I started out the day hot, sweaty and tired... and that was before I arrived in Atlanta! But at least my flight wasn't its usual early morning and it was entirely uneventful (direct from Central IL to Atlanta... woohoo!). I actually slept part of the way, which is unusual for me. It's good because by the end of this adventure, I'll be longing for a bed. And then I was in Atlanta!

A few thoughts: First, I always felt safe, both during the day and in the evening. Granted, I didn't walk around all that much, but when I did, I didn't get the impression that death was imminent. So the rumors that were going around about the lack of safety in the area we were in were, in my opinion, greatly exaggerated. In addition, the airport was very easy, at least coming IN. My bag was waiting for me by the time I got to baggage claim. I had a cab within seconds of stepping outside and to the hotel within moments. In fact, within fifty minutes of landing, I was already in my hotel room (through check out and actually setting my stuff in the bed) with the lovely Kathryn Smith (my fabulous conference roommate).

We hung out for a bit, I unpacked and ran down to register. Whoa! Our bag this year was SWEET! Lots of awesome pockets and zippers. Sponsored by Avon, you know! I'm just saying!! But the thing weighed almost 20 pounds because of all the books it had in it. My own included Secrets, Volume 12

Then I caught a quick drink and rest before I headed off to the Booksellers Tea. This was a new event that was open to published authors who RSVP'd ahead of time. It was of no cost to us and was meant to be a way to make some connections with booksellers. It was a great idea in theory, but the room was too small and got very hot, very quickly.  Plus, there were only a handful of booksellers/librarians (that I saw) to a large number of authors, so we ended up having to stalk and pounce. Which doesn't seem very conducive to building relationships. :) But I think with some tweaking, it will be a fabulous event and I hope they try again next year. The heat made me feel a little dizzy, so I slipped out early and wandered my way toward the booksigning area.

Of course one of RWA's premier events at National is the Literacy Booksigning, which is open to the public and sends all proceeds to local and National literacy programs. Last year was the first time I signed, so I was looking forward to this year. It did not disappoint. First, as I made my way across the sea of empty seats to find my place, I saw a t-shirt draped across my chair. Avon had provided shirts with our covers on them! I had one for From London With Love and one for Parlor Games. You can see that I'm wearing it in the picture to the right. :)

I signed both Parlor Games and Scandalous and got to see friends and other writers for three hours. Plus, I was seated in 'Petersen/Peterson Row' with Irene Peterson and Ann Voss Peterson. Miriam and May both stopped by, so I got to see them for the first time in Atlanta. It's always nice when your editor says how

Then afterward we held what I hope will become a tradition like our Avon Pre-Dinner. We held a special get-together for the members of the Avon Authors Message Board who had come to Atlanta for the conference and/or booksigning. Wow, what a cool bunch of ladies.

Thanks to J. Perry (who is so pretty, I wish I had a picture), MaryP, Sally (who I didn't see), AndreaW (and her lovely sister and very patient husband), Crystal and LaceyKaye (who I somehow didn't get a picture of even though we hung out quite a bit), as well as SarahKate. I think that's all the Board people who were there... but correct me if I missed you. I'm sleepy.

Anyway, I'm hoping that next year we'll repeat this, maybe with a more planned venue rather than just in a lobby area. I loved meeting you all and putting all those beautiful faces to names.

Afterward, I was just so freaking exhausted. I hadn't eaten since I picked at the Bookseller Tea, so Kate and I grabbed some sandwiches and cokes and headed up to eat and collapse. This time, I had no trouble sleeping like a log.

Today and tomorrow were my busy days, so I got right up and got down to it. Okay, that's a lie. I totally slept in, got ready and slipped downstairs for a bite before I headed to the Avon Open House signing. Did you guys know about these? Yeah, I didn't my first two conferences. These are open only to conference attendees and involve FREE BOOKS signed by the authors. Every publishing house does one. Anyway, this is the first one I got to do. Last year I came and chatted with folks while the authors were signing, but this year it's me signing! I was there early, so I browsed the books and chatted with our people (authors and Avon staff). Then the doors opened and the insanity ensued. People, books and boxes everywhere!

I started signing at 10:30 (it went in shifts of half hours starting at 10 and ending at 11:30). There was never a pause! I figured I'd have lots of books left over, but they were flying out of my hands! People wanted Parlor Games, they wanted Scandalous, they wanted From London With Love coverflats! I didn't take a drink, I didn't rest, I just signed! Then, my time was up, but I wasn't out of people, so we moved to an overflow table (I felt so 'cool girl'). I kept signing for another fifteen minutes! I gave away EVERY BOOK, including one I messed up the dedication to, but another reader didn't care! I gave away all my coverflats but three. It was insane and I loved it!! So... thanks to anyone who popped by and got books. I'm so glad I got to meet even more people!

The Avon Family Dinner... what can I say? It was fabulous. I mean, almost indescribable! The venue rocked, the food rocked (I could have just eaten a plate of the tuna tartar and been in heaven), the company was great... it was all things good and classy.

I think my favorite part of all of it is the role call. I'm not sure how other publisher parties work, but at ours Carrie Feron and Lucia Macro read the names of every author in attendance, as well as one of their accomplishments for the year. Mine was my appearance on the Waldenbooks Mass Market list with Scandalous. But it really makes you feel like you're important to have your moment in the sun. In such a big house, with so many really star authors, it's very meaningful.

Anyway, I have many more pictures, which I'll probably post at the end of this diary, but here's a sampling. We cleared out after the dinner, took pictures, and headed back on the Avon-provided buses to the hotel. Once there, a handful of us decided to go get some drinks. So Kate, Julianne MacLean, Robyn DeHart, Shane Bolks/Shana Galen, Sophie Jordan, Shirley Karr, Anne Mallory and I all hit the bar. Love those girls.

Afterward, we Kate and I dragged back up to our room where we stripped off our make-up and clothes (not at the same time -- though I may have gotten to second base with Kate earlier in the evening... but I'll let HER tell that story) and we went to bed.

Anyway, we all enjoyed it. And your questions were great, so thanks!

Afterward, since Miriam didn't seem to be sick of me yet and I could never get sick of her, we decided to do our dinner plans. For the first time since Thursday, I headed out from the hotel. We found a restaurant and I can't even remember the name! But it was good. It was hot in the foyer part, but the food was good and we had a nice chat.

Not to mention that the speeches were lovely. And Nora was so classy and fab as the hostess. Though I know the likelihood of obtaining her career is slim, I certainly wouldn't mind being that cool when I grow up. And Susan Elizabeth Phillips! So classy, the intro: so funny, the speech: so lovely! It was great. I got to see a few people before I turned in and then... it was over. I cleaned up, packed up, and set my alarm for the morning. Met Shelley Bradley to share a cab, got an earlier flight even and... I made it home! Another conference in the books.