The second writing conference I attended last July was the national meeting of the Romance Writers of America in New York City.

While I’ve been attending local chapter meetings of RWA since moving back to Boston, and I went to the regional conference last April, this was my first time going to the big RWA event of the year. I wasn’t sure what to expect, really.

But the conference was in NYC, which is one of my all-time favorite places in the US. So, I didn’t think twice about going.

I’m so glad I did. I’ve been to many author events over the years, but I have to say this is one of the better conferences I’ve had the pleasure of going to in person.

There were so many panels, and at times, I had a difficult time deciding which ones to go to. Also, I did an author signing and was pleased by how many people asked for a signed copy of A Woman Lost. I should note the books were free and most who asked were book bloggers who, more than likely, will give them away.

Not sure why everything is pink.

I ran into some authors from Bold Strokes Books. It was kinda funny, actually. When walking into one seminar with Miranda MacLeod, I was off in my own world, a habit of mine. It wasn’t until Miranda yelled my name that I realized Melissa Brayden was waving hello. I’m a huge fan of Melissa (The Soho Loft series is one of the best in lesfic), and I was slightly embarrassed that I was a space cadet but also tickled pink that Melissa Brayden was waving hello. Melissa was there with Georgia Beers, Ali Vali, Aurora Rey, and Nell Stark.

I was surprised to find so many lesfic authors at an event I’ve always associated with man chests, but it turns out RWA members are increasingly concerned with diversity and representation in the romance genre. It was a big topic of conversation, and I came away feeling like the modern romance author and reader are both interested in embracing the “love is love” mantra and making sure that no matter what you look like or who you love, you can find stories that represent you.

My time in New York wasn’t all about the conference. I took some time to visit a Holocaust exhibit, toured the Tenement Museum twice, visited the 50^th Anniversary exhibit of Stonewall, took a dinner cruise on the Hudson, and had a semi-proper tea at Lillie’s Victorian Establishment.

Photos of the tea at Lille’s:

Photos from the dinner cruise:

Random photos:

Oh, I also got a snap of me with my favorite president, Lincoln.

I had so much fun in NYC that when my partner mentioned another trip the following weekend, I couldn’t say yes quickly enough. I’ll share more about NYC, part two, next time.