This was the scene at the Romantic Times Expo and Book-signing on Wednesday April 16 in Pittsburgh.

It was really busy for the entire two hours which the Expo lasted.  I was impressed by the turnout.

And I was blown away by the fact that I actually met complete strangers who knew my work!  I even had a reader recount a scene that I had written! It was just so amazing and exciting to "feel the love" as L.A. Banks says.  I sat next to her at dinner and not only is she a classy lady, she is a hoot!  We were all laughing hysterically for most of the meal.  I would gator-wrestle to sit next to her again. (Next year the RT Convention is in Orlando, so gator-wrestling is entirely within the realm of possibility.)

Another classy lady whom I met was Mary Balogh.  It was a total fan-girl moment for me when she came over to my table at the Expo booksigning. And SHE BOUGHT THE SECRET HUNTER!!!!

The cover drew her in - go pugs!!!  But she has since said that she is finding it a "fun" read.  Is that spectacular or what?  I would have been pleased if she had said, "well, it's not entirely rubbish."  All I want to be is fun.  I'm ever so chuffed to have succeeded.

Update:  The Secret Hunter is a Finalist in the Desert Rose RWA 2008 Golden Quill contest in the Regency category! 

The RT Convention turned out to be bags of fun.  This was my first one - I had RT Virgin status (but don't worry, it's not the same as being a Virgin at a Rocky Horror showing) - so I had no idea what to expect.  


The convention was HUGE. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, more than 1,300 people attended - and only 300 of them authors. I met so many readers and librarians and booksellers and aspiring writers. It was incredible.  I handed out bookmarks left and right.  And the energy was overwhelmingly positive and vibrant. 

Yes, okay, the hotel was undergoing renovations.  But Barack Obama stayed there (yes, during the convention), so it was obviously still one of Pittsburgh's finest hotels. My room was pretty spiffy and had a fantastic view. For example...

I love this building.  Wouldn't it be cool if all skyscrapers looked like this?  I want more Gothic skyscrapers!

My room also had this fantastic coffee maker, which I shall write more about in my MySpace Group, the Caffeinated Fan Zone.

All the authors were treated like stars.  I'm barely anybody, and even I got to chat with Kathryn Falk (the founder and CEO of Romantic Times Magazine).  She was very sweet. 

The panels were a lot of fun as well as being informative.  There were panels for everybody, from readers to beginning writers to published authors.  And parties for everyone as well.  I didn't go to the evening parties as I was exhausted from the busy days.  You've got to remember, as an author, I live a hermitic life.  Think I talked more this past week than I have in a year.

I had to leave on Saturday morning, so I missed the big Saturday booksigning.  But you'd better believe that I'll be there next year.  Hope y'all can join us.  If 2009 is anything like 2008, it will be a blast.