Or Sudnuy (if you’re a Kiwi). But, anyway, main thing is, after a fabulous week away in Australia, I’m back! Was hoping to post while I was away but was seriously hampered by the lack of decent wireless. What’s up Australia? It’s as bad as Kiwi-land and that’s saying something. 😉
Did lots of sightseeing stuff with the family (and that was very cool) but definitely the highlight was the RWAus conference in Sydney. And the best part of that was meeting up with two of my CPs, the wonderful and very talented Rachel Johns and Janette Radevski. Honestly, these are two fabulous women and meeting in real life was just such a wonderful thing. I also got to know some other extremely talented ladies such as Becca Heath and Leah Ashton, plus a whole lot of other wonderful women who write and love category. As you can see from the rather blurry photo of Janette, Rach and myself, many martinis were drunk… 😉
The conference was also a fabulous opportunity to meet some truly wonderful authors. I got to speak to say hello to Kelly Hunter who is one of my favourite Modern Heats authors. I asked her what she thought about the changes coming up with the new Riva line and she thought it was exciting, a chance to do something really different. Scary, yes, for those of us who have followed the guidelines faithfully but personally I really like the thought of doing something different. It’s certainly a challenge – one of the big things that most people at the conference agreed was that writing category was an artform.
And if course Hoo came too – he wouldn’t miss it for the world. Here he is at the dinner with Oppo, who is a great friend of Becca’s. Hoo and Oppo spent all night talking to each other – couldn’t drag them away.
Lastly, because there is more but I’m tired and need to go to bed, I’ll leave you with a wee pic of myself in my hastily pulled together cocktail evening costume. I’d heard the Aussies go all out and since Kiwis don’t really do the dress-up thing much, I thought I’d better make an effort. So after a dash around Paddy’s market, I threw together a look that was supposed to reflect Fantasy Island or your own private fantasy. I don’t know quite what I was trying to achieve here – Debbie Harry crossed with Jackie Collins I think – but all were agreed that the wig was a hit. 🙂
Anyway, more anon…
Lovely to meet you and the charming small blue hero! Oppo sends his love and recommends the hot lady cuddlies of Adelaide…
=)
I’m glad you had fun. Loved the wig.
Yes, welcome to the land of bad wireless lol. We can all contort and hold weird yoga positions to get our internet.
So when are you moving here?
Do you know I can find very little about the RIVA line it’s driving me nuts. It’s my punishment for not being at conferences this year I think ;-). What exactly is it all about?
I’m glad Hoo found a friend and I personally think your costume rocks, lovin the wig! That’s a great picture of you and Rachael and Janette.
Colour me jealous!
LOL, I do see a bit of Jackie Collins there! It looks like you had a fabulous time. Hope you have a chance to get some rest. I know I was exhausted after RWA in Orlando 🙂
It was lovely to meet you Jackie! I’m disappointed I didn’t get to chat to you more (where did the weekend go!), but hopefully I’ll see you again at future RWAus conferences – and hopefully I’ll make it to the RWNZ one soon 🙂
Yay! Jackie’s back! 😛 since I was NOT in Aus, I just missed you. 🙂
But Hoo looks dashing as ever, and you look FABULOUS. I think you should dress like that all the time. No, it’s not too much. 😀
Lacey, Riva…we could all write what we know of it on the back of a napkin. 4 a month, and it will be what is now Mod Heat and some of the Romance line that has a more chick lit feel. I think from my convos with the eds at RWA (and what Jackie says seems to confirm) they’re open to Riva evolving a bit further from Presents. Or not. We’ll see what happens. LOL.
PS am sulky and jealous of Rach and Janette for they were with my favorite Kiwi!!
You look fab!
Can’t wait to hear all your stories about the conference. Loving your pics of Rachael and Janette and absolutely love the wig!
Bec – Lovely to meet you too! Hoo sends his regards to Oppo and is jealous of the lady cuddlies. Kiwi lady cuddlies are a bit standoffish of octopi. 😉 Cheers re the wig!
Lacey – No, not moving. Can’t now, not with my iPad all sad a lonely without wireless. Riva? Well, none of the authors I spoke to knew either! I think it’s a case of when the eds see it, they’ll know it. Will blog more about it.
Yeah, the wig was fun. And Rach and Janette were fab.
Rula – you do? I was wearing leopardskin leggings with matching sunnies so that was the Jackie Collins bit. I am knackered and then have to gear up for the NZ conf this weekend!
Leah – it was fab to meet you too! I’m really hoping to come to Melbourne next year so maybe I’ll see you then. Hey, you’ll have to say hello to a certain editor in London for me (and ask her what’s happening with my partial!!) 😉
Maisey – I missed you too! Yeah, I was considering the wig as a permanent hair replacement (it sheds a lot though). BTW, I name dropped you shamelessly. hehe.
Lorraine – thanks hon!
Susan – lots of good stories! And thanks re the wig. 🙂
*squee* love being worthy of a name drop! (and I did the same to you at RWA!)
Maisey – LOL! Except I’m not as famous as you are m’dear.
Famous is as famous does m’dear. Besides you’re famous to us!
Glad you had such a fab time. I’d love to make it to the Sydney conference at some stage. Haven’t been there for about 5 years now.. Sydney, that is 🙂
Joni – Awwww, aren’t you a sweetie? Thanks!
Kaily – it was great! Ah well, there’s always Melbourne next year…hint, hint…;-)
I loved LOVED meeting you Jackie, my only gripe is that the weekend wasn’t long enough!! Was so great to finally have you, Rach & I in the same city!!
Loved catching up with Leah and meeting Bec.
Thanks for being my coffee buddy too!
Will do a quick post on my blog later today, but will save the bigger post on my ‘virgin’ conference experience for my sisters post next week.
LOL…actually, Jackie, I think you’re still famouser than I am!
Janette – I loved meeting you too, m’dear! And no, the weekend wasn’t long enough. Another couple of days would have been great! Yeah, Leah and Bec were way cool. And the coffee…well, can’t survive without it huh?
Can’t wait to see your post!
Maisey – Lol! I don’t think so. I quite like being a known blogger but I’d rather have a contract. 🙂
I’m still ILL so hoping this makes sense. Blanket apology to anyone I infected with the lurgy over the weekend.
I cannot begin to describe the awesomeness of meeting you in person Jackie – and feeling like it wasn’t the first time but the zillionenth!
Everyone she is as lovely and gorgeous and fabulous in person as she is on the blog.
I too hope to do a post on the conf but it might have to wait until tomorrow. Am hoping by then, I’m feeling half alive again 🙂
Rach – ARGH!! *blushes soooo hard* You wonderful woman, you. It was majorly wonderful meeting you as well – felt like I’d known you for years!
And can I say what a trooper you are? That boot camp uniform wasn’t just for show – you were battling it out with that terrible cold. And still you looked gorgeous at the dinner! Hope you are feeling better.
Sounds like you had a fab time, Jackie! Love the getup, BTW 🙂 Very glam.
Can’t wait to hear more about the Conference – like I said on Rach’s blog, I’m living vicariously through you guys since I didn’t go to the Conf this year(sigh). Oh well, there’s always next year which will be in my hometown.
Angie – thanks! Oh you have to come next year. I want to come to Melbourne myself – it’s got to be a yearly thing!
You all look gorgeous.
XX