Brief Wrap up from the Booklovers Convention

By Alyssa J. Montgomery

When Kathryn Falk announced that last years RT Convention in Reno would be the last, I was very sad because I'd loved attending the RT Conventions and connecting with readers, other authors and industry professionals in a party atmosphere.

When I found out that Jo Carol Jones and her enthusiastic staff and team of volunteers (who have organised previous RT Conventions) decided that the world of romance readers and authors still needed a convention and Jo Carol was prepared to organise it, I was overjoyed. I had every confidence the Booklovers Convention would deliver on its promise of being the Ultimate Reader Experience, and I wasn't disappointed.

Party into the night!!
New Orleans was the place to be for the inaugural Booklovers Convention, which brought 250 authors together with romance readers and industry professionals in a fabulous fun-filled five days.
Of course, being in NOLA, the perfect way to start off was with a Jazz Festival and Tina De Salvo's second-line event on the Wednesday night got everyone into the party atmosphere.


Thursday heralded our entry to the exquisitely decorated ballroom for the Faery and Fantasy evening; Friday night was Heather Graham's Voodoo and Vampire Party; and the Saturday evening we enjoyed the Bookworm Blowout. So many wonderful costumes worn and the decorations in the room were amazing.

Day time Events
There are too many reader events to mention, but have a look on the website for the list and it's guaranteed to throw your mind into a spin. Harlequin sponsored a morning Smoothie event on the Thursday morning and I was chatting to readers and signing paperback copies of my latest release "Seduced by the Enemy" - more than a little blown away by the fact that superstar authors Jennifer L. Armentrout, Heather Graham, Sheila Roberts, Julia London were also signing books at the event and that I was part of the Harlequin stable.

I also participated in an event called "Round the World in 80 minutes" where readers needed to go and stamp their passports at all 'ports' in order to have an entry into the raffle for gift baskets. That was fun as I was in the tent with fellow Aussie author, Khloe Wren, and we were able to decorate our tent with Aussie regalia and had heaps of Australian swag to give away.

Tim Tams, Furry Friends & Mint Slice all went down very well with our American and other international readers. Khloe had a blow up kangaroo and Khloe and I both sported a sequined Aussie Flag dress (as shown in the photograph).

I attended a "Wheel of Romance" Bingo event and a session of "Left, Right & Centre" as a reader andwas able to have my fan girl moments with authors as well as meeting other readers. Kensington hosted a Pop Culture Quiz where authors such as Karen Rose, Meg Tilly and Lexi Blake showed off their incredible general knowledge on things pop culture related and provided us with lots of laughs at some of their guesses!

There are also professional development workshops for authors, and special events for bloggers & librarians.

Having been to four RT Conventions, the Booklovers Convention was a lot like "coming home to my tribe". We all know that romance readers & authors are positive, warm people to be around and I love the fact that I was able to reunite with friends at the convention and make new friends.

If you've never been to a romance readers convention, keep in mind that the Booklovers Con is in Nashville next year in March. It's a long way to travel for Australians, but it is totally worth the trip. You're guaranteed to come home having made new friends, with loads of wonderful memories and with a suitcase full of books and swag. Will you make it? I hope to see you there!!

Love to Love everything about Booklovers Con - catching up with friends, dressing up and getting into the atmosphere of the party... the list is endless!

Love to Laugh at Damon Suede hosting the Cinemacraptastique event at Booklovers Con.

Love to Learn the latest news from industry professionals.

Giveaway winner: the winner of Kaz Delaney's Chocolate and Old Lace is Claire Crane (commenting as Craneclaire). Please contact Kaz via this link.