RWA Librarians Day 2013

Dear Lord above, it's almost June.  Which means the Romance Writers of America (RWA) conference is right around the corner.  Once again, I will be in attending in all my awesome-sauce librarian finery (ha!) and presenting a workshop as part of Librarians Day on Wednesday, July 17.  This year's conference is in Atlanta, Georgia and if you're a librarian in the area I cannot strongly recommend this day enough.  The workshops are always entertaining (I learn something new every year!), everyone from RWA staff to authors are super-duper nice and treat you like a rock star.  Oh, and the librarians get their own goodie room.  Yes, we have our own goodie room.  It's also shockingly and absurdly cheap for librarians to attend (only $25, which besides the freebies includes lunch!).  Seriously, how can you not afford to attend this?  Here's a rundown of the schedule, complete with commentary that only I could possibly provide. 

Registration is capped at the first 100 attendees, so get thee on over to the RWA web site to sign up!

8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Let's Talk: Young Adult, New Adult, "Adult" Romance
Presenters: Roxanne St. Claire, Christie Craig (a.k.a. C.C. Hunter), and Molly McAdams

Join three authors as they discuss young adult romance, new adult romance, and “adult” romance. What is the difference between them? What makes YA romance unique? What makes new adult romance different from other contemporary romances written for adults? What is the crossover appeal for adults reading YA romance? Why is new adult romance suddenly so popular?

Librarians, we want to talk to you, too! We’ll give out prizes to those who can answer our questions on shelving and reading recommendations for each of these areas.

Wendy Says: WooHoo!  A chance to win prizes!  Which means I probably shouldn't stand up and deliver my dissertation on how I think the term "New Adult" was coined as part of a massive publishing conspiracy to drive librarians batshit insane.  

9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Romance Programming: Book Groups and Beyond
Presenters: Wendy Crutcher and Jennifer Lohmann

RWA Librarians of the Year Jennifer Lohmann and Wendy Crutcher will talk about library programming for fans of the the romance genre, from the small (book clubs) to the large (romance author panels during literary festivals). They will address everything from good authors/titles for discussion to partnering with your local RWA chapter.

Wendy Says: What is sure to be the best panel of the morning!  Me!  Jennifer Lohmann!  Librarians Of The Year 2010 and 2011!  I love Harlequin SuperRomance!  Jennifer writes for Harlequin SuperRomance!  What's not to love here folks?

10:00 – 10:30 a.m. Refreshment Break Sponsored by Sabrina Jeffries

Wendy Says: If she serves the terrible lemonade from Almack's I am so starting a food fight.

10:30 – 11:30 a.m. From Sweet to Steamy: Exploring Diversity in Romance Fiction
Presenters: Sylvia Day, Eileen Dreyer, Rachel Gibson, and Shirley Jump. Moderated by: Jeannie Moon

Some readers like their romances very sweet, while others like them very steamy. Some readers like small town contemporaries, and others love traditional regencies. Attend this session to explore the different sides of romance. Bring your ideas, because we will all work together to make some reading lists you can use in your library!

Wendy Says: I just want to say that I suggested a panel of this ilk.  No really, I did!  Which means RWA thought it was a good idea or else they were really desperate for ideas.  Really great line-up of authors for this panel.  Looking forward to this one.

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Have Faith
Presenters: John Charles, Shelley Shepard Gray, Tina James, Kristin Ramsdell, and Regina Scott

Inspirational romances are one of the hottest (well not "hot" but you know what we mean) of all subgenres with readers yet there still seems to be some common misperceptions about this subgenre. Join a panel of librarians, authors, and an editor as they discuss inspirational romances and why readers love them.

Wendy Says: Not unlike the romance genre, I really feel like the inspirational marketplace has come a long way in, say, just the last ten years.  There's more diversity now, savvier marketing, and frankly?  Better writing.  There's some really great writers working within inspirational these days. Hoping to score some recommendations from this panel.

12:30 – 2:00 p.m. Librarians Day Luncheon Featuring New York Times Bestselling Author Jill Shalvis

Wendy:  WooHoo!  Lunch!  And Jill Shalvis!

2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Librarian/Bookseller Networking Event
Come to this fun, informal meet-and-greet with romance authors!

Wendy: This would be the infamous Librarian Goodie Room.  It's also a chance to chit-chat with authors, and even a few publishing types (In years past, I've run into some editors).  

5:30 – 7:30 p.m. "Readers for Life" Literacy Autographing
Don’t forget to come to RWA’s “Readers for Life” Literacy Autographing from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., where hundreds of romance authors will be signing copies of their novels. Proceeds from book sales go to ProLiteracy Worldwide.

Wendy: Every romance fan, I think, should experience this event at least once in their lives.  A list of authors participating can be found on the RWA web site.  I've got two words for you all: Jude Deveraux.  OK, make that four words: Jude-Mutha-Effing-Deveraux! The small corner of my brain where I keep Emo Teenager Wendy bound and gagged just let out a muffled squee! 

RWA Librarians Day 2012

The annual Romance Writers of America conference is being held in my back yard (well, not literally) this year, and the final touches have been added to the Librarians Day event - which will be held on Wednesday, July 25 at the lovely Anaheim Marriott Hotel.  The cost is a ridiculously low price of $25 for the day.  If you are a librarian and the cost of attending the whole conference makes your wallet weep?  I cannot strongly encourage you enough to at least attend this one day.  For that $25 you get a half-day of workshops, lunch, and access to the kick-ass Librarian Goodie Room (which for the last several years has been off-the-chain).  This will be my seventh (?) Librarians Day and I have never had anything less than a wonderful time.

You can register via the RWA web site, and they cap registration at 100 attendees.  Check out the day's itinerary below - it's pretty awesome!

7:30 – 8:00 a.m.
Registration/ Badge Pick-Up

• This would be where you also get your first round of freebies.  Typically the conference bag along with several free books.

8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Creative Marketing: Connecting Romance Readers and Authors at the Library
Speakers: Amy Alessio, Simone Elkeles, and Susan Gibberman
Description: Make the most of your resources with some interactive romance-themed programs for teens and adults including book launch parties, online book discussions, chocolate tastings and writing workshops. The 2008 RWA Librarian of the Year, Susan Gibberman, will join notable teen librarian Amy Alessio as well as best-selling and RITA award-winning author Simone Elkeles to highlight creative ways to market events to capture the attention of romance lovers.  Fill seats at your events, and keep them coming back for more.

• WooHoo!  Program ideas!  Also, Simone Elkeles = awesome.  I've heard her speak before.

9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Focus on Historical Romance
Speakers: Suzanne Enoch, Karen Hawkins, Sabrina Jeffries, and Julia London
Description:  Chat with four popular (and hilarious) historical romance authors. What’s popular in historical romance now? What do they see coming in the subgenre?  What do they love about historical romance, and why do they write it? Who are their “must-read” romance authors?  Attend this fun discussion, and bring your questions, too!

• Out of this group, I'm most familiar with Sabrina Jeffries - who is a very good presenter.  This should be a fun panel!

10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Break
Stretch your legs and enjoy some refreshments, but don’t wander too far! We’ll be hosting a fun romance trivia during the break and handing out prizes to librarians who correctly answer questions about the genre.

• A chance to win more freebies!  Plus, caffeine!  Cookies!  Woot!

10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Blast from the Past
Speakers: John Charles, Joanne Hamilton-Selway, and Shelley Mosley
Description: Tired of the continuing focus on what is “new” and “hot” and “trendy” in romance fiction? Three former RWA Librarians of the Year will share with you their choices for a dozen “classic” romance writers whose books belong in every public library collection.

• Really happy to see this panel.  Bookstores are great, but one area where libraries have a distinct advantage is with "back list."  Also, I'm a firm believer in "core collection."  Every genre has one, including romance, and every library needs to strive to have the "essentials."

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Romance Readers’ Advisory
Speakers: Wendy Crutcher, Kristan Higgins, and Kristin Ramsdell
Description: Two former RWA Librarians of the Year and bestselling romance author Kristan Higgins will share their tips for “romance readers’ advisory 101.”  From the RA interview to information on the genre, find out what you need to know.

• Oh, hey!  Look, it's me!  And Kristin Ramsdell (who has written the book on romance readers advisory) and World Famous Author Kristan Higgins.  Which begs the question - how did I end up here?  RWA, letting in the riff-raff again.....

12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
Librarian Luncheon Featuring New York Times Best-selling Author Kerrelyn Sparks 

• Trying to think of the last paranormal author we had at Librarians Day.  Sherrilyn Kenyon a few years ago me thinks.  Anywho, have never met Kerrelyn Sparks - so looking forward to this!
  

Last year's Goodie Room haul

2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Librarian/Bookseller Networking Event with Authors
Come to this fun, informal meet-and-greet with romance authors!

• Along with the networking?  Yeah, this is the Librarian Goodie Room.  You do not want to miss this!

Don’t forget to come to RWA’s “Readers for Life” Literacy Autographing from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Anaheim Convention Center, where hundreds of romance authors will be signing copies of their novels. Proceeds from book sales go to ProLiteracy Worldwide.  

• The best part of the whole dang conference (well, that happens outside of the hotel bar).  Free and open to the public, an event that I think every romance fan should try to attend at least once in their lifetime - if only to see 400 authors and scores of fans crammed into a ballroom. 

It really is a fabulous day, and I cannot strongly encourage librarians enough to attend this event.  RWA has consistently done a lovely job of organizing the day, and you really get some major bang for your buck.  Hopefully I'll see a lot of you librarian-types there.....