My thanks to Cheryl for juggling our schedules so that I can blog live from the Romantic Times Convention today. I’m here to do a workshop later this afternoon with Jenna Kernan and Kate Bridges on “The New Old West: Grittier and Sexier.” Hey, promoting western romances is what I love to do best–besides writing them, of course.
I got up at the excruciating hour of 3:30 in the morning yesterday to catch a fast flight to
I can count on only a few fingers the number of times I’ve traveled by myself, and I admit I was a bit daunted by the size of the Pittsburgh airport. I’m one of those wives who blindly goes where her husband leads when it comes to directions, so I gave myself a big pat on the back when I managed to find the Baggage Claim area on the airport’s lower level with only one teensy mistake–and that was after taking the transit system. Afterward, I booked myself a seat on the express shuttle.
Whew. I’d made it. Getting to the Pittsburgh Hilton was now in the hands of my able-bodied shuttle driver.
Once I got settled in, a familiar face came and sat in front of me. Shari Anton, Warner and former Harlequin Historical author, had shared the plane with me from Milwaukee. It was great to visit with her on that very winding trip to the hotel.
One step inside the Hilton, and it was easy to see there was a romance readers conference going on. Women everywhere! Elevators are agonizingly slow, but we’ve learned to take the stairs between the lower levels after the staff put up some easy-to-follow signs through back hallways.
Once I got settled in my room, I called Jenna, my roommate, who’d been out doing a bit of sight-seeing. She came right up, and it was fun to finally meet her after months of planning for RT and the workshop. After lunch, we picked up the spiffy new cowboy hand fans I’d ordered and put them out on Promotion Lane, then we parted ways to attend our own workshops.
My choice was one on Romantic Suspense. I’d been wanting to meet Brenda Novak after reading DEAD RIGHT, the last book in her gripping Stillwater trilogy. (It was so-o good!) And of course, Heather Graham is an icon in the industry, and equally so at the RT Conventions. Here’s a pic, taken by Heather’s husband.
Brenda was very gracious in thanking the Fillies for our donation to her Diabetes Auction. Here’s a link with a picture of our western loot. (Thank you, Stacey Kayne!) I hope many of you will stop by and make a bid when the auction opens in a couple of weeks.
Afterward, I just had to go back down and see how those fans were doing. Going fast, let me tell you. The ladies are loving them! Some are taking three and four at a time. Here’s a few readers who were carrying theirs. Of course, I just had to snap a pic!
And how could I forget one of the three of us, buddying up to attend one of the parties held every night during the convention? That’s Jenna Kernan looking glam in gold, Kate Bridges in slinky blue and me on the right.
I probably won’t be able to respond to many comments today. Our workshop is looming, and we have to hunt down a projector, but I’ll be back later with more pics! Promise!
Pam has written 30 romances, most of them historical westerns, but she's proud of her contemporary sweet romances featuring the Blackstone Ranch series published by Tule Publishing, too! Stay up on the latest at www.pamcrooks.com
I love the play-by-play and pictures!! It’s *almost* as good as being there. Thanks and have fun, Pam! 🙂
Sounds like lots of fun! Can’t wait to hear more and see more about it!
Hi Pam,
You look wonderful in all the pictures! I’m so glad the handfans arrived! Good luck, though I’m sure you’ll be great, with your presentation!
Enjoy those hunky cover models!
Pam, it sounds like you’re having waaaay too much fun in Pittsburgh. I love the play by play. Makes me feel just like I was there and mixing with those fantastic authors and wonderful reader fans! There’s nothing like a group of women coming together to talk books. I love it!
Continue having a glorious time!! 🙂
Thanks for the report and the glamorous photos, Pam. I’ve never been to RT, hear it’s a lot of fun. Enjoy while you’re working hard (and I know you are.
Wonderful pics.
Everyone look like they are having a good time.
Great coverage on the RT Convention! Hope you get
some rest! I know if it were me, I’d be so laid
out by all the activities!! It would take me many
weeks to recover!
Pat Cochran