Airing Tonight (June 1st)

Catch me live (okay, recorded live) at the Romantic Times BookLovers Convention. The interview airs tonight at 9:30pm Eastern on All Romance's What's Hot in Romance. The MP3 will be archived on the Blog Talk Radio site and downloadable in case you can't catch the show live... erm, played back live from the live recording.

I had a great time chatting with Cat Johnson, and I even read a bit of my story "Double Decker" from Sapphistocated.

My Butt at 5:12

Just in case you were interested...

Romantic Times Convention Recap on Vimeo.

Romantic Times BookLovers Convention

Well, we're off to Orlando this morning... by car. We'll be stopping in Clemson, SC for an all-too-brief visit with dear friends and expect to roll into Orlando mid-afternoon on Wednesday. Google Maps says each leg of this trip is 8+ hours. Oh, joy! But, I fully intend to work on edits for Coming Together: Against the Odds while Will is taking his turns behind the wheel. I have my adorable little Eee loaded up & ready to go, lots of CDs packed, and plenty of energy drinks. I wish I could say I was "up" for the madness that is RT, but I'm just not. I'm not excited about my costumes AT ALL. Plus, I'm still annoyed at how the RT machine marginalizes ebooks & small press.

The ebook expo, for example, is Wednesday afternoon from 4:30 'til 6:30. Hardly "prime time." More like nap time. However, it is Earth Day and I will be celebrating the release of Coming Together: Al Fresco, an ebook exclusive from All Romance eBooks.

Also on the up side, I'm really looking forward to finally meeting Piers Anthony (especially since I both did the cover and edited his latest book with Phaze), seeing Robyn Carr & Barry Eisler again, and handing L.A. Banks her contributor copies of Coming Together: At Last.

Except for a couple of sessions, I'll be hanging out at the Phaze table in Club RT most of Thursday and Friday, and I am participating in the Saturday book fair (although I've no clue what -- or even if my -- books will be there for me to sign). Stop & say howdy if you're attending!

Alternatively, you can follow the festivities with the #RT09 hashtag on Twitter.

peace & passion,

~ Alessia

Who's that girl?

I'm gonna engage in a bit of narcissism, because sitting here barefoot in my cut-off sweats with my hair in a sloppy ponytail and the sounds of Sponge Bob in the background, the "glamour" of the RT costume parties seems so very distant. It'll probably be another year before I again don a costume (in public, anyway), so I'm gonna revel in the memories.

See that sparkly thing over there on the left? That's me in mermaid attire for the Under the Sea Faerie Ball. Everything in my suitcase was covered with that spray glitter. It's still between the keys of my laptop.

That chick on the right? She was in black lace and leather from head to toe, complete with bondage belt, buckled handcuffs, 4" studded Harley boots, flogger, and steel-boned corset. What you can't see is the only part of her costume she had to buy in preparation: vampire fangs. The rest was already in her wardrobe. *grin* She won a costume prize at the Blood & Steel Vampire Ball. (Okay, I'll stop referring to myself in the 3rd person now.)

And the BOOTS! I not only wore them, I danced in them. A lot! They're really not uncomfortable, although after a few drinks they (and I) got a bit wobbly. With denim camisole and short-shorts, plus my white leather jacket, I was a perfect tramp -- and I won another costume prize. No, the boots weren't already in my wardrobe. *wink* I bought them 'specially for RT.

Lastly, although not a picture of ME ME ME, my computer's wallpaper has been replaced with a view of the 'Burgh from the Duquesne Incline. It's the setting (albeit at night) of a scene in Artistically Bound, the book that Phaze put in the goody room this year. Will & I made a trip up to Mount Washington on Monday afternoon to get some daytime photos of the view to accompany the night shots we took in December.

Time to get back to work. I've got a lot of catching up to do -- plus some serious organization for the life changes ahead.

peace & passion,

~ Alessia

~ ~ ~

It's all over but the snarking

Well, I'm home and in the process of reacclimating to domesticity -- sorting through the mail & notes from the kids' schools, unpacking & doing laundry, taking stock of the pantry & thinking about what to fix for dinner. It's always an adjustment to return to "normal" after RT, since RT is everything BUT normal for most people.

The convention was terrific. During the day, I networked and promoted. At night, I partied. I met lots of new people, ate too much, drank too much, and didn't get nearly enough sleep. In a year, I'll be ready to do it all again.

Already, the bloggers who were not in attendance are either sick of hearing about it or reveling in the snark and the attention it draws. Those who choose to watch from a distance and pass judgment certainly have no shortage of fodder. *shrug* All I can say to them is: CONTEXT. Without it, they only have a fraction of the mosaic that is RT. The nice thing about the Internet is that we all have these nifty little back click buttons. Don't like it? Fine. Don't read it.

I was largely oblivious to the cover model drama. I don't pay attention to the beefcake. I don't seek photos with the man flesh. While the Mr. Romance pageant was going on, Will and I were having a relaxed dinner at a cute little Greek restaurant with a friend from Literotica who is attending graduate school at Duquesne. We've known her for years, but until very recently, she lived in India.

Yeah, I saw some folks at the parties who were sloppy drunk. I saw some costumes that raised eyebrows. I even wore a few -- and had a blast doing it -- and won prizes for two of them. I'm sure photos will be popping up on the 'Net. Yeah, I joined many in groaning about the lame, lengthy, self-indulgent stage productions. Yeah, I bitched about the hotel's rude wait staff. But you know what? CONTEXT.

Club RT was a success. Phaze received lots of positive feedback from readers, booksellers, and authors. Will & I had a great time partying with the gals from Romance Divas. The ladies from All Romance eBooks are deserving of an award for their professionalism in the face of the ridiculous mismanagement of the eBook Expo. (If I was a cynic, I'd say that RT botched it on purpose. I'm not a cynic, though. *wink* YMMV.) I got to meet Barry Eisler, who is as cute & charming in person as he is online, and I got him to sign his back cover blurb on all the copies of Coming Together: For the Cure that hadn't already sold. We got to see Lisa Jackson again -- and simply being remembered, given the number of people she encounters at her appearances, was a rush. There was a LOT of name-recognition and good buzz for Coming Together. It didn't hurt that the convention issue (May) of the magazine contained a 4-star review of Coming Together: Under Fire ... and that Coming Together: For the Cure was a Top Pick for January.

But now, it's time to tackle the laundry while I chew on the memories.

Plunging into the second half of RT

Well, the first two days of the convention are behind us, and I think that most of the rush-rush stress is also in the past (for me, anyway). The Ellora's Cave party and Faerie Ball are over. Club RT's all set up -- and the Phaze table is getting lots of attention. My promo swag is being gobbled up -- especially the chocolate-covered cherry edible warming gel. The eBook Expo was very well attended. I'm just gonna cruise now.

Below is a pix of Eden Bradley & me at EC's Golden Age of Hollywood party. I don't have any pictures from the Faerie Ball yet -- 'cause I didn't take any. My mermaid costume was too flimsy and too tight to dance in, so once the dinner & ceremony ended, I left. The upside is that I got a solid night's rest and am ready for the rest of the convention! Tonight is all black leather attire for the Blood & Steel Ball. Tomorrow night, white patent leather thigh-high boots with short shorts. Wish me luck!

Artistically Bound

Not attending this year's Romantic Times Convention event in Pittsburgh? No problem. We're bringing the passion in Pittsburgh to you in one print volume!

Artistically Bound: Passion in Pittsburgh

Special RT Print Release! Celebrate Passion in Pittsburgh with this collection of sizzling erotic romance.

Artistically Inclined: Determined not to repeat past mistakes and allow their sex life to become stale and repetitive, Cyndi issues Kevin a Valentine's Day challenge to exchange fantasy lists. His response provides the canvas for an evening of daring inclinations and passionate creativity.

Bound For Success: A stand-alone continuation of the tale which began with this writing team's most popular novella, Artistically Inclined, Pittsburgh's daring duo is back in a hot-blooded romance with a penchant for ties that bind! When Cyndi's nerves about her gallery opening get the better of her, Kevin takes matters into his own hands, replacing one tension with another and setting the stage for a very eventful evening.

In addition, to introduce readers to another pair of our popular characters, Artistically Bound contains a chapter from ArtiFactual: Tales of the Erotique Mystique.

We are psyched that 100 copies of Artistically Bound will be in RT's "giveaway room" courtesy of Phaze. :)

~ ~ ~

Off to the 'Burgh

As soon as I shower & finish packing, I'll be heading for Pittsburgh. It's gonna be a busy convention, and this introvert is trying not to feel overwhelmed. Plus, my mojo's been MIA for weeks, so it's tough to summon the enthusiasm I'm gonna need to make the event a success both professionally and socially.

This, however, is helping. A lot. Have a listen to Tula's Sex Shoes. (So totally not kid/work-safe!) I have it on loop, and every play is coaxing that elusive mojo back a little bit at a time. It helps that these are the boots I'm wearing Saturday night. Uh huh.

In addition to attending as many of the E-BOOK & E-MARKETING sessions as I can manage, here's a rundown of where you can find me over the next few days ...

Wednesday 5-7p: eBook Expo

Wednesday 8:30p-Midnight: Ellora's Cave Fantasy Party.
I'll be the cross-dresser in the grey herringbone tuxedo.

Thursday 9a-12p, 2-6p: Club RT.
I'll be manning the Phaze table the majority of that time. However, from 3-4p on Thursday, I'll be at the All Romance eBooks table.

Thursday 8:30p-Midnight: Under the Sea Faery Ball Dinner & Dance.
I'll be in mermaid costume, feeling way self-conscious. I anticipate needing large quantities of confidence lubricant in the form of vanilla vodka.

Friday 9a-12p, 2-6p: Club RT.
At the Phaze table again, except for a brief break for...

Friday 3-3:30p: Publisher Spotlight - Phaze
Since Kat can't make it this year, I'll be hosting Phaze's session. *gulp* That means I have to act all professional. After the first two nights' parties, I'll probably feel like roadkill.

Friday 8:30p-Midnight: Blood & Steel Vampire Ball, Dinner & Dance.
Look for me in all black leather... with fetish gear accessories.

Saturday 11a-2p: Book Fair.
Will & I will be showing a couple of Literotica pals around.

Saturday 9p-12a: Dorchester's "These Boots Are Made For Strutting" Party.
White patent leather thigh-high lace-up 5" platform boots. 'Nuff said. (I'll probably be dancing barefoot by 10. *wink*)

In between all these events, maybe I'll find time to sleep. Hope to see you in the 'Burgh!