Like some of you, I just got back from the RWA National Conference in San Francisco. It was a super conference with great workshops, the chance to get together with old friends, and a great city to explore.

My brain hasn’t returned yet. If you see it, please point it toward home. My muse is also missing. Apparently she was last sighted getting into a limo with Nora. I picked up some items to bribe her with at the Midnight Bazaar, but nothing that can compete with whatever it is Nora uses.

The new airline rules make traveling tougher than ever. I tried to be careful in my choices of goodies to pack home, but still my suitcase resembled a pregnant whale. As writers, we have lots of choices of things to offer and things to bring home. Here is a list of some of the goodies that caught my eye this year.

* Books

* Pens

* Bookmarks

* Notepads

* Coasters

* Tip Cards

* Writer at Work Signs

* Sticky Notes

* Magnets

* Calendars

* Hats

* Tee Shirts

We all love books. I was pleased that there was a book exchange table this year. Books that didn’t suit one person (or that just couldn’t fit into a suitcase) could find a loving home with another writer.

I seem to suffer from “disappearing pen syndrome” this year. I grabbed up a complete selection of pens (some have already disappeared).

Bookmarks are always a favorite. They are easy to pack, but there’s a limit to how many we can use at one time. Even though I’m a great fan of multi-tasking, I usually have less than five books started at one time (to read, I mean). I usually have about five I’m writing at any one time as well.

Notepads are always a favorite of mine. I keep at least one in my purse to catch those stray thoughts. I’ll need more notepads if my muse ever comes home.

Coasters are great, especially for use in the hotel room. Hotels never seem to realize that all reading and writing need to be accompanied with a beverage.

The tip cards (the ones with the chart telling how much to tip) are very useful on these trips, especially for those of us who are math challenged. That would be most of use creative types, yes?

The “Writer at Work” signs are great and get more clever every year. However, how many of those does a writer need?

Sticky notes are very useful. I never seem to have one when I need it. I’m resolving to keep a pad in my purse at all times.

Magnets are good for keeping things stuck on the frig. The main problem is that after awhile I don’t really see them anymore.

Calendars are good for the current year. Unfortunately, the RWA conference is in the middle of the year, so the calendar is only useful for six months or less.

Hats are great (especially the Border Patrol ones from the Kiss of Death tour), but they can run into big bucks if you order many of them.

I seem to need new business cards for every conference. I keep changing my website, or email or something. This year when I ordered, VistaPrint offered a good deal on a tee shirt. I admit, I’m a sucker for things with my logo and name. I ordered one, and it was delivered immediately (long before the business cards). I wore it on Tuesday and Wednesday before I registered and got my official RWA nametag. I can see where these would make a great giveaway, maybe as a contest prize.

What treasures did you bring home? What is your favorite promotional goody? Authors, what promotional items work best for you? I’ll send an Authors Tools tee shirt for the most valuable response.

If you are stuck for promotional items, check out VistaPrint at http://www.vistaprint.com. They are known for their business cards, but they have expanded into other promotional items as well.

Write on,

Lynn Jordan