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!
Oh! It should be in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I know several people locally who would live to attend. Fort Wayne is one of the farthest places glaciers came into the area, and there are several morains to view. The city sits on the confluence of three rivers, as well as a continental divide (water either flows east tot eh great Lakes and Atlantic or south to the Gluf of mexico. And, most importantly, it is home to the second largest genealogical research center in the world, and it is the largest in a free public library (the largest is the Family History Library in SLC, run by the Mormons). Come here for the conference, stay to do research either on a family or for an historical book!
Chicago again! Why? Because the Chi rocks. You will see once you’re here, you’ll have to come back again and again. There is no more amazing city than Chicago. You definitely need to be here twice to recognize the awesomeness of my city.
Minneapolis, MN! Where else could you take a road trip to the Spam museum and also go to the Mall of America?
It needs to go EAST SIDE, my shizzles! DC or Philly or, uh, Virginia Beach? Mmm beaches…
When thinking of Texas everybody goes for Dallas or Houston, but I would suggest Austin.
I heart new york.
Next year’s RT should be in Seattle, WA. There are fifty NYT/USA Today bestselling romance authors within a ninety-mile radius of Seattle, and multiple RWA chapters with over 300 members. When you’re not drooling over the amazing workshops and meet n’ greets that would result, Seattle is a terrific place to visit.
Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, microbreweries, the waterfront, fine dining, wineries, temperate weather and did I mention the wineries? There’s over 50 in Woodinville, which is twenty miles northeast of Seattle.
C’mon out, RT! You’ll love it, and we’ll love seeing you in Seattle!
Las Vegas
Cheap flights from nearly everywhere, great hotel options and good weather.
I also think it should be held in Fabulous Las Vegas (I am a little biased). Someone already had my idea about What happen in Vegas stays in Vegas. Perfect for RT 🙂 Hope to see it here soon!
Let’s have RT in the lovely deep south, New Orleans style. NOLA is a tourist city with character out the wazoo. The food is unsurpassed. There’s a great mix of fun and history. Plus, as an added bonus, authors can pick up lots of great ideas for settings for future books.
I’ll say Biloxi MS, because it’s a beautiful Gulf Coast spot! They have casinos, so could accomodate a convention, beautiful beaches and could use some love since the BP oil spill last summer while still recovering from Katrina.
I also support giving Nashville another shot after the sad cancellation due to floods, and gotta luv NOLa, a hand grenade on Burbon St will cure what ails ya, or Wash DC for cherry blossoms and the Smithsonian. 🙂
men59? what is the universe saying? LOL
The City of Brotherly Love!! Philadelphia is the perfect blend of history and city with great restaurants, hotels, etc., etc.
Bring it to the south where it’s already Hot and Steamy
I would nix Las Vegas. It has excellent convention facilities but not good places for people to just get together over coffee. They are trying to seduce people into the gambling areas, after all.
I would vote for New Orlean. It would be warm, not all that hard to get to, and very atmospheric and romantic.
I have seen some comments about my Hometown, Boulder, Colorado. So that is my first choice. I think The People’s Republic of Boulder would be an unique experience for all attendees. My second choice is down the turnpike, Denver, the convention center would be perfect, and the mountains as a back drop can’t be beat.
I have seen some comments about my hometown, Boulder, Colorado. So that is my first choice. I think The People’s Republic of Boulder would be an unique experience for all attendees. My second choice is down the turnpike, Denver, the convention center would be perfect, and the mountains as a back drop can’t be beat.
I realize you have to bounce around the US to make it fair, but on board the Queen Mary in Long Beach ,Calif. She is now a permanently docked hotel with a grand ballroom. Within driving distance of San Diego Zoo, Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, Ports ‘O Call….I went there for my senior banquet…it’s a hoot!
It should be held in Big Sur, CA. Totally unrealistic but a fun change. We can take over the Henry Miller library and heat it up much hotter than the tropic of capricorn!
Take the jades jade hunting. Perform pulsating rythyms in the drum circles and “synchronize your brain waves”**
** not my words, from a local musician
San Francisco, CA. One of the most romantic cities in the world. A beautiful city with culture and romance in every corner.
It should be in San Diego! It’s already used for ComicCon and it’s always sunny somewhere.
I vote Minneapolis!! The ice should be half-thawed by April.
Might I recommend Climax, PA? Or Intercourse. Or Blueball. Really, PA is riddled with these wonderfully named towns. And you can have a special Amish Romance panel.
I vote for Pittsburgh again (wasn’t it there a couple year ago), because I had no idea what I was missing when I didn’t go.
Or Sarasota, FLA, because then I’d have a great excuse (visiting the Brother, y’all!). Or how about Orlando, so then I could claim that it was a Family Vacation and send the husband and kids to Disney World?
Or what about somewhere is Virginia? Because it seems like no one *ever* has a conference in Virginia.
I second Ellowyn…Washington D.C. Primarily because this means I could go. Second because don’t you think everyone would get along a lot better with a little more romance in their lives?
My recommendation is Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Geographically it locates the convention midway-ish on the east coast; spreading the RT goodness from west coast (LA/2011) and midwest (Chicago/2012). In the past 30 years the area has developped from sleepy, dusty coastal town to vibrant vacation destination offering a diversity of restaurants, entertainment, and sports in additon to the beach and boardwalk. The convention center boasts 250,000 square feet of meeting space. Many major airlines fly in to the Myrtle Beach International Airport. It is neither too big nor too small, and able to welcome and accommodate a bevy (flock, gaggle, pack, swarm, herd—what do you call a group of romance novel readers?… a throb? a clutch?) of romance novel enthusisasts.
For more information: http://www.visitmyrtlebeach.com
Usual disclaimer: No vested interest. Do not live in the state of SC. Not my favorite beach, but has many criteria for hosting a convention/conference. (My favorite Carolina beach is in NC, used to be owned in part by Teddy Roosevelt, has a fort and aquarium, but is too small, quiet and family oriented for large group gatherings.)
Washington DC! Because I could go to all the parties and then take the Metro home.
Madison, Wisconsin, because we definitely know how to throw a party (or a protest!).
I think Omaha, Nebraska would be a great choice! It’s in the middle of the US so everyone will be traveling the same distance. We have a world famous zoo, exciting and vastly different resteraunts, as well as some fun museums. There’s also big name concerts a few nights a week as well as hockey and other sports to enjoy while visiting.
Tucson, AZ
1. We have saguaros. So many options for romance novel cover humor right there.
2. We have the most awesome chinese tea house. It’s worth the visit!
3. It is lovely, unpretentious, and has the feel of a small, funk art-town in a bigger city setting.
4. You can wear sandals, short sleeves, and no pantyhose 11 months out of the year. (The pantyhose are 12 months out of the year.)
5. The media-hype about our wacky state politics pertains to Phoenix not Tucson.
6. Great food!
7. Four mountain ranges to choose from and the night skies are amazing.
Phoenix, AZ, because the weather at this time of year is actually nice.
Washington DC. It was ranked the most literate city in the US. Add the blooming cherry blossoms for romance and some political scandals for spice and you got a perfect setting!
What a cool package to win. I’m all for the RT being in Shartlesville PA, or Philly, or Scranton. Anywhere in the eastern half. Thanks for this opportunity.
I haven’t read all the others, so I may be repeating someone else’s wishful thinking, but I think it should be New Orleans – it is a fabulous, romantic city. Great food, great music, great times!
St. Paul, MN. We need something to melt the snow!
Vegas!
Cheap hotel rooms, cheap flights, lots of convention space.
Seattle, WA! Is a wonderful city to curl up inside with a good romance book…perfect for a book convention!
Miami would be good, or even West Palm Beach if they want to slum a little 🙂
Baltimore! Who could resist Charm City?
Denver Baby! It was 75 and sunny yesterday and then I could play hookie from work and come hang out with you all! Cocktails at my house afterwards.
Kansas City! Because the only way I could go is if it was in my backyard, and that’s where Kansas City is.
Plus there are a whole lot of cool things about Kansas City – the City in Two States! I’d say BBQ, but I don’t like BBQ, so I’m not a good judge. But my friends and super cool book club are nearby, so that ought to be reason enough!