Conference by Numbers
Following in the tradition set by Lindsey Faber of the Romance Vagabonds, here's my conference experience as a meme.
Number of books I brought with me to the conference: Zero, since I thought I'd be loading up.
Best Traveling Companion: My laptop on Virgin Airlines, which has a power socket. Score! Yano flying Virgin for a historical writer has got to be a surreal experience.
Moment being at conference really sank in: When I met my roommate Cassondra Murray and immediately got immersed in the Romance Bandits party happenings. The party was the next day. In my room. Oops, surprise. Fifty people. I was like cool!! Par-tay!
Best Roommates: Cassondra was fabulous. I'd room with her again in a heartbeat.
Best Reason to Get Out of Bed: Fun people to renew aquaintances with and make new friends with.
Best Nametag Flair: Goddess of the Hunt pins, not to mention, pins from: Candice Hern's Bluestockings, Risky Regencies, Romance Bandits, and Squawk Radio.
First Nora Sighting: Wed, Jul 30, 7:30am at registration.
Second Nora Sighting: Book signing, Wed, 7/30, 7:30pm
Number of books I bought at the literacy signing: Four, including two I already owned (Joanna Bourne and Connie Brockway), Teresa Medeiros, and Susan Crandall.
Best Dinner: Beau Monde Soirée
Best Goody Room Find: Books, mais oui, pens and bookmarks. I also snagged a Marian Keyes title.
Most Star-struck Moment: Meeting the Harlequin executive editor. I babbled. Every time. I met her five times. Ugh!
Best Lunch Table Companions: Fog City Divas and Christie Ridgway
Best Celebration: The Awards Ceremony always causes me to choke up and cheer, and go home and write, write, write.
Fun Event Outside the Marriott: Cupcakes and Champagne party by the Fog City Divas at Citizen Cupcake. Everybody who's who was there. Spotted Jayne Anne Krentz walking outside, and she was so nice, she didn't mind my gushing all over her.
Number of time I tried to have breakfast with Anna Campbell: Thrice, but I did meet her in brief snatches. Something is far better than nothing.
Best Workshop: Eric Maisel on Creativity and Life. It was simply WOW!!
Dinners I expected to have: Five
Dinners I had: Two, by myself at the Terrace Restaurant and at the Beau Monde soirée.
Coolest Moment: When Mary Jo Putney met me and asked, "Are you THE Keira Soleore"? Yeah, totally made my day.
Funniest Moment: Megan Crane and I were talking about her taking pole dancing lessons for the recent launch party. She said that she has bruises up and down her legs. So she hoiked her leg up and rolled up her pant leg to show me, and some fan snapped a picture. Yikes!
Tastiest Moment: Kalen Hughes's Kickshaws class, with authentically prepared snack food and wines.
Number of booksignings I attended: Two, main and Grand Central Publishing.
Number of books I shipped home: 20
Best RITA Dates: Romance Banditas
Best RITA Entertainment: Emcee Suzanne Brockman
Number of RITA statues I touched: One, belonging to JQ
Number of days it has taken me to recover: I’m not sure I’m there yet! I'm still unpacking, but I've been reading, reading, reading.
Number of authors I blogged about meeting: Many. All mentioned in my photo captions.
Number of authors who blogged about meeting me: ?Don't Know?
Number of people I owe thanks for an awesome conference: Everyone I met, and so many unsung tireless volunteers. For the History conference, Kalen Hughes, I love you. For the touring, caring, and general awesomness, Diane Gaston, I love you. Ammanda McCabe, for your fashion sense and friendship, and Anna Campbell, for your delight and kindness, you both have my love. Candice Hern, as always, love you for everything. And to the Golden Rooster, Chook of the Romance Bandit Lair, hugs and kisses and grapes.
Posted on:
8/12/2008 08:04:00 PM
[Edited 8/12: The album links are all working now.]
