I have decided that this year, I will attend more craft workshops and a few marketing. There seems to be a focus on self-publishing. I can learn from some of the methods used by self-published authors because all authors need to promote themselves to be noticed. There is also a focus on audio books. I would like to learn how to have Woman of Substance and Moving On as audio books.
I will post here everyday with pictures and a line or two.
I’m packed except for the jars and potions.
Monday, 9:30 pm. Time to be in bed. I need to be up at 3:00 am to go to the airport at 4:00.
Conference attendees are always in need of sustenance.
We are preaching to the choir with swag at the Romance Writers of America conference because it is attended by writers, agents, editors and publishers. But they are also readers.
I tried a glue stick to attach my business cards, or book cover cards to packages of gum, tea and fruit snacks. But my glue stick was old. I used glue dots, double sided mounting tape and finally the little grey cells in my brain, suggested the large roll of double sided tape in my desk drawer. It worked slick.
I’m ready to enjoy the adventure.
Checked in for flight and seats chosen.
Checked into hotel and entered to win points.
Now time to go to sleep. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Tuesday, July 21, 2015 I’m in New York.
And we are required to be at the airport two hours before boarding.
On the tarmac in Toronto on the way to New York
Too many planes and not enough gates at La Guardia Airport. Then an hour and a half in traffic. We had a fabulous shuttle driver and there were other writers to share the ride.
The view from my room and those are people down there. I shopped at 11:00 pm.
Met up with three Soul Mate Authors, we went out to Juniors for appies and dessert and beer and a walk around time square.
And now it is time for bed.
Tomorrow is another big day.
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
The day started slowly with coffee in my room. I gathered a third of my swag for the Goodie Room. One of my Soul Mate authors told me that a play I wanted to see Kinky Boots tickets were on sale for 1/2 price but I needed to go and line up now.
In line with a coffee hopeful I would score a ticket. I did.
Went for a walk to make sure I knew how to find the theatre.
The theatre was a block and 1/2 from the hotel. The conscierge showed me the sign above his desk that pointed to 45th Street and 46 th street.
Kinky Boots was terriffic with the theme that we need to be true to ourselves. Good message for me as a romance writer. I raced back to the hotel to fulfill my committment of volunteering at the “Readers for Life” Literacy Autographing.
“In 2014, Romance Writers of America raised more than $53,000 to benefit literacy organizations. Since 1990, RWA has raised more than $878,000 to fight illiteracy.”
The line up of readers was phenomenal. IMG_0420
After I had taken photos of writers and readers, brought water to thirsty writers, I met with writers I have only met online. Lovely to put a face to these writers. Now it is time for zzzzzz.
Okay I’m a bit late in filling in the rest of the story.
Thursday, July 23, 2015
I meant to get up for the 6:30 am to do morning Pilates but of course I’m more thought than action in the morning.
My first event was the fabulous Breakfast Buffet. When you arrive as I did just before 8:30 am, in time to put a few things on a plate and find a many open chairs right in front of the stage.
Barbara Freethy .
Barbara Freethy a number one New York Times best-selling author.
Traditionally published but had to keep reinventing herself. She joined the e publishing and named Amazon KDP Bestselling author of all time. She also sold 1.5 million books on Barnes and Noble. Now she is launching into physical distribution through a venture with Ingram Publisher services under her new print imprint Hyde Street Press.
We received a copy of her first book, On a night like this as a gift.
Barbara Freethy’s first print book with Ingram Publisher Services
Barbara gave the audience incentive to continue exploring rather than giving up but exploring different avenues of publishing to have our stories told.
I started at the Pro Retreat.
I started with the pros and cons of publishing with a small publisher. However, I found that with my experience through my short stories as well as XoXo Publishing and Soul Mate Publishing that I was comfortable in the advantages and disadvantages. One of the disadvantages for me as a Canadian publishing with Soul Mate Publishing is accomplishing distribution for my print books in Canada. I have to work on this.
The next workshop I went to was Subtext: Not Just Another Buzzword by Sherry Thomas Sherry told us that readers like to be grounded but that subtext is that really interesting information that happens below the surface. It is subtle but planned.
When you read the link, you will note that she uses rich language.
Lunch
My last workshop of the day was: Conquering High Concept by May Chen, Harper Collins Editor, Sophie Jordan, and Sarah MacLean best-selling authors.
This was another craft workshop. I attempt not to go to workshops with too many speakers. I broke my rule.
I came away with this summary: 1. Risk is inherent. 2. Whatever you write should excite you the writer. 3. The idea immediately paints a picture. “Nobody’s baby but mine.” “Friends to lovers.” That idea is what I write. Hey, I can feel a pitch coming on.
Many Soul Mate authors met and walked over to Ellen’s Stardust Diner. In 2013, Debby Gilbert, publisher and senior editor (and editor of Woman of Substance and novel number 3 to be released in 2016) went out for dinner during the RWA. Each author paid for their own meal. Debby said then she wished she could pay. I’m not sure what she did last year, but this year she bought us dinner. It indicates the growth of Soul Mate Publishing. Thank you Debby.
After dinner some Soul Mate Authors went on The Ride.
Ready to board the bus for The Ride
We were entertained by two professionals entertainers and the bus stopped along the way to treat us to street entertainers as well. At the end of the evening we sang.
Then it was time for more zzzzz. As it is now. To be continued.
PS: My swag basket was emptied twice before the end of Wednesday. I carried the rest of my goodies with me and passed them out at workshops.
Friday, July 24, 2015.
I made it down for breakfast again and again there was plenty of room at tables at the front of the room.
This morning Julia Quinn was the main speaker. To summarize a wonderful keynote to start off our day, she said, “You can’t please everyone.” And what writers should do, “Write the book from your heart.” Great advice from a #1 New York Times Bestselling Romance Author who had in the United States alone, over 10 million copies of her books in print. She knows of what she speaks.
My first workshop of the day was facilitated by Joanna Bourne and Grace Burrowes. The title of their craft workshop was: Ten Tweaks to Perk Up Your Prose: Learn the top ten tips for making good prose better and great prose unforgettable.
To be continued.
