Thursday evening I had dinner with my new editor, Jessica Alvarez (left). Here we are at the National Readers Choice Awards afterward. I DIDN’T WIN. But, they had a lovely reception with ice cream and champagne. I sat at a table with Maureen Child, Cherry Adair, Catherine Mann and Jill Shalvis–we ALL lost. It was the LOSER TABLE, which Cherry Adair pointed out repeatedly. :loser: Maureen Child picked up an award for a friend who couldn’t be there and threatened to have it re-engraved overnight. Both Cherry and Maureen were hilarious and made losing more fun than winning, NOT THAT I WOULD KNOW SINCE I NEVER WIN ANYTHING. No, I’m not bitter, why do you ask? One of Jill’s daughters went to pick up our finalist certificates and came back and told me, “Here’s your LOSER PAPER.” Something tells me she spent too much time with Cherry Adair.:lol:
Thursday was a busy day. My workshop on emotion was first thing in the morning. I was exhausted, having barely slept, and feeling nervous, but it seemed to go well. The room was full–there were about 70 people there for my workshop and I’d brought only 40 handouts, so I collected business cards and am mailing out handouts this week to attendees who didn’t get one.
Lunch was at a restaurant outside the hotel with my eHarlequin editor, Cindy Watson, and many authors. I was lucky enough to sit at a table with big wig Isabel Swift of Harlequin, James Pearson, Jill Shalvis, and Elizabeth Bevarly. James was from Audible, who was there celebrating a major new deal with Harlequin to produce our books for MP3 and Ipod downloads. James is a super sharp and fascinating guy who has worked for Oprah and John Hughes, so he provided quite a bit of entertainment over lunch. (Right: Isabel Swift, left: James Pearson.)
Friday’s SIM Cocktail Hour was an opportunity to meet new Silhouette Intimate Moments senior editor Patience Smith, and mingle with the editors and authors. Here I am with author Loreth Anne White (center) and editor Jessica Alvarez (left).
Beautiful SIM babes, left to right, Carla Cassidy, Maggie Price, Deb Cowan.
I practiced my papparazzi photography whenever possible. Here is Debbie Macomber (center of shot) at the charity Knit-In following her luncheon speech. There were so many people there my roommate Michelle had to learn to knit with pens!
More photos from Thursday and Friday are on my photoblog now, and be sure to see Michelle’s and Kacey’s photos, too–which includes a photo of me in my PAX League t-shirt and pj bottoms before the eHarlequin pajama party Thursday night, and Michelle in her award-winning pajamas. I was too exhausted to go, but if I had, I’m sure I would have beaten out Michelle with my PAX t-shirt. Next year, Michelle. Next year. I’M TAKING YOU DOWN!
Tomorrow I’ll put up pictures from the fabulous Harlequin party Friday night, including more stealth shots of celebrity authors on the dance floor!
Also, I’ve just had some updates done to my website including a darker color to make link text more readable, a printable booklist on my Books page, a separate page for my backlist, and other minor improvements. I’m always looking for ways to enhance the usability of my site and these ideas were generously provided by fabu reader blogger Maili. If you ever have any ideas for ways I could improve my website, let me know!!
And don’t forget to check the photoblog today for the latest pics!
Katie says:
Not as good as being there, but your updates are pretty dang close!!
On August 4, 2005 at 7:58 am
Margery Scott says:
The conference sounds fantastic. Remind me not to miss another one. Love the pics, Suzanne. Makes me feel like I was there – well, almost 😥
On August 4, 2005 at 8:02 am
mary beth says:
Looks like you had fun.
I can’t wait to be able to listen to my books on my iPod!
On August 4, 2005 at 8:31 am
Michelle says:
Moi? You’re going to take me on for cutest pajamas? Babe, you have to stay up late for that to happen.
Bring it on! :bananadance:
On August 4, 2005 at 8:38 am
Lynn Daniels says:
I’m loving your reports, Suzanne. After reading all the controversy elsewhere, it’s so nice to come here and see positive things.
On August 4, 2005 at 9:04 am
Mary says:
Great photos and blog today, as always.
On August 4, 2005 at 9:06 am
Melissa says:
Adair was so wrong. You were definitely at the WINNING table. Some people’s taste’s are all in their mouths.
More good piccys. 😀
On August 4, 2005 at 9:07 am
Eve says:
I’m with Melissa!
Love the photoblog.
Are we selling tickets to the Michelle/Suzanne take down?:grin:
On August 4, 2005 at 9:21 am
Estella Kissell says:
You’re always a winner with me, Suzanne:bananadance:
On August 4, 2005 at 9:23 am
kacey says:
LOL…well Michelle’s PJ’s WERE cute…and she DID somehow manage to stay up that late even with the 3 HOUR time change…
But I’m betting next year we can give her a run for her money… :fryingpan:
On August 4, 2005 at 9:34 am
Melissa Marsh says:
Love all your pics, Suzanne. Thanks so much for sharing!
On August 4, 2005 at 10:14 am
Mechele Armstrong says:
Love all the pictures and reports. LOL you crack me up too. Thanks!
On August 4, 2005 at 11:12 am
Kelly says:
You’re not a loser, Suzanne!! Great pics, and you were indeed busy!
On August 4, 2005 at 11:15 am
Jill says:
Oh, jeez, my daughter said LOSER paper? The little brat.
On August 4, 2005 at 11:27 am
Teresa says:
Love the photos and the stories! The Loser paper . . . So funny! And you’re not a loser!
On August 4, 2005 at 12:25 pm
Saundra M says:
Thanks so much for the fab photos. I’m glad you had such a good time, it shows in everyone’s faces, even if you did sit at the losers table. Next year, it’s all about you girlfriend!:yes:
On August 4, 2005 at 1:04 pm
Tori says:
Love the continued reports!!! :bananadance:
And you are SO not a loser!
Hey, Kacey, maybe you and I should team up and sell tickets to Suzanne & Michelle’s Battle of the PJs!
On August 4, 2005 at 4:22 pm
Danica says:
Suzanne, it sounds like you had fun. And I’d have loved to be sitting at that “loser” table. Everyone there is cool!
On August 4, 2005 at 5:35 pm
ruby55 says:
There are winners and there are WINNERS. I don’t often win things either but I have to keep up my optimism: I’m not good on luck things (e.g. being drawn for prizes:loser:) but am more likely to win for something I have to do. However, even there I have problems. So you definitely aren’t a loser: even on merit there can be only one winner. Just to make it to the nomination is a big achievement in this competitive field. How many romance-type books are published each year? There you are!
Now I also know why you do workshops on emotion. “The Beast Within” is a great example. I loved the fact that the emotions each of the protagonists was feeling was really the most important thing, overshadowing, but not drowning out, the adventure and suspense elements. In a romance, I think the emotions should be paramount. :yes:
On August 4, 2005 at 9:12 pm
Marcy says:
Can I buy a ticket to the Pajam Bam? 😉
On August 4, 2005 at 11:57 pm