Spring is just around the corner which means it's almost time to launch this year's Romance conference season. Whether large gatherings or small, romance conferences offer readers the opportunity to meet some of our favorite authors. I'll be attending three events this year: Avon's KissCon, Book Lovers Con, and RWA. Book Lovers Con (think Comic Con for romance readers) is in New Orleans this May while RWA (Romance Writers of America's annual conference) will be in New York City in July but more about those later. First up on my schedule is KissCon.
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| With Eloisa James at KissCon Atlanta |
Avon has hosted one-day KissCon events in various venues around the country over the past few years. I attended one in Atlanta this past fall. Typically, these events include a Q&A or other fun ice-breaker activity with the 8-10 Avon authors in attendance, followed by a book signing, then a reception where you can chat with the authors as well as meet other readers. This year, Avon has chosen to expand that format with a full weekend of events like pajama party movie screenings, dance parties, panel discussions, and more. Excited romance readers from across the country will converge on Chicago for three days of fun with 31 Avon and Harlequin authors. I can't wait!
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| With Beverly Jenkins at KissCon Atlanta |
Of course, I'll be taking lots of photos to share with you all when I return along with bringing home books and swag for giveaways. That's where you can help. I've listed below the authors who will be attending KissCon Weekend. I'll have limited space in my luggage to bring back signed books for Dish giveaways so, tell me, from which of these authors would you most like a signed book? Thanks for your help!
Tessa Bailey
Alyssa Cole
Sonali Dev
HelenKay Dimon
Jennifer Estep
Lorraine Heath
Lori Foster
Megan Frampton
Jeaniene Frost
Sophie Jordan
Brenda Jackson
Eloisa James
Beverly Jenkins
Tracey Livesay
Julie Kagawa
Eva Leigh
Caroline Lendin
Julia Quinn
Vivienne Lorret
Sarah MacLean
Charis Michaels
Jill Shalvis
Alisha Rai
Jennifer Ryan
Cat Sebastian
Sally Thorne
Nisha Sharma
Joanna Shupe
Mia Sosa
Marie Tremayne
Lori Wilde
There are still a few tickets remaining for the KissCon Weekend Affair. You can choose from the Saturday only ticket at $75, Friday + Saturday at $150, or Friday, Saturday, Sunday at $185. Ticket sales end March 29 or when capacity is sold out. Visit the KissCon website for more information about tickets, authors, and weekend events.
*Note: The deadline to book hotel rooms at the KissCon discounted rate is March 15.
Have you ever attended a reader-author event?
Do you plan to attend one this year?
Which author(s) would you most like to meet?
I would to meet or have your bring back (LOL) Lori Wilde and Lori Foster - Would love to meet them as well as Susan Mallery, Robyn Carr, Jill Shalvis, Linda Howard, Deb Macomber, Sherryl Woods at a conference to name a few. I have never been to a conference, just some book signings in my area.
ReplyDeleteBook signings are good too! I haven't met Sherryl Woods or Lori Foster yet but I have met the others on your list and they're all lovely people. I hope you have an opportunity to meet some of them one of these days!
DeleteI've yet to attend an event but I'm not giving up. :) I've actually read all the Authors listed . Getting an autograph from any of them would be wonderful. Especially Eloise James, Joanna Shupe & Jill Shalvis. Have a great time PJ.
ReplyDeleteCarol Luciano
Lucky4750 at aol dot com
Thanks for adding to my list, Carol. I hope you have a chance to meet one of them. Do you ever come into Manhattan? RWA's annual conference will be at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square this July. There will be 400+ romance authors at the (free) public book signing on Saturday, July 27 from 3:00 - 5:00.
DeleteLiving in MY makes this an easy trip and I'm definitely going to go for this. Thanks for mentioning it. :)
DeleteCarol Luciano
Picking one is hard but I'll say Julia Quinn. I've never been but would love to some day. I'd probably want to meet a ton of historical authors with Jill Shalvis an exception :)
ReplyDeleteYou're the first to mention JQ! She was one of the first romance authors I met at the first signing I attended...back in 2006. She was so sweet, has the biggest smile, and is always very gracious with her readers.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to a conference or convention, but it sounds like fun. I would try to get autographs from Julia Quinn, Lorraine Heath, Jill Shalvis and Eloisa James.
ReplyDeleteThe weekend KissCon sounds like so much fun. I enjoyed the one-day KissCon when it was in Atlanta, and I would love it if they did a weekend one here too.
ReplyDeleteThis fall I am going to one of Nora Roberts' book signings in Boonsboro, MD. I am excited to finally meet Queen Nora. She will also have a few other authors there, but the names haven't been announced. I get to stay at Nora's bed and breakfast too. I have stayed there once before, but I didn't get a Nora sighting then.
Other authors I would like to meet are Julia Quinn, Sarah MacLean, Jill Shalvis, Lori Wilde, and Sally Thorne.
I am looking forward to seeing your pictures. I bet you can get some fun pajama pictures!
How exciting to be going to Boonsboro!
DeleteFrom your list, my top 7 would be Quinn, James, Shalvis, MacLean, Estep, Leigh and Linden. But there are so many other great choices--hard to be disappointed with any of them!
ReplyDeleteIt really is a spectacular lineup, isn't it?
DeleteShoot Fire, it would be easier to say who I would not like to meet....in fact there would be no one on that list. Yes, some more than others, but I know there would be wonderful conversations with every one of the authors on your list. I have never had the good fortune to be at an author event. A regret. I look forward to your pictures and your story. Most of all, I thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll have an opportunity to attend one someday, Annette.
DeleteWow! I would just say all and it would be easier. I would love to go this year, it would be perfect. I could stay with my kids. But a wedding is scheduled for this weekend. I will love seeing the photos you post this year.
ReplyDeleteIt would have great to meet you, Pamela. Enjoy the wedding!
DeleteHelenKay Dimon and Lori Foster! I don't travel for health reasons so I don't go to the conferences. I once hosted a book signing at our local bookstore.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited to meet Lori Foster. I've been reading her books for years. How cool that you hosted a signing at your local store!
DeleteI went last year to Erin Nicholas one. She had Mari Carr, Shelli Stevens and Erin McCarthy. I had a blast. I would love to go to more. Also might go to Readers on the River .
ReplyDeleteI've never been to Readers on the River but I've heard good things about it. I have friends who go.
DeleteI went to a Kiss-Con five years ago. I've been to quite a few author events.
ReplyDeletedenise
They're fun, aren't they?
DeleteI will send you luggage! Bring back as many as you can fit in it!😀
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous!! You are going to have so much fun! Take lots of pictures!!😍
Stay safe!
Unfortunately, it's more than only luggage, its also my wallet. ;-) But thanks for the offer! LOL!
DeleteI have been to RomCom in Colorado Springs and RT in Dallas. I am currently in Williamsburg, VA for Romancing Williamsburg put on by Victoria Vane. Have met some wonderful ladies and am looking forward to the event which starts tomorrow morning.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy meeting authors, even those whose work I am not familiar with. I have found new authors I enjoy that way. I would really like to meet Julie Garwood. Her historicals were the first romances I read and hooked me on the genre.
Enjoy your time at the events your will be attending.
Patricia Barraclough
I hope you're having a wonderful time in Williamsburg! I have a lot of friends there this weekend. I would have gone too if I hadn't already made plans to visit family in Florida. Victoria plans awesome weekend reader getaways!
DeleteJulie Garwood is on my author bucket list. I would love to meet her!
I've been to a couple of Barbara Vey's weekends and last year attended RAGT in Cincinnati. This year I'm cutting back, despite wanting to really attend KissCon and RAGT. But I'll be near NYC when RWA is occurring and and hope to hit up a few events. Also, I've met a number of my favorite authors but there are still a few I want to meet.
ReplyDeleteEileen, I'll be at RWA. Let's get together if your schedule allows!
DeleteI have attended a reader-author event years ago and loved it. Will not be attending one this year, but look forward to reading all about your trip! Of the authors on the above list, I would most want to meet Alisha Rai, Sally Thorne, Sarah MacLean, and Lorraine Heath. Would most like a signed book by any of these four authors.
ReplyDeleteSally Thorne is coming all the way from Australia for KissCon and has readers beyond excited. I have a feeling she's going to have a very long line at her table.
DeleteHave a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'll do my best. ;-)
DeleteWonderful! Enjoy your special events. Lucky you.
ReplyDeleteI have never been to an extraordinary celebration as this but would enjoy it greatly. The authors are all so talented and special. Enjoy every minute of this time.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteIt's too hard to choose from the list that you gave us of the Authors attending as I have so many favorites. I would love to see anything that you bring back from the conference. I hope that you have a safe trip.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to an event as large as KissCon, but hope to one of these days! From your list, my votes would be for Alyssa Cole, Sonali Dev, HelenKay Dimon, Brenda Jackson, Beverly Jenkins, Julie Kagawa, Alisha Rai, Cat Sebastian, Nisha Sharma, and Mia Sosa. Sorry, I know that doesn't narrow it down much ;) Have a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteAll of them I'd like to meet. I normally attend in NYC
ReplyDelete