Hello darlings, and I am so thankful for this cooler weather. Didn't you just die in all that heat we had over summer? But I did venture forth over the last weekend in February, to the fabulous Australian Romance Readers Convention 2017.
It was held in blissful comfort at Rydges Melbourne Hotel. Lovely room, super comfy bed (like sleeping on a cloud), great food, excellent company and just so! much! fun! After the Canberra ARRC15, when I drove home with a smile on my face and a car boot full of books and goodies, this time I took two 3kg post bags to post my loot home. And wow, wasn't that a good idea. All the freebies and prize books arrived at my place just a few days later without me having to lug them onto the plane. Fantastic, thanks so much ARRC17.
We kicked the weekend off with a High Tea at Zumbo Cafe, in Richmond. Oh. My. Goodness. This wasn't your traditional High Tea with the gorgeous triple decker plate packed with goodies. This was plate after plate of the most unconventional, unusual, delicious food ever. It looked like works of art and tasted even better. I thought we were going to roll out on a sugar high, but I suspect the food was naturally sweetened with fruit and yogurt and other such yummies. The savoury food was also amazing.
Fuelled by the High Tea and then welcome drinks in the evening, my Trivia table went on to win the Trivia Night. To be fair, not many of us knew the answers (I know you're shocked by that) and at one stage we were actually coming last, then the plucky Maggie Nash acted out a magical charade we guessed correctly, and bingo! we were in the lead. Our prize? Books, of course. And chocolates. By that stage most of us had eaten our body weight in popcorn and ice cream sundaes, so nobody really minded who won or who lost, it was such a great night.
Then followed a weekend of bliss: talking books, laughing a lot, reading books, meeting authors and other readers - is there anything nicer? The Awards Night was star-studded and sparkling with bling (with a dazzling Bling-Off Competition, aha). Congratulations to all the award nominees, what fabulous books you gave us. Below is a sample of one of the awards - won by the very lovely Anne Gracie (who blogged for us just two weeks ago here), and who scooped the pool for several awards.
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| Photo credit: Helen Constan & ARRC17
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The weekend finished with a lovely lunch cruise from Melbourne Docklands. Such a relaxing and pleasant way to enjoy excellent views and commentary from our very novel 'Tramboat' operators, a nice lunch, and time to cement new friendships.
I cannot imagine what work goes into planning such a weekend. All I can say, fervently, is thank you Australian Romance Readers Association, for a brilliant, wonderful convention. I was in reader heaven, and I look forward to your next fabulous event. Why don't you join me?
Wasn't it a terrific weekend? It looks like you took on everything, Miranda, and congratulations on the team's big trivia win!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, it was just all fun. And yes, I did take on everything, Cathryn. So glad you were nominated for Favourite Australian Romance Author 2016 - among others! - well deserved. Santa and the Saddler is such a lovely read.
DeleteP.S. Cathryn, what's next on your release calendar?
DeleteI'm so jealous, Miranda! It looks like you all had a fabulous time. ARRA is a fantastic organization.
ReplyDeleteYou certainly missed out on a fabulous weekend - no consolation, I know, but next time ARRA has something close by, we must go together! It's always just so much fun going to their wonderful events. The freebies alone made it worth while, and there seemed to be chocolate everywhere.
DeleteI so missed going this year. I had such an amazing time at the one in Canberra. I really hoe to get to the next one. Thanks for the excellent wrap up.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Cassandra! Of course there was lots of other booky things and author things, and the amazing book signing in a Wild West bar, with a half naked angel (which was a surprise to me, too) - so much fun on one weekend!
DeleteI so missed going this year. I had such an amazing time at the one in Canberra. I really hoe to get to the next one. Thanks for the excellent wrap up.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful recap to a wonderful weekend :) I went to ARRA as an author and a reader, and really enjoyed myself. The best bit was chatting with romance readers - a delight to meet such voracious readers :) Thanks ARRA for organising x
ReplyDeleteLoved meeting you, Joanne. I now have your 'Falling For Mr. Wrong' on my Kindle, can't wait to read it. And you're right, we are voracious readers. Long live romance!
DeleteYou sound like you had the most wonderful weekend, Miranda. I so regretted the fact that I couldn't make it this year, but I have my fingers crossed that I'll be able to go to other ARRA events in the future. :-) Anytime romance readers and/or writers get together a great time is had by all.
ReplyDeleteI missed you too, Michelle. :( Hopefully see you at the next event! I think romance readers and writers really do have the best fun ever. It's all about celebrating romance, celebrating reading, and enjoying the great company. Bling-offs and chocolate also help the whole vibe, of course. Tell us, what's next on your release calendar?
DeleteIt's exciting times at Chez Douglas as my next book comes out next month (The Spanish Tycoon's Takeover). I have my fingers crossed that readers will love it. And you're an absolute sweetheart for asking. :-)
DeleteWell, that Spanish Tycoon has gone on my hit list, Michelle, great! Hope it's an instant hit (and I'm sure it will be anyway). Keep writing, I love your books!
DeleteWoohoo it was the best weekend books authors fun socializing what more could you want loved it :)
ReplyDeleteHave Fun
Helen
It was great, wasn't it Helen? Being on your table for the trivia was a great decision on my part, heh. You all knew everything...! I came home with a load of books and a head full of romantic dreams, ready to read, read, read...
DeleteWasn't it sooo much fun? Loved it, especially our lovely lunch cruise on the Monday.
ReplyDeleteSuzi, it was wonderful fun. I love the way we as readers can do this, thanks ARRA again! The cruise on the Monday was magic, a lovely wind-down before going home. What's your next release, Suzi? Looking forward to hearing all about it.
DeleteWow, Miranda. What a fabulous time you had. ARRA is fabulous putting together a conference like what you've talked about. I haven't attended one yet but that's going to change. Definitely want to go to the next one.
ReplyDeleteARRA is talking about doing things other than a weekend conference in the future. Smaller things in different states. Hey, let's go together to the next one?
DeleteMiranda, thank you for sharing your ARRA conference experience with us. It sounds fabulous and so much fun. I'll have to make it to the next one.
ReplyDeleteSee my reply to Enisa, Sharon, but anything ARRA does seems touched with magic. All that book talk, author talk, fun times, it's a wonderful way to celebrate reading and writing romance with like-minded people. Definitely a not-miss moment, IMHO!
DeleteI loved every thing about ARRA Melbourne --Morning & afternoon teas---high --boat ride--catching up with writers & friends WINNING Trivia--look forward to the next one whatever form it takes ---Lyn
ReplyDeleteAgree, agree, agree Lyn! We certainly smashed the trivia...although I think it really didn't matter in the end, what mattered most was having fun and marking the 'creative' answers from the table next to us - they gave us a lot of giggles! Can't wait to see what ARRA has in store for us next. Bring it on.
DeleteYes, we did have trouble on those Trivia questions! And whenever romance readers and writers get together it's fun!
ReplyDeleteMaggie, thanks again for your generosity at the Trivia night with the food and prizes. I was so excited to win a copy of 'Crash and Burn' - it's burning a hole on my TBR pile. And I agree. Romance readers and writers do have the best fun.
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