All of us here at the Hot Pink Palace of Mayhem and Impropriety are going to be at RT in Dallas this year, and the excitement is palpable, mostly because we’ve run out of gifs to illustrate it.
We’ve discussed what markers are best for signing the inside of an e-reader cover, what to wear (NB: cowboy boots are formal wear in Texas, which is a beautiful thing), what to drink (Shiner Bock is my favorite beer and I do not as a rule like beer, so this is a FRABJOUS thing for me) and what all we’ll be doing.
Are you counting down the days? Over here, we might as well set up a neon billboard with a “Days till RT” display. Of the five of us, I’m the only one who has attended before. The others are newbies – and as a group, we have a LOT of plans – I think Carrie might have a color-coded spreadsheet schedule somewhere, and Amanda definitely has her own custom calendar set up.
But I think one of the best ways to keep your schedule handy is to use the RT Convention App, which syncs with your online account and allows you to indicate which sessions you want to attend. If there’s a room change or a time change, the app should let you know – and since I’m always paranoid about switching from Eastern to Central, the app works to confirm my own calendar, where I’ve entered sessions and appointments.
So I thought I’d highlight some of the things we’re doing and the things we’re looking forward to as well.
Amanda: I like how books are going to be given out at the exercise morning events.
Elyse: Yeah, that’s not happening. If you see me before 10 am then I haven’t gone to bed yet.
RedHeadedGirl: me either
Amanda: …so is anyone going to ride the mechanical bull with me?
RedHeadedGirl: ….maybe….
Carrie: HAHAHA No. Amanda, you are going to be our manic pixie dream girl, aren’t you? I sense it.
Elyse: I will totally do it. I will regret it but I will do it
Carrie: My joints would snap right off.
Amanda: Sorry, Sarah – Hot Guy Bingo with Jaci Burton and Jill Shalvis is at the same time as your panel on Reviewers, Publishers, & Authors.
Sarah: Dude, always go to the games. Always. If you’re a reader or a first-timer at RT, the games – Bingo, Wheel of Romance (NB: I’m part of this one!), or carnival games, whatever – are the best. They’re always fun.
Oh – and if you’re a knitter or stitcher (Hi!) don’t miss Lynda (aka Fish With Sticks) hosting her knitting/stitching gathering in the bar on Tuesday night. It starts at 7 and continues, usually repeating each night of the conference. It’s very fun and very friendly – I usually join in with cross stitching after dinner.
So, what are the sessions you’re most excited about?
Amanda: Pocket & Gallery Books session (5/14 from 4-5pm) – I love Kresley Cole and just the Gallery/Pocket books imprints in general from Simon & Schuster.
Taste of Texas Romance Rodeo (5/13 from 9pm-11:55pm) – I’m excited to see everyone together as this is the first big nighttime event. There’s also going to be a mechanical bull.
Then a tie for third place: Hot Guy Bingo (5/14 from 1:30-2:30pm) and Hold ‘Em Like We Do In Texas (5/15 from 2:45pm-3:45pm) – I love bingo and I love Texas Hold ‘Em. Throw in some authors and potentially some eye candy, and I’m definitely going to be there.
RedHeadedGirl: We Need Diverse Books, the RT edition (5/15 from 1:30-2:30pm). Practical Self-Defense for Writers and Their Characters, (5/14 from 2:45-3:45pm) and Writing the Authentic Historical for the Modern Reader (5/13 from 3:45-4:45pm).
And, don’t forget: Carrie, Amanda, Elyse, RedHeadedGirl and I are hosting a reader discussion of Outlander together with Regina from RT, which should be ridiculous fun. I mean, it’s called Outlander: Knitting, Discussion, Prizes, and Snacks! (5/15 from 10:00-11:00am)
What could possibly be bad about that!? We have great prizes, too! DVDs of the first season of Outlander (Season 1, Volume 1 first 8 episodes) and copies of the book, courtesy of Penguin/Random House and Sony — thank you, thank you!
I’m also doing a few sessions: the above mentioned Writers, Publishers and Reviewers: Real Talk, Real Answers, Really. For Really Reals, with Cora Carmack, Pam Jaffee, and Sophie Jordan (5/14 from 1:30-2:30pm).
Plus, I’m part of a session on Retro Book Clubs for the librarian track at RT with Caitlin Augusta and Kate Ryan (5/13 from 2:30-3:30pm), and Being Heard: How Bloggers Can Start and Maintain a Publisher Relationship (5/14 from 2:45-3:45pm) with Erin Galloway, Sue Grimshaw, and Heather Waters.
If you’re coming to RT next week, I hope we’ll get to meet you.
And, most important of all, we want to know what’s on your agenda! What about you? What sessions or activities are you most looking forward to? What do you absolutely not want to miss?
I will be attending for the first time as well. There are times when there are so many things going on at the same time that I want to attend that I am not sure how I am going to pick. Some are geared towards me as a reader, and some for me as a writer. I want to attend your Outlander session, partly for Outlander, and partly to see all of you and to hear all of your voices rather than just reading them. I also want to listen to some of my favourite authors talk about their genres and experiences. It is going to be tough to choose.
Oh my gosh this event looks saw awesome and it’s right here in Dallas! *cough* anyways if I can get off work I would love to attend the historical workshop because Shana Galen is the head of the panel and I love her stuff.
@Lammie:
It really is hard to choose sometimes. But please introduce yourself if you see one of us, or are at the Outlander panel? I hope you have a great time at RT!
This is my first RT and I am already impossible to be around. lol So much to see and do but I def have Writers, Publishers and Reviewers: Real Talk, Real Answers, Really. For Really Reals and the other one on my schedule to attend. My main goal is to just meet everyone I have spoken to and be befriended online for years.
It will be my second RT! Last year I recall a blur of cupcakes and books…I think it was Avon that threw that party? I was not prepared for the sheer number of books being given away at every event. Like whole bags full. The award ceremony gives a bag stuffed with all nominees and winners. It’s awesome!
One tip! It appears the schedule of who is appearing in Club RT is not integrated with the rest of the app or index! So check that list separately for authors you want to meet. Club RT is literally just the author sits there at a table for half an hour and chats with whoever walks up. A really great time to say hi or get autographs.
Can wait to see you ladies in action! Will be glad to see you in the booksellers/librarian room!
Wow, I don’t know if I will ever be brave enough to attend RT. Y’all have a great time!
I am a reader. This will be my first time to come to anything like this and I am so lost as to what to do and when to come. I have limited funds so as much as I wish i could attend everyday that is out of the question. How does one figure out what to do? thanks so much for leading me in the right direction. My daughter and 2 of her friends will be bringing me since I can’t drive. I live in the neighborhood in Grapevine HOme of all the vinegards
This is my first RT Convention and I have the absolute delight of being one of the authors hosting “Hold ‘Em Like We Do In Texas”. So glad that all you ladies will be at the convention. Hope to see you at some point. And so glad, Amanda, that you are looking forward to our event. The ladies involved have put a LOT of work and thought into every aspect.
Of course I am really nervous, being a newbie author and a convention virgin as well!
Sandi, I live in Irving and I am catching the Dart TRE train into Dallas. It goes straight to the hotel, no transfers. Even though I can drive, I value my sanity too much to attempt Dallas rush hour traffic!
This is my first RT and I am so super excited. I’ll be traveling by myself, but I am hoping to get to know some fun romance fans!
This is my first RT and I too am so excited. I’m a reader aspiring writer, and this is the first big event of my sabbatical this year. Yay! Can’t wait!
So jealous. I went the last 2 years and I love going and I just want to go now every year but its so expensive. So I’m saving my money to go to one in Vegas and I will not stalk Richard Rawlings in Dallas 🙁
Aloha! Did you know May is Military Appreciation Month? I hope the Smart Bitches team can join us for the SOS America Military Tribute at the Convention Hotel. It is scheduled for Thursday, May 14, 830 am – 930 am, in the Cumberland Ballroom K on the Exhibition Room. Although it is not listed on the agenda, this event is open to any reader in the Dallas area (do not have to be registered for the convention to attend). Here is the link to free tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/12th-annual-sos-america-military-tribute-at-the-rt-booklovers-convention-tickets-15528542288