I am home, enjoying the luxury of wireless internet that doesn’t require a $10 charge every day and doesn’t fade out when I want to, say, USE it, and really, REALLY enjoying the luxury of typing with all of my fingers as opposed to manic thumb-typing without capitals on the Blackberry. Man, my Blackberry needs time away from me, I think. It’s tired of me and my constant moblogging.
The conference, in a nutshell, was fabulous fun. Since I wasn’t there as an aspiring author, but was there to meet as many people as I could, I didn’t go to many sessions on writing, craft, publicity or self-promotion, but I did meet a ton of people and, when not about to fall over from utter exhaustion, I had a wonderful time. I did go to bed early, though, since gestating is tiring business. Note to self for future conferences: try staying up later.
Without sounding too much like Sally Field, it was incredibly humbling and gratifying to find out how many people visit and laugh and enjoy our site. Thank you to everyone who wanted to meet us, who wanted to say how much they like our blog, – and thank YOU for coming back to enjoy!
And! The most common thing I heard after, “OH, my GOD you’re from the BITCHES?!” was, “I never post; I lurk.” Hello lurkers! Welcome welcome! I am 100% all about lurking. When I blog surf personal sites and romance sites, I rarely comment. I lurk plenty.
But please consider this a friendly thread where you are welcome to de-lurk and say hello, if you like.
Thank you for making my conference experience so much freaking fun. I’m so pleased to have met you. See you next time!
Sarah! Glad you made it home safe. I gotta say out of so many most excellent highlights this past week, one that stands out was sitting next to you, feet up, texting at the RITA’s knowing that WE were doing THE Power reports of the moment. Once I got past that “shit, shit, fuck, fuck I don’t know how to use an IPhone” phobia I had going there.
I was thrilled and honored to get the chance to hang with the Bitches at conference!!! Candy and Sarah were just as smart as expected and. . . Dare I say it? Sweet as hell!!! See you next year, Sarah and Candy!!!
It was one long-ass week, with many highlights – and a few lowlights…aka ass-chewings. But meeting y’all was sincerely wonderful. I’m so glad you were there and I hope to see you in SF next summer.
Stef, who does indeed kickass when saying Carrrridad Ferrer…
Hi there! I’ve been a lurker forever and just wanted to say “hey!”
I LOVE the fact that this site tells it like it is with no “filter” or reservation about what others might think.
I’m often shy about telling people my website address for fear they might shun me. (Like people at church!) And for as much as I would love to sell as many books as possible I am careful about whom I market to. God forbid someone on the pastoral staff discovers I’ve written a book with lots of swearing and hot sex scenes.
Your website reminds me that it is OKAY to write what I NEED to write and not feel bad about it! (But it still doesn’t mean I can advertise my book in the church bulletin!
Delurking to say a BIG thank you for posting your experiences over the last few days! It was very much appreciated by those of us who couldn’t be there. I always enjoy your blog, but especially so the insight to the conference. Thank you!! 🙂
I do sometimes post, and I wasn’t at the conference, but I thought that I’d say “hey.”
Am I the only one who hasn’t read any of the RITA winners, and feels completely out-of-the-loop?
From another lurker who will start posting:Thanks for the great posts and pictures.
Wondering – is there an age-limit for “bitches”? I’m pushing 60. If it helps, I’ll go on prednisone – makes me even bitchier.
You youngin’s do rock.
Mitz
Delurking to say hey-there, also.
I’ve never been to RWA nationals, and since they’ve just dissed all my publishers as vanity-presses (I don’t sweat—I know the difference and my royalty checks do, too), I don’t feel I’m missing much. But thanks for the great photos and the sassy report. I feel like I’ve been to Nat’l without spending all that money.
Besides, in feathers or polka dots I look like a giant duck with the Pox.
Yep, lurker here. I too am glad to be home and typing with all my fingers! The iPhone is the ultimate con-going device, but… damn, that keyboard is tiny.
Y’all are just as hilarious in person as you are online. Can’t wait to go through all your posts… but I’m back at work now and must pretend to be doing something productive….
Also delurking long enough to say “Thanks for doing what you do, ladies!” I enjoy this site *a lot*, it’s one of my daily must reads. 🙂
De-lurking as well to say thanks for all that you do! My crit partners came here Saturday when the RWA site went down, so while they knew I didn’t win the short contemp RITA, they could Snoopy dance when another friend won her GH 🙂
Sarah, meeting you and Candy made my conference complete, and was one of the highlights. (Hmm, most of my highlights occurred in the bar—is that a problem?)
Now get some rest!
It was wonderful to finally meet you both, if only for a moment at the food joint at the hotel.
My delurking moment,
Haven Rich
Romantic Inks
Hi. I’m Gwynnyd and I lurk here quite often. I’ve read this almost since the first month, but only ‘registered’ a liuttle bit ago. I’m quite bitchy in person, love trashy books, and think of this a nice safe place to play.
Thank you!
See, I was reading all the entries wondering why the Bitches were having to type with their thumbs (had someone broken all their fingers? was it a new net joke like lolcats that I hadn’t yet picked up on?) and now, at last, I realise.
Um, so thank you!
Immi
Hi Sarah!
I was the person who interrupted your talk with Pat Gaffney on Saturday just before lunch, the Nora Roberts fangirl that Pat insisted on introducing to Nora.
I do love the site, very much, and it was a pleasure to meet you.
Another lurker here. I read every day.
I wish I could have gone to Dallas. It sounds like it was a lot fun!
Sarah, hon, you seem like a truly nice person. No wryness in this message. Honest.
Caught me!
I lurk daily, but now that I’ve seen your pics (no fangs or horns -LOL!) I feel safe posting.
Your Nationals coverage was awesome. Hope to be there next year to join the fun.
Thanks!
~ Wylie
Hello, said the lurker =)
Another lurker checking in. Mostly, anything I want to say has already been said (and said better) by someone else by the time I get around to reading and or saying it. *sigh* Still, I wouldn’t miss SBTB for anything.
(OMG, the site confirms it. I am “nothing77”. How did it know???)