There is a pattern to the Romantic Times Convention. Usually there is a morning mixer which served breakfast, that anyone could attend. It was pretty casual, people milling around chatting and having a good ol' time. Then there were usually a bevy of four, hour long sessions that attendees could pick and choose from; two in the morning and two in the afternoon.
I mainly stuck to the reader track, but they also had workshops geared toward aspiring writers and booksellers. At each of these sessions, free books and various paraphernalia were given out. The reader sessions were divided into author panels, fun games, and book signings.
Then in the evening at 8:00 they would have a big dinner each night. Each day it was a different theme and you could come dressed in costume. Dressing up is completely optional. I figure about 75% of the people dressed up with about 5% being really elaborate and the rest being "normal". I dressed up each night. They would serve food of some sort and then have dancing afterwards until midnight.
What I couldn't believe was all the books we got. And what is even more crazy, is that people who attended previous RT's said they didn't get as much stuff this year. All I know is that I took home a crate full of books and I am now wondering where I am going to put them. Since this was my first RT, I thought they were pretty generous with the books and the best part is that half of them have been signed by the authors!
Being the number dork that I am, I tallied up all the books that I received. As I am sure you are wondering which books I did get. Not everybody gets the same books. It depends on which sessions you attend and sometimes even at the same session each person would receive different books. If you got duplicates or had already read that book, you could always trade with someone else. I was pretty lucky in that I only received two duplicates and two books that I had already read out of 59 books. Here are some pictures of the books. If you click on them, they become giant sized. Or you can just scroll down and read the list.
The ones in blue have been signed by the author:
1. A Cinderella Affair, A. C. Arthur
2. Wanderlust, Ann Aquirre (received two copies)
3. Feral Fascination, Anthology
4. What Happens in Vegas, Anthology
5. Everlasting Bad Boys, Anthology
6. Secrets, Volume 15, Anthology
7. Secrets, Volume 18, Anthology
8. Secrets, Volume 19, Anthology
9. Secrets, Volume 25, Anthology
10. Masters of Desire, Anthology
11. Naughty Bits, Anthology
12. Alluring Tales, Anthology
13. Fault Line, Barry Eisler (hardback)
14. The Object of His Protection, Brenda Jackson
15. Brimstone Kiss, Carole Nelson Douglas
16. What a Scoundrel Wants, Carrie Lofty
17. Pleasure Control, Cathryn Fox
18. Rogue, Cheryl Brooks
19. Touch of Darkness, CT. Adams & Cathy Clamp
20. Faceless, Debra Webb
21. Red Fire, Deidre Knight
22. Red Kiss, Deidre Knight (This is an ARC I won)
23. Down in Texas, Delilah Devlin (received two copies)
24. Forbidden Fruit, Eden Bradley
25. Stolen Fury, Elisabeth Naughton
26. To Taste Temptation, Elizabeth Hoyt
27. The Death Dealer, Heather Graham
28. The Magic Knot, Helen Scott Taylor
29. Afraid, Jack Kilborn
30. Ecstasy, Jacquelyn Frank
31. Elijah, Jacquelyn Frank
32. Dragonbound, Jade Lee
33. A Perfect Darkness, Jamie Rush
34. The Girl Who Stopped Swimming, Jashilyn Jackson (Hardcover)
35. Destined for an Early Grave, Jeaniene Frost (This is an ARC)
36. Dayhunter, Jocelynn Drake
37. Don't Tell, Karen Rose
38. Secret Life of a Vampire, Karrelyn Sparks
39. Undercover, Lauren Dane
40. Shades of Dark, Linnea Sinclair
41. Games of Command, Linnea Sinclair
42. Lone Star Surrender, Lisa Renee Jones
43. Bunco Babes Tell All, Maria Geraci (This is an ARC I won)
44. Simply Perfect, Mary Balogh
45. Dead Ringer, Mary Burton
46. Dirty, Megan Hart
47. Fragile Eternity, Melissa Marr (Hardcover)
48. Desire Untamed, Pamela Palmer (This is an ARC)
49. Something Bad, Richard Satterlie
50. Paradise Valley, Robyn Carr
51. Wicked, Sasha White
52. The Awakening, Shannon Drake
53. Dead by Dusk, Shannon Drake
54. Heat of the Night, Sylvia Day
55. Your the One that I Haunt, Terri Garey
56. Heart of the Wolf, Terry Spear
57. The Perfect Wife, Victoria Alexander
The next step of course was to tally up the value of these books. Many of them were trade size paperbacks and I also did receive three hardbacks. The total value of the books was a whopping $599.09!!! I also won the raffle at Deidre Knight's midnight party and received a $50.00 visa gift card. So, if you think about it, the books more than make up for the convention fee of $490.00. Even more so if you include all the meals I was able to eat (at least two each day). I think it is definitely worth attending at least once in your lifetime if you are an avid romance reader. You can't even begin to place a value on the friendships you make.
17 comments:
that is an amazing list of books :) I am so jealous. maybe I can justify the next RT convention with Hubby by telling him your figures... hmmm
What was your favorite dress up night?
WOW! What a great deal! It sounds like fun!!
It's awesome, isn't it? You feel almost gluttonous by the end, but it's really wonderful of the authors and publishers to give away so many.
Jill, looking slightly green with envy here *wink* What a books and a great experience!! And did I read correctly that dinner is included or do you have to pay another fee for that? Cause I am going...that is one thing for sure, only what year remains to be determined LOL
LOL, Jill, you are sooo cute! :) But yeah, I did think about it when I saw your list of books - does the free books make up for the cost of the convention :) Glad to know it did!
Sounds like you had lots of fun and yes, this is on my list to do :)
You did do very well (OMG - great erotic romance haul!) - especially when you factor in that you didn't have to buy a plane ticket to attend ;) One of these years I'm going to do that with RWA. Figure out how much I spend vs. the goodies I bring home and see what the tally is.
Kris, I think the Faery Ball on Tuesday was my favorite dress up night. There was a wide range of costumes. I wore a normal dress, but I painted my face and wore wings. Hopefully, I will have a picture to show you.
Lori, I did start to feel glutonous at the end and stopped entering in the raffle giveaways. I felt like I had so much stuff, I definitely didn't need any more. It is hard for me to imagine that this was a "light" year, as far as the giveaways went.
Leontine, You pay one registration fee. This year it was $490.00. The Ellora's Cave Jungle party served cheese, crackers and fruit and a very elaborate dessert. It was enough food to fill me up. Then the Faery Ball and Vampire Show both were full dinners. One night it was chicken and the other night was beef. Both were very tasty. Then the last night it was back to fruit again with some strawberry wine. That was the only night I went out to eat. Actually, it was the only meal I paid for the whole convention. I bought donuts and chips to snack on, but I never really needed them. Most of the sessions give out little snacks here and there and you are nibbling all day.
Nath, Oh you definitely should go at some point. It is a real treat to get to meet other readers and your favorite authors. I know the next one will be in Columbus, Ohio and then in Nashville, Tennessee the following year after that.
Wendy, There was no way I could not go with it being only a 40 minute drive. I did stay in the hotel where the convention was being held and it was not cheap. I scrimped and saved and it was so, totally worth it.
Are you going to RWA this year? I heard it is in DC. Kind of far for you to travel. I would love to see your haul of goodies! You know, live vicariously through you and all :)
Jill: Yep, I'll be at RWA in D.C. It's a great opportunity for me to network with other librarians, and chat up authors about doing my library's literary event. But yeah, the travel is going to be a killer this year! Last year I was spoiled, even though it was a long drive for me up to San Fran.
The hotel room is probably my biggest expense. But I usually have at least one roommate, so that helps. I also make a point of eating at all the luncheons included with registration. One less meal to buy, and heck....I already paid for it!
What a great time it sounds like you had. I love that you could dress up at all the dinners. What a fab idea.
My goodness that book haul is amazing! I want reviews on them all by next week! lol Just kidding. They really paid for themselves, didn't they?
Oooo eeee! That is one fine haul of books!!! I'm so glad you had so much fun! :)
Sounds like you had a wonderful time. Enjoy that huge haul of books!
Hey Jill, we had sooooo much fun at RT this year. It really is a great chance to make new friends : ). Linda and I counted, we took home 109 FREE books!! We did have to rearrange our suitcases at the airport, but totally worth it. PS: I love your site, so cool! Mary
Hi Jill! (and Linda and Mary!!! We all sat together at the Faery Ball.)
You have a great site - I see you have "Master of Surrender" in your queue! I LOVED that book!!
I'll be blogging about my trip to RT by the end of the week - as soon as I gather all pix from the event - So stop by when you can!
I'll be around!
:)
Genella deGrey
Hey Mary! Thank you so much for stopping by. 109 books!!! Holy cow girl! Don't be a stranger and if you ever get the itch to write a review for any of the books you read, let me know and we can post it!
Hey Genella! It was so nice to meet you at RT. The Faery night was my favorite out of the whole convention! I will definitely stop by. I too will be posting pictures soon. Mary and Linda were kind enough to send me a few.
Sweet. I'll keep my eye on your site for them!
:)
G.
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