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.
Blasters, Swords, Romance with a Kick
http://www.vijayaschartz.com
Amazon - Barnes & Noble - All Romance eBooks - Smashwords - iBooks - Kobo
