Whew. Why did I think I’d be able to blog from RWA National Conference? I don’t think I even cracked open the laptop but once. It was iphone or nothing. But anyway, I am finally home and had such a great time. This was my first conference as a really, truly, almost-all-grownup author! And it ROCKED.

The fun started Wednesday with the Eloisa James/Julia Quinn Bulletin Board get-together, catered by the amazing Kim Castillo (we were enjoying the fruits cookies of her labor all week). Later that day, I had my first-ever book signing at the RWA Readers for Life literacy benefit. I only had about 15 copies there, and they were all gone within minutes, thanks to my wonderful friends. I can’t tell you how touching it was to see people I’ve “known” online for three years show up with hugs and misty eyes to support the release of GODDESS OF THE HUNT. I am so blessed with a wonderful network of friendship and support.

Thursday started with breakfast with my roomies Courtney Milan and Carey Baldwin, plus…oh…a dozen? of the historical romance genre’s most esteemed authors. Oh my stars – Joanna Bourne, Sherry Thomas, Mary Jo Putney, and several more – all before I’d had my coffee. I may have dreamed it.

After breakfast, I attended the Rogue Digital Seminar presented by Sarah Wendell of Smart Bitches Trashy Books, Kassia Kroszer of QuartetPress, Angela James of Samhain Publishing, and Jane Litte of Dear Author, along with authors Maya Banks and Lauren Dane. It was standing room only. These ladies did an awesome job of packing that hour with valuable information on digital rights, e-publishing, the Google Books settlement, and more.

Then it was off to the RWA Annual General Meeting. I can’t claim to understand exactly what all went down at that meeting, but it was fascinating to see the organization at work and very exciting to see that we had achieved a quorum, through proxies and attendance.

The Thursday keynote luncheon address was given by Linda Howard, bless her heart. She delivered absolutely side-splitting speech of anecdotes and advice, delivered in smooth Southern storytelling style. I can’t wait until she visits my chapter this September.

Later that afternoon, I had coffee with my wonderful agent and attended a hilarious and inspiring chat session with the amazing Nora Roberts. Then I caught up with a dozen or so members of the Orange County chapter for drinks in the bar. (Are you beginning to see why I had no time for blogging?)

And then my fabulous friends surprised me with a release party for GODDESS OF THE HUNT!

Courtney, Carey, Sara Lindsey, Kim Castillo, and (I’m sure) many more worked to put together an amazing (and surprising!) party for me and many new and old friends from FanLit, Twitter, the online review community, and more. Even my dear Ballantine editor, Kate Collins, came by! Vagabond Lindsey and author Toni Blake were generous enough to offer up their swingin’ suite as the venue, and there was delicious cake, food and drink, and hunting and fishing party games! But I cannot forget the piece de resistance, this poster fashioned by Sara Lindsey:

Click on the image to see the whole thing. Sara photoshopped my face onto the GOTH cover. Ingenious, no? And a little disturbing… 🙂

I had a wonderful time and was so touched by all the effort they put into planning such an extravaganza. I love you all! And Lucy and Jeremy thank you.

My goodness…look at the length of this post, and I’m still on Thursday. I’ll be back tomorrow to roundup the fun of Friday and Saturday!