RWA Bound!

 

Happy Monday and long time no post!

Well, construction on the house is complete. Sort of.

It was a bit nightmarish to say the least--hardwood floor refinishing took 3 times as long as it should have and the finish began to peel the next day, if that gives you any idea, but all good right now. Or I should say good enough!

Now we're still waiting on the powder room and guest bath renovations and we'll be set. Until the next house project! LOL

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In other news, I'm completing the last (hopefully last) set of edits for WEDDING DATE FOR HIRE and then I'll be off to New York City for the annual RWA convention!
It's been a few years since I've gone but I really feel it's time to be with some colleagues, hear what's going on with the industry and get my act in gear.

I'm so extra excited! And here is why:
1) it's NYC
2) I'm going to meet my editor
3) I get to see meet some of my critique partners
4) I get to party with fellow Entangled authors (thank you Entangled for generously supplying food and drink)
5) I got invited to a Montlake Romance author party too (I'm wearing my swanky black jumpsuit to that!)
6) I'm looking forward to a recharge with my writing and also attending some great seminars
7) Weather looks great for walking around

Whew!

Still need to pack. Still need to finish my edits.

It's going to be a busy week. But good busy. :)

Will anyone be going to RWA? If so, we need to meet!

RWA Pics! (finally)

Yay, I'm finally caught up on emails (and laundry)!
So now for some RWA poop:

My first night in town I met with some Liberty State Fiction Writers. We ate at Becco on 46th st. (Honestly, if I didn't want to make a good impression, I would have totally licked the plate) It was THAT good. It was so awesome getting to know authors I already knew as well as meeting new writers. So much fun!

Wednesday morning I was able to make the Samhain author breakfast (which was AWESOME) and sat down right next to head editor Heather Osborn, who I had a lovely chat with. While I was there, I saw Sourcebooks editor Leah Hultenschmidt walk in with literary agent Kristin Nelson (they must have been invited) but didn't have the nerve to say anything to them.

Yeah, I'm a weenie.
Speaking of acting like a weenie...

After breakfast, I met up with my roommate. The two of us where alone waiting for an elevator when a woman comes up and stands there with us. I'm looking at this woman, thinking, Hmm, how do I know her?

Then I look at her name tag and I see it's SUSAN ELIZABETH PHILLIPS. (um, just my all-time favorite author. No biggie) :-)

Well, she turns to us and my friend starts talking to her (TALKING TO HER!) while I say NOTHING (nothing!!!!), standing there in an upright coma.

So finally my friend turns to me with a smile and says, "Jennifer, do you know who this is?"

I'm like, "Of course, I know who this is! She's only like my favorite author ever!"

So Susan is like, "Well, next time you could show some enthusiasm." (Which totally cracked us up since I basically stared at her like a deer in headlights)

Fortunately I remembered I had my camera with me and asked for a picture, but then our elevator came. So we all got in and Susan says, "I'd like to see you try to get that picture now."

<---Not one to back down from a challenge, I snapped this picture. LOL


But then she was totally gracious and kind and allowed me to take a proper picture after we got out of the elevator. (LOVE her!!)

Wednesday night I had THREE parties set to attend.

The first one was the Avalon author party which was at Avalon Books on Madison Ave. A bunch of us authors took a cab over together.

This is me with author Carolyn Brown, author Julie Stone and on the right end, my editor Lia Brown.

My book, GEORGIE ON HIS MIND (green cover) on Avalon's shelf. --->






Julie Stone and I had such a good time, we decided to grab dinner together after the party, so I ended up blowing off my roommates and one of the parties. (sorry, ladies) Dinner was yummo and Julie's company was fun so it was worth it. :-)

But I did end up shooting over to the Harlequin Pajama Party for a tiny bit and met in person some of the authors and writing friends I've known online there. It's funny to meet authors and have them say, "I already know you. We're Facebook friends." LOL

Here I am with Harlequin Romance author (and P90x Twitter buddy) Donna Alward.

Whew! That was all the FUN bits. Well, most of them, anyway.

More to come I'm sure. :-)