(This is one big-ass post, consolidated from the blog I actually posted on during my trip to Atlanta last week for RWA National. There was barely time to update one blog; no way I could manage two! And after 9 hours on the road with kids today, it's just not in me to manage more than cut and paste. So if you haven't read this yet - hope you enjoy seeing the conference through my eyes.)
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July 29, 2006
Notes from Friday
It’s quiet around the Marriott – and the Mall – this Saturday morning. Last night was a big party night for people (editor parties, agent parties, writing group parties, seems most everyone had someplace to be). There was celebration into the whee hours as people let loose after a long day of workshops and book signings.
Having neither editor or agent, I was lucky enough to attend the “second annual unofficial PRO dinner” organized by La Juan Snider. There were over 100 writers who got together to talk about having hit that big step of having finished a book (or two, or 11), but not yet published one. The absolutely fabulous Deidre Knight was the guest speaker, and she gave an amazing talk about working for what you want. A great line she used was the title line from a Tim McGraw song – “How Bad Do You Want It”. And she drove home really the same point that Nora Roberts had put so well at the PRO workshop on Thursday morning. Writing is work. It’s magical; it’s amazing to be able to sit down and create people and worlds from nothing more than imagination and dreams. But it’s also work. And if you really, really want it, it’s work you’ll pour your heart into willingly. Just because that’s what it takes.
Earlier on Friday, I had one of those shit-to-sugar moments that sometimes come. About two weeks before conference my editor appointment (with Pamela Campbell of Ellora’s Cave) had been canceled. Erin Frye from the RWA office worked for several days and didn’t stop until she’d gotten me another appointment – this time with Tara Parson of Harlequin. I was very happy with that, so I was more than a little disappointed to step up to the appointment table yesterday and find out that Tara had also been forced to cancel her appointments. Before I could even get too disappointed she asked if I would like to see Hilary Sares from Kensington. Yes! I would definitely like to see Ms. Sares.
A 20 minute wait later, there I was sitting down pitching “Tonight, Forever” – the werewolf story – to Kensington. And 5 minutes later she was handing me her card and asking me to send her the complete manuscript.
This one needs more than a little polishing, but now I’ve got an actual face to go with a name, and an invitation to submit. I was walking on air when I left. So much so that I went all the way back up to my room in a daze, before remembering that I had a workshop to head to – one where the very same Hilary Sares was on the panel. I raced back down and tried to sneak in quietly (of course it’s hard to sneak when the end seats are all taken and you have to climb over 5 people to get to an empty seat) to hear the latest on what Kensington is publishing and actively acquiring.
Also Friday, the Passionate Ink chapter of RWA had a lunch for over 200 guests at the Georgia Acquarium. Catered by Wolfgang Puck, it was absolutely the best meal I have had all week – tops even Ruth’s Chris. Gorgeous setting, with our own window into the Beluga Whale tank to entertain us. And we had some fabulous speakers – editor Raelene Gorlinsky from Ellora’s Cave, and agent Roberta Brown. That will stay a highlight of a trip already filled with fantastic moments.
My total fan-girl moment yesterday came when we left the Aquarium. I’d driven over to help get the goodies there, and coming back we squeezed in as many people as could fit – which ended up being 7, after we popped up the jump seats in the back of the wagon. About halfway back to the hotel I realized I had no idea who was navigating for me (yes, I can get lost on a trip that has 2 turns and needed a navigator) so I craned my head over to try to read her nametag. After swerving to miss the truck I almost rear ended attempting to be subtle, I finally reached over and picked up her nametag off her chest to see who it was. And “OMG. Jordan Summers is telling me where to go. Jordan Summers is in my car!” Then I looked in my rearview mirror and did a quick count, and realized I had 5 published authors (I think all Kensington authors) in my car, along with my new great friend (and I’m sure soon to be published author) Robin. It was a total geeky happy moment. I’d like to say I carried if off with grace and composure, but I’m pretty sure I gushed all over them.
I got us back to the hotel without hitting anyone, although someone from the back asked if I learned to drive in New York…. What do you think that meant?
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Notes from Thursday
Fabulous day of information and meeting people. And a great start to conference!
Started the day with the PRO workshop. I was a bit late getting there (it’s nice my customers need me, but it would be nicer to have a true vacation without having to squeeze in an hour or two of work in the morning first!) but walked in to workshop by agent Meg Ruley, who reps for Jenny Cruise. She offered some tips – network! Make friends with booksellers. Find the young, hungry staff at the agencies. To find an editor you think will love your work, find the authors YOU love, then find out who reps them.
Next we were treated to a great panel with Jenny Cruise, Bob Mayer, and Molly who runs their website. They gave some good info on why having a great website is so important. Jenny talked about how, just as your agent presents you to your editor, your website presents you to the world.
Bob talked about blogging, and how to have a blog people will actually want to read.
And then Molly got into some specifics about what you’re looking to have for your website. And how much a professionally designed one costs. $1500 - $5000 is “reasonable”. Ouch!
A great Editor panel was next. Tracy Farrell from Harlequin, Cindy Hwang from Berkley, and Raeline Gorlinsky form Ellora’s Cave talked about some trends in the industry, and what they’re seeing and looking for.
-Tracy Farrell said mass market sales are weak. This was the first of many industry people I’ve heard give this same quote. She said the Romance industry overall is still strong – “Romance is a strong part of a challenging (and challenged) business.” Harlequin is looking more at epubs and other alternative pub’d authors, and looking at more diverse subgenres. Not just paranormal, but paranormal with a twist, for example. And Tracy is evidently not personally a vampire fan ;)
-Cindy Hwang talked more on the theme of Romance being strong, but publishers facing challenges. She personally judges lots of contests, and has found several new authors that way. She’s looking for “complex characters and delicious heroes”. And she talked about prolific and disciplined authors, as did Tracy.
-Raelene talked mostly about looking for fresh subgenres at Ellora’s Cave. Editors are tired of seeing the next LKH or Feehan clone. They’ve seen great sales from male/male romances in the last 6 months at EC – and women are the ones buying them. To get the attention of an editor, you need to really push the genre envelopes.
And then the highlight of the morning – Nora Roberts came in to deliver the Keynote. After a slight delay while the Marriott tried to move us to another room (how rude!), we were treated to a fabulously inspirational talk on the Magic of writing. And the hard work that it takes to keep that magic working. Nora is as great a speaker as she is a writer; it was wonderful to hear her speak.
Then it was off to lunch, and a lunch keynote that had me all but falling out of my chair laughing. Meg Cabot was hysterically funny as she talked about her path to publication, and the stories behind getting her book turned into the Disney movie “The Princess Diaries”. I’ve never read her before, but after hearing her speak I can’t wait to dig into the two books we got at the luncheon and see if she’s as funny in print as she is in person. Her talk made an otherwise bland lunch worth sitting through. (Since my last meal had been the Ruth’s Chris dinner, maybe it’s not fair to call the Marriott food bland… but really, there’s only so much you can do with chicken served over grits.)
The RWA Annual Meeting was after lunch. I was truly shocked at the low turnout. There are over 2000 writers in Atlanta, and less than 10 percent went to the meeting. They missed out on a heartwarming, sincere moment as Gayle Wilson thanked her board for all their help the past year, and spoke about some of the “Wow!” moments of her year as president. She is such a sweet, sincere, and gracious person. RWA has been served very well this past year by having her lead us, and I’m sure she’ll continue to be an important part of directing RWA in the years to come.
Thursday night I had two parties to go to. I started at the RWA Online party – the party for the online chapter I’ve only been a member of for a few months. Some fantastic people there, and I was sad to leave after only an hour. But I was already late at that point for the Romance Diva’s dinner at Azio’s. The Diva’s had 2 very large tables in the corner, and I squeezed myself in at the head of the table where I could take some great pictures. Then forgot to take hardly any. (There are a few up over at http://www.flickr.com/photos/ksteele2/ ) We ate and talked and laughed for hours, then headed over to a bar at the Marriott to do more of the talking thing. And then a lot of the dancing thing. I’m trying not to post anything to incriminating, but a VERY good time was had by all. Maybe the movies will make it up someday – but I think I better get a waiver signed first….
I headed off to bed at the early hour of just after midnight. Friday is a big day, including my editor pitch. Don’t want to show up for that with eyebags and a hangover!
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July 27, 2006
The Shelli Show
RWA National is underway!
The conference kicked off with a huge event last night, a literacy signing at the Marriott Marquis. It’s a great kickoff event, since it throws thousands of people into a large ballroom on the first day (first for most of us), and gives us a chance to mingle among the rock stars in the literacy signing, and introduce ourselves to the authors and to the friends we haven’t met yet. Many authors tend to be naturally shy - we voluntarily choose to spend most of our time all alone staring at paper or screen. An event like this is sort of sink or swim - get out there and mingle! So mingle I did.
And I met so many people last night that the names quickly began to blur together. I found my roommate Lia almost immediately – she is as wonderful in person as she was long distance. We said a quick hello, then headed off to find all our favorites. I did a quick lap around the room to see which authors were sitting where and who had long lines – Nora Robert’s line was already stretching around the corner of the room she was sitting in, and up next wall. I shot a quick picture and decided not to stand in line – hopefully I’ll get another chance to say hi to Romance’s biggest name.
Found the fabulous Sylvia Day, had time to talk to her for a few minutes as well. Romance Diva’s own Gemma Halliday was signing - and sold out in about 90 minutes! I had to circle twice to get through to say hi to Sasha White as well, but was lucky enough to get a few minutes to chat with her once I did.
So many authors, and not enough time to talk about them all. And books everywhere, tempting me with their bright glossy covers, bold titles calling to me “Buy me! No, buy me!” I got out pretty light - I could carry my purchases without breaking a sweat. My roomie didn’t get out quite so easily :
I don’t have time here to write about all the people I met last night – so moving on! (There are pictures on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/ksteele2/ - if you see a picture not labeled please leave me a note with who was in it! I’ll update them later.)
After the signing there was enough time for a quick shower, then it was off to Ruth Chris’ for a late dinner. 15 of the Romance Diva’s piled in two cabs (literally piled into the one I rode in – they are supposed to seat 7, and the driver had to have a seat to himself). Off we went to a fabulous, mouthwatering, MEAT dinner. There was also wine, onion rings (it’s the south – of course you can have onion rings with a nice glass of Zin), sautéed mushrooms, creamed spinach, and too many other great foods that I can’t remember. Jax’s Tuna looked yummy; Shawn’s Ribeye had me excited; my Petite Filet was absolutely perfect. Although how 8ozs of mid-rare perfection can be called petite puzzles me…. It made me a very happy Diva.
Another packed and stacked cab ride back to the Marriott. Then it was off for a nightcap. Found more Divas, Inkers, and friends I hadn’t met yet in Champions, and let the giggles begin.
Robin, Lia and I were wayyyyy to seriously into a conversation about ebook publishers when a flash of blue out of the corner of my eye. What was that? That was Shelli. Shelli doing what she could to make sure we were all having a fabulous time. The Shelli Show must be seen to be believed for all it’s fabulous abundance - and so, for you :
Workshop time is here! More later.
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July 26, 2006
Check in Goody Bag Books
Yay! Much book goodness in the checkin bag. 18 :
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July 25, 2006
Atlanta on Tuesday
I passed through Atlanta on the way to Bham today, just long enough to drop off some boxes, check in for conference, and make a run through the goody room. Few quick notes :Beautiful hotel. Room checkin was moving smoothly at 4pm - hope it’s as smooth at 4pm on wad.Conference check in was unbelievably fast. It helped that no one ele was in line. Yay for Tuesday checkin!The Avon bag with 18 assorted print books was a sweet gift bag.
The mall is a wonderful thing.
Off ro bed to recover from 10 hours in the car with kids. Zzzzzz….
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July 29, 2006
Notes from Friday
It’s quiet around the Marriott – and the Mall – this Saturday morning. Last night was a big party night for people (editor parties, agent parties, writing group parties, seems most everyone had someplace to be). There was celebration into the whee hours as people let loose after a long day of workshops and book signings.
Having neither editor or agent, I was lucky enough to attend the “second annual unofficial PRO dinner” organized by La Juan Snider. There were over 100 writers who got together to talk about having hit that big step of having finished a book (or two, or 11), but not yet published one. The absolutely fabulous Deidre Knight was the guest speaker, and she gave an amazing talk about working for what you want. A great line she used was the title line from a Tim McGraw song – “How Bad Do You Want It”. And she drove home really the same point that Nora Roberts had put so well at the PRO workshop on Thursday morning. Writing is work. It’s magical; it’s amazing to be able to sit down and create people and worlds from nothing more than imagination and dreams. But it’s also work. And if you really, really want it, it’s work you’ll pour your heart into willingly. Just because that’s what it takes.
Earlier on Friday, I had one of those shit-to-sugar moments that sometimes come. About two weeks before conference my editor appointment (with Pamela Campbell of Ellora’s Cave) had been canceled. Erin Frye from the RWA office worked for several days and didn’t stop until she’d gotten me another appointment – this time with Tara Parson of Harlequin. I was very happy with that, so I was more than a little disappointed to step up to the appointment table yesterday and find out that Tara had also been forced to cancel her appointments. Before I could even get too disappointed she asked if I would like to see Hilary Sares from Kensington. Yes! I would definitely like to see Ms. Sares.
A 20 minute wait later, there I was sitting down pitching “Tonight, Forever” – the werewolf story – to Kensington. And 5 minutes later she was handing me her card and asking me to send her the complete manuscript.
This one needs more than a little polishing, but now I’ve got an actual face to go with a name, and an invitation to submit. I was walking on air when I left. So much so that I went all the way back up to my room in a daze, before remembering that I had a workshop to head to – one where the very same Hilary Sares was on the panel. I raced back down and tried to sneak in quietly (of course it’s hard to sneak when the end seats are all taken and you have to climb over 5 people to get to an empty seat) to hear the latest on what Kensington is publishing and actively acquiring.
Also Friday, the Passionate Ink chapter of RWA had a lunch for over 200 guests at the Georgia Acquarium. Catered by Wolfgang Puck, it was absolutely the best meal I have had all week – tops even Ruth’s Chris. Gorgeous setting, with our own window into the Beluga Whale tank to entertain us. And we had some fabulous speakers – editor Raelene Gorlinsky from Ellora’s Cave, and agent Roberta Brown. That will stay a highlight of a trip already filled with fantastic moments.
My total fan-girl moment yesterday came when we left the Aquarium. I’d driven over to help get the goodies there, and coming back we squeezed in as many people as could fit – which ended up being 7, after we popped up the jump seats in the back of the wagon. About halfway back to the hotel I realized I had no idea who was navigating for me (yes, I can get lost on a trip that has 2 turns and needed a navigator) so I craned my head over to try to read her nametag. After swerving to miss the truck I almost rear ended attempting to be subtle, I finally reached over and picked up her nametag off her chest to see who it was. And “OMG. Jordan Summers is telling me where to go. Jordan Summers is in my car!” Then I looked in my rearview mirror and did a quick count, and realized I had 5 published authors (I think all Kensington authors) in my car, along with my new great friend (and I’m sure soon to be published author) Robin. It was a total geeky happy moment. I’d like to say I carried if off with grace and composure, but I’m pretty sure I gushed all over them.
I got us back to the hotel without hitting anyone, although someone from the back asked if I learned to drive in New York…. What do you think that meant?
-->
Notes from Thursday
Fabulous day of information and meeting people. And a great start to conference!
Started the day with the PRO workshop. I was a bit late getting there (it’s nice my customers need me, but it would be nicer to have a true vacation without having to squeeze in an hour or two of work in the morning first!) but walked in to workshop by agent Meg Ruley, who reps for Jenny Cruise. She offered some tips – network! Make friends with booksellers. Find the young, hungry staff at the agencies. To find an editor you think will love your work, find the authors YOU love, then find out who reps them.
Next we were treated to a great panel with Jenny Cruise, Bob Mayer, and Molly who runs their website. They gave some good info on why having a great website is so important. Jenny talked about how, just as your agent presents you to your editor, your website presents you to the world.
Bob talked about blogging, and how to have a blog people will actually want to read.
And then Molly got into some specifics about what you’re looking to have for your website. And how much a professionally designed one costs. $1500 - $5000 is “reasonable”. Ouch!
A great Editor panel was next. Tracy Farrell from Harlequin, Cindy Hwang from Berkley, and Raeline Gorlinsky form Ellora’s Cave talked about some trends in the industry, and what they’re seeing and looking for.
-Tracy Farrell said mass market sales are weak. This was the first of many industry people I’ve heard give this same quote. She said the Romance industry overall is still strong – “Romance is a strong part of a challenging (and challenged) business.” Harlequin is looking more at epubs and other alternative pub’d authors, and looking at more diverse subgenres. Not just paranormal, but paranormal with a twist, for example. And Tracy is evidently not personally a vampire fan ;)
-Cindy Hwang talked more on the theme of Romance being strong, but publishers facing challenges. She personally judges lots of contests, and has found several new authors that way. She’s looking for “complex characters and delicious heroes”. And she talked about prolific and disciplined authors, as did Tracy.
-Raelene talked mostly about looking for fresh subgenres at Ellora’s Cave. Editors are tired of seeing the next LKH or Feehan clone. They’ve seen great sales from male/male romances in the last 6 months at EC – and women are the ones buying them. To get the attention of an editor, you need to really push the genre envelopes.
And then the highlight of the morning – Nora Roberts came in to deliver the Keynote. After a slight delay while the Marriott tried to move us to another room (how rude!), we were treated to a fabulously inspirational talk on the Magic of writing. And the hard work that it takes to keep that magic working. Nora is as great a speaker as she is a writer; it was wonderful to hear her speak.
Then it was off to lunch, and a lunch keynote that had me all but falling out of my chair laughing. Meg Cabot was hysterically funny as she talked about her path to publication, and the stories behind getting her book turned into the Disney movie “The Princess Diaries”. I’ve never read her before, but after hearing her speak I can’t wait to dig into the two books we got at the luncheon and see if she’s as funny in print as she is in person. Her talk made an otherwise bland lunch worth sitting through. (Since my last meal had been the Ruth’s Chris dinner, maybe it’s not fair to call the Marriott food bland… but really, there’s only so much you can do with chicken served over grits.)
The RWA Annual Meeting was after lunch. I was truly shocked at the low turnout. There are over 2000 writers in Atlanta, and less than 10 percent went to the meeting. They missed out on a heartwarming, sincere moment as Gayle Wilson thanked her board for all their help the past year, and spoke about some of the “Wow!” moments of her year as president. She is such a sweet, sincere, and gracious person. RWA has been served very well this past year by having her lead us, and I’m sure she’ll continue to be an important part of directing RWA in the years to come.
Thursday night I had two parties to go to. I started at the RWA Online party – the party for the online chapter I’ve only been a member of for a few months. Some fantastic people there, and I was sad to leave after only an hour. But I was already late at that point for the Romance Diva’s dinner at Azio’s. The Diva’s had 2 very large tables in the corner, and I squeezed myself in at the head of the table where I could take some great pictures. Then forgot to take hardly any. (There are a few up over at http://www.flickr.com/photos/ksteele2/ ) We ate and talked and laughed for hours, then headed over to a bar at the Marriott to do more of the talking thing. And then a lot of the dancing thing. I’m trying not to post anything to incriminating, but a VERY good time was had by all. Maybe the movies will make it up someday – but I think I better get a waiver signed first….
I headed off to bed at the early hour of just after midnight. Friday is a big day, including my editor pitch. Don’t want to show up for that with eyebags and a hangover!
-->
July 27, 2006
The Shelli Show
RWA National is underway!
The conference kicked off with a huge event last night, a literacy signing at the Marriott Marquis. It’s a great kickoff event, since it throws thousands of people into a large ballroom on the first day (first for most of us), and gives us a chance to mingle among the rock stars in the literacy signing, and introduce ourselves to the authors and to the friends we haven’t met yet. Many authors tend to be naturally shy - we voluntarily choose to spend most of our time all alone staring at paper or screen. An event like this is sort of sink or swim - get out there and mingle! So mingle I did.
And I met so many people last night that the names quickly began to blur together. I found my roommate Lia almost immediately – she is as wonderful in person as she was long distance. We said a quick hello, then headed off to find all our favorites. I did a quick lap around the room to see which authors were sitting where and who had long lines – Nora Robert’s line was already stretching around the corner of the room she was sitting in, and up next wall. I shot a quick picture and decided not to stand in line – hopefully I’ll get another chance to say hi to Romance’s biggest name.
Found the fabulous Sylvia Day, had time to talk to her for a few minutes as well. Romance Diva’s own Gemma Halliday was signing - and sold out in about 90 minutes! I had to circle twice to get through to say hi to Sasha White as well, but was lucky enough to get a few minutes to chat with her once I did.
So many authors, and not enough time to talk about them all. And books everywhere, tempting me with their bright glossy covers, bold titles calling to me “Buy me! No, buy me!” I got out pretty light - I could carry my purchases without breaking a sweat. My roomie didn’t get out quite so easily :
I don’t have time here to write about all the people I met last night – so moving on! (There are pictures on Flickr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/ksteele2/ - if you see a picture not labeled please leave me a note with who was in it! I’ll update them later.)
After the signing there was enough time for a quick shower, then it was off to Ruth Chris’ for a late dinner. 15 of the Romance Diva’s piled in two cabs (literally piled into the one I rode in – they are supposed to seat 7, and the driver had to have a seat to himself). Off we went to a fabulous, mouthwatering, MEAT dinner. There was also wine, onion rings (it’s the south – of course you can have onion rings with a nice glass of Zin), sautéed mushrooms, creamed spinach, and too many other great foods that I can’t remember. Jax’s Tuna looked yummy; Shawn’s Ribeye had me excited; my Petite Filet was absolutely perfect. Although how 8ozs of mid-rare perfection can be called petite puzzles me…. It made me a very happy Diva.
Another packed and stacked cab ride back to the Marriott. Then it was off for a nightcap. Found more Divas, Inkers, and friends I hadn’t met yet in Champions, and let the giggles begin.
Robin, Lia and I were wayyyyy to seriously into a conversation about ebook publishers when a flash of blue out of the corner of my eye. What was that? That was Shelli. Shelli doing what she could to make sure we were all having a fabulous time. The Shelli Show must be seen to be believed for all it’s fabulous abundance - and so, for you :
Workshop time is here! More later.
-->
July 26, 2006
Check in Goody Bag Books
Yay! Much book goodness in the checkin bag. 18 :
-->
July 25, 2006
Atlanta on Tuesday
I passed through Atlanta on the way to Bham today, just long enough to drop off some boxes, check in for conference, and make a run through the goody room. Few quick notes :Beautiful hotel. Room checkin was moving smoothly at 4pm - hope it’s as smooth at 4pm on wad.Conference check in was unbelievably fast. It helped that no one ele was in line. Yay for Tuesday checkin!The Avon bag with 18 assorted print books was a sweet gift bag.
The mall is a wonderful thing.
Off ro bed to recover from 10 hours in the car with kids. Zzzzzz….
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