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Let the Conference Season Begin
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| Vicki Lewis Thompson and Jade Lee |
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| Linnea Sinclair, reviewer Kathy Boswell |
Saturday had speakers Stephanie Bond (dead bodies on the move!), Jenna Black (urban fantasy wow!) and Linnea Sinclair (come explore outer space with me!). Great speakers and great fun! Then afternoon discussion groups were a delightful change of pace. We got to speak our minds to Rosemary Laurey (Vampires—oh my!), Julia Talbot (Texas gal) Cindy Holby (Twist!). I don’t think I’ve laughed so hard in a very long time.
Sunday is a favorite day for me since I love Sabrina Jeffries who “confessed” her addiction to romance novels. Isabo Kelly used her Ph.D in zoology to explain possible origins of mythical beasts (quite interesting!), Sara Reyes of Fresh Fiction gave insider tips (lots of chocolate!) on how to start a book club. Then, of course, was book buying time. I love that we were all sitting together--not in a long line-- but at round tables. We just chatted. The bookseller was in the back and we spent a ton of time talking about books with ladies who were now great friends. CR is a favorite conference for me because of hours spent like that: hanging out and talking books. It was amazing! Authors from the 2007 Get-together

Party time at Celebrate Romance
If you missed this year, don’t despair. There will be more CRs coming soon to a city near you! Just email me and I’ll hook you up! And we really missed you Barbara, it would have been even more fun if you would have been there. (Actually Jade didn't say that last sentence, but I know she was thinking it. I was invited, but couldn't make it. Rats!!).

And speaking of Author/Reader events, this just in from Lori Foster: Join us for the 2008 Readers and Writers Get Together June 6-8 in Cincinnati. The cost is only $35 for the weekend and includes a pizza party, continental breakfast and lunch buffet..
There will be a lot of editors, publishers, agents and other industry professional attending the event including over 100 authors.
Coinciding with this event is a special romance anthology, The Power of Love which includes original stories from 12 authors including Dianne Castell and me. The book will be published by Berkley and all the authors and agents are donating their proceeds to the Battered Women's Shelter. This will become an annual happening.
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Barbara, I would LOVE it if you covered our June event! (Ha! Lori really did say this, so yes, I would LOVE to attend and blog about the adventure)
Hope you're keeping up with your healthy new year and the February winner of the Subway card is dolphinover. Please email me with your address and I'll send you the card. Remember, you only need to post a comment to be entered in the monthly drawing.
Because I ran out of room, tune in tomorrow when I ask readers "Would you stop and talk to an author at a booksigning if you didn't know them?"

Bottom Line: Today is the National Education Association Read Across America Day. Put a book in everyone's hand.
Posted by Barbara Vey on March 3, 2008 | Comments (38)
Of course CR would have been more fabulous with you along, Barbara! In fact, we bemoaned that just this morning! So you must absolutely come next time!
I didn't know about these conferences, but as a reader I'm thrilled to find out. Now to decide which one to go to.
Hi, Barbara. This is the fourth year for the reader/writer get together in Cincy. So much fun for so little money. :-) We have over a hundred authors registered. A relaxed weekend to talk books, find out what's happening in the romance world and hang out. Hope you can make it. Dianne Castell
Barbara - I hope you can come to Lori and Dianne's June event! It is an absolutely relaxed and fun weekend. I've been there since the beginning and wouldn't miss it!
Barbara - I hope you can come to Lori and Dianne's June event! It is an absolutely relaxed and fun weekend. I've been there since the beginning and wouldn't miss it!
I'm looking forward to the June Event! It is such a great time and a yet relaxing weekend that keeps getting bigger and better each year. I'm thrilled to be in THE POWER OF LOVE.
Jade, I'm sorry I couldn't make CR this year, but I've got it on my calendar for next year.
Dianne and Janice, I plan on coming to Lori Author/Reader Get-Together. I've heard great things about it. Happiness is talking about books with other bookaholics.
The conference sounds like it was a blast. A friend went and she had a great time too.
I was already regretting that I couldn't make it to CR and now I double regret it. Sounds like a blast!
I was bummed that I couldn't make CR this year, However I'll definitely be at Lori's Author/Readers Get Together in Cincinnati this June. I've attended the last two years and it's a blast. Lots of opportunity to talk one-on-one with writers and readers alike.
I Love Lori Foster and Dianne Castell's reader author get together. Its just a wonderful weekend. I'll be attending for the second time this year. I can't wait!
Barbara, didn't go to CR, but will be in San Fran. Hope to meet you there!
Lori's Event is really wonderful. You'll have a great time. Margaret
LaDonna, I will definitely be at RWA in San Francisco. Can't wait and I'll see you there!
Barbara, thanks for giving us a mention! After being gone all weekend (to the UFC in Columbus) I got home to a lot of new registration forms. We're up to 181 attendees! Yay! Almost an equal number of authors and readers, with some GREAT industry professionals thrown in. I'm already jazzed and looking forward to meeting the new attendees, and visiting again the with the veteran attendees. ;-) It'll be super-nice to meet you! Hugs to all, Lori
Until 2008, I hadn't attended Celebrate Romance before and I didn't know what I was missing - it was as wonderful! Jade didn't talk about how much fun she was, but I can tell you, she was amazing and so dang funny! The CR ladies are friendly, open, and fun - I've never enjoyed myself more at a conference. Fortunately for me, I'm already registered for Lori's event. :) Beth Williamson
This was my first time at CR but it sure won't be my last. Everyone was warm and welcoming and it was so much fun getting to know the authors and other readers. Jade and Elizabeth's game was the perfect Friday night ice-breaker. From fascinating speakers and discussion groups to comparing Goddess tiaras with Sabrina Jeffries to BBQ with Karen Hawkins and her handsome dh to navigating the streets of Columbia searching for lottery tickets with Cathy Maxwell to late night pizza and belly laughs over Jimmy Kimmel/Sarah Silverstein videos with Jacquie D'Alessandro, Stephanie Bond, Jennifer St. Giles, Cathy Maxwell, Wendy Etherington, Cindy Holby and Linnea Sinclair, the fun never stopped. Don't miss an opportunity to go to next year's Celebrate Romance. It's the best conference I've ever had the pleasure of attending.
This was my first time at CR but it sure won't be my last. Everyone was warm and welcoming and it was so much fun getting to know the authors and other readers. Jade and Elizabeth's game was the perfect Friday night ice-breaker. From fascinating speakers and discussion groups to comparing Goddess tiaras with Sabrina Jeffries to BBQ with Karen Hawkins and her handsome dh to navigating the streets of Columbia searching for lottery tickets with Cathy Maxwell to late night pizza and belly laughs over Jimmy Kimmel/Sarah Silverstein videos with Jacquie D'Alessandro, Stephanie Bond, Jennifer St. Giles, Cathy Maxwell, Wendy Etherington, Cindy Holby and Linnea Sinclair, the fun never stopped. Don't miss an opportunity to go to next year's Celebrate Romance. It's the best conference I've ever had the pleasure of attending.
Oops! Sorry for the double post.
Oops! Sorry for the double post.
One of the things I like most about CR is not only the great speakers and wonderful discussions, but the chance to simply sit and talk about books and authors. I added bunches of new authors to my find-and-read lists. Barbara, you missed a really good time, great company, and delicious food. I hope you can make it next year. I'm certainly going to go. Cheers, Ann Macela
This is the third CR I've gone to over the years and I'm certainly hoping it won't be my last. Thank you, Leanne, Cybil and Karen for all the hard work and thank you to all the wonderful authors I met or re-acquainted myself with this year.
This was the 6th CR that I've attended over the years and I had a blast as usual. Come one, come all to next year's! I got to see Jade Lee again as well as many other good friends. I met with favorite authors and found a few new ones to try. I was sitting next to Sabrina Jeffries when it was announced that her new book would be debuting on the NYT list at #2! Thanks to Leanne, Karen and Cybil for all their hard work!
This will be my 2nd year in a row attending Lori/Dianne's get together. I flew in from CA and had such fun that I just had to go again this year. I got to meet alot of new authors I had never read before. Let me tell you my "favorite author" list just keeps growing and growing!
This will be my 2nd year in a row attending Lori/Dianne's get together. I flew in from CA and had such fun that I just had to go again this year. I got to meet alot of new authors I had never read before. Let me tell you my "favorite author" list just keeps growing and growing!
I have been to every Lori/Dianne get together, its so much fun to met online friends and talk one on one with authors. Its so relaxing, I wish June would get here sooner
I'll be at Lori and Dianne's event in June. I love it.
I'll be at Lori and Dianne's event in June. I love it.
I'm ***really*** looking forward to Lori and Dianne's Readers & Authors Get Together. I always have a wonderful time catching up with old friends and meeting new friends. I love it.
I'm ***really*** looking forward to Lori and Dianne's Readers & Authors Get Together. I always have a wonderful time catching up with old friends and meeting new friends. I love it.
I am thrilled to be attending the 4th Lori Foster/Dianne Castell event. It's a wonderful opportunity to chat with other readers and meet many wonderful authors, as well as to donate to some very important causes. Every year has been a lot of fun, and I've met so many amnazing people because of it. I encourage everyone to go - easily one of the best events to attend.
I am thrilled to be attending the 4th Lori Foster/Dianne Castell event. It's a wonderful opportunity to chat with other readers and meet many wonderful authors, as well as to donate to some very important causes. Every year has been a lot of fun, and I've met so many amnazing people because of it. I encourage everyone to go - easily one of the best events to attend.
It's hard to believe but CR just seems to get better. This was one of the best I've attended much less organized. We always have fun but this time there were no major problems. My thanks to everyone who attended and to my fellow organizers for all their hard work. We'd love to have had you there, Barbara.
It's hard to believe but CR just seems to get better. This was one of the best I've attended much less organized. We always have fun but this time there were no major problems. My thanks to everyone who attended and to my fellow organizers for all their hard work. We'd love to have had you there, Barbara.
I've attended Lori's event for three years -- first as an aspiring author and then as a published one. I'm also an avid romance reader. I can tell you there's something for everyone. It's a wonderful, fun, and informal event, and I highly recommend it! -- Marcia James www.MarciaJames.net
The FreshFiction.com group (Sara, Gwen, Mindy and Faye) had a great time...even if it meant more books to read (what a pity), more friends made (communications are always a good thing) and too much food consumed (that's what weight watchers needs, a challenge!) Shout outs to all our old and new friends: Janet (makes CR international!), Karen, Leanne, Kathy Bos, Cybil, Josie, Ann K, Robin G, Marie, Jade, Audrey, Vicki, Cindy, .... what, there is a limit? sheesh! Anyway, see you all in 2009!
Barbara, please mark down October 12th for the third annual B&R Romance Tea for Literacy! With Sherrilyn Kenyon and over 30 romance authors it's a fabulous weekend in Richardson, Texas to support adult literacy programs in Richardson. The scoop is on bunsandrosestea.org and I'd love to see you there!
Does anyone know yet where the next CR will be? I'd love to attend again, if I don't have to go to the opposite side of the country. ;-) I think it's been in a fixed location for the same reason Dianne and I always have our event in Ohio, though, so I don't begrudge the location. ;-) Lori