Jul 16, 2019 | Authors Dish, Avery Flynn, Blog, Delancey Stewart, Jennifer Probst, July 2019
Welcome newbies and seasoned travel veterans to Authors Dish. With less than a week until Romance Writers of America 2019 I’m curious 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 they want to hang out and play. We hope their words of wisdom help to ease any anxiety you might have getting all the things in your suitcase.
May these posts inspire you to shop early, make your lists, and triple check so you are prepared for just about anything. If you’re heading to #RWA19 soon comment below so we can meet up in NYC.
As the conference is almost upon us, this is the last post of author fun. Thank you to all who have dished and those who are still sharing their wisdom. Stay tuned for more comments and follow the blog so you don’t miss these posts.
Today in the cafe are New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Jennifer Probst, USA Today Bestselling Author Avery Flynn and Author Delancey Stewart
Rae: What five things do you have to pack when attending a conference?
Jennifer Probst:
I know everyone gets tired of hearing it but: comfortable shoes! Oh, Lord, have I regretted stumbling around in my cute heels just because I never get a chance to wear them! Then I always have LipSense Lip Gloss to reapply throughout the day, swag to give out to readers or other authors with your website on it *business cards are fine too!*, battery charger *I actually use the one I received from the RWA conference years ago!* and finally, pens. Always be prepared with a pen, my peeps!
Avery Flynn:
1.Pajamas (yes I’ve forgotten before).
2. Snacks for the room.
3. An extra outfit because of my ability to spill on everything.
4. Flip flops/slides/ballet slippers for when the heels have done me in.
5. An extra suitcase for all the books I’m taking home.
Delancey Stewart: my laptop, deodorant, something to write on/with, chaptstik, and my most outgoing happy-to-be-peopling personality (this one takes a lot of energy, so I can’t use it all the time!)
Rae: What is your snack attack must haves in your day bag?
Jennifer: I’m not a big snacker! But my go to is a Kind bar – they’re not packed full of sugar and junk – you need good fuel at a conference lol. But there’s nothing wrong with a little chocolate like a Hershey Kiss or Dove bar – yum!
Avery: I love RX bars! Highly recommend.
Delancey: I like Raisinets. But I have learned that eating a while box has certain… ramifications… we will say no more about this.
Rae:What’s the one thing you forget to pack and swear to remember next time?
Jennifer: Hair spray/finishing product. And then my hair frizzes like crazy and I cannot believe I brought nothing to tame it!
Avery: I have forgotten just about everything. Thank god Kimberly Kincaid was generous and shared when I’d forgotten deodorant.
Delancey: If I could remember what the thing was, I would never forget to pack it. This is a question that can only be answered at the conference. Once I forgot underwear. That wasn’t good.
Rae: Thank you so much authors! Readers, what’s the ONE thing you always forget and swear to include next time when you travel? How do you make sure that you remember ;).
I’ll be keeping a running list and will post it a week before #RWA19 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!
For more packing ideas if you’re at RWA be sure to check out the following session for more tips and tricks. I know I will!
20/20 Sessions
(Sessions repeated 3 times in an hour: 3:15 – 3:35 p.m., 3:35 – 3:55 p.m., 3:55 – 4:15 p.m.)
Cheapskates Unite! How to Do RWA Nationals on a Budget
Speaker: Tawna Fenske
We’re all on a budget. Learn how to save money on flights to the RWA Annual Conference (or any conference or convention) using rewards programs and comparison websites like Kayak. You’ll discover how not to go broke buying conference clothing, as well as how to save on meals. As a bonus, you’ll learn how to never pay baggage fees again by using only a carry-on or two, no matter the length of your trip.
About Jennifer Probst:
Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She holds a masters in English Literature and lives in the beautiful Hudson Valley in upstate New York. Her family keeps her active, stressed, joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean. Her passions include horse racing, Scrabble, rescue dogs, Italian food, and wine—not necessarily in that order.
She is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, spent 26 weeks on the New York Times. Her work has been translated in over a dozen countries, sold over a million copies, and was dubbed a “romance phenom” by Kirkus Reviews. She is also a proud three-time RITA finalist.
She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website for updates on new releases and her reader group at www.jenniferprobst.com.
About Avery Flynn:
USA Today bestselling romance author Avery Flynn has three slightly-wild children, loves a hockey-addicted husband and is desperately hoping someone invents the coffee IV drip.
She fell in love with romance while reading Johanna Lindsey’s Mallory books. It wasn’t long before Avery had read through all the romance offerings at her local library. Needing a romance fix, she turned to Harlequin’s four books a month home delivery service to ease the withdrawal symptoms. That worked for a short time, but it wasn’t long before the local book stores’ staff knew her by name.
Avery was a reader before she was a writer and hopes to always be both. She loves to write about smartass alpha heroes who are as good with a quip as they are with their *ahem* other God-given talents. Her heroines are feisty, fierce and fantastic. Brainy and brave, these ladies know how to stand on their own two feet and knock the bad guys off theirs.
Connect with Avery
Instagram: @AveryFlynn https://www.instagram.com/averyflynn/
Website: http://averyflynn.com
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/avery-flynn
Mailing List: http://averyflynn.com/newsletter/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AveryFlynnAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/averyflynn
About Delancey Stewart:
Delancey Stewart is an award-winning author who writes fiction with humor, heart and heat!
Get the first book in her new sports rom-com series — MR. MATCH — absolutely free by joining her newsletter here: https://www.subscribepage.com/delanceystewart
Find her at www.delanceystewart.com and www.authordlstewart.com Facebook: www.facebook/DelanceyWrites.com and www.facebook/authorDLStewart
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t=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>6-28-19 Authors Dish RWA 2019 Packing Tips with NY Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Samantha Chase, USA Today Bestselling Author Christi Barth and Author MK Meredith
Jul 15, 2019 | Authors Dish, Blog, Denny Bryce, July 2019
Welcome newbies and seasoned travel veterans to Authors Dish. With less than a week for many until Romance Writers of America 2019 I’m curious 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 they want to hang out and play. We hope their words of wisdom help to ease any anxiety you might have getting all the things in your suitcase.
May these posts inspire you to shop early, make your lists, and triple check so you are prepared for just about anything. If you’re heading to #RWA19 soon comment below so we can meet up in NYC.
Thank you to all who have dished and those who are still sharing their wisdom. Stay tuned for more comments and follow the blog so you don’t miss these posts.
Today in the cafe is Author Denny Bryce sharing her thoughts as we post our final few days this week.
Denny S. Bryce’s Classic BAD Packing Tips (and a travel note 🙂 )…
And yes, these tips are based on experience (things, I’ve actually done). And believe me, I wish I were pretending, but just ask some of my pals– Avery Flynn, Pintip Dunn, Vanessa Riley, Xio Axelrod, Veronica Forand, Leslye Penelope—tell me, these aren’t classic DENNY moments :)!
Packing Tip #1: Do not pack until the night before. Seriously, why do it a moment sooner, what do you accomplish? You just keep going back to the suitcase and hunting for things you need, which you likely packed first, which then means, you must empty the suitcase to find what you need. Stress can be minimized, I swear, by packing the night before!
Packing Tip #2: Bring only three-inch heels to show off your gams as you walk around the cement streets of NYC. You can always buy a pair of flats on the corner (plenty of corner shopping carts in NYC). The shoes will last a lifetime, too (add manic laugh, here).
Packing Tip #3: Don’t bring a makeup bag – leave it on the bed, under the sheets. That way, you can make the trip (10 blocks, I believe) to Macy’s and buy all new makeup.
Travel Tip #1 and Only: Arrive at all airports 30 minutes before the departure time. Do not RUN through airports, do not pre-arrange your TSA credentials, and do not worry – missing a flight is not the worst thing in the world! It’s par for how I like to roll!
Can’t wait to see you at RWA’s 2019 annual conference! NYC here we come!
Rae: Thank you so much Denny!
Readers, what’s the ONE thing you always forget and swear to include next time when you travel? How do you make sure that you remember ;).
I’ll be keeping a running list and will post it later this week 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!
For more packing ideas if you’re at RWA be sure to check out the following session for more tips and tricks. I know I will!
20/20 Sessions
(Sessions repeated 3 times in an hour: 3:15 – 3:35 p.m., 3:35 – 3:55 p.m., 3:55 – 4:15 p.m.)
Cheapskates Unite! How to Do RWA Nationals on a Budget
Speaker: Tawna Fenske
We’re all on a budget. Learn how to save money on flights to the RWA Annual Conference (or any conference or convention) using rewards programs and comparison websites like Kayak. You’ll discover how not to go broke buying conference clothing, as well as how to save on meals. As a bonus, you’ll learn how to never pay baggage fees again by using only a carry-on or two, no matter the length of your trip.
DENNY S. BRYCE
Denny writes historical fiction and urban fantasy. Her debut novel, WILD WOMEN AND THE BLUES, will release in 2021 from Kensington Publishing.
A public relations professional, she spent more than 20 years running her marketing and public relations firm. For nearly 10 of those years, she wrote and read Buffy/Spike fan fiction. Before fanfiction, and her days as a PR Diva, she was a professional dancer, part-time singer, and “bad” actress. She worked with professional dance companies in Chicago and New York, and on a theatrical production, which almost debuted off-off-off-Broadway.
A three-time Romance Writers of America (RWA) Golden Heart® finalist, she won the Golden Heart® in 2014. In addition to writing novels, she also writes for NPR Books, Washington Independent Review of Books, and FROLIC Media, where she recaps episodes of OUTLANDER on Starz.
You can follow her on:
Twitter (https://twitter.com/dennysbryce)
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dennysbryce/),
Her FB author page (https://www.facebook.com/dennysbryceauthor/)
Her website: https://dennysbryce.com/
In case you missed our other posts here’s the recap so far:
7-11-19: Authors Dish RWA19 with USA Today Bestselling Author and RITA Finalist Tawna Fenske, USA Today Bestselling Author Robin Bielman, and Author Lori Ann Bailey
7-10-19: Authors Dish RWA with USA Today Bestselling Author Andie J. Christopher and Author Jenn LeBlanc
7-8-19: Authors Dish RWA with USA Today Bestselling Author Liz Talley, USA Today Best Selling Author K.M. Jackson and USA Today Bestselling Author Priscilla Oliveras
7-5-19 Authors Dish RWA2019 with USA Today Bestselling Author Annie West, Author Anna Campbell, and Author Geri Krotow
7-3-19 Authors Dish RWA2019 with USA Today Bestselling Author Eliza Knight, Author Golden Czermak, and Author Olivia Dade
7-2-19:Authors Dish RWA 7-2-2019 with New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Cathy Maxwell, Author Tarina Deaton, and Author Tonya Burrows7-1-19: Authros Dish RWA 2019 – USA Today Bestselling Author Robin Covington, Author Kelly Maher, and Author Cate Taylor
6-30-19 USA Today Bestselling Author Naima Simone, Author Nancy Northcott, and Author Gail Z. Martin / Morgan Brice
6-29-19 Authors Dish RWA 2019 with USA Today Bestselling Author Suzanne Ferrell, Author Jeanne Adams, and Author Olivia Hardin
Jul 11, 2019 | Authors Dish, Blog, July 2019, Lori Ann Bailey, Robin Bielman, Tawna Fenske
Welcome newbies and seasoned travel veterans to Authors Dish. With only thirteen days until Romance Writers of America 2019 I’m curious 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 they want to hang out and play. We hope their words of wisdom help to ease any anxiety you might have getting all the things in your suitcase.
May these posts inspire you to shop early, make your lists, and triple check so you are prepared for just about anything. If you’re heading to #RWA19 soon comment below so we can meet up in NYC.
Thank you to all who have dished and those who are still sharing their wisdom. Stay tuned for more comments and follow the blog so you don’t miss these posts.
Today in the cafe are USA Today Bestselling Author and 2019 RITA Finalist Tawna Fenske, USA Today Bestselling Author Robin Bielman and Author Lori Ann Bailey.
Rae: What five things do you have to pack when attending a conference?
Tawna Fenske:
- A mini electric skillet. Food is expensive at conferences, so being able to cook my own meals saves me a bundle. It fits neatly in my carry-on (I NEVER check luggage!), so all I have to do is find a nearby grocery store as soon as I arrive to stock up on things like eggs and fresh veggies.
- A Tide stain stick. I spill food CONSTANTLY, so this helps keep me stain-free.
- A cardigan. For some reason they air condition the conference rooms to sub-zero temps, so this keeps me from freezing.
- Comfy shoes. You spend a lot of time on your feet getting from place to place, so leave the toe-pinching heels at home.
- My HydroFlask reusable water bottle. I keep it in my purse and chug water all day to stay hydrated.
Robyn Bielman: A sweater (because I’m always cold inside the hotel and conference rooms), my laptop, comfortable shoes, a cute notepad for taking notes, and my glasses. 
1. I keep a spreadsheet of everything I need for conference. It’s super easy to print out and I update it as needed so I don’t have to start over each time I pack. Here are my top five must haves.
2. My twisty towel – shower towels are too big to wrap my hair in, plus if you have roommates, you don’t want to hog all them.
3. A water bottle – sure, you can take a cute one like a Swell, but a used plastic one works too. There is usually water provided at the back of meeting rooms where you can refill it. Trust me on this one – the last NY conference was my first and I was so desperate for a drink that I purchased the $6 bottle in the gift shop. I will never do that again.
4. Female sanitary items – even if it’s not “that time of the month” – I was so nervous at my first conference that my friend came to visit me early and I was not prepared.
5. Band-Aids – and keep them in the bag you have with you! – As you can see, my first conference was filled with rookie mistakes – the worst being that I wore uncomfortable shoes. They were so bad that the day of pitch appointments, my feet were bleeding, so I sat in the pitch room waiting for my time. I was so nervous I missed the appointment with the agent I wanted to pitch to even though I was sitting in the room waiting. Still shaking my head over that. But good news, I was able to pitch to her later and she is now my agent, despite my poor choice in footwear.
Which leaves me with probably the best thing to take with you – A positive attitude – sometimes things happen for a reason. (my manuscript was not where it should have been that first year) Please enjoy conference and make the most of your time there. Remember that all workshops are being recorded this year, so don’t stress if you can’t make it to everything. Have a great time enjoying your journey
Rae: What is your snack attack must haves in your day bag?
Tawna:
- Nuts, dried fruit, protein bars, jerky, and tons of water.
Robin: Usually some type of granola bar or small bag of almonds.
Lori Ann: Beef jerky, peanuts, trail mix, and breath mints.
Rae:What’s the one thing you forget to pack and swear to remember next time?
Tawna:
- Last year I forgot my eyeglass cleaning cloth, which is ridiculous for someone who wears glasses and constantly smudges them. Fortunately, there were a number of authors handing them out as schwag.
Robin Bielman: Hmm…I can’t think of anything I forget. Usually I overpack and bring way more than I need/wear!
Lori Ann: A corkscrew for opening wine bottles. 😉 Adding this to my spreadsheet now.
Rae: Thank you so much authors! Readers, what’s the ONE thing you always forget and swear to include next time when you travel? How do you make sure that you remember ;).
I’ll be keeping a running list and will post it a week before #RWA19 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!
For more packing ideas if you’re at RWA be sure to check out the following session for more tips and tricks. I know I will!
20/20 Sessions
(Sessions repeated 3 times in an hour: 3:15 – 3:35 p.m., 3:35 – 3:55 p.m., 3:55 – 4:15 p.m.)
Cheapskates Unite! How to Do RWA Nationals on a Budget
Speaker: Tawna Fenske
We’re all on a budget. Learn how to save money on flights to the RWA Annual Conference (or any conference or convention) using rewards programs and comparison websites like Kayak. You’ll discover how not to go broke buying conference clothing, as well as how to save on meals. As a bonus, you’ll learn how to never pay baggage fees again by using only a carry-on or two, no matter the length of your trip.
About Tawna Fenske:
When Tawna Fenske finished her English lit degree at 22, she celebrated by filling a giant trash bag full of romance novels and dragging it everywhere until she’d read them all. Now she’s a RITA Award finalist, USA Today bestselling author who writes humorous fiction, risqué romance, and heartwarming love stories with a quirky twist. Publishers Weekly has praised Tawna’s offbeat romances with multiple starred reviews and noted, “There’s something wonderfully relaxing about being immersed in a story filled with over-the-top characters in undeniably relatable situations. Heartache and humor go hand in hand.”
Tawna lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband, step-kids, and a menagerie of ill-behaved pets. She loves hiking, snowshoeing, standup paddleboarding, and inventing excuses to sip wine on her back porch. She can peel a banana with her toes and loses an average of twenty pairs of eyeglasses per year. To find out more about Tawna and her books, visit www.tawnafenske.com.
About Robin Bielman:
Robin Bielman is the USA Today bestselling author of over fifteen novels. When not attached to her laptop, she loves to read, go to the beach, frequent coffee shops (and by frequent she means daily but she’s trying to break the habit), and spend time with her high school sweetheart husband and two sons.
Her fondness for swoon-worthy heroes who flirt and stumble upon the girl they can’t live without jumpstarts most of her story ideas. She writes with a steady stream of caffeine nearby (see above) and the best dog on the planet, Harry, by her side. She also dreams of traveling to faraway places and loves to connect with readers. Keep in touch on social! xoxo
About Lori Ann Bailey:
Lori Ann Bailey is a wife and stay-at-home mother who realized overindulging in wine was a bad idea. She started reading romance as an escape from everyday stresses only to discover she’d always had her own reality and stories dancing in her head. Winner of the National Readers’ Choice Award and Holt Medallion for Best First Book and Best Historical, she writes hunky highland heroes and strong-willed independent lasses finding their perfect matches in the Highlands of 17th century Scotland.
She has served two years as the Washington DC Romance Writers Program Director and is currently on her second stint of service to Romance Writers of America as a member of the National Workshop Committee.
After growing up and attending college in Mississippi, she lived in Ohio, Manhattan, and London, but chose to settle in Vienna, VA with her husband and four children. And while she loves her life, most days, she’s behind the computer writing or at the sink washing everyone else’s dirty dishes, dreaming of being in Scotland or New York City.
Jul 10, 2019 | Andie J. Christopher, Authors Dish, Blog, Jenn LeBlanc, July 2019
Welcome newbies and seasoned travel veterans to Authors Dish. With only thirteen days until Romance Writers of America 2019 I’m curious 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 they want to hang out and play. We hope their words of wisdom help to ease any anxiety you might have getting all the things in your suitcase.
May these posts inspire you to shop early, make your lists, and triple check so you are prepared for just about anything. If you’re heading to #RWA19 soon comment below so we can meet up in NYC.
Thank you to all who have dished and those who are still sharing their wisdom. Stay tuned for more comments and follow the blog so you don’t miss these posts.
Today in the cafe are USA Today Bestselling Author Andie J. Christopher and Author Jenn LeBlanc.
Rae: What five things do you have to pack when attending a conference?
Andie J. Christopher:
I’m holding this close to my heart as I pack for RWA, to which I will be bringing my LED face mask, my NuFace, hot rollers, my own blow dryer and flat iron, four boxes of individual lashes, and multiple chemical exfoliants.
Jenn LeBlanc:
I need my nametag with all my swag on it. I need my computer and a notebook. Gosh… I don’t know? Beyond the usual clothes and stuff I don’t really need a lot for conference. I intend to bring more back than I take with me 😉
Rae: What is your snack attack must haves in your day bag?
Andie: I’m going to probably stop at a bodega for granola bars, TBH.
Jenn: If I carry snacks it’s usually sea salted almonds. Very exciting, I know. But I’m not much of a snacker!
Rae:What’s the one thing you forget to pack and swear to remember next time?
Andie: I always forget one thing, but it always changes. It’s sort of exciting to see what it will be when I open my suitcase.
Jenn: I always manage to forget my pajamas for some reason. It’s basically become tradition to hit target before we even get to the hotel because I remember what I need before I land.
Rae: Thank you so much authors! Readers, what’s the ONE thing you always forget and swear to include next time when you travel? How do you make sure that you remember ;).
I’ll be keeping a running list and will post it a week before #RWA19 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!
About Andie J. Christopher:
USA Today Bestselling author Andie J. Christopher writes edgy, funny, sexy contemporary romance featuring heat, humor, and dirty talking heroes that make readers sweat. She grew up in a family of voracious readers, and picked up her first Harlequin Romance novel at age twelve when she’d finished reading everything else in her grandmother’s house. It was love at first read. It wasn’t too long before she started writing her own stories — her first heroine drank Campari and drove an Alfa Romeo up a winding road to a minor royal’s estate in Spain. Andie lives in the Nation’s Capital with her French Bulldog, Gus, a stockpile of Campari, and way too many books.
About Jenn LeBlanc:
Walnut (but not THAT Walnut).
Canon.
Humidity.
Studio Smexy.
RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Ninjas.
Jenn LeBlanc is a Colorado girl living in a Hollywood world. A storyteller in words and imagery she writes wildly original illustrated Victorian erotic romance.
Jenn wrote, photographed, and published the first ever Illustrated Romance and is Queen of Studio Smexy—a groundbreaking custom and stock photography studio in Los Angeles and Denver that specializes in romance novel covers. She works with authors and publishers to create powerful, inclusive, and representative cover images in an ever-changing publishing landscape.
Jenn is currently a PAN member of Romance Writers of America as well as The Vice President of Programs for the Orange County Chapter of RWA and is also a current member of Los Angeles Romance Authors and Rainbow Romance Writers.
She loves getting new research books and chatting with readers.
The Rake and The Recluse is the first book in the illustrated Lords of Time family saga and erotic romance series.
NEWSLETTER!!! http://www.JennLeBlanc.com/Newsletter
Jul 8, 2019 | Authors Dish, Blog, July 2019, Liz Talley, Priscilla Oliveras
Welcome newbies and seasoned travel veterans to Authors Dish. With only three weeks until Romance Writers of America 2019 I’m searching for 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 and hope their words of wisdom help to ease any anxiety you might have getting all the things in your suitcase.
May these posts inspire you to shop early, make your lists, and triple check so you are prepared for just about anything. If you’re heading to #RWA19 in two weeks comment below so we can meet up in NYC.
Thank you to all who have dished and those who are still sharing their wisdom. Stay tuned over the next few weeks 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 Liz Talley, USA Today Bestselling Author K.M. Jackson, and USA Today Bestselling Author Priscilla Oliveras.
Rae: What five things do you have to pack when attending a conference?
Liz Talley:
- Spanx and strapless bra (I pack first because I usually don’t wear either unless it’s conference and I’m dressing up so they are easy to forget)
- Bookmarks – I use these instead of business cards. The do both jobs 🙂
- Ibuprofen
- noise machine – I sleep like a baby when I put the rain option on
- Work out clothes – that I never wear. Lol.
K.M. Jackson:
a. Comfortable shoes and social media/photo ready shoes. I try and make the two one and the same but let’s face it, the shoe designers are not always on the side of our poor toes.
b. A layering sweater that goes with most outfits. I don’t know what’s the deal with hotels that that they like to set the temperature to ten degrees below freezing, but there it is. Better to be prepared.
c. Electronics chargers and backup chargers if you’re as paranoid about running out of power as I am.
d. Pain and stomach medications. The days and nights somehow feel doubly long at conference and being conference “ON” all day for an introverted writer can be wearing on the mind and body. You never know when stress and fatigue will bring on a sudden head or body ache.
e. That one outfit that you know you look good in no matter what. You want to be comfortable and confidant while at conference not worried about if you’re pulling off a ‘look’.
Priscilla Oliveras:
1. Comfy slippers for my hotel room. After a long day in heels, my feet appreciate the pampering.
2. The outfits that help me feel confident and good about myself. I say, wear what works for you…well, in a professional setting, but my advice to those attending for the first time is “You do you!” I think that’s key.
3. A power cord/surge protector. When you have multiple roommates getting ready in a hotel room that’s in need of more outlets near a well-lit mirror, this item is a time saver.
4. Snacks for your room. Late night chats with roomies going over the day’s events or practicing your pitches while sharing snacks and drinks definitely make for memorable times together.
5. (cheesy but true) A “can do” attitude. Pitching and chatting up our own work can be difficult for many, especially for those who are introverts. But…part of why we attend RWA national is to “sell” our stories and our voice. So, as hard as this may be for some, come ready to put your best foot forward. Ready to “be on” and chat up your manuscripts.
Bottom line, at conference there will be 2,000 RWA members, romance genre lovers, and industry professionals just like you…excited to be there, ready to learn and network, open to supporting you as much as you support them. Make the most of it!
Welcome to the fun! I can’t wait to see you there!
Rae: What is your snack attack must haves in your day bag?
Liz: Snacks – protein bars. Work for breakfast. I also like to bring Truvia because that’s my sweetener for coffee
K.M.: Something with nuts is usually my favorite and if that nut is cover with chocolate then I’m a happy camper! I’m not always the healthiest eater when at conference.
Priscilla: A Kind or Cliff bar and a snack-size bag of almonds help me keep going, especially if I’ve missed a meal. Of course, there’s always some kind of chocolate up in my room for a must-have sweet treat midday or late night. 😉
Rae:What’s the one thing you forget to pack and swear to remember next time?
Liz: Thing I forget to bring – corkscrew. I like some wine in the room and I grab a bottle to bring back to the room and then….can’t open it. Lol. I will pack it this year!!!
K.M.: I’m a notorious over-packer so I really can take out an item or three and be just fine.
Priscilla: I’m not sure what this says about some of us Fiction From the Heart authors other than maybe we enjoy relaxing with a savory glass of wine or two…but for me, this is a corkscrew opener. I have a nice set of three at home after buying one at a shop near the hotel the past two years in a row.
Rae: Thank you so much authors! Readers, what’s the ONE thing you always forget and swear to include next time when you travel? How do you make sure that you remember ;).
I’ll be keeping a running list and will post it a week before #RWA19 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!
About Liz Talley:
Liz Talley is the USA Today bestselling author of twenty-five heartwarming stories of love and laughter. A finalist in both the Golden Heart and Rita Awards, she’s garnered number one spots on Amazon Romance lists and was honored with RT Reviews Best Superromance 2014. Robyn Carr says “laughter and tears spring from the pages” and Kristan Higgins says her stories are “written in a warm, intelligent voice.” Liz makes her home in North Louisiana with her high school sweetheart, two teen boys, and three dogs. When not writing romance, she likes to read, volunteer and watch Netflix. You can reach her at www.liztalleybooks.com
About K.M. Jackson:
USA Today bestselling author and native New Yorker Kwana Jackson spent her formative years on the A train where she had two dreams: (1) to be a fashion designer and (2) to be a writer. After spending more than ten years designing women’s sportswear for various fashion houses, Kwana took a leap of faith and decided to pursue her other dream of being a writer. A longtime advocate of equality and diversity in romance (#WeNeedDiverseRomance), Kwana is the mother of twins and currently lives in a suburb of New York with her husband. When not writing she can be found on Twitter @kwanawrites, on Facebook at facebook.com/KmJacksonAuthor, and on her website at www.kmjackson.com.
About Priscilla Oliveras:
Priscilla Oliveras is a USA Today bestselling author and 2018 RWA® RITA® double finalist who writes contemporary romance with a Latinx flavor. Proud of her Puerto Rican-Mexican heritage, she strives to bring authenticity to her novels by sharing her Latinx culture with readers. She and her work have earned praise from the Washington Post, New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, Redbook, Publishers Weekly, and Booklist, amongst others. Priscilla earned her MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University and currently serves as adjunct faculty in the program and teaches the online class “Romance Writing” for ed2go. While she’s a devoted fan of the romance genre, Priscilla’s also a sports fan, beach lover, and Zumba aficionado, who often practices the art of napping in her backyard hammock.
To follow along on her fun-filled and hectic life, visit her on the web at https://prisoliveras.com/books/, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/prisoliveras, or on Twitter and Instagram via @prisoliveras.
Jul 5, 2019 | Anna Campbell, Annie West, Authors Dish, Blog, Geri Krotow, July 2019
Welcome newbies and seasoned travel veterans to Authors Dish. With only three weeks until Romane Writers of America 2019 I’m searching for 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 and hope their words of wisdom help to ease any anxiety you might have getting all the things in your suitcase.
May these posts inspire you to shop early, make your lists, and triple check so you are prepared for just about anything. If you’re heading to #RWA19 I’d love to say hi. Let me know in the comments below so we can meet up in NYC.
Stay tuned over the next few weeks 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 Annie West, Author Anna Campbell and Author Geri Krotow.
Rae: What five things do you have to pack when attending a conference?
Annie West:
Comfy shoes!
Spare comfy shoes.
A pashmina or cardigan for when the air conditioning turns cold.
Notepad and pen. For some reason at a conference I prefer taking notes by hand. Plus I need something for scribbling midnight story ideas because conferences always get my creative juices flowing.
A spare bag for bringing home new books.
Anna Campbell: Teabags (I love hot tea and there are never enough supplied in the hotel room, especially in the U.S.), pens, bookmarks featuring my latest release, my favorite lipsticks, my camera
Geri Krotow: The 5 things I absolutely pack for RWA are: (1) comfortable shoes. If my feet aren’t happy, it makes what’s otherwise a wonderful time miserable. (2) Bandaids–in case my comfortable shoes fail me. 🙂 (3) Ginger tea bags–I like ginger or chamomile tea in the room at night. It’s a good way to unwind from the constant motion of an RWA conference (2000 people is a lot!). (4) Headphones of some sort so that I can do a meditation app or listen to great music while working out in the gym. (5) And I try to always remember to pack my smile!
Rae: What is your snack attack must haves in your day bag?
Annie:
For the flight – some sweets to suck on – a great way to avoid sore ears when the plane changes altitude suddenly.
For the conference itself, some chocolate Tim Tams since I’m Australian and I love to share.
Anna: Actually I’m not a big snack person. I tend to save my eating for meals! One of the fun things about conferences is getting to eat somewhere new and with someone else doing the washing up!
Geri: I don’t pack a lot of snacks to carry around, because lucky for me, my roomie Heidi Hormel lives in the snack capital of the world and brings plenty of Utz snacks. But I do like to have raw almonds and lots of water with me.
Rae:What’s the one thing you forget to pack and swear to remember next time?
Annie: Extra Tim Tams – they disappear so quickly!
Anna: My pashmina. I always forget it until I’m in an airconditioned room and find it’s too cold for me and I’d like something over my shoulders. It’s perfect for conferences because it’s light to carry and fits into a handbag, and yet it’s really warm – and still I forget it!
Geri: I often forget the multi-plug extension cord. It’s a must! Another thing–it’s a good idea to have a massage or good yoga session before RWA week, to get my body relaxed so that I don’t tense up from all the hauling of luggage, etc. I’ve learned to pack light but it’s still a lot more lifting and twisting than I’m used to.
Rae: Thank you so much authors! Readers, what’s the ONE thing you always forget and swear to include next time when you travel? How do you make sure that you remember ;).
I’ll be keeping a running list and will post it a week before #RWA19 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!
Annie West: Annie is devoted to the study of charismatic, sexy heroes who cause trouble in the lives of their heroines. She enjoys writing passionate, intense, contemporary love stories and is a USA Today bestselling author, published in 25 languages. She lives in eastern Australia and loves to travel to exotic locations for research. Her next release is ‘Sheikh’s Royal Baby Revelation’.
Anna Campbell: ANNA CAMPBELL has written 10 multi award-winning historical romances for Grand Central Publishing and Avon HarperCollins, and her work is published in 22 languages. She has also written 22 bestselling independently published romances, including her series, the Dashing Widows and the Lairds Most Likely. Anna has won numerous awards for her Regency-set stories including Romantic Times Reviewers Choice, the Booksellers Best, the Golden Quill (three times), the Heart of Excellence (twice), the Write Touch, the Aspen Gold (twice) and the Australian Romance Readers Association’s favorite historical romance (five times). Her books have three times been nominated for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA Award, and three times for Australia’s Romantic Book of the Year. When she’s not traveling the world seeking inspiration for her stories, Anna lives on the beautiful east coast of Australia. Website: http://annacampbell.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnaCampbellFans Twitter: AnnaCampbellOz
Geri Krotow: Geri is the bestselling author of the Silver Valley, PD for Harlequin Romantic Suspense, where she also contributes to the Coltons continuity series. The Bayou Bachelors with Kensington Lyrical Caress. She also penned the Whidbey Island series for Harlequin Superromance. A U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former Naval Intelligence Officer, Geri left her Naval career to pursue a writing career two decades ago. Geri enjoys creating sexy contemporary romances and tingling suspense, preferably with settings that she has personally experienced in her global travels. Geri loves to connect with readers! Please find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and at her website, where you will find a complete book list and can sign up for her newsletter, at www.gerikrotow.com
In case you missed our other posts here’s the recap so far:
7-3-19 Authors Dish RWA2019 with USA Today Bestselling Author Eliza Knight, Author Golden Czermak, and Author Olivia Dade
7-2-19:Authors Dish RWA 7-2-2019 with New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Cathy Maxwell, Author Tarina Deaton, and Author Tonya Burrows7-1-19: Authros Dish RWA 2019 – USA Today Bestselling Author Robin Covington, Author Kelly Maher, and Author Cate Taylor
6-30-19 USA Today Bestselling Author Naima Simone, Author Nancy Northcott, and Author Gail Z. Martin / Morgan Brice
6-29-19 Authors Dish RWA 2019 with USA Today Bestselling Author Suzanne Ferrell, Author Jeanne Adams, and Author Olivia Hardin
