This year was my third time to attend the Romance Writers of America National Conference. I knew there’d be great workshops, fun times at the special interest chapters’ evening parties, interesting conversations in the bar, and amazing moments of meeting favorite big-name authors. But nothing could have prepared me for how special it would be to attend the conference as a Golden Heart Finalist who just sold her first book. I felt like Cinderella at the ball and walked about two inches above the ground the entire event. (Well, maybe not after the author dinner when I decided to wear heels. The day after that wonderful evening, I hobbled closer to the ground.)
For much of the conference, I was in such a state of exhilaration that I forgot to take pictures, but below are a few of the moments that I managed to capture with my camera. Here’s how I spent my days–and nights–in San Antonio, TX.
Tuesday 7/22: Kiss of Death Tour to Lackland Airforce Base and Forth Sam Houston
Kimberly Kincaid and Denny S. Bryce in front of propeller plane and a perfectly placed danger notice. 🙂
Wednesday 7/23: The Golden Network Retreat, Silver Spurs & Golden Words
Fellow Paranormal Golden Heart Finalists Shelly Chalmers and Marni Folsom, pose with me and John Wayne.
Thursday 7/24: First “official” day of conference.
I won a critique by Jeannie Lin at the Debra Novak auction for diabetes, which included meeting up at RWA14. This is a big fangirl moment for me.
Although Agent Extraordinary Sara E. Younger didn’t make it to the conference, she arranged for the writers she represent to meet up. Here’s Team Sarah from top of the stairs: Codi Gary, Rachel Dylan/Kall, Rachel Lacey, Sheryl Lister, Kinley Baker, and moi. It was so much fun to meet these amazing women.
Friday 7/25: Henceforth known as “Fantabulous Friday.”
I also won a critique + meetup with Roxanne St. Claire in the Brenda Novak auction. When we met for breakfast, Brenda just happened to be at the table next us. This is a special moment for me. Both of these writers are amazing and inspire me every day. Major fangirl moment.
And then Roxanne St. Claire introduced me to Gena Showalter! Yes! As in: “Hi, Gena, have you met Asa Maria Bradley?” That really happened! Uber fangirl moment.
Parts of Team Sarah met up for lunch and got to take a picture with amazing Barbara Vey outside the restaurant. From left: Sidney Halston, Rachel Dylan, Annie Rain, Barbara Vey, Rachel Lacey, and I. Another one of those amazing RWA14 moments that you could never plan for, they just happen.
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At the RITA & GH afternoon reception with Megan Crane and Jane Porter. I love their writing, buy every one of their books. Plus, Jane has been so encouraging of my career.
Also at the RITA & GH Reception: The Golden Heart class of 2014, aka The Dreamweavers. Never, ever, have I met a group of more supporting women. We were supposed to be competitors, and I’m super competitive person, but these writers were each other’s greatest supporters and cheerleaders. Love these ladies! BFF!
Another fangirl moment from the reception. I read Susanna Kearsley’s books as quickly as she can write and publish them. She took home the RITA in the paranormal category later that night. Woot!
I spent Friday evening at my very first publisher event. The Sourcebooks Author Dinner was amazing. We gathered on the terrace of the restaurant before heading in for some of the best steak I’ve ever had. Unfortunately, I was too starstruck and overwhelmed to remember the name of the restaurant. (Doh!)
I got one of the special champagne bottles even though I don’t have a first book out yet! Talk about feeling welcomed!
And here’s the proof that I really was like Cinderella at the ball. Horse-drawn pumpkins came to pick us up from the dinner. I was impressed by the limo that drove us there, but this carriage was spectacular. (Cheryl Brooks, Terry Spear, and Mia Marlowe shared my pumpkin.)
View of Sweet Daisy pulling the carriage behind ours.
Saturday 7/26: Last Day of Conference and RITA & GH Award Ceremony
A very fuzzy, but only one I got, picture of my date to the awards ceremony. Thank you Rebecca Zanetti for being an awesome friend, career coach, and mentor. And also for writing fantastic books that sizzle.
After ceremony with GH sister Sarah Andre.
As you can tell, there were many moments where I completely forgot to bring out the camera. They are too many to mention all of them, but several of the workshops were fantastic. I had a blast presenting one myself with Rebecca and even though we were up against Nora and Courtney Milan, and a BDSM workshop, we had a good sized crowd and a great discussion. I loved volunteering for the literacy event and had a blast working as usher for “my” authors. And then there were the amazing moments with old and new friends in the lobby, out at lunch, and in the bar.
Thank you RWA and everyone who volunteered for and who attended the conference for making this event one that I will remember forever.