Sadly I wasn’t actually riding waves at Fremantle – and it was a little too chilly anyway – but I did have a fabulous weekend celebrating romance at the RWA conference. As usual it was uplifting, frenetic and fabulous!
Thank you and well done to the conference team. It’s a huge undertaking for a group of volunteers and you carried it off in magnificent style!
Here are some highlights of the weekend 🙂
- Ahoy me hearties!
A sailor, a pirate and a seal!
Fiona and Cathryn - not sure what her photo looked like!
Penguins for dinner
FIona Palmer and Margareta Osborn
Bronwyn Parry and me
Some of the talented Australian Rural Romance authors
My awards ceremony companions!
Desserts to Die For!
Congratulations to talented Tricia Stringer, the 2013 Romantic Book of the Year Winner!
Kerrie, there’s always room on my blog for RWA’s hard working blog mistress. Lovely to see you on the weekend and look forward to working with you on committee for another twelve months 🙂
Lauren, look forward to catching up in Sydney! Are you going to Genre Con again in October? If so, I’ll see you there 🙂
You’re a fabulous nutcase who’s made me smile many times this year, Gabrielle, so that makes your a treasured nutcase as well!!! Fantastic to meet you on the weekend and thanks for your help with the new members – it’s always great to have vibrant people around to chat to them. See you in Sydney!! 🙂
It’s always a great weekend, Margaret, you should come along to one 🙂
Rachael, next year we’ll have to make the time to catch up!! You guys did an awesome job – well done to you all 🙂
Thanks, Brenda, lovely weekend and then I dived into work. It’s been frantic but fun and Mum continues to improve.
Edits have arrived already so I’m knee deep in those 🙂
Sandy, it will be fabulous next year and we’ll be there as well!! Will spread the word on the Ripping Starts – great contest name 🙂
Hey, how did I get on your blog?! 🙂 It was great to see you, and everyone, as usual – and as usual it went all too quickly!
It looks like it was an amazing weekend Helene! I so wish I could have come :-(But I am thrilled next year will be in Sydney… I’ll definitely be there then!
Arrrggghhhhh!!!!
And the fabulous thing for me about the weekend was that it was the first time I met Helene in person.
(I am in the top pic on the right hand side foilks, if you’re wondering) and was at the table with her for the awards dinner. Am sure you can spot my ‘mug’ in that shot.
First words out of Helene upon meeting me (after the huge hug she gave me) was:
“Ah you’re a nut case.”
Yep, cluey lady this Helene Young, knew me better than most in such a short space of time.
Great to see you and chat with you Helene. Looking forward to next year.
All the very best, cheeries
Gabrielle
What a wonderful collection of photographs! It’s easy to see that everyone was having the time of their lives. 🙂
WOW – you snapped some awesome pics Helene! Was so great seeing you. It’s never enough time to catch up properly though. Bring on Sydney!!!
Great photos Helene 🙂 So glad you all had such a good time, and that you were actually able to make it, and not still on the high seas 😉 Glad your Mum is recovering in rehab, she’s a wonderful lady! Enjoy your (short but sweet) rest time now you are home…before editing kicks in 😉
I can’t wait for next year in Sydney! I’ve even just checked out the Novotel Olympic Park. LOL. What a grand time you must have had. I must say though, that the Clayton’s was fun and it was great to see Dana win the LWA.
Jodie collected my first sale ribbon so I should see it soon! Woohoo!
Don’t forget to tell everyone the RWA Ripping Start opens this Friday at 7pm and is capped at 90. 🙂