Hi, Everyone
Lori Foster and I just finished up our fifth annual Reader/Writer Weekend here in Cincinnati. What a blast. We had 310 attendees including over 100 authors and Margo Lipschultz from Harlequin, Rose Hilliard from St. Martins, and Roberta Brown and Karen Solem agents all taking appointments.
And from the wonderful donated baskets…over 100 this year…we raised $6616 for One Way Farm here in Cincinnati, a place for abused and abandoned kids ages 2 to 22. We always raise funds for the troops and this year took in $500 in cast plus supplies to be mailed off. Thanks Laurie Damron for heading this up.
But the most important part of the weekend was fun! I think this was the best get-together yet. Maybe because after doing this for five years Lori and I are getting the hang of it…though every year is different.
We had so many newbees which is great. The word is getting out that we are the best deal around for $50 for the weekend and that includes four meals thanks to Liquid Silver, Samhain, Blue Sapphire and All Romance ebooks who kicked in donations to offset the price of lunch. And we had a great bookfair with Barnes and Noble where 15% of the profits also go to One Way Farm.
There was plenty of downtime to chat with readers and authors. And we really do try and make it a get-together mixing up authors and readers at tables. I also had an Afterglow brunch at my house where we chatted about the event and did wind-down from the get-together. I have a video we did on this and I’ll have it ready by the end of the week. If you stop by my website you can see what everyone is saying about the get-together…and other thing!
It was a terrific weekend and I hope you all get a chance to come next year. We had attendees from Washington, California, many from New York and the Carolinas and Florida.
See you next year!
Hugs,
Dianne Castell
DianneCastell.com
I had a great time at the get together this year! Many thanks to you and Lori for arranging everything.
On a side note, I’ll be thinking about you and your children this weekend. Hugs to you!
Hi,Lisa.
It was wonderful seeing you at the get-together. You look great. We sure had a fab time. Lori and I love doing the event. Gets better every year.
Thanks for being so thoughtful. Father’s Day without a father around is not fun but we’ll be together. My NY daugher is comeing into Cincy so that’s good.
You are a wonderful friend! I appreciate you a bunch.
Hugs, Dianne
It was such a fun weekend, Dianne! There are so many of us who only see each other once a year, so it’s a very special weekend! And thank you again for the lovely brunch. I’m looking forward to seeing the video – thank heavens I avoided being interviewed since there wasn’t anyone there to do my hair and makeup! lol
Enjoy the weekend with your family! Big hugs to you all.
Dianne,
You know I had a blast (got a few more photos at http://keristevens.blogspot.com). It was a twitterific weekend! I even learned a new cocktail recipe that a friend of Sapphire Blue publisher, Tina Gerow had tweeted at her during the weekend.
It’s already on my calendar, and I’m hearing lots of people say “I’m coming next year,” so Lori and you had better plan on 350!
Hi, Laurie.
Thanks for all you do for the troops! You are the best for getting raffles etc together each year to send stuff overseas to our fighting men and women. Bless you.
As for the brunch… I look so horrid! Wait till you see. At least everyone will have something to gossip about. I so need a makeover. My yard looks good, just not me.
Thanks for chatting and for being a huge part of the reader/writer get-together each year. Lori and I truly appreciate it.
Hugs, Dianne
Hi Dianne, I had so much fun, and the weekend goes by way too fast! This event is an absolute MUST for me.
Kathy
Hi, Kathy!
So many new friends and old ones and the old is meant in the best possible way.
So glad you had a good time at the get-together. I sure did!
We need a t-shirt for those who have been with us from the beginning. I’ll have to think about that.
Now to start planning for next year!
Dianne
Hi Dianne! I love the June get together! It’s so much fun and love getting the chance to see and chat with some of my favorite authors, including you.
The event is fabulous I hope to attend for many years to come!
Hi, Deb.
One of the best things about the conference is getting to see you! Sure wish you lived closer.
Best of luck on your new job at the library. Sounds wonderful! I’m excited for you and they are so lucky to have you.
thanks for chatting
Dianne
Hi Dianne,
Great pics. Glad to hear you had a great time.
Dianne, you and Lori throw the best party in the business, and you are one spectacularly amazing lady! So cool that you give back to your community in so many ways.
Hey Dianne, Thanks to you and Lori another great weekend has come and gone. I had a wonderful time as usually. You and your home were lovely thanks for having us there.
I am like Laurie thanks for not interviewing me. Makes me have the willies.
Maybe a pin or the like saying original get together member. LOL
Love ya.
Have the best weekend you can ok. Mine is going to be different this year.
Hi, Dianne! I had a wonderful time (as always!) at your Reader & Author Get-together!
I never get to talk with you enough, though. Next time I’ll come a day early so we can chat and shop!
– Marcia
Hi, Jane.
It was fun. Laid back and easy. No stress. I wore my Keds and t-shirt and jeans. Now that’s my kind of event.
Dianne
Thanks, Gia, for helping. Lori and I could not do this without volunteers like you. We so appreciate it.
Dianne
Hey, Judy, thanks for coming to the brunch. The video turned out neat and I think those who did it wanted to. I don’t want to make anyone uncomfortable.
This is all aobut having fun!
The pin idea is a good one. I’ll have to look into it.
thanks, Dianne
Hi, Maricia. Come to cincy sometime and we’ll shop! I looove to shop and do lunch. The best part of life.
Thanks for helping at the get-together. You always volunteer and Lori and I really appreciate it.
Hugs, Dianne
Thanks for the photos, Dianne! I sure hope to join you one year! In the meantime, I’m enjoying the peeks!
Thanks, Fedora
It would be great to see you next year at the event!
How terrific is that.
I’ll have a short video up on my site soon of the after glow of the event and you can see some to the gang there.
Maybe next year you’ll be the one on the video.
Hugs, Dianne