Personally, one of my favorite aspects of the entire conference scene is meeting readers, so I'd be disappointed if they couldn't attend. By the way, that St. Louis convention was my very first convention to participate in an author booksigning, Barbara, so that one has a special place in my heart too :) Kelley

From what I understand, RT is more reader focused than RWA Nationals, but hey, everyone should be welcome. Why on earth should bloggers not come? The big thing to learn is "don't make an ass of yourself, and you won't end up as blog fodder." Good lesson for everyone to learn, if you ask me.

I'm a reader and have never attended any conference, but I would love to. I have so many books, I've had to get rid of furniture. lol It would be so exciting to meet the authors who send me on such thrilling adventures. Thank you all.

I think readers should attend conferences. Milwaukee is a fantastic place for a conference.

What's the point of going to a conference if you don't get the chance to interact with readers? Sorry, but while I realize RWA is an industry conference for authors and aspiring writers, we're all readers...and I love the idea of bloggers being there, too. Blogging is a huge part of the evolution of book promotion--that's how a lot of readers find us! I think it would be absolutely STUPID to ban bloggers and readers from conferences! Writing is such a solitary profession. I love the interaction with readers and industry people who DON'T write when I go to a conference! Helps keep me sane...or as sane as I'm gonna be!

Go for it Barb! I vote conference anytime you can go! Such great networking & you are such a fun person that you can blend in anywhere & conduct conversations with anyone! Have a great time!

As a reader and a writer, I say "go for it!" I never attended conferences before I got published (I didn't even know about them). But I wish I had. I've learned so much that has helped my writing AND my enjoyment of books I read (from the details of household poisons to why one author always turns her plots at a certain page). And now as an author, I know I love meeting readers, too. They can be expensive, but they're great fun. I say read the list of programs -- if there are few that interest you and you can afford it, go!
I'll be at Murder in the Magic City in Birmingham, Ala., and Sleuthfest, in Florida, this winter. That's about my budget. But maybe I'll see some of your there.
- Clea www.cleasimon.com

PS = I should have noted above: Bloggers are both readers and writers, so definitely should be included. Some conferences now even have panels specifically on the blogosphere.

Thanks Clea for the info on the conferences. I'll have to look them up. Years ago, I attended the Love is Murder convention in Chicago. I saw it mentioned on the F. Paul Wilson website. Since it was so close, I drove down and had a great time. There were seminars and I met so many authors I never would have read before. It featured mysteries, thrillers, suspense, sci-fi and horror, actually, a little bit of everything. I'm hoping to get there next year again.

What has not been said is that writing, or more properly, publishing, is a retail business, and as such must get the product before the public eye. Conventions have been a big part of this process for many commercial arenas, and I believe it must be even more important in the publishing industry at this time. POD has thrown many venues for readers into chaos, and the convention atmosphere and access allows better works to pop above the fray. And I say, bring your brats and beer! Strolling through the aisles, seeing sellers throwing themselves to cover their wares as you suddenly swing to one side, seeing that new treasure out of the corner of your eye--makes for good blogging! Telling of the experience with the security agents would be an in-depth sort of thing, too.