Amazon discontinued the ability to create images using their SiteStripe feature and in their infinite wisdom broke all previously created images on 12/31/23. Many blogs used this feature, including this one. Expect my archives to be a hot mess of broken book cover images until I can slowly comb through 20 years of archives to make corrections.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Librarians, Academics, Authors, Oh My!

Wednesday at RWA is always a full rich day for me since it's All About The Librarians. I got up early, grabbed my conference registration, then headed to the Librarian Event. I attend this program every year for three reasons:
  • I always learn at least one thing new from the diverse program.
  • They feed me.
  • The swag is off the charts.
This year was no exception. The panel discussions ranged from such topics as planning author events at your library, a panel of authors discussing the various sub genres, an academically-bent panel talking about the history of the genre and how to recommend romance to literature snobs, and a focus on multicultural romance. My personal favorites? The academic panel and the multicultural panel that featured Jade Lee, Candice Poarch and Tracy Montoya.

The librarians get their own swag room, and even with me behaving myself, I still walked away with several books. My biggest coup? I got my hands on Beth Williamson's first two Brava titles. Kristie was particularly green.

Next up was the Literacy Booksigning, and I honestly believe it was crazier than usual this year. I can't wait to hear how much money they ended up raising. I was very restrained and only picked up a handful a titles. A few for myself, and a couple for two romance reading colleagues at work. But the Literacy Signing is also a great place to just chat with authors. I stopped by and talked to several - including Christie Ridgway, Kathryn Smith, Chris Marie Green, Sylvia Day, Tracy Wolff, Trish Albright, and probably half a dozen others I'm forgetting. And for any of my e-mail loop buddies reading this (Hey SL-ers!!!!), I did run into Amy, we did get our picture taken together, and she did buy too many books. As if there really is such a thing as too many books? I also briefly ran into JMC at the signing, but it was so insane that we were more like two ships passing in the night. She's here for the rest of the conference, so I'm hoping I see her tomorrow!

After that, I made a pit-stop at a party hosted by the Harlequin SuperRomance authors. They had munchies, and gift baskets to give away (sadly, my unlucky streak holds). I also got myself a rather kick-ass plastic tiara that lights up. Yes, I know. You all are supremely jealous.

By this point it's 10PM, but I'm not done. It's off to do some mingling and "networking." I got to connect with some more bloggers, including Katie(babs) and Aymless. I also ran into the ever fabulous Megan Frampton who was hanging with one of her best buds, Carolyn Jewel.

Tomorrow (uh, OK....today) the conference officially gets underway with workshops, keynote speakers, and a luncheon. It's now 2AM and I'm still up typing this blog post. The no sleep at RWA trend continues to hold. So if this post is a complete mess, makes no sense, and you're wondering if I've gone slightly insane? Yeah, it's 2AM. Cut me some slack.

Until tomorrow.....

18 comments:

Kristie (J) said...

Now I did get one of the Beth Williamson books at the signing that you got, but I'm still pea green over the other one. I can only console myself with the fact that I do have one or two other books that I picked up *g*

sula said...

goodies! Who needs books when you can get a plastic tiara? I want photographic evidence, ms. wendy. ;)

yay librarians!

~ames~ said...

Thank you for sacrificing some sleep to keep us updated!

Can't wait for more details...and pics eventually. LOL

Joy said...

OK, I am so jealous! I want to go next year. OK, OK so it doesn't really relate to medical librarianship (no signs of any of the doctor romances at any hospital I worked at) but my fangirl inside is yelling--go you fool! Do I have to start a blog on romance or get elevated to super status to attend? When you take a minute out from your mad round of parties, swag and meeting authors, let us lurkers back home know.

Samanthadelayed said...

SO Jealous, but so happy you are having a good time and keeping us updated!

Liza said...

Sounds like so much fun! I'm so there next year. Thanks for the updates and would love to see a picture of you in your plastic tiara.

Tracy said...

Fun, fun, fun!

I'm jealous of your tiara! You've got to take a picture of it on you if you haven't already!

Glad you're enjoying yourself. Can't wait to hear more!

Wendy said...

Joy: The very first RWA I attended, I didn't sign up for the whole conference. I only registered for the librarian event, went to the big book signing, and that was it. And honestly? I got so much out of just doing THOSE things. I'm not sure how much practical work-stuff you'd get out of the event given that you're in the medical field (it's geared very much towards public librarians), but it is interesting, and it's a great place to do some networking.

There were countless readers who attended the Literacy Signing last night and that's all they did. It's open to the public, so anyone can walk in off the street and attend. If RWA is within driving distance, I always encourage readers to go to the signing because it's honestly the coolest event at the entire conference.

Rosie said...

I end up with a "Hat Squad" hat from Karen Rose and you get a tiara. There's no justice in the world.

Rowena said...

Goodness, keep these posts coming. I'm loving all of them. It sounds like you're having an amazing time.

I'm happily and patiently waiting for pics from all the fun!

Thanks for keeping us updated Wendy!

sybil said...

I want to hear more about the speakers sounds mucho interesting...

Wendy said...

A tiara picture is in everybody's near future! I promise to load pics on Monday. Truly. Right now it's been all I can do to keep up with blogging. It's go, go, go.

Sybil: The multicultural panel was really great. I'd read Jade Lee before, but not Montoya (who writes for SRS) or Poarch, and plan on picking up titles by them once I get my butt home.

sybil said...

I know it isn't shocking at all that I think you should do a post, uh huh yes for tgtbtu *g*.

What? You can do it when you get home ;).

lol I wanna be there with you two. There is an author you guys needs to track down if she is there... I go find the name and email you

Kati said...

Wendy - WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN??? We're like ships passing in the night. I keep hearing, "You just missed Wendy." We have to catch up tomorrow!

Beth Williamson said...

Hey I'm a coup! Sweet! I'm glad you got you copies Wendy. :)
And Kristie - if you find me I'll give you the other book you didn't get. ;)

Kristie (J) said...

Beth - I will be looking for you then!!! *g* As Wendy can tell you, I'm as big a fan of the Western as she is and I've been looking to try your books for a long time now!! I'm not proud - I would love to take you up on your offer - heh heh heh

Janicu said...

Sounds wonderful. I'm utterly jealous and wish I was there. :)

Wendy said...

Kati: I'm so glad we finally got a chance to meet! You and Lusty Reader were the last two bloggers I had to track down.

Beth: I was soooooo excited to see them in the Librarian Goody Room. I practically tackled a few people to get my hands on them.

And in case anyone is curious - Kristie found Beth at a Samhain shindig last night. One of the things I forgot to blog about. Duh.