I am on my way to the Windy City (and hoping it is NOT windy) and hope I will meet some of my fans there. I am attending the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention for the first time and very excited about it. I know I will have much to report when I return. On top of the mega fun to be had, my publisher – Sourcebooks – is located in Naperville which is a suburb of Chicago so they are taking us on a tour of the facilities as well as hosting other fun events. I am thrilled to see the place where my novels come to life and meet the many people who make it happen. What a special joy!

On top of the tour and parties and workshops and socializing with author friends and fans, I am super excited to be hosting an entertaining and educational event with several of my Austen Author friends. On Saturday April 14 – just 6 days from now – the RT Convention opens to the general public in a day-long FAN-Tastic event. If you live anywhere in the area YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS THIS!

The day is chock full of fun stuff involving hundreds of romance novelists. The full agenda and details can be read about here: FAN-Tastic Day at the RT Booklovers Convention

The parts that involve me are as follows:

Giant Book Fair
11AM – 2PM

Where can you meet your favorite authors, get your pic taken with them or a cover model, or get a sneak preview to what’s coming out in the wonderful world of genre fiction? At the one and only RT Booklovers Convention Book Fair! Meet more than 350 authors at the book fair where you can purchase autographed copies of their latest books. This fair takes place on Saturday and is open to all convention attendees and the general public. For those bringing collectibles and “keeper” books, we have a system to separate these books for you, so as not to mistake them for new books! Attend the Book Fair only for a $5 admission charge.

Jane Austen Happy Hour
3:45PM – 4:45PM

Love Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Darcy, Jane Austen … and like the occasional drink? Then this is the workshop for you! Pick up a little history about various alcoholic beverages from the Regency era, discover how to mix your own at home and find out how they relate to Jane Austen. After a brief presentation by your author-mixologists from the popular Austen Authors blog, you will be invited to each of our five tables to partake of a taste of history! Five different drinks to sample, drink recipe cards for everyone and a chance to win a basketful of Jane Austen-inspired books! Cheers!

Hosts: Marilyn Brant, Karen Doornebos, Sharon Lathan, C. Allyn Pierson, Abigail Reynolds

FAN-Tastic Day Party
6:15PM – 7:30PM

Meet a revolving door of hundreds of authors as they make appearances every 30 minutes in this high-energy event. Be one of the first 500 to sign up and receive a goody bag filled with free books and promotional items. Cost for the entire day of events is $50.
Everything is held at The Hyatt Regency O’Hare Hotel
9300 Bryn Mawr Avenue,
Rosemont, Illinois, 60018
(847) 696-1234

Come See Me!!