RomantiCon 2010 and Way Too Much Fun!

Okay, so from October 7-11 I was in Richfield, Ohio attending RomantiCon 2010. This is a small conference presented by Ellora's Cave (my publisher) for authors, readers, editors, reviewers, and aspiring authors.

The staff at the Days Inn and the EC staff do an absolutely amazing job of putting this thing on - I mean, it's not like we're the only ones in the hotel, there are other people staying here - but somehow they manage to keep a group of erotica writers, their fans, the super-hot Cavemen, and all the other hotel guests happy and supplied with (amazing!) food, beverages (both alcoholic & non), and good times.

The conference started on Thursday for most of us with a "Meet and Greet" and a sash contest - the whole sash thing came about during a discussion on the RomantiCon loop about how to recognize authors and what they write...some were elaborate, some were very last minute, but they all looked great!Hey, You're SUPPOSED to be looking at my sash! The handsome man standing to my right is one of the EC Cavemen - his name is Lorenzo and he was on the cover of one of my books (Sapphire Sizzle). Oh, by the way? Nara Malone won the sash contest - her prize? Next Year's Conference Fee!

Then Friday there were workshops for aspiring writers, workshops for readers, workshops for current writers, and more meeting-and-greeting! Friday night was the "costume event" - a Roaring 20's party with flappers, gangsters, molls, and more! There was some "play" money passed out and we were all playing slot machines for tickets to a raffle. There were some amazing prizes given out at this event, including a digital camera, a video camera, a Netbook computer, a B&N e-book reader, a Sony e-book reader and a Kindle!

Did I mention the EC Cavemen? LOL Yes, they were there in pin-striped suits, white suspenders, spats & their trademark fedoras. These are some of the nicest guys you'll ever meet (and they're not bad looking either - LOL). From left to right (in case you were interested...Kevin, Keaneau (brand new, his first EC experience outside of the photo studio), Lorenzo, Angelo, Brooks, Christian, Rodney and Jason (seated)).

Okay, so there WERE a lot of people there in costume and having fun, there were just as many not in costume but still having fun!

On Saturday there were more workshops, this time divided into reader focus groups, research, hands-on information, and so much more. Saturday night brought the 10th Anniversary Celebration featuring Ellora's Cave founder Jaid Black, the first Caveman, CJ Hollenbach and the first female cover model, Shannon Smith. Jaid was gracious and emotional over the giving nature of the EC authors and fans. She specifically mentioned some of the times that EC authors have "given back" to those in need and how proud she was to be a part of such a group. Jaid, CJ & Shannon all also autographed the Special Edition of The Empress' New Clothes, a re-release of the very first EC book for all attendees.

Of course, there was dancing and more fun at this party...

Yes, the Cavemen were dancing in those 4-inch heeled boots - what? You weren't looking at his boots? Well, what WERE you looking at??

Oh, did I mention the author awards? No? Well....Marilu Mann just happened to win a 2010 Superstar award for "Witches, Shifters, Demons & Doms, Oh My! Most versatile types of heroes"

So, Sunday brought more workshops, the crazy-hat and BINGO/pizza party and departures for most of us. I stayed an extra day to get a better flight and so I could recap this event for all of you. Now, other than seeing the pictures above, what do YOU get out of this? Well, a totebag of SWAG and other stuff, of course! I picked up some really amazing stuff that will go to one lucky person (or maybe more once I get home and see exactly what kind of loot I DID manage to get!). How do you win? Leave a comment here or at http://www.marilumann.blogspot.com/ (where there are MORE pictures and daily recaps of the events at RomantiCon) and someone will win a totebag full of SWAG!!