I swear. It has been soooo fun trolling facebook and looking for pictures from sunny California site of this years Romantic Times Convention. I scour each pic looking for friends and being jealous as hell that I wasn't there. siiiigh.Maybe next year. Now that my buds are home I'm really anxious to hear all the gossip and stories about the things they did. Over the past couple of years, I've considered attending this convention but always the length of the conference holds me back. Let's face it...six days is a mighty long time to live out of a suitcase and considering all the elaborate costumes involved for the numerous parties, it looks like an awful lot of work and preparation for one convention.
Must admit though, now that I've seen the pictures and heard some of the chatter, it is something I must consider. Looks like convention season has kicked off in spectacular fashion which has me wondering if any of you are considering a conference for authors and readers this year. I know a number of great ones are coming up this summer and fall. As for me, I will once again (third year in a row) attend Ellora's Cave's Romanticon convention in Akron, Ohio. I've already started gathering up promotional items to give away at the Swag Zone and during the giant booksigning on Sunday. Seriously, this is a not be missed event. I wouldn't dream of being anywhere else come September. EC always gives the best parties and I know everyone at this years RT went on and on about the Bollywood event. From personal experience, I can tell you EC throws the best parties around and I have first hand experience when I say Romanticon is a non-stop party and you'll never meet a nicer, more fun group of people ANYWHERE.
You can read all about Romanticon HERE!
So are you thinking about it yet? Admittedly there are a few other conferences I might consider in the future and I'm constantly talking with other author friends which ones are worth the bucks. Things to look for? Easy. Great venue, friendly people, good food and lots of parties. So what are we waiting for? I can already think of several dozen folks I would loooove to meet in person and spend some serious face-to-face time with. Lets meet up!
Reviews:
In the past few days I've gotten some great review news. Panther Moon (book two of the Savage Sanctuary series, EC) was voted Book of the Month at Sizzling Hot Book Reviews! Many, many thanks and hugs to those who voted! MUAH!
Sizzling Hot Book Reviews also reviewed Feral Moon (book one of the Savage Sanctuary series). You can read the full review HERE.
Panther Moon was just reviewed by Siren Book Reviews and received a Best Book rating. YAY! So many thanks to Cia at Siren. You can read the review HERE.
28 comments:
First- Great cover!
Second - I'm going to miss you at EC this year. *pout*
I'm going to the Lori Foster Event in June. I usually go ever year. :) Then in Oct. I'm going to New Orleans for GayRomLit. It's their first year and I can't wait. So GRL is my big conference this year. If I do RT in Chicago next year I might not be able to do the EC one either. I'll just have to see what I can save. lol
So many conferences and I haven't won the lottery yet! Hopefully I will get to attend some in the future. I plan to go to RAW this year. I know it's small but I think it's a good starting point.
RT is going to be in Chicago next year? SWEET! That's within driving distance for me!!!!
Still hoping to attend Lori's, but am afraid I won't make it to RomantiCon. Unless a miracle happens. Not going to jinx myself by making hotel reservations like I have the past two years. We'll see what happens with the spouse's retirement.
Oh, forgot to add: I saw the pics of Jimmy Thomas and doesn't he look like a younger Pierce Brosnan? Showed 'em to my daughter, who said he looked better on the cover, LOL!
Jambi, I'm gonna MISS YOUUUUUU at Romanticon. Anxious to see how we all like the new venue. Looks awesome. The New Orleans one will be a blast for you. Are you planning to take the haunted tours? I hear they are fun.
Jen, I actually LOVE a smaller conference and they are much cheaper. Romanticon isn't bad at ALL. It's around $250 to sign up and that includes all the parties w/meals, workshops and believe me, they give away TONS of goodies throughout the whole event. The rooms are about $50 ea. if you are sharing a double.
Noooo don't jinx yourself, Molly. This has happened to you twice now. I hope you come but knowing you, you need to wait till the last minute! LOL
Hmm. I do see a resemblance but to me, JT is a lot brawnier than Pierce ever was.
LOVE that cover! Yippee about the great reviews and totally deserved. Your books are always awesome though. No surprise!!! LOL!!!
I'm totally going to Romanticon!!! My tickets are bought, my suitcases waiting to be packed, waiting to see how much weight (hopefully) I lose to buy my costumes, and I'm really excited!!! I had the BEST time EVER there last year!!! It's totally worth the money and it was so fun!!! I can't wait to see you!
I'm hosting a Vamp/Ghost tour. Should be fun! :)
If it wasn't so close I could drive up for the signing...but the two events are like weeks apart. lol
I'm just like you, Laurann. Wouldn't miss ROmanticon for the world. I know you were disappointed about not getting to hit RT for at least a day. Very frustrating but what can you do when a little one is sick???? Have you been getting promo stuff together for Romanticon? I've already gotten a pretty good start.
Oooohh. A ghost/vamp tour. That sounds like soooo much fun!
I have been getting promo items. LOL. Rack cards and stuff. I think I'll make a basket too. Soooo excited!!!
That is a FAB new cover! I read Panther Moon so I know why it got such good reviews. :0) I am most definitely coming to Romanticon, and I can't wait to meet you and the other women I have met online. I'm not sure what to expect from the convention, but they sure sound fun. I'm still debating if and what to do for costumes. :0&. This will be my first conference, but next year I am hoping to be able to attend more. I'll have to kick into planning mode if I'm gonna make that happen.
Elece
I love your new cover!!! Way to go with another awesome piece of artwork for your collection. :)
Next year RT is in Chicago. I'm definitely planning on being there. Are you? I don't think I can make Romanticon, but if I can, I have a way to do it.
Gorgeous cover!!
My all time favorite is Balticon, a huge science fiction and fantasy convention held in Baltimore, Maryland. I met my husband and one of my closest friends there sixteen years ago. We're going again in 2012 after missing it for several years. I go as a speaker.
I'm also hoping to go the Erotic Writers Association convention in Las Vegas in September and Arisia (a SF/F con) in Boston next January.
I won the trip to Chicago next year through a publisher. Of course, I have no one to room with but I have family that lives in Elmhurst and Lincoln Park, so I think I'm covered. I'm not sure what my trip covers, so I don't know if its for the week or just the weekend.
I'm not much of a costume person, so I'm not sure if I would do that or not.
Trust me, I followed Angela James on Twitter for all of her pics and they were awesome.
The one convention that I would love to go to is RomantiCon. They were the first ebook publisher that I bought from and I'm loyal to a fault. Mine excuse is not enough vacation time at work. I only have 5 days per year so I'm very limited on when I take it.
If they had something near Dallas, that would rock. Houston, too. LOL!
You'll really enjoy making a basket, Laurann. I sure did. Shoot, I did four of them and readers just loved winning them. One I did by myself and the others I did with groups of authors. Lots of fun. I've ordered some postcards and magnets. Already have pens. I think maybe one more item for the swag zone and I'll be finished.
Elece, you are so damn sweet, honey and you know I can't wait to meet you at Romanticon. I promise you will NOT meet a stranger. Everyone is so sweet and fun. I'm not even thinking about costumes. To be honest there are always great ones there but I'm not much into that kind of stuff! LOL. Just not very creative with that sorta thing.
Mia you KNOW I want you to come to Romanticon!!!!! If you can swing it, you should come and hang out with me. Seriously. You know you are one of my fave chicks in the whole world.
Thanks on the cover stuff. Lordy,I've been really lucky with them. I can never decide which is my favorite.
Both of those sound like a blast, Lizzie!
Harley, the RT trip sounds amazing and to have that paid for is soooo coool. Bet they have a loop for RT attendees and I'm guessing you'd have no trouble finding a roomie. Seriously, an awesome chick like you???? Yes yes yes...you must come to Romanticon when you get a chance. Figure I should buy you a drink or three.
As you know, Romanticon is on my list. I'm not really interested in the expensive ones right now. Maybe later on.
but if I go to Romanticon, I get to meet Regina Carlysle! Woot!
And I get to meet Tess MacKall...double WOOOT! You know we have been great friends for soooo long and it would be miraculous and all kinds of good stuff if we could get together in person!
I'd love to go to Romanticon, but I don't think I could swing that one for a year or two. I'd love to meet you, Regina, and you too, Tess. Imagine the three of us tearing apart the town? LOL
I have conventions down to a science. I leave my shoes in my room and walk around barefoot all day and night. I always bring my own food - deli meat for sandwiches, a bottle or two of tonic water, a bottle of wine, and my required Pepperidge Farm cookies! I NEVER attend a con without my Pepperidge Farm cookies. :) With my own food, drinks, and snacks, I don't worry about blowing lots of money at restaurants. Leaves more money for the dealer's room, art show purchases, and liquor. :) Oh, and bring a bathing suit in case the pool and hot tub are open. Yummy!
Don't tease Tess and I, Lizzie. We would LOVE that!
Love love love that gorgeous cover! Big congrats!
Best--Adele
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