Hello, Everyone! I’m back from the RWA conference in Atlanta where I had a wonderful time! It was truly a golden conference for me–or rather for Diane Gaston. My A Reputable Rake by Diane Gaston won the RITA award for Best Regency Romance. You’d think that would be enough good fortune for any one person, but The Mysterious Miss M won a National Readers Choice Award for Best Regency. Janet’s Dedication was also a finalist in the NRCA and it could very easily (and just as happily) been her book to win Best Regency.
It was a great conference for Riskies. Cara’s My Lady Gamester won the Booksellers Best Award for Best Regency and Amanda’s Lady Midnight won the Booksellers Best Award for Best Long Historical.
There were so many highlights of the conference I don’t know where to begin or what to include. The very best part is seeing all my Romance writing friends, some whom I only see at the national conference. It was fun seeing Megan and I had time to share Wet Noodle Posse fun with Janet and Amanda and I snuck in a short half hour for a “comfortable coze.”
The Mills & Boon editors were so cute. Well, Sheila Hodgson was elegant but Joanne Carr and Jenny Hutton were lovely, young, gorgeous and enthusiastic– and tall! All the Mills & Boon folks and the Harlequin folks were lovely to me, even before I won!
The whole atmosphere of the conference was exciting, supportive, and joyful. I loved every minute.
Blogger would not let me post photos but I will put them on a blog as soon as Blogger decides to behave.
Cheers!
Diane
Congratulations on the double win, Diane! And congratulations to Cara and Amanda on the Booksellers’ Best awards! Yay Riskies!!!!!!
Yippee!!!! Congratulations!!!! 🙂
Lois
WAY TO GO, DIANE!!!!!!!!! You’ve done us Riskies proud! You are a RITA WINNER!!!!!!! You do realize you now belong to such august company as Jo Beverley, Barbara Metzger, Jennifer Crusie, Nora Roberts, et al!!!!!!!!!!
Did you get all tongue-tied when you went up to collect your award? Do you even remember what you said? 🙂 More details!!!!!!!
Cara
Diane, (more) big congrats! I was there and Diane gave a most gracious Rita acceptance speech (whatever she may say to the contrary). I’m also thrilled that she won the NRCA, so she can feel guilty about beating me.
Janet
Diane, I’m very happy that you won!, and Congratulations on both wins!!!! Looking forward to seeing photos of the event!
And Congratulations to Cara & Amanda for the ‘Booksellers Best’ awards!!!
You want details? Well, I almost lost my pants. When I stood up my button popped and my zipper unzipped and as I was crossing by my friend’s husband, I realized the long flowy pants I was wearing were slipping down, down, down. So inches from my friend’s husband’s eyes, I rezipped and prayed it stayed that way.
The speech was easy because I just had to list names to thank. Even so, I forgot some people.
Janet can stay happy because I still wish she could have won, too. And thanks, Cara, for reminding me of the august company that share the RITA statue. Now I’m intimidated. (g)
Thanks, Elena, Lois and Mallory for the congrats.
Congratulations on your awards, Diane! I am very impressed!
And congratulations to Cara and Amanda as well! That is so exciting!
I think the Riskies are far above average when it comes to being finalists as well as winning awards. You should all be very proud!
Todd-who-is-proud-vicariously
Congratlations Diane, you deserved it!!!!! Standing on head. Oops. Falling……
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Diane, many, many congratulations. A RITA and an NRCA in the same conference. You sure rock!