RT is my secret favorite convention.

I think it’s important for people in the mystery, thriller and, yes, even horror genres, to hear this because Romantic Times is a convention that probably is not on the radar for other genre writers – but it should be.
I heard from almost the very beginning of my promotional efforts that I should go to RT because I write sexy and I write paranormal, and because romance readers simply Buy Books. In fact, they Buy Books voraciously, which I discovered when I was on my Harrowing book tour and I went to my first romance-centric workshop, Heather Graham’s Writers for New Orleans, and sold more books to an audience that didn’t know me from Adam than I had sold at several other genre conventions combined.
But the thing that stunned me from the very first moment of my first Romantic Times convention was how incredibly professionally and logically organized RT is. It’s put on by the Romantic Times review magazine and it’s very adamantly a fan conference. Even though there are lots of aspiring authors there, and great programs for them (including a slew of top agents and editors taking pitches), this conference is also a goldmine for published authors because there are so many people there just to meet authors and buy books (well, okay, and attend the endless and amazingly fun parties, which I’ll get to…)
Let me make this perfectly clear. I never read romances as a kid, or any time after – I had less than zero interest, although looking back I can see there was some romance crossover in the Gothic thrillers I gobbled up in my endless quest for the supernatural. And it’s that crossoverness that definitely makes Romantic Times a more obvious bet for me than a balls-out horror writer, or hard crime writer, because paranormal is so huge right now – in romances AND mysteries, and though a lot of paranormal seems to be about warm and fuzzy werewolves and endless variations on quirky vampires, there’s also a significant segment of the paranormal readership that likes a good straight-up ghost story.
But romance readers are even more broad in their tastes than that.

I think we all, admit it, can be a little snotty about our own genre, and look down on writers who write and readers who read things that we wouldn’t necessarily read or write ourselves. But romance readers buy more books than any other single group of readers and they do not have the same prejudices. They love reading, they love authors, they love books. Period. Give me that reader any old time.
I am frankly staggered at how smart and eclectic this genre is about marketing and promotion – and craft. RT really works to recruit and organize mystery and thriller authors to present workshops and panels on those genres. The conference also features some unique ways of handling reader/author interaction. Apart from outside bookseller events, there is only one mass signing – that takes place in a HUGE convention room on Saturday, after all the authors have already done their panels. The book fair is heavily promoted to the community, on radio, TV and in print, and lots of readers turn up just for that. The authors are lined up alphabetically at long rows of tables, and the readers just walk up and down the aisles. There are drawings for dozens of author-donated gift baskets going on throughout the whole three hour signing, and video screens project book trailers through the whole event as well (I love having my book trailers playing in the book room and on the hotel TV during the convention. And yeah, you bet that sold books for me last year, and beyond that, it was putting my name and my book titles out there for the entire convention, so that even people who would never buy what I write are now aware of me as an author.).
Another cool feature of RT is “Club RT”. Throughout the convention, in the dealers’ room there are a couple dozen little café tables set up and authors are scheduled for one hour slots where they just sit at these tables and anyone who wants to can come up and chat, get books signed, etc. If I were an aspiring author I would spend half my time at this conference just going around to chat with different authors in my genre. A truly unique and intimate opportunity for authors, aspiring authors, and fans.

I also have to say, when women organize these things everything is just – prettier. The attention to detail is mindblowing. Promo Alley, where authors put out their postcards and bookmarks and giveaways, is a long aisle of covered tables on both sides, and instead of having people just throw their swag on the tables, all the giveaways have to be in displays or decorated baskets. Yes, that takes an extra hour of prep time, but oh man, is it worth it. You can actually SEE the promo stuff, and you get a feel for each author from the decorations of the boxes and baskets. Brilliant idea.
Ditto with the parties. RT has professional costumers/decorators who dress the ballrooms for the theme parties – such as Moulin Rouge, Midnight at the Oasis, Jungle Love, the Golden Age of Hollywood and of course, the Faery Ball. There is lighting. There are trees. There are enormous Moroccan pillows. There are stage backdrops. There are mirror balls and candles. There are screaming mechanical skulls. And the level of personal costuming rivaled the Renaissance Faire events and special effects masters’ parties I’ve been to in LA (I never even dreamed there were so many variations on fairies. Seriously…).
And these women DANCE. All night. I’m sorry, but you can only talk so much. You get out on the dance floor with a bunch of readers screaming “It’s Raining Men” and you have made friends for life.
And the point of the parties, is, of course, that they attract fans. Boy, do they.

And well, okay, I admit it – all professionalism aside - after years of having to put up with only female strippers at Hollywood events, I like the turnabout of having half-naked beefcake at a convention.
Sue me.
- Alex
8 comments:
holy hell, that convention sounds AWESOME!
i've never been to a convention before...
I'm sold! Hope you're having fun. :)
One of the best things about RT for me is that at numerous conventions I have met the most awesome people and become friends. People like you and Harley, Joe and Paul. Who knew acting in Heather's show had such great personal rewards?
I'm home from Ohio, freshly inspired, jazzed by spending time among people who love books and writing.
Back story please on your book w/ref to Rhine Institute? Most people don't even know it exists or its reason for being. If you're in Raleigh are you familiar with Dancing Moon?
That's a great explanation of the events, Alexandra. Don't tell too many people or it may blow up like the comic-cons have!
Did you enjoy yourself this year? I was one of the (mostly clothed) Mr. Romance competitors.
Oh no! Now I've got another con to add to my must-hit list! I hope you have as much fun this year as last year. :)
I love RT. It is everything you've said, Alex. The readers who attend are outrageous and simply marvelous. I've made some fabulous friends there. I am so glad you had fun this year.
Because of your "secret favorite convention" admission, and because Fabio was a special guest at my first RT convention, I must share the following.
Last week on the blog Smart Bitches Trashy Books, Elise Logan of the blog Scorched Sheets revealed a life-long adoration of Fabio. Elise called this "her secret shame." Commenters hurried to Fabio's (and Elise's) defense, much like we hurry to the RT convention's defense when speaking to writers outside the romance industry. But Fabio, it turns out, has long been both a genuinely charming person and an astute man of business.
As you say, romance readers love authors and they love books. Give me that reader any time, indeed!
no need for me to say: ENJOY YOURSELF! but will, anyway ;) lol
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