Here's the thing: Just cause I don't fling digitally all the outrageous stuff I learn and see at romance conferences, doesn't mean I don't get a kick out of dishing about it privately.‘struth, I dig some juicy gossip as much as the next Pollyanna who'll admit it. But, as my very fave adage - and the very classy motto I try to live by - is "One don't poop where one eats," I opt for spilling the catty trash solely with my trusted girls. A chick's gotta blow off some steam, know wha'm sayin'?
That being typed, you will be happy - or perhaps disappointed - to know there was absolutely no drama to be had this past weekend at the Fourth Annual Lori Foster Reader and Author Get Together.
Exactly no authors and or industry professionals got outrageously snockered and pitched hissy.
No married guys groped unsuspecting authors in the bar.
And, sorry to have to report that, while there was Greek dancing going on, there were no actual Greek-God types stripped to the waist and greased up for the sensual edification of Get Together attendees. So, maybe I do have one bone to pick with Ms. Foster after all.
Yes, there were, in fact, no Divas Behaving Badly. But what the Get Together did have was truly shocking: Almost 300 authors and readers gathering to - brace ya'selves - talk about romance novels. Yup. Old and new faves, the best heroes, why we love re
ading them, how they make us feel. Just women and men who love reading and writing romance, getting together to share the love, to laugh, to eat too much, to happily spend more money on books and raffles to benefit charities than they'd planned.
This, folks, is what Romance conferences and romance reading are all about. Sure, it's a grand way to shamelessly self-promote; I was there, wasn't I? But dig this: On top of the wicked-mega good karma generated, the G
et Together raised
- $4500 for a center for the Conductive Learning Center of Grtr. Cincinnati
- $1,000+ for Lori's fave animal shelter
- $500+ for the troops, plus toiletries/supplies donated by attendees
- Plus, Barnes and Noble will donate 15% of book sales from the event to the CLC!
It was an honor to be part of this event, to be welcomed by and meeting so many marvelous readers, and inviting them to join us here, Bellas. NEXT YEAR'S FOSTER/CASTELL GET TOGETHER IS JUNE 5-7th, 2009 and I'll be there with flippin' bells on. For a really low registration rate and awesome rooms at a tremendous discount, this event is one you'll want to consider attending.
Lori Foster, Dianne Castell and the authors who contributed to "The Power of Love" anthology benefiting a battered women's shelter will be here later in the month! It'll be a kind of reunion day for Get Together '08 attendees, too, so you'll want to be here to mee
t/greet and talk romance with them - what we're here for every day, no?
Encore! Special praise needs to be given to all the volunteers who made the Get Together run smoothly, and ensured its great success! You rock!
Encore due! We've enjoyed Lori's stories about her sons and husband, Alan. Well, lemmee tell you that getting to spend a little time with Lori's squeeze proves what we all thought: Lori and her husband really do have something special going on.
Encore tre! Our very own Bella Stacy was at the Foster event! She let me hang with her and her cool friends a little. We had dinner, talked a lot about sex and romance books and -- and this really ticks me off! -- they took me to a book store and made me -- horrors! -- actually 
purchase books. grrr... What a great group of chicks!
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comments
How wonderful! I'd love to use whatever tour guide knowledge I may possess to be used towards romantic ends! drop me a line at leanna_hieber@hotmail.com with any questions! Cheers!
Stacy thanks so much for the tips.
Kristina, you girls are giving me so many choices that I believe I will have to convince my husband to see more than one show. I will write and get some more tips of New York.
Leanna, are you sure you are offering me help? lol I will really enjoy some help on planning my "magic trip". Why magic? It will be our 10th anniversary and the first time we'll travel without the kids.
Hang in there with that house closing. Homes sales and moving can be WAY stressful on the body. But I know you're going to love the Windy City and having Stacy nearby will be wonderful for you. You won't feel alone. Oh wait, you've got all of us here, how could you possibly be alone, unless of course it's with Fabio. GOD I LOVED that video! LOL
Thanks, you too! *laugh* Yeah, I got pretty excited there and when that happens I think I could power a 3rd world country. :)
Belle,
I'll echo Stacy's vote for "Wicked", "Jersey Boys" and "Spamalot" - all good. "In the Heights" is great too, it's the "RENT" of this age. The kiddies love "Spring Awakening" but I'm ambivalent. "Passing Strange" is up for a Tony award, it's a rock musical. As for plays, I'm out of the loop, which is shameful considering I'm member of Actor's Equity. Eeesh. If you have other NYC questions drop me a line @ my website, www.leannareneehieber.com because I work as a NYC tour guide. And if you haven't done the Top of The Rock (top of Rockefeller)yet, you must.
But, first and foremost, I’m a reader and chatting books and being a fan girl is what makes my day. Thanks for brining Ann Christopher to the table too. She is a doll.
Anyway, Rhianna! Can I tell you how much fun I had with you? And now can I apologize because [looking sheepish and ashamed] I didn't make the connection between you and your marvelous book and the fact that you've visited with us before. I know you understand that I was a little out of it because my mom had gone into the hospital and my husband and I were in the middle of bidding on a house. But I'm pretty mortified I didn't thank you for visiting with us here.
Judy F writes: *Remember if you need help with Stacy come see me.* Wow, Judy, you're a Giver! You really fit in around here with the rest of the Givers who are more than happy to take off my hand those extra ARCs, or to help me get off my chest any secret tidbits I'm carrying around about upcoming blockbusters. Givers, all of you! I'm a lucky girl... :)
It was a rare treat to be able chat with you at the conference. It was a fun time, and I was in awe of your unfailing smile and purple purse. Loved them both.
I can claim the I drew the lucky straw, when she decided to join our table for the conference. It was great to meet you and talk romance and books.
I hope you mom is doing great.
Rhianna Samuels
Michelle, cornering someone to read a romance is exhilerating. I could become addicted to it.
Leanna, you were like the energizer bunny, running those baskets to the winners. It was great meeting you - you have so much enthusiasm, and it's contagious.
Belle, I'm not much up on the plays, but have you seen "Wicked"? Loved it. I heard "Jersey Boys" is wonderful, and "Spamalot". Good luck, and have a wonderful trip.
Hi Amy, now everything is back to normal I believe.
Hi Michelle, everything is good in this side of the Equator. I still could read the blogs, so I read some of the guestblogs. I was in writer's mode anyways and I try to avoid the blogs while I am working. My deadline was last friday, so now I am free for a while again.
Ok Bellas, I have a question. Like I said before, on August I will make my first trip without the kids. We are going to New York. I am trying to choose one Broodway play to watch while I am in NY. Could you recommend a good play?
Michelle It was great meeting you. Remember if you need help with Stacy come see me. LOL Thanks for hanging with us saturday. I had so much fun all weekend.
My winning streak continues. LOL
Hope you can come again next year.