Fowl Play, the ninth Dewberry
Romantimania!
So I know I’ve been a bit lax on the posting. But most of the week so far has been taken up scrambling to get ready for the RT conference in Houston. I’m here now, and did my panel this morning (which was fun), and Michele Scott and I just came back from buying 24 bottles of less-than-premium champagne and a big bottle of Aleve at a Fiesta grocery store.
The people behind us in line were intensely curious. As you may be too, come to think of it. But no, it’s not that we’re raging alcoholics. We’re hosting a morning mixer tomorrow morning, and had to get drinks for more than 200 people.
Of course, we didn’t tell the folks behind us that. We just left them to wonder…
At any rate, I must say that the world of romance is rather different from the world of mystery, at least as far as conferences go. At Malice, it’s all about tea and fancy hats. Here, I have seen dozens of fairy wings, men wearing purple velour stretch leggings, and more than a few folks wearing not much more than their tattoos. And some wonderful titles: my favorites so far include Puss in Boots (the cover did not have cats on it), Merlicious Seven, and — no I am not making this up — Heaving Bosoms.
Heavens to Betsy.
And yesterday I put together a big raffle basket for my Howling at the Moon series, with lots of fun little stuff. I went and checked on it today; someone stole the truffles and a pedicure brush from it.
If they were that desperate for chocolate, they’re welcome to it; but what were they doing with the pedicure brush AND the truffles? I shudder to think…
In a few hours, I’ll be at Murder by the Book. I know I’ll see at least a few folks there… if you’re in Houston and have the time, do drop by!
Signing off in Romance-Land…
K
(a half hour later)
I almost forgot my favorite author name.
Aphrodite Porne.
Okay, off to Murder by the Book now…
*falls over*
Wow! That sounds almost as crazy as some of the conventions I’ve attended.
Dang, I miss doing the ‘cons. Next one for me’s gonna’ be Dragon Con. That’s a way’s off, though.
You know, about 100 years ago, I joined RWA because I wanted to go to New Orleans, where their convention was. Back then–and this is at least 20 years ago–historicals were in fashion and when I arrived everything was a sea of frills and lace on lots of people who…well…shouldn’t be wearing them. It sounds as if it’s gotten FAR more interesting!
And speaking of your new friend ‘Aphrodite Porne’….. you know the way to arrive at your soap opera/porn star name is to combine the name of your childhood pet and the street you grew up on. Therefore, my soap opera/porn star name would be Cleo Coppermine. XO, Melissa/Cleo P. S. What would your name be?
Umm . . . then I’m Caesar LaCampana? 😉
Have fun, Karen–and, for goodness sake, take pictures!
Candy
Oh, dear, Grace, that’s going to be a VERY bad name for me…”Bingo Hedges.” That sounds REALLY obscene.
Caesar LaCampana and Bingo Hedges, huh?? That’s hilarious! And Bingo Hedges sounds VERY dirty… Sincerely, Cleo Coppermine
Hi Karen,
Yes, RT is a very unique experience. I haven’t gone, my friends have so I definitely want to go one day.
When you go to Malice make sure to say “Hi” to my friend Lori Avocato (Avon’s Pauline Sokol mysteries).
Yesterday I had my second quilt class, I have one more and it should be finished & I can start another.
I also had a request for a partial from one agent and a request for a complete ms. from another. Yey!
Have a great day,
Debra
Hi Karen.
I enjoy reading your blog and have awarded you the Thinking Blogger Award and tagged you to select five thinking bloggers. You can read the details on my blog at http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com/2007/04/award-for-straight-from-hel.html.
Helen Ginger
Nicholas,
You’ll have to take photos and send them to me. I can only imagine…
🙂
Laura,
Apparently RWA is more… well, sedate than RT. And yes, there were a lot of seams er… testing their mettle, so to speak, this past week.
I wonder what it will be like in ten years?
Melissa,
I think I would be Honeybee Christopher.
Hmmm….
Candy,
I am ashamed to say I took not nearly enough. Partially because I seemed to be perpetually lugging something (like the champagne we ended up NOT BEING ABLE TO SERVE) from place to place, partially because I feel a little funny taking pictures of people popping out of their outfits.
Maybe more liquor next time?
Hope all is well with you… see you at Malice!
Ooh, Cleo Coppermine!
LOL
And Bingo Hedges sounds like one of the Ringling clowns. 🙂
Candy, may I simply refer to you as “Caesar” from now on? 😉
Debra,
Lori hosted the morning mixer with me; she’s just lovely, even though just hearing her name makes me hungry for guacamole.
I’ll definitely say hi… and a HUGE congrats on the news from the agents! A partial and a full? That’s wonderful!!!!
Fingers and toes crossed (keep me posted)…
Helen,
Thank you SO MUCH!
If only I’d read your comment BEFORE I posted…
There’s always tomorrow!
(I liked your other blog selections, too — there was one REALLY funny one — I checked her web site, and she had some purple prose that I’ll have to post here…)
Thanks again!