Lynn Raye Harris

Romance writers converged on the Huntsville Public Library. And I was interviewed (albeit briefly). I did not pass out. I did not fall apart. Whew! (That’s me on the right in pink. Kira Sinclair is sitting beside me.)

I am so excited to share this with you! I’ve teamed up with friends and awesome authors Kimberly Lang and Kira Sinclair to offer our readers an excerpt book that features teasers from our upcoming releases. But it’s this cover, designed by my fabulous web designer, Croco Designs, that has me simply squeeing with joy. Isn’t it beautiful? Frauke always delivers!

As if the cover weren’t exciting enough, the fabulous Linda Howard very graciously gave us a quote that still has me giggling in the middle of the night for no apparent reason whatsoever. Well, there IS a reason, and this is it: “Something sizzling this way comes … enjoy a special lagniappe from three of my favorite writers.” — Linda Howard.

LINDA HOWARD, y’all! *breathe, breathe*

This cover excites me just as much as my first cover, I have to say. And as soon as I have some in hand, I’ll be hosting giveaways. So what do you think? Is it pretty? Would you be likely to pick this one up in a goody room at a conference?

I didn’t meant to let so much time go by between recaps, but I’ve been busy working on revisions! So now I’m up to Friday. Janette and I stayed up until 2 AM talking, and then had to get up bright and early Friday morning for the Harlequin booksigning. I think I had 3 hours sleep total, because I woke up around 5 and couldn’t go back to sleep. *sigh* The booksigning was a blast! I met so many people whose names I recognized from online, but that I’d never met in person before. I won’t remember them all, but I met Lynn Spencer from All About Romance, AztecLady – who really wanted her books signed to AztecLady – and Kris from LoveLetter Magazine, who came all the way from Germany. I also met Jami Gold, who has commented on this site, but I can’t remember whether I met her here or at the Lit Signing! She is lovely and has a gorgeous blue streak in her hair.

So many people came up to say hi and get my book, and I really wish I could remember them all! If you met me at either of the signings, tell me, because I’ll remember if you give me a few little details. In the end, I signed all my books and had none left (yay!). And I got to sit beside my friend Carla Cassidy, which was awesome. I’ve known Carla for many years now (I won’t say how many, because it makes us both seem older than we’d like, ha) and it was just wonderful to get to sit beside her for an hour and a half and chat when we could.

After the signing, it was nearly time for lunch. I’d arranged to meet some old friends (Carla included) and we had a fabulous time catching up during the banquet. After lunch, I finally got to the ONE workshop I would attend the entire time I was there (other than the one I gave). It was a fabulous PAN workshop and I learned a lot. Then it was time to dash off to the Harlequin Series Spotlight, where I got all misty eyed when they put my cover up while talking about Harlequin Presents. The editors were talking about new writers they’d bought for the line and why they’d bought them. I was the writer chosen for Presents, and it was quite humbling and lovely to sit there and listen to the nice things they said.

Seriously, no matter how successful a writer may seem to you, at heart she’s still that trembling and insecure writer she was at the very beginning in some ways. Hearing that your publisher loves you is a good thing, no matter where you are in your career. When the RWA conference CDs come out, I’ll be playing back that part to listen to whenever I feel down about my writing. (I could use them right now, truthfully! I’m starting a book over today because it didn’t quite work as I had it. It’s only 2 chapters I have to throw away, but still. It’s hard.)

After the spotlight, I had coffee with some of the Presents authors, and then I went up to my room for a short nap before getting ready for the Harlequin party. The party was, as always, amazing. And this year, Harlequin tightened down on the guest list. No more crashing as in years past — and it was smaller and better because of it. No massive lines at the bars. The dance floor was still crowded, but you could find a place to get your groove on.

Janette and I made it back to our room around 1, I think. We talked briefly, but fell asleep pretty quick. We both slept in on Saturday morning, then got ready for the Presents lunch with the editors at the Grand Floridian. That was a marvelous time! We had wonderful food, and I got to talk to Linda Fildew and Jenny Hutton quite a bit. Jane Porter and Janette Kenny rounded out our end of the table, and we had a lovely conversation.

Too soon, I had to get back to the Dolphin for the workshop I was giving with Blaze author Kira Sinclair. Imagine my surprise to walk into that room for the last workshop of the day, and find it was standing room only. We hadn’t expected quite so many people, but we had a good crowd and only a minor hitch with equipment that was quickly straightened out. At the end, we gave away the books we had brought and chatted with attendees. It’s so wonderful to know that you’ve helped people have an aha moment with their writing. I’ve been the recipient of many aha moments, so I like to give them back if at all possible.

Almost as soon as the workshop was over, it was time to get dressed for the RITAs. Janette and I met up with several of the Presents authors so we could get a table together and support our Presents nominees – Jennie Lucas, Jane Porter, Anne McAllister, and Kelly Hunter (for Modern Heat). We had a lovely dinner and a fun time together, and then adjourned to the Blue Zoo for drinks. I think the party broke up around midnight. Jan and I went back to our room, stayed up to pack, and then said goodnight. Sunday, we went our separate ways, and after 4 hours delay at the Orlando airport, I was finally on the way home. Hubby took me for barbecue, not that it was our first choice but it was still open when I got home late, and then I came home and crashed.

Recovery always takes several days, and this time was no exception. The lack of sleep, the constant go-go-go, and the incessant talking catch up with you at the end. But I love it so much and can’t wait until next year! I finally got my camera cord, so here are a few pictures.

Sandra Marton and me

Michelle Styles, Carole Mortimer, and Jennie Lucas

Tea at the Grand Floridian

Carla Cassidy and me

Susan Stephens, Maisey Yates, and Sandra Marton

Maisey Yates, Kate Hewitt, me, Jennie Lucas, Kimberly Lang

The DJ and me

Jennie Lucas and me

That’s the RWA10 conference recap! I’m sure I have forgotten much of the details, but you don’t want to read a blow by blow detailed recap anyway. I had so much fun, as always, and I got to see so many people I adore, meet new people I’ve known online only, and talk to the most interesting women imaginable. The national conference is jam-packed busy, but it’s always a great time. If you’ve never been, I suggest you make plans to go. You’ll come away inspired, I assure you.

And now I have a new book to get busy writing! Leave a comment for a chance to win some conference goodies — books and swag, my dears!

UPDATE: The winner is Kirby! Kirby, send my your details at lynn AT lynnrayeharris DOT com, and I’ll make a trip to the post office…..

Today only, you can get SPANISH MAGNATE, RED-HOT REVENGE absolutely free when you order 2 or more books over at eHarlequin! It’s their featured Freebie Friday special!

So where was I? I think I’m up to Thursday. Woke up bright and not too early, got dressed, and headed for the Mills & Boon meet & greet. This is where I got to talk to other authors, the editors, and some of the Harlequin executives. It only lasts an hour, but the hour flies — especially when I spent at least 20 minutes of it talking shoes with Shirley Jump. That woman is gorgeous, y’all — and she knows her shoes! Shirley and I could go shoe shopping anytime.

I also typed an update for The Pink Heart Society into Michelle Styles’s mini while there, and even managed to stay over into the next meet & greet that was hosted by some other Harlequin entity while I talked to familiar faces as they came in. I seriously didn’t know I’d landed in another meeting. It was hilarious to realize I was there 20 minutes beyond the M&B time, but I quickly scooted off at that point.

Next came lunch and Nora Roberts’s speech. First, our very own Carole Mortimer (Harlequin Presents author extraordinaire) got an award for her 100th book — though she’s way beyond 100 now. The Presents authors gathered at a table close to hers to cheer her on. Then Nora took the stage and wowed everyone with her straight talk and her advice to “embrace the hard.” Writing is hard work. Publishing is hard work. It’s never been easy and it never will be easy. To succeed, you have to embrace the hard. It was a fabulous speech. If you’ve never been to conference, I highly suggest that when you do go, you march straight to the always-scheduled “Chat with Nora Roberts” and soak in that woman’s wisdom for an hour. Amazing lady and very inspiring.

After lunch came the wonderful, amazing, fabulous Presents tea hosted by Jane Porter. We went to the Grand Floridian resort, which looks like Churchill Downs to me, and sat in a beautiful tea room where they brought us sandwiches, tea, scones, and desserts. I was so full by the end of tea that I knew there was no way I would eat dinner later.

After tea, I met old friends in the lobby and chatted for a couple of hours before I had to change for a champagne party thrown by Carole. After the champagne party, I had another reception in another hotel and then the Harlequin PJ party where I talked to more people and finally met Wayne Jordan — who smells really, really good, y’all! I think Wayne thought I’d been tipping back the drinks, but I hadn’t and I swear he smells wonderful.

So, it’s a mind-boggling schedule, isn’t it? I was busy from the time I woke up until I went to bed that night — and, unfortunately, Janette and I decided that talking until 2 am was a good idea. Why, I don’t know, because we both had to get up for the Harlequin booksigning early the next morning.

I still don’t have a camera cord, but here are a few pictures that people have been kind enough to share with me.

From left: Kate Hewitt, Janette Kenny, and me at the meet and greet.

Sandra Marton, me, Kimberly Lang, and Jennie Lucas at Jane Porter’s Presents tea

The whole gang at Jane’s tea.

Have you ever been to high tea? Or have you ever been so scheduled that you don’t even have a down moment to yourself? Let’s talk conference, tea, or schedules — or whatever you want, really! And yes, I’m giving away more prizes — books, swag, and maybe even a tote bag. Leave a comment for a chance to win!

Edited to add: The winner is Kathy Schindler! Kathy, the random number generator must have known all about your last minute conference issues, because your number popped right up! Email me with your address so I can get the books to you. lynn AT lynnrayeharris DOT com

I know there are dozens of recaps out there already, but I’m still gonna add to the pile anyway. Except that my recap won’t feature pictures (beyond a couple I downloaded before tragedy struck). It seems as if my camera cord, the one I finally remembered to actually take to a conference so I could upload pictures there, is still in Orlando. Joining the cord are a pair of Spanx. Both decided not to get into the suitcase for the trip home. Perhaps they knew we’d be stuck in the Orlando airport for 4 hours longer than we were supposed to be. Perhaps they were miffed I didn’t feel the urge to tour Disney and stayed behind to do it for me. Who knows, but both are gone.

The cord is a surprisingly cheap replacement. The Spanx, OTOH, aren’t cheap at all.

As I promised, I didn’t leave the hotel unless I had to. I did not tour the Disney boardwalk, I never went to the Swan, and I did not go to any other hotels unless I had an event there, at which point I traveled in an air-conditioned taxi.

Tuesday, my flight was delayed and I arrived with only an hour to spare before dinner with the Presents authors. I raced up to my room, did a quick freshen and change, and then we were all off to the Polynesian where there’s a restaurant called Ohana’s that serves up TONS of food. The food just keeps coming.

The best part was meeting the Presents authors I didn’t yet know — Susan Stephens, Carole Mortimer, Caitlin Crews, and Maisey Yates — and catching up with those I haven’t seen in forever — Jane Porter, Sandra Marton, Janette Kenny, Kate Hewitt, Jennie Lucas — as well as spending time with Michelle Willingham, who arranged the whole evening (Michelle is a Harlequin Historical author).

After, it was back to the Dolphin and down to the Blue Zoo restaurant, where we had a drink in the bar. The evening ended at a fairly reasonable hour and I did not stay up all night talking to my roomie, the wonderful Janette Kenny (though we stayed up late talking on other nights).

On Wednesday, I had a focus group at 10. We talked about reader expectations of Harlequin books, got a wonderful cake server shaped like a high heel, and I met the delightful Molly O’Keefe, who would go on to win a RITA on Saturday night. After, I went to lunch with Kimberly Lang. We hadn’t planned it, but it worked out to be a mojo lunch (which is when we go together and nobody can join us). And the mojo totally worked, because Kim won the National Reader’s Choice Award for Best First Book on the following night. Yay!

Later, I met with my agent and had a lovely chat with her in the bar. Then it was time to change for the Literacy Signing. The signing was a mad house, as usual, and I met Molly Harper and Meagan Hatfield, who sat on either side of me. I also got to meet some great people who came to say hello. I can’t remember everyone, but Rebecca Lynn is one I definitely remember. She is so bubbly. I also met Gibb and Sabrina, who both comment here on a regular basis. It was great meeting them all, but I never ran into them again. That’s conference for you!

I also saw fellow 2008 GH finalists (the Pixie Chicks!) Anne Barton and Keli Gwyn, who was nominated for a Golden Heart this year. The editors from Mills & Boon made the rounds, stopping by all their authors’ tables, which is so nice of them. Jo Grant took my picture — I only hope I didn’t look like a dork. She seemed to think I didn’t, but who knows.

Once the literacy signing was over, I went up and changed before heading to Sandra Marton’s famous pizza party, which was held in Jane Porter’s suite this year. Susan Stephens shocked us all when Sandra asked what kind of toppings she should order. Sue said, “Tuna,” which made our jaws gape. Apparently, in the UK, canned tuna on one’s pizza is all the rage.

Never fear, we got the usual — supreme, cheese, and pepperoni — and then waited forever for the guy to arrive. When we went down to the lobby to find him, we couldn’t. Eventually we realized he was outside and retrieved the pizzas. The evening ended reasonably early, and I got to bed at a decent hour — the last night I would, sigh.

The pictures below feature me and Rebecca Lynn, me and Janette Kenny, and me alone at my signing table.

And now the best part for you, the reader. I brought home tons of books and swag from the conference. Leave a comment, and I’ll pick a winner to send some goodies to. You can just say “I want books” if you can’t think of anything else.

UPDATE: The winner is Marcy! Marcy, email me at lynn AT lynnrayeharris DOT com, and I’ll get the goodies in the mail to you! Everyone else, stay tuned for more fun….