I have been an active member of Romance Twitter for at least five years and reviewing for about three years. Going to the RWA conference has been a dream for a while. It was absolutely a dream come true. To be surrounded by so many romance people just felt so affirming. I arrived on Thursday. Thursday, Friday and Saturday were packed with bookish things and romance people. Seriously it was kind of amazing.
Every single person I met was absolutely amazing. Although a lot of people were also tired. It was a theme. Excited and tired. It is a lot of peopling. But so worth it. There’s this feeling of being around your “people” but also those people are kind of like celebrities. At least to me. There were definitely several moments where I saw authors I love and follow and I just stood there like, do I say something? Nah, I’ll just stare like a goober. Y’all I’m awkward.
I got to meet so many bloggers and readers that I only ever chat with online. I got to meet authors that I fan-girl about. I got to go to cocktail parties and see glimpses of the inside of two publishing offices (Berkley & Hachette). I got to meet publicists that I have only ever talked to via email. I gave more hugs in the 3.5 days than I do in MONTHS. Seriously, I am not a huge hugger, but I made exceptions for my Romance peeps. I didn’t take enough pictures. And next time I go I am vowing to keep a daily journal of things that I have planned and write down all the other things I end up doing and people I talked to. For real y’all, it is A LOT to remember.
I attended the RITA’s y’all! It was freaking AMAZING. Sarah MacLean was wearing a fantastic pant suit and she rocked the shit out of it. I sat with some authors from the NYC chapter of RWA and they were great. It was an emotional ceremony. So much history and knowledge dropped. The one big downside was the ceremony was from 7-9 and had no snacks or drinks on the table. I was unprepared. So by the end, all I could think about was getting food and a drink. RWA- Why no snacks or drinks?
My main purpose for going was blogging stuff. As I mentioned, I met with some publicists. It was great to sit and chat about books and how we can work together to bring some fun things to the Smexy blog. Stay tuned for that.
And the BOOKS. All the books. I wasn’t an official RWA registrant until Saturday so I missed out on the signings but I still managed to walk away with more books than I needed. I knew I had limited space to get them back with me so I tried hard to minimize my haul. Several folks brought back tons of books.
Before I get to the giveaway, I want to highlight the other amazing bloggers I met and spent time with at RWA. We all know the blogging/review landscape has changed dramatically. We had a short panel that frankly was poorly planned and organized by RWA, but I know what questions to ask next time. Anyway, this “panel” was really a discussion amongst 20 or so bloggers and talking about our struggles. The number one struggle- how do we continue to stay relevant? I am not sure we had an answers, but we all love the genre and being part of the genre. We’ll figure it out.
Find out more about all these amazing bloggers and their websites or social media handles
Lola from MileHighKinkBookClub
Jen TWIMOM aka That’s What I’m Talking About
Rae Latte from Books I Love a Latte
Now to the good part! Giveway!!!! I brought back some books that I think y’all might like. The first five (5) people to comment and tell me if you are familiar with any of the above bloggers/reviewers will win the book of their choice from my RWA haul pile. Comment on the book you’d like. Please check to make sure no one else has claimed that book. US only (media mail). First come, first serve. Must comment no later than 11:59 pm EST 8/9/19.
**Edited to state the giveaway is closed. Winners will be contacted via email**
Available books:
Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin
More Than Anything by Natasha Anders
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
The Object of Your Affections by Falguni Kothari
How to Write a Romance by the Team at Avon Books
Sweet Ruin by Kresley Cole
Fierce Justice by Piper Drake
Forever Wolf by Maria Vale
Project Duchess by Sabrina Jeffries
Once Ghosted, Twice Shy & Can’t Escape Love by Alyssa Cole- Sending these together.
I’m familiar w Ana Coqui and Joy/JoyfullyReviewed
Kareni, what book would you like? Assuming you are located in the US?
You are winner #1. I will be contacting you via email to find out your desired book.
I follow Ana Coqui on Twitter as well as Love in Panels. I always run across and read Joy’s reviews too. I need to follow the others now!! Looks like RWA was a lot of fun!
Michaelene, what book would you like? Assuming you are located in the US?
Red white and royal Blue please, if it’s still available!
You are winner #2. RW&RB is yours!
I really need to get to a romance convention one day. They sound so fun!
I’m familiar with/follow Joy from Joyfully Reviewed, Ana Coqui, and Suzanne from Love in Panels. I’d like Project Duchess, if no one else has claimed it.
You are winner #3. Project Duchess is available! I will be contacting you via email
I met Joy from Joyfully Reviewed at the Baltimore Book Festival a few years ago. She’s so nice! I hope to get to RWA some day… that’s the dream! Glad you had a good time :)
I’d love the Piper J Drake book :)
Ooops, I emailed you but I see your reply now. Just send me your address via email. Please :)
You are winner #4. I will contact you via email for your book choice. Joy is the best! Are you local/ish to Baltimore? Maryland Romance Writers will have a stage again this year. Although it has moved to November. If you are local, I hope to see you.
My brother is; we live in western NY–we combined a visit with him and his family with going to the BBF, and will definitely do it again sometime! We went the year we did because Meg Cabot was there, and my daughter LOVES her books :)
When we went it was all outside (under tents, but still…), though–I assume in November it’ll be indoors?
The folks at the RWA convention sound amazing. I am familiar with That’s What I’m Talking About and have bookmarked some of the others for future reading-thanks for linking!
Oh and if it’s not too late, I’d love Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin please. Thank you!
You are winner #5. I will contact you via email for your address.
I’m actually not familiar with any of them but I love book blogs so I’m bookmarking them all in my Book Blog folder right now!
If this counts & I qualify, I’d love to read Ayesha At Last
Kini, this was a great post! I used to blog/review but haven’t done so in years and then I see posts like this and think “I should be doing that again because I really loved it”.
Also, I’m with you on the drinks/snacks question for the award ceremony ;)
Patti, you should definitely blog/review again, but only if you want to and it still brings you joy!
For real though, I feel like I want to write RWA a letter and shame them for not providing water at the tables. OR telling the attendees in advance to bring their own.
I’m familiar with almost all of them lol – I’d love the Alyssa Cole ones if still available!
I’m familiar with almost all of them but Ana, Suzanne, and Jayne the most! I’d love the Alyssa Cole books if they’re still available!
Red, White, and Royal Blue pretty please ! great bundle, hard to pick just one
RWA sounds like a great event. I’m glad you had fun!
SOOOOO glad we connected and hung out. Meeting you was definitely one of the highlights of my time in NYC. Hopefully we can do it again soon.