Bitchin' Blog Posts
: Romantic Times
April 21, 2012 | Saturday at 12:07 am | 26 Comments
As I'm sure you already know, there's more to romance and more to Romantic Times than man titty. Much like a romance novel, there's a lot happening on the surface of the conference, and a lot more interesting things going on behind that surface.
For example, CNBC was broadcasting live from RT, and focusing lightly on the business numbers of romance as an industry while showcasing shirtless men, women gathered, sometimes in white boas, generally conveying a rather awkward party atmosphere.
And of course, erotica, and "mommy porn" was brought up.
Of note: one of the most hilarious visual compositions is the news reporter with a giant headless pectoral bouncing along next to the her in the near-background. Floating man titty!
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April 19, 2012 | Thursday at 10:36 am | 16 Comments
I was part of a panel on contemporary romance at RT, and took four pages of notes, because I thought the comments from the other panelists were so interesting. I think I've transcribed my own handwriting correctly - I hope so, anyway.
On the panel with me were Louisa Edwards, Christina Skye, who I learned has a PhD in classical Chinese literature, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, and Jodi Thomas. The session was called ' FINDING THE EXTRAORDINARY IN THE ORDINARY" and was moderated by Beth Ciotta.
I don't know if you've ever moderated a panel, or watched a moderator in action, but a good moderator is a wonderful thing, for both the panel and the audience. Beth is, hands down, a marvelous moderator - and it's something of an under-appreciated skill. She had questions for us, took inquiries from the audience, then did a one-word-answer fast question segment at the end that was fun and silly and very revealing. Moderating is difficult sometimes, especially when trying to have a multi-part conversation with four or more panelists, and Beth did a fantastic job.
Among the highlights from the panel:
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April 18, 2012 | Wednesday at 12:46 am | 55 Comments
Zoe Archer was kind enough to write up the survey results from the Romance Family Feud game at Romantic Times. I'd posted a link to the survey a few weeks ago, and the answers during the game itself were so funny, I asked if they'd be willing to share. Thank you!!
A big thanks to everyone who participated in the Romance Reader Family Feud survey we posted a few weeks ago. We had over 575 responses! The Family Feud game at RT turned out to be more fun than is possibly legal in several states, and we have you to thank (or blame) for it. The hosts of the game were Tessa Dare, Vivian Arend, Nico Rosso, Louisa Edwards, and myself. We laughed, we screamed, we made my husband Nico blush. Pretty damn awesome. I promised that I’d post the results, especially for those who weren’t able to make it to RT. So, without further ado, here are the findings. Because y’all were very, very creative, I’m only able to post the top five answers for each question, so if you notice that something’s missing, that doesn’t mean it didn’t show up on the survey, it just didn’t…
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April 17, 2012 | Tuesday at 1:46 am | 20 Comments
I took a lot of notes at the RT sessions I was part of - and this might be the most I've written by hand in a long, long time. What follows is a general round up and highlights of the sessions and things I noticed at RT this year.
Reading!
I was part of four sessions. One was "Choosing the Right e-Reader for You," with Jane Litte and Angela James. That sessions was up against some very popular sessions, and was very intimate. We had some folks who were still unsure which reader they wanted, and some who were thinking about upgrading to the newest model or getting a new reader to replace a very, very old one.
Having a small group to discuss e-reader pros and cons meant that we could make specific recommendations for the people who were seeking their next digital reader, and we could talk about the major questions that each person must answer, namely: how much do you want to spend, where do you read, and where do you shop for books.
One point that I made: there are a lot of people who can tell you that you're…
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April 07, 2012 | Saturday at 4:47 am | 4 Comments
Friendly reminder for those attending Romantic Times next week!
The Boner Donor Bingo Game is Saturday April 14 at 2:30 pm local time. It's right after the Giant Bookfair, which is from 11:00 - 2:00pm. So if you get some books, you can bring them to the bingo game, where there will be mayhem, bawdy jokes, a ton of candy for marking your bingo cards (and maybe eating), and really, really, I'm not even kidding, awesome prizes.
Seriously. So many awesome people have sent me prizes and items to add to big honking gift bags of excellent, and I wanted to share with you some of the prizes that are going to be there for the winning:
A Keep Calm and Carry On suitcase A roller suitcase filled with books and gifts and other awesome items A basket of contemporary, paranormal, YA, historical, and romantic suspense romances - including some books that aren't out yet (DUN DUN DUNNNNNN) A gift basket of writer's tools, and The Cutest Thumb Drive Ever filled with ebooks A Coach purse An assortment of handmade jewelry, including…
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February 15, 2012 | Wednesday at 12:07 am | 9 Comments
Late last year at Posner's book signing for EIKAL, I learned about SuperAmit's battle to find a bone marrow match after he was diagnosed with acute leukemia. Through social media, he found a donor, but the facts I learned about the bone marrow registry and the lack of donor matches for minorities was eye-opening.
You might have seen the Maccabeats' video for Hanukkah (I featured it here as a Friday video) also sought to raise awareness for the bone marrow registry and the need for more matches to help save the lives of people who have leukemia.
Over the winter, I decided to do something to raise awareness in the romance community, and I reached out to Romantic Times, who were totally awesome and very excited - and they've partnered with DKMS for this year's conference.
My idea was to host a bingo game during Romantic Times - Boner Donor Bingo, in fact. And this is where I would like to ask for help!
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April 11, 2011 | Monday at 7:43 pm | 24 Comments
It’s time for Overheard at RT, where I collect everything that’s funny, silly, and out-of-context absurd, and present it for your snapshot pleasure.
“Does anyone here have a book? *many kindles and nooks appear* No, I mean a PAPER book?”
“…Then the dirty pillows came out.”
“My 15 year old son read your book and loved it.” “Oh, thank you… but you know, my books have sex in them.” “Yes. That is why I am buying these two for him. Would you sign them?”
“WOW. Dirty pillows AND muffin top that JINGLES?” “Shut up. All the ladies jingle here.”
“Jane is a romance ninja spy.”
“Oh! I know you! We inter-library-loan all our erotica from your library!”
“A good review explains why, whether it’s good or bad.”
“Does price affect your ability to take a chance on a new author?” “YES!”
“We had a book custody battle when I moved out. There was a spreadsheet involved.”
“I get books from Australia because England sucks.”
“I LOVE a horny triangle.”
“Smart women laugh a lot.”
“We’re passing the balls around.” “But don’t squeeze them at inappropriate times!”
“How do you like your heroes?” “Medium rare?” “Yes, hard alpha coating…
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April 11, 2011 | Monday at 4:05 pm | 28 Comments
I’m home from RT, I’m unpacked, and, in deference to the past 5 days I spent in heels, I’m not wearing shoes. It’s weird to go from hearing and seeing the people I talk to all day back to reading their comments online. It’s very… quiet in here.
The roundtable Jane and I led focused on where and how readers discover books. Kat from the ARe Cafe has a write-up of the session. Most readers discover books they want to read online, either by recommendations or by reviews - or even seeing what people have recently bought. I said this was sort of like checking out the discard rack when you try on clothes. I am always curious what people have already tried on and discarded, but then, I operate on the idea that everyone else knows more about clothing than I do, so I look at that as a round of selection that’s already been made by someone more knowledgeable than I - even if they didn’t want what they selected. Many readers at the panel mentioned GoodReads, blogs, Amazon and Facebook as sources of book information from other readers, and the places where they most often discover…
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April 07, 2011 | Thursday at 2:20 am | 359 Comments
Greetings form RT, where the bar goes dead at about 430-5 so people can get dressed up for dinner, and the party doesn’t stop until well past midnight, no matter what time zone you’re in. I heard via Twitter that there were many people in the gym this morning from the RT conference crowd. I’m betting that gym will be a little more sparsely populated in the next few days, unless running with a hangover is your thing.
I know a few people wish they were here, and I can’t say that I blame you for that feeling. I’ve been looking forward to RT for awhile, and can’t wait for the Saturday YA day, and the panels I’m giving. But for all of you who aren’t here, I have a taste of RT for you.
This year, attendees get a pass to the Goody Bag Room, which is filled with books. Really, you walk in and take a deep breath, like it’s fall and someone has a wood fire burning. It’s New Book Smell, y’all. You’re allowed to select 9 books, plus a signed totebag to put them…
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March 31, 2011 | Thursday at 11:20 am | 6 Comments
Next week I’m flying the long journey to LA, with two major questions. One, can I fit everything in a carry on, and two, what sessions do I absolutely not want to miss?
I am really excited about RT this year because the conference has done some really smart programming things, like scheduling an entire day of YA authors. Last year at the book fair, there were teams of mothers and teenaged girls (and younger) roving in groups wearing matching fan t-shirts, eager to meet their favorite authors. This year, RT has set aside special sessions for those fans to come, get books signed, and meet with their favorite authors on Saturday. There’s the Teen Party, speed dating where registered attendees can meet authors in small groups, and sessions that are interactive as well. I think this is SO smart - and I bet it’s going to be crowded with many a hand-made tshirt. I’ll try to get pics of the best ones.
And if you’re not a teen but you’re interested in talking in person about all the ideas and changes we talk…
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May 05, 2010 | Wednesday at 9:15 pm | 8 Comments
Gosh you’d think the internet was really for p0rn or pictures of cats, but really, it’s all about WOMEN. Heh. And not in the porny sense, either.
From an article from Bob d’Awessome, women not only rule mobile social networking, but we rule social media, too.
This doesn’t surprise me now that I’ve thought about it. I barely have time to return phone calls and have long conversations but I text all day with friends all over the country about new babies, Tylenol recalls (yes, my children’s pain relief options are now down to bourbon and schnapps), and whatever else is going on. Perhaps that’s typical of most women - we keep in touch in tiny ... doses of connection. (Heaven help me, I almost wrote, “we keep in touch in tiny snatches.” There. You can enjoy that as much as I am).
If you missed it when I pimped it earlier, Brenda Novak’s Diabetes Auction is on, much like Donkey Kong and other things that are on. I neglected to link to the item I have up for bid: a shiny, sparkly (maybe) author interview here at the hot pink Bitch palace. According to the listing,…
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May 04, 2010 | Tuesday at 10:02 am | 27 Comments
Usually with any conference or event I attend, there’s always one memory or item I remember best, something that sort of encapsulates the entire event. Sometimes, it’s not a good thing (Pittsburgh’s RT, while hosted by my home town, was a hot mess of groping and asthma attacks for many) and sometimes it’s something outside the script, like at RT in Orlando, when Beth Ciotta turned to Heather Graham and remarked that she couldn’t believe Heather’s daughter, who had just danced onstage, was no longer 3 years old. That moment reminded me that although many people disagree about RT and the events and tone of some of those events, every year that conference is populated by a family of (mostly) women drawn together by their love of books and, perhaps, corsetry. Seriously, not everyone, as I was reminded by KristieJ, has someone they can talk about romance with frankly and honestly and with joy and snark.
This year the moment of RT that I’m going to remember is from the book fair. Yes, I know, you were expecting me to say that the Mr. Romance contestant rubbing Poland Spring water into his manscaping would be the moment that burned…
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May 01, 2010 | Saturday at 5:10 am | 33 Comments
RT is difficult to describe to someone who isn’t familiar with romance novels, with fan conventions or with the way avid women readers feel about their books. For example, I told someone recently that romance novel readers have a noise they make when someone mentions a book they adore as well. Sort of a heavy sigh, like an extended, “Aaaaaaah.” I’ve said before that two romance readers might not have a single thing in common except the books they read, and that alone gives them hours of conversation.
However, I am guilty of forgetting, and I need to be more mindful of this, that so many women do not talk about the romances they love because if they do so, they’ll be mocked for it. They don’t have people to talk with about how much they adored the latest Anna Campbell novel, or how incredibly powerful that book by Ann Douglas was. They might interact online every now and again, but at RT, there are enthusiastic and avid fans in line everywhere, and there’s no snide remarks about loving romance.
So many authors I’ve spoken with adore coming to RT because it is uninterrupted and extensive time to speak directly…
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April 28, 2010 | Wednesday at 10:02 pm | 6 Comments
At 4:30 pm on Thursday 29 April, MULLETGASM will begin! KristieJ will be wearing THIS WIG:
In the bar! With much revelry and merriment! I believe she is bringing a flannel shirt. And I, bearer of The Mullet Wig if TSA does not confiscate it, am here to tell you, and please don’t tell anyone, that The Mullet Wig shipped WITH ITS OWN HAIRNET. Only the finest hairnetted mullets will satisfy the international incident that was MULLET MANIA US vs. CANADA.
Man, can anything be more awesome!? YES! MULLETGASM in the BAR PART ONE. Because there will be MORE MULLETGASM at RWA.
I think my capslock key is tired.
MacGuyver would want you to come, is all I’m saying. Thursday. 4:30 pm. Bring your mullet.
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April 26, 2010 | Monday at 10:53 am | 25 Comments
This year at RT, I will be presenting two sessions and helping out with a third. Along with Angela James and Jane Litte, I’m presenting a session on digital reading on Friday 30 April at 11:15am. We are going to have a veritable smorgasbord, dare I say, a cornucopia of digital reading devices for you to fondle and ask questions about. Jane, Angie and I will talk a bit about the differences and the challenges to switching to digital reading, and there will be a digital reading device to win for those who attend courtesy of AllRomanceeBooks.com and OmniLit.com.
Plus we will be recommending a few romance novels for session attendees to try at a very spiffy discount, also from AllRomanceeBooks.com and OmniLit.com.
Before that, at 10am, Jane and I will host a live Save the Contemporary session with Louisa Edwards and Julie James. We will be talking about what makes contemporary romance work, what readers are looking for, and what books theses contemporary authors have coming up next for us to enjoy. So if you like contemporary romance as much as we do, come on over.
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