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:
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
In case you missed our other posts here’s the recap so far:
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
Best advice I ever got for conferences was to pack a power strip. There are NEVER enough reachable outlets in a hotel–phone chargers, tablet chargers, laptop chargers, curling irons, regular irons, whatever. LABEL it with a sharpie and remember to bring it home when you leave. (I now keep one in my suitcase for any travel.)
An extra luggage tag or two with your business card in it. Put it on your conference bag when you get it. That way, your identical with 1,500 bags is identifiable and findable.
Bandaids. If you don’t get blisters, your friends will.
Business cards. You should be handing them out, or have them ready when requested.
Labels with your name/cell phone for drawings and contests in the giveaway room and author signings.
Sweater/shawl AND a folding fan. Hotel meeting rooms range from 5th level of Hell to Antarctic tundra in terms of temperature control. You’ll probably need both.
Thousands of charging cords are left behind at hotels every year…check with the concierge if you’ve forgotten/lost one, and there’s a high probability they have one that will fit your device in the large box in the back. It’s a 50-50 shot if they’ll let you keep it or ask for it back.
Conferences are amazing…and huge. With A LOT of walking on hard and slick hotel floors. Save your feet. Either wear comfortable shoes, or, if you have to have the fancy 4″ stilettos, stick ’em in your well-labeled conference bag and change from flats right before you get to your destination. Your blisters, calves, knees, and back will thank you later.
ENJOY!!