Hey everyone!
Honestly, I don’t even know where to begin. I am having the best time of my life at the Romance Writers of America conference. I mean, I was a little worried that I had built it up too much in my head. Seven years is a long time to fantasize about what it might be like, and I was bracing myself for disappointment.
It has exceeded all of my expectations.
Yesterday, I enjoyed a talk by Simone Elkeles (author of Perfect Chemistry) before I headed off for the Literacy signing.
Now that was insane.
(Picture is from the signing last year. I was too busy geeking out to take any photos)
It was essentially an enormous convention hall full of my all time favorite authors.
And I was free to romp among them!
I geeked out.
Hardcore.
It was quite possibly one of the best moments of my life. I started wandering the rows of authors, grinning like a loon, as I stalked located my all-time favorites.
It was actually quite challenging because I kept getting distracted by all the amazing authors around me.
For all you romance fans: I was able to chat with…
Victoria Dahl (known for her kickass Regency and Contemporary books. Also for her hilariously awesome tweets).
Tessa Dare (known for her hilarious historical romances. I mean, the sheep bombing! Inspired.)
Julia Quinn (Her romance novels are what hooked me on the genre. Absolutely amazing!)
Julie James (one of her characters is known as the Twitter Terrorist. Need I say more?)
Jennifer Estep (a wonderful writer in my KTeen family!)
…and Susan Andersen (Awesome author. Nicest person you will ever meet!)
All of them were absolutely wonderful.
AND THERE WERE SO MANY AWESOME PEOPLE!
I’ve got to say that I still think meeting Tessa Dare was the highlight of my RWA trip so far. I was waiting in line at her booth and she glanced at me and yelled, “Marni Bates!”
Then she ran around her booth so that she could give me a big hug.
I’m not even kidding.
If anyone starts talking smack to me about wasting time on Twitter, I’m going to point out that it allowed me to become friends with Tessa Dare.
She’s totally going to win the RITA for A Night to Surrender. I know she doesn’t think she’s going to get it, but she is wrong. Her novel completely deserves to win.
I’d also like to mention that all of my Twitter friends have been awesome in real life. I met my fellow KTeen author, Brigid Kemmerer, last night and I can’t wait to spend more time with her at our signing at Vroman’s on Saturday!
I know it only just started, but I never want to leave.
Seriously.
If spending the rest of my life in the Marriot with super-agents Laurie McLean and Pam Van Hylckama-Vlieg was an option, I would totally sign up for it. I can’t express how amazing it feels to be in such a supportive atmosphere.
And now I need to find New York Times Bestselling author Stephanie Laurens so that I can give her an ARC of Decked with Holly. Because she asked to read it.
Geeking out so freaking hard!
More later!
~Marni
Marni Bates 
Marni! I love this post. I’m so glad that you had so much fun at the RWA conference. It was lovely to see you in A-town; thank you for being willing to chat with me about writing, etc. You rock!
Hey Lucy!
I’m so glad you enjoyed my post. The conference was everything I wanted it to be and so much more! I highly recommend you go to one once you’ve finished writing your stellar novel! I had a fantastic time chatting with you in Ashland. I hope you keep me posted on your writing progress. 😀
~Marni
Will do!
Just wanted to pop in and say hi! It was fun to see you in the lobby yesterday, and then again at the YARWA event. Glad to hear you’re having such a great time at the conference. It’s wonderful, isn’t it? And thanks for the book recommendations. I love Julia Quinn’s books, and am always looking for witty historical romance.
Hey Caryn,
It was so great meeting you at the RWA! I’m really glad I was able to share that experience with you. It’s always a pleasure when I get to recommend great books to people who actually want to read them. I’ve just started Sara Lindsey’s books and they are absolutely fantastic. So you might want to check her out too! I hope I see you at the next RWA in Atlanta!
~Marni
Aww, YAY! I’m not a romance reader myself, but I love the excited geekery spilling out of this post (I can totally relate to that part). 😀 Sounds like you had an awesome time!!
Hey Ari!
Hah, soo much geekery was spilling out of me. I think I may have inadvertently scared some of my favorite authors. 😀 The conference was absolutely fantastic and now I am psyched to attend more major ones. Maybe next year I’ll see you at BEA!
~Marni