RAGT: an annual gathering
The next annual Reader & Author Get Together
will be held June 7-10, 2023
One Big Fundraiser
Overall, the RAGT is a fan-friendly event meant for readers, and open to everyone, readers, authors, and industry alike, in different ratios! However, in the process, the event also raises funds for many local causes. The incredible raffles garner thousands, and each year Lori Foster puts out a novella with proceeds earmarked for direct donation. Combined, the event and the novella go to benefit very worthwhile local charities.
There have been many benefit books over the years. And after each event, Lori is thrilled to turn over a big check.
Main Activities
The ballroom is always open for socializing with readers and authors alike. Think of it as a giant tea party with other book lovers! It’s where conference meals will be served, with raffle baskets lining the walls and where raffle winners are announced. Sponsored parties for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night take place in the ballroom. It is truly the heart of the Get Together, yet the boardrooms are only a few steps away, on the same floor, with a wide range of fun activities provided. Add in two multi-author book fairs, one on Friday and one on Saturday, in the atrium just outside the ballroom, and there’s something for everyone!
Boardrooms
Every year RAGT’s boardrooms are a big hit! Seven boardrooms, put on by sponsoring publishers and authors, are used for breakout workshops and presentations throughout Friday and Saturday. They serve the dual purpose of entertaining and enlightening. Expect lots of promo, author information, games and more!
There is always up-to-date info about boardrooms over on the Boardrooms Section on the Sponsors page. Whether there are Boardrooms still available for you to sponsor, or if boardroom themes have been set, that’s the place to check.
Book Fairs
There will be two book signings during the event: one on Friday afternoon and one on Saturday afternoon, each from 3:00 to 5:00.
See the Bookfairs page for all the details →
Find out who is signing on Friday →
Find out who is signing on Saturday →
Most authors will participate in ONE signing only, but RAGT coordinators reserve the right to assign author signing days to better accommodate readers and to balance the two signings.
Both book fairs are open to the public and admission to the fair itself is free — for every other part of RAGT you must be fully registered.
If you are a reader/fan coming in for the signing, mark your calendars for the date, note the hotel address, and be sure to Like the RAGT page on Facebook for any last minute changes in time. Exact times for the signings will be announced on the event schedule page, and of course, on Facebook.
The Event Hotel
RAGT23 will be held at the Holiday Inn, Cincinnati Airport in Erlanger, Kentucky. Information about booking your room, directions, and more can be found on the Hotel Info page.
Meals During the Event
Part of the fun of RAGT is that everyone eats together, turning meals into fun gatherings with new or old friends, authors and readers alike. Beginning with the annual welcoming party on Thursday night, RAGT attendees enjoy Friday and Saturday breakfasts, lunches, and dinners — and each meal and party offers a sponsorship opportunity.
Depending upon how close to the event we are, the Meals & Parties schedule will either be full and descriptive, or clearly indicating where you can step in and sponsor if you want! If you’re interested in sponsoring a meal/party, please contact Lori.
Wednesday Party
Sponsored by Heather Slade and Gracie Guy
SINGO EARLY BIRD PARTY
Gracie Guy and Heather Slade invite you to play SINGO!—like Bingo except instead of calling out numbers our guest DJ will play snippets of songs and you’ll cover the titles on your cards. There will be singalongs, dance contests, yummy snacks, and tons of prizes to win while you’re enjoying the RAGT23 early bird kickoff party!
Thursday Evening Party
Sponsored by Sheila English and Sylvia Day.
Let’s Get Started! Welcome Party!
Costumes, Dancing, and Prizes Oh My! Let your imagination soar as you show off your costume and win fun prizes! Mix and match, any theme costumes. Couples and groups will win prizes, too! Door prizes, sweets, and drinks!
Friday Breakfast
Sponsored by Melinda Curtis, Cari Lynn Webb, and Tracy Solheim
SMALL TOWN BED & BREAKFAST
Welcome to Melinda Curtis, Cari Lynn Webb, and Tracy Solheim‘s Small Town Bed & Breakfast! Come in your favorite pajamas and/or slippers (PG only please), enjoy breakfast and play games to win prizes. We’ll have swag for everyone. And best of all, you might win a prize for your jammies/sleep accessories. Click on the schedule link below to see the PJ prize categories.
MENU:
Chilled juices, sliced fresh fruit, assorted danish, muffins & bagels with cream cheese, scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, home fried potatoes, jellies, butter, coffee, tea, decaf coffee and creamer.
*Subject to change based on availability.
Friday Lunch
Sponsored by Janice Maynard
Southern Romance with a side of Wedding Mayhem
Runaway to Blossom Branch, Georgia, with Janice Maynard at Friday’s lunch! You’ll enjoy a delicious meal, and you definitely won’t get left at the altar. You might even score some great prizes. Don’t miss the chance to meet Janice’s high-school sweetheart and real life hero, Charles. Come hungry – no wedding dress required! 🙂
MENU:
Taco bar, chicken tortilla soup, salad, seasoned beef, hard & soft taco shells, beans, rice, cheese, tomato, sour cream, salsa & cinnamon crisps.
*Subject to change based on availability.
Friday Dinner
Sponsored by Heather Slade and Gracie Guy
Wear RED to Remember Everyone Deployed
Join Gracie Guy and Heather Slade to honor the men and women of the United States Military at Friday’s Remember Everyone Deployed dinner. Come decked out in RED, enjoy delicious food, collect swag, and play games to win fabulous prizes.
MENU:
Kentucky buffet – biscuits, cornbread, bibb lettuce salad, Kentucky burgoo, fried pork chops, country fried steak, country style green beans, southern red potatoes, derby pie.
*Subject to change based on availability.
Friday Party
Sponsored by Christine Feehan and Brian Feehan
1920’s Themed Murder Mystery
You’ve been invited to the Dunn Speakeasy for the wedding of the year! In this “married to the mob” event, you’ll never know who to trust. With the two families merging together, someone is bound to lose power, which means someone else will lose their life!
Dress like the cat’s meow for this mafia wedding! Flapper dresses, zoot suits, feather boas and headbands, pinstriped suits and fedoras are all appropriate.
Saturday Breakfast
Sponsored by Sam Cheever
Namaste!
(a polite or respectful greeting or farewell)
Have breakfast with author Sam Cheever and kickstart your day with some easy yoga stretching and breathing exercises that will make you feel delicious! Achieve inner peace, play for prizes, enjoy great company, and nosh on a scrumptious breakfast…Is there a better way to begin the day?
MENU:
Chilled juices, sliced fresh fruit, assorted danish, muffins & bagels with cream cheese, scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, home fried potatoes, jellies, butter, coffee, tea, decaf coffee and creamer.
*Subject to change based on availability.
Saturday Lunch
Sponsored by PJ Fiala, TJ Logan and Val Clarizio
LUNCH WITH THE SECRET SUSPENSE SOCIETY!
Practice your sleuthing skills while we enjoy lunch.
- • Trivia
- • Scavenger Hunt
- • Author Q&A
- • After teasing your brains, we’ll be giving away prizes!
- • Each person will also receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of three amazing raffle baskets.
MENU:
Southern buffet, garden salad, potato salad, cole slaw, fried chicken, mini pulled pork sandwiches, mashed potatoes, green beans, cheddar cornbread.
*Subject to change based on availability.
Saturday Dinner
Pizza Party!
MENU:
Pizza and cupcakes
*Subject to change based on availability.
Saturday Evening Party
Sponsored by Jenn Stark & Toni Blake
6th Annual Booklovers’ Bingo & Pajama Party
The party’s not over yet! Join us for the 6th Annual Booklovers’ Bingo Bash for fun, laughter, and a whole lot of bouncing balls! Players wearing PJs (Family Friendly Only!) are welcome with special prizes awarded, along with giveaways and prizes for Bingo winners. We hope to see you there!
Thanks to these #RAGT23 sponsors:
Raffles
Raffles go on all weekend long and are always a big hit. The proceeds are given to CancerFree KIDS.
If you are interested in donating to the raffle, please note that the Raffle Coordinators have some guidelines in place to ensure that your generosity makes it to the right place.
Goody Bags
The always-fabulous RAGT Goody Bags are definitely something to look forward to. Over 475 bags, provided by Monette Michaels, Paige Tyler & Maddy Barone are stuffed full of fun stuff, including FREE BOOKS, and handed out to all attendees.
If you are interested in donating goodies for the event, you must first please review our current policy for contributing materials for the Goody Bags!
Real-Time Updates
Don’t miss important announcements! Our Facebook Group, Twitter, & this site… Details are always being added. There’s a whole page dedicated to registration. And now, you can also sign up for the Twitter feed that will give specific info for current and upcoming RAGT events.
Costs
Registration fees haven’t changed in a very long time, but because other costs have risen, we must include a slight increase in registration. Please be aware of those changes.
Authors & Industry – $154
(Authors, publishers, publicists, agents, author assistants)
Readers – $134
(Readers, bloggers, husbands)
. . . . . . .
PLEASE NOTE:
No one can register until their respective official registration openings:
Preregistration (by invitation only) for sponsors is always early January
General registration (for everyone else) is always early March
Precise registration dates will always be boldly displayed on the home page and various other parts of the site as soon as the dates are confirmed. If it isn’t posted, we don’t know yet. To be notified, be sure to be on either/both the Twitter feed and the Facebook page — signup links to each are on the home page and pretty much every page on this site. Thanks!
Books to Anticipate
More Info for 2023
The next annual Reader & Author Get Together
will be held June 7-10, 2023
RAGT23 will be held at the Holiday Inn, Cincinnati Airport in Erlanger, Kentucky.
While I am still working out logistics moving forward, please resist emailing me unless absolutely necessary.
IMPORTANT: No new arrangements will be considered for 2023 at this time.