Guest Author: Meg Benjamin

Our guest author today is Meg Benjamin and she is giving away a copy of DON'T FORGET ME to one lucky commenter.

10 TIPS FOR THE ROMANTIC TIMES BOOK LOVERS CONVENTION

 Okay, this is my second Romantic Times Convention coming up, which makes me an expert, right? Other people will tell you how to do pitch sessions with editors and agents, or how to take advantage of the workshops (hint: join the Nine Naughty Novelists for the panel on group blogging on Thursday morning) and parties (another hint: come by the Nine Naughty Novelists/Smutketeers Karaoke Party). Me, I’m going straight for the important stuff.

1. Bring comfortable shoes. No kidding. This goes for both readers and writers. You’ll be trotting all over that hotel and if you’re wearing tight shoes, you’ll be in agony by day two. My friend Kelly Jamieson can make it in three-inch heels (the woman has arches of steel). I can’t. I’ll be wearing my Jambus, courtesy of REI.

2. A bottle of water is never amiss for anyone at RT. Coffee is frequently available, but water will get you farther as the days wear on. Staying hydrated is a good idea.

3. Layers, layers, layers. It doesn’t matter what the weather is like in Rosemont—inside the hotel the climate will vary from room to room. Besides this is a great place to break out your more flamboyant jackets and sweaters. Everybody gets to be a peacock at RT.

4. Theme parties are there for everybody, both readers and writers, and costumes are often flamboyant. But packing lots of costumes can be expensive in terms of luggage fees. Instead of full-blown costumes, go with accessories. Earrings, scarves, and the occasional flashy belt will count for a lot.

5. For writers, if you do the book signings, put an energy bar in your purse. You’ll be there for around three hours and you’ll get very hungry before it’s through unless you’ve eaten a huge breakfast before you arrive.

6. If you’re a reader hitting Promo Alley, where writers leave promotional items out for the taking, go back several times. Lots of us writers will be putting up different promo materials on different days.

7. If you’re a writer, on the other hand, bring something to Promo Alley besides bookmarks. Everybody will have them and some people will take them, but more unusual promo is more likely to be picked up.

8. For everybody, going to the various parties and receptions can save on dinner costs—and save time since you won’t have to leave the hotel to find something to eat.

9. In some ways, it’s more fun to drop in on people’s hotel rooms than to hit the various scheduled parties. There are lots of informal parties going on and it’s a great way to meet readers, writers and publishing people.

10. For anyone who wants to be remembered—writers, bloggers, reviewers, booksellers, etc.—bring cards. Lots of cards. You’ll be handing them out and collecting them all week long. And don’t forget to tuck a few into your pocket when you go to parties.

And one more tip—have fun. That’s what RT is all about, really. Yes, you’re there to you’re your favorite authors or promote your books, but you’re also there to enjoy yourself. So have a good time, and look me up. I’ll definitely be around!

More about the Romantic Times Book Lovers Convention - http://www.rtconvention.com/

Meg Benjamin is the author of the Konigsburg series for Samhain Publishing. Book #3, Be My Baby, won a 2011 EPIC Award for Contemporary Romance. Book #4, Long Time Gone, received the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for Indie Press Romance. Book #5, Brand New Me, was nominated for Book Of the Year at Long and Short Reviews. 

Meg lives in Colorado with her DH and two rather large Maine coon kitties (well, partly Maine Coon anyway). Her Web site is http://www.MegBenjamin.com. You can follow her on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/meg.benjamin1), and Twitter (http://twitter.com/megbenj1). Meg loves to hear from readers—contact her at meg@megbenjamin.com.

Leave a comment for a chance to win the latest book in the series, DON'T FORGET ME!