In just a few short days, I’ll be heading down to New Orleans for the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention. It’s my first book convention and I’m in a perpetual state of happy-flapping excitement.
If you’re going too, you should find me. I’ve got some seriously awesome swag to give out. Here’s where you can find me:
Thursday 5/15
The Cajun Queen Riverboat Casino Morning Mixer
Come one, come all, down the Mississippi to New Orleans… Join some of your favorite authors aboard The Cajun Queen where we’ll deal out the cards & you’ll rake in the booty! Enjoy N’awlins eats, southern concoctions and get your dance on to the live zydeko beat.
Time: 8:30 – 9:45 am
Clockwork Carnivale Tea
Ladies and gentlemen, gather your goggles, cinch your corsets and join us for an afternoon of revelry and delight at Clockwork Carnivale. Enjoy tea and sweets while steampunk authors entertain you with mayhem, giveaways, a steampunk costume contest and more. There will be swag bags for the first 100.
I’ll be there in costume, of course, because steampunk is my jam.
Time: 1:30 – 2:30 pm
RT Pub Crawl
What would give our attendees the perfect New Orleans experience? The answer, of course, is a trip up Bourbon Street — but, in true RT style, arriving as one gigantic group! Imagine 2,000 book lovers descending on the notorious street with drinks in hand (both alcoholic and nonalcoholic) and a plethora of local music spilling out onto the colorful streets of the French Quarter. Also, imagine sampling local foods as you stroll along the strip — like treats from Cafe Beignet, located at Musical Legends Park.
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Samhain Saints and Sinners Party
Calling all angels and devils! Samhain Publishing invites you to join us Thursday evening for a wicked good time. Sweet and sinful eats. Delightfully dangerous beats. Amazing author treats! Come dance the night away with our Samhain Authors — whether you wear halos or horns, you’ll be sure to find some kindred spirits!
My costume for this event is firmly “in progress,” but if the wings work, you’ll be able to spot me easily. I’m currently planning on a black and white corset with a red skirt and some red demon wings.
Time: 9:00 – 11:55 pm
Friday 5/16
How Sweet It Is!
We know you like a pinch of spice, a dash of salt, and maybe a little heat. But there’s nothing wrong with pouring on the sugar for breakfast in NOLA! Let popular romance authors like Colleen Coble and Tamera Alexander indulge you with a fun morning of beignets and books. After last year’s popular event, we’ll be back with even MORE great prizes and sweet treats! Goodie bags and books for the first 300 attendees, and chances to win e-reader devices, book clubs with the authors, and more!
Time: 8:30 – 9:45 am
Romance Pride: Wheel of Fortune
Come spin the wheel and test your knowledge of romance past and present with a gaggle of authors and Sarah Wendell doing her best Vanna White. Solve subgenre puzzles about legendary love stories, characters, and tropes to receive one of our prize baskets bursting at the seams with books, swag, and more. The first hundred attendees to arrive will receive a gift bag and a lottery ticket for one of the grand prizes given away in the bonus round.
I’ve donated a basket with some naughty goodies to this prize table.
Time: 10:00 – 11:00 am
Heather Graham’s Mardi Gras Magic & Mayhem, Dinner & Dance Party
Calling all vampires, vixens, queens and kings … royal courts of light . . . and darkness! Join us for dinner theater and dancing in the tradition of Nola’s wildest party — Mardi Gras! Come beautiful, come beautifully wicked . . . or just wicked. All creatures of the day and night are welcome.
I’m still working on my costume for this event, too. If it all works out, I’ll be in a magenta brocade corset with a ruffly purple skirt. That ruffly skirt is currently being the death of me.
Time: 8:45 pm – 12:00 am
Saturday 5/17
Giant Book Fair
Meet more than 700 authors who will autograph books, posters and bookmarks. Bring your “keepers” and have them signed!
This year we have combined our Giant Book Fair with our E-Book/Indie Expo to provide a great, new, merged experience. Find all of your favorite authors in one place!
The Saturday Giant Book Fair ticket is included in the full general convention registration fee.
This event is also open to the public and tickets can be purchased for just the Giant Book Fair. You can purchase a ticket at the door the day of the event. Pre-ordered tickets will be picked up at the hotel on the day of the Giant Book Fair.
You may bring in your books from home to get them autographed. However, they must be checked in and stamped (with invisible ink, so there’s no damage to your books) before you enter the book fair. Also only two books from home per author are allowed.
I’ll be selling and signing digital books through Autography and giving away some sweet, sweet swag.
Time: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Harlequin’s Dance Party
Harlequin Enterprises hosts a spectacular dance party and an evening of glamour where you will meet the stars of romance.
Time: 9:00 pm – 12:00 am
Look for my name badge and say hello! If I’m not at one of these events or in a workshop, I’ll probably be eating something in New Orleans.
I can’t wait to meet people!!
i wish i could go and meet you, cause you rock!!! 🙂