I had the most fun at RT on Friday. My presentation was over, and I could just relax. It always takes me a couple of days to get into the swing of thing at conferences, and I hit my stride on Friday.

I started off the day by going to two urban fantasy panels and listening to folks like Kim Harrison, Jackie Kessler, and Mark Henry talk about the genre. Very cool stuff. I also introduced myself to Jackie and Mark after the first panel (we’re all members of Fangs, Fur, and Fey).

BTW, Kim Harrison looks just how I picture her character Rachel Morgan, except for Rachel’s freckles. But who knows? Maybe Kim has a charm to hide her freckles, just like Rachel does in the Hollows books. :joecool:

Then, it was time for the big awards luncheon, which I decided to go to at the last minute. I sat next to Robyn DeHart, who’s a fellow member of Smoky Mountain Romance Writers, and Pamela Kinney. We had fun talking about (what else) books and authors.

After lunch, I hung out with Wheezley (the significant other) for a while. Then, I went to the big editor and agent panel, hoping to put some faces with names. But it was so crowded I left after a few minutes. I ran into Jackie Kessler again and Michelle Rowen. The three of us hung out and talked for a while about books, authors, and our respective accents. I’m a southern girl, while Michelle is from Canada, and Jackie hails from New York. Other folks drifted by, including Jeri Smith-Ready and Rachel Vincent. (Jackie and Rachel probably thought I was stalking them by the end of the conference. I kept running into them. In the hall, in the bathroom, everywhere).

Later, I spotted Rachel talking with Kim Harrison and her husband, so I bucked up my inner fangirl and went and said hello to Kim and told her how cool I think her titles and books are. Kim is also writing a young adult urban fantasy series, which I’ll have to add to my TBR pile.

I ran into Susan Helene Gottfried again and Ann the librarian (who last name I cannot remember at the moment). We hung out for a while and talked about books.

Then, it was time for the Vampire Ball, where I ran into Christine McKay and Trista Ann Michaels again. After the ball started, I ended up sitting out in the hallway with Robyn DeHart and just people watching for a while. Once again, some of the costumes were just amazing.

That’s one of the things I love about conferences — there’s always something to see and do and people to meet and talk to. After people watching, I went upstairs to bed and got ready for the big Saturday book fair.

Up next: More RT.

After exploring Pittsburgh on Thursday afternoon, Wheezley decided to nap, so I went to the annual Fairy Ball.

I’d heard a lot of folks liked to dress up for the evening events at RT, but frankly, I don’t have any costumes and it was one less thing I had to worry about packing. So I went downstairs in my pink sweater and black pants — and stuck out like a sore thumb.

Wow. Almost everyone was in some sort of costume or other (or a nice dress). And lots of the costumes were really impressive. Wings, glitter, bright colors, tiaras. I’m not at all creative or talented when it comes to costumes/clothing. Seriously, the most exciting thing in my wardrobe are the ten pairs of black pants/shoes I have. But there are lots of people who are creative, and they were at RT. I stood in line behind one lady who said she went to a welder and got him to make fairy wings for her. Really cool.

During the ball, I meet the very funny Christine McKay. I also saw Trista Ann Michaels, who I know from Smoky Mountain Romance Writers (of which I’m a member) and from various events we’ve been at together. And of course, I spotted other authors all dolled up in fairy gear. Overall, a fun night.

Up next: More RT.

After I did my workshop Thursday morning, Wheezley (the siginificant other) and I decided to get out and see Pittsburgh.

Our first stop was lunch at Grille 36, the restaurant owned by former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis. Wheezley is a big Steelers fan, so this was a must-stop for us. The weather was so nice, we decided to sit outside and people watch. Our waiter was a bit of a space cadet, but lunch was good. I had mac & cheese, and Wheezley got a salad. I use that word loosely, though, since it was topped with steak. And blue cheese. And French fries!

Somehow, Wheezley found out about the Carnegie Science Museum — and the fact they have a submarine. He’s really, really into history, so that was another must-stop. After lunch, we walked over to the museum. We went down to the submarine first, which was very, very tiny inside. After that, it was back up to the science museum, where we pushed the buttons on all the interactive displays, peered at the fish tanks, walked around a huge model railroad, and enjoyed all the other sights. (I would share some pictures, but Word Press is not cooperating right now).

Then, we were off to walk by Heinz Field, take pictures of the stadium (which I lovingly refer to as God’s Mustard Bowl), and explore some more. I went down one of the ramps and stuck my hand in the Allegheny River just to say that I’d done that, then we strolled across the Robert Clemente bridge, around Point State Park, and back to the hotel.

Lots of walking, and I had to soak my feet afterwards, but we had a lot of fun. All in all, it was one of the best days we’ve ever had on vacation. I’d recommend a trip to Pittsburgh, especially if you’re a football or baseball fan. Lots to see and do, it’s easy to get around, and it’s very clean and safe.

Up next: More RT stuff.

All right. Let’s talk about the fun stuff — the convention itself. I’ve been to the annual RWA conference a couple times now, but this was my first RT. Everybody says the two events are completely different.

They’re right.

RWA is definitely more business-oriented than RT, which is more about fans and fun. But at their core, both events celebrate books, readers, authors, and great stories, which makes them pretty awesome to me. :bubbles:

The first day, Wednesday, after checking in, registering, and all that fun stuff, I was going down to the bar to meet some of the Fangs, Fur, and Fey folks (of which I’m a member). But I got to the bar and saw Justin Knupp of Stonecreek Media Inc. instead.

Justin is the creative genius who designed my Web site (and dozens of others for various authors). He was having dinner with Sharon Long aka Maya Banks, so I sat with them, and we talked about the convention and books and the publishing business for a couple of hours. We also waxed poetic about all the authors and books we enjoy. There was much love given to Jim Butcher and Patricia Briggs, among other fantasy folks. Good times.

BTW, Maya’s books sound really interesting — sexy Southern contemporaries. I’ll have to put her on my to-be-read list.

After that, it was getting late and I was tired, so I went upstairs to get ready for my Thursday presentation. Day One was in the books.

Up next: More RT stuff.