Link This | Email this | Blog This | Comments (9)

Club RT

April 18, 2008

Between Your Sheets display:  Tracy Clark, me, Dayna Linton and cover model Chris Winters

The one thing they never tell you in the brochures about these conferences is that sleep is not figured into the schedule.  So after about 2 hours with my eyes closed, I was up and at 'em again.  

Author Beth Williamson, Jennifer Martin of Samhain Publishing  (winner of a Sony Reader) & bookseller Cindy Szolyga

After a quick breakfast at the local cafeteria, we headed to Club RT.  Club RT is a room designated for meeting authors and a chance to see all the gift baskets that will be given away.  Some of the more seasoned conventioneers come equipped with labels that are printed with their names, emails and room numbers.  While here I came across Masquerades, which sells masks, tiaras, costumes for the various balls and lots of other fun items.  I had the opportunity to spin the wheel and actually won something (the video will be posted soon).  Nothing better than winning.

Authors Jo Davis and Sandy Blair review their Drive by Video

They also have several tables set up to visit with authors and receive special one on one attention with them.  I was in there about 2 hours and didn't talk to everyone and was kicked out because it was time for the luncheon sponsored by Helen A. Rosburg.  Great Mexican food and then Helen had a scene from her upcoming book, Blaze of Lightning, Roar of Thunder, acted out on stage.  What made this special was the hanging scene where they actually dropped the body and it hung there until our hero threw a knife that cut the rope.  Beautifully done and I had goosebumps.

Bookseller party hosted by Jade Lee, Diane Whiteside, Shiloh Walker, Anne Elizabeth, R. Garland Gray, Angela Knight, Kathy Love, Erin McCarthy, Christina Skye

Back to Club RT for more author meetings until the Kensington Party with host and editor Kate Duffy who was tickled pink because her name badge read, Kate Duffy...Reader.  Kate likes to think that the one thing is always was and always will be is a reader, which is very special indeed.

Then back to the hotel for the big evening extravaganza Faery Ball who's theme this year is Under the Sea.  The costumes were nothing short of amazing.  I met reader Brenda Domzalski who was still flying high after meeting her favorite author,

Happy Reader Brenda Domzalski

Bertrice Small in the hall.  Brenda has a very unique copy of Betrayed that was bound wrong, so you have to read it backwards. She wanted to give the book to Betrice, who insisted that Brenda keep it.  Bertrice signed the book, inscribing it to Brenda using her full name, so everyone knew it was specifically for her.  She then told Brenda to let her children know the value of the book once Bertrice and Brenda were no longer around and because of it's uniquness, once sold, could possibly put one of Brenda's grandchildren through college.

Readers Joan, Tammy and Joyce enjoying the Faery Ball

It's after midnight, so back to the room to write the blog, down pictures and my Drive By Videos.  I hope you're having half as much fun watching them as I'll had filming them.  Go back and watch the ones you missed (most under 30 seconds) and stay tuned for new ones on their way.

Bottom Line:  Sleep is overrated anyway.  I'll catch up when I get home...I'm shutting off my phone for a week.

                                                                                                         







                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Posted by Barbara Vey on April 18, 2008 | Comments (9)