I was very fortunate to be able to attend my first RWA National Convention in San Diego, California this past July. The RWA National conference has been on my wishlist for several years and I decided to make the investment this year because it was within driving distance .

I booked the day that registration opened in early February. I knew that I wanted to stay in the conference hotel which was the Marriott in downtown. I paid for the registration and got a link for the hotel. After a few minutes my hotel registration went through. There were a lot of writers on the first morning trying to book the hotel room.

Once July rolled around I invited my hubby to come to San Diego with me. I was a little nervous that I wouldn’t be able enjoy all the classes with hubby in tow but he was a good sport and ended up staying in the room watching television.

We arrive on the last night of the Major League Baseball All-Star game. Yeah! I love baseball so I was especially excited to just be in the vicinity. We could see Petco Park including the stands from our hotel room.

We drove down on Tuesday which took all day.

By the pool at the San Diego Marriott Hotel

Wednesday, I volunteered at the literacy signing. I was placed to assist best selling author Beverly Jenkins. On Wednesday night, several members of the RWA Online chapter got together for dinner at a restaurant near the hotel. There were only a few of us and so we brought our significant others and enjoyed a nice dinner.

Volunteering at the literacy signing w/ author Beverly Jenkins

Thursday, the workshops began and I have to tell you, I was overwhelmed. I focused on visiting the publisher spotlights. I also attended the book signings and loaded up on free books from recently published authors. I didn’t take all of the books, only those books which were romantic suspense.

On Thursday night, the CIMRWA chapter held a panel discussion on diversity in the romance publishing genre. The event was live streamed on the CIMRWA Facebook page. I helped identify three of the speakers.

Later the evening, Hubby and I attended the Death by Chocolate Kiss of Death Awards Dinner and Party. I have to say I was a little disappointed by the Kiss of Death Party. It was expensive first of all and second there wasn’t that much entertainment or chocolate. The main entertainment was the awards for the Daphne Romantic Suspense writing contest.

On Friday, I decided to purchase the recordings for the RWA conference for $135. I attended a Harlequin Meet & Greet and several other publisher spotlights. That evening hubby and I attended the Passionate Ink Chapter’s Masquerade Ball. I won a prize for most mysterious costume. I had worn a headpiece with a black veil as well as a purple boa.

Saturday morning hubby and I packed up the car and headed back home. We had planned to stay  through Sunday morning and attend the Rita and Golden Heart awards but decided to get on the road early Saturday morning.