July 16th, 2009 | by Susan Lyons |
Here I am in Washington, DC, in the middle of the Romance Writers of America national conference. Along with 2000 other women and a handful of men.
For an introvert who’s used to spending her days at the computer playing with imaginary friends, it’s pretty wild – and overwhelming! I’m living in some weird state that’s half adrenaline buzz and half stunned exhaustion.
Here are some conference highlights so far:
- DC itself. The drive in from the airport was the nicest I’ve ever seen: all water and parks and flowers. Georgetown is charming and the hotel is situated so you can wander outside and walk a block to cute little restaurants. The sunshine is lovely (we won’t talk about the humidity, which is quite an experience for someone who lives by the Pacific Northwest ocean).
- Hurray, I won a Booksellers Best Award for SHE’S ON TOP. Very cool!
- I’ve had a chance to sit down for nice long talks with both my Kensington editor and my Berkley editor, and they’re warm, intelligent, charming women. I am so lucky to be with editors like them.
- Both the bookseller of the year (Rosemary from Rosemary’s Romance Books in Brisbane, Australia) and the librarian of the year (Deborah Schneider from the King County Library System) are women I’ve known and respected for several years now, and I’m delighted to see them honored this way. They so deserve it.
- It’s so nice to actually recognize a few people amid the 2000 registrants. The first year I went to an RWA National, I knew my roommate. Period. Each year I go, I know a few more people. It’s especially great to talk to some of the other Aphrodisia authors in person rather than by email.
- At the literacy signing, real live readers came along to tell me they loved my books. That’s something I will never get tired of.
- At a luncheon I sat beside a very nice young woman and found out she was Kris from Love Letter, the German romance magazine. A while back, she asked me to do an article on Vancouver, BC, since my Awesome Foursome series is set there, and it was great to have a chance to chat with her. (By the way, if anyone wants to read the English version of the article, “Awesome Vancouver,” it on the Articles page of my website at http://www.susanlyons.ca.)
- I’m looking forward (nervously!) to presenting a workshop called “Look Who’s Talking: Mastering POV and Tense.” Oh my gosh, I’m actually presenting a workshop at RWA National! And it’s being taped for posterity. Yikes…
- And I guess really the biggest highlight is knowing that there are 2000 great women (and a handful of men!) who are writing romance, whether they’re published yet or not, who respect the genre and are working on their craft and business skills, and are investing the time and energy to get together at this conference. The energy is amazing and the mutual support is terrific. And Romance Writers of America is an incredible organization. I think the majority of us at this conference would say that our careers wouldn’t be what they are today if we hadn’t discovered RWA.
Congrats on the award, Susan! Georgetown’s neat to browse around.
by Pam P · July 17th, 2009 at 1:32 amThanks, Pam. I’ve allowed myself some free time Sunday, between when the conference ends (Saturday night) and when my flight leaves, so I’m looking forward to some relaxed wandering around.
by Susan Lyons · July 17th, 2009 at 7:21 amWay to go Susan!
I so hate I’m missing all the fun this year. I would have loved to meet you in person!
by Chloe Harris (Noelle) · July 17th, 2009 at 8:26 amChloe/Noelle, I wish you could be here too!
by Susan Lyons · July 17th, 2009 at 9:22 amCongratulations on the Booksellers Best Award for She’s on Top! I know your workshop will rock, and it will be the highlight of someone’s conference. You give great workshops with lots of ah ha! moments.
Good flight home!
Bonnie
by Bonnie Edwards · July 17th, 2009 at 11:32 amCongratulations on the Bookseller award, Susan! You must be thrilled.
Pretty soon you’re going to have to enlarge your office to display your many awards–which are so deserved.
by EC Sheedy · July 17th, 2009 at 12:55 pmCongrats on the award!!! Woo HOO and good luck with the workshop!
by Book Junkie · July 17th, 2009 at 1:48 pmAw, you guys, you’re so sweet. Junkie, thanks, the workshop did go well. The room was packed – I brought 50 handouts and ran out! Bonnie, yes, I did have 2 or 3 people come up after my workshop and say they’d had the “ah ha” moment, I’d really helped them, etc. That’s such a great experience. Edna, LOL re the office wall – yes, it is getting a little crammed, but I’m sure the heck not
by Susan Lyons · July 17th, 2009 at 6:00 pm