Friday, July 8, 2011

RWA Recap/Day 5 - Romance Legends and the RITA Awards

Today is my final doubleheader with a guest post at The Reading Reviewer, spotlighting Linda Francis Lee's EMILY AND EINSTEIN at this link.


Nancy (left), Eileen (right), and Tracy (below)


Friday brought breakfast with Nancy Gideon (which I won in Operation Auction).  Mary Gramlich was having breakfast Tracy Anne Warren so we joined forces at the same table.   Nancy shared her road to publishing.  Her roommate, Eileen Dreyer, stopped by our table and I took a picture.  But let me just say that none of us looked like beauty queens that early in the morning .... so the picture remains in the vault. 


After making myself presentable, I popped into Mary Jo Putney's chat moderated by Cara Elliott (both are Word Wenches).  Cara joined Mary and I for coffee ... and we bumped into other friends.


It is always fun to talk to Sally MacKenzie!  Nearby was Roxanne St. Claire and Kate Douglas.  Kate's son lives in Hawaii so I hope to see her soon!


I skipped lunch to haul more boxes to the post office.  I rushed back for the Grand Central Publishing book signing, giving me the opportunity to meet many guests who have appeared at SOS Aloha.   I took a quick nap before the RWA Awards Ceremony.   The Golden Heart is awarded to unpublished manuscripts in 10 catagories.  The RITA is awarded to published novels in 12 catagories.  The winners are listed at this link.


Cathy Maxwell was nominated for the RITA/Regency Historical Romance for HIS CHRISTMAS PLEASURE.  She invited me to be her guest at the VIP tables.  Our table was a lucky as it include (left to right):

- Diana Van Dyke and her husband; Diana won the Golden Heart for Romantic Suspense with her manuscript, SPY IN THE MIRROR.

- Jodi Thomas and guest; Jodi won the RITA for Novel with Strong Romantic Elements for WELCOME TO HARMONY.  I have never been that close to the RITA statue!

- Shelly Bates and her guest, presenter of the RITA for Inspirational Romance

- Lucia Macro, Avon Romance Executive Editor

- Cathy Maxwell, Navy Vet, NYT best selling author, and signing roommate.


Cathy and I found friends from the Washington Romance Writers, including Diane Gaston (second from left).


And my final picture - KT Grant and Roxanne St. Claire dressed to the nines!   I am giving away a book of choice from my RT stash to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about what you would wear to an awards ceremony - satin?  sequins?  good luck charm?

I wore a black dress with fuschia flowers - a modern take on a MuuMuu.  Hey, I go for comfort!

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.

3.  Comments are open through Saturday, July 9, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winners on Sunday, July 10.  

Mahalo,

Kim in Dayton

41 comments:

  1. I'm a fan of the little black dress. I think it's usually dressy enough for certain events, but for an awards ceremony I think I'll go with a Grecian dress.

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  2. A good luck charm sounds like a great idea. I'm a comfort person too, so probably dress pants & a tunic. Maybe satin, but no sequins for me.

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  3. I think I would probably wear a simple cocktail dress with a pretty pair of heels. Nothing too flashing or too much detail. Would be a bonus if the material is comfortable too!

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  4. You are so Lucky, Kim ! Gorgeous pictures as always ! love reading all the recaps :)

    what i would wear, a simple black dress and a pair of comfort shoes :)

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  5. Great pics, Kim. I would wear an elegant dress, but I would be very careful with the shoes that I wear. I remember one evening at the RT convention in Daytona, where I had to walk barefoot because me feet were hurting from the shoes.

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  6. Either a super-cute little black dress or a blue dress, as it's my favorite color with comfortable heels.

    ~Heather
    book_lover6983@yahoo.com

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  7. I would wear a flowing black dress with a necklace that my husband gave me.



    Danielle

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  8. I big fan of lace right now. I have 2 dresses from Talbots that has satin underneath and black/navy "winter lace" overtop. They are very pretty and since I'm a plus size woman, they are comfortable.

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  9. Omigosh, Kim! I can't even remember having the photo taken--and I wasn't drinking at all. On the Left of me is Karen Anders and to the far right, Julie Halperson.

    It was wonderful seeing you, even as briefly as it was.

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  10. Kim--where can I send the money for not printing that picture? ;-}

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  11. I love a floor length bronze dress. There's something about bronze to me that feels magical. Thanks for sharing the pictures as comments, I know you had an amazing time! *Hugs*

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  12. I'm a fan of the little black dress with a little bling in the ears and at the neck and shoes you can stand in for hours that are sexy but have modest heels. Sounds like you had an incredible week!

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  13. My lucky 4 leaf clover necklace. I lend it to my sister & she graduated while wearing it always through her exams. After this undeniable proof of power I would definitely put it on.

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  14. Sapphire blue is my favorite color, in silk if I can find it but I am afraid I go for comfort also so most likely to wear pants and flats (or at least carry some for the sake of my ankles!) therefore any elegance is usually offset by my ubiquitous totebag! Thanks for sharing the flavor of the conference with us! Lovely to see all of the fascinating authors temporarily freed from their keyboards. (-:
    ELF

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  15. I would definately dress for comfort. Probably a nice, silk or satin blouse and dress pants.

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  16. Hi Kim, I dress for comfort as well. If I don't I feel self-conscious and that makes it hard for me to enjoy myself. It's always safe to go with a sleek black dress, but I think for this event I would wear a shimmery (not matte) gold/peach dress with lace cap sleeves. Seems like a romantic dress for a romantic night.

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  17. My picture turned out pretty good! It's posted on my FB page. (Sorry, Eileen!) It was great to meet you, Kim.

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  18. I am so loving all these pictures - the who's who of the writing world!! I have never been able to find that perfect little black dress but I do have the perfect black skirt and black pants so I change it up with different tops - casual or dressy and always comfortable lol.

    catslady

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  19. Maybe silk or something matte anyway - don't want the dress to be too shiny in photos. I don't know whether to go sophisticated black or something different and eye-catching like fuchsia.

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  20. Most likely a little black dress---not much for frippery.

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  21. Kim -

    My first impression would be that I would definately wear something comfortable! Award cermonies are definately a long affair especially with all the jumping up and cheering that you would be doing! No stiletto's for me but instead something slightly loose so I could eat that wonderful decadent dessert they always serve - you know the one that makes you have to go on a diet when you get home.

    I'm going to stick to something black worn with a mid-high heel and I'd definately bring a shawl to throw over my shoulders since they'll have the airconditoning turned up to the max!

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  22. I would wear something casual and my favorite, good luck necklace.

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  23. id wear dress pants and shirt, i go for comfort too. i cant do a dress or heals. id trip and fall...lol. id also bring a good luck charm. :) great pictures of everyone! you all look beautiful!

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  24. I have a lovely robin egg blue dress that was made for my body shape for a wedding in Scotland I love this dress I would wear that along with my Celtic necklace & earrings I also have a wee bit of Tartan ribbon I will tie around my clutch bag....
    I would love to attend an awards Ceremony Cheer on all the winners....Sighs Someday.
    Ann/alba

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  25. I'd wear a simple black dress.

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  26. Something flowy and fabulous :-)

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  27. A good luck charm but comfortable dressy a nice mixture of the two. Probably a dark purple or black. Maybe a mixture. Bring the "lucky cat"?

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  28. I love purple so would have to wear a purple knee length dress and sandels. I would wear my Mom's engagement ring and a gold necklace I had made for my Mom, after my Dad died, that has a pic of them engraved on a disk.
    Enjoying your post of the convention. Great pics

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  29. I'd definitely wear a good luck charm as well as an elegant but still comfortable dress.
    Love the post again and the pics!

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  30. I'd probably go with a little black dress - can't go wrong with that! But I'd also make sure to wear a good luck charm in the hopes that I win something =)

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  31. I wold never wear sequins. I would feel too...something I am not sure. Ilike the basic black, classy dress.
    debby236 at aol dot com

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  32. good luck charm. i look like a man in drag when im in dress and heels ,lol

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  33. I'd wear a little black dress (but not too short or too hussy-like) and red heels. =)

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  34. Thanks for the great pics Kim. You met a lot of amazing Authors there. Hopefully I'll make it next year. I'd wear the simple black dress with a little bling in the ears and a necklace from my late Mom. Definitely low heels. Thanks for sharing Kim.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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