Personally, I prefer the smaller ones, just because it’s not ‘hit the ground running and don’t stop until three days after you return home’.

That’s the pace of RT.

Haven’t done RWA Nationals yet-first time is this year.

But I love the smaller events.

I have been to Lori and Dianne’s get together all five years and it is probably my favorite simply because it is a mix of readers and writers.

The thing I liked about RT when I went was that some of the authors who live farther away came to it vs the smaller events. I went to RT in 2005 in St Louis. Some of the authors I met were Susan Kearney, Karen Kelly, Lucy Monroe (1st time), Julie Kenner, Susan Grant to name a few. The cost is a bit prohibitive and when I went I cheated a bit. I stayed at the conferance hotel and paid the group rate price but I wasn’t “officially” registered for the event. This one was close enough for me to drive and what I did was arrange drinks, breakfast, dinner etc with some of the authors I had known on line for years. These were authors that I had interviewed,and or reviewed their booksover the years and they were kind enough to fit me into their schedule. I also attened some of the parties for RT since some of the authors didn’t and gave me their tickets to go. Overall my RT experience was a pleasent one and since my goal was to meet these people and talk one on one with them about their writing and the romance industry this worked out well. I am thinking about attending RT in Columbus OH next year again because it is so close to my home. If finances permit I would like to “officially go” but would be satisfied with the other route of attending as well.

As for RWA I have always felt that this is more of a writer/agent/publisher type event and I would love to attend this one unofficially just to hang out and see who I would run into. Would love to go to DC this year as it would be a great place to sight see during the day and author stalk at night. Finances don’t permit DC this year but I am hoping to maybe get to Nashville next year. In all honesty the main reason I want to go to RWA is to meet Nora Roberts. This is the only conference she attends every year and she is one that I have never met that I would love to meet. Would no doubt be “star struck” but maybe I could manage to ask her to sign the interview I did with her.

Overall my conferance experience to date has been positive no matter big or small. Like some of the others said I just appreciate being able to talk books and not have someone look at me strangely.

I might attend RT/RWA next year just for the booksigning since both are so close.

To be surrounded by people who “get it” is a thrill. No explaining why I’m lugging around two huge suitcases of books I could have bought at home; no justifying my love of clinch covers; just a bunch of friends who will happily debate the relative merits of Mr. Darcy and Phury all night long.

Happy sigh.

It was great to see you and I look forward to next year.

I have been to three RT’s over the years, and I attend RWA about every third year, depending on finances and location. This year I was in New York for a mini conference in March and saw my editor and agent, so I will not go to either RT or RWA in ‘09.

RWA is more of a professional conference, and when I was learning the writing business, it was invaluable.

Anytime I get to meet readers and other authors, I love it…

It is really great to see the comments and get the feel for what readers like to see and what works for authors.

Thanks, Laurie!

C~