In which I have a reputation to uphold – RT 2012

This year was my first RT and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’d heard a lot of stories and each was wilder than the next. And, let’s be honest, I knew I was going to be in the middle of the chaos. It’s inevitable. And, holy hells, I was. I had a blast and met some of the coolest people. Some of the highlights include:

First and foremost, finally meeting my lady soulmate in person. Seleste DeLaney is freaking awesome (and, goddamn, that woman can drink) and I’m still so geeked about rooming with her. Which just goes to show, we really AREN’T exactly the same person. So there!
Riding in a cab with Ann Aguirre (who’s last name I STILL can’t say correctly) and getting to watch her cuss out the driver.
Sitting next to REBECCA FREAKING YORK at the Aussie dinner. You’ll never meet a nicer woman (and she can sew too!)
And yes, I totally grabbed Mr. Romance 2011’s ass. COME ON. Can you really blame me? It was right there!

Holding QUEEN OF SWORDS in my hands for the first time ever. I’m still in serious denial about this whole being publishing thing being real, but that was a big step towards OMG OMG OMG I HAVE A BOOK COMING OUT!!!!!!
Meeting all the people I talk to on a regular basis on Twitter. I guess all ya’ll don’t just live in my head!
Having a very intense conversation with Deanna Wadsworth about what constitutes a bear, an otter, and a cub. We’re both fans of big, burly, hairy men (okay, so I just like men in general. Whatever! Only God can judge me!)
The Steampunk Social! HOLY HELLS. If you haven’t seen steampunk fashion, you are missing out. After that, I am determined to write steampunk (really, I am. It’s on my to-do list).
And speaking of the costumes…Good lord, the costumes. Scottish Fairy Ball, 1920s gangster, hip hop, and glamour. It was like one giant week of Halloween and I loved it!

I about spit coffee all over important people when I heard Andrew Shaffer announce himself “The Cockness Monster.” That pretty much made my night (and having Tiffany Reisz call me hot…that was surreal. I kind of wanted to take her home with me LOL)
Karina Cooper’s clothes. That woman can DRESS. And I may or may not have told her that I want to steal her entire closet. Er….Whoops.
Meeting Kendall Grey and having her go “Katee Robert? THE Katee Robert? NY TIMES BESTSELLING KATEE ROBERT?!?!?!” every time she saw me totally made my day on Saturday. That woman is freaking HILARIOUS and I loves her.
I had a delightful interview with Laura Kaye. She’s fantastic and promised me that most of the upcoming Anemoi men are bad boys. Definitely read that series!

And, yeah, I may or may not have told the “I was that girl who didn’t go to prom because I was preggers” story for Lisa Burstein and Stacy Abrams…on camera. My mother will be so proud.
The Entangled Spoons party. You’ll be proud of the fact I didn’t assault anyone during playing (probably because I acted as dealer and didn’t actually play) but it was fantastic watching people diving across tables and knocking over chairs. Ya’ll know how to do it right!

So, basically, I had the best freaking five days. I’m totally counting down (and saving up) for next year in Kansas City!