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 in, so off I went to build a Taste of RT giveaway package.
If you win, you’ll receive 12 books (nine from the goody room plus three additional books), including a signed ARC of The Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegen, romance novel trading cards, bookmarks, promo items, candy, and a selection of excerpt booklets. The books that are in the package include:
Please note: the copy of Outlander is a free promotional copy with a promo-oriented cover.
What do you have to do to win? Well, next year RT is in Chicago, and this year it’s in LA. Tell us where you think RT should be next year. Hellertown? Ellsworth? Key West? Make your case for your ideal place in the US (not like I have any control over this, obviously – this is all collective wishful thinking!) and I’ll select one winner at random to win. I have a postage-paid Priority mailbox with me, so I’ll send your items from Los Angeles as soon as I have your address.
Standard giveaway disclaimers apply: I’m not being compensated for this giveaway. Your mileage may vary. Void where prohibited. Entries valid only on website. Prune in the spring, cut down in the fall. I think Sarah MacLean’s next book should be titled “Thirteen Ways not to Hurl When Chasing an Earl.” NO! “Thirteen Ways to be a Hot Mess When Tracking Down a Marquess!”
Comments are open for just under 24 hours, and this entry is (I’m sorry!) open to US only (The postage is already paid for domestic post. Yes, I suck a lot).
Ready Set Go! Win a Taste of RT!
DC because it’s close enough I could possibly afford to travel there. Really, my only reason I’m selfish er, desprate to get away.
St. Louis because it’s far enough away from me to feel like an adventure, but close enough that I could drive. Plus I’ve never been to downtown St. Louis.
I think RT should be in East Windsor NJ. It’s close to my home and our holiday inn is near our lovely library with picturesque lake. Also around the corner is a block called Manlove Avenue. I think it’s rather fitting.
Showing some Texas love…Austin please! I’d fly home for it. Home of SXSW and ACL. Or San Antonio. Awesome margaritas on the Riverwalk. Who doesn’t love a good margarita?
I would totally read a book titled “Thirteen Ways not to Hurl When Chasing an Earl.” or “Thirteen Ways to be a Hot Mess When Tracking Down a Marquess!” ONLY, if they’re written by Sarah MacLean.
Thanks SB Sarah for the giveaway!
Jersey City, NJ. Or anywhere in NJ, really. We get no love, so we might as well bring some over.
Nashville, TN!! Mainly because it’s within driving distance and I would love to go. I would totally ditch my kids with the grandparents and have FUN!!
to Boston, to Boston! (sorry, Dropkick Murphy’s stuck in my head…)
I vote for Boston. New Englanders could generally use some exposure to the rest of the country and the romance world would be a great start! Plus winter is LONG. And Grey. Very grey.
2nd choice would be DC. Cause its my heart home and will always have a special place in my heart.
P.S: New Book Smell is my favorite. Glad I’m not the only one.
Toledo, OH.
Because I live here and then I could go. Also because it is relatively close to lots of places, plus we have really, really good Lebanese food. And a big lake.
I think RT should be held in Niagara Falls, NY next year. It is the most romantic city in the world (forget Paris!), the former honeymoon capital of the world (lots of looking at water falling over rocks so you can spend your entire honeymoon making babies in your hotel), and its one of the seven natural wonders of the world…just like romance novels!
Totally impractical ‘cause they only have like 1700+ population, but how about Romance, Arkansas?? (gotta admit, I googled “romantic names of American towns”)
— Bonz
Pittsburgh because Pittsburgh=Andrew Carnegie=guilty conscience=major philanthropic giving=FREE PUBLIC LIBRARIES. Plus, the inclines are really fun to ride.
I vote for a place that should be the obvious choice for a romance convention – Intercourse, Pa! It’s very close to Blue Ball, Pa & Beaver Valley as well. What could be better.
Barring one of those locations, I’d love for it to be in the N. Central Florida area, near Gainesville, so I could attend too. It sounds awesome!
San Francisco, because its the such an accepting city for all types of loves and romances. Also the bay views are extremely romantic and there is tons of fabulous restaurants!
RT should absolutely be held in Seattle!
The practical reasons:
•Amazing and romantic destinations like the restaurant on top of the Space Needle and the Fremont Troll
•Great hotels and an awesome convention center that I just happen to do work at
•A beautiful tradition of romantic stories like Sleepless in Seattle
The less practical reasons:
•SUPER hawt nerdy reader and writer boys and girls—Seattle tops the NaNoWriMo charts every year
•The romantic sight of the cherry blossoms every spring
•I moved here for love 10 years ago, so it’s the city of love for me!
I think Chicago sounds like a great place to have it. (I’m a bit prejudiced – I live here!) But I’m also fond of my old hometown – Louisville, KY. Definitely gorgeous this time of year. And Savannah, GA would be excellent as well.
I think RT convention should be held in Okoboji, IA
1 – it’s fun to say and so many puns could be made
2 – it has been voted by Playboy magazine as one of the best places to “party” for the 4th of July
3 – it’s close to my house so I could actually go!
I have to go with my hometown city of Washington DC. Free museums, annual Book Fair, and cherry blossoms -it’s a perfect fit!
Savannah, Georgia
I’ve never been but it seems so charming! and historic! You could act out vintage romance books there! 😀
Dallas! Because everything’s bigger in Texas – even the man-titty.
Some place romantic like Savannah, GA. But if not, why not here in Dallas? That way I’m sure to show up.
I gotta say I’m pretty happy with the Chicago arrangement, since I live there.
On the other hand, I wouldn’t object to having a reason to go back to St. Lucia. It’s beautiful, friendly, and the perfect place for romance. 🙂
There’s nothing prettier than Phoenix, AZ in the spring… just don’t schedule it for July!
Obviously, the RT needs to be held in Hawaii. Why? Because it’s Hawaii! Maui to be exact—-beaches, surfers, coconuts….it’s perfect!
Another vote for Detroit – we could definitely use some love AND some tourist dollars would be nice too.
Seattle! So I can go. Also, so everyone else can enjoy our rain 😛
I’d say New Orleans, Louisiana. I’ve been there several times (I’m a California girl) and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! The French Quarter is divine, the culture is rich, and the food is AMAZING!
If not, my second choice would be INTERCOURSE, PA… Because with a name like that, we know it’s happening there. ; )
Boise, Idaho. It would be the biggest thing to come here (other than Elton John 🙂 )….ever. And, best of all…I’d actually be able to go! Yay!
Washington DC. Nothing more romantic than the monuments at night, cherry blossoms, and the reflection pool. Also, you have to vote for a city that erects a huge phallus to commemorate the first president of the US.
Love that it’s in Chicago next year! Vegas would be a great option, but even better would be New Orleans. Hurricanes (the drink not the weather), beignets and cafe au laits. 3 things I love with a great book!
I’m pretty okay with Chicago since I live in the area!
I am cool with next years Chicago because that is actually a doable distance from me, but since this is fantasy, hey why not here in LOVELY Janesville, WI. The city of parks. We can host a National Water Ski Tournament and our county fair so we can definitely host the RT!
Orlando – we’re home to the happiest place on earth so all those HEAs will fit right in. (And I could attend.)
Portland, Oregon!
a beautiful green city, with great public transit, wonderful eateries and home of Powell’s City of Books! there’s so much here for book-loving folks (and the fact that I could easily attend is purely coincidental)
Have to go with New York City! Greatest city in the world and no matter what time the RT party ends, there’s still plenty to do in the city that never sleeps.
My vote is for Phoenix AZ! The weather here is perfect so you can sit outside and drink margaritas while talking about trashy books. Plus all the wild flowers are in bloom so the desert is gorgeously romantic!
Washington, DC!
Well, mostly just because I could get there then… but RWA was there one year and it went well so there’s precedent.
Indianapolis! ‘Cause we’ve got the perfect downtown for a convention!
Considering the working title for Eleven was something about puke and Dukes, I’m not sure hurling is the way to suck in the readers…but I’ll take it under advisement.
I’m so jealous of all of you at RT! I’m raising you a glass from the East Side!
Two words: Disney World. If there’s one place in the world that specializes in Happy Ever After, it’s Disney World. So what if it’s not technically a city. It might not have a mayor, but it does have it’s own zip code. That should count for something.
Talladega, Alabama, in honor of the NASCAR romance line. (Or Arab, AL, in honor of all the sheik romances—though Arab’s lacking in large hotels, so in practice you’d have to have it in Huntsville.)
Or San Antonio, because the Riverwalk is quite romantic.