Reporting back on RT!

So I'm so happy that I went to RT Booklovers Convention! For those of you who aren't familiar with RT, it's sponsored by the Romance Times Book Reviews and the YA track is pretty substantial. After shying away from writer/book conventions for years, I finally did the deed. Though it was occasionally weird (I'm shy around strangers), it was still so fun.

I couldn't go to the whole thing, but I was able to drive down for Saturday's Teen Day. It was basically YA heaven. There were some great panels with Veronica Roth, Melissa Marr, Kiera Cass. Kelley Armstrong, Leigh Bardugo, Corinne Jackson, Richelle Meade, Heather Brewer, Gayle Foreman, Margaret Stohl, among others.

By far, the best part of the convention was meeting so many people I know, but had never met in person. Here we go!

Brekkie with some of the Lucky 13s!  Eve Silver (author of RUSH), who kindly took me under her wing for portions of the day; Claire Caterer (author of THE KEY AND THE FLAME), and Justina Ireland (author of VENGEANCE BOUND)


Bethany Hagen, fellow Dial author (LANDRY PARK). I had spec envy. Who wouldn't? ;)

I met lots of author-friends in the YA Alley section of the book fair... Deb Driza, fellow Lucky 13 and Class of 2K13er, author of MILA 2.0
(Yes, her deltoids are that defined in real life).
Gretchen McNeil, author POSSESS and TEN (who wore the most gorgeous teal pumps. I was drooling over her shoes) and Dawn Rae Miller, author of LARKSTORM and CRUSHED
Justina Ireland and VENGEANCE BOUND. She is not a hugger. but I hugged her, like, three times and she was such a good sport! We actually hung out a lot that day and cross promoted our books. Way easier than talking up your own book. :)
She also gave me a Kit Kat bar. I am indebted to Justina for life, I think.  Shelli Johannes, author of UNTRACEABLE
Lenore Appelhans (author of THE MEMORY OF AFTER) and Genn Albin (author of CREWEL)
My League of Extraordinary Writer pals! Bethany Hagen, me, Beth Revis,
Deb Driza, Genn Albin, and Lenore Appelhans! Tessa Elwood, my fantastic web designer (and she's a YA author too!)
who fed me Ethiopian food and yummy desserts. :) I look like a giant next to her but I swear it's perspective. She's so tall and graceful! At the end of the day, the YA authors all had dinner and drinks together. Beth Revis took this cool panoramic picture. I am the dark blob in the corner, somewhere near Lea Nolan, Brodi Ashton, and Rachel Carter. It was so fun chatting.
(No, you can't really see me. Yes, I was really there.)All in all, a wonderful, fun experience. (Note to self: no need to be in all the pictures next time. Blechh.)
I'm already planning on going to RT in New Orleans next year. I hope to see some of you there! Maybe? Please? I guarantee, it'll be fun!