Tag Archives: RomCon

Where in the World is Barbara Vey…2013?

Barbara Vey -- December 26th, 2012

Once again I’m amazed at all the wonderful places I visited in 2012 and all the place I plan to go to in 2013. As I do every year, here’s a list of where I’ll be and when. If you’d like me to visit your group or attend your event, please email me at barbaravey@gmail.com . Hope to see you in 2013!

Appearances

January 12 – Florida Romance Writers, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

March 1/2 – NOLA Conference, Shreveport, LA

March 15/17 – SoCal Conference, Santa Ana, CA

April 25 – Cudahy Library Author Event, Cudahy, WI

April 26 – Q & A with Authors, Milwaukee, WI

April 27 – Barbara Vey Reader Appreciation Luncheon, Milwaukee, WI

May 1/5 – RT Convention, Kansas City, MO

May 29/June 1 – BEA, New York

June 21/23 – RomCon, Colorado Springs, CO

July 17/20 – RWA, Atlanta, GA

Bottom Line: Looking forward to adding things along the way.

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RomCon Adventures

Barbara Vey -- June 25th, 2012

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Linda Conrad Intimate Chat

RomCon is truly a reader’s weekend. There are no agents, editors or publishers. Just authors and their adoring fans.

I attended a few intimate chats which are held in a room with one author and a limited number of readers. There are no rules, so you can talk about anything you want. Linda Conrad surprised her readers at 9 a.m. with chocolate parfaits. —– took us through the legal system in England since she sat in on several tries. Her assessment, boring. I was scheduled with Holly Jacobs, but since she missed the event, the readers decided to stay and have our own discussion. It was actually quite nice and it’s always fun to talk with like minded people.

Jade Lee and Elizabeth Hoyt

There was a trivia contest with Jade Lee and Elizabeth Hoyt. The contest was terrific, but somehow I think the readers appreciated the gentleman adorned with only a kilt. He passed out the prizes, so, needless to say, everyone wanted to win.

Julia Quinn

Julia Quinn had Bridgerton croquette set up in a room and the wickets were adorable stuck in paper cups to hold them up. I kept having flashbacks to Alice in Wonderland and expected the mallets to be made from flamingos.

There was Madlibs in one room, romance, and erotica panels in other rooms. There was another Titanic Tea for those who didn’t get in the day before.

Kat Martin and Readers

I attended an intimate lunch with Kat Martin who told us that she met her hubby when they were both real estate agents. The author at my dinner table was Alexandra Ivy who writes paranormal.

Just a few of the authors from the book signing.

Kelly Armstrong and Rebecca Forster

Hillary Seidl and RM SoteraJ.

Kate Duncan

I met Kate Duncan who is a cover model on many romance covers. She said she’s been on over 200 covers and currently has two pictures in Vogue Italia. She’s from the St. Louis area and is just adorable. I’ll be looking at the covers more closely now that I know what she looks like.

props for mangasm

The big event everyone was waiting for started at 9 p.m. and was called Chocolate Mangasm. It was sponsored by author Delilah Marvelle and Kim Killion of Hot Damn Designs. It was billed as a giant bachelorette party and definitely fulfilled it’s promise. Everyone was given a bag of goodies when they arrived labeled “Vixen” or “Slut.” I was a slut (no comments please). We were divided into several groups that rotated throughout the night. Each group was a different “naughty” game to include dress the blow up male doll (anatomically correct), a form of musical chairs where a slippery part of the male body was passed frantically around a circle while the participant’s hands were lotioned up and a kind of scavenger hunt where you had to do several things listed on your paper to name a few. The room was extremely loud with many squeals of delight. Male models were there to have their pictures taken and lots of prizes given out. Seeing how tired everyone was the next morning is a testament to the success of the party.

Sunday morning was pretty quiet with readers gather to talk about what they enjoyed about the conference and to talk about books. There was a brunch and I was honored to be asked to speak. Then it was time for the awards.

Readers’ Crown Winners

Contemporary Romance: Gnome On The Range by Jennifer Zane

Category/Series Romance: Ivy League Cowboy by Helen Hardt

Contemporary Romantic Suspense: While You Were Dead by CJ Snyder

Erotic Romance: The Dom Who Loved Me by Lexi Blake

Paranormal Romance: Immortal Hope by Claire Ashgrove

Sci-Fi, Fantasy, or Time-Travel Romance: Haunting Embrace by Erin Quinn

Historical Romance: Invitation To Ruin by Bronwen Evans

Inspirational Romance: Love On The Line by Deeanne Gist

Best First Book: Gnome On The Range by Jennifer Zane

From left: Cynthia Woolf, Hallie Kaiser, Karen Docter, Michele Callahan, CJ Snyder

All kudos go to RomCon Founder Michele Callahan (and her volunteers) who calls RomCon, “DragonCon for women. Why should men have all the fun?” I agree.

Bottom Line: Readers make the world go round.

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Tea on the Titanic via RomCon

Barbara Vey -- June 23rd, 2012

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Delilah Marvelle, Deanne Gist and Tennesse Gist

One of the highlights of Friday at RomCom was boarding the Titanic. This special tea event, hosted by Deeanne Gist, sported a red carpet boarding and authors dressed for the time period hosting each table. There were tables sporting Titanic memorabilia including newspapers and items from the time. Tea and four courses were served while authors rotated tables offering clues to their books which were won by the members of the table. Games were places such as dress the Titanic woman, who has the highest rank on board shop and what am I? We were instructed on how to serve a perfect tea and how to communicate with just using a fan. Everyone was given a passenger’s name and story for the ship and at the end of the tea, we learned our fate. It was a fascinating experience and much thanks to Deeanne for all her hard word in organizing it.

Titanic memorabilia

Lynn Rush drawing a snowstorm??

Other creative events were Pictionary Quick Draw, Build a Hero and Slayers Inc. (you were a monster, slayer or civilian and many were quickly killed off. I was a slayer, but not a very good one since I didn’t make it to the end). There was speed dating with authors which gave two readers two minutes with an author before the bell rang and they had to change seats and meet new people. Some decided to Strip a Hero or play Bingo for Texas books. Things were hopping all day.

Since this is a readers event, I caught up with a few to ask why they decided to come to RomCon. It is Gina and Jai C. Kincaid’s first time and Gina said, “We came for the fun! Other romance readers and authors. People who share my interests.” At the Titanic tea, while rummaging through their swag bags, Sada Meyer and Dana Yuen have been to RomCon before and agree, “We have a lot of fun, but came this year to meet Kelley Armstrong and for the Chocolatemangasm” (I think that’s happening Saturday, so I’ll let you know more about that later)!

Readers Jai C. and Gina Kincaid

Readers Sada Meyer and Dana Yuen

Author Maureen O. Betith and pirate hubby, Stephen

Paranormal Dine-In for Interspecies Peace was a delightful interactive dinner. Authors hosted tables and dressed as aliens and humans. Some talked of war, some of peace and each offered a liquid to a large punch bowl. At the end, a few brave souls drank from it for peace, but it didn’t look very appetizing to me. My hostess was author Maureen O. Betith who writes pirate (steam)punk. I can’t wait to try it. There was a fun pirate theme to her table that I couldn’t resist.

Just one note about the entertainment, not just here, but at many conferences I have covered. When there is a speaker or a show going on, stop talking. These people put a lot of time and effort into what they are doing. It is rude and disruptive to those who want to participate. I’m sad to say there was one table that took this to a whole new level and made it almost impossible to hear what was going on. Shame on you! I have seen this happen at other places and I think it’s time we speak up and let these loud mouths know it won’t be tolerated. Manners should have been learned a long time ago. Okay….I’m done ranting now.

Monte Carlo night

Meanwhile, back at RomCon, it was time for Monte Carlo night. Murder Mystery Theater surrounded by Roulette, Craps, Blackjack and murder. Authors really got into their roles to delight of the readers. Many just enjoyed the games and the ending to a perfect full day at RomCon.

Bottom Line: I loved when Highlanders and pirates were mentioned and readers gave a collective sigh…I’m right there with you.

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RomCon: Where Readers Rule

Barbara Vey -- June 22nd, 2012

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RomCon’s tag line is “Where Readers Rule” and this conference in Denver endeavors to make that happen. There’s a whole list of events to whet every readers appetite covering every romance genre.

Leanne Banks and Kat Martin

Thursday evening was fairly quiet with the full events starting on Friday and running through Sunday. Authors were sequestered in a room and given the outline of what to expect and looking at the timeline, there’s a lot coming up. Titantic Tea parties, games, Highland adventures, intimate chats and speed dating with authors to name a few.

Bloggers get together

Bloggers were given their own welcome and looked ready to get this party started. I met many readers just wandering around, getting the lay of the land and making their own schedule of favorite things to do. One mother/daughter duo admitted it was their first time and didn’t know where to begin. They were hunched over the conference booklet studying each event, trying to get the most out of their first meetings with real live authors.

I can’t wait to get started today. This kind of event reinforces what I strongly believe that readers are the strongest part of the whole industry. Without readers, there would be no need for anything else.

Bottom Line: Readers definitely do rule.

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RomCon

Barbara Vey -- August 12th, 2011

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Maggie Mae Gallagher

Beyond Her Book’s newest Cub Reporter, Maggie Mae Gallagher is the author of the Cantati Chronicles, a dark, urban fantasy series. A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Maggie runs an office, clerks at a local metaphysical store, writes, and is a personal assistant for hire to an expanding list of authors. Maggie is a member of Romance Writers of America, Missouri Romance Writers, Colorado Romance Writers and the Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal Chapter of RWA.

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The Second Annual RomCon, a reader/author event in Denver, started with the Author Social Event where I met many of my favorite authors and even some new ones. RomCon has this spectacular program called the Buddy Meet-up. Many of the attending authors volunteered to “buddy up” with some of their readers for RomCon and met them at the conclusion of the Author Social. The readers seemed to gravitate toward Eileen Dreyer and Delilah Marvelle, but as they discover more authors, I see this changing every year.

Friday morning dawned chilly; the cool rocky mountain air had drifted over the plains, so with my coffee cup in tow I headed to the Historical Author Panel. Deeanne Gist, Delilah Marvelle, Isobel Carr, Julia London, Mary Wine, Pamela Nowak, and Robyn DeHart spearheaded the panel. RomCon attendees asked their favorite authors questions such as, how do the authors create their heroes? To quote Delilah Marvelle, the hero she always writes is her husband. And everyone’s heart melted a bit at her response.

The Bloody Hell Crime Scene Investigation Presentation by author and former CSI Expert Tom Adair had plenty of guts and gore. He showed pictures of murder victims, the splatter patterns their blood made on the carpet, walls and furniture. He went on to explain that through this study CSI Investigators are able to determine how a person was murdered which may lead to uncovering their killer. Not for the faint of heart.

Jessa Slade and Shannon Butcher

I shifted into work mode and became the videographer for the Historical Panel on Highlanders. Authors Melissa Mayhue, Margaret Mallory, and Kim Killion discussed why they love writing sexy highlanders with a little help from the devilishly handsome cover model Brooks Johnson. (Tell me Maggie Mae, was he wearing a kilt?) Fanning self, it was an exciting and thoroughly entertaining session. One that I’m sure readers will not soon forget. Next up, I moderated an Intimate Chat with Shannon K. Butcher! This event was one of the highlights of the weekend for me as I’m a huge fan of her work.

In the evening, I attended the Wild West Night, where we had the chance to ride a mechanical bull, could learn to rope cattle, have an old time photo in western gear, and learn line dancing. I didn’t ride the bull, but there were some brave souls who did. After a fabulous chuck wagon buffet, readers headed to the Chocolate Mangasm for desert. Readers had their pictures taken with shirtless cover models For Authors and Readers alike this event was wildly entertaining. The authors had us play naughty bachelorette style games for fake cash that we used at the auction which followed. The competition was heated and fierce for the secret prizes. I won a set of Seven Deadly Sins Gumballs for the bargain price of $1300.00.

Brooks Johnson and Mary Wine

Saturday morning was the Historical Author’s Fashion Show. Authors strutted their stuff in authentic Victorian garb. This was a fascinating look into the historical novels that gave readers an opportunity to fine tune their imaginations while reading their favorite historicals.

Saturday afternoon, offered Strip a Hero session where a cover model was divested of most his clothing, a couple times. Authors Jennifer Ashley, Jade Lee and Kim Killion had Brooks act out three skits from their books and the crowd went wild. The evening wrapped up with the Supernatural Supper where readers and authors alike were offered the chance to have their palm read, have a psychic or tarot reading.

The Readers’ Crown Awards Brunch was on Sunday. These awards are voted on by the most important people in an author’s world, their readers. For a list of the all winners you can visit RomCon’s website .

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Readers meeting up with their favorite authors

The final RomCon Event was the Rumble. Similar to speed date an author, readers spent time with their favorite authors and walked away with signed books, special RomCon only trading cards, and a ton of free goodies. I even scored a free eBook from Samhain Publishing!

One reader, Rachel, said this was her second year attending and it had only gotten better than the year before. Karen Doctor reflected that she so thoroughly enjoyed herself last year that she brought her daughter and one of her best friends with her this year.

There were so many other sessions I wanted to attend like the Quick Draw Game and Murder, Darling, Murder, but alas, until cloning is perfected I can’t manage to be in two places at once. RomCon was interesting for me because I was able to view it from both sides of the aisle. This is one of the first conventions I’ve ever experienced where the reader takes precedence. The intimate settings allowed readers an all access pass to their favorite authors. And all the authors in attendance worked their tails off to ensure their readers had a fabulous time, which we did. I know I had a blast this past weekend. I’m already looking forward to RomCon next year. Even if I have to get out on the runway and hitchhike, I’ll be there! See you in Denver June 22nd -24th, 2012!

Bottom Line: I’ve already added “Save the Date” on my calendar.

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The First Ever RomCon

Barbara Vey -- July 15th, 2010

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RomCon is (according to their site) the premier romance readers’ convention, celebrates the romance genre and its wonderful readers. It’s a huge gathering of lovers of romantic fiction – and the only such convention that focuses solely on the romance reader! It was held in Denver last weekend and our own WW Lady, Stacey, attended and offers her take on the debut event.

Stacey

Hello, WW Lady Stacey (aka NYStacey) here. I think the best part of a reader focused conference, like Romcon, are the little tidbits you get to learn about authors and their books. For example, take a look at these:
-Celeste Bradley and Susan Donovan are working on a book together-Susan Donovan’s character finds a diary written by Celeste’s character…
-Both Julia Quinn and Nalini Singh know so much more about their ‘worlds’ than what goes on the page. It’s why Nalini loves writing novellas, and why Julia Quinn has spent the time to go through generations of Smythe-Smith trios in preparation for her next series…
-Cindy Gerard pointed out the potential for Tara Janzen’s mind numbing cliffhanger (the fact that the hero for her next book was alive when readers all thought he was dead…)
-When the hero of the Cindy Gerard book ‘Show No Mercy’ showed up, she knew he would be someone important. And she was right…(I think so too, because this is my favorite book of hers).
-Anna Campbell has a Golden Heart winning Historical Romantic comedy waiting to be published…which readers would like to see.
-Carrie Vaughn’s inspiration for the amazing ‘Discord’s Apple’ came from a bunch of disparate sources-from GI Joe comics to Vergil’s Aeneid.
-Courtney Milan is an absolute genius, and is responsible for t he amazing cover of the current excerpt book…’The Girl Who Loved Historical Romance.’
-Susan Mallery is signed for NINE more books in the amazing ‘Fool’s Gold’ series, and they’ll come out as three different trilogies.(I love the way Susan Mallery writes the small town romance…with snark and humor.)
-Christine Feehan received a commendation for writing ‘Hidden Currents.’ I’ve always known that romance novels have the power to deliver important messages, but the political science major in me is thrilled to see those special situations where I’m not the only one.

Romantic Suspense Panel Mary Burton, Cindy Gerard, Lucy, Australian book seller, Susan Crandall, Tara Janzen, Pamela Claire

But ROMCON wasn’t just these little tidbits. I went to a whole bunch of different panels-from publisher spotlights by Harlequin and Tor, intimate chats with three different authors (Anna Campbell, Julia Quinn and Nalini Singh), the early bird breakfast with Cindy Gerard and Tara Janzen, the Paranormal Authors Tea (where I unexpectedly won one of the amazing gift baskets), a blogging panel, a discussion on anti-heros, and a blogging party hosted by Melissa Mayhue. I even speed dated a bunch of authors !
What I loved about all of these panels was the format. Most of the workshops weren’t done in a traditional format, with a group of people sitting up at the front of the room behind a table. The interactive formats chosen(from scavenger hunts to fill in the blanks) fostered, if not forced(but in a good way) reader-author interaction. Even those workshops which operated on a traditional level encouraged group participation in amazing ways-Tor’s spotlight gave an ARC to any audience member who asked a question to the panel.

In this way, as well as through the very relaxed atmosphere of the conference, I was able to catch up with old friends like authors Terri Brisbin, Leanne Banks (who has a brand new series starting with Silhouette Special Edition) and Delilah Marvelle (who’s new series for HQN sounds amazing!), and meet authors like Jo Beverly, Lila DiPasqua, Carolyn Crane, Jeanine Frost, Jessa Slade, Cat Adams, Meljean Brook (her steam punk romance ‘The Iron Duke’ is going to take the world by storm) and Pamela Clare (historical Romance series about the French and Indian war excites the history minor in me…).

There was also a large blogger/reviewer presence at Romcon, which I loved. I got to meet, among many others, Joy from Joyfully Reviewed, Jessica from Read, React Review, Heather and Melanie (I hope you’re enjoying your brand new Kindle!) from Heather’s Books, Sasha-GrowlyCub, Melissa from San Remo Ave, and Jackie from Bitten by Books.

And there were READERS at this conference. We traded book recommendations, favorite moments in our favorite series’, talked about why certain characters stood out for us and what books we were looking forward to. Even heard that based on some reader recommendation, Harlequin is looking at possibly bringing back the ‘Flipside’ line. I definitely want to thank the reader who, after the Anna Campbell chat, reminded me about the Kristin Cashore series. I’d been meaning to investigate it, but somehow it had gotten lost in my tbr pile. I hope you like the SFR I suggested.

Yet when everything is said and done, the most important thing to remember is that this year marked the very FIRST Romcon. Kudos to Michelle, Elaine and the rest of the team, as well as Sue Grimshaw, for pulling it off. I cannot wait to see what happens next year, and I encourage anybody who might be interested in any way to attend. Thanks also go to my awesome roommates- blogger/reviewer extrordinaire Katiebabs and agent of all things amazing Louise Fury. Both of you helped make my
conference special.

Bottom Line: Looks like I’ve got a new conference to add to my wishlist next year.

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