When it was first announced that there was going to be an Australian Romance Readers Convention I was very excited! Having read through numerous posts of conference attendees at the major American conferences it was finally going to be my chance to experience the fun and excitement, and to meet up with a few Aussie bloggers that I have met online!
Even more exciting was when it was announced that the Convention was being held here in Melbourne! And yet here it is, two days before early bird registrations close, and I still haven't registered.
Now the question is what to do, what to do?
Whilst the organisers have done a great job at keeping the prices down ($190 for a full registration which covers the whole weekend is great) I don't think I can justify it in terms of my financial situation. I mean, $190 for full registration, or the new tyres I really need on my car. $190 or paying the electricity bill?
Then I thought about a day registration. That's only $110, but again, I am not sure I can justify that kind of expense. And then there is the question of which day? When I look at the program, I would like to go to the Historicals session on Saturday afternoon, and the book launch for Anna Campbell, but then I would like to hear Sherrilyn Kenyon on Sunday. Decisions, decisions.
As for the book signing session, I am cutting way down on book buying at the moment, and a lot of the times I read books I am getting them from the library so I can't exactly take them to get signed now can I!
I really want to be part of the experience, but I don't know that I would be being particularly responsible if I were to spend that much money going, when I know that there are things that I need to be doing with that money.
Either way, I need to hurry up and decide because early bird registrations close soon! What to do???
I hear you. I really, really hear you. I can't suggest what you should do, but I so totally understand. I've been in the similar situations, or ones where I've had to make a similar decision but regarding my health, so you have my sympathy as you try to decide.
ReplyDeleteI wish you could make it, but I can certainly understand if the cost is a problem.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to catch up with you while I'm in Melbourne, even if it's just a quick coffee after work or whatever. (Or Belgian waffles ... yuuuum.) Or we can organise a blogger get together if you know other bloggers who'll be in town for the ARRC. Let me know if you can do something like that...
Hmmm - tough decision. While I'm sure we are at totally different places in our lives so you can't really compare - Ron and I kept putting off things we really wanted to do until Ron retired - at his insistence. But he never made it to retirement and we never made those trips. I decided that I wasn't going to 'miss out' on things I really wanted to do anymore. I've been to 2 RWA conferences now and had the time of my life. It makes more sense to go with the tires or whatever else you could spend the money on, but for me - the chance to get 'involved' with something that is so fun for me would outweigh practicality.
ReplyDeleteBut - that's me and whatever you decide to do - you have to feel that you made the right choice for you!!!
My budget only allowed for signing sessions, so I'll be going to both signing sessions. This way hopefully I'll be able to catch all my wish-to-meet authors. At the same time as these sessions are things called "author speed-dating". I'm not sure what that is, so I booked both days in case my Wishlist authors are at the author dating thing instead.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day! :-)
That's a tough decision. I've yet to make it to an RWA conference. The conference fee is so HUGE, it's hard to justify. But I've heard many, many great things.
ReplyDeleteGood luck deciding. :)
Tha really is a tough decision - I fel for you but, its quite an opportunity albeit expensive, I'm sure you'll make the right decision.
ReplyDeleteI can always be a bit Scarlett O'Hara and think about it tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteAlyssa, when you see all the posts that come out around RWA it's hard not to be a little envious isn't it?
Tez, I am not 100% sure what the author speed dating things are either!
Kat, I definitely want to catch up while you are there.
Kerry it is tough sometimes isn't it.
Kristie, wise words. It's hard not to get caught up in the day to day sometimes!