Aloha to Dallas - Welcome Party and Club RT

The RT Booklovers Convention kicked off the week with a welcome party.  Above are my military friends.  From left to right, Tamara Argyle, Sharon Hamilton, Jackson Young,  Siera London, and Kathy Crouch.   All are veterans, except for Sharon, who writes about SEALs.  

County singer Jackson Young brought Rowdy, the Battle Buddy Bear, to RT to promote Operation Troop Aid.  From its website (link),

We salute and support all our Armed Forces! The mission of Operation Troop Aid (OTA) is to provide care packages for U.S. Service members with the revenue generated through professional concert promotions and public financial generosity. OTA is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation striving to make a positive difference and inspire our Armed Forces by letting them know Americans stand with them.

(Jackson chatted about Rowdy and Operation Troop Aid at the Military Salute - pictures to come).

Over in Club RT, we chatted with Harlequin authors Delores Fossen (Air Force veteran), Julie Miller (Marine Corps daughter), and BJ Daniels (cowboy lover).

Tamara modeled the red hat ...

... and I admired this British purse.  Do you wear fancy hats or carry funky purses?  One randomly selected commenter from my RT posts wins a book choice from my convention stash. Comments are open through Sunday, May 31. I'll post the winner on Monday, June 1, at SOS Aloha.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Can you guess who wears these gorgeous shoes?

The Military Hero (part 2) - Getting Ready for the RT Booklovers Convention

The second military workshop at the RT Booklovers' Convention (link) is hosted by four members of the RomVets (link),

Not Every Man in Uniform is a Navy SEAL

What about heroes—and heroines—in other hot military professions? Join these RomVets: military veterans-turned-romance authors, who put down the sword and picked up the pen. Learn about other military career fields; where to research military characters; typical military lifestyles, including deployments; and what it’s like to be a female in today’s military. Find out how to create military characters without enlisting — or doing a single push-up!

Event Date: Thursday, May 14, 2015 - 10:00 am to 11:00 am

Heather Ashby
Lacey Falcone
Merline Lovelace
Dr. Tamara Worlton

Heather, Lacey, Merline, and Tamara will be participating in the 12th Annual SOS Aloha Military Tribute on Thursday, May 14, 0830 (just before the miltiary workshop).  Check out this link for more information about the military and free tickets.  

The panelists are seeking feeback.  For readers, who is your favorite flavor of hero?  For authors, do you have any questions for the panel?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.   Comments are open through Saturday, March 21.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 22.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Use #allmilitaryam and #realwomenwearcamo to help us promote these events on social media!

Aloha to the RT Booklovers' Convention - Day Four: Meeting authors in Club RT

On Thursday morning, I met many authors streaming through Club RT, where I hosted a promo table for SOS America.

Tamara Argyle and Tara Nina, in the middle, wear blue in honor of the Navy!

Tamara and Pamela (bookends) greet Debbie Macomber and Christina Skye.  

Last Kiss Comics offered logo items in vintage style ...

... including this appropriate tote!

Kimberly and Janet, from Book Obsessed Chicks, sandwich Beth Williamson/Emma Lang.

Cherry Adair join Stella Barcelona and Tina deSalvo in the fight against Breast Cancer! 

Outside Club RT, I bumped into fans waiting for the Steam Punk party.  One randomly selected commenter from this week's posts wins a book choice from my convention stash. Comments are open through Saturday, May 24, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, May 25, at SOS Aloha.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

New Orleans Fire Department also fight breast cancer!

Aloha to the RT Booklovers' Convention - Day Two: Book Blogger Conference

Tuesday offered the Book Blogger Conference hosted by Sarah Wendell (Smart Bitches) and Jane Litte (Dear Author).  

It was an informal affair where Sarah asked (paraphrase), "Talk as much as you listen".   Here is a sample of suggestions offered by the other bloggers:

- Book Likes is an alternative to Goodreads.

- Options to self host (to migrate away from restrictions of Blogger and Wordpress).

- Make sure your blog layout is appealing to readers.

- Consider a "fresh look" for your blog.

- View your blog from an older PC and even smart phone to ensure all elements are visible.

- The image behind your blog should be less than 10% so it doesn't distract the reader from the content.

- "I have the book for you".

- Late reviews (i.e., reviews posted some time after book publiciation) are still welcome as they promote sales of backlists.

- Attacking the author (in lieu of reviewing the book) does not convey a professional attitude.  The publishers are open to criticisms of the writing, but not unprofessional behavior towards authors, other reviews, and even readers.

- Offer recipes to "feed the trolls".

Harlequin hosted a cocktail party with delicious nibbles and goodie bags!

Hats off to Sarah and Jane for the warm welcome and helpful mentorship!   Do you have any advice to offer bloggers?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.   Comments are open through Saturday, May 24, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, May 25, at SOS Aloha.  

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spiriti in Charm City

Tamara Argyle, Sara Humphreys, and a reader
enjoy the Sock Hop on Tuesday night.