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
Jul 3, 2019 | Authors Dish, Blog, Eliza Knight, Golden Czermak, July 2019, Olivia Dade
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 Eliza Knight, Author Golden Czermak and Author Olivia Dade
Rae: What five things do you have to pack when attending a conference?
Eliza Knight: A dress for the RITA award ceremony, amazing shoes, a fun new piece of jewelry, fun swag related to my newest book, a sweater because it’s always freezing in the workshops!
Olivia Dade:
1. My e-reader, first and foremost. Even though I’m exhausted at the end of each day, I can’t sleep unless I wind down from all the peopling and crowds and noise, so I read before bed every night. Once upon a time, this meant hauling a carry-on bag full of paperbacks, so I’m dedicating my lack of shoulder pain to my Kindle. I ♥ you, Kindle! Never, ever leave me! ::clings::
2. Comfortable shoes. Every year, I pretend I’ll wear heels at some point. Every year, I am once again That Author in Slightly Worn Sandals and/or Flat Mary Janes.
3. Clothing arranged by length of hemline. I will shave my legs once for a conference. Once. (Technically, it’s probably more of a shearing, but “shaving” sounds classier.) So, if you’re bored during the conference, feel free to track the ever-lowering hemlines of my clothing as I move from knee-length to midi to maxi to It’s Time for Pants Again, Yay!
4. My planner, which is where I keep all my friends’ contact info and scrawl down notes about various planned meetings. I have heard that my cell would also serve this purpose, but that would involve learning how to use crucial features of my phone, and nah.
5. A pin with my author avatar on it, so people who only know me from social media can spot me in person. A hint: In real life, I’m somewhat more three-dimensional and am in full color!
Golden Czermak:
Camera Gear, Signing banner, table runners, gum, cologne
Rae: What is your snack attack must haves in your day bag?
Eliza: — a power bar or some nuts
Olivia: I don’t really snack, but I need ready access to water at all times.
Golden: protein bars and Bang energy drinks
Rae:What’s the one thing you forget to pack and swear to remember next time?
Eliza: — my pins for my badge
Olivia: I keep meaning to locate and pack a less-socially-awkward version of myself, but so far, she has evaded me. Damn you, elusive Alternative Universe Olivia! Damn you!
Golden: Beard balm
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!
Eliza Knight: Eliza Knight is an award-winning and USA Today bestselling author of over fifty sizzling historical, time-travel and contemporary romance novels. Under the name E. Knight, she pens rip-your- heart-out historical fiction. While not reading, writing or researching for her latest book, she chases after her three children. In her spare time (if there is such a thing…) she likes daydreaming, wine-tasting, traveling, hiking, staring at the stars, watching movies, shopping and visiting with family and friends. She lives atop a small mountain with her own knight in shining armor, three princesses and two very naughty puppies.
Connect with Eliza at: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram
Olivia Dade: While I was growing up, my mother kept a stack of books hidden in her closet. She told me I couldn’t read them. So, naturally, whenever she left me alone for any length of time, I took them out and flipped through them. Those books raised quite a few questions in my prepubescent brain. Namely: 1) Why were there so many pirates? 2) Where did all the throbbing come from? 3) What was a “manhood”? 4) And why did the hero and heroine seem overcome by images of waves and fireworks every few pages, especially after an episode of mysterious throbbing in the hero’s manhood?
Thirty or so years later, I have a few answers. 1) Because my mom apparently fancied pirates at that time. Now she hoards romances involving cowboys and babies. If a book cover features a shirtless man in a Stetson cradling an infant, her ovaries basically explode and her credit card emerges. 2) His manhood. Also, her womanhood. 3) It’s his “hard length,” sometimes compared in terms of rigidity to iron. 4) Because explaining how an orgasm feels can prove difficult. Or maybe the couples all had sex on New Year’s Eve at Cancun.
During those thirty years, I accomplished a few things. I graduated from Wake Forest University and earned my M.A. in American History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I worked at a variety of jobs that required me to bury my bawdiness and potty mouth under a demure exterior: costumed interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg, high school teacher, and librarian. But I always, always read romances. Funny, filthy, sweet—it didn’t matter. I loved them all.
Now I’m writing my own romances with the encouragement of my husband and daughter. I have my own stack of books in my closet that I’d rather my daughter not read, at least not for a few years. I can swear whenever I want, except around said daughter. And I get to spend all day writing about love and iron-hard lengths.
So thank you, Mom, for perving so hard on pirates during my childhood. I owe you.
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If you want to find me online, here’s where to go!
Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Newsletter
Golden Czermak: In the beginning, Golden worked the standard corporate rat race, completed college for a Chemical Engineering Degree, and began a small photography company on the side.
Since then, and the growth of the FuriousFotog brand, Golden became an internationally published modeling/fitness photographer and eventually began working as a book cover model.
Having been in the industry for at least six years, he has interfaced and networked with countless authors and other clients. As part of his work as a photographer, he worked with them to create book cover images – now numbering over 550 at the beginning of 2018.
Learning the ins and out of the book world, along with being an avid reader and storyteller himself, Golden finally decided to write and publish his first book, Homeward Bound, in 2016.
www.onefuriousfotog.com (Photography)
www.goldenczermak.com (Books)
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
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 1, 2019 | Authors Dish, Blog, Cate Taylor, July 2019, Kelly Maher, Robin Covington
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 Robin Covington, Author Kelly Maher and Author Cate Taylor
Rae: What five things do you have to pack when attending a conference?
Robin Covington:
a power strip for all my chargers (and my roomies)
earbuds to play music as I go to sleep – hotels are noisy!
at least two black jumpsuits – they go with any occasion!
my planner – its the only way I get it all done
flat shipping boxes and packing tape to mail books home
Kelly Maher:
1. Comfortable shoes. This is an absolute must for me as I developed plantar fasciitis when I first moved to DC and it stuck around for 2.5 years. I never want a recurrence of it if I can help it.
2. Pen and paper. While I often do take notes on my phone or tablet, in some rooms, the set up is just more conducive to pen and paper. Plus, I love the feel of a perfectly matched pen and notebook.
3. A refillable water bottle. It is *so* important to stay hydrated during the conference, and the hotel will suck you dry.
4. A wrap or cardigan. Just as the hotel air is dry, it’s often overly cool. I tend to run hot, so sometimes the cool air will be welcome, but I have a very fine range of when I’m comfortable and will go from feeling hot to “can’t get warm ever again!” in under 5 minutes.
5. My ereader. While I am a total extrovert and you’ll often catch me in the halls talking with people, sometimes I need a few minutes to regroup in quiet and read for a bit to let my brain process all of the conversations.
6. I’m going to stick in a bonus for those who rely on tech: portable battery charger!
Cate Taylor:
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- Crocs (or other comfortable shoes). You’ll be on your feet much of the day and walking a LOT. Unless sexy shoes are your brand (a la Kim Kincaid and her fabulous footwear!), consider sacrificing a little fashion for comfort. I wear “fancy” Crocs or my Chucks.
- A pashmina. No matter where the conferences are, July is going to be hot. So the rooms will be air conditioned and/or the nights cool. A pashmina is a lightweight, easy to pack and carry way to keep the chill away. I usually bring a few, at least one dressy and one casual.
- A towel. Because one should always travel with a towel. (Shout out to the late Douglas Adams for that tip!)
- Business cards/bookmarks. It seems like a no-brainer, considering you’ll be networking, but you wouldn’t believe the number of people who forget. I’ve had agents and editors have to write their info on slips of paper because even THEY forgot!
- Really good unscented lotion. My skin dries out in the air conditioning and then I get itchy.
Rae: What is your snack attack must haves in your day bag?
Robin:
fruit and nut granola bars
haribo gummi bears
dentyne fire gum
Kelly: I usually try to pack something with protein and tend toward peanut butter Clif bars. However, by the time I realize I’m hungry and need a hit, I tend to need to eat 2 to quench the craving. I’m honestly horrible about eating healthy, but when it comes to conference snacks, I like things like the Clif bars, Sargento’s Balanced Breaks kits (I prefer the white cheddar, almonds, and dried cranberries), or dried fruit packs from Trader Joe’s. They’ve got these 3-packs of dried apricots that are fabulous.
Cate:
- Trail mix
- Twizzlers (satisfy my sweet tooth but don’t melt all over the place like chocolate)
- Mints
Rae:What’s the one thing you forget to pack and swear to remember next time?
Robin: I have a laminated list that I triple check – I can’t remember the last time I forgot something – I usually overpack! LOL
Kelly: I’m really lucky in that I’ve been going to conferences both for writing and the day job about 3-4 times a year for the last eight years that I’ve got my packing down to an art. If anything, I’m usually out of tissues. But, that’s the fabulous thing about being in New York, there are stores where we’re going! (Duane Reade, owned by Walgreens, is the convenience store of choice in NYC for those who’ve never been.)
Cate:
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!
Robin Covington: A USAToday bestseller, Robin Covington loves to explore the theme of fooling around and falling in love in her books. Her stories burn up the sheets…one page at a time. A Native American author of color, Robin proudly writes diverse romance where everyone gets their happy ever after.
She is an unapologetic Indiginerd and comic book geek. She hoards red nail polish and stalks Chris Evans.
A 2016 RITA® Award finalist, Robin’s books have won the National Reader’s Choice and Golden Leaf Awards and finaled in the Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice, HOLT Medallion, and the Book Seller’s Best.
She lives in Maryland with her handsome husband, her two brilliant children (they get it from her, of course!), and her beloved furbabies, Dutch and Dixie Joan Wilder (Yes – THE Joan Wilder)
Drop her a line at robin@robincovingtonromance.com – she always writes back.
Social Media Links:
Email: robin@robincovingtonromance.com
Website: http://www.robincovingtonromance.com
Facebook Profile: http://on.fb.me/YSW9n3
Facebook Page: http://on.fb.me/1fCyWuQ
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RobinCovington
Tumblr: http://robincovingtonromance.tumblr.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/robincovington/
Pinterest: http://bit.ly/1c1Tm5u
Amazon Follow: http://amzn.to/1L2PrAG
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5812874.Robin_Covington
Street Team: http://on.fb.me/1hZdeEu
Book+Main Bites: https://bookandmainbites.com/users/1756
Bookbub Follow: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/robin-covington
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Kelly Maher is the author of contemporary romances that feature smart heroines, witty heroes, and settings that make you feel like you’reliving there. A city girl at heart, Kelly currently lives in DC where she works as a librarian when not writing.
Website: http://www.kellymaher.com
Cate Tayler is a beach baby, born and raised on the Connecticut coastline. She met the love of her life while serving in the US Air Force, and after extensive overseas travel, they are now raising their four children in the wild suburbs of Maryland. In addition to writing contemporary romance–always with a happy ending!–her passions include cooking, everything 80s, sappy Hallmark movies, Wonder Woman, and the Miami Dolphins.
