That video should give you an idea why I lost my voice the first night of RWA and still sounded like a four pack a day smoker by the end of the conference. Those literacy signings are LOUD! And crazy. Definitely crazy.
My apologies (I always seem to be apologizing, don't I?) for missing July altogether, but I wanted to be able to do my annual swag bag give-away, and it's taken me this long to get my bags unpacked and the laundry done. Not to mention writing like a madwoman because I've still not finished AWAKENED. I'm really glad I packed an extra suitcase, because it took every empty spot I had to get all the stuff home this time. I've got lots of books, some swag and the usual goodies from the "Goody Room."
I flew into JFK around 3:30 on July 21, but it was almost six before I got to the hotel. President Obama was in town to film Jon Stewart's Daily Show, and traffic was a mess. It gets a bit crazy when the boss is in town! I got into my room, unpacked and then met the wonderful Stella Cameron for dinner. It was so good to see her and we had a lot of catching up to do. Jayne Ann Krentz joined us in time for a glass of really wonderful port--I'm a huge port fan. Almost as big as I am a JAK fan! I definitely still suffer from a serious case of "fangirl-itis" when I get around Jayne and Stella. They both occupy a large section of my keeper shelves, and they've been wonderful about helping me maneuver my way through this author business. I try really hard not to get all giggly...
Of course, I didn't manage to get decent pictures of either Jayne or Stella. Typical! I did, however, get this one of the buildings surrounding the 9/11 Memorial. The pool is in the foreground, but the reflections on the building across from it are just as amazing.
My apologies (I always seem to be apologizing, don't I?) for missing July altogether, but I wanted to be able to do my annual swag bag give-away, and it's taken me this long to get my bags unpacked and the laundry done. Not to mention writing like a madwoman because I've still not finished AWAKENED. I'm really glad I packed an extra suitcase, because it took every empty spot I had to get all the stuff home this time. I've got lots of books, some swag and the usual goodies from the "Goody Room."
I flew into JFK around 3:30 on July 21, but it was almost six before I got to the hotel. President Obama was in town to film Jon Stewart's Daily Show, and traffic was a mess. It gets a bit crazy when the boss is in town! I got into my room, unpacked and then met the wonderful Stella Cameron for dinner. It was so good to see her and we had a lot of catching up to do. Jayne Ann Krentz joined us in time for a glass of really wonderful port--I'm a huge port fan. Almost as big as I am a JAK fan! I definitely still suffer from a serious case of "fangirl-itis" when I get around Jayne and Stella. They both occupy a large section of my keeper shelves, and they've been wonderful about helping me maneuver my way through this author business. I try really hard not to get all giggly...
Of course, I didn't manage to get decent pictures of either Jayne or Stella. Typical! I did, however, get this one of the buildings surrounding the 9/11 Memorial. The pool is in the foreground, but the reflections on the building across from it are just as amazing.
The actual conference doesn't begin until Wednesday afternoon, so author Ann Roth and I had made plans to see the 9/11 Memorial Wednesday morning. We took the subway and actually managed to get to the right place. The memorial is awe-inspiring. It's very somber, beautifully done, and so difficult to look at and realize how many lives were lost on that one morning. I remember the horror of sitting there in our living room out on Dry Creek Road, surrounded by beautiful vineyards, and watching the entire event unfold. It didn't feel real at the time, but standing there at Ground Zero where those huge skyscrapers once stood makes the attack very personal.
We had decided in advance not to go inside the museum. I don't know that I could have handled that without falling apart. As it was, I saw a young man standing in front of the wall that surrounds one of the pools. The names of those who died are carved into the stone, and he had his hand on one of the names and stood there quietly with tears on his face. I had to look away because I had such a powerful need to go up to this perfect stranger and give him a hug. It might have been welcome, just as it might not have, and it was obviously a very personal moment for him. It's a tough place to visit, but I'm so glad we did. I've needed to see where it happened ever since watching the buildings come down.
We left the memorial and walked south to the Staten Island Ferry and took that across to Staten Island. it was a beautiful day and a perfect segue from the memorial to the rest of the conference.
We had decided in advance not to go inside the museum. I don't know that I could have handled that without falling apart. As it was, I saw a young man standing in front of the wall that surrounds one of the pools. The names of those who died are carved into the stone, and he had his hand on one of the names and stood there quietly with tears on his face. I had to look away because I had such a powerful need to go up to this perfect stranger and give him a hug. It might have been welcome, just as it might not have, and it was obviously a very personal moment for him. It's a tough place to visit, but I'm so glad we did. I've needed to see where it happened ever since watching the buildings come down.
We left the memorial and walked south to the Staten Island Ferry and took that across to Staten Island. it was a beautiful day and a perfect segue from the memorial to the rest of the conference.
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This was the first time I've ever seen the Statue of Liberty. It's so beautiful standing out there in the harbor, and the view from the ferry is perfect. It was time for lunch when we got to Staten Island, so we had a quick lunch and then headed back to the conference hotel. The Literacy Signing was at 5:30, but I was hoping to meet up with a couple of readers who live in NY. I only had time for a short visit, but it
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was such fun to meet Lori Thillet for the first time, along with her friend Ronnie (And I do wonder if the poor guy had any idea what she was dragging him to!) and a lovely woman I've met before, Terri McCormick, who showed up with macaroons. She's also a truly evil woman for sabotaging the diet, but they were absolutely wonderful. I wasn't much of a hostess--offered to get everyone a glass of wine, but as it turned out I was the only one who literally slugged one down before racing to the signing. But many thanks, Lori, Ronnie, and Terri, for coming to see me. It's really special when I get a chance to personally meet people at a conference and actually have a few minutes to sit and visit.
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Many thanks to Lori for getting this photo! I was horrible at this conference--so busy talking I forgot to take pictures...
The week was busy--I did a panel with author Shiloh Walker, who is an absolute hoot--damn but she's got a sense of humor! There was a pizza party with the BookEnds Literary Agency where my agent, Jessica Faust, sat me across from James, the new intern. I may have scarred the poor young man forever. On Thursday night I had two cocktail parties to attend at opposite ends of |
Manhattan. The cabdriver who took us to the first one (Angie Fox, Lutishia Lovely, Mingmei Yip, and me) was amazing. I was in the front seat and felt like I was inside a video game, but Lutishia gets the prize for hailing the cab. Our hotel was right in the middle of Times Square, and finding a cab was not a simple thing, so we hiked down to 7th where I think she threw her body in front of one of the suckers. Whatever, it worked! Angie and I both write for Kensington and St. Martin's Press, so we were on our own getting a cab back to the SMP party on Madison Ave. I used my newly awakened cab-hailing skills and I think I was as shocked as Angie when one actually stopped for us!
Each of the publishers holds separate signings for their authors, open only to those who attend the conference. All the books are free (hence the need for the extra suitcase...) and I signed for both Kensington and St. Martin's Press. I also attended a couple of signings and did manage to see some of my favorites. Again, though, I got very few pictures. I really blew it this year!
Each of the publishers holds separate signings for their authors, open only to those who attend the conference. All the books are free (hence the need for the extra suitcase...) and I signed for both Kensington and St. Martin's Press. I also attended a couple of signings and did manage to see some of my favorites. Again, though, I got very few pictures. I really blew it this year!
Clockwise from top left, me with my agent, Jessica Faust of BookEnds LLC, Maisey Yates, who's an absolute hoot, long time buddy Angela Knight with her husband Mike Woodcock, and the amazing Nalini Singh.
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I had dinner Wednesday night with Elizabeth Hoyt and Victoria Alexander, among others, including long time Harlequin author Carole Mortimer and the incomparable Jade Lee, Thursday night's dinner was munchies at the cocktail parties, Friday night it was Greek with my Kensington editor Martin Biro, his partner Nick Laspina, and good friend Susan Lyons who was negotiating the conference with a slowly healing broken shoulder. She's a lot tougher than I am! Saturday night was a different Greek restaurant with author Jessica Scott--Jess was so much help with my second romantic suspense from St. Martin's (out Dec. 29) because the book has a military hero, and Captain Jess was exactly the person I needed to give me advice. She's also hell on wheels negotiating the crowds in Times Square. All in all, it was a crazy-busy conference, a chance to reconnect with old friends, to make new ones, and to surround myself with people who know exactly how it feels to hear voices in your head!
This will give you an idea of what Jess was dragging me through! It was nuts.
This will give you an idea of what Jess was dragging me through! It was nuts.
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That's me with author Jessica Scott at the Ritas. And that really cool crocheted scarf I'm wearing was a gift to me from reader Courtney Watts--It was perfect with my outfit for the evening. (You'll notice I wear a hat even with the grownup clothes...at least it was my fancy one!)
I've rambled enough. Please use the contest entry form that's to the right on your computer screen, and down at the bottom on your mobile device. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR INFORMATION in the comments section. I will delete it--it's too dangerous to post addresses online in public comments. The contest entry form SAYS "Contest Entry Form." I'm giving |
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away books and swag, and I think there's enough for three winners, maybe more. Before I go, one quick recommendation--I've just finished the second book of Lori Handeland's new series called SISTERS OF THE CRAFT. If you like action adventure, dark magic, witches and the spirit world, and some of the sexiest heroes ever, read these books. First one is IN THE AIR TONIGHT, second book is HEAT OF THE MOMENT, and the third one, releasing on Tuesday, is SMOKE IN THE WATER. You can read all about them on Lori's site at http://www.lorihandeland.com/ Reading keeps me focused when I'm on a tight deadline, and Lori's books are always wonderful. These are some of her best yet.
Take care, be well and don't forget to find time to read a good book! There are so many out there.
Kate
Take care, be well and don't forget to find time to read a good book! There are so many out there.
Kate
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