{"id":4682,"date":"2014-05-01T08:00:14","date_gmt":"2014-05-01T13:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.chloeneill.com\/?p=4682"},"modified":"2014-05-01T18:42:14","modified_gmt":"2014-05-01T23:42:14","slug":"rt-prep-week-day-four-rt-veterans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.chloeneill.com\/?p=4682","title":{"rendered":"RT Prep Week Day Four – RT Veterans"},"content":{"rendered":"

In this, our fourth day of RT prep week, I’ve asked some friends and colleagues to share their RT experiences, tips and tricks. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

Author Lauren Dane<\/strong><\/a>:<\/p>\n

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\"CountOnMe300-130x195\"I love RT! New Orleans will be my seventh time and over the years I\u2019ve gleaned a few tips to make the trip even better.\u00a0 Here are two of my favorites:<\/p>\n

1. \u00a0I buy the postage for (buy the stamps otherwise they have to date the postage which isn\u2019t useful for you a week or two later) and grab the still-flat priority mail boxes which fit in the bottom or even the front zipper pocket of most suitcases to make sending books back home easy.<\/p>\n

2. \u00a0I grab snack packs of nuts and crackers to carry with me in case I\u2019m so busy I can\u2019t stop to eat lunch but need the energy.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Author and agent Lucienne Diver:<\/a> \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\"head-shot-poss4\"The Romantic Times Convention can be pretty overwhelming for a first-timer, with so much on offer at any given time. \u00a0It’s also one of my favorite conferences. Because it’s less formal than many national conferences, I find that the opportunities for coincidental meetings and networking-as opposed to entirely scheduled meetings to discuss predetermined business-are greater. \u00a0The possibilities are what makes the convention shine for me.<\/p>\n

If this is your first RT Convention, you may want to check out the happenings in advance and map out what you’ll want to do, keeping in mind that you won’t do it all. Chances are you’ll need some downtime to process what you’ve learned, and being “on” all day every day can be exhausting. \u00a0That’s not just for us pros! \u00a0But truly, do as much as you can. \u00a0Conventions aren’t inexpensive to attend and all that amazing talent, experience and information all in one place…well, don’t let it go to waste!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Author Jennifer Estep:<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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\"Killer-Frost\"I\u2019ve been to several previous RT conventions, and they are always a fun time. Today, I thought I would share some of my tips for the convention.<\/p>\n

Wear comfortable shoes:<\/strong> I know, I know, everyone wants to look good and break out their cool shoes. But you will do a ton of walking, even just around the hotel, going from one panel and one event to the other. Plus, you\u2019ll have to stand in line for some of the events, and you don\u2019t really want to do that in high heels, do you?\u00a0Trust me, pack some comfortable shoes to wear during the day and save the heels for the parties. Actually, I\u2019ll probably wear my sneakers to the parties too. LOL.<\/p>\n

Plan your schedule:<\/strong> Go through the conference schedule and make a note of the events that you really, really want to attend. If there\u2019s an author that you\u2019d like to meet, use the conference agenda to see what events she\u2019ll be at. Doing a little planning will help you make sure that you get the most out of the convention.<\/p>\n

Make time for friends:<\/strong> One of the best parts about RT is catching up with friends that you\u2019ve met at previous conferences or online (as well as making new ones). So be sure to schedule time to have coffee or a meal with friends that are also attending the convention.<\/p>\n

Get outside:<\/strong> One of the things I like most about RT is that it\u2019s in a different city every year. So make some time during the convention to get out and explore New Orleans, which is full of great restaurants, museums, and more.<\/p>\n

Take a break:<\/strong> There is something to do every hour of the day during RT, and the convention can quickly get overwhelming. So schedule some breaks during your day to relax, rest, and recharge.<\/p>\n

Have fun and don\u2019t be shy:<\/strong> Everyone at RT loves books and reading, and we\u2019re all here to have a good time talking about books and reading. So just relax and enjoy yourself, and don\u2019t be afraid to strike up a conversation with your neighbors while you\u2019re standing in the event lines. You just might make some new friends for next year\u2019s convention.<\/p>\n

And those are some of my RT tips. What tips would you like to share? What are some of the events you\u2019re looking forward to at this year\u2019s convention? Hope to see you there!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Author Mark Henry:<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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\"pic\"It\u2019s been a long time since Columbus, Ohio, my last RT Booklover\u2019s Convention. Years, in fact. I watched, embittered and sour as the Los Angeles, Chicago and Kansas City versions of the gettogether passed me by. When I heard the convention would be held in New Orleans, though. Wild horses couldn\u2019t hold me back. So, I\u2019ll be there, reconnecting with friends (both new and old), my street team and my sweet sweet sazeracs (Hurricaines are for the amateurs on Bourbon Street).<\/p>\n

You can catch me being terribly snarky, oversharing like a motha, and possibly reading the most heinous erotica aloud in dimly lit corners of the con hotel. And that\u2019s just DURING the panels\u2026wait until the drinking starts. Here\u2019s my top five awesome Mark Henry moments I can\u2019t wait to share with you.<\/p>\n

5. The GINORMOUS-est RT Book Fair!<\/strong> They are literally unloading us off the back of semi-trucks this year and you don\u2019t want to miss the chance to get all your stuff signed (books, ass cleavage, whatevs). One year I signed adult diapers!<\/p>\n

4. The SWAGGIEST SWAG EVAH.<\/strong> This year, I\u2019ve got TRADING CARDS and they\u2019re awesome cuz I made \u2019em myself in crafts class! Plus, secret grab bags at the book fair for only the bravest of Mark Henry fans (ps. be prepared to buy an ebook to get one)! What\u2019s inside? Could be something awesome, could be something horrifying. Either way, you\u2019ll walk away with a treasure that you can take a pic of and plaster all over the internet!<\/p>\n

3. BUTTONS OF AWESOME Scavenger Hunt!!!<\/strong> In ever RT Con bag you\u2019ll find a card featuring twelve authors whose buttons you\u2019ll be wrestling out of our cold dead hands (or, you know, we\u2019ll give them to you if you ask). Collect them all and you could win a Kindle HD-something or other. It\u2019s like the top of the line or something. Here\u2019s my button\u2026you want it. You know you want it.<\/p>\n

2. Events!<\/strong> Three of \u2019em!\u00a0 See Mark\u2019s entire schedule here.<\/p>\n

1. UTTER (or udder) DEBAUCHERY (see items 1 through 4)<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Author Jaye Wells:<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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\"pw_dm\"This will be my sixth RT and it will be in NOLA, which is my favorite city. I\u2019ve come up with a list of advice to help make your experience fun and stress-free.<\/p>\n

1. \u00a0 Pack a little emergency kit. Include pain reliever, Band-Aids (for blisters from all the walking in the uncomfortable but cut shoes you bought for the occasion), Emergen-C (travel+crowds=germs. Also a great hangover remedy), and antacids (NOLA\u2019s food is unapologetically rich). I also always travel with coffee because hotels are notorious for bad brew and the nearest Starbucks will be packed with lines of zombie-esque convention goers every morning.<\/p>\n

2. Carry a pair of flip-flops or comfy flats in your purse. This way when you\u2019re feet are about to riot because of the torture devices you\u2019ve strapped on to them you can easily trade them out for a comfy option without hiking back to your hotel room.<\/p>\n

3. \u00a0Schedule free time. Two reasons: First, you\u2019ll be in New Orleans. It\u2019s a city that begs to be explored and you\u2019ll kick yourself if you don\u2019t make time to see some sights while you\u2019re there. Definitely go to Jackson Square to see the cathedral and Moon Walk and grab a beignet at Caf\u00e9 du Monde, and try to get to the Garden District on the St. Charles Streetcar, if you have time. The locals in NOLA are incredibly friendly and it\u2019s one of the best walking cities in the world. Grab a couple of your new friends and go explore. Second, being around thousands of people can take a toll on you. Give yourself a couple of sanity breaks to ensure you don\u2019t get cranky or overwhelmed.<\/p>\n

4. \u00a0Be brave. RT is packed with interesting people. Whether it\u2019s saying hi to your favorite authors or meeting other readers, making connections is half the fun at RT. Believe it or not, authors really do love meeting their readers. Come say hi if you see us in the bar or after panels or during the big book signing. Just try to remember that we\u2019re working at the convention. Meals are often used for meetings with editors and colleagues so it\u2019s best to not interrupt, and if you see an author rushing somewhere they\u2019re probably late for a panel or a meeting.<\/p>\n

5. \u00a0Have fun! Go to the balls and parties. Grab swag and free books. Go to the panels to find out what your favorite authors are working on. Hang out in the hotel bar at night for gossip and meeting cool people.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Be sure to drop by tomorrow to get your first look at this year’s limited edition RT swag!<\/p>\n

a Rafflecopter giveaway<\/a>