I have a feeling a number of you book-crazy people don't know about the ginormous Romantic Times BOOKreviews BOOK LOVER'S annual convention. This year it's in Orlando FL, April 22-26. It's a READER convention and open to the public. There are panels with authors by genre, there are PARTIES with authors, there are lunches with authors and there's a ginormous book fair on Saturday. (And psssst...there are lots of male cover models).

Some of the authors attending this year that you might be interested in are:
Cat Adams (CT Adams/Cathy Clamp)
Jessica Anderson
Ann Aguirre
Keri Arthur
Catherine Asaro
L.A. Banks
Nancy J Cohen
Mary Janice Davidson
Sylvia Day
Carole Nelson Douglas
Heather Graham
Colby Hodge
Isabo Kelly
Deidre Knight
Jade Lee
Marianne Mancusi
Cheyenne McCray
Karen Rose
Roxanne St Clair
Tina Wainscott aka Jaime Rush
Rebecca York
and of course, moi, Linnea Sinclair. And about a hundred more authors.

And male cover models. Did I mention cover models?

Go to: www.rtconvention.com

The book fair is a separate event and you don't have to be registered for the con to attend. I think there's like a $5 cover charge to get in if you're not part of the con.

Next year it's in Columbus OH. Just FYI.

So, who's going? I'm hosting the crazy INTERGALACTIC BAR & GRILLE READER PARTY Wednesday afternoon. ~Linnea
www.linneasinclair.com

I am so looking forward to RT this year! Now I know there is a reason to catch an early flight to Orlando on Wed ... looking forward to seeing you there Linnea

I'll be there. Very much looking forward to going.

I wish I could. (I have an infant at home, so not this year.) Does anyone know when the 2010 RT convention will be? Eventually, I'm determained to go to one! (Columbus though - ugh! I would so rather lounge by the pool in Vegas or Florida!)

Also, I'm happy the the Romance Writers of America will be in Washington DC this summer. (I live in the suburbs.) It's not as fan-oriented like RT (it's supposed to really be a writers-only type convention), but there's a book signing night where publishers donate books and the public can buy them and get them autographed. Proceeds go to charity. There are supposed to be tons of authors at that event - I saw on Jeanine Frost's web site that she will be there.

Anita, RT is usually the end of April. More than that at this point, I don't know. Actually, Columbus OH is a pretty cool city. (I used to say UGH too then my brother in law moved there and we found out it's quite a neat place!). In the city itself is Short North, German Village, the Brewery District...and more. Great restaurants, cool bars, fun stuff to do.

I don't know yet if I'm going to RWA National in DC. If I do, I'll post. But yep, that's more of an industry con though the bookfair is great and for charity. It's usually Wednesday night though, which is tough for locals. RT does their fair on Saturdays. ~Linnea
www.linneasinclair.com

I was planning to go to RT since my November book is up for a Reviewers Choice Award, but reality hit in the form of the economy and the FAFSA (we have a kid starting college next year). Ouch.

So maybe next year.

I'm sooooo wishing that I could go, but I just can't make it this year. All of my writer friends are going and rubbing it in (playfully). I hope you all have a great time. Post photos when you get back!

Lisa wrote: "I was planning to go to RT since my November book is up for a Reviewers Choice Award, but reality hit in the form of the economy and the FAFSA (we have a kid starting college next year). Ouch.

So ..." Lisa, congrats on the nommie for the award--woot!

Linnea wrote: "Lisa, congrats on the nommie for the award--woot! "

Thanks, Linnea. It was a lovely surprise, and I'm heartbroken I can't make the party. I keep thinking, "What if I win and I'm not there?" It'd be like Brando never being at the Oscars." Okay, maybe not, but it would be weird. I do wish RT was closer to the West Coast this year.

Hi kids, I have some photos from RT in Orlando and the SFF Panel—and other RT things!—up on my Facebook fan page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Linnea-Sin...

for those of you who missed it! (or where there and want to relive it!). Photos include Isabo Kelly’s baby boy, Jack! And Catherine Asaro, CL Wilson, Bonnie Vanak, Stacey Klemstein and more. I’ll be adding more later this week so check back. (And if you’d like to join my Facebook fan page, I’d love that!)

If any of YOU have photos ::looks at Cheryl:: I'd love copies. ;-) ~Linnea