Awards night at the end of the RWA National Conference is a fabulous way to end a great week of conference. For those up for the Golden Heart and RITA awards, it’s equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking. This year, I wasn’t up for an award because I was in a gap year — couldn’t enter the Golden Heart because I was no longer eligible (this is the unpublished contest), and couldn’t enter the RITA (the published contest) because I didn’t have a book out yet. But being a past Golden Heart winner, I was invited to be a presenter. Pretty cool. I still got to sit up front in the primo viewing seats, and when it was my turn to go up on stage to present the RITA in the Young Adult category, I didn’t even trip on my dress and fall on my face. 
Awards night is like our Oscar night, so we go all out getting dressed up. Here’s a look at some of the awards night finery.
Moi with Simone Elkeles, who was up for a RITA for her YA book Leaving Paradise (which I enjoyed reading while on the train to San Fran).
Four lovely Banditas: Kirsten Scott, Christine Wells, Susan Seyfarth (who won the Golden Heart in her category for her manuscript, Money Honey, which has since sold!), and Anna Campbell.
With fellow YA author Julie Linker.
And with good friend, Mills and Boon Medicals author Janice Lynn.
August 21st, 2008 at 7:44 am
Great pics! How exciting it must have been to present. Thanks for sharing.
BTW – I received your books! Thanks so much!
August 21st, 2008 at 4:18 pm
I love seeing pics where everyone is all dressed up.
August 23rd, 2008 at 8:42 pm
These are great photos! Thanks for sharing how you all looked so glam!