Romance Reader Conventions: What You Love Most

Readers, how appealing are major reader conferences to you? Conferences such as RT Convention (RomanticTimes), RWA Conference (Romance Writers of America), and RomCon (RomanceConference)?

For those of you who have never been to one, or don’t know what they are, they are massive conventions where readers can not only have their books signed by the authors, but you get to mingle, party, and become friends with these authors. Most of the time they are a Saturday or Sunday event, sometimes a full weekend, or even a week-long event in large hotels with events going on all day and into the evenings. There are huge giveaways, free swag, great food, and even plenty of chances to meet a bunch of cover models, depending on which one you attend.

Susan Sheehey at RT Convention 2015, Dallas, TX

Last year was my first RT Convention in Dallas. The year before, was my first ever RWA Conference in San Antonio. I loved both conferences tremendously. It was a huge bonus that I was a published author by then, and could participate in the book signings.

As a brand new published author, though, I was an unknown. Therefore I didn’t sell many novels at either, so the cost of the conference registration alone put me in the red. But bottom line, I’d never had so much fun at an author event ever.

For those who know what they and have been to one, do you think the registration fees or ticket prices are worth it? Do you like to bring in your own books to have them signed, or do you like purchasing brand new books on the spot? Do you attend these events for specific authors, or are you that avid a fan of the genre, and love the opportunity to meet new authors and find new characters to read?

Swag from RWA Conference 2014

As a fairly new published author, I don’t have the budget to attend all of the events I’d like to in a given year. I normally have to pick 1 major conference a year, and then attend small signings more local to home. I LOVE interacting with readers, making new friends, and of course I always love an excuse to party! Not to mention all of the fabulous books! This year I’ll be attending RT Convention again, this time in Las Vegas in April.

Here are some of the major reader conventions coming up throughout the year. Can you add more that I’ve forgotten? Let me know which ones you’ll be going to!

The Novel Experience Event, Atlanta, GA – April 7-11^th, 2016

RT Convention, Las Vegas, NV – April 12-17^th, 2016

Book Con, Chicago, IL – May 14^th, 2016

Romance Novel Convention (RNC), Las Vegas, NV – June 1-5^th, 2016

Fresh Fiction’s Boas & Tiaras, Allen, TX – June 11^th, 2016

RWA Conference, San Diego, CA – July 13-16^th, 2016

Authors After Dark, Savannah, GA – August 3-7^th, 2016

Historical Romance Retreat, Spokane, WA – Sept 22-25^th, 2016

RomCon, Denver, CO – Sept 30^th-Oct 1^st, 2016

InD’Scribe Author & Reader Con, Burbank, CA – October 6-9^th, 2016

Fresh Fiction’s Readers & ‘Ritas, Allen, TX – Nov 11-13^th, 2016

Susan Sheehey writes romantic suspense, contemporary romance, and women's fiction.She lives and laughs in Texas with her husband and two boys.  Water plays a crucial element in all of her novels, and she is a huge advocate for Autism Awareness. Follow Susan at SusanSheehey.com, on Facebook, Twitter, GoodReads, and Amazon.

Books and Playlists

While you read, do you listen to music? 

I listen to music while I write. I create playlists and radio stations for each novel. I jot down the major songs that really stick with me.

For those readers who enjoy it, I try to share those playlists soon after the book is released. Just another fun way for readers to connect to the characters. By no means is this a way of endorsing a particular music artist or album, but just trying to add to the experience of the story and characters.

As a reader, do you appreciate when authors share their playlists?

A quick search on YouTube for popular book series reveals there are literally hundreds of custom playlists created by readers and fans. Crossfire Series for Sylvia Day, the Twilight series for Stephanie Meyer, and The Iron Fey series from Julie Kagawa all have fan-inspired playlists.

I’ve always enjoyed it when the authors I love create one for their novels. I feel like I connect to their tone/theme better.

It's a lot of work, but so worth it to me.

For Prince of Solana, there were several songs that really struck a chord with me while I wrote.

I incorporated those into my own personal playlist. Feel free to listen and enjoy!

Chapter 1 –  On The Long Way Down by Robert Delong

Chapter 2 – Vide Cor Meum by Patrick Cassidy

Chapter 3 – RedHands by REVO (Walk Off the Earth)

Chapter 4 – Who You Love by Katy Perry & John Mayer

Chapter 6 – Howl by Florence & The Machine

Chapter 7 – My Fault by Imagine Dragons

Chapter 8 – Sweet Disposition by Temper Trap

Chapter 13 – I’m Sending You Away (Oblivion Soundtrack)

Chapter 16 – One Last Night by Vaults

Chapter 19 –Undimmed by Time, Unbound by Death (Oblivion Soundtrack)

Chapter 20 –Demons by Imagine Dragons

Chapter 21 –Insatiable by Darren Hayes

Chapter 22 –When A Heart Breaks by Ben Rector

Chapter 24 – Fearful Odds (Oblivion Soundtrack)

Chapter 25 –New Mexico by Edward Shearmur

Chapter 26 –Iridescent by Linkin Park

Chapter 27 –Raven Rock (Oblivion Soundtrack)

Chapter 28 – Cut by Plumb

Chapter 30 – Sail by AwolNation

Chapter 31 –Secret by Ocean Lab

Chapter 32 –Waking Up (Oblivion Soundtrack)

Chapter 33 – You Can’t Save Her (Oblivion Soundtrack)

Chapter 34 –Heart of Courage by Two Steps From Hell

Chapter 35 – Warriors by Imagine Dragons

Chapter 37 –Gravity by Sara Bareilles

Chapter 38 – Kissing by Bliss