**Day 3**
Here’s my Friday in a nutshell:
* 7:00 Kensington Breakfast — Yes, 7 AM. It was a killer, but worth it. We all had to sit at various tables, but my table was the best. *g* I had HelenKay, Ann Christopher, Eve Silver, Gemma Bruce, Editor-in-Chief John Scognamiglio, and more. I know there was more. I’m kicking myself mentally that I can’t remember. I had a great omelet called “The Godfather”. I mention it only because it was delicious and unique — Italian sausage, pesto, different cheeses. Yum. 
* 10-11 Avon Book Signing — I signed with my Allure sisters Delilah Devlin and Myla Jackson. We signed two cases of ALLURING TALES 1.
* 11-12 Workshop - The Great Taboo: Professional Jealousy
* 12-2 Passionate Ink luncheon — Fun stuff. I invited my agent, Pamela Harty, and we enjoyed the time together. The dessert was divine. Yummy. I had to run out of the luncheon twice to check on the arrival of my RITA dress. It finally showed up at 2 PM and I immediately ran upstairs to try it on. It fit!! Yay!! However, I must mention that my wonderful, fabulous, beloved editor Kate Duffy said that we would go shopping on Saturday for a dress if the one I ordered didn’t fit or was ugly. (I ordered it online, so it was a gamble.) Thankfully, I didn’t need to impose upon her, but really? Isn’t she wonderful to make the offer?
* 3 PM RITA Finalists Reception — I received my certificate and had a great time talking to fellow finalists Jennifer Ashley, Kristen Painter (GH), Roxanne St. Claire, Pam Rosenthal, Cindy Gerard, and more. Ugh! There’s more and my brain is not working. Bad brain. Bad.
* 6-8 PM Kensington Party — Loved, loved, loved this! I had a great time hanging with HelenKay (yes, poor dear was stuck with me a lot), Karin Tabke (a dear friend. I love her.), editor Hilary Sares, editorial director Audrey LaFehr, Karen Kelley, Jan Kenny, Jami Alden, and more… Ugh. More. I’m so so sorry if I don’t mention you here. It’s not you, it’s me.
*8-2 AM Chillin’ in the bar — HelenKay and I accepted Kate Duffy’s offer for “a drink” and the next thing you know, we’re closing the bar. Seriously. What happened? We are all still wondering that to this day. Weird, weird stuff happened over the course of those Twilight Zone hours. We’ll be talking about that for years. Regardless, it’s always fun to spend time with Kate and this night was no exception. Our party expanded and dwindled and expanded and dwindled over the course of the night. Some of the fabu people who joined us — Karin Tabke, Hilary Sares, Eileen Dreyer, Allison Brennan (another friend I love), Jami Alden, Sybil Cook, one of the Smart Bitches, Monica McCarty, and more… Yes, more people that I can’t remember. And I was drinking WATER!
Earlier in the day I talked with friends Alyssa Day and Caridad Ferrer, and met Jane from Dear Author (she’s beautiful), Jamie Sobrato (also beautiful), and more…
Yes, I know. What good is my brain if it doesn’t remember sh!t?
Thanks so much for sharing your RWA experiences with us, Sylvia. Much enjoyed - although the thought of the 7am publisher breakfast made me wince LOL
Table Two!!!!
Stacy — Karen is riot, isn’t she? She cracks me up.
And Ann is gorgeous. Gorgeous, talented, charming. Gotta love her!
Sylvia
Sounds fabulous, and I’m so bummed I didn’t go. Next year, gotta go next year. Karen Kelley is so funny, I like her a lot. I met Ann Christopher this year which was a treat. I have a few of her books because I’ve heard great stuff about them, just wish I had more time to read…less blogging maybe?