The RT16 Booklovers Convention in Las Vegas was a blast!

This is not my first RT Booklovers Convention, far from it, but this event never ceases to amaze me. As an author, it's uncanny to meet so many readers who recognize you and have read your books. Since I write in mixed niche genres, medieval fantasy romance and science fiction romance, I never expect a large crowd. Yet, somehow, it seems my readers love to go to RT every year... and they were all there.

The night events especially Viva la Historical and Cirque du Punk had incredible costumes, food, and circus entertainment. There were many pictures taken, but I don't want to use them without permission.

The Intergalactic Bar & Grille reader event with NYT best-selling author Linnea Sinclair (the queen of sci-fi romance) and a dozen mid-list authors like me, rocked the convention. We played games and cheered until our throats were raw. I died my hair purple for the event. You cannot really tell from the pictures, because of the lighting, but it is purple.

Jenifer Raniery (left) Book cover designer for DBP - Vijaya Schartz, author - Gail Delaney, publisher.

I also had breakfast with one of my publishers, Desert Breeze Publishing, from California, and their attending authors. We only meet at these kinds of events, so had to take a group picture. 

 

The giant book signing was incredible, and every single one of these 700+ participating authors sold several books that day. Here is my signing table towards the end. As you can see, very few books left. I gave out hundreds of postcards and promoted my April release (the small poster of Damsel of the Hawk on the table). And yes, these are mini peanut Reeses dark chocolates on the table.

 

These events are a big  expense of money, time and energy but they are certainly worth it if you can afford them. I do not attend every year, I usually skip a year or two, so no RT for me next year (in Dallas). This time it was at a driving distance from Arizona. Maybe sometime soon they'll have it in Phoenix. That would be cool.

In the meantime, happy reading. For me, it's back to the computer to start my next novel in the Curse of the Lost Isle series.

Vijaya Schartz

Blasters, Swords, Romance with a Kick

http://www.vijayaschartz.com

Meet in Vegas for the RT Booklovers Convention April 12-17, 2016

 

If you write popular fiction, you are probably familiar with RT BOOK REVIEWS MAGAZINE, and with their annual BOOKLOVERS CONVENTION. This year it will take place in LAS VEGAS, at the RIO HOTEL AND CASINO, and promises to be lots of fun. It always is.

I've been attending RT off and on since the turn of this millennium. Thousands of readers flock to meet their favorite authors and have fun in sumptuous dinners involving themes and costumes. This year, Vintage and Steampunk promise fantastic photos, with a CIRQUE DU PUNK costume contest. With food and drink flowing, and authors and readers cutting loose, there is never a dull moment. For authors, it's an opportunity to meet with readers of their particular genre, since so many are represented.

Beautiful Evening gowns at RT 2009 with authors from Arizona: From left to right: Christine Jones, Eden Robin, Vijaya Schartz, and Beverly Petrone (Chris and Bev write as a team as Tia Dani)

 Although RT (initially Romantic Times) started reviewing only Romance, it has now grown to encompass all genres of popular fiction. Yours truly will be co-hosting an event called THE INTERGALACTIC BAR AND GRILLE, with the queen of sci-fi romance, Linnea Sinclair, and a dozen dynamic authors of the subgenre. We will have games, prizes, food, drink, and will forge a friendly bond with the 300+ readers of this particular genre attending the convention.

There are also panels with publishers, editors and authors, writing workshops, pitch sessions with editors and agents, and an award ceremony for the best books of the year... It's also an opportunity to meet the most famous cover models, and take pictures, of course.

What a 300 author book signing looks like (RT 2014 in New Orleans)

The giant book signing on Saturday will gather over three hundred authors, including the greatest, and many new, small press, and self-published authors. No point in naming names, I would make too many enemies. The list is on the site HERE

The registration fee and the hotel are not cheap, but you can share your room. And if you must fly, it can be an expensive experience, but if you've never done it, you owe it to yourself as an author to try it at least once. Since this year it's in Vegas, I'll be driving and lugging my books, which cuts the cost by skipping airfare and shipping.

I'm sure this year's convention is sold out, but registration for next year will start in September. Here is the website for future reference: https://rtconvention.com/

I'll let you know how it went when I return.

Vijaya Schartz
 Blasters, Swords, Romance with a Kick
 http://www.vijayaschartz.com
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