Wednesday, August 4, 2010

RWA 2010 Highlights....and the Lowlight

It's hard to believe that one week ago the Dishes were beginning the first day of RWA 2010. Some of us (um, probably just me) are still doing laundry and figuring out where to put all of those books we brought back! We brought back lots of books and swags for giveaways---I see a giveaway in the very near future. :-)

RWA is filled with so many activities, it can make your head spin. But my favorite part is reconnecting with old friends and making new ones. We Dishes were lucky to be able to spend time with some of our favorite authors and friends. Here are a few of my highlights from this year's conference:


Dinner With Julie James and Beth Kery: On Tuesday night, we had a lovely dinner with Julie James and Beth Kery. A little wine, great food and fabulous conversation with friends is my kind of evening. I still get a little thrill when I'm talking to an author whose books I love---like hanging out with a celeb. Julie and Beth are both lovely ladies, and Julie is expecting baby #2 this fall. Isn't she the cutest pregnant woman you've ever seen?




Lunch With Anna Campbell and Christine Wells: Anna and Christine are two of my favorite people, and I was so happy that all of us were able to have lunch together. The six of us made so much noise laughing that the whole restaurant was staring. It was fabulous! Of course, all I have to do is think of "The Glittery HooHa" and I start snickering again. I've got your attention now, don't I? *vbg* You just never know what those Aussie gals will say! With Anna and Christine around, fun is always on the menu.


Snacks and Chat with Eloisa James and Teresa Medeiros: Yes, there is a pattern of food consumption here. Guilty as charged. But when you're sharing cookies with Eloisa and Teresa, it's all good! They were so gracious to take time out of their very busy schedule to gab with us. We talked about Eloisa's year in Paris, kids, books, tattoos and everything in between.





Breakfast with Jenna Petersen: Another meal with a fab author! Jenna told us all about her new zombie series which will be released on the 31st of this month under the name Jesse Petersen. It sounds hilarious which is no surprise since Jenna/Jesse is an absolute hoot! Another meal with lots of laughter.





Breakfast with Vicki Lewis Thompson: No doubt you're thinking we ate our way through the conference. LOL On Friday we had breakfast with Vicki and her daughter Audrey. As always, Vicki was a sweetheart and Audrey is just the same. They told us that they will be heading to Australia and New Zealand later this month. Vicki will be speaking at the Romance Writers of Australia. We all have serious travel envy and can't wait to hear all about and see the pictures.



Lunch With Christina Dodd and Lisa Kleypas: PJ and I have both met Christina, and Andrea had met Lisa at a book signing, but we were all practically giddy with excitement to have lunch with both of them on Saturday. All I can say is WOW! Total and complete fan girl moment, complete with tears. While we were enjoying our time with Lisa and Christina, everyone else at the conference was lining up for the St. Martins book signing---at which Lisa would be signing. Obviously, we would be at the very end of the line, and we weren't sure we would get a copy of Lisa's book. Well, sweetheart that she is, she went in the signing room and came back out with personalized copies for each of us. After she gave them to us and gave each of us a hug, my eyes filled with tears, and Buffie followed. I never thought I'd cry over something like that, but it was a real moment. Truly one of THE best times during the entire conference.


And now for the lowlight, and it was a doozy. I woke up not feeling up to snuff on Friday morning, but I was looking forward to our breakfast with Vicki and Audrey. After that, we all headed over to the Harlequin and Avon signings to score some books. Well, after about 30 minutes of standing in line, meeting authors and getting books, I made a dash for the ladies room. Whether it was food poisoning or a stomach bug, it was the pits! I spent the rest of the day in bed---I missed lunch (didn't miss that conference chicken, though) and more book signings. But the biggest disappointment was missing the Avon and Harlequin parties that night. I was so bummed, but since I felt like I'd been run over by a truck, I don't think I would have been in any condition to boogie. Oh well, there's always next year!

There you have it. A few of my favorite things. And since I have so many books from the conference that need new homes, I'll be choosing a random commenter (or maybe two) to receive some goodies!


~ Gannon

56 comments:

  1. I am so sorry to hear that you got sick! How did you do on the long car ride home?

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  2. Hi Gannon,
    Sorry to hear you were sick and had miss those parties, but as you say there's always next year. I loved the pics. Had no idea Julie James was pregnant. I wish I was there to meet Lisa and an autographed book from her.

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  3. Bless your heart, I am so sorry you were sick at the conference. As you say, next year hopefully you will get to go to all of it. I trust there are no lasting effects? There is a summer virus going around you know. One of the ladies from work ended up in the hospital with it.

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  4. Gannon, you have me grinning from ear to ear reliving all those wonderful, personal meetings with authors we all adore. And yes, cry baby here even has a little tear in my eyes over the Lisa book thing.

    But man oh man did I LOL (literally) when I saw the words "glittery HooHa" Teehehehe

    I was so sad that you were sick and missed the festivities that evening. It wasn't the same without you!

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  5. It's a shame that you felt so sick but your pictures are great and you had some great highlights.

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  6. Buffie, Andrea and I had a great time at the parties but not nearly as much fun as we would have had if you'd been with us, Gannon!

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  7. Such great pictures! The conference schedule really was pretty daunting, and I know I probably didn't take advantage of everything I should have. There's always next year in NY. ;)

    So sorry you got sick.From what I can tell, a LOT of people came home not feeling quite right (including me)---there are a lot of sore throats and stuffy noses out there. I guess that's what happens when you throw 2000+ people together in tropical heat. And what heat! I don't know how people managed to go to Disney---my kids did and said they'd never "glowed" so much. Hope you're fully recovered and cool now!

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  8. Cheryl, I was fine by Saturday so the drive home on Sunday was no problem. Except for the fact that we were completely exhausted!

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  9. Thanks, Jane. There were others who got sick, which is not unusual when there are so many people. I didn't realize Julie was pregnant either, until just before we went out to dinner.

    I hope you get to meet Lisa someday. She's an absolute doll!

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  10. Dianna, I had no lasting effects, thank goodness. It does seem like there's a lot of illness going around this summer, which is an awful time to be sick---not like there's ever a good time!

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  11. Buffie, next time we'll just have to constantly carry tissue with us. :-)

    I googled "Jennifer Crusie - glittery hooha" and found the bit that Anna was telling us about. Hilarious!!!

    Believe me, I was really missing party time, too. :-(

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  12. Maureen, in spite of having to miss the parties, it was a wonderful conference!

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  13. It sounds like you had a wonderful time until Friday -- I admit to some envy. I would love a chance to chat with several of those authors {Anne & Christien, Christina & Lisa -- me=envy ;) }. Hopefully you felt better quickly so that the trip home wasn't too bad.

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  14. From what I can tell, a LOT of people came home not feeling quite right (including me)---there are a lot of sore throats and stuffy noses out there.

    Hope you feel better soon, Maggie. Vanessa Kelly was saying that the hotel and the Disney parks are like one giant petri dish of germs. I think she's on to something!

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  15. Loved reading your fork by fork essay about the ups and downs of your 5 days in Orlando! And so sorry the downs were really that. Hope you not down for long! Sounds like you all had a spectacular time at RWA this year. Great pictures too!

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  16. Gamistress, I hope you get to meet those authors someday. They are all completely fabulous! That's my favorite part of conference.

    Fortunately, I was just sick for 24 hours, so the drive home was okay, but very long. ;-) We were all pretty tired by the time Sunday rolled around.

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  17. Loved reading your fork by fork essay about the ups and downs of your 5 days in Orlando!

    Karen, that's a great way to describe it. :-) The low was blessedly short lived. It was a wonderful conference!

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  18. Love the update, Gannon!

    Sorry about getting sick, but way to look at the positive..grin...

    Sounds like you had a ton of fun.

    Tami

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  19. It's awful to be sick when you're away from all the normal comforts of home. So glad you're better. On a more pleasant note, it sounds like you had a blast meeting and greeting your way through the conference. Welcome back.

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  20. There's no good time to get sick, but you hope it doesn't happen on a trip. To be far away from home and feeling awful cannot be fun.

    The pictures are great. These authors must be so busy at these events that it's nice that they took the time to go out to lunch with you.

    When you meet the authors and they're so nice, is it hard to then write a tough review? That's probably the only downside about getting to know the people you write about.

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  21. LSUReader, it's definitely no fun being sick away from home, but I just stayed in bed and rode it out. The fun times more than made it up for it.

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  22. When you meet the authors and they're so nice, is it hard to then write a tough review?

    Penfield, fortunately that hasn't happened yet. If it ever did, I'm sure they'd realize it's nothing personal.

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  23. I'm so sorry you got sick, Gannon! But I'm glad it was a temporary thing and that you're feeling better.

    Thank you so much for sharing the highlights from your adventures at RWA.Can I say how totally envious I am that you got to spend time with some of the Squawkers? And how sweet was it of Lisa Kleypas to come out and give you books? I definitely want to meet her one day!

    I seriously need to go to RWA next year! I want to meet all of these fabulous authors. (Though I fear I may get a bit fan girl and tongue-tied.)

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  24. I am so sorry to hear that you got sick and missed the parties! Hopefully next year will be better for you!

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  25. So sorry to hear you were down and out at the conference. Hopefully, it was just something you ate and nothing too lingering. :)

    THanks for posting pics and chatting about RWA'10. I didn't get to attend and am loving any posts on the subject!

    I'm so glad I found this site! I'm a huge fan of Anna Campbell and saw your T-shirt logos in some of her pics. Gotcha bookmarked! :)

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  26. I'm glad your bout with a bug was short-lived, Gannon.

    What great memories you all have of this conference! TRD blogs are great ads for Nationals. You'll have us all signing up to join in the fun next year.:)

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  27. Sounds like a fabulous experience, with the exception of the darn stomach incident! Why is it that always happens when you least want it to?!

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  28. Lisa, the Squawkers are the best! I think we all fear we'll get tongue-tied when we meet one of our favorite authors, but they're all so incredibly warm and down to earth, you're soon gabbing away like girlfriends do!

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  29. Thanks, Chris! I was able to attend the Harlequin party at Nationals last year, and it completely rocked! :-)

    I'm definitely looking forward to next year.

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  30. Welcome, Sarah! I'm so glad you found us through Anna's pics. Isn't she great?!

    We hope you'll be a regular visitor!

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  31. TRD blogs are great ads for Nationals. You'll have us all signing up to join in the fun next year.:)

    How much fun would that be, Janga?! We would love it!

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  32. Why is it that always happens when you least want it to?!

    I wish I knew, Jennie. Murphy's Law, I guess. Just hoping my next conference is "lowlight free." ;-)

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  33. What a bummer being sick while at conference!! I know you hated missing the action.
    Hope you are feeling better!!
    What book that you picked up at conference are you most excited about?

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  34. I'm sorry to hear you were sick and missed events you were looking forward to. I'm glad you had some good times too!

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  35. Gannon, I was so glad that your illness was short lived. It just wasn't the same without you that day! Thanks for reminding us of the many highlights!!

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  36. Gannon, I was so glad that your illness was short lived. It just wasn't the same without you that day! Thanks for reminding us of the many highlights!!

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  37. What book that you picked up at conference are you most excited about?

    Wow, good question, runner10! There are so many, so I'll have to give that one a little more thought.

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  38. Andrea, we'll all be on the dance floor at the Harlequin party one of these days. :-) I'm so glad we were all able to share so many great experiences!

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  39. Wow! What a wonderful time for everyone. Until you got sick of course. It is so upsetting when great plans are sidetracked by a bug like that.
    There isn't anything you can do but suffer through it with a great deal of gnashing of teeth.
    Hopefully you will be well for the whole next conference.
    Glad you mostly had a good time. Thanks for keeping us posted. Christina Dodd, that would be a huge fan girl moment : )

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  40. I'm so sorry that you became ill.I hope next year you'll get to enjoy all the parties.

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  41. Just home - not even seeing straight. But I couldn't resist checking out the Dishies! Girls, it's always an absolute pleasure to be in your company. Didn't we have the most uproarious lunch - glittery HHs and all! Gannon, I felt so sorry for you being sick and missing so much of the fun!

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  42. Thanks for sharing your photos and I loved your comments too. (Too bad about being sick, though!)
    Welcome home!

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  43. Librarypat, I still had a fantastic time, even with my pesky illness. You would love Christina---she's fabulous!

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  44. Thanks, Peggy. Yes, there is always next year. ;-)

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  45. Anna, I'm so glad you made it home safely. And aren't you sweet checking out the blog while you're still jetlagged?!

    Our lunch was tremendous fun! I don't think the Garden Grove restaurant will ever be the same. *g*

    At least I only missed a few events. My highlights more than made up for that!

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  46. Thanks, Laney. Glad you enjoyed the photos.

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  47. Gannon:

    Sorry you were sick. Still, being sick at RWA is better than being sick at home when you still have to be Mom, right? I've been hoping to get back to RWA for years but can never manage it. So jealous of all your fun (when you weren't sick, of course, LOL). You look fab and happy in all those pics.

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  48. Sorry to hear you were sick, but is sounds like you still had a wonderful time. ^^

    Melissa

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  49. Girls, it's always an absolute pleasure to be in your company. Didn't we have the most uproarious lunch - glittery HHs and all!

    Awww, thanks Anna! Now I'm giggling over the glittery HHs!! LOL ;-)

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  50. Wow! What an exciting time you had PJ. We'll except for that one day..eeewww..that was a bummer for sure. Glad you got over it quickly and enjoyed the rest of the conference. LOVED all the pics you shared. All those gorgeous ladies had to have all the men turning heads and wanting to be in on the fun...lol.

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  51. Jane, you need to go to RWA next summer. It's in NYC, so that's a little closer to you. I'd love to see you again!

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  52. Jedisakora, being sick was not fun, but it was a minor speed bump considering all the fun I had!

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  53. I'm glad that you had some fun at the conference. It's too bad that you came down with food poisoning or the flu.

    I'm still jealous of all the wonderful authors and fellow readers that you were able to meet.

    johnslake@usa.com

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  54. thanks for pics
    looks like al lot fun

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