I recently returned from this year's RAW (Lora Leigh's Reader Appreciation Weekend 2013). As always, it was a lot of fun. Thought I'd share some photos from from my trip.
First, though, a note to others who were there -- thank you for attending & making the event special. I realize that I appeared fairly zombie-like during most of this RAW (mostly because people kept commenting on how 'tired' I looked or asking if I was 'okay', LOL). 
I hope it didn't seem like I wasn't glad to be there. I was. I was just really exhausted due to pregnancy, a sleep deficit and the criminal lack of a Starbucks within a mile's radius of the hotel. (Hee hee... Actually there was a Dunkin' Donuts, so I shouldn't complain - but the thing about coffee is that I need coffee before I have the energy to go get coffee. Catch-22.)
Anyway, here's my photo recap of this year's event...


There was a really beautiful harvest moon during my trip to RAW. This crappy cell phone snapshot in no way does it justice, but there you go. After emerging from an epic traffic jam, it was nice to be able to cruise along and look at the moon.

RAW was held in my original hometown of Hagerstown, MD, which was awesome. Especially since it meant I could make a quick trip to see family at any time, and drink all their coffee, and eat sweet wonderful carbs! (It's hard to find edible carbs while traveling when you're gluten-free.)
On the first day of RAW we started things off with a Princess Welcome Party. AKA the perfect excuse to wear a tiara. Photo by Kimberly Radicy Rocha.
The best part of RAW is getting to spend time with fellow booklovers. I really wanted to wear my Hot Ink t-shirt too, but at 6 months pregnant, wearing one of my regular t-shirts wouldn't have been a wise fashion choice. LOL 
Fellow authors are booklovers I love getting to see too. Beside me on the right is Carrie Ann Ryan.
This year, my favorite RAW party was the 80's party, because of all the costumes. I'm the Care Bear in the middle!
It took me a long time to come up with the perfect 80's related maternity costume. LOL
These girls put my costume-making efforts to shame. (BTW I love The Little Mermaid.) There were some seriously impressive costumes at the parties, but theirs were my favorites. Photo by Jeannie Platt.
The 80's party = a lot of dancing. A lot of neon. And a lot of leg warmers.
At the end of it all I just wanted to take of my badge, my jelly bracelets and curl up with my kindle. LOL
Oh yes... the Dragon Dance. Originally invented by author Bianca D'arc, it sort of became a craze. The whole audience got into it during the paranormal panel. There has been talk of a workout video. Hee hee.
The Book Obsessed Chicks group portrait. Photo by Kimberly Radicy Rocha.
The book signing was on Sunday. A big thank you to all the readers who came to see me. I hope you're enjoying your new books. :)
I like to bring back something special from these events whenever possible to give away. I think I did pretty well this time. ;) This registration bag is signed by all RAW authors and filled with books and swag. I'll be giving it away in my October newsletter contest. The October issue will go out in a few days, and if you're not already a subscriber and would like to be, you can sign up by entering your e-mail address in the box below and hitting 'enter'.
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More good news = the plan is to hold RAW in Hagerstown again next year. Hope to see you there!


Check out the event website at...

www.llraw.com