The Author as Fangirl

I'm sitting here in the Atlanta, Georgia Marriott Marquis writing this blog post while some of the biggest authors in romance get ready for the "Readers for Life" Literacy Autographing. Every year the Romance Writers of America national convention offers this opportunity for readers to buy books and have them signed by their favorite authors, with proceeds going to literacy organizations.

As a fangirl, I'm thrilled to be so close to people I admire (Eloisa James, I'm looking at you). As an author, I hope to be in that room one day!

What's most exciting about coming to the national RWA conference isn't that I get to spend six days meeting people like Sara Fawkes (oh, yes I do -- aren't you jealous?), or trying to find Bella Andre in the bar and chat her up (no, it's not stalking...really...), but that for these six days everyone in the conference hotel is abuzz about my favorite topic: romance! the publishing industry is constantly changing, and it's reflected in the workshops: self-publishing is HOT.

New Adult is RED HOT. I love writing about hot men...and now, it turns out, I enjoy writing in a hot genre, too! a little birdie told me that one of the books nominated for an award here has a menage element to it, so that pleases me as well. ;)

More than 2,000 professionals are here to talk shop and network about the business of romance. And thank goodness -- it keeps the industry going. The stories get published (self or traditionally) and readers get more of what they want from writers who treasure their craft.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to the "Goody room," where I hear there's chocolate!