Some Thoughts on RT
I am home and have survived my first RT Convention. I thought this would be a good time to set out some general observations. In no particular order:
*Costume balls and roaming male models are not my thing. Now, I know many others love that sort of thing. Me, well, I never liked Halloween as a kid so the idea of dress-up parties as an adult holds no thrill. Having said that, I had a very nice time meeting authors, talking with friends and meeting readers and booksellers. I just didn’t do all those things at themed get-togethers. But, I do appreciate that RT throws this impressive shindig.
*While there are a few unfriendly authors and some who suffer from the I’m-superior problem out there, many are the exact opposite. I met and reconnected with so many down-to-earth and amazing women. It really was one of those times where I made a mental note to go buy books by particular authors because I liked something about them and want them to do well.
*Erin McCarthy continues to be one of my favorite authors ever. I love her books. I truly like her. And, since readers grabbed up my copies of WHEN GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO BAD BOYS despite the fact it’s been out for a year, I want to again thank Erin and Lori and their fans.
*I previously linked to a blog by Meg Cabot about authors at booksingings. Having been to a few now, I would like to highlight her thoughts again. I can’t find the actual link since her website moved at some point, but here is the one I previously highlighted. It bears repeating:
#4 DON’T BE SUCH A BIG BABY - and this is my favorite - she says:
Often when I go on a book tour I hear from booksellers about authors who were in their store the night before, who are also on a book tour, and who signed so many books that they had to ice their hand. Very often, these poor, tender things needed to have a bookseller stand next to them to flip the books open for them, because their little author fingers are too precious and weak to do this task themselves.
Authors, seriously: Unless you are physically challenged, Harper Lee, JD Salinger, Beverly Clearly, or some other beloved but aged author, YOU MUST STOP DOING THIS. It just confirms what the rest of the world already thinks about us: that we are a bunch of badly groomed little namby pamby prima donnas with spirit guides who think our characters are real.
If I didn’t read Meg before I found this link, I would have started reading her because of it. It’s dead on. This doesn’t apply to the women sitting on either side of me at the signing . They were very nice and helped to make the hours pass by swiftly. Others, well, they should try to track down Meg’s full list and see if anything sounds familiar then…change.
*When Ann Wesley Hardin says you can find her at the bar, she means you can find her at the bar. And, when you find her there, you should sit down and say hello. She’s funny and all those great things you want an author to be when you meet him/her for the first time.
*For those who worry younger women aren’t interested in the romance genre, let me say that there are some talented and charming young female writers coming on to the scene - Cythnia Eden and Richelle Mead, to name only a few. New blood is good. I can hardly wait to see what these ladies do with their careers.
*When riding behind one of the cover models on the escalator - the one with the blonde hair that goes past his butt - it is probably not okay to pet him. That’s enough said on that.
*As proof that being courteous means something, let me tell you this: Angela James of Samhain Publishing came over to me, introduced herself, said nice things and took my photo. She is an excellent face for Samhain. Because of her and her professionalism, I added four Samhain books to my “must get” list to read after my May 15th deadline. Yeah, the way you act matters.
*I know MaryJanice Davidson gets a bad wrap on the author-behaving-badly thing. Frankly, having chatted with her briefly over time I think the label is unfounded. If you see her in person, go up and say hello. She’s a NYT bestseller and has always gone out of her way to be supportive and kind to me. You’ll like her.
Some general thoughts for readers and aspiring authors:
*Free books are free. They are gifts. You did not pay money for them. Don’t get angry when the event runs out of supply or you don’t get what you want. Just saying.
*If you are an aspiring author, do not hound the editor to whom you wish to sell your book. I was talking with my editor when a woman broke into our conversation and wanted to know when my editor was going to find time to hear her pitch. The aspiring author was rude and apparently had bugged my editor several times during the conference before that point. Okay, not cool. Use some common sense. Hell, I am one of Kate Duffy’s writers and have known her for years and I go out of my way not to bud in when she’s talking or socializing with someone else. I waited until she was finished on a panel, everyone in line had talked to her and she was leaving the room before I slipped in and said hello. And, again, I have a relationship with this woman. If you want one, don’t be an idiot.
*When you throw a fit, demand attention, act entitled or like a jerk - you are making an impression. Not a good one.
April 29th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
Glad you had a good time, HelenKay. I’ve gone the past two years and decided to sit this one out. I’m with you on the constume thing - in Daytona, I went to the Secret Fantasy party in my bathrobe, because my secret fantasy is to hang out in my bathrobe. I popped into the Faery Ball to check out the costumes, then took my daughters out to walk on the beach in the moonlight. I’m one of those party pooper people - gave up booze, feel awkward, always feel like I’m horning in, etc.
I wasn’t always like this - it’s the curse of turning 45, I think.
Love your random observations - so true! Personally, I think every conference should have a table at check-in, whereupon clues are sold to each attendee. On second thought, clues should be free, particularly to the especially clueless and diplomatically challenged.
Or maybe a sign, a la Bill Engvall. “Here’s Your Sign!”
April 29th, 2007 at 1:15 pm
p.s. - Ann Wesley Hardin is an amazing woman - one of my favorites.
And I envy you meeting Angie from Samhain - gotta do that at RWA, for sure.
Thanks again for sharing with all of us ‘left-behinds’!
April 29th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
lol — a clue table! I love that.
It just amazes me to hear some of that behavior — it just seems to go against so much common sense.
Great wrap up, HelenKay. And I love being prepared for next year. And, yikes, I don’t think roaming male models are my thing, either.
(Someone really tried to pet him? Errrgh.)
April 29th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Sounds like you had a good time. So did you the pet the blonde’s hair or not? LOL.
Some people are so boorish - they are stupid too. But you find that within and group.
Welcome home.
April 29th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
(I almost went to RT but none of my readers friends ended up going so I passed. Might do RWA again though). HelenKay if I didn’t dig you already, I sure would start after reading this post. I also am not a big costume party person and prefer just being my boring ole self.
I agree about the authors - I met so many lovely, gracious, kind writers that I wanted to buy books from all of them LOL. (Only a few traveled with an entourage and had their noses in the air. Karma, my friends, karma). And Erin McCarthy is a complete doll. I can’t wait to see her again in June. She always remembers people and is always happy to see everyone. A true sweetheart.
I’m really impressed with Samhain and like hearing about the professionalism of Angela James. I visit her blog, and not only does she seem very supportive and proud of what she does, she is an unabashedly proud mom - how can you not like someone like that?
Totally agree about MJD. I’ve interviewed her (me, a mere reader) and she’s always been supportive, funny and sweet. I think people just don’t get her sense of humor. She really is that sarcastic. She really is that self-deprecating. I met her at RWA and she was lovely and enjoyed talking to us readers. I wrote a review of one of her books at my blog and without any prompting on my part, she came and left a nice comment. Actions speak louder than words. And yeah, I do like her.
Amen on the free books and the aspiring writer thing.
I bet you’re glad to be home…
April 29th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
Hi HelenKay;
I am so glad that you had a great time. I love this post. It is very insightful for those of us who do not get to go to RT. As an aspiring writer your advice is great. Of course I would never horde in on a conversation between any two people. I would yell at my kids for doing this and I have to hold myself to the same standard. I have to tell you that I met Erin at a book signing and her attitude is what made me pick up her book. I love her writing, but she is a wonderful person. She has been very encouraging with my writing and she has remember me every time that we have met. Have a great week. Glad you are home safe and had a great time.
April 29th, 2007 at 7:00 pm
Glad you had a great time! I really want to go to RT at least once in my life, but it’s at least a few years from now. It needs to come further north someday. Seattle or Minneapolis would be divine.
I’ve been on a Meg Cabot kick lately and have been reading a few of her historicals. I’ve really been enjoying them.
April 30th, 2007 at 4:25 am
ROFL @ petting the model!
Sounds like a great time–I’m so jealous that I didn’t get to go!
April 30th, 2007 at 7:08 am
Costume balls and roaming male models are not my thing. Now, I know many others love that sort of thing. Yikes, the whole concept creeps me out when I read it in the magazine, definitely wouldn’t like it in person. But am still jealous of anyone that gets to go.
No petting the cover models — got it–LOL
April 30th, 2007 at 8:32 am
sound so much fun. love erin books
April 30th, 2007 at 8:41 am
HelenKay, thanks so much for the mention in the previous post. Networking in an effective manner is a subject dear to my heart. I wish more people would have attended because, sadly, I did run into those who were–as Stephanie F. put it–diplomatically challenged. That aside, I had a fabulous time at RT! So many wonderful authors, booksellers, and readers. And I am SO glad you introduced yourself. You’re a lovely in person in every sense.
April 30th, 2007 at 9:58 am
*blushing* Thanks HelenKay, I appreciate the lovely words that you and others have said. I love the positive response we’ve gotten. And it’s gratifying to know I did a good job at my first RT representing Samhain. I’ll be posting your photo and others as soon as I get caught up!
I too, don’t do the costume ball/cover model thing. But I adore RT for the sheer fact that it’s all those people who love romance in one place and the energy is amazing.
April 30th, 2007 at 11:46 am
I’ll confess straight off. I most often have someone opening my books at a signing. And I ask that someone previously has written the reader’s name on a post-it and tabbed it onto the title page.
I found by doing this, I can actually make a connection with the reader in a couple of minutes we may have, rather than spending most of that time fumbling the book open, asking h/h name then how to spell it. Instead, I can ask how she’s doing, where she came from, if she’s having fun–or she can ask me or tell me whatever. We can chat for that couple of minutes.
I think the gist of what Meg’s saying is to make that connection. Not to be a snot, or aloof. The reader came to see YOU–be present. I couldn’t agree more. Don’t whine, don’t pout. Smile, connect, be gracious. Be grateful.
I’ve never iced down my hand (wanted to ). And I try not to make a big deal out of fingers cramping–but they can and do. Open and sign a few hundred books over two or three hours at a stretch, and it can wear on the hand. Do that night after night on tour for a couple of weeks, (add in the stock signings between events) and it starts hurting sooner each night.
I consider this a pretty wonderful problem to have. So this isn’t bitching about it. Just speaking to the physical reality. And my solution–one that works for me–is to do the job, make that connection with every reader who took the time to come see you. Then at the first opportunity when the event’s over, take alcohol internally.
April 30th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
If I go next year, I’m hanging out with you guys. Happy to see I’m not the only one with a “why is that person wearing wings at dinner” reaction to the costume thing. Imagine getting wings on a plane. I can’t get hand lotion on and these ladies smuggled on six-foot wings.
Angie, Beth & Cynthia - fabulous to meet you. I love putting faces together with people from online. Of course, I have to admit to not getting the Angie The Blogger and Angela The Editor connection until right this second. Clearly I need to work on my powers of observation.
Nora - I’ve seen you at signings. You have people lined up for 6 miles to have you sign your entire 1,000 book backlist (only a slight exaggeration there). That’s a different thing entirely. My hand aches just watching you. In fact, if I were you, I’d hit the alcohol BEFORE the signing not after. But I do need to hunt down Meg’s original post on authors at booksignings because it is both funny and all too true. Her overall point was exactly what you said - authors need to stop all the jerky and wacky behavior. Be grateful and courteous and never forget that readers are handing out anywhere from $6 to $26 for your books. Taking a few minutes to show appreciation is not much to ask. Hell, if anyone even pretends to have seen one of my books in a store I have to refrain from hugging them. Alcohol helps with that, too.
And, yes, the escalator/model thing was me. You try standing behind a guy with hair down to his butt and not give in to a little touch. It looked like a horse’s mane. I was oddly intrigued.
April 30th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
For those curious for a recent picture of HelenKay, here’s one I took at the RT Booksigning.
April 30th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
Yep, I says what I means and means what I says.
I’m so GLAD we finally got to meet! I thoroughly enjoyed it. The ole brain is still sloshing in pickling juice, but, great post. The hotel staff won’t have to pick too many boogers off the ceiling but there will be some. It’s good to know they’re not yours, Erin’s, mine, Beth’s, Mary’s, Kathy’s or any of the other cool ladies we laughed with.
But HelenKay, I’m making it my personal mission to get you into costume next year. I’ll even let you choose it! Don’t make me bring the lederhosen…
April 30th, 2007 at 5:45 pm
Oh and PS to Steph - I missed ya babes! I think this is the first year I haven’t seen you since Denver *sniff*. You’re on my favs list too.
May 1st, 2007 at 2:20 pm
What a great wrap up!! I had an author mentione the hand icing thing to me at the signing this year and my response was a simple. “I’d love to have that problem!” I have to say, the extent of my costumes were a wig one night and a cowboy hat another. LOL I like lookingat them, but am not a fan of dressing up either. LOL
I wish I’d had more time to chat with you, but uhmm I did manage to party with Ann a bit. LOL
May 2nd, 2007 at 11:39 am
Thanks for all the fun highlights and RT tips! LOL I have never been to RT but it sounds like fun. I also love to know that you have added books to your wishlist just because you like a certain author’s personality after meeting her. I do that too! You mentioned a bunch of great people in your post and I just wanted to say that Erin McCarthy is one of my favorite authors. I’ve only met her through email but her wonderful personality comes thru each time I’ve talked to her online. She is a wonderful author and such a fun person!
I’m with you on the dress up ball and cover model thing, too. LOL!