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Friday, March 12, 2010

RWA Librarians' Day 2010

The Romance Writers Of America have posted the tentative schedule for the upcoming Librarian's Day event at their annual conference in Nashville this summer. Woot! If you're a librarian, and Nashville is do-able, I cannot recommend this event more. You do not need to be attending the whole conference to attend Librarians' Day. The price is so ridiculously right, they feed you lunch, the freebies are off the hook, and every author in attendance takes the time to tell you how awesome you are - I mean, how can you not attend?

2010 Librarians' Day
July 28, 2010
Gaylord Opryland Hotel - Nashville, TN

8:00 – 9:00 AM
The Romance Readers Advisory Interview
Speaker: John Charles
Readers’ advisory can be intimidating! From information about the romance genre and its subgenres to ways to negotiate the always tricky readers’ advisory interview, this session will provide exactly the tools you need to effectively connect romance readers with the right book.
  • A past RWA Librarian Of The Year award recipient, Charles currently reviews romance novels for Booklist. I've heard him give presentations on this topic before, and I always walk away with some new nugget of information I can use "on the job."
9:00 – 10:00 AM
What’s New and What’s Hot in Romance Fiction?
Speakers: Eloisa James, Kristin Ramsdell, and Christie Ridgway
Are vampire romances still popular? Are western romances on their way back? New York Times bestselling author and B&N.com reviewer Eloisa James, Library Journal romance reviewer Kristin Ramsdell and USA Today bestselling author and Bookpage romance reviewer Christie Ridgway, discuss the latest trends they see in romance fiction, including upcoming titles, to help you market your collection and target your romance programs.
  • I've heard all these presenters speak before, and they're all great! This should be an interesting discussion. I never get tired of hearing about trends.
10:00 – 10:30 AM
Break
Stretch your legs and enjoy some refreshments. Don’t wander too far! We’ll be hosting a fun “romance trivia” game during the break and handing out prizes to librarians that correctly answer questions about the genre.
  • Trivia! Prizes! Food! Woot!
10:30 – 11:30 AM
Focus on Young Adult Romance
Speakers: Amy Alessio, Simone Elkeles, Susan Gibberman, and Alyson Noel
Young adult romance authors and two librarians discuss the unique traits of YA romance and how this subgenre of romance appeals to teens and adult romance readers alike. The authors will also share insights on recommending YA romance reads to your library community.
  • My knowledge of YA is woefully lacking - mostly because it's not my "job" to buy it for work (that honor goes to one of my esteemed colleagues). Hopefully I'll pick up some tidbits that I can bring back to her, and also to my Lil' Sis: The High School English Teacher.
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Tips and Tricks for Effective Romance Collection Development
Speakers: Wendy Crutcher and Tessa Dare
Purchase or pass? Should it stay or should it go? Materials Evaluator Wendy Crutcher and author Tessa Dare share the dos and don’ts for making smart romance collection development decisions, along with helpful resources to get the job done.
  • Well la dee frickin' da! Lookie who we have here? Famous (and totally kick-ass) Regency Historical author Tessa Dare and some supposedly "super" librarian who is hoping she won't make a total ass out of herself. For the record - uh, I have no idea what I'm going to say yet. OK, that's not entirely true. I've written about half of this presentation in my head - I just haven't put it down on paper. Once I get past my own library's literary event in a few weeks, I'll be working on this in earnest. ::Gulp:: Calm blue ocean, calm blue ocean....
12:30 – 2:00 PM
Librarians’ Luncheon featuring New York Times best-selling author Sherrilyn Kenyon
  • I've heard Kenyon speak before, and I thought she was a hoot. Funny and personable, a good choice for a lunch time speaker.
2:30 – 4:30 PM
Librarian/Bookseller Networking Event with Authors
Come to this fun, informal meet and greet with your favorite romance authors, and leave with free goodies and more
  • I always put in an appearance here. For one thing, this is where all the freebies are, and the last few years the Librarian Goodie Room has been beyond awesome. Also, it's a chance to chat with a whole horde of authors, and pass out your business card. Last year I spent quite a bit of time hanging out with the Harlequin Historical brigade that was there. Plus it's a good way to kill time before the big charity booksigning that starts at 5:30PM.
This will be the sixth Librarians' Day event that I've attended (the first I'll be presenting at ::gulp::), and I've yet to have anything less than a totally awesome day. If you're a librarian, and you're going to be in the area, please consider joining us. Registration is dirt cheap, but it's only open to the first 100 people. You can find the registration form here.

15 comments:

Tessa Dare said...

DUDE. They told me I was going to be on a panel! A panel of two, apparently. :) LOL. Well, we will just have to rock it out.

I look forward to playing straight (wo)man to your comic genius. No pressure.

Oh, I am also good for: nodding sagely in agreement.

I will vouch for the fact that the librarians' day goody room is like Willy Wonka's Romance Factory. I saw it last year. O.O

Seriously, I'm so looking forward to it! *dusts off MLS*

lisabea said...

I'll have my ear to the door and my eye to the key hole.

And then Rosie and I will meet you two later in the bar. Yes? YES!

Sounds fantastic Wendy & Tessa!

Christie Ridgway said...

I can't wait to hear the other speakers! It's going to be a really good day.

Carrie Lofty said...

I'll add my endorsement. I went to the luncheon last year and they had the *best food* of the whole conference. No wonder they make us authors pay more! I've also manned the librarian goodie room for the last two years--it's such a wonderful buffet of free + awesome. See you there, ladies!

Renee said...

Wow, sounds like loads of fun. It also sounds like we're going to need a post RWA get-together to get the recap!

michellewillingham said...

Will definitely see you there! Love RWA. :)

After attending the first librarian's meet and greet, I learned to bring author copies along. Much better than bookmarks, says I. :)

SonomaLass said...

I am SO TOTALLY JEALOUS. If I could get there, I would -- Wendy + Tessa = some wonderful dream that I would embarrass myself by describing. So I won't. Rock it, ladies. Rock it hard.

Amy said...

I can't wait to hear about how this goes! I was hoping to make it to RWA this year, but sadly it's not in the cards. :-(

Wendy said...

Tessa: We're both so full of awesome that they only NEED us two. Tee Hee. We'll chat more after we get past the library wing-ding in a couple of weeks. Get our ducks in a row :)

Lisa: Well, the bar sometime - I know that much! When it gets closer we need to put our heads together for a meet 'n greet one evening.

Christie: So excited to see you again!

Carrie: Yeah, they usually feed us pretty well. And zomg! The Librarian Goodie Room!

Renee: Oh yeah - a get-together will definitely be in the cards afterwards. Rosie and I will most likely have goodies to share.

Michelle: I made out like a bandit last year - and I didn't even come close to taking one of everything that was in that room. Holy moly!

Sonoma - LOL, that's no pressure right there ;)

Amy: I wish you were going too :( It's been kinda a rough year for our merry band, hasn't it?

BevBB said...

I'm only an hour & a half away from Nashville, give or take depending on who is driving. ;-) So, I may try to make it down for the Literacy Autographing thing that evening.

But I do bet you rock, Wendy. :-D

nath said...

Wow, it sounds soooo great!! Makes me want to go to RWA so badly!!!

Sigh, totally jealous now. *pouting*

mslizalou said...

I can't wait for RWA! Wish I was a librarian so I could go to this day. I am taking the week off from work since RWA is down the street from me. Can't wait to meet everyone!

Lynn Spencer said...

Oh, that sounds really cool! Sadly, I'm only a former library worker so no Librarians' Day for me.

Wendy said...

Bev: Oooooh, you really need to try to come to the Literacy Signing! Honestly, it's the most awesome part of the conference, and it's open to the public, free of charge. Well, free except for the books you buy ;-)

Nath: Next year in NYC? Hopefully? And you're going to have LOADS of fun at RT!

Liza: We need to do a get-together one night. Last year we did a gathering in the hotel bar, and that was oodles of fun.

Lynn: It's always such a good day :) And have I mentioned the Librarian Goodie Room? LOL

Lynn Spencer said...

>>the Librarian Goodie Room

Oh, I wish! I think my husband is happy that I won't be hitting it, though. The TBR mountain promises to become its own range soon.