The Romantic Times Convention and #OfficialFifty DVD Release Event
What a week last week! I have been planning to go to RT for a year, and booked my room in Atlanta Wednesday through Sunday. I have never been to RT, and I prefer a smaller, more intimate signing, because to me, it’s not about the stuff you get, but the people you meet. But RT isn’t a signing, it’s a convention with non-stop workshops and parties all week. I went alone, so I was totally intimidated and nervous. Jessica Florence volunteered to be my roommate, so that alleviated some of my anxiety.
Two weeks before RT, I also got an invitation to attend an #officialfifty Fifty Shades Darker event in New York City the same days. After our amazing trip to LA for the Fifty Shades Darker premiere, I didn’t want to miss this, mostly because there was a Q & A and signing with EL James, plus there were MANSERVANTS! (More on that to come). The event was Thursday, but I had a Kristen Ashley event I wouldn’t miss for the world at RT in Atlanta on Wednesday, so you can imagine my dilemma!
First, the story of my plane ride:
I arrived at the RT hotel at about 4:00 Wednesday. As soon as I walked in I was blown away. Tons of people with badges with slightly familiar names, but nobody I knew was there. I had a 5:30 dinner with Kristen Ashley, so I needed to get freshened up fast! The first elevator I noticed was this:
In fact, there was branding everywhere!
When my key wouldn’t work and I had to go back downstairs. 2 lovely guys who made me feel small helped me with my suitcases.
The Kristen Ashley event was across the street from the hotel. The event was a Rock Chick Recharge. There were 18 of us, including a few bloggers, publicists and industry people, as well as 5 people who were nominated to go in a contest. We got awesome celebrity swag bags with a great candle, lip gloss, a camisole, a Rock Chick Martini glass, and Alex & Ani bracelet, shave gel and more! You have no idea how honored I was to be asked to this. Kristen Ashley is my favorite author and she is just as awesome in person as you could imagine.
Kristen Ashley looking fabulous! Love the shoes!
Kristen and her awesome sister Erika who put the whole night together
After that, the hotel bar was packed with so many people! I hung out with my Wicked Book Weekend authors T.M. Frazier and her husband and R.K. Lilley and her husband, Aly Martinez and Ahren Sanders. I also met Melanie Harlow for the first time!
Ahren, Aly, Me & T.M.
Melanie Harlow on the right
The next morning, I was up and out early to catch a flight to New York for the Fifty Shades Darker event. I met Raegan at the hotel around noon. She is from Canada and has never been to New York, so we walked around Times Square and had lunch at Ellen’s Stardust Diner before getting ready for the event.
When we got to the Whitby Hotel, we were greeted by a ton of Manservants (click to check it out) wearing masquerade masks, some yummy food, drinks, champagne and dessert. The costume designer was there as well as some costumes. We had makeovers by the film’s makeup artists, there were cool photo booths, a guy reading from the book, props from the movie and more. The manservants were everywhere, catering to our every need, including fanning us because it was crazy hot.
We were then invited into the theater. There were gift bags in every seat with copies of Fifty Shades Darker, Mac lipstick, a Fifty Shades candle, the “yes” keychain, a pen and more. Then EL James came in for a Q & A. You can watch that below.
The next day we awoke to rain. I planned on taking Raegan sightseeing until my flight at 4, but I woke up to my flight back to Atlanta being cancelled. The put me on one at noon with a few connections, but I had to race to the airport and leave poor Raegan in the city alone. (She still had fun). Well I get there, and the airport is closed! No flights going anywhere. I sat there for 9 hours, trying to get on 3 standbys, but finally got back to Atlanta around 11:00pm Thursday.
Where did I go? Straight to the bar. And guess who I found there? E.L. James! I flew all the way to NY to meet her and there she was! Luckily, I got her to sign the two extra books I got.
Jessica Florence photobombing me and EL James
If you know anything about RK Lilley and TM Frazier and their husbands, you know that hanging with them is dangerous, but tons of fun. I also met a bunch of amazing authors including the very lovely Brittainy C. Cherry and Ruth Clampett and so many more. Plus I got to see Helena Hunting, Meghan Quinn, A.L. Jackson and so many more.
I’m not really into the whole model thing, but Stuart Reardon is on so many of my favorite covers!
The next day was the BIG book fair. That was CRAZY! Check out my live video here.
Karen Gagnon says
Wow, what a crazy, amazing adventure! This looked like so much fun! (Plane delays aside of course :p ) How cool you were able to spend time with family as well. <3
I love seeing all the pictures and videos, thanks for sharing!
Samien says
One day I’ll get to RT. I’ve met Sylvia Day and SC Stephens after reading their books. So many more to meet!
Loraine Oliver says
Ana, how amazing! RT Convention, New York Fifty Shades Darker and a family reunion! I would love to go to an RT convention! Thanks for sharing all the pictures and stories about meeting everyone! Your son is so nice to come get you and take you to get suitcases, what a true gift you have in your talented children! Thanks for chance to win!
Rebecca says
What an amazing giveaway! And all the adventures, wau! You had a busy time ?
Natasha Sheganlall says
I’ve read the fifty shades trilogy countless times. Thanx for this opportunity!
Pam says
Sounds like you had an amazing time!
jessie says
wish I could have been there!
Kathy Sizemore says
That is an INSANE schedule, but I totally understand why you did it! I went to my first RT last year in Vegas and I hope to be able to go again next year in Reno!
Cheryl Nasca says
What an amazing trip! So happy for you! And jealous! ??
Kristin Reh says
Loved seeing RT and 50 Shades through your pics! I’ve read Breaking Her so far. You expand my TBR list on my kindle every time I check out your Blog 🙂
Laura Lovejoy- Brunk says
One day i hope to go!!
Audrey Stewart says
Looks like everyone had so much fun!
Betul E. says
I would love to attend RT some day! It is on my bucket list.
Susan T. says
Awesome post. RT is on my bucket list.
Sonja says
What an amazing adventure! I think I’d die if I met E.L James 🙂
Lisa S-C says
You have an amazing life!!! Good for you!!!!
Kellymae Helfrich says
OMG! It looks like you all had so much fun. I think it would be fun to be a fly on the wall (or your noses) to hear what you all talk about!!
margaret weekes says
Loved the play by play of your RT adventures
Latifa Morrisette says
I hope to one day go to RT
Jaime says
So jealous…that looked like so much fun!
jodi marinich says
i hope to get to go to a convention soon..looks like so much fun!!!
Angie Fournier says
As a bookaholic I would love to be able to go to one of these events! I’m not sure if I would even notice the authors, I would be too focused on the books!
Jenn Donald says
Looks like so much fun! RT is coming to my city next year and I’m so very excited, it’s like a nerdgirl dream come true! 🙂
Carissa R. says
how exciting
Tami Gochenaur says
Thanks for sharing!! Looks like you had an amazing time!!
Ashley J says
What an incredibly awesome & exciting trip. Thanks for sharing your adventure with us!
Jennifer says
It looks amazing! Thank you for sharing your trip with us! Hopefully I eventually am able to go to one of these kinds of events!! ?
Kim Perry says
Sounds like you had a great time! I would love to attend RT one year.
Stephanie Lashbrook says
This looks like a blast; can’t wait to go one of these years!!
Diana Doan says
So sad I couldn’t go this year. But thank you for the recap and giveaway.
lea says
Thanks for the chance <3
Irma says
O hope you had fun 🙂 THank you fort his wonderful chance <3
Anna Bergman says
Thanks for the chance!
Sarah Scholz says
Wow! Very cool ☺️ Looks like you had an amazing time ? Thank you for sharing all of this with us ? What a neat giveaway too ? Thank you for the chance ☺️
Livia says
I’m so glad you squeezed both events in over the 5 days, yay! I went to my 1st RT Booklover’s Convention last year as a birthday present to myself. I had a blast because I loved the panel discussions, author meet up events, hanging out in line with fellow fangirls, the freebies and getting books signed for myself and for my book buddies who couldn’t make it. I think all romance genre junkies should go at least once.