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Historical Novel Society Conference: A Trip to the Past

June 13, 2009
After a quick drive from Milwaukee, we arrived in Schaumburg, IL for the Historical Novel Society Conference.  With the couple of hours between registration and cocktail hour, author Victoria Hinshaw and I hit the Container Store (we don't have one in Milwaukee).  Ok, I went  a little crazy, but their stuff is so cute.  I got a couple of travel items that I really need for the 3 weeks I'll be on the road from Thrillerfest to RWA to San Diego Comic Con.  I got this cute folder thing that holds 20 items! And a special pouch for unmentionables and a pull out pouch for stuff on the plane (you know, snacks, books, a drink, books, iPod, books).  I'm all set.

My dinner mates:  Top left:  George Kulles, Victoria Hinshaw, Eleanor Sullivan, John Kachuba. Bottom left: Carrie Bebris, Maddy Hunter, Shari Anton, Allie Covington

Then it was time for dinner and I tell you, every conference is definitely different.  This one skews a little older, but a lot of fun.  The keynote speaker was Margaret George who said that, "People who write historicals are time travelers who take their readers on trips to the past."  And how true is that?  Being a huge historical fan myself, I love the idea of traveling back in time to places I've never been and will never, ever be able to truly see in person.  Authors can take me there.


We retired to the bar section where author Shari Anton kept us appraised on the Brewers who ended up trouncing the White Sox (go Brew Crew!).   Since the conference starts again at 7 a.m., it was an early evening for most of the group.

Margaret George enjoying a glass of wine after her keynote

BTW, here's the answers for the Harlequin quiz the other day: 

THE MATCHMAKERS by Debbie Macomber, TEARS OF THE RENEGADE by Linda Howard, TANGLED LIES by Anne Stuart, MOONTIDE by Stella Cameron, STATE SECRETS by Linda Lael Miller, UNEASY ALLIANCE by Jayne Ann Krentz, NIGHT MOVES by Heather Graham and IMPETUOUS by Lori Foster. Upcoming titles in September are THE COWBOY AND THE LADY by Diana Palmer, FIT TO BE TIED by Joan Johnston, CAPTIVATED by Carla Neggers and BRONZE MYSTIQUE by Barbara Delinksky.

So, how did you do?  I'm a terrible guesser and I'm not even going to mention how I did.

Bottom Line:  Ok, I did have 2 glasses of wine, but only because I wanted to fit in (and they tasted so dang good!)

   

Posted by Barbara Vey on June 13, 2009 | Comments (9)