Tuesday, October 12, 2010

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!

53 comments:

Cindy Spencer Pape said...

It was loads of fun to see everyone again!

Unknown said...

Sign me up..I'm ready for the next one! LOL
You deserved the award.

Julia Rachel Barrett said...

I'm glad you had a great time! Congrats on the award - it's well-deserved!

Natalie Dae said...

From looking at all the pictures, I could feel the love! I really hope I can make it next year.

Yay on the award. I love that series. Pwoar!

:)

Valerie T. said...

It was totally deserved! Your books rock!

And it was soooooo nice to meet you! You are adorable! :D

Can't wait to see you next year!

Valerie T. said...

Natalie - YOU HAVE TO GO!!!!

I must meet you! Be ready for a big squishy hug if you do!

Valerie :D

Regina Carlysle said...

I was so happy to see you get a well deserved award, Cindy. Your stories just rock! Well done, YOU. So fun seeing you again.

Regina Carlysle said...

Thanks, Amber. It was so nice meeting you and your hubby. Such a nice guy!

Regina Carlysle said...

Awww. Thanks, Julia! Wish you'd been there. Would have loved to finally meet you in person.

Regina Carlysle said...

Nat, my darling, you HAVE to come next year. Seriously!

Regina Carlysle said...

Ohhhhh Valerie! I adore you, Chick! It was just so much fun meeting you and getting to chat. I'm a huge fan of your work, you know.

V. J. Devereaux aka Valerie Douglas said...

It was incredibly fun, so great to make new friends and spend time with old ones!

Regina Carlysle said...

VJ, I don't know how you did it, honey. All those runs for coffee (the GOOD KIND) plus picking people up from the airport. I swear, honey, you are just so sweet.

Tess MacKall said...

Awww...sweetie, that award was well-deserved and you look so beautiful. Love the eye candy holding ya up. lol

And next year I'll be right there with you. Going to drag Nat's butt along too. If I have to GO to the UK to get her!

Regina Carlysle said...

Sounds like a good plan to me, Tess. :-)

Kelly said...

I am so glad and happy you won an award. I love that pic of you cheesing. haha Next time I'll be there.

Allie Standifer said...

Waaaaaa!!!!! I miss you already. Need my Regina fix. Next year all our rooms will connect!


Allie=the sling girl

Natalie Dae said...

God yeah, Valerie. It'll be mad seeing you. I might pass a little wee, know what I mean? So bring the Depends, all right?

LOL!

:)

Regina Carlysle said...

Sheridan, you've GOT TO COME, Woman! You would have a total blast.

Regina Carlysle said...

(((((((HUGS))))))) Allie!!!! Lordy,lordy...love ya, girl! Yes, connecting rooms for sure.

Regina Carlysle said...

LOL @ Pass a wee. HAHAHHAAAAAAAA

Helen Hardt said...

It was great to finally meet you in person. And your Texas cowboys are HOT!

Regina Carlysle said...

Helen! I see you have a new profile pic. And all these years I thought you were a blondie! LOL. I soooo loved meeting you. Next year??? I'm ready if you are.

Kenzie Michaels said...

Congrats sweetheart!

Dalton Diaz said...

Did you hear me screaming when they announced your name? I had just left the spot I was taking pics, tho, and missed the shot!

I had the best time. Can't wait for next year.

Dalton Diaz said...

Did you hear me screaming when they announced your name? I had just left the spot I was taking pics, tho, and missed the shot!

I had the best time. Can't wait for next year.

Madison Scott said...

Looks like a blast! Wish I could have been there. Congrats on the award!!

KB Alan said...

Congratulations on your award! It was so great meeting you, I had a blast being at the best Bingo table ever. :D

Jan Springer said...

Congratulations your the award, Regina!! Sorry I couldn't be there as I had family commitments I haven't been able to get out of *frown* not for lack of trying.

Alas! Glad you guys had a great time!!! I will try for next year...crossing my fingers.

Ohhh great pic!! Yummy muscles!!
Huggers!
jan

Desiree Holt said...

Yes, it was totally fabulous. And may I say you are an incredible roomie. Loved seeing everyone and hope the rest of you can get there next year.

Regina Carlysle said...

I swear Dalton, I couldn't remember a damn thing once they called my name. LOL. Almost choked! Glad I didn't tho.

Regina Carlysle said...

Thanks Kenzie and Madison!

Regina Carlysle said...

OMG KB...could you believe the winning crew at our table??? I still can't believe it!

Regina Carlysle said...

You MUST try to come next year, Jan. What a blast!

Regina Carlysle said...

Des honey, what can I say? You are the BEST ROOMIE. Love ya Miz Feisty!

Nicole Austin said...

The picture turned out great. Hmm...maybe I can become Syn's assistant. :D

You deserve the award, Regina, and I'm so glad you're getting the recognition!

Is it October 2011 yet? I can't wait for the next RomantiCon!

Jenny Schmidlin said...

Regina, this was my first time in attendance, and I can honestly say I've never met a more wonderful group of people. All of you made me feel right at home although I'm not an EC writer yet (currently working on my first EC novel). Many of you took me under your wing, gave me great advice, offered to help me in any way you could, and treated me as though we've been friends forever. I appreciate that more than words can say. You ladies are the best. And I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I can't wait until we meet again next year. Jenny Schmidlin

Regina Carlysle said...

Hmmmm Nic! You might want to talk to her about that. You'd kick butt, I know! You made even ME look good! LOL. Can't tell you how great it is to have such great friends! And next year...it's a DATE.

Regina Carlysle said...

Jenny, you just keep on writing and get that sweet baby IN. Maybe next year you'll be pubbed with us. That would be TREMENDOUS and I wish you all the luck in the world. EC is a great place to be and I'm with you, I've never met a nicer, warmer bunch of people.

Lex Valentine said...

That's an awesome photo, Regina. I'm so glad you had a great time. After all you've been through you deserved this time to yourself to have fun and relax. Congratulations on the award too! You already know I love that series so I think it's a well deserved award!

Marianne Stephens said...

Thanks for the insight about RomantiCon. Missed you guys this year! And, you're very deserving of your award...what a great group of of cavemen surrounding you...yum!

Regina Carlysle said...

Thanks so much Lex. This HAS been a stressful year. I knew I needed a short break but I didn't realize until getting there how tired I really WAS. Just hoping it didn't show too much!

Regina Carlysle said...

We certainly missed you this year, Marianne. Hope you make it next year! It's a heck of a party.

Laurann Dohner said...

Regina, I'm so thrilled I got to meet you face to face and HUG you MANY times! LOL. I warned you I'm a hugger! I wasn't kidding. Romanticon and all the people there were just amazing. It was like Christmas! I can't wait until next year!!! I got to meet so many amazing people, a lot of them posting here on your blog.

Mona Risk said...

Thanks for the report. I couldn't make it this year, but will sure catch up next year. My, do you look lovely with all the hunks around you!!!

Paige Tyler said...

It was so great meeting you, Regina! RomantiCon totally rocked! And Angelo - whew! LOL!

Can't wait until next year!

*hugs*
Paige

Kathy Kulig said...

A well deserved award Regina. I've read your cowboys. Oh, I miss everyone already! What a wonderful time. Romanticon is the best conference. Looking forward to next year.

Regina Carlysle said...

Oops. Just seeing these additional comments. Sorry folks. Yes, Laurann, it was wonderful meeting you too. Like you, I'm a hugger and it was just so good to see everyone. What a fun time!

Regina Carlysle said...

Ah yes, Mona, I loved that nice wall of hunkiliciousness (is that a word? LOL) We missed you this year, honey.

Regina Carlysle said...

Oh yeah, Paige. WHEW is a good word for the yummy Angelo. Great to meet you.

Regina Carlysle said...

Many thanks for the kind words, Kathy! And you know I love writing them too. LOL. It was so wonderful to hang out with you at Romanticon. We will definitely meet up again next year.

Anne Rainey said...

Looks like a ton of fun! And congrats again on the award. You SO deserve it! :)

Regina Carlysle said...

Thanks Anne! Next year? You'd better be ther.