I’m off to attend the annual Romance Writers of America convention, this year in Atlanta. It’s RWA’s 26th conference; my 15th. Trying to look back, I realize I’ve attended all of the following:

1991 — New Orleans, LA
1992 — Chicago, IL
1993 — St Louis, MO
1994 — New York City, NY
1996 — Dallas, TX
1998 — Anaheim, CA
1999 — Chicago, IL
2000 — Washington, D.C.
2001 — New Orleans, LA
2002 — Denver, CO
2003 — New York, NY
2004 — Dallas, TX
2005 — Reno, NV

I skipped 1995 because it was in Hawaii, and I realized that for the same amount of money I could go to England for 10 days, so I did. I skipped 1997 because I’d just had a baby three weeks prior. I remember some of these conferences more fondly than others. I’ve recapped years past in previous blogs, which you can see here. This year, I’m anticipating for big things.

Passionate Ink, RWA’s first and only erotic romance chapter, is celebrating its first anniversary. In an organization where chapters of 150 members are considered fairly large and noteworthy, we have gathered over 400 “Inkers” who will proudly wear badge ribbons proclaiming themselves Passionate Ink members. I’m especially proud to be a co-founder and current Vice President, and in a position to watch PI grow over the last 12 months. We’ve had online speakers, created book-in-a-week challenges, developed a website and message boards for members to communicate. We completed our first manuscript contest for unpublished authors of erotic romance, Stroke of Midnight. We also pulled off a contest for published authors of erotic romance, Passionate Plume. Awards for both will be given at our gala luncheon at the Georgia Aquarium on Friday.

After that, I’m speaking about plotting the erotic romance to conference goers. I’d intended to speak with Jaci Burton, but she’s had to bow out, due to a grave illness in her family. Big hugs to Jaci! So it’s just me, but that’s okay. I’ve done it before. No sweat.

There are publisher parties, meetings with editors and publicists. My lovely agent, Deidre Knight, is celebrating her 10th year in business with a big party tonight. It’s going to be a blast!

Lack of sleep, voice hoarse from too much talking, and hotel bar bills that cause sticker shock aside, I’m looking forward to a great trip. I’ll blog more about it when I get home!