#RWA2023 rehash and a look back…

Peggy Jaeger

Jul 26

So, it took me almost 24hours to get home from #RWA2023 from California because of issues with planes. But...as I am finally back in my office I want to reflect a bit on the past week.

First, kudos galore to the entire @RomanceWritersofAmerica team who put on this conference. It was a scaled down version of years past and sosos much better and more intimate. I so enjoyed getting to converse with first timer's and interacting with new-to-me-authors in a setting that was smaller and fostered this kind of interaction.

Second, this was my first time speaking at a national/international conference. to say I was nervous would be an understatement. But the #RWA staff made it effortless for me.

I was on a panel with three other authors for a discussion titled HOW MANY NOs BEFORE YOU GOT A YES? Every time I look at this picture I hear the theme to MOULAN ROUGE: Four badass chicks from the Moulan Rouge! Here are: Mia P. Manansala Moi! Thien-Kim Lam and Naima Simone

Third, there were so many first timers at the conference that I couldn't help but remember my own first time, long ago in 2015 at San Antonio. I met Nora Roberts, cried like a baby when I did,

and spoke at length to one of my all time fav authors, Jill Shalvis. I was wide eyed and trying to drink in every bit of knowledge I could. I saw that same expression in the eyes of all the first timers at the 2023 conference.
As romance writers, or writers in general, we live solitary lives. Getting together at a big conference like this one helps us reconnect with one another, remember we are not alone in this publishing endeavor, and helps us come out of our writing caves and remember how to "people."

Then, there was Susanna Hoffs. Yes, that Susanna Hoffs from my favorite 80s girl band THE BANGLES. She's written her first romance book and graciously spent two hours with the conference attendees, talking about her process to publication, and singing.