Romantic Times Conference -Wrap up

Lisa's Blog Uncategorized 51 Comments

Hi Everyone –

I just got home from my first RT conference.  I learned SO much and had a blast meeting many writers that I only knew online.  I also got to meet Liz from my new publisher, Entangled Publishing, so that was fun too!

I’ve been to plenty of writer’s conferences in the past, but this was the first one I’ve ever attended that also invited readers.  I really enjoyed the mix of people.  Readers, librarians, booksellers and writers were all there.  It was interesting in some of the panels to hear the feedback from readers about what they like, etc.

I also enjoyed that this conference made time for parties and opportunities to mingle and meet people.  Usually I’m so focused on workshops, that I miss out on chatting with other writers, reviewers, etc.

So here are some of the highlights… 🙂

 

<—  This is my roommate Cori & I at the Fairie Ball…  We were so sparkly! LOL

 

 

  

I was super lucky to get to see Dean Koontz speak about the “Craft of Writing”…  A fire alarm went off during the workshop and half of the attendees evactuated before hotel security informed us that it was a false alarm…  I ended up with a front row seat and a picture with my new BFF…  Dean Koontz!!! 🙂

I had so much fun at the FF&P cocktail party at the top of the Bonaventure Hotel!  We had a ton of laughs and even a view of the famous Hollywood sign!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was a huge highlight for me!!!  I got to meet Jimmy Thomas who was the cover model for my Across the Veil cover.  He was such a cool down to earth guy!  Plus he looks amazing in a tank top, right? LOL

And speaking of cover models, RT hosts a contest during the conference called Mr. Romance.  About 10 guys are competing for votes and the winner gets a modeling contract for romance novel covers.  I was shocked by their diva attitudes!  Yow! 

We sat with one of the contestants at our dinner table during the Faerie Ball.  This guy went out of his way to be sure we all knew that everyone thought he was sexy.  It was so lame!  At one point he stepped out to get a glass of wine and when he got back he plopped into his chair with an over-dramatic sigh and said, “I got stopped for pictures about 10 times on the way back.  I can’t even get a glass of wine.”

Oh please!  Woe is you for being hot…  LOL  We all rolled our eyes.  He might as well be saying “Is there a more presumptuous person than myself?”

Except he’d need to know what “presumptuous” meant! 🙂

Other than their rotten attitudes and raunchy dance moves, the cover models didn’t leave enough of an impression on me.  I didn’t give any of them my vote.  I just want to be clear that these were guys trying to “become” cover models.  Jimmy  Thomas, the guy on my cover, was very professional and nothing like the Mr. Romance contestants.

 We had such a blast at the Vampire Ball!!!  We even found a Werewolf! LOL

So RT was a huge success.  I had a great meeting with an agent, and made some contacts with some book reviewers and amazing authors!!!  I’m exhausted, and after 3 nights of dancing until midnight, I feel like my legs could pop off at any moment like Mr. Potato Head! LOL

I’m still editing the Forgotten Treasures anthology and Night Walker! 🙂

Great reviews are starting to trickle in for Across the Veil too!  YAY!!! 🙂  Here are some links if you’re interested…

http://werevampsromance.blogspot.com/2011/03/review-across-veil-by-lisa-kessler.html

http://kayleigh-m-books.blogspot.com/2011/03/reviews-across-veil.html

http://thetruebookaddict.blogspot.com/2011/03/novel-glimpses-3-last-queen-across-veil.html

And a video review here! 🙂

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ok6sNSFNBU&feature=player_embedded

Thanks for reading!!!  I can’t tell you how exciting it is to work on my book and know Night Walker will be out in the world soon!!!  I can’t wait to show you the amazing cover they’ve been working on over at Entangled Publishing…  SO amazing!!!

Have a great week!

Lisa 🙂

I’ll sign off with some of the Mr. Romance  contestants performing YMCA….  Magical, huh? LOL

 

 

 

 

(For Marvin we had “A More Presumptuous Person than Myself?”, the male contestant’s attitudes were “rotten”, and I even included Mr. Potato Head! 🙂 )

51 Comments

  1. Lynn Rush April 11, 2011 at 6:03 am

    Wow. Sounds like an awesome time! I hope to go to that conference next year!! Loved the pictures. Thanks for sharing. I feel a little bit like I was there! 🙂

    1. Lisa Kessler April 11, 2011 at 10:20 pm

      Yay!!! I was hoping you might feel like you were there with me! 🙂

      It was a great conference that allowed for meeting and actually talking with lot sof people. I really enjoyed it!!!

      I hope I can go next year too… *fingers crossed* Thanks for reading and commenting Lynn!

      Lisa

  2. Jennifer Spiller April 11, 2011 at 6:14 am

    Love the image I have of those future cover model dudes. So, the picture of the hero doesn’t exactly correspond to an actual hero, eh?

    1. Lisa Kessler April 11, 2011 at 11:03 pm

      Hi Jennifer –

      Well Jimmy Thomas was as wonderful as I imagined he would be, but the “Mr. Romance” contestants left quite a bit to be desired! LOL

      Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting!

      Lisa 🙂

  3. Marvin Martian April 11, 2011 at 6:48 am

    8 points Earthling! Interesting conference to say the least! 🙂

    1. Lisa Kessler April 11, 2011 at 11:21 pm

      Thanks for the points Marvin!!! 🙂

      You know you could’ve beaten all those Mr. Romance contestants… You and your martian kilt! Shew! They never owuld have stood a chance! LOL

      Have a great week…

      Lisa 🙂

  4. Zrinka Jelic April 11, 2011 at 6:51 am

    It was a great event indeed. Would’ve love to see the mister drama queen and laugh out loud to his attitude.

    So sorry I missed it. I didn’t even know thia was going on. In any event most likely woulnd’t be able to attend all the way here from Canada.

    1. Lisa Kessler April 11, 2011 at 11:24 pm

      Hi Zrinka –

      I’m sorry you missed it too! I met two wonderful book reviewers there who came all the way from Australia!!! *boggle* I was blown away!

      It’s a really great conference if you ever get the chance to go. I think it’s in Chicago next year…

      Thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting!!!

      Lisa 🙂

  5. Stacy McKitrick April 11, 2011 at 6:55 am

    How awesome was it getting your pic taken with Dean Koontz? I’ve been a fan of his for YEARS!!! I think I’m jealous…

    I went to RT in Columbus last year (since it was only an hour away). Next year I hear it’s in Chicago – so I’ll probably be there (only about a 4 hour drive). I wish I could have gone this year (but it was just too far), especially being a Southern California girl myself (born & raised). Glad you had fun!

    1. Lisa Kessler April 11, 2011 at 11:54 pm

      Hi Stacy!!! *waving*

      I was walking on air after meeting Dean Koontz!!! I’ve also been a fan of his work for years… 🙂 It never would have happened if it hadn’t have been for the false fire alarm!!! LOL

      I did have a great time!!! I hope I can go next year too, but I’ll have to wait and see… *fingers crossed*

      THanks for stopping by my blog and commenting…. Have a great week!

      Lisa 🙂

  6. Elen April 11, 2011 at 6:56 am

    Sounds like you had a great time, Lisa. Thanks for sharing some moments with us, and welcome back!

    1. Lisa Kessler April 13, 2011 at 10:15 pm

      Thank you Elen!!! It was a great time, but I still feel like I’m playing catch-up since I got home! LOL Maybe after this weekend… 🙂

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting!!!

      Lisa 🙂

  7. Amber Keller April 11, 2011 at 7:03 am

    What an awesome time! I have to say I’m jealous about your picture and experience with your new BFF, Dean Koontz. Lol! All joking aside, I’m very excited for you. He’s an icon for me.

    Thank you for sharing your time and photos with us. I have not had the chance to go to a conference, and with 3 children, it will probably be a long time coming. Until then, I shall live vicariously through you and others like you. 😉

    Have a great day!

    1. Lisa Kessler April 13, 2011 at 10:17 pm

      I’m happy to have you live vicariously through me! LOL I hope you’ll be able to get out to a writer’s conference though! They’re really worthwhile, even if it’s just meeting all the other writers you chat with online…

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting!!!

      Lisa 🙂

  8. Maeve Greyson April 11, 2011 at 10:23 am

    It was so nice to finally meet you in person, Lisa!! RT was a fantastic time but I’m like you – I’m too pooped to pop!

    1. Lisa Kessler April 13, 2011 at 10:17 pm

      I’m exhausted from RT too!!! It’s like I lost a week… LOL

      It was great to meet you too Maeve!!! I wish you the best with your book too! 🙂

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

      Lisa

  9. Cheryl April 11, 2011 at 10:38 am

    It sounds like you had a great time. My friend and I had to miss it this year so it is great to read the blogs about RT in LA.

    I’m so sorry to hear about your experience with the cover model entrant that sat at your table … I hope they all didn’t act like that. I have to say that my friends and I have not run into that kind of diva behavior with the models who have sat at our tables in the past. Maybe it’s something in the water in LA, hmmm. On the other hand, in Houston our table scared the poor guy half to death with our raunchy talk. Several of us being “grandmother” age does have it’s perks. LOL

    Hope to meet you in Chicago next year.

    1. Lisa Kessler April 13, 2011 at 10:19 pm

      Oh I hope I’ll get to go to Chicago next year!!! *fingers crossed*

      Maybe the models will be a little less self-centered? LOL

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting Cheryl!!!

      Lisa 🙂

  10. Christine Ashworth April 11, 2011 at 10:45 am

    I completely forgot about the FF&P party – too dumb! It was awesome meeting you, Lisa – here’s to next year!

    1. Lisa Kessler April 13, 2011 at 10:20 pm

      SO fun to meet you too Christine!!! 🙂 Sorry you missed the FF&P Party though! We had fun!

      Hope I get to go next year…. Are you heading to RWA this summer?

      Thanks for commenting!

      Lisa 🙂

  11. JoAnne Kenrick April 11, 2011 at 11:36 am

    Sounds, and looks, like you had a fantastic time — sure hope you are going next year, too, so we can meet up 🙂 And Jimmy, WOWza, he looks awesome in a tank top!! Thanks for sharing some photos, major RT envy going on here hehe

    1. Lisa Kessler April 13, 2011 at 10:21 pm

      Isn’t Jimmy totally yummy??? YOW!!! And he was so nice and easy to talk to!!! Nice guy!

      I hope I’ll get to go to RT next year! I’d love to meet-up with you!!! 🙂

      THanks for stopping by and commenting!

      *HUGS*

      Lisa 🙂

  12. Kinley Baker April 11, 2011 at 12:59 pm

    Thanks for posting about your experience at RT, Lisa! Oh man! I can’t deal with egotistical males in real life (egotistical magical men in fiction are another story)… lol. I’ve heard the Mr. Romance contestants were nice at past RTs. Sorry to hear. Let’s hope the Chicago contestants are hot and humble. I’d take humble over hot any day. I’m looking forward to attending for the first time next year!

    1. Lisa Kessler April 13, 2011 at 10:22 pm

      Definitely humble over hot! LOL

      RT was definitely worth attending!!! I hope I’ll get to go next year… We could meet up!!! FUN!!!

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

      Lisa 🙂

  13. RKCharron April 11, 2011 at 3:56 pm

    Hi Lisa 🙂
    Thank you for sharing some of the amazing time you had at RT11.
    Thanks also for the pictures!
    All the best,
    Rob

    1. Lisa Kessler April 13, 2011 at 10:23 pm

      Hi Rob! *waving*

      Glad you enjoyed the pictures!!! I failed to mention it in the blog, but there were quite a few male authors at the convention! So if you get the chance, don’t hesitate to make an appearance! It was definitely worth the trip…

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting!!!

      Lisa 🙂

  14. Linda G. April 11, 2011 at 3:58 pm

    I’m more impressed with Dean Koontz than with the Mr. Romance contestants. Your cover model is hot, though. 😉

    1. Lisa Kessler April 13, 2011 at 10:24 pm

      Wasn’t Jimmy something??? *dreamy sigh*

      And Dean Koontz was much more impressive than the dudes who thought they were hot! LOL

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting Linda!!!

      Lisa 🙂

  15. Sandra Allan April 11, 2011 at 4:33 pm

    Great blog and pickies L. Dean Koontz oooooooo I’m sooooo jealous and your new bff! Beeatch!
    You looked like you had a blast. Pity about the ego at the table.
    I’m so excited for you. Hugs on being forced to have your picture taken with your cover model – hard work but someone’s got to do it. ; ))

    1. Lisa Kessler April 13, 2011 at 10:26 pm

      LOL I know right??? Getting to put my arm around Jimmy Thomas was such a chore… *wink wink* NOT! 🙂

      It was a super conference! I’m so glad I went…

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting Sandra!!! Always good to see you!!!

      Lisa 🙂

  16. Shelley Munro April 11, 2011 at 5:46 pm

    It sounds as if you had a great time, Lisa. Congrats on the good reviews too 🙂

    1. Lisa Kessler April 13, 2011 at 10:27 pm

      Thank you Shelley!!! THe reviews are very encouraging!!! SHew! 🙂

      And the RT conference was super!!! You should definitely go if you get the chance…

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

      Lisa 🙂

  17. joysann April 11, 2011 at 9:08 pm

    Thanks for sharing, Lisa! I’ve enjoyed your report. Glad you had a good time.

    1. Lisa Kessler April 15, 2011 at 10:25 pm

      Thanks Joysann!!! 🙂

      Glad you enjoyed the pictures! 🙂 Thanks for commenting!

      Lisa

  18. Lorien Velez April 11, 2011 at 9:11 pm

    Good for you, Lisa! That’s a great photo of you and Jimmy Thomas. Will definitely have to check out RT2012. Thanks for sharing the fun. 🙂

    1. Lisa Kessler April 15, 2011 at 10:27 pm

      Isn’t Jimmy yummy??? Yow!!! And he was so nice too! Seemed very real…

      Definitely go to RT if you get the chance! I hope I’ll get to go next year… *fingers crossed*

      Thanks for commenting Lorien!

      Lisa 🙂

  19. Michelle @ The True Book Addict April 11, 2011 at 10:45 pm

    Wow…looks like you had a great time! And you looked so good, especially on the “themed” nights. 🙂 Your cover model is beyond hunky! So glad to hear that he wasn’t a diva like those other ones. Still so excited for you about being published…you really deserve your chance!

    1. Lisa Kessler April 15, 2011 at 10:29 pm

      Awww thanks Michelle!!!! *HUGS* I can’t wait to share the book with everyone!!! I’m deep in edits right now, but I think it’ll be really polished and ready when I’m finished… *fingers crossed*

      Jimmy, my cover model, was very hunky! LOL I saw him in the tank top and got all nervous to ask for a picture! 🙂 Yeesh! LOL

      THanks for commenting Michelle!!! I think you would love RT if you ever get the chance to go… Lots of programming for book bloggers and reviewers… It was a really great conference! 🙂

      Have a wonderful weekend…

      Lisa 🙂

  20. Cori April 12, 2011 at 12:25 am

    Thanks for making my RT experience magical, Lisa! You are the greatest roomie a girl could ever ask for. You even loaned me your sparkly eye shadow when I was heading to the faery ball with naked lids!

    As for my first impression of RT: the dancing rocked, the classes were informative, and the agent and editor appointments were plentiful. Thank you for showing me the ropes and introducing me to so many wonderful writers. And you’re so right about the contestants. Remember the one who lamented the fact he was on his fourth pen for autographs? *snort*

    1. Lisa Kessler April 15, 2011 at 10:32 pm

      Awwww thanks Cori!!! I thought you were a pretty terrific roomie too!!! I had such a wonderful time and I never could have afforded to make the trip alone, so thanks again for splitting the room with me! 🙂

      The Mr. Romance contestant were something else! LOL Yeesh!

      I’d be happy to room with you again anytime! 🙂

      Lisa

  21. J. Rose Allister April 12, 2011 at 12:59 am

    What a fun writeup….and man, no good on the diva-esque wannabes! No quicker way to turn me off, and good for you for not giving any your vote. They want a contract, they should take a lesson from the guy who was there already in the shoes they hope to fill!

    Glad you had a fun time!

    1. Lisa Kessler April 16, 2011 at 9:37 pm

      Thank you!!! I had a blast and made some great contacts!!! 🙂

      I hope I can go again next year…

      Thanks for commenting!

      Lisa 🙂

  22. Marie Andreas April 13, 2011 at 7:39 pm

    Back! I was on here yesterday but couldn’t comment from work! Great blog and great photos- wish I could have gone to the parties now! Although….where is your steampunk mustache photo?! HMMMMM? 😉

    1. Lisa Kessler April 16, 2011 at 9:38 pm

      Hee! I forgot about my moustasche photo from the steampunk party! LOL

      I took that with my phone and posted it on facebook so I didn’t have it on my computer to upload here… I’m such a techno-weenie! 🙂

      I wish you were at the parties too!!! I missed hanging out with you!

      Lisa

  23. Lex Valentine April 13, 2011 at 9:45 pm

    It was wonderful to meet you at the book fair, Lisa! And I pretty much had the same take on the Mr. Romance guys except for David who was really sweet and didn’t spend the 5 minutes I was with him talking about himself! LOL

    1. Lisa Kessler April 16, 2011 at 9:39 pm

      Ha! You must’ve had the one Mr. ROmance who had a clue! LOL

      It was great meeting you Lex!!! I hope you have a fabulous RT…

      Thanks for commenting!!!

      Lisa 🙂

  24. Ciara Knight April 14, 2011 at 3:59 am

    I’ve been curious about RT for a long time. It will be a great distance for me to travel, but I’d LOVE to go next year. You, Lynn, and I will have to meet in person! 🙂
    I’m so excited for your contract with Entangled Publishing. I think it could be a GREAT place to be. 🙂 Off to buy, Across the Veil. 🙂

    1. Ciara Knight April 14, 2011 at 4:12 am

      I’m such a silly girl. I already have your book. LOL Thank goodness Kindle is smarter than me. 🙂 I haven’t picked up a book in a month because of deadlines. I ordered it March 17th. Now, I can’t wait to read it!

      1. Lisa Kessler April 16, 2011 at 9:40 pm

        Hee! I do that too Ciara!!! LOL Good thing Amazon remembers for us, right? 😀

        Thanks for commenting!!! And I hope you enjoy Across the Veil!!!

        Lisa

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