San Francisco RWA Day by Day: My RWA National Conference Diary
Jenna Petersen
Tuesday, July 29, 2008 -- Day 1
Before I start this "Day By Day", I'm going to have to let you know that
this year it's probably going to be a bit truncated. As I'm writing this, I'm
sitting on a bed in a hotel in San Francisco, knowing I have to get up at 5am to
head to the airport and Seattle tomorrow morning. My little brother is getting
married and I've stayed a few extra days in SF before I head up there for the
big day. Also, I'm tired. So I want to share, but don't expect every detail.
Once again, I booked an early flight, but that was cool. It's a long flight from Illinois to San Francisco, so it was nice to get in and have it still be early. Melody Thomas and I sat together and waited a little bit to meet with Kathryn Smith at the BART train station. Together we took the train over to the Marriott in downtown SF. It was an awesome venue. Really, probably the best one I've ever been to for RWA. There was great shopping and some terrific restaurants all around us, plus the weather was wonderful. So yay for SF.
We checked in. Kate and I split off since we were roomies. When we came back down, we ended up bumping into a few of the HarperCollins folks and had some drinks in the bar with them, which was lovely. That first day is always so nice, sort of the calm before the storm and it was no different this year. My only regret is that I missed an appointment with Donna Grant just because I had a brain fart. So Donna, I'm SO SO SORRY!!! I'll email you when I'm home where my email address book is.
Then we went to bed. That time difference is rough.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008 -- Day 2
Wednesday
morning I woke up at 4:30am. Yup. And I went and worked out. Of course this
meant I was too exhausted to actually go shopping with Kate and
Anna Campbell. Later
I met up with Ciara Stewart, who was the winning bidder on my donated lunch to
the Brenda Novak
Diabetes Auction this past June. I don't know if I was useful (I felt like I
blathered), but it was nice.
And then the big event started. The Booksigning. It's my favorite time!! And yet again there was freaking drama with Avon providing signs (that did NOT interfere with anyone else) and RWA telling us to remove them. Sigh. But other than that... F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S!!!!! I love, love, love the literacy signing. Meeting readers, having them actually want my books, having them tell me they love my work... that is the best feeling. And this year was no different. It is my one "rock star" moment in the midst of many non-rock star moments in my pajamas talking to cats.
Here are a few pictures from the event:
 Anne Mallory and Sophie Jordan. |
 Me with Teresa Medeiros. |
 Faye from Fresh Fiction. My favorite "stalker". |
Afterward, I headed up to the Orange County Chapter Suite for the announcement of the Bookbuyers Best Award. I was up for Best Historical with both Desire Never Dies and Everything Forbidden. And then.... I won. I mean, I actually won! Well, Desire Never Dies won for Best Historical Romance of 2007. They presented me with a fabulously cute plaque all engraved with my name and the title. I went downstairs with my booty and Kate and Laura Lee Guhrke bought me drinks until I collapsed. Which was pretty darn cool.
Thursday, July 31, 2008 -- Day 3
Thursday was a busy day. I started out early at the HHRW annual meeting
where they asked me to be part of a historical panel. Again, I feel like I
blathered, but it was fun. Then I met with my friend
Megan Frampton
(whose name I have been mispronouncing for YEARS!!!), which was great. We had
such a nice talk. Later that day, I attended a libarian tea that was organized
by John Charles. It was sooo nice to leave the hotel, have tea, meet authors and
just chat. It was a conference highlight for me and I hope I'll get invited
again (hint, hint John LOL).
Later, I went to the Avon Website Launch party. Wait until this launches to the public, it's going to be cool! Then I headed straight over to the Detroit RWA Booksellers Best Award. I was up against Jacquie D'Alessandro and she and I had it all figured out. We would arm wrestle for it. But then someone else won, so that didn't work out as well as we hoped. But we had so much fun and I couldn't care too much. The same thing for Daphne, where I also did not win, but still had a great time. By the time everything was over, though, I was cooked and ready for bed!
Friday, August 1, 2008 -- Day 4
Friday was my "Avon" day. The Avon Open House signing was amazing as always.
I love giving away books and meeting readers. Here are a few pictures:
 Melody Thomas at the Open House. |
 Me with our fabulous Mass Market Marketing Director. |
When the signing was done it was time for a group lunch with my editor and some of her authors. We had a nice meal, but I ate too much! Thankfully I didn't start feeling sick until AFTER the BlogTalk Radio panel. It was fab!!! Lorraine Heath, Gayle Callen, Sophie Jordan, Elizabeth Boyle and I sat with Michelle Bounfiglio and talked books and writing and just romance in general. You can still listen to our event here!
Then I ran up and got ready for the Avon Dinner. Unfortunately, I was feeling quite sick throughout, but it was a still a great party!
 Tracy Grant and me. |
 The smokin' Kathryn Smith. |
Saturday, August 2, 2008 -- Day 5
The last official day of conference was my "Miriam" day. I met up with her a
little earlier than our lunch and we ended up shopping for shoes. Fabulous
shoes. And it was good. Then we went and got sushi and ended up having a little
neighborhood stroll. It was a great little break and totally what I needed.
Afterward I met up with my friend
Shelley Bradley for
a drink and then to another part of the bar for a Avon Red gathering. But then I
got all gussied up and headed off to the coolest place ever. A Speakeasy called
Bourbon and Branch. I had to know a password, there were great drinks and lovely
company. And then it was RITA Time! Pictures:
 With Melody Thomas at the RITA afterparty. |
 Laura Lee Guhrke, Kathryn Smith and me. We're cute. |
 Megan Frampton in the most fabulous dress ever. |
Final Thought:
I wish I had some kind of fantastic bit of wisdom that would rock your world, but this year I just had fun, did some stuff and saw my friends. And that was pretty darned good. Until next year....