with Cassandra Samuels
Hi, Cassandra here. I had the great privilege of attending a day at the Australian Romance Readers Convention in Canberra on the 7th of March.
Here are just a few of the things I loved about the weekend..
1. Helene Young's keynote speech. Wonderful and inspiring to all women, Helene proves that there is no limit to what a woman can do. She told us how she became a pilot against the odds, how she bluffed her way to a job in England, and how she came to write some of her fantastic Romantic Suspense novels.
2. The hilariously funny launch of 'Tribal Law' by Shannon Curtis. She wrote the book based on the suggestions of ARRA members and all profits from sales go back to ARRA.
3. I met John Purcell, part of the Booktopia team and author of the Emma Series (under his pen name Natasha Walker). He was was very tall and a lovely person to talk to. Believe it or not, he is the runt of the family. Or so he says.
4. The hot air balloons that rose up over Lake Burley Griffin in the early morning. Amazing site.
5. The goodies table was full of amazing things for readers to take home. Everything from bookmarks and pens to notebooks and chocolates.
6. It was my first ever ARRC author book signing. I met so many wonderful readers and found out that pens are a very popular giveaway item.
7. The Awards night was flappertastic, the theme being the 1920s. There were feathers as far as the eye could see (mostly on the floor). I wasn't a winner this year but I had an absolute ball with my new reader and writer friends.
8. The 'bling off' was great with at least a dozen up for the prize for best dressed. Even Fabio tried to get in on the act. The prize went to a lady who had an authentic 1920s dress that was divine.
9. The volunteer ARRC team did an amazing job of putting the convention together. I can't wait to go to the next one.
10. All the wonderful authors who gave up their time to come to the convention and participate in so many ways, in particular, the author signing. It was great catching up with so many friends.
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All the authors who attended this year in all their flapper glory.
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Love to Love: meeting new readers.
Love to Laugh: at the amount of feathers lost during the Awards night.
Love to Learn: about other genres and how those authors approach writing their books.
Hi, Cassandra! I would like to meet Julie Garwood. She wrote the first romances that I read and I loved everyone one! I'd just like to meet her and say 'thank you' for all the time I spent reading her books...I enjoyed every last second!
ReplyDeleteHi Dee. I have many Julie Garwood books on my shelf too. Wonderful writer. Do you have a favourite book of hers? Prince Charming is one of mine.
DeleteHonestly, I love ALL of her historicals! But...The Prize and Saving Grace were probably my two favourites...they had quirky but loveable heroines and heroes to die for. Julie Garwood really knows how to pull emotion out of every page!
DeleteI loved The Prize, The Bride and For the Roses. :) Julie Garwood is on my shelf and all her titles are re-reads for me. xx
DeleteHonor's Splendor by Julie Garwood is one of my all time favourites.
DeleteI have them on my keeper shelf too. Wasn't the Roses series just divine? Gentle Warrior was another one I really enjoyed.
DeleteAnother great Garwood there Elizabeth. I feel like going and re-reading them all now.
DeleteDo you know when I immigrated to Australia, I brought only a few clothes, my art supplies, and my Julie Garwood collection.
DeleteI see no problem with that Dee. If I had to move house now I think I would be in real trouble having to downside my bookshelf.
DeleteWow! It sounds like you had a fascinating time at the Conference, Cassandra. I'd love to meet Barbara Erskine. I've read every one of her books and her 'Lady of Hay' remains one of my fave reads of all time.
ReplyDeleteDid you enjoy the Author signing? It must have been such a thrill.
Hi Marilyn. Yes, the author signing was a lot of fun I have to say. It was nice to meet new readers. I had fun giving away freebies too. Barbara likes to do lots of research for her book so no wonder you love them.
DeleteHi Cassandra. Sounds like the ARRC is a great conference to go to. Which author would I like to see at a conference? I've been very lucky. Back in 1996 on behalf of RWA I told Harlequin of our (and my!) desire to bring Nora Roberts to our conference within 5 years. They informed their Head Office who said yes they will help. And help they did. Nora came in 1997. I met her and chatted. My most prized possession is the proof copy (her own) of JD Robb's 'Vengeance in Death'.
ReplyDeleteAnother writer I'd like to see is Gayle Wilson, historical and rom sus author. If I had to choose my fave romance novel (other than a Nora Roberts book) it is Gayle's 'The Bride's Protector'.
Hi Enisa. I know many who would love to have met Nora and you did! You lucky thing. Oh, Gayle Wilson. I think I have only read her historicals. I will have to check out the Bride's Protector. Thanks Enisa.
DeleteLike you, I had a ball at the convention in Canberra. It was wonderful finally meeting so many people I know on-line, but darn it, I don't think we got to say hello, Cassandra, did we? Although we may have, because I know your face in many of your photos. I went on the cruise on Lake Burley Griffin and sat opposite Victoria Dahl for lunch. She was the author at the convention I most wanted to meet. Chatted like old friends, we did. :)
ReplyDeleteI am glad you enjoyed it to Victoria. I think we may have met briefly (Probably around the tea and coffee stand or the food table). We will have to make sure we get a photo at the conference in August. That way we will have proof. lol. The cruise would have been wonderful.I love Victoria Dahl and her books. Alas I did not get a golden ticket. I did hear she was lovely and I am very jealous that you two are now besties. So who would you like to see at the next convention Victoria?
DeleteLooks like you had a great time at the ARRC - I'm so jealous! Ah well, maybe next time. ;)
ReplyDeleteIt was a lot of fun and it really is the best of both worlds - the writing one and the reading one. I hope you will be able to make the next one too.
DeleteHopefully I can go next year as well. ::Stares at piggy bank::
DeleteYes. Not a cheap exercise especially as I keep buying books (both print and e-books).
DeleteCertainly looks like you had a lot of fun Cassandra! Love the photos!
ReplyDeleteI certainly did Katrina. I just wish I had been able to do both days.
DeleteThis was my first ARRC, and it was Just! So! Much! Fun! I came home with a boot load of books (thank heavens I wasn't flying), most of them freebies and prizes - wonderful loot. I really enjoyed meeting new authors and new readers, and the hotel was terrific. I'll certainly be lining up again. I'd love to meet Jayne Ann Krentz one day. I can dream... And while I dream, I really enjoyed all the Aussie authors at ARRC, including you, Cassandra! Congratulations on your first signing.
ReplyDeleteJane Anne Krenz/Amanda Quick would be fantastic to have speak. Good suggestion.
DeleteARRC was brilliant! Looks like you had a ball like everyone else, Cassandra. All the people I spoke to had a wonderful time and plan to be at the next one with bells on.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be wonderful if we could have Nora Roberts at an ARRC? I would dearly love to hear her talk.
Having Nora there would be a dream come true. I know quite a few people would be beside themselves if she was at the next ARRC. I think we should get the ARRA team on that. Thanks Catherine.
DeleteI just wanted to give a shout out to one of my other 'favourite' authors...an Aussie...Cathryn Hein! If you've been under a rock and not read her French Prize, then get a copy and read it now! She's got The Falls coming out in April that you won't want to miss either! You can pre-order it via the links at http://www.cathrynhein.com/falls/.
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