From year to year, there are RWA conferences that are better than others. This year in Atlanta was, for me, one of the best ever. I think the reason is because I was so relaxed and there was no pressure to do any workshops or anything else equally stressful. I also think it helped that the Plotmonkeys had adjoining rooms this year, so it was like a five day slumber party for us. We plotted our upcoming stories we need to write (wow, are there some awesome books coming out from the Plotmonkeys in the next year!!!), dined on room service, and lounged around in the day and evening in our cute Plotmonkey pajamas that Julie got for us. Karen also got each one of us an adorable “Monkey” keychain, to keep us inspired even while we’re apart.
So, yes, we did work. But we also played and shared many laughs and good times. There are so many high-lights of the conference, but for me, I truly enjoyed the RWA Literacy signing. If you are a big reader, this booksigning is like something you’ve never seen before. Over 500 published authors are seated in a huge ballroom (many readers find it truly overwhelming!) and hundreds of readers get to meet and greet their favorite authors, and get their books autographed as well. This is where I usually meet so many awesome readers, as well as friends I’ve made over the year on the internet.
We mentioned last week that we had a special something for readers who stopped by one of our tables and announced “I Love the Plotmonkeys!”. We gave those readers a fun and special Plotmonkey pin, and some other goodies, too. There were a few reader’s names I recognized, but a few I didn’t. And when I asked if they posted on the blog site, they admitted to being lurkers – but promised to start posting in the future. I really, truly, hope you all do! One thing all four of us Plotmonkeys realized this past week after talking to many authors who blog is that we have the absolute BEST posters right here at Plotmonkeys!!! 
And now, here are some fun pictures from the literacy signing and the conference for you to enjoy!
One of the very first person who came to my table was our very own Stacy, who posts regularly at Plotmonkeys. She was so incredibly sweet, and you could tell she was having a great time. Check out the Plotmonkey pin she wore during the conference! Thanks, Stacy! :wink:
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Another monkey from our jungle who introduced herself was Julie. It was so great to be able to put a face to her name, and you can tell by that smile that she is super-friendly! 
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If you haven’t heard about “Bad Barb”, then let me introduce you! Bad Barb came by her name very honestly. 
She’s trouble . . . of the very best kind, and one of Plotmonkeys most loved advocates!
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I had the pleasure of meeting Steve, who reads my books and loves the hot and sexy stories. Yeah, Steve! He’s also a writer, so hopefully we’ll see his books in print one day soon! :)
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Here we have Jan, Heather, and Anne-Marie. They roomed with Bad Barb and are trouble in the making! Seriously, they are super-nice and a whole lot rowdy, LOL!
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Here I am with Walt Stone from Access Romance, who was the official conference picture-taker. Well, not official, really, but the “Press” badge he stole . . . er, wore, made him look very official. Since he was taking everyone else’s picture, I decided that he needed to be in one, too!
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Mica Stone, aka Alison Kent, is one of my oldest writing friends! (Not old as in “age”, but old as in how many years we’ve known each other!). We’ve been buddies for almost 20 years! Wow! 8O If you haven’t read her Brava books, you’re missing out on some awesome stories!
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I was looking forward to getting an autographed copy of Diana Peterfreund’s book, SECRET SOCIETY GIRL, but her publisher didn’t send any copies for the literacy signing! For a first time author who is looking forward to meeting new readers, not having your book there is so upsetting! However, Diana made the best of the situation and greeted readers with a big smile. 
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Every year Jacquie D’Alessandro brings her alligator purse to the conference, and she (the alligator) is always a huge hit. Jacquie writes sensual Regency-Era Historicals and super-hot contemporary stories for Harlequin Blaze.
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Best-selling author Julie Kenner is one of those authors that make you think of super-woman. She is mega-talented and writes a gazillion books a year, and juggles a hundred other things at the same time, LOL! Okay, maybe not a gazillion books, but close! Her “Demon” books are a not-to-be missed series!
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Our own Leslie Kelly signing HERE COMES TROUBLE with Karen Kendall seated next to her. As you can see, they are both very mellow after a few glasses of wine. Now that’s a way to enjoy a booksigning, ladies! 
If you weren’t able to get a signed copy of HERE COMES TROUBLE, be sure to pick it up at your local bookstore sometime soon. It’s a laugh-out-loud story you don’t want to miss!
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Carly Phillips signed her newest hardcover release, CROSS MY HEART, for many excited readers. If you haven’t read this book, it’s out on bookstore shelves NOW! It’s a sensual, emotional read guaranteed to pull on your heartstrings.
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Be on the look-out for Kimberly Raye’s upcoming release, DEAD END DATING. This author certainly knows how to write a sexy book, and this one is no exception. Kimberly is one of the sweetest, most gracious (not to mention gorgeous) authors you’ll meet!
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Nikki Burnham (left) writes for Silhouette romance, and also young adult novels that my daughter absolutely loves. (My daughter says I know the coolest people, and she’s absolutely right!) Husband and wife writing team, Tony & Lori Karayianni (aka Tori Carrington), were at the literacy signing autographing their “Sofie Metropolis” series. These two are such a riot and I enjoyed visiting with them during our dinner at Fat Matt’s Rib Shack (More on that adventure in Carly’s blog!). :happy2:
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Here I am with my Harlequin editor, Brenda Chin at a cocktail party. People say I look like a giant sized version of her, LOL!
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I had a great time meeting up with my agent, Jenny Bent, at the Trident Media Group cocktail party. She’s a fabulous agent and always makes me laugh.
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As you can see, the literacy signing was a blast for me. On a personal level, I came back from the conference refreshed and energized thanks to Carly, Leslie, and Julie, and our plotting sessions. I’m ready to get back to writing and finishing BORN TO BE WILDE!
Speaking of BORN TO BE WILDE . . . my Berkley editor showed me the cover for Joel Wilde’s book, and I’m so excited. It’s red and absolutely gorgeous! It has a couple on the front just like TOO WILDE TO TAME, and Joel is HOT!
Janelle Denison finds it hard to believe that it’s been nearly 25 years since she first started writing romance novels. At first, it was a way to pass idle time while her husband worked swing shift, but before long it became an obsession to get published. Luckily, she kept at it (it took her over 5 years to get that first book published!) and is now a Waldenbooks, Barnes & Noble, and USA Today Bestselling author! Now, after selling over 45 plus novels, she finds that her Plotmonkey pals help to keep her stories fresh and unique, and she can’t imagine writing a story without their input. Janelle lives in Oregon with her husband, Don, along with two teenage daughters that keep life interesting.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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Oh my gosh I haven’t posted since before Atlanta! First, thank you Janelle for switching blogging days with me. I haven’t quite recovered yet. Anyway, you’ll hear about my experiences at RWA soon but I have to agree with what was said so far. THE BEST conference yet.
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What an amazing event! I loved meeting you, Janelle and Julie. I’m sorry I missed out on Carly and Leslie. You guys all looked fabulous. And whoa! Scary picture alert! I look much, much cuter in person *g*
And how awesome – a picture of BadBarb! She looks harmless, doesn’t she? Well, appearances are misleading! LOL She’s going to start teaching classes on stalking authors, since I failed miserably left up to my own endeavors. Next year – look out!
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Overwhelming is a great word for the literacy signing. But it was also a great time. I totally missed your table, Janelle, but I sawLeslie. My husband doesn’t quite get why I’ve been wearing my plotmonkeys pin everywhere, but it’s just too cute to put away.
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I wish I could have been there for the literacy signing. It sounds like a great time.
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Good Lord, Stacy, how can you get cuter than that? The picture is adorable!
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It sounds like you all had a blast. I love seeing all the pictures and reading about all your shenanigans. It helps make those of us who couldn’t make it not feel left out. Thanks!!
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I wish that I could have been there. It sounds like you guys had a blast.
I would love the chance to get to meet so many of the fabulous authors that I read in person. Maybe someday I’ll get that chance. 
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Janelle, I just finished the first book in “A Little Bit Naughty” (I get confused on which one it is), but it was FANTASTIC!!!!! Now, I gotta get more Plotmonkey’s books….and catch up! I am glad you have this site to introduce me to all of you!!:thankyou:
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P.S. Can I beg and beg for a Plotmonkey’s pin, even though I couldn’t go???:):)
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Wow, more great pictures, thank you for sharing and making us feel a part of the conference as well since we stayed home and tended the home fires……….:happy2:
Hopefully, I will get to one of these conferences and get to meet all the authors in person.:thumbsup2:
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Stacy — you ARE cute!!! And isn’t it just like Bad Barb to have a class on stalking authors? That’s too funny!
Katie — I believe that story was TEMPTED. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I hope you enjoy the second story, too — SEDUCED. That one is my favorite out of the two.
As for getting a Plotmonkey pin, stay tuned. We’re discussing how you all can get one if you want one. The thing is, it can’t be sent in just a regular standard envelope since it’s bulky!
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Thanks for posting so many great pictures of the convention.
Makes me wish I could have been there even more than I already did.:(
Love the Leopard print blouse you wore. It was really cool.
And no you don’t look like a giant next to that lady you are just statuesque.:cooldance:
Glad to see all the picures of the other posters. It is nice to put a picture to the name.
:doggie:
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Love the pictures and the stories…since I could not go this year you’ve given me a little taste of what it was like. I can’t wait to hear from all of you.
I agree on the Plotmonkey pin. I want one too. If you guys every come out with the little window things for cars with Plotmonkey’s on it I would gladly and proudly put it in the back window of my car.
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Wahhh…I wished I could have been there this year, but alas, it just wasn’t to be. Alright, so I haven’t posted to this blog until now, and could list several excuses such as computer problems, my eyes need a new prescription, my kids pulled me away from the computer, etc. But know I’ve wanted to and wish I had more time to do what I love best….read and play in the e-world! I missed sleeping with Bad Barb and Heather again – they’re the best pals to have for roommates if you readers ever get the opportunity. You couldn’t ask for any better! I miss saving the chairs at tables for those of you who attended workshops and smoozing with you authors. I’ll probably not get to go to next year’s conference either, which you’ll say is the best one then too..LOL. But you’ll definitely see me at 2008′s in San Francisco and again at 2009′s in Washington, D.C. which is only an hour from where I live! Hey, Leslie, you’ll be close to there then too..huh? I missed seeing everyone and glad you had a blast. Have to think of some more good jokes to share in 2008 and add to your conference experience, huh? hahaha Great pics Janelle…you always seem soo upbeat and nice seeing some familiar faces in some too! Hi Stacy, Heather, Jan and Barb!
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Julie
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Twenty years. OMG. We used to be so young . . .
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that looks so good. wish i was there.:party:
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Janelle, If “SEDUCED” is as good at “TEMPTED”, geez, Louise….I had to turn the A/C WAY up!!!:thankyou:
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Hi Janelle sounds like you had a GREAT TIME:party:
Thanks for pisting pictures now we have faces to go with names.
Well we will have to think of a way for us to get those PlotMonkey pins. I agree with Vicki about the car window thingy
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:cursing::wallbash::(:hissyfit::hissyfit::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry::cry:
I should’ve been there too! :cry::cry: I missed all the fun…. I miss seeing my face next to my buddy Heather… :cry::cry: … I missed you all so much. I wish I could’ve been there to have fun as much as you did.
Hugs and Kisses from Mexico!
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Here we have Jan, Heather, and Anne-Marie. They roomed with Bad Barb and are trouble in the making! Seriously, they are super-nice and a whole lot rowdy, LOL!
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Aack!!! A picture of Heather, Anne-Marie and Jan? Us Rowdy? Nah, you must be mistaken. We’re little angels
Did anyone see Barb in her devil horns? Her horns light up when she’s plotting on what to do to who next 
When Anne-Marie packs shoes…she packs shoes!!! What was it, 13 or 14 pair???
Seriously tho, it was great seeing everyone again and meeting new authors whose books I can hardly wait to read!
wave: Amelia!!! Long time no see!
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The pictures are great and reading about the conference makes me feel almost as if I had been there.
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Thanks for the pictures & sharing your experiences at RWA. :) I can hardly wait until it is in San Francisco so I can go. Let’s hope that will work out as I’m so close! Thanks for letting us get to see the faces of some of our fellow bloggers. I think I need to meet BadBard–I hope she is going to San Francisco!!! :) That seems so far away.
I was in Wal-Mart a little bit ago & I saw a copy of Carly’s book Summer Lovin’ but no Here Comes Trouble by Leslie. Guess it was sold out. Our Wal-Mart just did a huge remodel & I’m still trying to get use to it. I’m not thrilled with the book section but at least they still have one.
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Great pictures! Looks like everyone was having a great time. Stacy, you are everywhere on the web now!
I’ll have to send in for a bookmark since I love monkey’s!
I love the plotmonkey’s pin.
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I just got home about an hour ago. I have decided to give up closets,
because I found something much better to do instead.
:wallbash: This will be you guys when you find out what I have planned.
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What?? Stacy, you didn’t get over to Leslie’s table and pick up HERE COMES TROUBLE like I told you to! Hey, next time I’ll walk you over there.
It was fun seeing the Plotmonkeys out and about. They were everywhere and usually in pairs, but sometimes there were 3 of them and once I saw the 4 of them walking by.
Great conference!:party:
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I missed the literacy signing:doh: what can I say being a conference newbie, I didn’t plan well. But, I’m looking forward to it next year!
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Thanks for all the great pics! It’s great “seeing” everyone. :wave:
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I am soooo jealous. I wish I could have been there. I just read your entire post on my blackberry while sitting at mt 8 year old’s football practice. It is still 100 degrees out here and my work clothes are completely stuck to me. A fact I completely forgot about while I read your post and viewed your fun pictures. So thanks for that! Oh, and I will be waiting with BREATHLESS anticipation for Joel Wilde’s story!! They are the best.
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It’s great to be able to put faces to authors’ names. Looks like it was a fun time in Atlanta.
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I love the photos.
OOh another Wilde book coming out. Cant wait. Did you say when?
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This was my first conference and it was a bit overwhelming at times but I really enjoyed it! Great meeting you girls there!
Deb