RWA recap, part one!

Sorry for the delay on this post. Aside from getting ARCS ready for UNLEASHING DESIRE, I caught con crud and feel like I'm dying. 

Holy wow, you guys. My mind is still spinning from the RWA 2016 National convention. This year it took place in San Deigo, so not only was it my first RWA, but it was also my first time in California. Pretty nice state.

Wednesday

Right when I arrived at the hotel, I had an embarrassing moment where I thought my roommate, Terry Spear, had booked the room under her real name. No, her real name is Terry Spear. I was just at the wrong hotel. I'm still blushing because I talked to a ton of people before I figured this out.

Then one of the guys at the Mariott hotel told me it was too far to walk to the Embassy. HE LIED. It was only 3 blocks down the street. Not only that, but my cab driver got lost, almost got us killed from checking the GPS on his phone, and overcharged me. Ass.

But once I got to the right place, Terry was an angel about me fan-girling all over her and we got to dish about industry gossip before getting ready for the literacy signing.

That signing was incredible! And I guess we raised over $10,000! People came and saw me and took pictures, making me feel like I was all famous n'stuff. :D

I also ended up with the coolest seatmate, author Jackie Ashenden. Her New Zealand accent made me feel more welcome since my aunt is from there and she shared her delicious NZ candy!

After the signing, I met up with one of my Facebook groups, "Binders Full of Women Romance Writers" and had a drink with them by the pool. They were a lot of fun and we made other plans.

Then I wandered back to my hotel, where I discovered that the bar there had Angry Orchard in PINTS!! (Insert Hobbit Voice here)

There was a nice enclosed outdoor smoking area which was surprisingly deserted, which was nice because I needed quiet before bed.

Thursday

Early in the morning (okay, 9:30) I met with my fabulous agent. Then I met with a few Binders and attended the Key Note Luncheon, where Beverly Jenkins was the speaker. That woman is amazing. I just started reading her book, Night Hawk, and I love it.

This was us waiting in line to see her.

After lunch, I went to some workshops. Holy wow, Barbara Vey is AWESOME! It is my new goal in life to attend her Reader's Appreciation Luncheon.

I also got to socialize with Carolyn Brown and Grace Burrowes! Fangirl squeal!!  

Afterwards, I walked down to Ralph's for Red Bull and hard cider, because Thursday was party night. Since my schedule didn't match up with anyone, I got dinner at the store and sat outside and ate with a homeless veteran. He reminded me of my drinking buddies at the Powder River Saloon.

Afterward, I caught up with Terry and we went to a room party hosted by the Binders. The view from their room was killer. 

After that we went to the Harlequin Pajama Party and made a new friend in Librarian Frannie. She was awesome.

Then I hung out by the pool and made a new Canadian friend, Author Trish Loye Elliott. (Later I accidentally called her an Aussie friend because I was talking to Aussies earlier, lol)

Then I stumbled into bed way too late.

Check out Part 2!!