**My RT 2013 Experience**

So, I promised y'all some pictures from the RT Booklovers Convention. :) Let me just say, it was quite the experience! I'd never attended a book convention before and apparently I picked the mother of all conventions to attend my first time out of the gate! ;) I'm really more of an introverted person - hello! bookworm, here. And there were soooo many people and soooo many books. I ended up having a grand time! I may even go again next year! ;)

I have lots and lots and lots to say about my time at RT but rather than cause any more convention envy than you already have, ;) I thought I'd just give y'all some highlights, lowlights, and lessons learned...along with the pictures, of course!

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Highlights

• Who knew there were so many Brand-ee, i, ie's in the world?!? 

-After communicating electronically for close to a year, I finally got to meet Brandee, of Brandee's Book Endings. We roomed together and had a blast!

-Who knew there were so many Brand-ee, i, ie's in the world?!? I met another Brandi on my first night in Kansas City. She and her aunt, Debbie, were so kind as to allow me to have dinner with them. We ended up spending a lot of time together - and had so much fun! 

•  Hanging out with other readers and aspiring writers! So many in one location. ;)
• Meeting and talking with my favorite authors as well as meeting some new ones - and adding more books to my already overloaded TBR! ;)
• I had dinner with Jillian Dodd and Bonnie Burgess...yeah, the perks of knowing Brandee from BBE!
• I attended a cocktail party where I got to meet Jasinda Wilder, Denise Grover Swank, Jana DeLeon, Jane Graves, Colleen Gleason (aka Joss Ware, aka Collette Gale ;), Theresa Ragan, Dorien Kelly...
• I met authors I've done blog tours for - and they knew me! *squee* 

me to Anna Silver: Hey Anna! I just did a blog tour for you!

Anna: Yes you did! Thanks for the great review! It's so nice to meet you.

*author next to Anna leaning over to get my attention*

me to DINA SILVER: Oh my god! Hey Dina! I reviewed your book too!

Dina: I thought I recognized you!

me: *what???*

Oh, all the fangirling I did...it's just such an amazing event. To get to meet the people behind the books that I LOVE to read...see, I'm still fangirling! ;) The list of authors I met is just - I have no words - from the prolific to the indie...it was incredible! And I somehow overcame my tongue-tied, starry-eyed-ness and was able to speak to them all. I'm sure I even squealed a time or two. Oh, and I blushed a lot too! (note: I have a slight tendency to blush like a 12 year old...okay, maybe not slight ;) I made some authors laugh hysterically at my blushing...Catherine Bybee even said "I'm so putting that in a book!" But hanging out with authors...just like hanging out with friends. It was so phenomenal! 

By the way, YES, E.L. James did attend. She was there covertly though, and I never saw her. :(

Lowlights

• My flight to KC was delayed because of SNOW!
• My suitcase arrived in KC in a plastic bag because the zipper busted - lots of clothes dirty and I lost 2 socks! 
• People can be rude.

-If you're going into a workshop solely for the chocolate being served, please have the courtesy to wait until the author is finished with their reading before walking out...seriously!

-If you're an unpublished author, please note there are times and places for you to pitch your books. Please don't pitch your book to authors, under the guise of asking them a question about their own work, during a workshop where some people are actually trying to learn something from the published authors!

Lessons Learned

• Don't pack a hairdryer. The hotels ALWAYS have one and it may not work just like yours from home, but trust me. You're gonna need the space for books and swag!
• Pack small articles of clothing. See above. ;)
• Take bigger suitcases! Again, see above. :)
• Take business cards. I can't tell you how many authors asked me for my card...and guess what?!? I certainly don't have any. I mean, I'm not big time enough for that, right?!? Nope. Authors love to meet bloggers and want your info. My new pal, Tina Reber...*squeee* she set me up. Told me everything I needed to know about designing the perfect card! :)

Okay, now for the part y'all are really waiting for...the pictures.