There are some expenses that are finite, such as the convention fee, and others that depend on how much you can save versus what makes you the most comfortable. The biggest expenses involved are much like any trip (several of these topics will be discussed later in more depth):-- Convention Fee: $469 A set price determined by RT Book Reviews. -- Travel: Plane, train, or automobile? If you drive, don't forget to budget for gas. Hotel parking is charged $35 per day for guests. For non guests its $3.75 per 15 minutes with a max of $47.50. There is plenty of space. Car pooling with a friend will spread these costs out.-- Transfers: Most major airports offer shuttle service or taxi for a fairly reasonable fee, or if you want to feel like a NYT Bestseller - limo service. A call to the hotel should give you a good idea of the cost for a taxi from the airport, and if you can share the ride with someone, that will help spread the cost. -- Hotel: Staying alone in a suite is obviously going to cost more than sharing a standard room with one, two or three others. You can also consider a near-by budget hotel/motel, but you'll sacrifice being right in the 'midst of the action' all the time. The other factor involved is how long you stay, whether you arrive early for pre-convention sight-seeing, or just at the 'official' opening of the convention.-- Food: Some meals are included with the convention fee. For the rest, you can opt for sit-down meals, or save some cash with fast food.-- In-convention shopping: The convention offers its annual Book Fair. Some vendors sell their wares in Club RT and at the Book Fair.-- Sightseeing/souvenirs: This one is entirely up to you, but should be considered.

Chances are good that when you arrive in the hosting city airport, you will see or hear someone chatting about their favorite authors or the latest publishing gossip or with a romance book open in their hands! Unfortunately, we don't have a tried and true method. You could also place a question on the Message Board asking this question.

When you register, you can select 'find me a roommate' and we will try to accommodate you. You will be notified 6 to 8 weeks prior to the convention on possible roommate matches.

Prior to the 'official' opening, many people arrive a day early to 'get settled' and orient themselves. The convention officially starts Wednesday Afternoon. Check the RT Booklover Agenda and Party pages on the website for a complete schedule to help you decide. The majority of people arrive on Wednesday so you may run into lengthy lines at hotel and convention registration. By arriving on Tuesday you will be all settled and ready to go when the convention gets under way on Wednesday afternoon. You might want to come a few days ahead to join the Early Bird Tour to get in some sight-seeing so that you don't take a minute away from the convention once it's started.

No, there are no partial fees. There are spouse/companion packages available for the social functions only, and are only available with one full fee purchase per special package.

The convention is developed with that in mind. If meeting your favorite authors is your biggest interest, you will love this convention. RT Book Reviews primary goal is to advance the professional interests of writers through networking and advocacy, and to let authors meet readers in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.

Of course! Most workshops are geared towards authors at every stage of their writing careers. It is also a wonderful opportunity to 'network' with other writers - chat about writing, share writing woes, exchange good information. You might want to spend some time on your first day at convention making a schedule of events you don't want to miss, such as special workshops and your agent/editor appointments, parties.

Requests for refunds made by the dates on the registration forms will be granted.

The Goody Room is just what it sounds like, a room full of books - free for the taking for convention attendees! Registered attendees may go through the room only once. It is monitored by volunteers, and you will be given a ticket to get in at registration. It opens on Wednesday afternoon, and since not everyone has arrived that day, the crowds aren't quite so bad. But all the books may not yet be available, either, so you should decide when you think it's best to go.

Readers, Published Authors, Aspiring Authors, Booksellers, Publishers, Agents, Editors, Cover Models are all welcome. Anyone who enjoys reading or who is involved in the industry can attend the convention.

Follow the editor or agent drop down to the attending button. We will have this up by March 1at.

This can vary widely depending on the person with whom you'll be meeting. An individual appointment is like a visual query letter, one in which you put your face to the name of the author and the title of the book, in hopes that the editor or agent will request to see your manuscript. It can also be a very intimidating experience, though keep in mind that the person is there to meet people with projects to sell - like you. Still, if you find the thought of a one-on-one intimidating, a group appointment is a good way to get answers to common questions about what the editor or agent likes and what they're looking for. In either case, you may be requested to send your full manuscript, so it is a wonderful opportunity to make a valuable contact.

You must have a completed manuscript in order to request an editor or agent appointment. Due to the limited slots available, not to mention the limits on their time, it is important that the editors and agents connect with writers with a project that is ready for them to review.

There will be a very, very limited number of appointments available on site. You will need to check with the Editor/Agent Check-in Desk at the convention for availability, where appointments will be offered on a first come, first serve basis as they become available. This may change from hour to hour so you should check back frequently.

Editors and agents attend the national convention for several reasons, though mainly to do business! They want to meet with each other, meet with their clients who are otherwise spread all over the country - or the world - and look for new authors/clients. It's okay to speak to them at workshops and meals, but you should never intrude if an editor or agent is clearly having a private conversation with someone. Passing in the hall or sharing a line is probably not an appropriate time to pitch a book.

Of course you don't need them, but you will find a business card is a handy way to exchange information with people. They're not very expensive to buy; even cheaper to make. In fact, you might even want to think about making more than one type of card - some listing professional credits for an editor, some with promotional information, some fun ones just for friends.

Arrangements are made with Jo Carol for these rooms far in advance of the convention.

First of all, do it well ahead of time. Jot down the highlights of your characters, plot, conflict, and resolution. Then practice - with your critique partner, your husband, the woman next to you on the plane - so you're well-versed in your pitch by the time you sit down in front of the agent or editor. One plan for the eight minute appointment is to allot four minutes for your pitch, and four minutes for questions. You might also prepare a few notes about other projects you've done or you're planning, and why you want to work with this agency or publisher.

Follow the Industry tab to Editor/Agent to schedule your appointment. The appointment list will be posted March 1st. and will be open for scheduling until March 15th. After March 15th. only on site appoints will be available.

Editor and agent appointments are very limited. Your odds of meeting with your first choice of either are not high. You can contact us by e-mail after January.

You should never, ever, bring a manuscript with you in the hopes of passing it on to an editor or agent. They will not want to take it from you at that time. If they picked up full manuscripts from authors at convention, they would need a second or third suitcase just to get them all home. If an editor or agent wishes to see your book, they will most likely give you a business card and direct you to send it to them at their office, after the convention. Send it as soon as you get home, mark the envelope 'Requested Manuscript.'

Appointments can be canceled up to 48 hours before, and the appointment will be reassigned to someone else. If you change your mind prior to the convention, contact Sharon Murphy at the RT office. If you find you have an appointment you don't want once you have arrived at the convention, go to the Editor/Agent Check-in Desk which will be set up in the hotel during the convention.

The convention features the following meals as part of the convention registration:
Dinner on Thursday and Friday Evening.
Morning and Evening Mixers are not considered a meal nor should they be counted as one in your meal budget.

Most major hotels serving groups as large as ours will make accommodations if a person is diabetic, vegetarian, or vegan. Due to the size of the group attending the convention, other individual meals are not available at catered events. You should be able to tell the server that you are needing a diabetic, vegetarian meal. If you have any problems at the convention let Jo Carol know (leave message in the convention registration area) and she will do her best to correct this for your next meal.

To reserve a room in the convention hotel at the special convention price, you must first be registered for the convention. Mark your preference on your convention registration form. If you wish to request a suite contact Jo Carol at jocarol@rtconvention.com

You should receive a confirmation directly from RT Book Reviews to let you know that your reservation is made and ready, all your roommates are listed, etc. If you don't get it quickly or if you have any questions, your best bet is to call the office @ 800-989-8816 ext. 12 or Jo Carol at 281-471-1077. You can also e-mail jocarol@rtconvention.com

One of you will need to make the deposit through your convention registration, and roommates should be listed as well. When you check in, you will each give a credit card to the reception desk, and they will be able to break down the bill accordingly. The deposit will be applied against the bill of the person who sent in the registration.

We cannot guarantee the hotel will have the exact request when you arrive. If the desk clerk is unable to help you, ask to speak to a manager or have them locate Jo Carol at the information desk. With so many people arriving at the same time, there may be an occasional mix-up, but the staff at the hotel is there to serve its customers. Don't be afraid to ask

The Room Rate cost is based on the number of people in the room. A single is $125.00. A Double/Double is for 2 people with 2 double beds and the room rate increases with the addition of each guest in the room. (Double $135.00 plus taxes divided by 2; Triple is $145.00 plus taxes divided by 3; Quad is $155.00 plus taxes divided by 4). More hotels are charging for extra people since the cost of laundry, etc. is higher when more people stay in one room. All rooms are per night and plus tax. Roll-a-way beds are limited and not always available. Roll-a-way beds may be restricted based on fire code restrictions.

Running a convention like this is an enormous task, and involves a lot of work by a lot of people. Even if you've never volunteered for anything, your help is requested and welcomed. There are many, many jobs where a willingness to help is all that is required. You can choose where you want to volunteer - helping to set up events, cleaning up after an event, Promotion Lane or at the Book fair, checking people in at Registration or Editor/Agent appointments, just to list a few examples.

The first thing to think about is being comfortable. Days at convention can be long and intense. Comfortable shoes are a must; the hotel is big and the function space is spread out over a rather large area to provide enough room for upwards of 1,000 people. During convention hours, the common phrase for attire is 'business casual.' Nice slacks or skirts, sweaters or blouses, something a little dressier like a suit for an editor/agent appointment. The summer air conditioning can seem a little cool to some people, so layering with a sweater or jacket might be a good idea. The evening events have themes. Check this out on the parties page-anything from costumes, sequins to after five is appropriate.

Jo Carol Jones, jocarol@rtconvention.com.

Because of the sheer number of submissions of workshops and requests to appear on panels by authors, we need to have your commitment. Registered authors receive information on special publicity opportunities and instructions for the Book Fair and Expo.

You want your display to look professional. Bookmarks, flyers and post cards slide around and sometimes end up on the floor or in the adjoining space. The container does not have to be elaborate. A shipping box which has been covered with material works just as well as a million dollar container. RT cannot guarantee that your container will not grow legs.

If you are registered, you will receive an initial letter giving you instructions for each event.

Due to the sheer volume of authors, booksellers, publishers, and outside businesses that place their items on Promotion Lane, we have had to start charging for this very valuable venue. Each individual who pays has an equal size space, and we can monitor the Lane for abuses.

You must be registered to have your website linked. We aim to be as concise and up-to-date as possible with all the changes occurring to the convention schedule. The website is updated up to a week prior to the convention.

It is your responsibility to check that your name is listed in all the places you are scheduled to appear and that your website link is correct. You must be registered to have your website linked. Periodically, the schedules may get changed to accommodate other events or space required for a panel. You may also have to make changes due to personal commitments. Notify Jo Carol Jones, jocarol@rtconvention.com, if there is a change to your schedule.

Consignments must be checked in from 1 - 3 on Friday. Your consignments will be placed on your author table. All other authors should arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of the Expo and go directly to your author table.

You must pick up your items and container before 6 p.m. on Saturday. Items not removed by that time will be disposed.

Club RT, SOS Military Mixer, Expo, Book Fair, Bookseller Program, Reader Program, Vampire Ball. Contact Jo Carol Jones, jocarol@rtconvention.com for additional information.

3 print titles at the Book Fair. If you are signing at both, you must have different titles for consignment and downloads at the Expo.

Jo Carol Jones must approve all easels which are larger than the standard space. There is an additional fee incurred for floor standing easels.

Between September 1st and mid September.

Yes. A sign will be posted beside the special entrance.

If you have an easel which blocks another space then the RT monitors will move your items. This is to insure everyone has equal exposure.

You will need to choose 3 downloads for the Expo and 3 print titles for the Book Fair. There is no limit on consignments at the Expo.

Yes. All books/media being brought into the Expo and Book Fair must have RT labels attached. This is to prevent charging the reader for your free give-a-way

All items must be PG13 rated. If you are in doubt, please send to Jo Carol Jones, jocarol@rtconvention.com, an attachment displaying your item.

There are a wide variety of ways other than hosting or co-hosting an event to promote your work during the convention. Contact Jo Carol Jones.

You will need to arrive 30 minutes prior to the start of the Book Fair.

Initially your name will be on the Attending Author page then on either or both of the Book Fair and Expo pages.

There are many factors that determine whether your books will be available for sale at the Expo, Book Fair or both. The bookseller for the convention makes this determination. You must have different titles for each event.

Contact Jo Carol Jones

We love to have authors signed up for the 3 day tour of the city and surrounding areas! Contact Jo Carol Jones, jocarol@rtconvention.com, if you can only attend one day.

Yes. Contact Jo Carol Jones, Convention Director, to make arrangements.

The convention bookseller and RT will make this determination.

You do not have to be present but it is to your advantage. You will want to meet the winner and get their contact information. Pictures with the winner are often on websites and in the magazine.

You can volunteer online at anytime. Email Jo Carol.

If this happens, you should let the person at the information desk know as soon as possible, so they can reschedule or replace you.

Volunteering is just that - giving freely of your time.

A listing of workshops is available on-line several months prior to the convention. When you check-in you will receive a bag full of information, including a complete convention and workshop schedule.

You could get a friend to take notes.

Contact the Convention Director (Jo Carol) and give her feedback. We always want to know what topics and speakers are effective and which are not, for future planning.

We have the final workshop speakers on the agenda page.

The Editor from RT Book Reviews BOOKreviews selects the speakers from a list of possible authors/industry people gathered and presented to them by the Program Chairperson.

The speakers do not get a free registration.

Definitely. Though the topic may be one of great interest to a convention attendee, if the person submitting has not given the Workshop Coordinator a clear and concise idea of what she/he will be offering in the workshop, the Workshop Caption will go with the one that appears to offer more. To circumvent this, all applications need to be accompanied by an outline or a handout, which is as complete and detailed as possible. A summary or big name is not enough.

Because there are many steps to be completed before the tentative workshop schedule can be presented at the Convention.