Despite attempts to the contrary by Delta, I am home. My luggage, however, is not. Since many of the free books I’m giving away are in that bag, I am extending the RWA contest one more day. Delta assures me the bag will arrive on my doorstep at some point this afternoon, so never fear – the books are safe. At least I think that’s true… And, since I picked up many a free book, I will give away three sets. I have historicals, paranormals, contemporaries and whatever else there is. Likely the winners will get 3 books (from different genres), but I’ll have a better idea once I have my stupid bag!!!
Saturday’s events consisted of hearing a very good luncheon speech by Christina Dodd. For those tired of rejection and having trouble finding time to write, Dodd took 10 years to get published and was rejected many times during that time. It wasn’t until she focused on her goal, made writing a priority and learned some basics, that she got The Call. Now she’s a NYT bestseller. Her usual genre is historical romance. However, her newest is Trouble in High Heels, which is a romanatic suspense. Have it. Plan to read it.
I attended some PAN (Published Author Network of RWA) workshops. Okay, I attended two. One was on “the numbers” (Amazon ranking, Bookscan, bestseller lists, laydowns, sell throughs, etc.) and what they all mean. The bottom line on what the ranking/bestseller numbers mean is this: not much in terms of reality, but something in terms of publishing house happiness and author achievement. The second seminar was on promotion. Bottom line on this one is exactly the same as what I learned from my promo blogging last week: ummm. It was one of those panels where one NYT bestseller does a great deal of self promotion and another NYT bestseller does nothing other than have a website a friend set up for her. You figure it out. I give up. Just write the best book you can and see what happens from there.
I did meet many, many lovely authors and readers. Even better, I now know the thrill of having a reader rush up to me, pull out one of my books and describe it better than I ever could because she loves it so much. Very cool.
What I’m about to do is risky since I know I’ll forget someone, but I chatted with some authors who, on personality alone, would get me to buy a book written by them (most I already buy due to the great writing anyway). In an attempt to get you to buy them, here is a list of suggestions (in no particular order):
-Trouble by Ann Christopher
-Ask For It by Sylvia Day
-Bound by Sasha White
-Hell on Wheels by Karen Kelly
-A Very Merry Christmas by Gemma Bruce (and others)
-Deep Breath by Alison Kent
-Run For The Money by Stephanie Feagan
-Share the Darkness by Jill Monroe
-Enslave Me Sweetly by Gena Showalter
-The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason
-The Bachelor Preferred Pastry by Shirley Jump
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Welcome back!
by May July 30th, 2006 at 12:12 pmWelcome back! A lot of those books are on my to buy list!
by Amy S. July 30th, 2006 at 1:40 pmMakes me think of that reality show on TV about the airports. Love that show but wouldn’t want to be one of those flight attendants.
by Glenna Day July 30th, 2006 at 2:04 pmHey better you being home and not your books than the other way around!
Sounds like you had a great time. Gonna go next year? It is in texas ya know.
by sybil July 30th, 2006 at 2:46 pmGlad you made it home in one piece (sorry to hear about the luggage). I think it would be awesome to hear Christina Dodd speak. She’s one of my favorite authors (in fact, I have “Trouble in High Heels” checked out from the library).
by Jennifer K. July 30th, 2006 at 3:03 pmWelcome back Helen!
Sorry to hear that about your luggage. Airlines and luggage don’t work well together. Mine is alaways either completely damged or it disappears.
From the list of books that you mentioned I know Karen Kelley & Alison Kent’s books. They are really good.
Great that you met Christina Dodd. She is one of my favorite historical authors, but I also like her Contemporaries.
by Danny July 30th, 2006 at 3:12 pmWelcome back!
by Estella Kissell July 30th, 2006 at 3:38 pmWelcome back. Glad you arrived safe and sound. Wish I could say the same for your luggage.
I have read several from the list. I am so glad you had a good time.
by Pat July 30th, 2006 at 4:33 pmThanks for sharing. Sorry to hear about your luggage. I was at Borders yesterday and saw Viva Las Bad Boys on the shelf. I fixed it real nice for you, face out. I took a picture but for the life of me, I don’t know how to get it off my camera cell phone. haha!
by KimW July 30th, 2006 at 4:51 pmWelcome home and sorry about the airport mess-up. Yuck! Love Christine’s books. I’ve checked out Karen, Alison and Slyvia’s books from the library. Just started “Hell On Wheels.” So far, so good. I’m only on the 9th page. LOL I’ve got Gena and Jill’s on my TB list. The others will have to be checked out. *g* Thanks for the suggestions.
by Ayreann July 30th, 2006 at 5:01 pmWelcome back! Glad you arrived home safely even if your luggage did not make it with you. Alot of those authors are already on my TB list so you obviously have great taste.
by Cherie Japp July 30th, 2006 at 5:12 pmWelcome back! Like Dorothy says, “There’s no place like home!”
Sorry to hear about the luggage..that really sucks!
And to anyone who has not yet gotten “Viva Las Bad Boys”, run to your nearest bookstore and get it! I got mine in the mail Saturday (thanks again HelenKay!!)
, and started reading it immediately. I did not put it down until I was through! Lurrrved it!
by Angie July 30th, 2006 at 6:40 pmZach was my favorite…
welcome back Helen!!! Bummer on the luggage. Hopefully while I’m on during the evening now, your luggage got to you. Seems this happens all the time. I’m always hearing this stuff and wonder how they could lose it, weird.
by Cathie July 30th, 2006 at 6:49 pmBut anyways, sounds like a great time was had at the workshops. Some day I know I’ll get to a conference (just as a reader tho). Love to meet you and others.
welcome back home.
by diane July 30th, 2006 at 7:11 pmglad to hear all the news.
by joelle July 30th, 2006 at 7:11 pminteresting week.
by ellie July 30th, 2006 at 7:12 pmwelcome back. fun time
by pearl July 30th, 2006 at 7:12 pmsounds great. welcome back.
by sharon July 30th, 2006 at 7:12 pmWelcome back! Sorry to hear about the luggage, though. Especially because it contained books.
by Cheryl S. July 30th, 2006 at 7:23 pmAll good things must come to an end. That surely went fast. Thanks for keeping us abreast of the festivities. Glad you had a good time. Hope your luggage arrives safely and with THE BOOKS. LOL.
by Karen T. July 30th, 2006 at 8:26 pmHi! Love your website! Can’t wait for the new Bad Boys book!
by Jana Cleveland July 30th, 2006 at 8:39 pmWelcome back!
If the bookstore has VLBB, I hope to get it tomorrow. We’ll see.
And I really want to read that Colleen Gleason book. Think sheds take my first born child for an ARC? lol
by Nicole July 30th, 2006 at 10:27 pmSounds like you had an interesting and fun time at the conference. But isn’t it always good to get home? Good luck on getting your luggage safe and sound.
by Ruby Davis July 31st, 2006 at 12:18 amWelcome back!!! Sorry to hear about your misplaced luggage..that can be very annoying! Thanks for giving us updates of your trip! It sounds like I missed a really fun time
by Kathleen July 31st, 2006 at 7:44 amWelcome Home. Sorry about the luggage. Hope you got it back by now.
by Brenda R. July 31st, 2006 at 7:55 pmHi HelenKay,
It sounds like luggage excluded, you had a great time. I’m so very jealous lol! I’m glad you are back!
by Zara August 2nd, 2006 at 12:10 amHelenKay, how fun it was to meet you also!
I have your book on the top of my stack to read (even ahead of Happy Hour at Casa Dracula….shhhhh)…once I finish my self-imposed moratorium on reading until I finish my latest manuscript.
Thank you so much for mentioning my book!
by Colleen Gleason August 2nd, 2006 at 7:42 pmI’m new to blogs, still don’t know just what to do. I’d like to be entered in the contest.
by Wilma August 6th, 2006 at 5:35 pmI’m also new to blogs so just hope I’m doing it all correctly.
Glad you have your luggage back.
Please enter me in your contest. Thanks!
by Lynn K August 13th, 2006 at 1:48 pmHey, thanks for recommending me!
I have VLBB and it’s on my TBR after meeting current deadline pile 
Bummer about the luggage. Definitely not a way to end RWA!
Shirley
by Shirley Jump August 17th, 2006 at 2:13 pm