Special Guest: Ali F!!!

Hi friends! So it’s the (ack!) third Saturday of the month! Which means it’s time for our monthly reader guest post! Whee! Today we’ve got Ali [F] visiting with us!  

Hello everyone!! 🙂

When Limecello reminded me that my day to blog was coming up, my mind went blank as to what to write about. She told me I could write about anything… even mowing the lawn. Don’t worry, I won’t bore you with a post about mowing the grass…. mainly because I don’t mow my lawn, lol

What I did want to talk about today is romance reader conventions. If you haven’t visited my blog yet, I’m throwing a month long birthday bash, and the grand prize includes registration to the 2012 Authors After Dark Convention in New Orleans. This year will be my third year attending and I can’t wait!

I’ve been fortunate enough to attend various romance reader conventions at one time or another: Romantic Times Booklovers Convention, Lori Foster (and Duffy Brown) Reader and Author Get Together, Readers ‘N ‘Ritas, RAW (Reader Appreciation Weekend), and Authors After Dark.

I actually met Limecello for the first time at the RT Convention in Ohio :). (She totally did! Best time ever!) That convention experience definitely wasn’t as scary as my very first convention which was the RT Convention in Houston. I have a fear of people, lol, so it’s no surprise that I was doing my best to be a wallflower.

Maybe it’s because I’m shy that I tend to enjoy the smaller conventions more. They definitely allow readers more of a chance to get to meet and speak with authors… and of course other readers. One get together that packs a punch in a little time is the Readers ‘n ‘ritas conference in the DFW (Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX) area. The conference lasts about a day and a half, but by the time it’s over, I feel like I’ve been gone for a week almost, lol. There’s always one great panel or another going on and a fun masquerade ball. Last year, they had their first Hero Bachelor Auction, too. That was loads of fun… especially thanks to author Nikki Duncan.

No matter which conference or convention I end up at, I always tend to have fun thanks to great friends, fabulous new readers I get to meet, and the awesome authors who attend. For those who have not had the chance to attend one of these gatherings, I hope one day soon you will be able to, and maybe we’ll get to meet. For those who have, I hope you’ve had as much fun as I have… ooh, and maybe I’ll see you at one of the ones I plan to attend this year 😉

I didn’t arrive empty handed to Limecello’s blog today 🙂 I have a giveaway! (Ali is so polite!!) Whoo-hoo! I just love being able to do giveaways, lol. Today, I have a bag of goodies that I was given at my last Readers ‘n ‘Ritas conference to giveaway. This tote bag is not only filled with great promo items but lots of books, too!

… >.> Ali’s totally lying by the way. She’s sending that bag to me. She just doesn’t know it yet. I’m going to create a ton of socks and rig the drawing. Just thought I’d let y’all know so you don’t bother. <.<

Heh. Seriously though – what do you think of the romance conferences and conventions? Have you ever been to one? Got a story to share? Which one, if you’ve been to multiple ones do you prefer? Or, if you’ve never been – which one would you most like to go? And if it’s a moving conference, where would you like to see it?

0 thoughts on “Special Guest: Ali F!!!

  1. Cathy P

    I have never been to a romance conference before, but would love to go to one. Not really sure which one, just as long as I get to meet my favorite authors. Lol!

    Reply
  2. RandaWrites

    Hi Lime & Ali!! As you know this year will be my first visit to AAD and I CANNOT wait!! 🙂 The only other conference I’ve been to is RAW2010 where I had the pleasure to meet tons of awesome authors and readers but most importantly I got to me you and that fabulous Bunny we call friend…on most days anyway 🙂

    Reply
  3. jeannemiro

    What a thrill it must be to attend a conference about books! The only conference I was able to attend were Tupperware conventions, both District and National, and I had to make a speak at one of the National conventions!

    Imagine my District managers shock when she asked me about what I was going to say and I told her I was going to wing it! Imagine my surprise when everyone stood up and gave me a great applause when I finisihed!
    erw
    It sounds like a lot more fun getting books instead of Tupperware but at least one time I came home with a TV and a “boombox” for my then teenage son! He said I was a great mother and I thought he only loved me for my cooking.

    My dream is to one day be able to get to (fill in the blank with any of the conferences to said above). I don’t even care which one! I love not only reading books but learning more about the writing process and how the authors come up with their wonderful stories. The giveaways don’t sound too bad either!

    Glad you had a great time and I envy you for being able to meet Linecello in perosn.

    Reply
  4. TrishJ

    Never been to a convention, but i would love to one day. I’m sure i would walk around with my mouth wide open and pointing at my favorite authors. Guess I’ll put this on my bucket list! 🙂

    Reply
  5. Maureen

    I have never been to a convention but they do look like a lot of fun. I do enjoy reading posts about them and especially seeing pictures of some of my favorite authors because I am nosy likek that.

    Reply
  6. JoAnne

    I would love to attend a Romance conference, They always look like a lot of fun and many of my favorite authors attend. I would probably attend something on the East Coast if I ever were to go since I live in CT. I have tried to go to a few author’s booksignings and always enjoyed them.
    Thanks for sharing,

    Reply
  7. Cynthia Garcia

    I went to the rt convention in 2012 in la I felt like s little kid the first time at disneyland lol

    Reply
  8. Simply Ali

    @smartmouthtexan Awesome! You’ll love it 🙂

    @Cathy there are so many different ones to choose from now, it’s hard to decide sometimes 🙂

    @RandaWrites most days is right, lol

    @jeannemiro Wow, I could not have winged it lol. That’s amazing 🙂 Awesome prizes you got, too!

    Reply
  9. Rebecca

    I have never been to a convention and I am new to this genre of books. I am pretty sure that my previous (younger and more innocent day) authors of V.C. Andrews and Nicholas Sparks don’t have conventions (LOL) but I never actually thought about looking. I would love to go to one, any of them… 🙂

    Reply
  10. jovialvampyre

    I’ve never been to one either. Told my hubs that it would make a nice birthday present, to send me to one. I’d love to meet the people that write my favorite reads :).

    Reply
  11. June M.

    I have never been to a convention. I tend to have panic attacks in crowded situations so I have to get past that before I can attend. 🙁 I am thinking that attending one that is said to be smaller like Lori Foster’s would be best to start with. And considering that it is close enough I could drive to is good. 🙂 I would love for some of the big conferences (RT or RWA) to come to Kentucky, preferably Lexington but Louisville would also work.

    Reply
  12. Mimmi

    Awesome blog post Ali! And lol you’re so sweet and funny I don’t know why you’re so shy! You make people feel comfortable around you which is a gift! I hope to see you again soon!!

    Reply
  13. Jane

    Hi Ali,
    I’ve never attended a convention or conference. I’ve never even attended an author signing at the bookstore, but I do hope to attend RT or RWA and meet my favorite authors.

    Reply
  14. Mich

    Hi Ali, I have yet to attend a conference and would love to be able to go to AAD this year. It would be so fun to meet some of my twitter friends and awesome authors so I can be a fangirl! Plus I’ve been wanting to go back to NOLA since my first (and only) visit in 2007.

    Reply
  15. caitymack

    Hi Ali and Lime,

    I’ve never been to any kind of convention or conference either. Pretty shy, so going with a group of friends to one of the smaller conventions would definitely suit me better.

    Reply
  16. SandyB

    Hi Ali and Lime! I attended RAW 2009 and 2010 and had a blast. I wanted to go last year but it did not work out. I got to AAD too late to register and I may try the conference in Gatlinburg this June. Thanks for the interesting info here.

    Reply
  17. Diane Sallans

    I’ve never been to one of these conferences, but since I first read about them last year I’ve thought they would be great fun. I’d have to do more investigating to find out which are best for readers. I’d be happy with just sitting at the back of a room observing – I often don’t know what to say to people (or in this case authors) – I get tongue tied & don’t want to sound inane. Maybe I’ll get to one someday – something to look forward to. Meanwhile I’ll just keep studying the subject by reading as many books as I can.

    Reply
  18. Maria S(Pronounced Mariah)

    I’ve never been to one 🙁 ! I have to go to a couple of book signings before but something awful always happens and keeps it from happening. One time I broke my foot another time my daughter got appendicitis.

    One of these dsys I’m gonna get there!

    Reply
  19. barbed1951

    RT and RWA both held their conferences in Orlando a few years ago. I didn’t attend the conferences but did go to both book signings, which were amazing. I couldn’t buy nearly as many books as I would have liked, but got lots of author’s signatures, swag and pictures, so I was in heaven.

    Reply
  20. Eva P.

    I have not attend any yet, but I plan to in the near future. I certainly kept up with all the Twitter/Facebook comments made by those I follow who did attend, was so jealous 😉

    Reply
  21. willaful

    I’ve never been to one. I’m not very good at socializing and other aspects of conventions don’t appeal to me much.

    Reply
    1. Limecello Post author

      Willaful – if you ever go to a convention, and I happen to be there too… let me know. You can sit with me. I kinda hate people, so we’ll just sit in the back and dish. 😉

      Reply
  22. Limecello Post author

    AAAAallllliiiiii – hi there 😀 And happy belated birthday! Hee. Too bad the third Saturday of the month will never actually be your birthday itself. 😉

    Hm, conferences. Nationals is good because so many authors go there, but it’s such a bummer when a favorite skips out on it. You and Joy are going to Anaheim this year right?

    And AAD – can’t wait to hear stories from both. *Ahem* 😉
    [Cuz you guys were just MUM about AAD last year!] >:(

    Aren’t you going to Lori Foster’s this year too? (Can’t remember if you registered or not) – if so, you lucky girl! Both HelenKay Dimon and Jill Shalvis will be there too!

    Reply
    1. Simply Ali

      Lime! 🙂 I just realized that your site lets me reply to each individual comment lol… I really should move to wordpress.

      Yes to Anaheim… but, because my family wants to take a vacation, I really do think I’ll only be there for the weekend… which, since RWA ends on a Friday or Saturday (right?) won’t be much, heh… oh well, lol

      omg, I can’t wait for AAD! LOL, I’m sorry… if I was mum it’s because… well, sadly, after a con is over, I tend to forget most things. Not on purpose, mind you… I wish I could be like Joy who writes everything down. But, I can’t even seem to do that for a long period.

      As for Lori Foster, yes! I’m all scheduled and plane ticket finally bought *phew* Which is surprising, because it’s more than a month away and you know how last minute I am, lol.

      Also, going to Readers ‘n ‘Ritas again 🙂 It’s just a drive for me and Eli.

      Reply
      1. Limecello Post author

        OMG Joy and her writing everything scares me. … >.> Wonder if she’s checking now… Probably not… right?
        Heh. Ahhh Lori’s! You’re going to have SO MUCH FUN! So jealous.

        Reply
  23. Tina B

    I have not had the pleasure of attending a convention yet, but it is on my bucket list. I need to meet more people to discuss books with. My hubby thinks that I am addicted to the computer and blogging. He just doesn’t understand that when I read a book, series, new author, ect. and am so excited about it, I NEED to talk about it! He certainly doesn’t want to hear about it or he tunes me out. Lol. I am still kind of new to the romance following committee and I am quiet when around people I don’t know. However, looking at everyone’s pictures from RT, it doesn’t look like the other women will give you an option. 🙂
    I would probably go to AAD first. Since it is in NOLA and I have never been. Plus it is only 4 days instead of a whole week.
    I hope you have a great time, Ali!
    Thank you for the generous giveaway!

    Reply
  24. Monikarw

    Sadly, no. I’ve never been to a convention. Being in Mexico doesn’t exactly makes it easy.. But, I’m planning on going to one soon 🙂 I hope! *fingers crossed*

    Reply
  25. Shannon

    Hi Limecello and Ali!
    I’ve not been to a Romance conference. I’ve been lucky enough to go to some other conferences and hear authors speak, (and get books autographed 🙂
    San Francisco Book Festival, Maui Writer’s Conference, Santa Barbara Writer’s Conference and Tucson Festival of Books.
    Lucky Ducks going to see Jill Shalvis! Just finished her Lucky Harbor series and LOVED it.

    Reply
  26. Mary Kirkland (@scarymary66)

    Great post! Ya know I would love to go to a convention one of these day but I have social anxiety and agoraphobia so I don’t see that happening anytime soon.

    I do like seeing the pictures from the conventions and reading about others experiences though.

    Reply
  27. carol L

    I have yet to make it to one. I was supposed to go to AAD when it was in New jersery…:( Didn’t make it. But I am definitely going to make it to one of the conventions. I hope 🙂

    Reply
    1. carol L

      it posted too fast. Just wanted to add my thanks for this giveaway opportunity.
      Carol L
      Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

      Reply
  28. Laura K

    Hi, all! I’ve been to a few conventions and I always love to meet authors for the first time. I don’t stalk (truly I don’t) but I love seeing them face to face and showing my genuine appreciation for their craft.

    Reply
  29. raonaidluckwell

    Never been to ANY book conferences. It all looks like so much fun, and well hubby won’t let me travel by myself. So if it is not two or three hours away from my area, no go.

    Now I’ve been to an anime con and one author signing. But that’s it. Finances never factor in good.

    Raonaid at gmail dot com

    Reply
  30. Chelsea B.

    I’ve never been to one, but I soooo want to! I really want to go to the one in New Orleans, because, come on, it’s in NEW ORLEANS! 🙂

    Reply
  31. Katherine

    I never thought I’d want to attend a reader convention. The more I read about some of the cons, the more I want to go. I’ve got to say, if I had the coin, I would be at AAD Nola in a heartbeat.

    Reply
  32. eli yanti

    wow.. what a great bag of gift =D

    and i saw connie’s book, i really want to have this book so badly, hope my friend want to buy this book to me lol

    i just hope i can go to a romance conference to meet with my fave author.

    Reply
  33. stellaexlibris

    Dearest Ali, ever since I started following your blog I was astonished to what a generous and kind blogger you were but still you manage to stun me. That prize just left me blinking lol 😀

    Sadly as I live in Europe far far away from all the great US conventions I haven’t been able to attend one yet, but I can’t wait! They all sound so much fun and it must be so amazing to meet other bloggers and one’s favourite authors! 😀

    I hope one day I’ll get to attend one, until then I always enjoy reading about your adventures 🙂

    Thank you!

    stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com

    Reply
    1. Simply Ali

      Stella!
      Aw, thank you so much 🙂 I’m so grateful that you still visit my blog… even though for a while I didn’t really post much, eek… I’m hoping to change that now 🙂

      I’ve got fingers crossed that you get to make it to one soon 🙂 If not in the US then hopefully in Europe… although, it would be so cool if it were the US and I’d get to meet you 🙂

      Reply
  34. Karen H in NC

    Love that bag of stuff! I’ve never been to a convention but I would love to attend one sometime. My adopted hometown of Raleigh, NC is one of the fastest growing cities in the southeast. I think RWA, or RT, or both should put Raleigh on their list of towns to host their conferences! I’d be there with bells on for sure! Thanks for the giveaway.

    kareninnc at gmail dot com

    Reply
    1. Simply Ali

      I hope that happens because I know a reader in Raleigh that would be so ecstatic if that were to come true 🙂

      Reply
  35. VanillaOrchids

    I have never been to one, and honestly, I don’t even know how many conferences occur each year. All of that is so new to me. Heck, when I was seeing authors and readers mention the recent RT conference on Twitter, I would sometimes think they were asking people to retweet their posts. That’s how clueless I was at first. LOL

    As for a location I would like to see one take place in … I’d say Pittsburgh, PA. 🙂

    Pam

    Reply
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