Eye opening! Exciting! Overwhelming!

All of these adjectives and more could be used to describe my first taste of the Romantic Times Readers Convention in New Orleans, LA, a few weeks ago. As I’m sure all first timers can attest.

As an introvert, being thrown into the midst of overflowing crowds of people is overwhelming—the noise, the lack of personal space, the pressure to always be ‘on’, the noise (ask me about the hotel lobby sometime…)

But the frenetic energy and enthusiasm of the readers attending both inspired and thrilled me. Every giddy smile and squee filled my writer’s happiness bubble that much more. Totally cool!

I participated in several events, including the Series Soiree for Harlequin authors. Then the Masquerade Oddities Emporium, where we decorated masks with feathers, jewels, and all manner of glittery goodness.

And my fellow Ruby Sisters Burlesque Revue, where the gorgeous Bella Blue from the New Orleans School of Burlesque  gave an incredible lesson in this sexy dance style (and a few on being comfortable in your body too). I’ll be posting a full blog on this next week.

This was also my first time to attend a print book signing! I actually sold a few copies and was asked to sign scrapbooks made by some visiting Australian readers who had included my book covers (I was told I had great eye candy!). I also got to meet my great neighbors on either side, romantic suspense author Julie Ann Walker and urban fantasy Carrie Vaughn . Both were very encouraging during those long, long hours.

As I expected, New Orleans was as beautiful as I remember from my last visit as a teenager.

Though my first trip to Bourbon Street was educational, I’m not sharing pictures or stories of those adventures… (too incriminating!)

As to the rest, tons of fun! That’s why its taken me a full 2 weeks to recover.

Have you ever been to a readers’ convention? What was your favorite part? What about New Orleans? I can’t wait to go back!

Dani