RWA's Year 2003 National New York City Conference...
HODRW Storms Ramparts Of New York Publishing World
Conference Recap
By Teri Sprackland
What happens when you let 2,200 romance writers loose in New York? As much fun as anyone can stand-sandwiched between publisher parties, agent meetings and editor conferences. Of course, sightseeing played a big role. Whether through special tours or on their own, HODRW members also took in the Broadway musicals and the museums, as well as long walks to Times Square and Central Park, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary.
The larks among the RWA showed up for a special appearance on the Today Show, during an episode that highlighted wedding gown fashions, while the night owls partied late at publisher events and private get-togethers.
Serendipitously, the Metropolitan Museum of Art was offering a special exhibit entitled Goddess, which highlighted the influence of classical Greek costumes on high fashion from the past to the present. At the American Museum of Natural History, Chocolate rated its own exhibit, with descriptions of the historical and agricultural factors involved in creating our favorite food group.
Even CNN playing in the elevators had trouble competing for the attention of writers meeting up with friends not seen since Denver's meeting a year ago. However, a frequent complaint was that the layout of the New York Hilton Hotel, with conference public spaces spread out over three floors, meant that it was sometimes difficult to find each other.
"I've never been to a National where it was so difficult to run into people," commented HODRW member Barbara Zukowski, expressing a sentiment echoed by many others.
Wednesday night's traditional book-signing event brought in over $40,000for literacy efforts, thanks to the more than 500 authors and their readers who filled the room to capacity.
The Saturday luncheon's keynote speaker, Jo Beverly, urged RWA members to push their, and the genre's boundaries, to create dynamic books. Ms. Beverly's most recent book, St. Raven, is the one she is autographing with the note: "This is the orgy book."
On Friday, the Beau Monde Regency chapter sponsored a charming sample of early theatre with a soiree in costume, as well as its evening of Regency card games where the winners of its recent contest were feted. The Kiss of Death chapter had a members-only Death by Chocolate event, as well as a special tour of New York's various CSI-related institutions.
The New York locale improved attendance of editors and agents, many of whom did not make the trip to Denver last year. Editors from several publishing houses provide market updates during workshop sessions. Summaries of those meetings are currently available on the HODRW email threads.
After much impassioned arguments on both sides of the debate, the decision was passed to add another award to the RITA lineup: one for best mainstream novel with a strong romantic element. Doing so will recognize the achievements of those romance writers who are making a name for themselves in the larger mainstream marketplace, while encouraging wider market acceptance of the power of romance within the publishing industry.
As usual, newbies benefited from sessions taught by experienced pros. HODRW's library is acquiring many of the tapes of sessions for those unable to be in more than one place at once! Romantic suspense and paranormal elements were among continuing industry trends under discussion.
RITA winners, and their friends and fans, were decked out in every variety of fancy dress, from cocktail dresses to full-beaded formals, for a standing-room-only Saturday night gala. However, those who paused to get a drink before proceeding to the desserts were left out of all but a selection of cheeses and ice cream bars.
Finally, as guests were checking out, two snafus were encountered. The hotel decided to close the business office's mail station just as members were preparing to ship the armloads of books, a decision that was reversed after provoking loud protests led by HODRW member Amy Burinda. The hotel staff also was unable to resolve early-morning checkout problems because of a computer malfunction.