Monday, July 20, 2015

A Look Back - - RWA 2013



See what I mean?
I'm always happy when RWA holds its national conference at a venue within easy driving distance of my home. I can take as many clothes as I want, bring home as many books as I want. I don't have to deal with schlepping things on a plane, exceeding my baggage weight limit or lugging boxes of books numerous city blocks to the nearest Post Office to ship them home. For all these reasons and more, I was excited that the 2013 conference would be held in Atlanta. Here are a few highlights from a terrific conference.








Chatting with the stylish and oh so talented Beatriz Williams, Karen White and Wendy Wax. If you enjoy superbly written women's fiction, you'll want to check out all three!













Kristan Higgins and Jill Shalvis. There's mischief a brewin' in those eyes!
















Tracy Brogan's books always leave me laughing. She's up for a RITA® again this year for The Best Medicine.
















Two of my favorite people and darn good authors too! Vanessa Kelly has a new historical out this month as well as a contemporary written with her husband, Randy as V.K. Sykes. They're auto-buys for me under both names!














Sarah MacLean and Eloisa James both won a RITA® in 2013. There was much joy...and probably a fair amount of champagne.










The delightful Sheila Roberts. I love her Icicle Falls series! She'll be here August 6th to chat about her newest book, A Wedding on Primrose Street.















Contemporary romance author, Christi Barth. I'm loving her Shore Secrets trilogy. The third book, Back to Us was just released and is another terrific addition to this heartwarming series set in New York's Finger Lakes.















Have you discovered Jesse Hayworth's Mustang Ridge books? I love them! Her newest novella, Starting Over at Mustang Ridge was released June 15th and the next full book, Coming Home to Mustang Ridge will be out August 4. I'm always happy after a visit to Mustang Ridge!










Sabrina Jeffries has a new book out tomorrow. The Art of Sinning kicks off a new historical romance series and if this first book is any indication, it's going to be fabulous!









Professional Romance Readers, Stephanie chats with the amazingly awesome Sharon Sala. Sharon's most recent book, I'll Stand By You returns readers to the small town of Blessings, Georgia and its always entertaining citizens.











There's always fun to be had when you run into Romance Bandits! This talented crew consists of Anna Sugden, Tawny Weber, Beth Andrews and Suzanne Ferrell.













Colleen Gleason and Robyn Carr. Love these two!











Do you like to take road trips? 

Are you a light packer or, like the photo above, do you take everything plus the kitchen sink? 

Any particular authors you'd like me to stalk...um...photograph while I'm at RWA?

One randomly chosen person leaving a comment will receive a package of books. (U.S. only)


I'm flying to New York today for the 2015 RWA Conference so I won't be online. Watch the Romance Dish facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/theromancedish) for photos of this week's conference and stop by the blog next week for my 2015 RWA recaps! 











28 comments:

  1. Wonderful pictures. I love road trips. And after one trip when I almost packed the kitchen sink I learned how to pack light. It allows for bringing home more mementos. :) Thanks for sharing.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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    1. I'm using packing cubes for the first time on this trip, Carol. I'll never travel without them again. They're awesome!

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  2. Do you like to take road trips? Ocassionally - not too long ones tho.

    Are you a light packer or, like the photo above, do you take everything plus the kitchen sink? Heavy packer.

    Any particular authors you'd like me to stalk...um...photograph while I'm at RWA? Susan Mallery, Robyn Carr, Jill Shalvis.

    patoct

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  3. Looking forward to those pictures, PJ! Wish I could be there too. Have a terrific time.

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    1. Wish you could be too, Connie. Orlando in 2017!

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  4. I love road trips and try not to go overboard with the packing, but I'm not always successful on that front. I have been known to bring along an extra bag just for mementos. ....

    Have a wonderful time!!

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    1. I'm really proud of myself. I have space left over in my bag and it weighed in at 32 pounds. Yay, me! :)

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  5. Love the photos. I am older so will only go for a very short trip. Would love to meet Janet Dailey and Nora Roberts to name a few. Thanks for the chance to win some books.
    Helen L.

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    1. I've never met Janet Dailey. Nora is likely to be there this week. She usually comes to the national conference. She's lovely!

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  6. I love traveling any way I can lol. We just took a trip from Pgh to Jersey and took the train for a day in NYC (had a wedding). I surely wish it had been a week later. When I first traveled over 40 yrs. ago I always overpacked - all the what if's. My last trip I probably could have added a few things but it worked out lol. I'm loving all the pictures!!

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  7. I don't like road trips or traveling. I'm a light packer.

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  8. I think this is my favorite of your recaps, PJ. I particularly love the photo of Eloisa James and Sarah MacLean with their Ritas. I'm thrilled that RWA is streaming the Rita Awards this year. I'll be watching and cheering for my faves.

    I always look forward to your conference reports, PJ. I know this year's photos will include many of my favorite authors. If you see EJ or JAL, give them an extra hug for me and tell them I'm hyperventilating waiting for the release of My American Duchess and The Legend of Lyon Redmond. And give all our dear duchesses and forever-Bonbons hugs for me too. Have a safe journey and a fabulantastic conference experience.

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  9. Have really loved road trips ever since I can remember. I can pack lightly but really enjoy it when I can expand on bringing my basics. Stalk/photo Nalini Singh if you get a chance! Have a great trip!

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  10. I was there in 2013. So sorry that I didn't meet you then. Also sorry that I am not in New York. (Next year - San Diego!) Hope you have a wonderful time!

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  11. I wish I could have come to this book signing when it was in Atlanta. Maybe it will come back here one of these years.

    I am a "just in case" packer, so I do not pack light. I have never tried the packing cubes, but I might try them in order to organize my heavily-packed suitcase next time.

    Be sure to stalk Shalvis and Higgins. :-)

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  12. I enjoy road trips since they are unforgettable, capture the old days and I can pack as much as I want. Especially books and more books. Lovely photos and your packing is so great.

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  13. I do like an occasional road trip if it is not too long.
    I do pack a lot of stuff when I travel.
    Would love to meet Lisa Jackson or any of my favorite suspense authors.
    Karen T.

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  14. I love road trips since exploring is relaxing and no rush. I pack lightly but definitely reading material, food and then I can buy whatever strikes my fancy. I would love to meet SEP and Robyn Carr.

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  15. I don't take many road trips and no I am not a light packer. I can go spend the night with my sister and have to take about 4 sets o clothes with me.

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  16. I'm a bit of an over packer :) I like to have choices and I always plan for worst case scenarios, so I'm always prepared. Oooh.... a table with Kristan Higgins and Jill Shalvis would be a blast!!! Have fun!!! Thanks for sharing!

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  17. I like the idea of road trips, but prefer drives of under 5 hours. However, most of the places we head off to are a lot further so we try to break them up. I try to be a light packer & am getting better at it - coordinating layers are an important concept that helps.
    I'll look forward to any pictures you show us!

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  18. I love road trips and I always pack at least 3 bags...my husband always complains I bring too much stuff....but at nite, if he wants a cappuccino hino, I pull out my mix, if he needs something to drink or nosh on while in the car, I pull out my goodies and he's happy I brought "all those bags!" Mick Mac

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  19. We love road trips! Last October we went on a 21 day trip and had a blast! We try to pack a small bag for make-up, shaving kit, pj's and 1 for shoes (if we need it). Then we pack our clothes is small suitcases, usually 2-3 days worth of clothes. That way we don't have to take all our stuff in every night. And we take a cooler, filled with sandwich fixin's, snacks and drinks, and a really neat knife I got at Marshall's that has a cover. Our phones are loaded with apps, plus we have a binder with printed hotel reservations and our maps (I have to see it on paper). And of course, I take a loaded Kindle, with maybe a paperback for just in case. Now I think we need another road trip.

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  20. I do like roadtrips sometimes; just got back from a Lake Placid Wedding - about 7 hrs - really too long for me. I don't go crazy packing, not light, not too heavy.

    Would love to meet Janet Evanovich.
    Patty B.

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  21. I love road trips and take them whenever I can. I have been to two conferences and driven from NE TN to first Colorado Springs, Co. and then this year to Dallas for RT. I filled a cart and still had to pull two suitcases and a few tote bags. We have taken vacations afterwards, so I am really packing for 2 different types of trips. The car is usually full before I get there. I would keep the books with me, but this year, we had to mail them home so we could fit in the car. I once traveled around the world with one little carry on bag. Now I really do fill the back of the car for just a trip of a few days. I am sure I could pack lighter If I tried, but if I don't have to, why fight it : )
    Enjoy your trip.

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  22. I LOVE to travel! And I TRY to pack light, but, ahem...I usually end of taking everything ;-)

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