Jim McCarthy of Dystel & Goderich Literary Management has a fabulous post on his first trip to an RWA conference.
He not only enjoyed many of our great parties, but, well…check it out for yourself and then come back leave a comment here.
If on the off chance you’ve not heard of this agency, this is, IMVHO, a must read blog for anyone seeking publication.
WW’s and PD’s,
Vicki
Showing posts with label 08 RWA Conf. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 08 RWA Conf. Show all posts
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
It's Good to Be Back
It’s been one week since I returned from RWA, San Fran Nationals and already it seems so long ago.
Just a quick run down. The hotel was amazing and shopping was everywhere you turned. Not that I had much time for it, but still, if you like to shop, then San Fran is a great place to go.
I never made it to Napa Valley though and I’m really sorry about that. I wanted to do a little wine tasting in the valley. Again, it was the time issue. We did, however, have wine at the hotel and the Wharf.
My pitch appointments went very well and I came home with several requests from them, as well as general talking with editors and/or agents. Fingers crossed for those.
The weather was great and believe it or not, I really didn’t over pack this year. Yes, I had a few extra things that weren’t worn, but trust me on this, a few extra things is good for me. Remember, I’m a choices kinda girl.
Oh wait, did someone ask if we got any sleep??? At nationals? Nope, we ran on about 3 hours a night if we were lucky. And the one night my roomy and I were back in the room at a decent hour, we sat and talked until 3:00 AM. By the way, my roomy was great!
I posted a slideshow on the right with pics.
Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki
Just a quick run down. The hotel was amazing and shopping was everywhere you turned. Not that I had much time for it, but still, if you like to shop, then San Fran is a great place to go.
I never made it to Napa Valley though and I’m really sorry about that. I wanted to do a little wine tasting in the valley. Again, it was the time issue. We did, however, have wine at the hotel and the Wharf.
My pitch appointments went very well and I came home with several requests from them, as well as general talking with editors and/or agents. Fingers crossed for those.
The weather was great and believe it or not, I really didn’t over pack this year. Yes, I had a few extra things that weren’t worn, but trust me on this, a few extra things is good for me. Remember, I’m a choices kinda girl.
Oh wait, did someone ask if we got any sleep??? At nationals? Nope, we ran on about 3 hours a night if we were lucky. And the one night my roomy and I were back in the room at a decent hour, we sat and talked until 3:00 AM. By the way, my roomy was great!
I posted a slideshow on the right with pics.
Writing Wishes and Plotting Dreams,
Vicki
Monday, August 4, 2008
I'm back...Sort of...
Conference was amazing and being back home is also amazing and wonderful. I love my bed.
I've got pictures and loads of stuff to tell you, but right now I'm still trying to get over the whole 'conference brain' thing. At least I'm getting more than 2 1/2 - 3 hours of sleep as of last night. That in its self is a plus. :)
I'll be back...
Vicki
I've got pictures and loads of stuff to tell you, but right now I'm still trying to get over the whole 'conference brain' thing. At least I'm getting more than 2 1/2 - 3 hours of sleep as of last night. That in its self is a plus. :)
I'll be back...
Vicki
Monday, July 28, 2008
It's Almost Time and A Great Blog to Check Out
Karen Duvall's blog is running a five day free workshop on description. It's fabulous, go check it out. Yes, there's homework for those who want to participate and you might win a prize if you do. But the workshop alone is fun and you're learning more of the craft.
I know, someone is probably saying, 'No worries, I've got description down'. This is still a great workshop and really, do we ever finish learning in this business?
Anyway, the blog may be somewhat quiet for a few days. I leave tomorrow and although I do plan to blog from there, I may not be able to each day. Lot's of stuff to do and see. :)
I'm almost through packing. Maybe I should say, I'm almost through re-packing. If you go to Karen's site and read my comment, you'll get the idea.
Come back and let us know what you think or if you posted a comment.
WW's & PD's,
Vicki
I know, someone is probably saying, 'No worries, I've got description down'. This is still a great workshop and really, do we ever finish learning in this business?
Anyway, the blog may be somewhat quiet for a few days. I leave tomorrow and although I do plan to blog from there, I may not be able to each day. Lot's of stuff to do and see. :)
I'm almost through packing. Maybe I should say, I'm almost through re-packing. If you go to Karen's site and read my comment, you'll get the idea.
Come back and let us know what you think or if you posted a comment.
WW's & PD's,
Vicki
Thursday, July 24, 2008
T – Minus 5 days and Counting
OMG, it’s only 5 days till I leave for Nationals. I haven’t shopped, made a packing list, or nailed my pitch.
Normally, I’m good with the packing thing. I make a list from head to toe of what I’ll need, usually way more than I do, and it’s a done deal. This year, not so much. Airlines (most) charge for a second bag and some charge for any and all bags. I’m trying to do this packing thing in one suitcase. Laurie and AM, I can hear you laughing. Heehee…it’s true, one suitcase is very hard for me. As I’ve said before I like choices.
Then there is this ‘little’ thing called Pitching and to a dream agent, no less. Again, I’m not the nervous type. I get it, this will not break my career. But come on, I’ve got to have something ready to go. And really, it’s not my current novel I’m worried about. It’s what I need to have ready in case she doesn’t like AT&B, and wants to know what else I’m working on.
I need to shop still. I mean every girl needs something new, right? Just because most of the people at nationals has never seen any of my clothes doesn’t mean I don’t need something new. So it looks like Saturday is going to be busy. Pedicure (yes, I know it may be too cold to wear open toed shoes, but still…), maybe a manicure, buying the groceries for the house while I’m gone, (Science Guy has to eat), cleaning said house before I’m gone (yes, Science Guy will probably mess it up), and shopping. Whew…I’m tired already and it hasn’t even started.
Sleep. It’s too bad you can’t bank extra sleep hours. If you’ve not been to nationals and this is your first one, then don’t plan on getting much of the shut up. It doesn’t happen. You’re to keyed up from just talking to New York Best Sellers (way to many to name) and editors/agents (hoping to pitch, but NEVER IN THE BATHROOM), meeting the people you talk to on the net….(the list goes on), to sleep. So don’t plan on it. Truth be told you’ll not really miss the sleep until you’re on the plane headed home.
One of the best things about Nationals is how pumped you are to write when you leave. You’ve heard what’s happening in the market, what your dream editor or agent is looking for, and you’ve talked with well known, many times over authors, who share their journey to success with you.
Yep, 5 days and I’m outta here and on my way there. I can’t wait!
WW’s and PD’s,
Vicki, who really is working on my pitch.
Normally, I’m good with the packing thing. I make a list from head to toe of what I’ll need, usually way more than I do, and it’s a done deal. This year, not so much. Airlines (most) charge for a second bag and some charge for any and all bags. I’m trying to do this packing thing in one suitcase. Laurie and AM, I can hear you laughing. Heehee…it’s true, one suitcase is very hard for me. As I’ve said before I like choices.
Then there is this ‘little’ thing called Pitching and to a dream agent, no less. Again, I’m not the nervous type. I get it, this will not break my career. But come on, I’ve got to have something ready to go. And really, it’s not my current novel I’m worried about. It’s what I need to have ready in case she doesn’t like AT&B, and wants to know what else I’m working on.
I need to shop still. I mean every girl needs something new, right? Just because most of the people at nationals has never seen any of my clothes doesn’t mean I don’t need something new. So it looks like Saturday is going to be busy. Pedicure (yes, I know it may be too cold to wear open toed shoes, but still…), maybe a manicure, buying the groceries for the house while I’m gone, (Science Guy has to eat), cleaning said house before I’m gone (yes, Science Guy will probably mess it up), and shopping. Whew…I’m tired already and it hasn’t even started.
Sleep. It’s too bad you can’t bank extra sleep hours. If you’ve not been to nationals and this is your first one, then don’t plan on getting much of the shut up. It doesn’t happen. You’re to keyed up from just talking to New York Best Sellers (way to many to name) and editors/agents (hoping to pitch, but NEVER IN THE BATHROOM), meeting the people you talk to on the net….(the list goes on), to sleep. So don’t plan on it. Truth be told you’ll not really miss the sleep until you’re on the plane headed home.
One of the best things about Nationals is how pumped you are to write when you leave. You’ve heard what’s happening in the market, what your dream editor or agent is looking for, and you’ve talked with well known, many times over authors, who share their journey to success with you.
Yep, 5 days and I’m outta here and on my way there. I can’t wait!
WW’s and PD’s,
Vicki, who really is working on my pitch.
Monday, July 21, 2008
I’m Leaving on a Jet Plane…
Okay, not exactly today, but one week from tomorrow, I’ll be on a plane heading to SF for the RWA conference. I’m so excited! Well, maybe not about the long flight (with a layover), but about being in SF with so many writers.
This is the once a year time, to reconnect with writer’s who we normally talk via email, phone, and/or blogs. It’s also the time to meet new writer friends. And people ask you what you write sometimes before they even ask your name. When you say romance you know it will be welcomed and they’ll tell you what they write.
The Lit signing is exciting with so many authors in one room, signing their books. Since this part of RWA conference is open to the public you might be standing in a line with a writer or perhaps a reader. There is still a commonality between you. Both of you want to speak with the author and have her sign your book.
One of the great things you’ll learn (if this is your first time) is even the big name authors are people, just like you and me. No, really, they are. I’m not kidding. And they love to talk to you as much as you love to talk with them.
And then there is this little thing called the Agent/Editor appointments. Heehee…it’s not little and although it’s not the “be all or end all” of our careers, we worry about the appointments.
So, I’m working on my pitch, trying to make a list of clothing (and shoes) to pack, and taking care of the normal things that must be done before I leave Science Guy for the trip.
Packing. Me, packing for a trip. If you know me, then you know I always bring to much stuff. I like choices. This is going to be even more difficult this year since SF weather is or can be cold in one area and hot in another. Which is not so good considering the airlines either charge for more than one bag (some charge for even one) or they really don’t want you to bring more than one bag to check.
What about you? If you’re a writer are you attending this year’s conference? Did you go to last years? What do you love the most about them?
WW’s and PD’s,
Vicki
This is the once a year time, to reconnect with writer’s who we normally talk via email, phone, and/or blogs. It’s also the time to meet new writer friends. And people ask you what you write sometimes before they even ask your name. When you say romance you know it will be welcomed and they’ll tell you what they write.
The Lit signing is exciting with so many authors in one room, signing their books. Since this part of RWA conference is open to the public you might be standing in a line with a writer or perhaps a reader. There is still a commonality between you. Both of you want to speak with the author and have her sign your book.
One of the great things you’ll learn (if this is your first time) is even the big name authors are people, just like you and me. No, really, they are. I’m not kidding. And they love to talk to you as much as you love to talk with them.
And then there is this little thing called the Agent/Editor appointments. Heehee…it’s not little and although it’s not the “be all or end all” of our careers, we worry about the appointments.
So, I’m working on my pitch, trying to make a list of clothing (and shoes) to pack, and taking care of the normal things that must be done before I leave Science Guy for the trip.
Packing. Me, packing for a trip. If you know me, then you know I always bring to much stuff. I like choices. This is going to be even more difficult this year since SF weather is or can be cold in one area and hot in another. Which is not so good considering the airlines either charge for more than one bag (some charge for even one) or they really don’t want you to bring more than one bag to check.
What about you? If you’re a writer are you attending this year’s conference? Did you go to last years? What do you love the most about them?
WW’s and PD’s,
Vicki
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