Aloha to RWA - Author! Author!

Look who I spotted at RWA!  Above is Julia Quinn (middle) and Stephanie Sloane (right).

Rita Nominee Jill Sorenson (right) 

Canadian Cowboy Vivian Arend (left)

RT's Liz French and Mala Bhattacharjee

Avon's editorial staff who deliver the HEA

Cindy Kirk and Victoria Alexander share
20 Things We Know Now, That We Wish We Knew Then

What do you know now that you wish you knew then?  Yes, its a wide open question ... one randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.   This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, August 4, 10 pm in Hawaii.   I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 5.


Mahalo,


Kim in Hawaii

Victoria is always a delight!

Aloha to RWA - "Readers For Life" Literacy Autographing

Wednesday's Librarian Day sailed into the "Readers For Life" Literacy Autographing.   From the RWA website at this link,

The "Readers for Life" Literacy Autographing has become one of the most popular events at RWA's Annual Conference. Hundreds of romance authors participate in this autographing event, and each year we raise thousands of dollars, which are donated to ProLiteracy Worldwide and local literacy organizations. Since 1990, RWA has raised more than $766,000 to fight illiteracy.

Romance Writers of America is pleased to announce that the 2012 "Readers for Life" Literacy Autographing raised $50,963 for ProLiteracy Worldwide, Read OC, and Literacy Volunteers - Huntington Valley. Thank you to everyone who helped make this event so successful!

From Wendy Crutcher at this link.

One more recipient of this good will - the Orange County Public Libraries received the leftover books generously donated by the publishers!

I assisted Stephanie Sloane in securing authors' autographs for her conference bag ... 

Christina Dodd

  

Jayne Ann Krentz is Amanda Quick
and Jayne Castle!

Jill Shalvis is super nice!

Jennifer Haymore hails from Hawaii!

Triple nominee Vicky Dreiling ... 

... laughs with RWA's Honor Roll members
Elizabeth Hoyt and Cathy Maxwell.

RITA Nominee Carolyn Brown

Two time RITA winner (and RomVet) Cindy Dees
(Vivian Arend stickered me as an honorary Canadian)

Diane Kelly adds color ... 

... Laurin Wittig and Christine Trent add smiles!

Sandy Blair in tartan .... 

... Lynn Raye Harris (right) in tiger print!

Debut author Kathy Altman ... 

... veteran writers Kat and Larry Martin!

What would you wear to a literacy signing - pink hair, tartan sash, leopard print, or something else? One randomly selected commenter from this week's blog wins a book choice from my convention stash.   Comments are open through Saturday, August 4, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 5.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

My children pose with Olivia Gates!

Aloha to RWA - Librarian's Day

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!

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!

Suzanne Enoch, Julia London, Sabrina Jeffries, Karen Hawkins
thegoddessblogs.com

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.  

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!

I chatted with Canadian cowgirl
(and paranormal author) Vivian Arend.

Carrie Lofty and Wendy Crutcher

Erin Knightley, Kieran Kramer, and Anna Lee Huber
Tim Tams - yum, yum!

  

Margaret Mallory and Kris Alice,
the founder of LoveLetter Magazine (in Germany, loveletter-magazin.de)

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

Hawaiian Fruit Tea at the Hickam Commissary

Aloha to Kaua'i - Plate Lunches, Menehune Ditch, and Ni'ihau Views

We have a winner from last week's posts - Kim H!   Please note I will be away for a week at the RWA National Conference!  I'll pictures from the conference starting Monday, July 30.   


Meanwhile, enjoy a few more pictures from Kaua'i.

We try to eat "local" ...
here are the plate lunches available in Hanapepe!

Above is the Menehune Ditch.  From Hawaii Web (at this link),

Only a small portion of the engineering phenomina still remains. Archeologists say it was built before the Polynesians every arrived on the island. Legend states it was built by the Menehume, leprachaun-like little people, in one night. The high chief of Waimea supposidely inlisted the aid of the menehune to build the aquaduct. He banned the villagers from leaving their homes one night so the menehune could safely build the ditch without being seen. The result was an huge irrigation system made from smoothed lava stone that brought water from the Waimea River to the taro fields. The rocks used in this contruction project came from more than 6 miles away in Mokihana. 

Along the Waimea Canyon Road, we had two choices of views.

The clouds cover the view of Ni'ihau.

Ni'ihau is privately owned by the Robinson Family.  They now offer helicopter rides from Waimea to see its pristine beaches.    Have you flown in a helicopter?   One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.   Comments are open through Sunday, July 29, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Monday, July 30.  


Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Aloha to Kaua'i - Anahola Beach Park

  

On our way to the airport, we stopped by the Anahola Beach Park for one last photo ... or two.  The trade winds have shaped this tree!

The trade winds also create great surfing!

The beach is wide open!

Do you have a favorite spot to take photos?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, July 21, 10 pm in Hawaii.   I'll post the winner on Sunday, July 22.


Mahalo,


Kim in Hawaii 

Kaua'i remembers surfing legend Andy Irons.

Aloha to Kaua'i - Miniature Golf

Hubby and the kids played miniature golf near the Kilauea Lighthouse.   The course was lined with native plants.   Taro makes poi - its blandness offset the salty Pua'a (pork).

The pink hibiscus greets the Merrie Monarch
- King David Kalākaua.

Ah, passion fruit - a delicious drink!

Pineapples are plentiful.

What is your favorite tropical delight?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, July 21, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, July 22.


Mahalo,


Kim in Hawaii