Walk into a Romance Novel Fantasy World.

Highlights from The Romance Novel Convention,

Las Vegas -  August 2013.

Everyone had the chance to rub shoulders with romance authors from every genre (NYT Best-selling to just published) and male cover models to get inspiration for that next book to read or write.

Lectures brought attendees the latest trends in the world of romance literature. Mark Coker founder of Smashwords presented as well as talent from all aspects of indie publishing.

The Costume Ball was glorious.

Jimmy Thomas and Amber Polo

 Almost everyone was outfitted in costume. From kilt to komono, every imaginable genre was represented. A costume rental room was available for last minute transformations into the romantic heroine or hero off your choice. 

   
 V.S. Nelson’s wedding ceremony added to the romance.

   

 

Jennifer's hero

Some authors hosted parties. I was lucky to win Jennifer Ashley’s grand prize bag filled with tons of books, bangles, and an ARC of “The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie,” due to be published Oct. 1.(I am thoroughly enjoying every page.)

Coming Oct. 1 2013

A room full of swag! Every imaginable giveaway. And the magnificent Raffle Baskets were on display. 
My swag space was stocked with free books and dog biscuits for attendees to take home to those best friends who couldn’t come along.

A Book Fair filled with authors, books and more books...

Morgan Kearns

Rhonda Plumhoff and Morgan Kearns

The formal Awards Ceremony, with true Vegas style included magic and quick change performances. Only one thing that would have made this evening more fun, if I would have have left with the gorgeous trophy for Best Paranormal Novel. Still I was thrilled and honored to see my photo and the “Released” cover on the big screen as a finalist.

Jimmy Thomas’ photographer Bruce Heinsius took head shots. I had a chance for photos by the man who photographed Charlie Sheen, John Voight, and some of Jimmy’s thousands of book cover images. Can’t wait to see the results!

More – the meal package was great and restaurants in the Golden Nugget wonderful. Favorites – ahi tuna at the Chart House and ginger crèam brulee at the Lillie’s Asian Cuisine. Plus a Starbucks and a little chocolate shop.

Grand finale evening featuring the four Mr. Casanova contenders.

Shawn, the tall Suitor won!

 

I also used the Vegas desert to research sharks for a new book and visited the Shark Tank Tour at the Golden Nugget and the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay. 

  Writers and Readers, put RNC on your calendar for 2014!

 More photos on Facebook

 

Romance Novel Convention in Las Vegas (August 2013) & the RONE!

I love conferences, conventions, workshops, and expos. I especially appreciate the organization that goes into planning and pulling off an event with so much creativity and attention it looks as if it fell together flawlessly. 

As a librarian I loved library conferences: books, new technology, books, lectures and meeting new and old friends. Did I mention books? As a library consultant I loved setting up booths, standing for 3-5 days (well, not that so much), demoing the new technology, meeting new and old friends and clients, competitors’ parties, entertaining, and swag. Library sway was always great (did you know?).

I also exhibited at law library conferences, whose parties and swag were really over the top. The books - not as much fun.

When I was involved in the world of dogs I loved the organization of dog shows that allowed over a thousand dogs to enter a myriad of classes and on the show day, all show up at the right time and place, judging takes place and like a fantastical elimination contest, and the day ends with one dog judged Best in Show. (It’s not that simple, but it still is amazing.)

Since I started writing, I’ve never attended a big romance writers’ conference. I’d heard about the Romance Novel Convention in Las Vegas for authors and readers of romance (August 7-11, 2013) and considered it was close enough for me to drive, but dithered. When Released finalled in the RONE (Reward Of Novel Excellence) contest hosted by  the classy InD'tale Magazine, I was told winners would be announced at the RNC. I checked the RNC website and was impressed with the organization and raw creativity Jimmy Thomas put into this first ever event.

It seems to have all the elements of a romance writers’ conference. Nationally knows speakers, parties for networking, book fair, raffle, prizes, swag bags and swag tables. (The RONE contest itself was masterfully planned and executed and deserves a post to itself.)

But some aspects were not so common. Reasonable prices for the conference and lodging in the convention hotel. A very creative food package. Practical programs for writers and reader. Nationally respected speakers (Bob Mayer, Jennifer Ashley, etc.). A costume ball (with opportunity to rent costumes) A professional photographer for headshots. Romance novelist Virginia Nelson’s wedding (how romantic is that!). And movies for when you’ve talked yourself hoarse.

And oh yes, male cover models will compete for a “Mr. Casanova Competition” (how appropriate – Casanova was a librarian.) Yes Jimmy Thomas, the organizer and host is a cover model, a great businessman, a smart and generous man, and not bad-looking. And he does grace over 5,000 romance novel covers.

Brilliant promo idea - Authors may rent the cover models to have them learn and perform a scene from their book. 

And  - the awards ceremony!!!!!!!

And for you dog lovers:

I’d love to interview Mike O’Hearn (7-time Fitness Male Model of the Year and a Mr. Casanova judge) about his rescue dogs. After they were used on a photo shoot, he took them home rather than hove them returned to the pound. Awwwe….