I could tell you how I was late to the national RWA Conference in San Diego this year. How the airport lost my luggage and I spent all day in baggage claim trying to track it down. How a person accidentally took my luggage, threw it in the trunk of her rental car, and drove off on her vacation. I could go into great detail about all sorts of other crazy mishaps that occurred at the beginning of this trip, but I really can’t remember now because something amazing happened to eclipse all that forever and ever and ever!
Last Saturday night, I won the 2016 Golden Heart® Award for my paranormal romance, Don’t Call Me Cupcake. This has truly been one of the highlights of my writing life. I know I’m supposed to be this writer with all the words but seriously, I have no cool words for this. My heart is exploding with gratitude and love, you guys! It may not sound eloquent, but that’s how I feel right now. I’m incredibly grateful to RWA, my wonderful Golden Heart® groups, and all the amazing people who have inspired me to keep writing and never stop learning. No matter what comes next, I’m going to cherish this moment, always. 🙂
-
-
At the RITA & Golden Heart® cocktail reception with the 2016 Mermaids
-
-
With 2015 RITA winner, Anna Richland, and Nalini Singh
-
-
The 2016 Golden Heart® Mermaids on Awards Night
-
-
With 2015 Golden Heart® Dragonflies, Seana Kelly & Kimberly MacCarron
-
-
Goodbye, San Diego!
Tags: 2016 Golden Heart Award, 2016 RWA National Conference, author, RITA & Golden Heart Awards, Romance, Romance Writers of America, RWA, Tara Sheets, Women's Fiction, Writers conference, writing
I’m still in New York City but we are flying home tomorrow. I’m pretty sure I’ll wish I saved this post for when I’ve had adequate sleep, but I’m going to throw it out there anyway because I’m feeling all happy and glowy about the conference and I want to share pictures! Also, I just ate that solid chocolate RITA statue from the awards ceremony for dinner tonight so I’m going to ride this sugar high until I crash. Lucky, lucky you. Here’s the thing: RWA rocks. I love the organization, I love the brilliant, talented authors who come to the conference to share their expertise, and I love the amazing people who I’ve been fortunate enough to meet along the way.
All the workshops were wonderful, but the absolute best part of this conference was getting to meet my 2015 Golden Heart sisters, the Dragonflies. Over the past few months we formed invaluable friendships, and it was wonderful to finally meet each other in person. I am continually in awe of how blessed I am to be a part of this powerful, talented, inspiring group of women. The conference flew by and I only wish I had more time to spend with them. This is the biggest reason I’ll be looking forward to the 2016 RWA National Conference in San Diego next year. I hope to see everyone there again, and I hope to meet those who were unable to attend this year!
Tags: 2015 RWA National Conference, Alyssa Day, author, Dragonflies, Elizabeth Hoyt, Golden Heart Finalist, Jenny Crusie, Kristan Higgins, New York City, New York Public Library, RITA Awards, Romance Writers of America, Tara Sheets, writing
Well, the whirlwind week is over and I’m on the plane heading home to Seattle. I feel happy, exhausted, elated, and most importantly, inspired to start my next book. I can’t say enough wonderful things about my experience this year as a 2013 Golden Heart finalist. I met many new people, pitched to agents and editors, and learned a lot about the publishing industry. Since I’m running on fumes at this point, I thought I would just post some photos and hope that they tell the story better than my jumbled words. Let’s just say, I am happy I got to go to the ball, and I’m now ready to kick off my shoes and get back to work!
Tags: 2013 Golden Heart & RITA awards ceremony, 2013 RWA National Conference, author, fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal, Gerri Russell, Golden Heart, J.T. Geissinger, Kristan Higgins, RITA, Romance Writers of America, Tara Sheets
