I’m just back from my first-ever Romance Writers of America (RWA) national conference, which was held in Atlanta. With about 2,500 writers, editors and agents in attendance, RWA’s annual event is the largest gathering of romance writers in the world.   

Author Kristan Higgins made us laugh and cry during her luncheon speech at the RWA conference.

The conference features workshops on the craft of writing as well as the business side of publishing. But for most people, it is an excellent time to see and be seen. Hundreds gather in the lobby, bar or other common areas to meet and network. I was thrilled to meet people who have read Seducing Charlotte, follow me on Twitter, or know me from my days as a contest finalist before I published my first book. I also met people who were familiar with my blog. Name tags were very useful in helping us find each other!

For me, highlights of the conference included the Publisher Book Signings. What this really means is that dozens of books are given away. Putting a writer, who is also an avid reader, in a large room full of hundreds of FREE books is like putting a kid in a candy store. (Or in my kids’ case, like being a middle schooler in a room where the latest video games are being given away for free.)  

These are the books I picked up from just two of the publisher signings at RWA. There were several signings over the four days of the conference.

Another highlight was when my good friend and fellow author, Joanna Shupe, won the Golden Heart for her historical manuscript, Drawn to the Earl. The Golden Heart is the highest honor an unpublished writer can receive. Joanna is on quite a roll; since she was nominated, she has signed a publication deal. I can’t wait to read her books!

Here’s Joanna Shupe with her winning Golden Heart necklace. That’s me on the right and our fellow author and friend, Michele Mannon on the left.

But wait, there’s more. None other than bestselling author Nora Roberts held a champagne reception in her hotel suite before the awards. As a member of RWA’s Washington chapter, I was fortunate enough to be included on the guest list.

The very gracious Nora Roberts (in the cranberry gown) mingles with her guests at a reception in her hotel suite before the RWA awards show.

While we were in Atlanta, the authors I blog with over at The Dashing Duchesses met up for high tea. It was a treat to see all of the lovely duchesses in person. But of course, that wasn’t the only treat…

Delicate sandwiches served during high tea at the Ritz.

 We had some free time on the first day of the conference, so Michele and I headed out to the Margaret Mitchell house, which is really the apartment where the celebrated author is believed to have written most of Gone With the Wind.  I also got to check out the actual front door to Tara, which was used on the movie set.

That’s me visiting Tara, the front door of the set used during the filming of “Gone With the Wind.”

 All in all, RWA13 was both exhilarating and exhausting. It was also a lot of fun. Now it’s time to get back to work and put some words on the page! 

 The 2011 RITAS were announced this weekend in New York. The RITAS honor the best in romance fiction for 2010.  Here’s a rundown of the honorees as selected by the Romance Writers of America. Congratulations to all of the winners!