So
what can I tell you about the week-long cocktail party and schmooz-fest that
was RT2016? You’ve already seen Laurie’s gleanings from the Twitterfeed, which
gave you a good sense of the fun atmosphere. And, of course, this year’s RT
Booklovers Convention was in Vegas, baby, where the neon lights and throbbing
dance music go on 24/7.
The
idea of RT is to bring readers and their beloved romance writers together in as
many creative ways as possible, so there are lots of “meet and greet” panels, soirees
and activities to make that happen, many of them involving cover models or
games and prizes or other goodies. I took advantage of one of these to meet one
of my long-time idols, author Christine Feehan, creator of the pioneering Carpathian
vampire series which began with Dark
Prince back in the 90s. In fact, I inadvertently jumped a long line waiting
to get in for the panel and found her in an empty room. Embarrassing, but
AWESOME! She was very gracious and approachable.
Speaking
of which, Nalini Singh, author of several series which straddle the line
between paranormal romance and SFR, including the bestselling Psy-Changling series, was indeed seen
everywhere going out of her way to be friendly, open and accommodating to her
many fans. By now, SFR Brigader Sabine Priestley’s pic of herself and Nalini
lying in the gigantic “Fall Into Nalini Singh’s World” promo circle in the
convention lobby must have gone viral!
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| Rachel Bach, Pauline B. Jones, Veronica Scott, me, Kyndra Hatch. |
Science
fiction romance has a stubborn, but limited presence at RT, a convention that
is increasingly dominated by the popular subgenres of New Adult, contemporary
and erotica. This year we had two panels: Sci Fi Heroes and Why We Love Them,
moderated by author and USA Today/HEA blogger Veronica Scott, and The
Dangerous, The Devious and The Irresistible: Villains in SFR, moderated by author
and genre mentor Linnea Sinclair. I was honored to serve on the Villains panel,
with fellow authors M.D.(Misty) Waters, Isabo Kelly, Colby Hodge and Janet
Miller (aka Crickett Starr).
Both
panels filled their respective rooms, and the discussions were lively among
both panelists and audience members. Readers came up to panelists after our
talks to meet us, get signed copies of books and other giveaways, and express
their interest in our work and SFR in general.
Of
course, the biggest SFR event at RT is always Linnea Sinclair’s Intergalactic
Bar and Grille Party, the only real sanctioned gathering for readers, fans and
writers of SFR at the convention. I was promoted this year to Commander (of a
table of 10 readers—my crew). We competed against the other 24 crews for prizes
in the crazy games and competitions of Linnea’s evil invention. Lots of fun and
swag for all the 250 fans in attendance.
 |
| SFR Brigaders at the Intergalactic Bar and Grille Party |
I
should mention that Romance Writers of America® Fantasy, Futuristic and
Paranormal Chapter members attending RT managed to take time out of an insane
schedule to get together. For those of you who are not RWA® members, SFR is
included under the FF&P umbrella within that organization.
As
always, rumors circulated throughout the con that SFR is the NEXT BIG THING.
Nalini Singh was heard saying this, as were a few agents and publishers. But I
wouldn’t get your hopes up.
My
agent confided that a certain well-established small publisher is looking for
SFR, but NOT humans in space. They want shape-shifters
in space. If you have a manuscript with a werewolf tribe on a starship, it has
suddenly become a hot property. Contact me and I’ll let you know who is looking
for it.
Smashwords
came out with the results of a survey they conducted at the convention that
indicated a big interest in the subgenre of SFR of among readers. (Thanks,
Sharon Lynn Fisher, for posting this on the SFR Brigade page.) The only problem
there was that the interest was expressed as a subset of YA and NA. SFR has always been considered a good sell to
teenagers and young adults. Look at the popularity of such series as The Hunger Games and Divergent. But the Powers That Be have never
considered it sellable beyond that audience.
If
you’re writing SFR for the YA/NA audience, you may be on the cutting edge.
Certainly skewing young is the one clear message I got from this con. RT has
always had a younger demographic than RWA, but this year the difference was
even more dramatic, with so many of the writers
aged 25-35.
One
thing my agent says we in SFR should learn from these younger writers is how to
support and promote each other. For the most part, they are writing NA,
contemporary and erotica, subgenres which are hot, but also quite competitive.
And yet they are not afraid to cross-promote each other. They review each other’s
books, actively participate on promo sites and so on. I’m still trying to learn
how what they’re doing differs from what we’re doing, but it’s clear they must
be doing something right.
I
met one of these young writers, a funny, unpretentious guy with a fascinating
background and thousands of fans. He’s at that level of popularity that his readers
send him gifts—lots of gifts. Every day the mail carrier arrives with something
else from his adoring fans. It’s driving him crazy. I guess I don’t have to
tell you he doesn’t write SFR. The only thing my mail carrier brings me is the
electric bill and the L.L. Bean catalog.
But
at least I get to go to RT every year and meet interesting people. Writing does
have its perks.
*Thanks to Kyndra Hatch for group photos!
Cheers,
Donna
