Romanticon-Kinda Like Christmas

Just returned from Ellora's Cave Romanticon 2010 and I have to say, in retrospect, it felt a lot like Christmas. You know how it is on Christmas morning. Everything is warm and cozy, lights are twinkling on the tree and the house smells like a mixture of coffee, chocolate, and cinnamon. The kids are tearing into presents and you smile deep in your heart at the comforting 'family feel' of it all. That's how I feel when I go to Romanticon. It's like homecoming, family, and fun all wrapped up in a bright, glittery ball. Before packing my bags and catching my flight to Ohio, I wondered if the event would measure up to last year but it did...in spades.

From the overworked, harried hotel workers to presenters at each of the wonderful workshops (for both authors and readers) every second was top notch and more fun than I can say. There is nothing greater than re-connecting with those author pals I know through this crazy writer's life and then there are the new faces to get to know. Smiles were definitely in fashion and everywhere I went, I was greeted with hugs, smiles, and lots of laughter. We were just all so damn happy to be there. And what can I say about EC's hardworking staff? They performed spectacularly on every level making sure everyone had what was needed, that the event venues were decked out for us, and smiling through it all. Talk about Grace Under Pressure! I was simply in awe of them and I don't think there was a reader or author present who didn't recognize and appreciate the fabulous job they did in making us feel welcome.

Love was in the air. Admiration, too. In the end, it wasn't about the ME of a person. It was about the US. We were a family for those few great days. Life doesn't get any better. Now on to next year. I simply can't wait. If you haven't been to Romanticon, please reserve your space. Come and feel the love. It happens every year in a small town in Ohio.

Oh and pardon this last wee bit of self-aggrandizment but I won an award for my Texas cowboys. :-) I am so unworthy but it was such a wonderful feeling to hear my name called. Here is a pic of me (snapped by my bud, Nic Austin) with a wall of Caveman Hotness at my back. Yes, I am soooo unworthy!