RWA Conference 2012

I should have called this blog ‘Name dropping’ because I will be doing a lot of it. But it’s hard not to when I spent the whole RWA conference going ‘OMG thats so and so’ and running around getting books signed by these authors.

Lets start at the beginning. We flew over to the Gold Coast with my family for a few fun filled days before the conference. Yes, we went to Wet’n’Wild and we went on the ‘wanted to scream my head off but was too scared’ ride first. Had the best day with the kids up and down the rides all day. (Gave my legs & butt a fab workout!) Perfect weather, hardly anyone around and no mobile phones AKA no work! Bliss. We also went to Seaworld and spent a day walking around Surfers Paradise. Hubby had the kids entertained while I was at the conference. I think they spent every moment in the pool, spa and huge water playground in the resort.

The conference hotel the QT was just over the road from our hotel and I have to say the hotel staff looked rather snazzy in their um…different outfits. I also can’t rave enough about the fantastic fabulous ladies who organised and ran the Conference. It was often heard that those who put their time into a conference often lost a book to it. Even the overseas guests raved how well it was run. So if you are a writer, I whole heartedly recommend joining the RWA and attending the conference. Next one is in Perth! Boy am I excited to go to one on home turf. Leah Ashton and fellow Perth conference ladies put on a fantastsic sneak peak for Perth. Loved it.

The Thursday was a published author’s proffessional development day and that followed with Penguin’s special event in the Stingray Bar with release of their new digital first Destiny. Here is Barbara Hannay and Cathryn Hein enjoying the freebies. It was great to finally catch up with my publicist Dianne and all the other Penguin’s. I did miss my own publisher Ali but adopted Cathryn and Barb’s publisher Belinda for the weekend.

On the Friday afternoon we had a Penguin photo shoot. Here is the gorgeous Helene Young in the make up chair. (It was slapped on that thick! We all had a good chuckle about it.) After wiping most of it off we headed down to the ARRA book signing event. Over 65 authors in one room!

First thing I did was ask Rachael Treasure to sign all my books I’d lugged across from WA! It was amazing to meet this lady in person who is so passionate about her country as I am. Loved hanging out with Rach. Below is the lovely Dee who travelled from NSW to meet us, with hubby Fox taking the pic. It’s meeting fans like Dee who really inspire us to keep writing and we love hearing their own stories. I’m sure we’ll have a book from Dee soon!! Also loved being on the Penguin Rural Panel with Barb, Cathryn, Rach Treasure and Penguin publisher Belinda. Great to speak about why we write our rural books.

I was sitting on a table next to the famous Bron Parry again. It’s hard to believe we only catch up every year, as it seems like just yesterday that we had the Melbourne conference.

Later we all got dressed up for the Cocktail Party with a 50’s theme. Here I am with fellow WA authors Leah Ashton and Rachael Johns. What a fantastic night! Lots of laughs.

Two Penguin authors Rach Treasure and Jennifer Kloester. (Such an amazing queen’s outfit!)

Then we had the awards night. I got to sit on a table with a group of wonderful ladies and watch Barbara Hannay, Fiona Lowe and Helene Young win awards. So very excited for all the ladies who won on the night. I was lucky enough to have my photo taken with Fiona Lowe (and touch) her American RITA award and to see her back that up with a R*BY award, awesome.

Sunday was a quiet day which we spent most of it drinking yummy cups of coffee and talking non stop about all things writing. It is amazing to be able to speak with people who understand everything about writing, who get everything you do. It is such a release. Had a great chat with Jaye Ford and Christine Stinson. And I got to meet new people who hopefully next year will be getting their first sale blue ribbons!!

Well that’s enough name dropping for me, I now have to go hit the edits. My brain is full of things from the conference and I want to put these to good use before I forget any of it. I also have the Dowerin and Newdegate Field Days coming up in the next few weeks so I’ll be a busy lady. Please come an visit me if you are going to either event. Would love a chat (as always).

So if you are a writer…join up with the Romance Writers of Australia. They are fantastic and you wont regret it!