All right! As promised I’m back and ready to talk about the Emerald City Writers Conference! Well, it was fabulous. Absolutely fabulous, and I must tip my hat (if I wore one) the conference committee and all the volunteers. The location was amazing, the Hilton in Bellevue. So bright and cheery (lots of glass). It was also a bit brisk, but I understand that was due to a boiler issue over the weekend. No matter, I’d rather be cold than hot.
I saw old friends, and met new ones that I’d only spoken with in forums and online. Like Gwen (my roommate!) and M.G. another Cobblestone Press writer!
My favorite part about a conference is the networking, and I did a ton of it this weekend! First, I want to recommend everyone be a part of their local chapter’s board. I’m currently the Vice President of GSRWA, and plan to run for President next month. Being on the board is a great way to get involved, and it allows you so many opportunities.
The board at our local conference always invites editors and agents out to dinner one night. In the past couple of years I’ve attended and have met wonderful agents and editors, some of whom remember me and say hi at conferences. Be still my heart! :) You get the scoop on the industry, get a deeper glimpse on the personalities of these agents/editors, and–the best yet–you realize that they are indeed normal people. Just like you and me. So of course, the dinner was a big highlight for me (and I even ate pretty good!). And I was also fortunate enough to get some bar time in (we all know writers love the bar) getting to know another agent. Mainly because I was lucky enough to tag along with one of her clients (Thanks Lauren:). But still, it was so much fun and informative!
Christina Dodd spoke Friday night about the writer process and how it might change for some over the years. I loved this and figured out who I write like. Jayne Anne Krentz gave a fabulous speech on the pitfalls you might experience in your career. Jane Porter gave a speech that left not a dry eye in the house. And Cherry Adair sent us running out of the building pumped up and excited, by her continuous generosity and enthusiasm for the writers that attended. Cherry is still my hero (but you all know that!)
I pitched to three people (more so for the practice, since I’m a little out of it!) and sadly only managed to attend one workshop. But I LOVED it. Mary Buckham’s workshop on The Seven Deadly sins of the Synopsis (since you know, I’d rather have a root canal than write one). It was excellent! I’m a little more excited now. I think I’ll pull out that bad boy and see how many sins it’s committing.
Oh and another highlight? I was recognized at the luncheon for my sale of Dangerous Grounds (since it was my first single title) to Samhain Publishing. After I collected my reward and returned to my table, the Border’s representative I happened to be sitting by told me to give her my card and she’d be sure to order my books when they came out! See how that networking thing works? I was thrilled!
So overall it was a fabulous conference, and I’ve been hearing that all around. You all should plan on coming some day!
