Shelli Stevens

THURSDAY: Thursday was crazy! So much to do all day! I actually didn’t go to the AGM this year, because I ended up meeting up with my agent, Laura Bradford, to talk about my writing/career/and just basically chat it out. It’s the first time I’ve seen her since I signed with her. It was a great talk. (In the pic: Me and agent Laura Bradford)

Then there was also a luncheon where Victoria Alexander spoke, and she was just a riot. Great talk and funny to listen to. Food was not bad.

(In the pic: Heather Higgins, Me, Karen Erickson, Kate Pearce, can’t remember Lacy Danes)

After lunch I went to a workshop about volunteering at the National level. I’m seriously considering volunteering on committees this year and then maybe in the future running for a National board position. I’m running again for President of the Seattle chapter next year, so not for another year or two though. But I really love RWA and love being involved with it on a board level. This conference made me realize this even more.

Then came the crazy party hopping. First was the Passionate Ink cocktail reception. Sadly, I only got to spend an hour there but did get to hear Susan Swinwood speak about Harlequin Spice/Spice Briefs. After leaving the cocktail party soon after arriving, Lacy and I did a wardrobe change and headed out to the Kensington Publisher party. It was there I got to meet many of the Aphrodisia Authors and other Kensington authors. I had a blast!
(In the pic:Gina Robinson, Lacy Danes, Ann Roth, Me)

(In the pic: Kate Douglas and I, who I’ll be in Sexy Beast with!)

(In the pic: Kate Pearce, me, Crystal Jordan)

Then we ran to the Romance Divas dinner which was held at Buca Di Beppo. Yummy food and lots and lots of people!

(In the pic: lots of Romance Divas)

(In the pic: Karen Erickson and I)

(In the pic: Lindsey mcgurk,me, Angela James, Laurie Rauch, Crystal Jordan)

Then after stuffing our faces, Lacy Danes, Barbara Vey, I took a cab over to the PASIC reception. At this point, we were so tired we basically sat at a table with a group of people and didn’t move. But I loved it. Lots of men carried around desserts that I continued to decline. And I got to know the fabulous Donna Grant very well, and I swear I adore her!

(in the pic: Barbara Vey and I)

(in the pic: The Rotunda at Neiman Marcus where the party was held)

(In the pic: Lacy Danes, Donna Grant, me)

After the PASIC Reception we went back to the hotel, where I promptly ran into a bunch of members from my chapter. Knowing it was a photo opp (have you noticed I’m a photo whore?) I gathered them together and asked the first person I saw to take a pic. Cute huh?
Then my friend took a pic of me and the lady who’d taken our pic. What I didn’t realize–and my friend pointed out the next day–was the person I’d hit up to take our pic was none other than best selling author Heather Graham–whom I love. I’m not the best with faces. *Sigh*