A Bunch of This and That
Jul
24
2009

I know I’ve been scarce, deadlines, conferences and some health stuff going on with someone close to me has left me with little extra time of late.

Today the lovely folks at Book Binge are giving away a copy of Laid Bare!  Casee also took the time to post a wonderful review so thank you!

I have a report back from National but I need to finish this book first. In the meantime – here’s a pic or two…

Me at the Literacy Booksigning! They raised over 60K for charity! It wouldn’t be possible without the publishers who donated the books – thank you so much to Berkley who sent out copies of Relentless and Harlequin, who sent Vegas…After Dark. 500+ authors signing and hundreds upon hundreds of readers who came out for it. I saw earlier today that they’d estimated a thousand people had shown up. Now imagine what that sounds like. …  Yeah, I had a headache for two days. Still, despite being overwhelming, it was a lot of fun. I also participated in the Berkley signing a few days later and was cleaned out in about fifteen minutes or so. Nora Roberts and JAK had their own tables and the lines were ridiculously long, but it goes to show you just how much both these women really connect with readers.

  And sure, okay, part of any author conference also looks like this – lemondrops on the night before the conference begins. Lemondrops became the signature drink of my particular conference posse (you know those people you run into over and over when you’re at a conference, LOL).

The Rogue Digital Workshop was very well attended with 90 people at one count (not including the panel) and so I find any claims that no one cares about digital publishing to be false. I can’t take credit for any of it as I just showed up where they told me. All the credit goes to Angela James, Jane Litte, Kassia Krozser and Sarah Wendell who put the entire thing together and procured the funding to get a room. Books On Board gave away awesome coupons for books, some people won 200 bucks worth of books! Red Sage also donated funds and **Sourcebooks** donated cupcakes in honor of Kassia’s birthday (thanks to Angie for the info!) (hello, I’m totally won over right there). I learned a lot and I sincerely hope these ladies do more next year because they had a lot of great information to give.

Parties were lovely. Lunch chicken was atrocious like whoa, though the marriott staff were really helpful and the hotel itself was lovely, in a really beautiful DC neighborhood. Feet hurt for days. My hair was a constant struggle because of the humidity. But I met so many people, had many lovely conversations and all in all, I think it was a very good conference. 

More later on specific stuff, but for now, I’m back to work!

13 comments to “A Bunch of This and That”

  1. Linda Henderson
    July 24th, 2009 at 11:22 am · Link

    I’ve not read any digital books, but would be willing to try them.

    Linda Henderson



  2. Chris
    July 24th, 2009 at 12:17 pm · Link

    I’ve been reading a lot of ebooks lately, including Even Demons Get the Blues by Maree Anderson, which is a Red Sage book – it was darn good. 🙂



  3. Blanche
    July 24th, 2009 at 12:22 pm · Link

    Wow it sounds like it was busy, fun and hectic! Great pics! I also read a lot of ebooks, I have more print but I’m working pretty hard to even it up with ebooks! :mrgreen:



  4. Valerie
    July 24th, 2009 at 12:49 pm · Link

    I always get html formats when possible because I have a wonderful little gadget called an ebookwise reader. I got it when I was in the States a few years ago and I LOVE it. Now I can load it up with books and I have plenty to read on the train to work and I don’t have to carry two or three heavy paperbacks.

    Though I do sometimes.

    I love hearing about the conferences and seeing pics. You look lovely!!!!



  5. Angela James
    July 24th, 2009 at 2:13 pm · Link

    Sourcebooks was kind enough to donate the cupcakes, in honor of Kassia’s birthday, which was the day before. All the support we got for the workshop was amazing!



  6. Collette
    July 24th, 2009 at 2:42 pm · Link

    That’s a great picture of you! Now you just need plenty of rest. 😉



  7. Mary Preston
    July 24th, 2009 at 5:00 pm · Link

    I read e-books from time to time. I still prefer , & always will I imagine, the thrill of opening up a book to find what’s inside. A book in hand is magic.



  8. Mitzi Hinkey
    July 24th, 2009 at 5:16 pm · Link

    I would love to read them, but do not have a ereader yet and with the economy so bad where I live, (CA) and my husband a builder/me a realtor, I just can’t justify it’s purchase. If I had one, I would be reading ebooks, because there are many stories available (especially erotic novels) that are not in print.

    Mitzi



  9. alba
    July 24th, 2009 at 8:09 pm · Link

    I’m glad you had a great time next year I am planing on attending the RWA in Nashville with a group on ladies that I have never met face to face but are the best lasses I know…..
    Have a good one.



  10. Karin
    July 25th, 2009 at 4:57 am · Link

    I have some books in pdf on my computer – would love to get a Kindle some day! But I still carry a large stack of books with me when we travel.



  11. Fedora
    July 25th, 2009 at 5:41 am · Link

    Thanks for the update, Lauren–sounded like a great day and a terrificly (sp?!) successful fundraising!



  12. Lea
    July 25th, 2009 at 8:54 am · Link

    Take Care Lauren!

    Best
    L 😀



  13. azteclady
    July 25th, 2009 at 9:15 am · Link

    I loved the Rogue Digital Workshop, and all the panelists.

    I’m still in awe at how quickly it was put together, and how professionally it was presented. Kudos to ALL the people involved.