One of my resolutions this year is to go to a big conference. The two that I’m considering are the RT Booklovers Convention in Rosemont, Illinois and the Romance Writers of America Convention in Anaheim, California.
Right now, I have to say I’m leaning toward the RWA convention. Mostly, because it’s in the late summer instead of the late spring, and I’m still feeling pretty stressed out with these revisions and the babies and life in general. Maybe I’ll have things under control in July?
Or maybe I’m just procrastinating.
The RWA convention is geared more toward writers than toward readers, although I’m pretty sure there’s a public signing. RT, I think, is a bit more reader oriented. I plan to alternate the conference I attend every year, so if I do RWA this year, I’d do RT next, but I really have no idea which one to start with. It might come down to who I know who’s attending RT and/or RWA – I’m probably going to need a roommate – but I thought I’d ask you guys if you have an opinion.
(I want to insert a poll here, but the last time I tried that on the Magic & Mayhem blog, I broke it. I’ll figure the whole poll thing out later, but for now, just leave your response in the comments. Thanks!)
Which convention should I attend in 2012?
RT in Rosemont, Illinois
RWA in Anaheim, California
Are any of you attending either convention?
I vote RWA – only because this years conference is 15 minutes from my house and I need more of my favorite authors to attend!
Ooh, nice! I’m looking forward to when RWA comes to Texas (in two or three years, I think?). Then I don’t have to travel so far!
Will let you know what I decide. Thanks!
I vote RWA. That was the con I was going to try to attend as well. Doubt I’ll be able to go this year, but I’ve heard that it’s very career-oriented (not to mention fun.) Hope you get to go, Sandy! 🙂
Wish you could go this year!
I’d say RT for promotional opportunities alone BUT RWA is probably a better fit this year. Your little guys are still little and you need to be able to relax AND enjoy what you’re doing or there’s no point. Plus, you know there’ll be plenty of peeps to room with through RWA!
I have to admit, the July date is much more appealing than… Wait! I have to check the date again!
…
Ok. Whew. It’s the 25-28th. Had to make sure it wasn’t on the boys 1st birthdays!
Anyway, yeah. That July date is much more appealing than the April one. Are you going to either this year?
We shall see! I’m HOPING to do RWA this year, it’s very invigorating. And who doesn’t need a good recharge now and then, right? I am planning on to RT next year – once I have something to promote! 😉
And don’t worry about promotions. You’re so sweet and sincere, people will gravitate to you and want to read your books!
I really wanted to go to RWA, I’ve heard great things about it. I just can’t afford it this year, but I will be attending next year, so my vote goes to RWA. Although the promotional opportunities with RT does make it hard to chose between one or the other.
Boo. Sorry you can make the conference this year, but maybe we’ll run into each other at a future con!
I’ll be at both so I say you must pick one of them so we can hook up and have lunch. =)
You’re so lucky! Hey, do you know when your second book is scheduled to be published? Are you looking at a 6 month pub date or a year? ‘Cause, theoretically, you might have two books to promote at RWA. 🙂
I’ve never been to RWA but I’ve been to RT a few times. RT is really great for networking and promo, connecting with readers and having fun. I’ve heard RWA is more professional. There are still professional-oriented things you can do at RT (panels you can learn things from, etc.) but the focus is on networking and promo from an author’s perspective. They’re so much fun though! 🙂 Without taking into account what you mentioned about spring being a tight timeframe, I’d suggest RT since you’re at a good point in your career to push promo, get your name out there, meet some fans, etc.
I keep hearing about all the promo opportunities at RT. That makes me sooo nervous! I just feel like I’ll do an epic fail if I try to promo my book IRL. I guess I need to research RT more to figure out what exactly goes on there. I have to admit, being able to disappear into workshops at RWA is kind of appealing.
Is Anaheim near wine country??
Ha ha! That’s one of the first things I looked up. It doesn’t look like it. I think it would be close to a 6 hour drive. Anaheim is kind of near LA and it looks like the wine country is more north.
Anaheim is a lot closer to wine country than Texas is, though! And July/August might not be a bad time. 😉