The event started on Friday evening with everyone getting registered and grabbing their goody bags, then we proceeded to socialize and eat a dinner of pizza with veggies and chips. It was an opportunity to meet new people and to catch up with acquaintances made from previous years. It’s a very casual atmosphere.
One of the activities of the event is the raffle. There are some raffle prizes which are more highly coveted than others – those that include an ereader are on the most wanted list. My club did well in winning some of the prizes this year – Mahlet won a tote bag of Nalini Singh books and a Beth Williamson tote which included some of Beth’s cowboy books; Dawn won tote bag of various books, Beverly won a darling little basket filled with goodies. I won a basket from Lori Foster which included her latest books, a t-shirt and matching cap, notebook, stuffed animals from Kate Douglas, books from Kay Stockham and an Adrienne Vittadini peach leather purse which made me the envy of many women there!
Something new this year was centerpieces created by the authors for the tables. They were so beautiful and creative! The authors also gave away their centerpieces. Our very own Dawn was given a Japanese doll handcrafted by Viola Grace! Dawn is a big fan of Viola Grace’s books!
One of the highlights of the weekend was an opportunity to chat with Nalini Singh about her Psy Changelings and Guild Hunters. She keeps her secrets secret regarding the future of her characters!
Authors and readers traveled from all over the US and from as far away as New Zealand and Israel to attend the Get Together.
Mahalo, Amelia, for sharing your recap! This is the one drawback to living in Hawaii - I miss the smaller conventions that offer intimate moments with favorite authors!
Have you been to a "book convention" or "book signing" - large or small, share your experience! One randomly selected commenter will win a choice of books from my RWA stash (RWA is hosting its National Convention from June 27 - July 1 in NYC ... I'll post my recaps the following week).
Mahalo,
Kim in Tampa
I have never even been to a book signing.
ReplyDeleteLucky you though you get to travel so much,
enjoy every minute of it.
Marjorie
cenya2 at hotmail dot com
I forgot to mention that the Get Together donates money to local charities.
ReplyDeleteI have never been to a book convention or an author signing, but I do hope to do attend one soon.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait!!! Although it is more than one year away, I am making plans with one of my fellow bloggers to attend AAD in New Orleans in 2012!!!
ReplyDeleteI haven't-- but I really, really want to!
ReplyDeleteI've never been to a book convention, but I'd love to go. Maybe in 2012. Your weekend sounds like a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Amelia!
ReplyDeleteThe last one I attended was Jayne Ann Krentz' workshop in which she discussed many different aspects of writing and the publishing business.
I'm debating whether to attend one next week that has three YA authors.
I attended the RWA Literacy signing last year in Orlando. It was my first signing and I had a blast. It was very overwhelming at first but everyone was so nice. This year I'm attending the Authors Afterdark con in Philly and I can't wait.
ReplyDeleteI have been to a book signing. I feel like a kid in a candy store. So much to see and do. Hard to pick out just a few books. debby236 at aol dot com
ReplyDeletei've never been to any book signing. sigh..
ReplyDeleteit's always fun reading blogs about it :)
I have been to the RT convention three times (Daytona Beach, Houston and Orlando). That was so much fun. I have also been to two multi-author book signings. One in Tampa ages ago and one two years ago near Orlando. I also attended a German romance conference twice.
ReplyDeleteNo, but would love to some day! :D Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteJohanna J
I haven't yet but promise myself I will definitely be at one in 2012. :) It must be an amazing feeling to meet so many talented Authors and meeting so many readers. Not to mention those "goodie bags". :)
ReplyDeleteCarol L
Lucky4750@aol.com