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| JESSA SLADE at Romantic Times Booklover's Convention (RT) |
Yes, reader conventions are exactly as much
fun as this headline implies! The boobs are on gleeful and gorgeous display
behind the stunning corsetry that is so popular these days. And even if you are
a teetotaler, your head will definitely be spinning at the end of every night.
But mostly, for authors and readers both, reader-focused conventions are a
chance to indulge wholeheartedly in the thing we so love: books!
There are romance reader conventions of
various sizes and specificities. Smaller events like Lori Foster’s Reader and
Author Get Together (http://lorifoster.com/connect-with-lori-online/readerauthor-get-together/) or Arizona Dreaming (http://arizonadreamin.wordpress.com/) offer a more intimate experience while subgenre-oriented gatherings
like the paranormal-themed Authors After Dark (http://www.authorsafterdark.org/) cater to specific reader tastes. Then there
is the biggest event of the year, the RT Booklovers Convention (http://www.rtconvention.com/), which has grown beyond romance and brings
in thousands of authors, writers, and readers. Truly, there’s a con for
everyone.
Whichever con you attend, you’ll probably
find similarities. Romance folk are some of the sweetest, silliest people
you’ll find in this world. I think it’s because romance novels are so often
disparaged when we know darned well the true power of hope, hard work, and hot
sex which lie at the heart of romance. [Note: The hot sex might be only implied
in some subgenres of romance, but I’m pretty sure it’s still happening, just
behind closed doors.] Cons are the place where we romance readers are free to
be ourselves.
Toward that end, here are a few tips for your
next (or first!) reader con:
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| From Author Linnea Sinclair's Intergalactic Bar & Grille party at the RT Booklovers Convention |
Bring the fun:
Even if you attend by yourself, you will be
among friends at a reader con, lots of friends. Feeling shy? Here’s your secret
handshake to insta-besties: “So, what do you like to read?” You can fill your
time from morning bagel to late-night cocktail with people who wants to share
their favorite stories and hear about yours.
Bring the fab:
Many reader cons have parties in the evening:
dinner parties, costume parties, dancing parties, all of those at once. If
there’s anyone/thing you’ve wanted to be, now is the time. Whether with simple
finery or flashy fairy wings (the aforementioned corsets are always
particularly fabulous) at reader cons, you are encouraged to shine as brightly
as your favorite romance heroine.
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| Author Delilah Marvelle bustin' moves at RT |
Bring the fascination:
For authors and readers both, reader cons are
a wonderful place to meet new people and learn new things. Try all the
gatherings, workshops, readings, and other entertainments the cons offer.
Bring an empty box!
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| Maxing out the baggage weight limits |
You will find great books and lots of
giveaway goodies at cons, but empty boxes can be hard to come by. Bring along a
prepaid USPS box that you can mail home directly from the hotel’s business
office. Even if you end up with space in your suitcase, a cardboard box will
keep the corners of your books from getting bent by disgruntled baggage
handlers who can’t believe you squeezed 49.999999 pounds into your little black
bag.
Reading and writing are both often solitary
pleasures, but one weekend of reader con excitement and exhaustion balances the
other 360 days of alone-time. And don’t we all need more balance in our lives?
Just don’t get too tipsy, and make sure you balance those bosoms with plenty of
books in your bag!
~ Jessa Slade
Love Conquers All...Which Explains the Scars
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| AMAZON BUY LINK NOOK BUY LINK |
Jessa Slade writes paranormal romance for
Harlequin Nocturne Cravings, urban fantasy romance for NAL Signet Eclipse, and
science fiction romance for herself. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with a
musician and a dog and is not-so-slowly working her way through every dark
chocolate dessert known to woman.
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSE
Jessa Slade
Jessa Slade
Convicted of treason, Adelyn has been
banished to the sunlit realm of humans—a fate worse than death for a musetta who
exists only to inspire other phae. To reverse her exile, she must
find a pair of lovers who have fled the court and return them to face the
Queen's wrath. But once in the mortal realm, she meets a man who unveils her
hidden desires…
When Josh Reimer discovers an ethereal beauty
at a cabin near his ranch, he decides the neighborly thing to do is take her
in. Adelyn inspires a passion unlike anything he's ever known and he vows not
to lose the magic they've found together—even if that means she must choose
between her home and their love.
5 comments:
Thanks for the Book Fan Con tips, Jessa! I can't wait to attend one!
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSE has an intriguing premise.What's not to love about Cowboys and Fairy folk?
Thanks for sharing your insights on Book Fan Cons, Jessa. If my memory serves, our own Genre-ista, Kris Tualla, started Arizona Dreaming so I gave a little 'yippee!' when I saw you mentioned it.
Thanks for the tips on visiting cons! Love your red and black dress. Is it vintage?
I attended the Lori Foster con last year and had a great time. I'm off to the RomCon this year in Colorado and maybe next year I'll finally become brave enough to try RT.
Thanks for all the great advice!
Great blog, Jessa. I'll be at AZ Dreamin so glad you mentioned it. :)
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