If you’re heading to New York City July 24-27, 2019 for RWA2019 or another conference reminders and tips are always helpful. Especially when it comes to packing, and as a first timer commuting to the hotel each day I am hoping I remember to pack all the things in one suitcase ;).
Hopefully you won’t find yourself waking up in the middle of the night panicked that you now need the very thing you forgot to pack. Or, finding out moments before you have a meeting or fun place to go, you ran out of or forgot something essential.
So, to all the newbies, and seasoned travel veterans, I’m running an Authors Dish specifically targeted on what authors and industry professionals always include in their suitcases, what they stash in their conference bag to avoid hunger pains and the things they forget once and hopefully never again. While some of the authors contributing are not attending we love that they want to contribute.
May this inspire you to plan, make your lists, and triple check so you are prepared for just about anything. If you’re heading to RWA2019 I’d love to say hi. Comment below so we can be sure to meet up in NYC.
Stay tuned as we’ll have plenty of tips and tricks in the upcoming weeks so check the blog daily.
Today in the cafe are USA Today Bestselling Author Naima Simone, Author Nancy Northcott and Author Gail Z. Martin/ Morgan Brice
Rae: What five things do you have to pack when attending a conference?
Naima Simone: Let’s see… I can’t forget swag, books if I’m bringing my own, my phone for notes and pictures, a “book signing” outfit (one that will have my waist appear snatched in pictures. LOL!) and great lipstick.
Nancy Northcott:
Gail Z. Martin/Morgan Brice:
Bookmarks/swag, my iPad so I can write in the room, blingy jewelry and sparkly jackets, at least one Supernatural t-shirt, and my travel power bar so I can plug in everything that needs to be recharged!
Rae: What is your snack attack must haves in your day bag?
Naima Simone: Actually, I don’t snack during conferences! I’m usually way too nervous and excited, so I don’t have an appetite at all. But for dinner? That’s a different situation all together. 😀
Nancy:
Kashi cherry & dark chocolate bars
Gail/Morgan: I bring peanut butter crackers or protein bars for a quick breakfast in the room or pick-me-up in the afternoon, a refillable water bottle, a couple of cans sugar-free Red Bull, and if I don’t have to fly, a flask of good whiskey or a bottle of wine!
Rae:What’s the one thing you forget to pack and swear to remember next time?
Naima Simone: Toothpaste or deodorant. I never fail to forget to pack one of them and always have to stop by the Dollar Tree wherever I’m going. LOL!
Nancy: Pens! Luckily there’s often a selection in the goodie room.
Gail / Morgan: Usually make-up wipes! I never seem to remember to replenish my stash.
Rae: Thank you so much authors! I’ll be keeping a running list and will post it a week before RWA2019 so that hopefully no one needs to make a quick run to the lobby market or drug store around the corner. I’ll see you soon for new authors and more ideas!
** Author Bios **
Naima Simone: USA Today Bestselling author Naima Simone’s love of romance was first stirred by Johanna Lindsey and Sandra Brown many years ago. Well not that many. She is only eighteen…ish. Though her first attempt at a romance novel starring Ralph Tresvant from New Edition never saw the light of day, her love of romance, reading and writing has endured. Published since 2009, she spends her days—and nights— writing sizzling romances with a touch of humor and snark.
She is wife to Superman, or his non-Kryptonian, less bullet proof equivalent, and mother to the most awesome kids ever. They all live in perfect, sometimes domestically-challenged bliss in the southern United States.
Nancy Northcott: Nancy Northcott’s childhood ambition was to grow up and become Wonder Woman. Around fourth grade, she realized it was too late to acquire Amazon genes, but she still loved comic books, mysteries, science fiction, fantasy, history, and romance. A sucker for fast action and wrenching emotion, Nancy combines the romance and high stakes (and sometimes the magic) she loves in the books she writes.
She’s the author of the Light Mage Wars/Protectors paranormal romances, the Lethal Webs and Arachnid Files romantic suspense series, and the historical fantasy trilogy, The Boar King’s Honor. With author Jeanne Adams, she co-writes the Outcast Station space opera series.
Nancy’s Social Media links:
Twitter: @NancyNorthcott
Gail Z. Martin/Morgan Brice:
