Dani is the winner from last week's post! And I was a winner at RWA's Librarian Day:
7:30 – 8:00 a.m.
Registration/ Badge Pick-Up
Imagine my surprise when I picked up my bag from one of my favorite historical romance authors - Shana Galen!
8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Creative Marketing: Connecting Romance Readers and Authors at the Library
Speakers: Amy Alessio, Simone Elkeles, and Susan Gibberman
Make the most of your resources with some interactive romance-themed programs for teens and adults including book launch parties, online book discussions, chocolate tastings and writing workshops. The 2008 RWA Librarian of the Year, Susan Gibberman, will join notable teen librarian Amy Alessio as well as best-selling and RITA award-winning author Simone Elkeles to highlight creative ways to market events to capture the attention of romance lovers. Fill seats at your events, and keep them coming back for more.
These ladies were perfect for the first session - their enthusiasm for readers percolated the room. Simone shared how she recruited a top model for her book trailers ... she is one clever mom!
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| Susan Gibberman, Simone Elkeles and Amy Alessio |
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Focus on Historical Romance
Speakers: Suzanne Enoch, Karen Hawkins, Sabrina Jeffries, and Julia London
Chat with four popular (and hilarious) historical romance authors. What’s popular in historical romance now? What do they see coming in the subgenre? What do they love about historical romance, and why do they write it? Who are their “must-read” romance authors? Attend this fun discussion, and bring your questions, too!
I concur with "hilarious" as the audience laughed along with their hijinx!
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Romance Readers’ Advisory
Speakers: Wendy Crutcher, Kristan Higgins, and Kristin Ramsdell
Two former RWA Librarians of the Year and bestselling romance author Kristan Higgins will share their tips for “romance readers’ advisory 101.” From the RA interview to information on the genre, find out what you need to know.
They may look serious in the picture below, but their panel was interactive, seeking suggestions from the audience on books to recommend to librarian patrons for specific genres.
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| Kristin Ramsdell, Kristan Higgins, Wendy Crutcher |
12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
Librarian Luncheon Featuring New York Times Best-selling Author Kerrelyn Sparks. Librarians will also be eating lunch with more than 50 published authors!
I sat next to the incomparable Linda Howard and Librarian of the Year, Mary Moore from the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library. Below, Kerrelyn Sparks shared her reading (and writing) journey. Everyone needed a hanky for her inspirational story.
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Librarian/Bookseller Networking Event with Authors
Come to this fun, informal meet-and-greet with romance authors!
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I chatted with Canadian cowgirl
(and paranormal author) Vivian Arend. |
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| Carrie Lofty and Wendy Crutcher |
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Erin Knightley, Kieran Kramer, and Anna Lee Huber
Tim Tams - yum, yum! |
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| Jessica Scott and Sue Grimshaw |
Tim Tams were everywhere at RWA - thanks to the Aussie authors who brought them! If you attended RWA, what would you bring from your "home town" to share? I gave away goodie bags with a foldout map of Pearl Harbor plus fruit flavored tea. One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash - I mailed home 7 boxes! Comments are open through Saturday, August 4, 10 pm in Hawaii. I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 5.
Mahalo,
Kim in Hawaii
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| Hawaiian Fruit Tea at the Hickam Commissary |
