officially begin today, but just hanging in the lobby cafe is like attending a writing masterclass! So I’m going to get back to it!
Happy conference, Suz Brockmann http://www.suzannebrockman.com
RWA President Jill Limber
10:00am Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Welcome to the 27th Romance Writers of America annual conference. We’re in Dallas this year and the hotel is buzzing with energy! Once again, this promises to be a great conference.
Since you’re here reading the blog, you’re on the new website, and isn’t it fabulous? Many thanks to the RWA Board members and the RWA staff who worked so hard to launch the new site.
I walked through the hotel yesterday and saw RWA members arriving with mountains of luggage, friends greeting one another, catching up and making plans.
I’m blogging from the Press Room and Nora Roberts and Ruth Langdon just walked in! Susan Squires dropped by to leave some books and Susan Elizabeth Phillips will be here in a few minutes to do an interview. I’m excited to see all my favorite authors.
We kick off with the Presidents’ Retreat and Librarians’ Day Event, the Booksellers Tea and the “Readers for Life” Literacy Book Signing. The PAN and PRO Retreats start tomorrow and the conference will be in full swing.
Watch for some of your favorite authors who will be blogging here all through the conference.
Wish you all could be here,
Jill Limber
President RWA
|
