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 ;).
There is nothing worse than waking up in the middle of the night needing 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.
May this inspire you to pack light and not forget anything at home. 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 Heather Long, Harper Kincaid, and Lucy Farago
Rae: What five things do you have to pack when attending a conference?
Lucy Farago:
Harper Kincaid:
1. Extra underwear.
There’s a LOT going on at RWA and it’s understandable you want to do it all. I’m telling you right now, that’s not going to happen. So make priorities and make sure to take little breaks. Your psyche will thank you.
Rae: What is your snack attack must haves in your day bag?
Heather: Hmm…I try not to snack, but I do like to munch on nuts. Soy Wasabi Almonds are like my all time favorite.
Lucy: I usually bring a couple of power bars with me. I often forget to eat.
Harper Kincaid: Cashews and raw almonds. Portable protein, baby.
Rae:What’s the one thing you forget to pack and swear to remember next time?
Heather: I hate to admit this, I’ve forgotten my anti-perspirant/deodorant so many times, I just plan to buy one when I get there.
Lucy: I nearly always forget something stupid, like mascara, or deodorant, toothpaste, bandaids for, you guessed it, shoes. Guaranteed I am running to a drug store for something.
Harper: Ha! There’s always something. I usually forget something like an extra jacket or a scarf or an eye mask. Something I don’t always use but will feel vital while I’m away.
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 **
Heather Long:
USA Today bestselling author, Heather Long, likes long walks in the park, science fiction, superheroes, Marines, and men who aren’t douche bags. Her books are filled with heroes and heroines tangled in romance as hot as Texas summertime.
From paranormal historical westerns to contemporary military romance, Heather might switch genres, but one thing is true in all of her stories—her characters drive the books. When she’s not wrangling her menagerie of animals, she devotes her time to family and friends she considers family.
She believes if you like your heroes so real you could lick the grit off their chest, and your heroines so likable, you’re sure you’ve been friends with women just like them, you’ll enjoy her worlds as much as she does.
Heather is best known for her 18-book and growing paranormal romance series Wolves of Willow Bend, which begins:
Prequel: Wolf at Law
1: Wolf Bite
2: Caged Wolf
3: Wolf Claim
3.5: Wolf Next Door
4: Rogue Wolf
5: Bayou Wolf
6: Untamed Wolf
Heather’s other fantasy romance series include the paranormal westerns Fevered Hearts starting with Marshal of Hel Dorado, Black Hill Wolves which start with What a Wolf Wants, and the Bravo Team WOLF series.
Her contemporary romance series include: Always a Marine, Going Royal, Elite Warriors, The Love Thieves, beginning with Catch Me, and Lone Star Leathernecks, beginning with Semper Fi Cowboy.
Heather is well-represented in fantasy with her superhero series Boomers, a sci-fi western called Space Cowboy Survival Guide, an urban fantasy series called the Chance Monroe Adventures, and a stand-alone ghost novel, Haunt Me.
Lucy Farago: http://lucyfarago.com/news/meet-lucy/
Harper Kincaid: Born in California and raised in South Florida, Harper Kincaid has moved around like a gypsy with a bounty on her head ever since. For years, she was a jill of all trades and a master of none, but is now tickled hot pink to pen stories that break and mend people’s hearts for a living. Kincaid believes seduction occurs from the neck up, which is why her characters are smart, sexy, and slightly quirky – and definitely worthy to be your next hard-core book crush.
When not writing, she adores listening to indie, lo-fi, complaint rock played on vinyl, the theater, well-informed optimism, happy endings (both kinds), and making those close to her laugh ’til they snort. She is a self-admitted change junkie, loving new experiences and places, but has now happily settled in the cutest lil’ town, Vienna, Virginia.
AUTHOR LINKS:
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Exactly. I’m planning nothing the day I return. One I’ve had a full night sleep I’ll be ready to dive into all the things post conference 🙂
I actually make a point of planning the “crash” day after conference. I know that I’ll be useless once I get off the plane Sunday, so I hang the sloppy outfit/raggedy bra/bathrobe in the front of my closet, make a note on the calendar to do NOTHING (except binge-watch Breaking Bad again, maybe, or Better Call Saul since that’s basically ASMR Breaking Bad), and warn my family that although I’m physically here, I’m not here yet. On Monday, I’ll be ready to follow up with my new and old friends colleagues and get back into my writing flow!