Sourcebooks Casablanca Romance Authors

The best part of the RWA National Conference isn't just the beautiful cities we get to visit, although San Diego is pretty cool. The view from my hotel room was spectacular, to say the very least. Getting there wasn't too horrible, despite being one of the longer days of my life. I caught brief glimpses of the Great Salt Lake from the plane during the approach to our first stop in Salt Lake City. On Wednesday, we took a trolley tour of the city, which was great fun. I was snapping pictures as fast as I could (about 250 in all). This is one of the better ones. Just wish I could remember what it was. We had lunch in Little Italy, and since I wasn't the one driving the trolley, I felt justified in having wine with lunch. After that, I went a bit wild in Old Town and bought a Mexican skirt and a purse and a few other accessories. I wore the stuff I bought to the Literacy Signing on Wednesday evening. Wish you could see the skirt in this picture. The p...

Last week romance authors from all around the world met in San Diego, California to learn more about the business and craft of writing, meet with industry professionals, and just have fun! I love the Romance Writer's of America conference because it's a yearly meet up with old friends,  plus a way to make new friends and fangirl over my favorite authors. This year Sourcebooks Casablanca was fortunate enough to have 5 finalists for the prestigious Rita award for excellence in romance writing. Grace Burrowes seemed to elude our attempts to get a photo together, but here are 4 of us at a reception. Theresa Romain, Asa Maria Bradley, Shana Galen, ML Buchman We attended a reception outside, which was sunny and beautiful. Here's a closer look at my certificate. Another fun annual event is the Sourcebooks dinner. We went to Coronado this year, and Sourcebooks went all out with the tables and the party favors. We all received wraps to keep us warm during the chilly Sa...

I had a fabulous time at the RWA National Conference in San Antonio, and though it was super hot there (99 or 100 every day), it's still a very beautiful city. I wish I'd taken more pictures! The Riverwalk... Visiting the Alamo  Signing Rebel and Wildcat at the Readers For Life Literacy signing.  Hanging out with my buddies Sara Humphreys and Carolyn Brown. Riding home from the Sourcebooks dinner in Cinderella's pumpkin with Terry Spear and Mia Marlowe.  Tying for second place in the Prism Awards Futuristic category with Wildcat!  But now it's time to share the goodies with those of you who weren't there.  Since I have two tote bags, there will be two winners, so post a comment or use the Rafflecopter for your chance to win! Contest limited to USA residents.  Winners to be announced on Saturday, August 16th. Please include your email address in your comment so I can contact the winners. ...

The Romance Writers of America Conference Almost Killed Me A.K.A. The Trip from Hell By: Julie Ann Walker The first day of the Romance Writers of America Conference started out well and good.  Back in Chicago, I ate a nice breakfast, my bags were neatly packed - nothing forgotten and shoved in at the last minute - my flight status showed my plane to Atlanta was on time, and the sun was shining.  For a gal who travels fairly often, this was how a trip should begin... uneventfully.  And then Fate, that fickle ol' battle-ax, thought I deserved a good bee-yotch slapping.  Now, let me start by saying I have no idea why she chose this particular moment to turn against me.  Just the day before I'd stopped in the middle of my bicycle ride to give a group of wide-eyed, obviously lost tourists directions.  A week earlier I'd spent a day volunteering for the USO.  And recently, I'd put together a rather heartfelt care package for a sick friend....

by Danielle Jackson 2012 Conference Logo, from RWA.org At the end of last month, I, along with 2000+ other romance authors, publishing professionals, agents, etc. descended upon the Anaheim Marriott for the annual RWA National Conference. It was an incredible experience! I am always amazed every year how supportive of a group this is—it’s not every day that you can rub elbows with nationally bestselling authors and people attending their first conference ever. The atmosphere is dynamic and inspiring… I always leave with ideas and thoughts about the things to come for our publishing line and our authors. However, I have to say—when compared to other writers conferences and/publishing trade shows, RWA is a different breed. Of course there’s networking and pitching and workshops sharing valuable information… but there are also parties and reunions and, this year, trip to Disneyland! I always have a hard time explaining exactly what I do at RWA, but I thought I’d try, along w...

Disneyland! Like hundreds (thousands?) of other romance writers, I recently returned from Anaheim, where I attended the 2012 Romance Writers of America  National Conference. Anaheim, of course, means Disneyland, so Mark and I flew out a couple of days early. MONDAY : We had a great time at Disneyland. Funny how Minnesotans had to travel to SoCal to experience some cooler temperatures! I didn't hit the wall until about 6:00 p.m., when my Achilles tendon was finally clipped by one SUV-sized stroller too many.  TUESDAY : Taking my advice, Mark vamoosed before the estrogen horde descended. I spent the day at the LAPD with the Kiss of Death Special Interest Chapter,where a number of the LAPD"s finest (and I do mean FINEST) showed us what they do. We spent the day at two training facilities, where we saw drug dogs, police horses, and LA's men and women in blue up close and personal. The biggest surprise was being taken out onto the test track, bundled into six-point...