Sunday, July 3, 2011

RWA Nationals 2011 Pictures


I'm back from RWA in New York with promised pics! It was my first time visiting NY, and I'm grateful that my dear friend, and personal tour guide, Kaily Hart took me everywhere from Times Square to the Empire State Building and in between. I never thought I'd describe NY as beautiful, but it truly is. I really loved the juxtapostion of old and new architecture. Yes. Gargoyles and glass are quite a pairing.

Fabulous workshops were offered, and the vast majority can be ordered through http://www.billspro.com/. If you need to join RWA, go to http://www.rwanational.org/. I can't even begin to go into which workshops wowed me and which made everyone laugh like nuts (while learning of course ;)). I'm way too exhausted and still trying to digest the entire experience.

And now for the pictures (ignore bad caption grammar...I went with order of appearance):

Readers for Life Literacy Autographing

Me and Jeannie Watt

Amy Knupp and me

Ellen Hartman and Helen Brenna


Come on. I couldn't let them pose without me!


On to other things...

RWA President Dorien Kelly at opening session


Opening session panelists Steve Berry, Diana Gabaldon, and Tess Gerritsen


Me and Kaily Hart


Kaily Hart and Robin Covington


Daytime view from my window. Did I mention the noise (all night)?

...and that the view changes?

What's more american?

Also outside my window...and I had to look twice to be sure he wasn't real.

A hero on his steed
More author pics coming up, but first for all you avid shoppers and architecture enthusiasts...






Looking down on Macy's...the red sign in the middle




Trump Tower

The Plaza Hotel




Looking down from the Empire State Building



Emcee Meg Cabot doing a spot-on impression of Tina Fey
And after the awards...

Me and Kaily Hart

After an emotional acceptance speech, Helen Brenna stands with her proud, 17 year old son and Rita herself. Helen's son attended his first RWA Nationals at the age of 2 months.




Jeannie Watt and her lovely daughter Jamie

Kay Stockham...I wish I got a photo of her standing because she looked absolutely stunning in that dress.

Kaily Hart and Amy Knupp. More gorgeous women and fashion. Next year, I'm not letting anyone sit down!

Ellen Hartman and Jeannie Watt...who can't stop laughing. Ellen has that effect.

Kay Stockham and me

That's all I have folks. I met so many people that I wish I got pictures of, but there was simply too much going on. I'm afraid if I start naming names, I might leave someone out. The meeting is still a bit of a blur and my body and brain have yet to recover. You all know who you are and it was a thrill to see you.

(I apologize for the crazy spacing. Blogger wasn't cooperating. I gave up on trying to fix or add captions. In fact, I'm posting a day early just in case...)

Happy Fourth of July!

8 comments:

  1. Thanks for the great pictures. Looks like it was a great conference.

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  2. Hi Rula,

    Meeting you was a highlight of the conference for me. Your pictures of NYC are gorgeous. I'm exhausted (still!) but I have such great memories.

    Thanks for sharing your photos. Take care. :-)

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  3. Hi Rula, thanks so much for the pics :) Had a wonderful all round feel of seeing it via your photos :) Thanks!!! More so because no one has posted yet..LOL !

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  4. I can tell you had a marvelous time. I'm so jealous :)

    And I'm glad you liked NY. I love it, too.

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  5. Hey Christy, Ju and Carol! So glad you enjoyed the pictures. I had a great time.

    Hi Ellen! Thanks so much. You're so kind, generous and funny. Your workshop was a blast, and it was a thrill to meet you in person. I had a lot of fun :). Hugs!

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  6. It looks like you had an amazing time. I especially like that energy drink ad. NY always puts out the most interesting ads.

    Glad you're home safe and sound.

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  7. Fun pictures!! Mine are still on my camera. LOL
    I have a cute story involving Susan Elizabeth Phillips. :-) Sorry we couldn't hang out more, but I ended up leaving Friday afternoon because I wanted to beat the July 4th weekend traffic.

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  8. Hi Maria! It really was an amazing time. Most people think of places like New Orleans as being culturally unique...and it certainly is...but I'd say New York city has it's own unique culture and way of life. I don't think I could live there (country girl at heart), but I have a new appreciation for it.

    And the workshops were fantastic. I loved Ellen Hartman and Sophie Gunn's workshop called 'The Virgin Widow's Heart Stopped When She Saw the Workshop that Would Change Her Life Forever'. It was about cliche's and it was too funny. Another one worth downloading was Victoria Curran and Jeannie Watt's workshop called 'Keeping it Lean and Clean'. Fantastic. Oh, there were many more...some that I didn't make it to. Many had handouts that you can get off the RWA site.

    Hi Jennifer! It was great to see you in passing. I can't wait to see your pictures and hear your story :).

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