Sunday, April 20, 2008
My Adventures at RT
I have to preface this blog by saying it's well after midnight, I've had a day from Hell, and I'm exhausted. Therefore, rambling and nonsensical statements are to be expected and forgiven.
So this weekend I drove up to Pittsburgh. I wanted to attend the Romantic Times Booksigning and my parents wanted to see Kiddo, so it seemed like the perfect plan. Throw in traffic issues and mechanical issues and the plan starts to lose it's shine. But, this is not going to be a whiney blog. I'll save that for my personal one later this week.
I did attend the booksigning and it was great. There were SO MANY authors there. Some I already knew, some I'd only talked to online, and some I was
introduced to for the first time. Sophia Nash, Kathryn Caskie, and Cathy Maxwell were all their wonderful selves. Somehow I forgot to take a picture of Sophia but she's like a total hottie model and would have shown us all up so that's alright. And yes, Kathryn is uber-tall.
I also met a couple of Banditas from the Romance Bandits Lair. Christie Kelly was so sweet and Donna MacMeans even let me wear her hat. Isn't she the bestest? I didn't want to make Christie
squeeze out from behind the table and lets face it, the less pictures I'm in, the better.
I also talked to Madeline Hunter to whom I said the worst thing. Yes, I said, "I'm a HUGE FAN!" Ok, I didn't yell it or anything but I still can't believe THAT was my opening line. *sigh*
I searched for Kim Harrison but I couldn't find her. I swear Sin, I tried. But I did get you this picture. I didn't talk to J.R. Ward because I don't read her books and her line was really long, but I did get a picture of her signing someone's book. This was my third try as she kept moving. That woman is fast.
And last but not least, if you know anything about the Romantic Times Convention, you know there are always cover models in attendance. The room was crawling with them. Intelligent woman I am, I used my child to get a picture with one. This is Jimmy Thomas. I asked if we could have a picture because my daughter was too embarrassed to ask him. He probably didn't fall for it but I got my picture so who cares. Oh, and when I went to find his website I couldn't believe it was the same guy. And I'd looked at that site before though I have no idea why. Well, I mean I know but I can't remember specifically...oh, nevermind.
And for fun, here's my dad, Kiddo and my sis. (Mom is in that bathroom behind them so she missed her blog debut) This was their first event of this kind so I'm hoping this is breaking them in for someday coming to see me at one of these things. I should be so lucky. And yes, my child was the ONLY one there and we kept having to hide bookmarks with Erotica stuff on them. Though she left with lots of goodies anyway. She received a fanny pack, a tiara (which she has been wearing ever since - even into Cracker Barrel today), a ring that lights up and a giant white and purple candy cane. The candy cane was also from an Erotica author and I don't want to know what other people do with theirs.
How about you? Have you ever been to one of these giant signings? Have you ended up spending a year's salary on books? (I only beat my NJ total by five bucks so I did good.) And are you like me and feel terrible walking past all those authors who look at you longingly, waiting for you to come talk to them and buy their book? And check out the blond dude in the background of that pic with Jimmy. That dude was really scary looking in person. His hair was Fabio-esque but his chest hair (of which there was ALOT) was dark black. Uhm...either wax or color it all doofus.
So this weekend I drove up to Pittsburgh. I wanted to attend the Romantic Times Booksigning and my parents wanted to see Kiddo, so it seemed like the perfect plan. Throw in traffic issues and mechanical issues and the plan starts to lose it's shine. But, this is not going to be a whiney blog. I'll save that for my personal one later this week.
I did attend the booksigning and it was great. There were SO MANY authors there. Some I already knew, some I'd only talked to online, and some I was introduced to for the first time. Sophia Nash, Kathryn Caskie, and Cathy Maxwell were all their wonderful selves. Somehow I forgot to take a picture of Sophia but she's like a total hottie model and would have shown us all up so that's alright. And yes, Kathryn is uber-tall.I also met a couple of Banditas from the Romance Bandits Lair. Christie Kelly was so sweet and Donna MacMeans even let me wear her hat. Isn't she the bestest? I didn't want to make Christie
squeeze out from behind the table and lets face it, the less pictures I'm in, the better.I also talked to Madeline Hunter to whom I said the worst thing. Yes, I said, "I'm a HUGE FAN!" Ok, I didn't yell it or anything but I still can't believe THAT was my opening line. *sigh* I searched for Kim Harrison but I couldn't find her. I swear Sin, I tried. But I did get you this picture. I didn't talk to J.R. Ward because I don't read her books and her line was really long, but I did get a picture of her signing someone's book. This was my third try as she kept moving. That woman is fast.
And last but not least, if you know anything about the Romantic Times Convention, you know there are always cover models in attendance. The room was crawling with them. Intelligent woman I am, I used my child to get a picture with one. This is Jimmy Thomas. I asked if we could have a picture because my daughter was too embarrassed to ask him. He probably didn't fall for it but I got my picture so who cares. Oh, and when I went to find his website I couldn't believe it was the same guy. And I'd looked at that site before though I have no idea why. Well, I mean I know but I can't remember specifically...oh, nevermind.And for fun, here's my dad, Kiddo and my sis. (Mom is in that bathroom behind them so she missed her blog debut) This was their first event of this kind so I'm hoping this is breaking them in for someday coming to see me at one of these things. I should be so lucky. And yes, my child was the ONLY one there and we kept having to hide bookmarks with Erotica stuff on them. Though she left with lots of goodies anyway. She received a fanny pack, a tiara (which she has been wearing ever since - even into Cracker Barrel today), a ring that lights up and a giant white and purple candy cane. The candy cane was also from an Erotica author and I don't want to know what other people do with theirs.How about you? Have you ever been to one of these giant signings? Have you ended up spending a year's salary on books? (I only beat my NJ total by five bucks so I did good.) And are you like me and feel terrible walking past all those authors who look at you longingly, waiting for you to come talk to them and buy their book? And check out the blond dude in the background of that pic with Jimmy. That dude was really scary looking in person. His hair was Fabio-esque but his chest hair (of which there was ALOT) was dark black. Uhm...either wax or color it all doofus.
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34 comments:
Ter! Sounds like it was a totally awesome time. I've never been to a conference, I'm hoping ot go to my first one this year (NJ) And I'm sure MH didn't mind the compliment. It's something we all want to hear one day...
And cover models everywhere? Sigh...
No I've never been to one, but I'm glad you had so much fun!!:) And, yeah, I've spent a LOT of money on books before...
oh, there they are, just my stupid computer probably.
I have never been to one either. I'm glad you had fun though! I should have packed the fam up to visit this one too. Instead, I cleaned the house and did landscaping. hoorah.
I'm not seeing the pics though, is it just me?
PS. Ter, you look beeyootiful. And your daughter is gorgeous. You'll be beating the boys back with a stick before you know it. (Not to cause you any additional anxiety).
Dang it, Terri. For some reason all I'm getting is that little red X instead of the pix---all I want to see is you and the Little Bos'unette anyway. Glad the good outweighed the bad on the trip.
I'be been to nothing. No conferences. lectures. signings, nothing. Almost decided to go to the MERWA thing which you told me about, but flaked out. I am becoming a total hermit and envy both your mix-and-mingling chutzpah and driving skills.
Tiff - you'd be in heaven at this one. Those Ellora's Cavemen were walking around and I'm pretty sure I recognized one from my old calendar. Man, I was sorry to see that year (07) end.
Kelly - The RT is in Orlanda next year so score for you!
Marn - glad the pics came through and it would have been better if I'd had more time. I didn't even get up there until almost midnight Friday night and then left just after noon Sunday. What I've learned is I'm getting too old for this crap. LOL!
Maggie - Oh, I'm sorry the pics won't come through. If you right click on one and select properties, it will give you the actual weblink address. You can copy that and paste it into your address line. That way you just see the pic and the next time you open the page, it will be right there.
And I do hope you'll try one of these things. I keep telling you how much you're going to like it. It's not like going to anything else. It's like the best, most welcoming gathering of terrific women who all love the same thing. I'm sure I'm not explaining it right but once you go, you'll understand what I mean.
Marn - forgot to say thanks for the compliments. Yeah, she'll be the death of me. Especially since no one ever believes she's 8. Do you know what that's going to mean when she's 15????
Never been to a huge book signing like that one but I did go to a Meg Cabot signing and I was overwhelmed by the amount of crazed tween fans! It was fun, but tiring and I only stood in line for one author... lol!
How long was the average line wait?
I think I'd feel bad if I saw an author who didn't seem to have much of a following and nobody was in their line. Then again, I would hope that they understand that some people just have huge followings and that their time will come.
(oh, and blonde dude looks scary!)
Steph - the first signing I ever attended was for Nora and Eloisa at Nora's husband's bookstore in Boonsboro. That took forever and you had to get a number for when it was your turn to stand in line. But that was also fun.
The lines weren't long for most authors as everyone kept moving pretty much. But for the big names who were seperate from the long tables (JR Ward, Heather Graham), the lines were maybe 5 to 10 people long but never seemed to get smaller.
And I know! LOL! You should have seen him up close. *shivers*
Terrio, I met Madeline Hunter at a Nora Robert's booksigning last April. All I could say is "I just love your books." To Julia Quinn I could say nothing. Okay it was quite hot and I did have to ride herd on my 4 year old at the time but I was inarticulate...gah.
The bosunette is growing fast. She is just gorgeous. Sorry to hear your trip was not the smoothest.
Hey, Amanda. Thanks for stopping by. I know, isn't she tall?! Gah, I can't keep the child full. Don't get me started on how often she grows out of things.
It wasn't a bad trip, we did have a great time Saturday. I never thought I'd take my dad to one of those but he seemed to love it. Then again, he was surrounded by women which is my dad's favorite thing to be. LOL!
Now, if my transmission would just act right!
Oh, good. Got most of them the regular way. Your daughter is the cutest thing ever and you're not so bad yourself! And I know you're right...must get out of my pajamas and into the world...
Oh, and thanks to Maggie for the Kiddo's new nickname. Bo'sunette - that's so cute! LOL!
Too bad Captain Jack wasn't there! I wouldn't mind seeing his chest hair. :-)
Love the photos and being able to put a face with your name, Terrio. Your first mate is a cutie pie!
I've never been to RT before. Sounds a lot like the Literacy Signing at RWA Nationals except with hunky dudes parading around. Was Fabio there? Or has he been taken out to pasture? :-)
I had to scroll back up to look at the blond guy with black chest hair. Too funny.
I would have used any excuse to have my picture taken with that guy. "Hi, my IMAGINARY friend, Stacey, is too shy to ask you--what a wallflower--but she's dying to have her picture taken with you. Here. She'll stand over here. Stacey...there you are. And I'll stand on this side so she doesn't feel self-conscious...."
You guys look adorable!!! Yeah, you should start your Prozac now. That child does not look like she's 8.
I'm totally bummed that no matter what I do I can't see the pics. Crapola.
I was dying to get to RT! I knew knew knew KH was gonna be there! And JRW! OMG! I'd passed out. I would've been so excited my head would've explode!
Hellion - I'd have been afraid to get too close. Seriously, there could have been something scary living in all that chest hair. But you might have liked him better - he had a neck. LOL!
Maggie - glad the pics came through. And if your PJs are fancy enough, you could stay in them. Just GO! LOL!
Kathy - Alas, no Jack. But there was another scary looking one with Jack-like hair. Yeah, not good.
Sin - I'll send you the pics to make it easier for you. And I'm sure JR would have loved that. LOL! She seemed really sweet and got up to take a pic with a fan (I tried to get that one but she moved and I ended up with the back of her head Dang it). She's really tall so I'd love to see you two together. LOL!
It's gonna be in Orlando next year? Awesome! I'm so there!
I forgot to mention that once I went to a Karen Hawkins book signing-she lives really near me apparently. I was the only person there. I felt really bad. But I told her what a big fan I was and gushed a bit and that perked her right up.
I can't see the pics either...
I hope I can when I get home, it may just be this stupid work computer.
Sounds like you had an awesome time Terri. How exciting! Makes me even more excited about the writer's conference I'm attending this weekend. Just a local conference from the RWA chapter, but some representatives will be there from Ellora's Cave and Wild Rose Press doing open critiques. It should be very interesting, nice way to get my toes wet:)
Kelly - Yep, Orlando. And huzzah for you in cheering Karen up. I've talked to her on some boards and she's a total sweetheart.
Lisa - I had no idea these pics were going to be so uncooperative. LOL! I have no idea what the problem is. Sounds like a great weekend. I started with a writers retreat with my local chapter then moved up to the NJ conference. I didn't want Nationals to be my first experience. I'm certain I would have made a total fool of myself.
Not that I won't anyway. LOL! Let us know all about it!
I'm just glad I can get the pictures. Otherwise, I wouldn't know what to do to fix the problem. Sorry you're having so much trouble, ladies.
Bad Jack hair? The problem is it has to be on Johnny's head in order for it to appear swashbucklingly appealing.
I love Karen Hawkins books! How great you got to lift her spirits, Kelly.
Isabelle is darling, Terri, and I love the idea of her wearing her tiara into Cracker Barrel. :)
I hope your truck repairs are minor. I know first-hand that one of the consequences of heavy road time is the inevitable vehicle repair bills.
I have never been to a romance conference ot to an author signing. I usually leave my cave only under duress, although I am planning on D.C. in 2009 and maybe Moonlight & Magnolias to hear Teresa Medeiros in October.
Oh, and I think I've figured out the picture problem. All of these are being hosted by Imageshack and I can't get their site to open. I'm thinking they must be the problem. *sigh*
Kathy - it was bad. Real bad.
Janga - She's even wearing the tiara for her talent show tonight. She's singing Taylor Swift's Our Song and we found the cutest dress over the weekend. I even bought a digital video camera (heaven help me!) so keep your fingers crossed I figure out how to work it by tonight.
We have an appointment to have the transmission looked at at 3. Keep your fingers crossed for that too. LOL!
And yay! Janga for DC in '09!
OMG OMG OMG *bouncing* I got the pictures to load!
OMG You were so close to JRW! I just want to reach out and touch her. Her books are spectacular! And I would've dropped to my knees and worshipped the ground Kim Harrison walked on. I might have even scalped the carpet to keep as my own.
The kiddo is growing up! She's so darling, Ter.
LOL! Sin, you crack me up. Yep, I was RIGHT THERE! And she was like RIGHT THERE! With the trademark sunglasses and all. Now I know I should have stood in line to get something signed for you. DAMN DAMN DAMN....
Pictures are awesome, Terri. Looks like you had a really great time. That's neat that you were able to put the signing together with meeting the folks. I forgot to ask you how Isabelle like Disney (as if the answer would be anything other than she loved it!)?
I have to listen to that Taylor Swift song all the time coming out of the mouth of my daughter. That's great that she's gonna perform and all. She must have her mother's fearlessness! Hurrah for her!
Good luck with the truck and the talent show!!!
Irish - she had a good time in DW but not a great time. I'm hoping to take her back in Sept. Isabelle is totally fearless. She did her firt solo in front of an audience at age 4 and it was her idea. She's done dance recitals and performed with her dad's band.
I bet she and your daughter would do a great duet.
I love the pictures!!! They're fantastic. Iz is beautiful---I feel for you when she hits the high school years.
Love the family photo too; how awesome that your family went to it.
Terri, what a fantastic coverage! Oh, I WISH I could have come - but with going to RWA, it's too much in a year from Oz. Sigh. Maybe one day. Isn't Donna's hat a hoot? And it really suits you (not joking here!). Great pictures! And hey, having (once) been on the other side of the huge signing experience, "I'm a huge fan" will get you lots of author love in return! And you must read the J.R. Wards. They're fantastic! And isn't your daughter a darling? I can see her very proudly riding shotgun on a signing line for you one day!
Heya, Anna! Thanks for stopping by. I had so much fun at the signing so I can imagine how much fun those attending the whole thing had. And I think I'm going to try some of JR historicals. I just can't get by that gangsta speak or whatever that is. LOL!
Quick truck update: I'm driving a rental car. LOL! Yeah, they are rebuilding my transmission so I have this car for a few days. And I'm about to lose a chunk of my savings. Dang it.
Taylor rocks, joe sucks!
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