Actually that’s a completely inaccurate heading because, while I’m slightly hungover, it’s definitely tomorrow!
Thursday night is party night at the conference. It’s when a lot of the chapters have their get-togethers and their prize ceremonies and people generally let their hair down. I managed to make four parties which was great, although I think even I have reached my margarita tolerance! How sad – nobody makes a margarita like an American. Perhaps I should just slide one of the waiters into my suitcase to take home as my personal bar man!
First party was an Avon get-together which was great fun. Margaritas! I sat at a table with Susan Elizabeth Phillips so did my usual fangirl squeal and terrified the poor woman to death. Oh, well, can you blame me? It was SEP!!!
Second party was the National Readers Choice Awards where I was collecting an award for a friend of mine if she won. Sadly, she didn’t. But the company was great. I sat next to multiple RITA nominee Maureen Child who is a hoot. A sense of humor drier than the Sahara which I must say I appreciate. Congratulations to all the winners! And when I saw the lump of granite they handed out as an award, I was kinda glad I didn’t have to tote it home although I would have loved my friend’s fantastic book, Annie West’s FOR THE SHEIKH’S PLEASURE, to have won! It’s a wonderful read.
Then there was the Booksellers Best. I’d like to go all modest here but it’s impossible. CLAIMING THE COURTESAN won for long historical! Yay! The pin is amazing – an open book with a trailing bookmark and a pair of glasses set over the open pages. Really classy. Congratulations to all the other winners and finalists!
Then it was party time over at the Golden Network Dessert Reception. TGN is the chapter for Golden Heart finalists and they have this wonderful fun thing called a booting out ceremony every year when they symbolically throw out the finalists who have since published. So I got booted and I LOVED it. Although by that stage, the margaritas were kicking in, so I probably would have loved anything, frankly.
Then we were all ired little teddy bears and we shuffled up to bed. Well, at least I did. I suspect hardier souls partied on!
If you get a chance, also check out my conference blog on the RWA National site:
More tomorrow!
Best.
Anna x
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Maria Lokken
on Aug 1st, 2008
@ 8:48 am:
Girlfriend! You’re my kind of gal – Shall we call you Mistress of the Festivities? Congratulations on Claiming The Courtesan ! So well deserved!!! Woo-hoo!!!!
Kisses,
Maria
PJ
on Aug 1st, 2008
@ 9:07 am:
Congrats on your win, Anna! I’m sorry Annie didn’t win but I have to say that I’m thrilled Monica did. I loved her Highlander trilogy.
Sounds like you’re enjoying the conference experience to the fullest. I’ve been following the blogs at the RWA site and enjoyed reading yours yesterday. I hope you’ll be blogging about your sightseeing (with photos, of course) after you get home.
Enjoy today and GOOD LUCK tomorrow night!
Hugs,
PJ
Buffie
on Aug 1st, 2008
@ 9:44 am:
Oh, Anna, I am just so happy for you {{hugs and kisses}}. We all knew you would win!!
Sounds like you made it to quite a few parties and the conference isn’t over yet. I can’t wait to see and read all about your adventures. The booting out ceremony sounds like a fabulous time!
MaryKate
on Aug 1st, 2008
@ 9:46 am:
*MK booty shaking*
YEAH she did! wOOt! SQUEE! and any other shrieky noises I can make.
Go Anna, Go Anna, Go-Go-Go Anna!
Congratulations and many happy returns.
Now, I find that a large bottle of water and three Advil usually will kill a hangover….ALLEGEDLY.
AndreaW
on Aug 1st, 2008
@ 12:28 pm:
Huge CONGRATULATIONS, Anna!!!!!!! w00t! I’m sooooooo happy for you!!!
cheryl c.
on Aug 1st, 2008
@ 1:22 pm:
Congrats to my online “buddy”!
I am so happy that you won, Anna! Makes the trip from Australia worth it , doesn’t it? Enjoy the rest of the conference!
Dina
on Aug 1st, 2008
@ 2:53 pm:
Congrats Anna, now I HAVE to get that book soon.
Helen
on Aug 1st, 2008
@ 3:53 pm:
Huge congratulations Anna as you know CTC is one of my very favourite books and it deserved to win fantastic I couldn’t be happier for you enjoy the partying.
Have Fun
Helen
Gannon
on Aug 1st, 2008
@ 4:01 pm:
Woo hoo, Anna! Sending you cyber hugs and kisses and raising a margarita to toast your win!!
Christie Kelley
on Aug 2nd, 2008
@ 6:17 am:
Anna!! Congrats on the win. We have to post that up on the Bandits blog. Glad you’re having such a good time. Next year, I’ll teach you how to make a good margarita.
Marisa
on Aug 2nd, 2008
@ 6:46 am:
Anna, congratulations – so well deserved. All of us at RNTV are raising our glasses of ‘rita’s to you!
Anna Campbell
on Aug 4th, 2008
@ 10:33 pm:
Hi, guys! Sorry I’ve been away for a few days. Things got nutsoid. Hoping to give a wrap up of my conference experience when I get home. Thanks so much for the congrats. It was a huge thrill! I should have some photos to post on that next blog too, courtesy of my technological friends with digital cameras!
Sadly, all the margaRITAs didn’t translate to a win although it was lovely to see a stalwart of the genre like Julia win. Congratulations to all the winners! It was a wonderful night. I’m delighted to say Bandita Susan won the Golden Heart too so we had plenty to celebrate.
Anna xxx