Once upon a time....scratch that
Back in the day...no, no, no
In the early years....yeah, that works.
Okay, in the early years only one (fun) event existed for authors of romance books and their avid readers. The Romantic Times Convention. It was THE event to go to. These days there are tons of events, held all around the country. Which is great, but it makes it really tough to decide where to shell out the money so that you get the most bang for your buck.
I'm going to touch on a few of them today.
Obviously the first one is the RT Con. This year it's held on April 28th--May 2nd. It's in Columbus, Ohio. I had originally planned to go to this event. I've never been so this seemed like a good chance for me, since it's close to where I live. No spending money on airfare and no having to pay for a hotel room. Huge savings right there! However, $500 to register has me hesitating big time. I'm sorry, but that's a lot of money for me to shell out. I was sort of considering at least meeting a few people for drinks or something though. I hate the idea that some of my author friends will be so close to where I live and NOT be able to meet up.
Then there's Lora Leigh's Readers Appreciation Weekend (RAW). This event is held Sept. 9th--Sept 12th in Huntington, WV. Another one that's close to where I live. I would have to pay for hotel, but not airfare. I could drive to this one as well. I've always wanted to go to this event. Lora Leigh is my favorite author ever! She rocks and several of the authors signed up to attend the booksigning are some of my faves as well. It's not quite as pricey at $130 and I've heard it's lots of fun! However, I would want to go as an author and I'm not sure I'd be able to actually attend this event to promote myself or not. Anyone have the answer to that?
Also, there's the Ellora's Cave RomanticCon, which is held in Oct 7th-102th in Richfield, Ohio. Yet another one that's close to me. It's a little more than Lora Leigh's RAW, $275 to register, but I'd be able to save by not having to stay at a hotel--there's $100 right there! Plus, as I was browsing the site, I saw that the EC hunks make an appearance, now there's incentive! LOL Yum!
I'm not an EC author though, so for me to attend it would only be for the fun of it all. However, there are several authors who write for EC that I love. Our very lovely Regina Carlysle being one of them! I wonder, what if I wanted to attend the booksigning part of the event only...would I have to pay the registration fee for that? Anyone know?
Last but not least is the Lori Foster Get Together. This event is held June 4th--6th in West Chester, Ohio. This is the most affordable of the list I've put together. Registration is $50. It's close enough (again) that I can drive, so no airfare, but far enough that I would need to stay at a hotel. Of all the events I've listed, this is the one I've actually had the chance to attend. I've only missed one, the first one. It's a fun, casual time. Readers and authors mixing and having fun. I'm definitely going again this year.
But, I would like to attend one other event this year as well. My question is...which one? There are so many fun events for readers and authors! I love the variety and did you notice how they're all spaced out, so no event overlaps? If I had the money I'd go to all of them! LOL
17 comments:
Have to say I was thrilled last night when registration finally opened for Romanticon. Can't TELL you what a blast that was. And this year should be even better considering it's also a celebration of EC's 10 yr. anniversary. The booksigning event on that Sunday afternoon is FREE so you should try to come, Anne. I went to the RWA convention back in the 90s and it was fun but a whole lot more rigid than Romanticon. It was more about writers than readers and I personally like the mix...I enjoy meeting readers. I've also heard great things about Lori Fosters event and have lots of friends who plan to do that one. Like you, I'm really glad these are spaced out a little bit.
Okay...so you just want reader conventions? You could try ReaderCon in MA, especially if you can get in with a group that has a table to sell books, like Broad Universe does. I'd also highly suggest finding out which RWA groups are closeby and having reader cons. I don't suggest National for your needs, but the chapters sometimes have great events.
My personal top list of reader cons would be ReaderCon, World Fantasy Con, Dragon*Con, and RT. For industry cons, it would be EPICon and NECON. I have to find out if K*Con is ALL Kenyon or if other authors can pitch in there, as well. Either way, I want to attend all of the above someday. I've done a few of them...like RT and EPICon and have sent my promo to others with good results.
Brenna
I had also thought of going to ReaderRita's this year. I think that this will be my last RT convention. Its getting way to expensive to go. I really really want to go to EC's and RAW I live close to all of those. Toledo Ohio. So I really really want to go. But again hotel and fees are going to be a challenge after RT. And RWA is out of it so it the ABE. I am sooo not going there. I am trying to have a party at RT this year at an place outside of the Hotel. or I might just have it in my hotel room. The rooms are ungodly expensive. Oy midnight Margarita's in my room!!!
I'm still hoping to attend both Lori Foster's and RomantiCon this year:) RT is too expensive and with children in school AND right at the beginning of my husband's work schedule, it's just not a good time for me to attend. Maybe when the SU retires or the kids get older.
Lots of readers, reviewers and authors who came to Romanticon preferred it hands down to RT which is getting really expensive. I tend to think the smaller conventions might be more fun and friendly. Romanticon certainly was and the fee takes care of meals too, which is a plus.
I've only been to Lori Fosters and I loved it. Can't be the registration, the hotel is a reasonal price and even though its growing, it's still intimate enough that you get tons of time with great authors AND get to connect with readers as an author as well. I'm like you though, I would love to attend another con some time.
I'm going to RT this year - my first. I am staying with a friend who lives in Columbus, so no hotel. I'm going to Lori's for sure (I get to see you!!!), RAW, and Romanticon. I'm just not sure how I'm going to swing RAW and Romanticon financially and time off work, but I REALLY want to go.
:)
I'm not going to Romantic Times especially after I attended EC's Romanticon last year. EC's convention was way more fun and I feel it was a better bang for my buck. I actually saw more sales afterward than when I attended an RT conference. BUT I did receive a request from an agent interview. Plus, that $500 is tragic. Go to Lori Foster and Lora Leigh if you want to expose yourself more to readers as an author and EC if you want to just have a hell of a time/learn something at the author workshops.
Cheers,
KB
I'm not going to Romantic Times especially after I attended EC's Romanticon last year. EC's convention was way more fun and I feel it was a better bang for my buck. I actually saw more sales afterward than when I attended an RT conference. BUT I did receive a request from an agent interview. Plus, that $500 is tragic. Go to Lori Foster and Lora Leigh if you want to expose yourself more to readers as an author and EC if you want to just have a hell of a time/learn something at the author workshops.
Cheers,
KB
Regina--I think I will plan to attend the booksigning. I could drive up with my mom and make a day of it! Thanks for letting me know!
Brenna--I'll check into ReaderCon. That sounds good to me!
Rayna--Is that party open to folks NOT attending the Con? *grin*
Molly--The RT doesn't fall at a good time of the year for me either. One thing I love about Lori Foster's event is that school is already out and they (and the hubby) can come with me. They like to make a little vacation of it, while I'm playing with my author pals and readers. :)
Kelley--I really want you to come this year! I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
Valerie--If you're coming to RT, then I need to plan to meet you for drinks or something. Even though I'm not attending the event I still want to see a few people while they're in town!
Koko--I was thinking for sure of attending Lori Foster's event. But I'd also like to go to RAW. Lora Leigh writes hot stores, as do I. So I figure the readers there might be more receptive to my books. :)
As a reader, Lori's is my favorite of the events. It is casual and laid back and inexpensive. There is a lot of reader/author interaction.
Lora Leigh's is fun also, but much more party. DJ, dance floor, costumes. This one has a dedicated book signing for registered guests and one open to the public the next day.
Romanticon was a blast. They had party events, and a fun awards presentation and the workshops were great. I was a little hesitant about attending the workshops because they were designed for authors. But I learned a lot and had a great time. One of my favorite things at Romanticon was the signing room, where there were small groups of authors signing their books during the session times, so you could stop in with the books you already owned to get them signed. (You can't take any of the books you already own to the book signing on Sunday.)
I have only been to an RT book signing. It was fun and I bought lots of books, but I did not have time to really talk with many of the authors.
I am planning to attend RT this year as it is close enough to drive to.
I prefer the smaller conferences to really visit with other readers and authors.
Well you already know I'm coming to Lori's reader/author weekend this year. ; -) I haven't gone to any of the other conventions.
Kelley & Regina, it would be a blast if both of you could come to Lori's event.
I had a blast at RT last year, but my daughter is graduating college this year at the same time so it's out for me. I'm considering going to Authors After Dark in NJ.
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