RT BOOKLOVERS' Convention discussion
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Danielle
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Mar 02, 2011 12:29PM

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Plan on shipping a "box" from the hotel. Most hotels offer shipping services, but with all the swag and books you accumulate, you'll want to ship home. :)

What kinds of clothes should we bring- I imagine casual for during the day but what about the nights? Casual meaning jeans or capris.



Be prepared to change your mind. After hearing an author expound on his favorite subject, you may decide to take him off your list. Or the new friends you meet at RT will rave about an author's workshops and you'll decide to see what the fuss is all about.
Last year, I attended the RT Virgin hosted by Anne Elizabeth and Jade Lee. They were hilarious, informative, and gave out prizes, too. I actually got a prize for my workshop list. I had it color-coded and everything. (I'm such a nerd) Whichever one you attend, don't miss it because they give a lot of good info.

Ok so just because we checked "attending" on the RT website does not mean we will get into that workshop?
What about lines, are there always long lines?

A lot of people don't know they need to notify the organizers of what workshops they'll be attending and so they just show up. (Like I did last year. LOL) If there's someone you really want to see, make sure you get there a bit early.



Attendees are encouraged to dress in formal attire, be it historical or modern dress. It’s an occasion to dust off your tiara!
I figure long dresses, long gloves, stoles (if you have one) or whatever else you think is formal.

I'm seriously considering going this year (I've never been before). I'm a budding writer, and so many authors that have inspired me will be there, but since I live in the UK it's going to cost A LOT - I have to be 100% sure it'll be worth it! I was curious about whether many people travel the seven seas to go to these?


The best fare I found was on United. £568 - booked via AMEX... There aren't any direct flights, but a lot of options for the one change.

You should also factor in the chance to meet the authors you read, get books signed by authors (if that's your thing), ALL the free books (K.May - be prepared to pay for a 2nd piece of checked luggage @$100(£65) - it's a MUCH less expensive option than shipping), the goodies, the chance to meet and chat to other writers and readers who enjoy the same genre.


single rooms @$124 PLUS tax $124 is roughly £75/night. You could also try and find a roommate - I think it may cost $134 PLUS tax (@£80/night) for a double room


The more popular authors usually restrict it to the books on sale right there on their tables. Occasionally, you may find one who'll sign one extra book, but that's rare now. The publishers realize they need to make sure as many readers as possible get the opportunity to visit with their favorite writers.
If you have a lot of books, it's usually better it you bring book plates. They're a lot easier to carry and the people in line behind you won't want to kill you so badly.


The Book Fair opens to RT registrants first (since they paid hundreds of $$ and have been there all week) and they get about an hour to find their authors and buy books before the "Book Fair only" participants are allowed in.
You have to line up to get in. If you bring books from home, every one of those books has to be checked in and marked by an RT staff member or volunteer so that you're not charged for them when you go to leave. You have to do this before you're allowed in the door.
Once inside, you can go wherever you want, get in line for your author(s), and just prowl around. Some authors require wristbands for their lines, and some have tight security.
You don't want to breach someone's security, believe me, because some of these writers have stalkers who are just wacko and their personal security people are trained to deal with wack jobs.
Don't be afraid to stop by an unfamiliar author's table. They may be new and unknown, but they're there for a reason, and that reason is because their publisher believes in them. Next year, you may have to get a wristband to get their autograph. You never know.


Just have a few more questions
Is there anyway to tell in advance which authors require wristbands in order to get things signed? And if an author does require one how does the wristband process work?
Also these bookplates sound like a great idea but the only place I can find ones to buy is on Zazzle and they are quite expensive. Does anyone know where to get some cheaper? Online or instore.
Thanks for all the help you guys are great!

Last year was the first year that they did the wristbands (that I know of) and I did not know about them until the day of while standing in line. I don't think they tell who the authors will be with the wristbands (last year it was Anne Rice, J.R. Ward, Charlaine Harris & others) It starts with people standing in line and then they handed out the wrist bands, over the loudspeaker they announce that numbers 2000-2025 can now go to see author "Jane Doe", while in line for that author people that work for the convention walk through asking if you want another wristband for the other authors- these wristbands are all color coded to that author- like Anne Rice was a grey wristband with numbers on it- you just have to listen for your group. Not sure if or how it will be done this year though.
Now for the book plates, I print my own. I use Avery shipping labels that I bought from Walmart- size 4 x 6 and then just went online and found book plate templates, you can put anything on these "from the library of..." there are so many different things to add to these. When I knew I was going to see a favorite author that writes werewolf books, I added little wolf prints on and around the border. You can do flowers or even vampire fangs. It is so much cheaper making them yourself. Also there is a room called the RT Club, there are giveaway baskets and you have to put in your name & email. I use the small address labels and then when I get there I just use the paper they provide and stick my info on, it's so much easier than writing my name a 100 plus times





Do I need to bring a buttload of cash to the bookfair, or can I use a debit card?
I saw some discussion about this above, but I'm still a little confused. Do I need to register for the Reader panels? I just got my purchased my weekend pass and I know it's getting late - I'm worried I might miss out on a panel that turns out to be popular.

You don't have to register for the panels, but if you attend any of the parties, you'll need to sign up for them to make sure they have plenty of seating and goody bags. You can do that on the RT website.


We have teen day with YA authors where you can meet them and get their autographs. You can also do that at the giant Book Fair....just be prepared to stand in line.
In Club RT, the authors provide gift baskets filled with books and goodies. Just sign up and hope your name is drawn. Mostly, you'll have fun and meet a lot of great people who love books.
Oh, and tell your parents, it's not just for YA or romance. Authors from all genres attend....mystery, western, thriller, sci-fi, inspirational, you name it.


I bought my business cards for the giveaways and I have my costume reader for the party

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwzSA...
How many of you attended the event on the video? Where was the event held?