Comments on: Conferences

By: Jordan

Jordan — Tue, 08 Feb 2005 01:56:02 +0000

Lynn, The smaller conferences are great. I think it’s much easier to talk and network when everyone is relaxed and enjoying themselves. Can’t wait to hear what you think of National next year.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Mon, 07 Feb 2005 03:30:59 +0000

I’ve only been to one conference, last year’s GRW Moonlight & Magnolias. For a first conference, it was a wonderful experience. I’m really looking forward to this year’s. I’ve never been to an RWA National conference, and I won’t be going this year. However, next year it’s in Atlanta, and since that’s my backyard . . .

By: Jordan

Jordan — Tue, 01 Feb 2005 15:22:29 +0000

Suzanne, I hear you. It’s great to see everyone. I just can’t justify spending the money simply to hang out with friends. :-/ I wish I could. Believe me. I did try to attend as many of the workshops as possible. I actually think I got more out of the tapes I purchased. They were fabulous. I do recommend National for the just published or near published because I think it can be extremely helpful. I’m sure I will go again, if not this year, then maybe next.

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Tue, 01 Feb 2005 11:27:38 +0000

I love RWA conferences. I actually don’t attend a LOT of workshops, but the ones I go to are always fantastic. And EVERYONE is there. I love getting together with my friends. Which is why I don’t attend a lot of workshops–I’m off having fun! LOL. It’s also a good work conference, seeing editors etc.

By: Jordan

Jordan — Mon, 31 Jan 2005 22:06:39 +0000

Beth, It’s great to ’see’ you again. We laughed so hard in the bar I had tears in my eyes. It was wonderful meeting you and my critique partner for the first time. (National is good for things like that.) I agree that there is a competitive/political vibe to the National conference. I really enjoyed the one held in Denver, but Dallas was a completely different ballgame. At some point, I’d love to go to BEA. I know this year it’s in NY. I’m just not sure when. (Not that I’m going to be able to make it.) It’ll be a miracle if I can go to National after paying for RT. Oh well… Everything is a choice. See you at RT! You too Chey!

By: Jordan

Jordan — Mon, 31 Jan 2005 21:59:36 +0000

Like Chey said, RT is much more fun, but it’s focus is completely different than RWA National. I do think it’s hard for any conference to be perfect for everyone, but you can certainly make informed decisions based on what will work best for you. Writing is solitary. Just to be around people who understand your insanity is a VERY, VERY good thing. (wg)

By: Jordan Summers

Jordan Summers — Mon, 31 Jan 2005 21:56:27 +0000

Larissa, National is a good place to meet a lot of editors and agents. I’ve definitely seen many people bypass the slush pile that way. Fingers crossed a conference comes to a town near you.:-)

By: Jordan

Jordan — Mon, 31 Jan 2005 21:54:26 +0000

Man, Cece, I’d completely forgotten about the Mary Kay ladies. They stopped me a couple of times to ask directions and remind me that I needed to wear pantyhose. LOL! I told them I was a Lancome kind of gal.

By: Beth Ciotta

Beth Ciotta — Mon, 31 Jan 2005 14:00:03 +0000

I agree with Jordan’s take on the mentioned conventions. I actually met her at last year’s National RWA, one of the high points of that conference. I agree that was a tense conference. I too went home depressed. I have been to at least five RWA Nationals, maybe more. The first was overwhelming and intimidating. It’s all business. I don’t mind that part, but there is a competitive and political edge that I am not fond of. But that’s just me. That said, the workshops are invaluable. The editor/agent appointments worth taking advantage of. The opportunity to network and sheer wealth of information priceless. I’ll be in Reno.

The Romantic Times Convention, as Jordan said, is FUN! The atmosphere relaxed. I have attended nine of these. There are not as many workshops to choose from as with RWA, but they are there. The networking possibilities with editors and agents are not as numerous as at RWA, but again they are there. The real perk is in mingling with very avid romance readers. Of building your fan base.

I have benefited in one way or another from both of these conventions. I highly recommend both for different reasons. However as I get further along in my career, as my writing grows, I find I am curious to explore new conferences. This year I am attending ‘Celebrate Romance,’ another fan-based conference, and BEAa bookseller/publisher tradeshow. Ill let you know. Thanks for the topic, Jordan. Sorry I rambled! (See you at RT!)

By: Cheyenne McCray

Cheyenne McCray — Mon, 31 Jan 2005 13:42:15 +0000

Good topic. I think that especially for the newbie writer, conferences are so very important. As a published author, we learn as well, get to network, and actually get to be around people! LOL. Writing can be so isolating. I think that’s one of the reasons that I started writing in coffee shops and bookstores, is because I need to GET OUT of the house and be around people.

Glad to hear you’re going to RT! I love it. My favorite part is meeting the readers and getting to know other authors. Yes, it is becoming more geared to writing as well as to readers. I’m on 3 writer panels this year, so it’s going to be a little hectic.

As far as RWA Nationals, Dallas was my first, and what Larissa said about the Mary Kay ladies! LOL. I didn’t get a warm fuzzy about it, and it wasn’t “fun” like RT, but for the most part I enjoyed it. I got to meet (at that time )my soon-to-be editor for St. Martin’s Press and had a drink with her. She’s terrific. So that was a real positive.

I think you’re right about the local conferences, or at least the smaller ones. Desert Dreams is a fabulous conference to go to, and definitely one I’d recommend for newbies and oldies alike.
Anyway, I love conferences and really look forward to them!

Chey