Romantic Times Convention - anyone been to one?

mariedees · Jan 4, 2009

The Romantic Times Convention is in Orlando this April, which is where I live. I've requested time off for work but haven't registered yet. Has anyone been to one? What's it like? Was it worth the $$$? Also, anyone planning on going this year?

Marie

Sakamonda · Jan 4, 2009

I would like to go but it will depend on $$ issues (we'll have to see how big my January royalty statements are)

Stacia Kane · Jan 4, 2009

I'm going! I'm all booked and everything!

dragonjax · Jan 4, 2009

I'm going!

I love RT. This will be my third convention. It gets better every year.

Kasey Mackenzie · Jan 5, 2009

I am seriously considering going, but haven't decided for sure yet. For one thing, I'm not booking anything until I get my contract/sign it/get my first advance check. So....up in the air right now, but it looks like fun!

Robin Bayne · Jan 5, 2009

I haven't been to RT, but heard they give great parties and it's really more about the fans and the reading than the writing.

Sakamonda · Jan 5, 2009

Most authors go there to connect w/ fans & help build their fan base, rather than do writing stuff like at RWA. The RWA conference is mostly for unpublished authors to learn about the craft, while the RT is about romance fans and readers. I don't maintain an RWA membership anymore because RWA is generally not supportive of erotic romance or its authors, while the RT is very supportive of that market.

Cathy C · Jan 5, 2009

It's ABSOLUTELY worth the time and money! I'll be there too. Maybe we need another AWer party! We did one once, and it was a lot of fun.

DeleyanLee · Jan 5, 2009

While I've never been, I have several (pro writer) friends who have been. None of them intend to return.

One friend took her husband (a real live cowboy). Hubby was blatantly propositioned by several attendees--in front of his wife even. When they were in the elevator, an attendee joined them, stuck her hand right down the front of his jeans. She proclaimed, "Nice set, hunk!" and got off at the next floor. He remained in the room the rest of the conference.

One friend (who was up for an RT award, didn't get it) was constantly told how fat she was and what the best options for losing weight were by attendees.

One friend got introduced to the model who was on her cover and his wife and hit it off. When the wife had to leave him (I think it was medical reasons), both he and wife asked friend to stay with him so he wasn't accosted by a few ladies who were stalking his every move. She told me that even with her there, they tried to corner him and she had to threaten to call security to make them back off.

Just a few of the horror stories I've heard about RT over the years, FWIW.

Sakamonda · Jan 5, 2009

oh, my! Guess that means I won't be bringing my hubby if I go this year!

Though I've never had good experience w/ RWA folks. The RWA folks I've met were all snobby and mean (several of them even called me a bad mother when I dared bring my newborn with me to a meeting so I could breastfeed him).

Irysangel · Jan 5, 2009

Please, let's not turn this into a bash-RWA thread.

This conversation is about RT, which is an entirely different animal (as someone mentioned above).

Cathy C · Jan 5, 2009

I think you can always hear horror stories about a convention where there are over 2,000 registered attendees, plus all the guests and vendors. :Shrug:

My experiences have always been positive. Best conventions I've ever been to---regardless of the genre.

shameless · Jan 5, 2009

Irysangel said:
Please, let's not turn this into a bash-RWA thread.

This conversation is about RT, which is an entirely different animal (as someone mentioned above).

Amen, Irys.

Lainey Bancroft · Jan 5, 2009

I sooo want to go. I've heard great things about the experience. But as others have said, it'll be a $$$ issue. If a few $'s start rolling in with my newest releases, maybe I can justify the expense!

Susan Gable · Jan 5, 2009

From what I understand, if you're a paranormal or erotica author, you're in good stead at RT, but if you write stuff more like what I write, more realistic family drama romance, there aren't as many fans of it attending.

But for erotica and paranormal writers, you'll find lots of fans. (I'd guess that historical would also find a number of fans.)

I've heard that it can be sort of...rough...especially for the male models. What irks me is that were those models female, and the molesters (and make no mistake some of these guys get molested...like that poor woman's husband) male, there would be hell to pay.

Susan G., who has never been to one, so is only offering second-hand information.

mariedees · Jan 5, 2009

This year it's in Orlando where I live, so it's probably the least expensive year for me to go. Still not cheap, but I'd save on travel expenses. Since I write paranormal erotica, I should be in good standing.

Marie

Stacia Kane · Jan 6, 2009

Susan Gable said:
What irks me is that were those models female, and the molesters (and make no mistake some of these guys get molested...like that poor woman's husband) male, there would be hell to pay.

Totally slappin' down the ditto on that one.

I'm really excited; this will be my first con of any kind where I'm not just a fan (not that I'm doing any panels or anything, but I am doing the book signing. So if you're going, please come find me and say hi! Please?? Lol I'm terrified I'm going to be sitting all by myself all day.)

Cathy C · Jan 6, 2009

I always go around with my camera at the book signing and take pics of authors I know behind their name and stack of books. Make sure you have a business card to give me with your email addy so I know where to send them afterward.

We can also plan an AW get-together for those attending, if anyone's interested. Breakfast seems to work best. The last few times I've tried to set up drinks, everybody winds up doing something else (and let's face it, when it comes to a choice between having drinks with me or your dream editor/agent/author, I'd EXPECT to come in second place!

)

Sakamonda · Jan 6, 2009

anybody know what the deadline is for registering as an author? I won't know if I can afford to go until January royalty statements come in.

Cathy C · Jan 6, 2009

I didn't see anything on the website, but they normally hold it to a certain level of attendees, versus a time deadline. I could ask the convention chair, if you like. We chat pretty frequently.

Sakamonda · Jan 6, 2009

Yeah Cathy, if you could that would be great. Hubby and I are pretty tapped out at present after having to make several very expensive home repairs. If January royalty statements are good, I'll go---if not, there's always next year!

Selah March · Jan 6, 2009

I've been twice (Kansas City in '03 as an unpubbed newbie and Pittsburgh in '08 where I signed and sold books) and had a blast both times. Would go again this year, but we're saving up for a trip to Greece, and a girl has priorities.

As to the diff between RT and RWA? The sh*t always hits the fan one way or another at both conferences. I mean, how can you put that many women in one place and NOT court serious drama? But at RT the scandal tends to have a whiff of the bawdy, and at RWA it seems to be about who wore the wrong hat to the book signing. (Which is not meant as a bash to either con. It is what it is, right?)

Cathy C · Jan 9, 2009

Sakamonda said:
Yeah Cathy, if you could that would be great.

From the RT Event coordinator:

There is a time frame if you want to participate in the booksigning. January 31st. Barnes and Noble is the bookseller and all books must come from their distributor.

I presume if you're bringing your own to consign, the deadline is longer. But I could be wrong. Hope that helps!

Sakamonda · Jan 9, 2009

I wouldn't be consigning my own books, since I'm a trade author and B&N would therefore order/deliver them. I think I probably won't make the deadline, and the signing would be the major reason for me to go, so I guess I'll pass. On the bright side I have a signing coming up at the downtown Chicago B&N location on January 21.

Cathy C · Jan 9, 2009

I probably stated that wrong. I meant you CAN consign your own books. I tend to with our new releases. Many publishers won't provide books that are currently on the shelf. Unfortunately, that's mostly what regular readers want to buy at signings at conventions, so we bring along the new ones and consign them.

If that makes sense.

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