This year, the conference bags for RWA 2009 were provided by Harlequin, which was awesome for two reasons. First, they had vintage cover art. Second, they were BLOODY HUGE. I mean, there could not have been a bag better suited to the book signings and the massive influx of books provided at RWA. You could put a Yugo in there.
I don’t have the books that came with the bag because I gave them to a teacher from Omaha. The AFT was ending their conference the day I arrived, and one of the teachers shared an elevator with me. You should have seen her face when she realized that OUR conference bags came with ROMANCE NOVELS. She was not pleased that her conference bag was not so well equipped!
I know many people expressed drooling envy over the bags – which is understandable because they are Teh Coolness – so I’ve got two for you. Leave a comment and I’ll pick a random winner. If you were at RWA, what was your favorite part? What part did you get the most out of? And if not, are you coming next year to Nashville? You’ve got 24 hours – ready set go!
ETA: I have one more! Barb Ferrer is giving away her bag, so there’s three for grabs. Thanks, Barb!
ETA II: Electric Bugaloo – Edie asked, “I don’t suppose you would be willing to send one to Australia?? It was a bit too far for me to travel to go to the conference.” Unless otherwise specified, I will ship all prizes for any giveaway internationally. See the ads over there?—> Them’s most of my postage budget, baby, yeah. 🙂
ETA III: Jane from Dear Author is throwing hers in, so that’s four bags up for grabs. Woo hoo!
ETA IV: MORE! Julie James has offered her bag- so we got five!
ETA V: STILL MORE Katiebabs has offered hers, too.
ETA VI: What? Yes! Shiloh Walker has given hers to the party, too. SEVEN baby!
I was so happy to hear the RWA was in DC this year since I work in DC. Only part I got to go to was the signing. I met up with Carly Phillips, Julie Leto, Leslie Kelly, and Nora Roberts. I couldn’t stick around long enough because work called and I had to rush back. But I do want to say this was my first conference for RWA that I attended and I am sure this wont be my last. Sounds like everyone had fun.
I was attending the American Library Association conference in Chicago that weekend—and RWA was in my hometown! Harlequin was there, giving away those bags, but it was a very sad, small, picked over booth by the time I got to see it. I did get to see Charlaine Harris in a panel session, though! (ssh, don’t tell—it was not quite a work related session, since I work in a specialty library with no fiction on the shelves.)
I’ve never won anything and I am dying to go to next year’s RWA. Please pick me!
I collect bags, and this one looks wicked cool!
Sadly did not attend this year’s RWA but am looking forward to Nashville 2010.
Bag me baby!
I am so there at RWA next year – hold me over until then by picking me for a bag!
I’m so glad I found your website! I’ve been reading romance novels (secretly!) since I was a teenager. I’m an artist and a graduate student who is old enough and educated enough to know better than to read trashy books – at least that’s the attitude! It’s satisfying to find some peeps that can rock it without shame.
Who knows? Maybe I’ll now investigate a career in revolutionizing romance novel covers. The covers are half the battle! And maybe I will end up at that conference next year…
Long-time reader; first-time poster; not a romance writer, but avid romance reader. Driving home from the grocery store on Saturday morning, listening to NPR, suddenly Scott Simon is doing a piece on the RWA convention and interviewing Nora Roberts! That alone was worth my annual public radio membership. Nora did a fabulous job of explaining why romance is so popular and she did it without slapping Simon (which I would have had trouble not doing because he kept patronizing the material even while admitting he shouldn’t patronize the material—sigh). It was as if Simon couldn’t get over his prejudices where romance is concerned. He actually read the first (and, hopefully, last) paragraph of a romance novel he tried to write. The editor who critiqued it (I don’t remember her name, but, like Nora, her self-control was admirable) pinpointed the problem right away—lack of sincerity; readers can always tell when a writer is not sincere. I’m sure you can listen to the whole thing at NPR.org (yes, I’m terrible, do not have the link).
Anyway, would love the bag. I’d carry that in one hand and my old NPR bag in the other!
Spam filter: even45. If only I were!
It killed me not to be able to take advantage of RWA, but I’m unemployed at the moment. Hopefully, that won’t be the case next year.
Bag or no for me, I just wanted to tell you I think it’s pretty cool you made that teacher’s day. 🙂
(and no, I didn’t go)
Haven’t been to RWA, but I have been to regional conferences. Nashville isn’t too far, though, so maybe next year.
I wish I could go next year, but I’m saving the money for RT which is closer to me.
Never been to RWA but I’m going to seriously have to consider it. HUMMM! I like Nashville. Are readers of blogs welcome as well as bloggers? My inner fangirl is calling.
I’ve missed conference the last several years, and I go into a funk over it every July. I’ve already announced to my entire household that I’m going next year no matter what. Even if we’re eating scraps because money’s tight. Even if it conflicts with the kids’ summer activities. Even if extended family chooses that week to visit from far away. Unless there’s significant blood loss involved, nothing’s getting in the way.
I’ve never been to RWA, but Nashville could be doable next year. I’d love the opportunity to meet some of my favorite author, I know other bloggers go, so maybe I could also.
Dottie 🙂
I’m applying for a passport now, so that I can go to Nashville next year. Which will be the furthest south I’ve ever gone (current record: Jackson Hole, Wyoming).
My luck’s been pretty good lately, so I’ll throw my name in the hat. I didn’t make conference this year, and it doesn’t look like I’ll make it next year either. But who knows? A lot can change in a year. I registered to go to Dallas two years ago and ended up in the hospital instead.
Didn’t make it this year, but might try for next. Nashville is not an unreasonable distance from me, and it sounds like a blast.
And those bags? Adorable!
I didn’t get to go this year, but enjoyed hearing your tales from there—would love to be able to have a bag though. 🙂
I have never been to RWA. However, I would luvre to go to Nashville. I heart Nashville. I have only been there twice yet it is one of my fave places to visit.
Those bags are to die for! I might make Nashville next year; it’s road-trippable.
Oh wow—cool bags! And I love that you gave your books to a teacher you met in an elevator, hee.
I’ve never been to the conference but there are 100 other places I want to visit in Nashville, so I might actually make it next year!!
I just want to comment that I think the very best part of this post is that you gave your books to a teacher. That is just awesome. I volunteer in my kids’ classrooms and it’s a da** shame how much of their own money teachers spend on supplies and classroom reading books. You probably made that teacher’s year!!! Thanks for supporting a teacher!
Didn’t have a chance to go to RWA, but one of these day I’m going to make it there. Bags are too awesome!!!
I failed (epically) to snag one of those bags at BEA, so I hope starving artists qualify for the random draw!
I did talk to Harlequin reps about merchandising the retro covers, begging them to put them on anything and everything. Handbags, wallets, Converse sneaks, journals, you name it! A fonder dream, I haven’t had. At least not since seeing those bags at BEA!
A whole bag of FREE romance swag?! OMG I think I just came a little.
Unfortunately not going, since it’s a long, long way from Quebec City. Bah.
I hated missing out on all the conferences this year. But being in that awkward stage of having sold but not having Secrets of Sin out until February 2010 I thought it best to wait and save up for RT, RWA and Moonlight and Magnolias next year.
I love the bags. I have a notebook that’s very similar but it’s a vintage Avon cover.
Just have to say kudos to you for giving your books to that Austin teacher. Things like that can make a person’s day, month, year and is always an awesome thing to do.
So good on you!
I haven’t been to any conferences yet and I’m nearly as jealous of that as I am the bag. Maybe next year I’ll be able to manage one—I think there’s one in Orlando every year, and that’s closer, but I can never remember to look it up until just after it happens.
Please ship to India!! Please, please!
-anin
Ooooh…I would love a bag. I think it would be great fun to go next year but it will all depend on the budget.
I couldn’t go this year, and I would love to go next year, but that depends on when I get a job and how big of a sacrifice the student loan gods are going to demand on my now deferred loans. Stupid recession.
We’ve been negatively impacted by the evillll economic downturn for the past eight months, so no National for me this year. Hopefully, next year will be better, and I can scoop up some of those free books while visiting Nashville.
Thanks for the great giveaway, Sarah!
-S
Those bags are MADE of AWESOME!!! Here’s hoping I’m the lucky winner! (No, I wasn’t there…but with those bags and all your posts, I sure wish I was!)
Holy Freakin Smokes! I do covet said bags beyond reason!
What pray tell can I tempt you with for one of my very own?
Will chocolate suffice, or would you prefer I grovel at your feet and declare my undying devotion?
Name your price!
Awesome bags, I’d love to go but it’s a bit far from Ireland! The idea of being able to meet with some of my favourite writers would make me very happy. I just have to cope with the local SF/Fantasy conventions.
My issue with RWA is that I just can’t afford it. I would love to go, and am very jealous of everyone who did. And those who will next year, because unless I win the lottery or something, I won’t be able to foot the bill next year, either.
Sweet buttery jebus those bags look hot! I’m a sucker for vintage 🙂