So, I loaded up Floyd (for those who don't know, I name things....Floyd's my little orange Vibe), plugged in my iPod (who doesn't have a name) and due to my directional inabilities, my GPS (which is actually a function of my PDA, Minerva) and hit the road very early on Friday.
With Minerva's help, I made it into Pittsburgh and arrived at the hotel. I was in the overflow hotel, the Omni, and they were great. My room was ready at seven-thirty am. So after I stowed my luggage, I headed to the Hilton.
At ten, I had a panel workshop on series romance. It was fantastic (Anna DeStefano was the captain and did a great job putting it together)! One question threw me. Did we write category as a first choice, or was it a fallback. It was nicely asked. When I talked to the woman afterwards, she said she'd never really considered writing category romance until our panel, and after listening to
us, she was quite enthusiastic about the idea! Anyway, to answer the 
question...writing series romance was my first choice! I originally wanted Duets, and have been fortunate to continue writing for Harlequin since that line closed!
us, she was quite enthusiastic about the idea! Anyway, to answer the 
question...writing series romance was my first choice! I originally wanted Duets, and have been fortunate to continue writing for Harlequin since that line closed!Right after the two-hour panel, it was the awards lunch! I sat with two award winners...Molly O'Keefe who won the Reviewers Choice for best Superromance of '07, and Hannah Howell, who was honored as a romance pioneer! And my book, The House on Briar Hill Road won the Reviewers Choice Award 
for best Harlequin Everlasting of '07!! This was truly a book of my heart, and my first non-humor/comedy, so the honor was so very appreciated.
for best Harlequin Everlasting of '07!! This was truly a book of my heart, and my first non-humor/comedy, so the honor was so very appreciated.The rest of the day was a blur. I met a bunch of friends. I ended up at Heather Graham's Vampire Ball, sitting with Kerrilyn Sparks. I didn't get a pic. Here's the thing, I ALWAYS take my camera, and so very rarely forget to pull it out and take the pics! SIGH. But trust me, she looked lovely!
The next day, I bummed around with more friends until the booksigning. It was a blast! So many old friends (old in terms of length of time I've known them, not that they're old!) and new friends stopped by!
Afterwards, I went out to lunch with friends...well, two lunches with two friends! LOL I really wanted to stay for the Dorchester party (I heard wonderful things afterwards) but Floyd, Minerva and I were beat. So we headed back to Erie! But as always, Romantic Times was a blast! Next year it's in Florida. Sounds good to me, though Floyd and Minerva will be depressed that I don't need them to come, too! LOL
*********************************************************************************
I've got five books coming out, starting in August, so this is a busy travel season for me! I was in New York in March, now RT in April. I'll be at Cleveland RWA's conference in May, then a family vacation to DC and Williamsburg, VA in June, and finally RWA's National Conference in San Francisco in July and August.
So, how about you? Any travel plans for the summer season??
Holly
PS I added the "**" because the formatting kept skewing and I couldn't make paragraphs stick. Just wanted to break up the read!
19 comments:
No travel plans for the summer.
With the price of gas I don't know if there will be any this summer.
it is going to be more backyard stuff.
Gigi,
Thankfully, my Vibe gets great gas mileage, but even at that, it's going to be more expensive than I planned on. If I hadn't already made my reservations, I'd be tempted to just head to the lake for vacation...it's a fifteen minute drive! LOL
Have a great summer!
Holly
Just wanted to drop by and say Hi - and Congratulations again! Lovely news ;o)
Hugs
Kate
We rarely travel and don't plan to
change that! We're homebodies!!
Last year, we shared our summer with
our grandchildren. We had one or
two at a time over to spend the
weekends with us. We will probably
do the same again. It gives us time
with them and gives the parents a
bit of a break!
Pat Cochran
Kate, Thanks so much! And if we're going to be tossing out those congrats, let me give you a huge one on the release of your rerelease of your book on writing!
Pat, That's so lovely! I can't wait to be a grandma, but for now, I'm practicing by being a great aunt! I'm sure the kids love the time with you. There's nothing like grandma's house!!
Holly
Thanks for sharing about your RT experience. I have never been able to attend and would love to one day. Hubby and I have plans to celebrate our anniversary in June. We are going to leave the kids with my mother and sister for a few days and go have some fun in Orlando together.
Cherie,
You'll have to go to RT someday! They're a hoot!
And so cool about your trip with your dh! When you have kids, those moments when you get to steal away with your loved one are so special! And I so love Orlando! Enjoy!
Holly
Whatever it costs in gas seeing DC and Williamsburg is well worth it. I have been to both and would love to go back. Hope you plan to spend enough time in both places to see them. Just be sure to wear your most comfortable shoes!!! And take a guided tour thru Willimsburg if possible.
Ellen,
Thanks for the tips! My family is big on the history thing. We love DC, but haven't been to Williamsburg in years. My youngest has never, so it should be fun!
Have you ever done Gettysburg? That's my dh's favorite!
Holly
No travel plans for summer.
Gas is just too expensive to go anywhere.
Estella,
Yeah, it is crazy expensive! Maybe you could find something fun nearby? We have Lake Erie here, which is always fun. Hope you can find something fun to do!
Holly
Is this working now?? I was having blog issues earlier. :(
I am not going to be going to far because of the outrageous gas prices, I can't afford to go anywhere. :( We'll have to have some fun locally.
No summer vacation plans yet. The planes are already full and I don't know if I could deal with all the delays and cancellations.
Dina,
Yes we can hear you now! LOL I had issues with Blogger today too. I couldn't get it to accept my paragraphs. So, it wasn't just you!
And I think there will be a lot of people staying close to home this summer! There are some great benefits. Not only do you save money on gas, any money you do spends stays in your community.
Have fun!
Holly
Jane,
Next time you travel, try a train. Susan Gable and I took one from Erie to NYC in March. It was a long trip, and we figured we'd either love it, or hate it...no middle ground.
Well, we loved it! It was relaxing, the scenery was beautiful. And it was right on time!
Planes have been so horrible lately...you're not alone in not liking it. Because I worried, I'm leaving for the big conference in San Francisco a day early. Even if I'm late, I'm hoping I'll be on time! LOL
Have fun closer to home this summer!
Holly
Hi Holly,
I wanted to get to RT, had plans made and everything, then mom got sick and ended up in the hospital for 2 weeks, she just got out.
Sorry I didn't get a chance to say hi in person. SOunds like you had a fun time though.
Tammy
Oh, Tammy, I'm so sorry about your mom! Glad she got out of the hospital, and hoping she's on her feet again!
Also sorry you missed RT...and I didn't get that "hi." Hopefully sometime soon?!!
Holly
I'm keeping my fingers crossed Holly.
Haven't seen you at Waldens doing any signings lately, but maybe I just missed them, will keep watching though.
Tammy
Tammy,
Thanks! I'm doing a signing in February, the weekend before Valentine's, in the Mall...hope to see you there!
How's your mom doing now?
holly
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