Goody Bags???
Mickey's right, my publisher (Ellora's Cave) hosts the Wednesday night fantasy party. This year, it's got a Moulin Rouge theme. Authors and the EC stable of cover models get together in the late afternoon to stuff those 800 bags full of all kinds of things. Mostly promotional items from the authors and the publisher, but also some really cool giveaways - including the two decks of EC cover-art playing cards.
That party is what starts at 9. Most of the evening events at the convention begin at 9.
RT is one party after another although in recent years, Kathryn Falk has been leaning toward scheduled workshops and writing classes rather than the all-day reader-author schmoozes it used to be. Before the advent of all the e-publisher start-ups, it was a lot more print authors and die-hard readers. I know a number of NYC-pubbed authors who stopped attending when the balance tipped from mostly readers to writers and writer-wannabees. They now prefer to spend their promo dollars with a purely reader-focused event like Celebrate Romance.
But that's a digression.
My definition of the difference between a conference and a convention is this:
At a conference, you attend workshops and take notes and network diligently to advance your career.
At a convention, you throw glitter in your hair and dance with cover models.
Oh, and if you're at RT, anyone who wants to share the ride is welcome to meet in the lobby - maybe around 5:30? I'll be the rather tall, zaftig redhead with glasses and interesting jewelry.
See you next week!
Hugs,
Liddy
