Day Three of RWA and All Those Lovely Book Singings

**THE BLOGGER GALS OF SAN FRANCISCO!**

Greetings from New Jersey! I have arrived safe and sound back in my neck of the woods.
And let me get this out of the way...

AMAZON DID NOT SHIP BREAKING DAWN TO ME!!!! That means I won't have that book in my hands till Monday!! *SOB*. And er... I made the bad mistake of reading some of the reviews posted on Amazon already. I really deserve to be smacked! Some jackass reviewer wrote some major spoilers about the story. So, no all day Breaking Dawn Sunday reading. *SOB*

I assume everyone wants to know how I spent my final day in San Francisco! I went to all the signings they had which ranged from Avon, Grand Central Publishing, Berkley and Harlequin. I also went to the luncheon where Connie Brockway was the guest speaker and sat with Alys and the lovely Meredith Duran. Shameless plus for Meredith- if you haven't read Duke of Shadows, go forth and do so!! (Christine, give me back my copy! :P)

Without further ado, here are the pictures I took of the various authors at the signings I went to:

AVON:

Kathryn Smith/ Susan Elizabeth Philips/ Julia Quinn

Grand Central Publishing:

Carolyn Jewel/ Cheryl Holt also know as Vanessa Marlow/ Shari Anton

Luncheon with Connie Brockway:

Yummy desert!/ Connie Brockway

Berkley

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Preview

Meljean Brook/Robin D. Owen/ Chris Marie Green

Harlequin- Sorry, no picture where taken :(

After the various signings, Kristie and I were invited to Dorchester's author dinner which took place at a lovely Italian restaurant that has the habit of refilling your wine with glass every time you look away:

New author, Helen Scott Taylor & Gerri Russell/ Farrah Rochon

**Book Binge ladies, I met Farrah! NAH NAH :P. Farrah and I had a lovely chat about all of you. Holly, Casee, Isabel and Rowena, you are so loved!**

After the Dorchester dinner, Kristie and I met up with Wendy and Alys to go to the Harlequin party. An hour or so into the party, I crashed big time. The week long excitement became a bit too much for me and as I saw Jane from DA and SB Sarah, the waterworks started falling. I began to cry tears of happiness, which I must blame on my utter lack of exhaustion. I really don't think they realize how so very special they are to me. They probably hear this a lot from other fellow bloggers, but because of their advice and willingness to help in anyway, they gave me the strength to attend RWA and be able to hold my head high and feel as if I belong. (and they didn't run away from me when they saw me in the lobby :P)

Such a crazy, emotional fun week! And, tomorrow I hope to have a more insightful post about my thoughts about RWA and about everyone I have met. I will consider that to my final post about RWA.

Honestly, this week wasn't for me, it was for everyone who couldn't be there. I hope my words and pictures this week gave you joy and happiness just like it has done for me.

Now excuse me as I sleep in my own bed tonight. After only sleeping less than 25 hours over a 5 day period, I am due to sleep in on a Sunday. Also, I have lost 6 pounds in the last week and a half from nerves. For once, I didn't want to through the scale against the wall.

Katiebabs (KB)

one more to come...

We Interrupt RWA News

to bring you the bestest news!!!

Yes peeps - back to the Crusade for a moment. We have us another Crusader. Shannon watched it and has joined The Team!!

My final Day at RWA

As I type this, I will be leaving in a few hours to board a plane back home. I would do a post about all my Friday fun at RWA, but with time restraints, I will have to wait till Sunday to give you all the news since I won't arrive home tonight till 9pm EST. In 5 days I have had less that 25 hours of sleep and I AM EXHAUSTED!

Friday was the best day of this conference mainly because of the amount of people I met and interacted with along with the mind blowing signings. I have more than enough books to keep me busy for years. And I am quite proud of myself that I can still fit all that in my suitcases.

So much more to post, and so many pictures. All will be here in a day or two.
And now I say good bye San Francisco, RWA and NEW JERSEY, YOUR GIRL IS COMING BACK TO YOU!!!

AND I WILL HAVE BREAKING DAWN IN MY LITTLE HANDS!!!! WOOT!!!!!!
anybody go to the Midnight parties?

Later Gators. :D

Katiebabs (KB)

KRISTIE AND I ARE IN THE TODAY SHOW SEGMENT!!

OMG!! Watch for Kristie and myself walking through the romance section in the Today show segment about RWA and romance!!!

WOOT!!

TODAY SHOW RWA SEGMENT

Katiebabs (KB) I am in the white sweater *G*

End of Day Two (or is it day three?) of RWA

It is now Thursday, or I think it is. The past few days have been a whirlwind of nerves, excitement and fun. I started my day having breakfast again at good old Denny's with Rosie, Wendy the Super Librarian and Lisabea. This time I had some eggs instead of their french toast. I have a bad habit of drinking too much coffee and I can say I now know where all the hotel bathrooms are.

I went to my first publishing signing that was only open to the RWA attendees. It was the Harlequin Blaze line and I met Leslie Kelly and Hope Tarr, who has written the first historical romance under the blaze line (and the books were free!).

The very first luncheon of RWA I would be attending is the Keynote Luncheon that featured Victoria Alexander as the guest speaker. The food there was excellent and Victoria was an amazing speaker. She had the whole room laughing and clapping at the same time.

After the luncheon I went to go see Nora Roberts speak and she opened the floor to ask questions. I was in awe!! Nora Roberts was honest, funny and simply amazing. Her own writing method is wonderful. She thinks of writing as her job, where she writes six to eight hours an day, Monday to Friday. And when someone asked her the best way to write, Nora simply said, you sit your ass in your chair and just write. RIGHT ON!!

I spent most of the afternoon talking with various other authors such as Victoria Dahl, Lorelei Long and a few more reviewers and bloggers. As I was chatting, Ciaralira noticed, Pocket historical romance author Meredith Duran (she is the author I am sitting next to in the picture above) who wrote the wonderful book, Duke of Shadows (which I reviewed here *G*). Ciaralira and I quickly went over to Meredith and we chatted with Meredith for almost an hour. Meredith is another wonderful author I have had the pleasure to meet this week. She is also working on her P.H.D. and has two books coming out back to back next year. WOW!

I decided tonight would be a bit more relaxed so Alys, Kristie and I had a wonderful dinner at a great steakhouse. I also made sure to give my daily call to Christine, like I have done everyday this week to give her all the information she is missing. (I miss my Jersey blogger pal!)

We came back to the hotel and had a few drinks at the bar and as I was sitting there, I saw Linnea Sinclair and her husband. Again, Linnea is truly one of the most precious people I have ever met. She chatted with Kristie and I about her books and even Kate Douglas stopped by to join in. (BTW, Ana and Thea aka my Powerpuff Gals, I mentioned you both to Linnea. I told her, I hope all our reviews of her books and posts can make a difference and help her with PR. Linnea is so very grateful. And Jace, Linnea mentioned you and how much she loves your blog and the lovely bookmark you sent to her) Not only did I chat with Linnea, but I also talked with Mr. Sinclair and since both Linnea, Mr. Sinclair and I are from New Jersey we had some good laughs and talked about various sites and landmarks we have visited in the state. We also talked about Jersey accents, of course I don't have a Jersey accent, thank god!

It was close to midnight and that is the, "turning into pumpkin" hour for me. Up to the room I went to get ready for bed and some Friday fun at RWA. Tomorrow there are mass signings, a great luncheon with speaker, Connie Brockway and another wonderful author I have been waiting years to meet, and that is Meljean Brook, who Lisabea, Ciaralira and I will try very hard not to be too fan girly when we meet her. I hope I don't embarrass myself and trip over my own two feet*G*

Katiebabs (KB)

more to come tomorrow...

Reporting from RWA

Kristie here.

Believe it or not, I'm going to talk about something other than my feet - which still hurt by the way, but I'm sure it's getting kind of boring by now.
Instead, I'd rather talk about some of the other moments that have been so thrilling so far. The news is out now that Jane and Sarah were interviewed yesterday for the Today show. We got there early and one of the thrills was being early enough to listen to a brief reading Beverly Jenkins did. I have some of her books. as yet unread, but after listening to her speak and buying the book she did the reading from at the literacy signing last night, it's going to be one of the first books I read when I get home.
Last night we had a party in Jane's room. Details are to remain untalked about but it was a lot of fun! Both Jane and Sarah are such delightful warm people. Angie was there too and she is so adorable and sweet. There were also other great people there.
Today I went outside for a bit of a break by myself and who was there but Madeline Hunter. I had a delightful short chat with her. She is a very funny person and was telling a couple of other conference people and myself a few stories about writing workshops she had attended. The other ladies left and I worked up the courage to tell her how much I had enjoyed her books. Then I worked up even more courage and handed her a card. Now I'm not sure if I've mentioned this or not, but I had oh so much fun on Vista Print designing cards with the blog banner. On the back is a scene from North and South - I'm sure no one is too surprised about that. It turns out she had read the novel years ago by Elizabeth Gaskell and loved it. She didn't know it had been turned into a series so hopefully I talked well enough about it to get her interested.
Another very fascinating conversation I had was with two sisters who were each here to pitch their books to someone. One had written a paranormal and the other sister wrote a medieval. But what was really interesting was when they were telling me they had their father read them to see what he thought and he loved them and wanted more. I thought that was so wonderful that there father was so supportive of them.
I just got back to the room from the Keynote Luncheon. First off, the food was delicious. Then second of all, Alice and I sat a different table from the others and one of the other people at the table had visited the blog and recognized my name. Wow!! You could have knocked me over with a feather at that *g*.
The Keynote speaker was Victoria Alexander and her speech was funny and interesting and very enjoyable. I didn't make the luncheon last year in Dallas and I'm so glad I made it to this one here in SF.
Everyone else has gone on to workshops/meetings - some to listen to Nora Roberts and some to a workshop Elizabeth Hoyt is giving. I think I'm going to take this time to rest. I'm still hours behind on my rest!!
I'm enjoying myself so much - apart from the feet thing. I missed a lot of authors I was hoping to meet last night, but I've got my fingers crossed that I will catch them later. I really do need to make a list of the books I planned on getting but didn't so I can either get the later here or get them when I get home.
And the goodie room - oh my it is filled with wonderful goodies. I've gotten a lot of fridge magnets that I plan on putting on my new fridge. Makes sense right? I've also gotten quite a few cover flats that I want to line the 'library' with at home. I also like them because quite a few are for books not out yet and they are a great reminder of books I want later.
I can't begin to say what it's like to be surrounded by people who love romance. It's like I'm with my 'people'. I know I won't get around to talking to everyone - it's a constant battle against shyness for me - but to know I can go up to a total stranger and start talking books is a wonderful thing!!

I'm sure I'll have more to say soon - but right now I need a bit of rest for whatever tonight might hold.

End of Day One of RWA

Today was the official start of RWA and it was everything great and more. I finally met Samhain Publishing's Senior Editor, Angela James, who had breakfast with myself, Sula, Lisabea, Rosie, Kristie and Alice at Denny's. (hmmm french toast!) Angela is very funny and sweet!

After a great breakfast, I went to get registered where I got my badge, the weekly program, a bag full of books and a quick trip to the goody room where there was so many pens, magnets, and other freebies that would make you giddy.

A very excited thing happened today. Jane from Dear Author, SB Sarah, various other bloggers and romance author, Beverly Jenkins were taped for a segment that will air on The Today show this coming Friday between 8-9am ET. Yes, NBC is in San Francisco reporting about RWA! Welcome to the mainstream! And it is about time!

The biggest event of the night was the "Readers for Life" Literacy Autographing Signing with over 400 authors. I volunteered to sell raffles on the floor. I was almost trampled by the Nora Roberts and Sherrilyn Kenyon fans. And they weren't really excited about buying raffles and gave me strange looks as if I was trying to cut in front of them.

After two and a half hours of walking around the room to the point where my feet were about to fall off, I was finally free and was let loose to meet some authors.

Want to see who I met?

Ann Aguirre/ Linnea Sinclair and Me

Alice, Me, Eve Silver (Kenin)/ Diana Holquist/ Me and Linda Wisdom/ Elizabeth Boyle

Me & C.L. Wilson/ Me and Nalini Singh

Ciaralira/Anna Campbell and Me/ Joanna Bourne and Me/ Eden Bradley

The night was an amazing experience because every one of these authors I took pictures with were as excited to meet me as I was to meet them. I met some of my favorite authors and they all were so very, very nice. And I didn't just hold out my hand and introduce myself. Instead, they wanted hugs and even wanted to take pictures of me! I didn't stutter or make a fool of myself. What an incredible night I will always treasure forever!

Katiebabs (KB) **Don't you love the "deer caught in the headlight look" I have in these pictures?**
stay tuned for day 2 of RWA...

UPDATE: The Literarcy Signing made $58,000!!

RWA Day 1 Exhaustion

After trying to sell raffles for 3 hours during the literacy signing, my back is killing me!
I know I should write some insightful and thrilling up to date blog but I am beat.
Tomorrow I promise I will post wonderful pictures from the signing and the authors I met and who are truly wonderful ladies.

More to come...

Katiebabs (KB) *yawn*
:D

Kristie here

Well - I'm back from the Literacy Signing. My body is moving at a great deal less than warp speed. You see - remember the other night when I said about the walking? Well - if you go to Dear Author, you can read Jane's Big News. She rocked in her interview!! So did Sarah and Kassia and Marcella. We know this because some of us went with them to offer moral support. And we walked there. Well, we walked almost the whole way, then there was a mix up and Sarah bravely jumped in front of a cab to hail it down to take us the rest of the way.
After the whole thing which you can read at DA was over, they all decided to walk home. Now this little blogger is not in the greatest of shape and wanted to cab it back SO BAD IT WASN'T FUNNY!!! But every one else was walking so I figured I would too. But - after that walk home and then standing in line for 45 minutes to get into the literacy signing, Feet, those poor little dear things at the end of my legs, that I already slightly abused when I got a manicure for the Toes to treat them, but it turned out to be not such a treat for the little dears, started screaming at me!! Seriously! I'm surprised everyone around me didn't hear them yelling. They certainly let me know they were not very pleased with me. And part way through the Literacy Signing, they quit. Those little dears just up and quit. So what could I do but listen to them and get them back to the room. I missed getting a lot of books I wanted, but I did manage to score a few. I got the book that Beverly Jenkins was reading earlier. What a nice person she is - and almost a neighbour - geographically speaking. I also got Jill Monroe to sign a book for me :). And a got a couple of Hope Tarr books. I got a few more and I'll list them next time. But the biggest score was Shades of Dark by Linnea Sinclair!!!!!! Happy Dance! Happy Dance!.
Now we have something planned for when the Literacy Signing closes shortly. I'm hoping Feet will be happy enough that I don't plan on putting shoes back on them for the rest of the night and cooperate by starting to move again.


I'll be back with more news - and hopefully not so rebellious Feet!

RWA - Day 3

Kristie Here

The fun has begun!!!!!
I was on my way to the elevator when I door opened in front of me. I looked up and yelled out Jill Monroe!!!! Gena Showalter!!!!!!! I can't believe it!!! AAAAAAAHHHHHH. Then I collapsed on the wall. This was my poor imitation of their hilarious Kresley Cole.
I was half serious though - what a thrill to see them. I adore their Author talk to Author videos. And guess what - they look and sound exactly like they do in their videos. And Jill's voice did NOT give me a headache.

Then Rosie, Sula, Alice, Kate, Lisabea and I went to breakfast with the cute and adorable Angie of Evil Editor/Wonderful Mommy. (I don't linking but I'm on a laptop with no mouse and I'm not used to working without a mouse.

More to come later
Right now we are all back in the room talking sex and books!!! Good conversation.

RWA HAS BEGUN!!

I am off to register for my very first Writers' Conference!

WATCH OUT EVERYONE BECAUSE HERE I COME!!!

Wish me luck! :D

PS... Screw the potted plants, I really don't need them!

Katiebabs (KB)

Day 2 - a day later

Kristie here. Until things actually get started here I may as well go on and on and ramble about the side stuff. I didn't blog about yesterday yesterday so I'm doing it today. As Katie mentioned we went on a 5 hour tour. Now I'm not much of a sight seeing person so that's enough to satisfy me as far as that goes. I have pictures to show people back home now and that will work.
What Katie didn't mention is the tour director. I don't take many tours - as I don't get away that much and I'm not much of a sight seeing person but I think in the world of tour directors, she has to stand out as one of the toughest. That woman SCARED me. She got on the bus and started out by saying "you people WILL NOT be late getting back on the bus will you? Because if one person is late then that holds up everyone else and I DO NOT want to be behind the other group. Whenever we stopped to get off for some picture taking she would say It's is now 10:13 and we WILL be back on the bus by 10:27. She had me intimidated let me tell you!
One piece of advice to anyone reading this that I learned by experience. if you are going to be doing a lot of walking, do not wait until that day to break in a new pair of shoes. This is not a wise thing to do. I did it and I paid. As if my feet weren't tired enough from the day before, I put on a brand new pair of running shoes, shiny and white. Not a good idea. I should have brought my old broke in, dirty pair of lived in runners. It didn't take long before my feet were sore all over again.
At one point we were on top of Russian Hill and the tour director had anyone who wanted to, get off the bus to walk down as it was too steep to take the bus. Between a very bad case of vertigo and real tired feet, I decided to stay on the bus and meet all the 'walkers' at the bottom. I wouldn't have felt so bad about this decision if a tiny little old lady who had to be in her 80's at least and used a cane got off the bus to hike down the hill. I don't know how she did - I wasn't there, but she didn't seem to be huffing and puffing to bad at all. So I told myself it was the vertigo - it was the vertigo.
Ah well - I was going to write more but Katie and Rosie are have an interesting talk that I'm missing so I will be back later with more :)

Talk to you later

San Francisco Day Two (Pre RWA Conference)

It is about 10pm PT time and I am sitting in the Marriott lobby bar with some of my favorite blogging gals such as Ciaralira, Rosie, Wendy the Super Librarian, Lisabea, Sula, and Kristie. We are all waiting for Jane from Dear Author to arrive. Also among our group, is soon to be published author Carrie Lofty who has her own book, What A Scoundrel Wants, due out in December.

Alys, Tracy, Kristie and I went on a 5 hour tour of San Francisco (Insert your Gilligan comments here) I think my legs are about to fall off, and my face is so windburned that I look like a ripe read tomato. Rather than go on and on about my fabulous day, I think pictures will give you a better idea...

Our ferry, the "Sonoma"/ Alcatraz Island (Ever see the movie, "The Rock"?)


Kristie, Alys, Kate and Tracy


Me in front of the Golden Gate Bridge


Postcard Row aka "Full House" Remember the opening of the show?

Tomorrow is the official start of RWA 2008! *GULP...*
And I still haven't found one potted plant in the lobby to hide behind yet!

Katiebabs (KB)
more to come tomorrow....

San Francisco - Day One

Kristie here. When last I posted, it was 1:00 in the morning and I couldn't get to sleep. Sadly things didn't get much better. I was still up at 2:00 am and at 3:00 am. I may have dozed off at 3:30, but then the alarm clock went off at 4:00.
It was a looooonnnnggggg day. But as I was sitting in the shuttle bus on the way to the hotel, I thought to myself "fuck me!! I made it all the way to San Francisco by myself!" I think that's the first time I've ever thought 'fuck me' in that kind of way - but somehow it fit!
I met Kate, Alice and Tracy in Starbucks in the hotel where we had to wait for the room to be readied. Then we met up with Ciara in the room and then Sula joined us and we went out for dinner. I was thinking someplace within walking distance. But they conigerie or whatever it is he's called idea of walking distance and mine is a tad different. We walked and walked and walked until my poor feet were screaming at me. I'd had no sleep the night before, a 4:00 alarm clock, a two hour drive to the border, then a half hour wait at customs where they asked it I'd ever been refused entry to the US, ever been arrested and why I was going to the US. Once again I answered to a ROMANCE writers conference. Then I had about a 3 hour wait at the airport in Detroit and a 4 1/2 hour flight! So walking 47 blocks (ok - maybe that's a slight exageration - and I don't care if I did spell that word wrong) - but it seemed 47 blocks - was a bit of a tough slog. But the six of us had a nice time - and now everyone but me is in bed getting ready to sleep so I'm ending right now because it's after 11:00 SF time but it would be about 1:00 am London time.
No author sightings yet - but it was ever so much fun meeting Kate and Alys and Tracy and Ciara and Beth.
Night for now

San Francisco Day One (Pre RWA Conference)

I have arrived in San Francisco, safe and sound! After a 6 hour flight, Alys met me at the SF airport and Tracy soon came in afterwards. Two things about the weather in San Francisco for those who are still packing, it is very windy and cold, around 60 degree. *Brr...* Better pack an extra sweater. Better yet, a parka. Plus, gas is almost $5.00 a gallon! (in NJ gas is $3.85 a gallon).

Alys was our tour guide as we took the BART, which is the handy dandy SF subway system, and we arrived safe and sound at the Marriott where the RWA conference will be held. And the BART is literally around the corner from the hotel! Plus there are 3 Starbucks in walking distance and a huge Old Navy on the same street as the hotel! *G*

Katie and Alys

We were waiting for Kristie(J) to arrive and she came soon after we did! Hugs were given by all and we had coffee and chatted in the Starbucks in the hotel lobby. And you bet I powered up my laptop, because I was going through with drawl, especially from lovely Twitter. That website will suck you in and won't let you go!

I know a majority of people are arriving tomorrow afternoon, but there are some early arrivals such as Sula and Ciaralira! We all decided to eat at a great Thai restaurant.

Menu/My fabulous mojito/The women's bathroom sign cracks me up!


Me and Sula praising my wonderful mojito


This is us after a few drinks!

After a wonderful dinner with drinks and some great books talk, we all finished up the night with big smiles and promises to get together for more fun tomorrow!Kristie/Tracy/Alys/Sula/Ciaralira (I am taking the picture)

Day Two is a five hour tour of the city for Tracy, Alys, Kristie and myself. How much trouble can we all get in?

More to come tomorrow...

Katiebabs (KB)

It Is 6AM...

And I am ready to leave for the airport to catch my plane for San Francisco, and this is how I feel:

At least I can catch a few more ZZZ's on the plane! :D

Next time I post I will be in San Francisco. The place will never be the same way again after my visit. ;D

Katiebabs (KB)

It's quarter to three - there's no one in the place except you and me.

OK - it's not really quarter to three. And I'm here all by myself except for Zina The Princess Not A Warrior Cat.
It is 1:00 am though and I have to get up a 4:00 am in order to start getting ready. But in order to GET up, I have SLEEP first! I've been trying since 9:30 pm. I'm over half way done my plane book so that throws a monkey wrench into the the plans.
But I'm going to try again. I have two alarm clocks set in case one doesn't work. Here's hoping I don't fall into a deep sleep and sleep through both of them!