I arrived two and a half hours late thanks to Houston’s weather. Honestly, I expected nothing less. *ggg* It was a mad dash to make it to registration before they closed, then I grabbed dinner with Julia Templeton. By the time we finished, it was time to get ready for the Ellora’s Cave party. EC did a really good job decorating the ballroom. It looked very nice. It was a little strange getting escorted out on stage by one of the calendar guys, but at least he was large enough to make me look a ‘little’ smaller. LOL! 
The party was fun. Managed to dance until they kicked us out. I then went back to my room and collapsed. It’s hard being up from five in the morning to two in the morning the following day.
I have to say that there weren’t many talks that I wanted to attend. I’m not sure if that’s due to where I’m at in my career or the change of focus. Most of the talks centered around writing spicy and the over-saturation of the paranormal market. Editors are still looking for paranormal books, but they’re far pickier about what they buy. The same holds true with erotic romances. Everyone talked about how the bubble is about to burst for both markets. No surprise there. Rumor has it that historicals are about to make a comeback, but the publishers aren’t buying them in droves–yet.
Julia Templeton and I had a lovely lunch with Vicki Pettersson and Rachel Vincent (Can’t wait for Rachel’s book, Stray to come out.). I knew them through the Fangs, Fur and Fey blog. Laughed all the way through the meal. They’re beautiful women with wicked minds. Hanging out with Vicki regularly would probably get me into a lot of trouble. *ggg*
I also hung out with Sasha, Sylvia, Vivi, Liz, Patrice, Beth, Mary, Arianna, Cathy, Erin, Chey, MacKenzie, Tina, Lisa, Beth, Gennita (who kept some ‘fine’ company at the conference), Kimberly (cracked me up throughout the conference), Tawny, Annie, Mandy (The latter are lovely ladies that I just met.) and many, many more. Please forgive me if I left your name out. I’m still shot.
Some random things that I noticed at this conference. Booksellers REALLY like promo material. Particularly independent booksellers. Their favorite promo items are bookmarks and cover-flats. They particularly like it if you sign these items. Also, if you’re planning to send out an ARC (advanced reader copy) overseas, try to do so as far in advance as possible. It helps them hand-sell the books.
The erotic romances didn’t seem to be moving this year at the booksigning. I’m not saying that people weren’t selling books. They were. But compared to a couple of years ago, things have slowed down SIGNIFICANTLY. :-O Now whether that’s from a shift in trends or the fact that the book-buying crowd wasn’t as large this year, I’m not sure. I just thought that some of you would find the information interesting.
I suppose that’s all for now. I’ll be back tomorrow with more random thoughts.
May 1st, 2007
Welcome home, you name dropper you! *gg* And was Vicki as dorky as she is in email? (it’s a long story)
by May May 1st, 2007 at 12:33 pmHey J, I wish I had hooked up with you more. That Kim kept me in trouble the whole week. It was a great fun week. I do second your notion about the workshops and panels. They did nothing for me either, and I do think it’s because of where I am in my career. I did come away with one tidbit from the urban fantasy panel that Jim Butcher said and that’s it, but maybe that’s all I needed.
by Vivi Anna May 1st, 2007 at 12:35 pmMay, LOL!
She’s beautiful, full of piss and vinegar (as my mother likes to say) and all the above. *wg* Vicki kept threatening to kiss me. *ggg* This too is a long story. LMAO!
by Jordan May 1st, 2007 at 1:14 pmVivi, Me too. :/ What did Jim say? I went into fangirl mode when I had him sign a Dresden book. I couldn’t think of a thing to ask him. Sigh. Blush.
by Jordan May 1st, 2007 at 1:15 pmOh I gushed over him too at the book fair, got my picture with him too.
He said that its so crowded in romance, especially in paranormal…there’s lots of room in scifi-fantasy…
He was not only saying there’s room on the shelves, but also in the industry. Go beyond what you know.
by Vivi Anna May 1st, 2007 at 1:23 pmVivi, I forgot that I heard him say that. He’s right. There is room in that category. But then again, we’re both already trying to sell to that genre.
by Jordan May 1st, 2007 at 1:27 pmSoo, is it good timing that I’m dusting off my SFF? : D Thanks for the update, Jordan. I don’t think I’d spend much time in workshops at this point myself. I’ve written and sold 16 novels and novellas, I should know the basics by now. *g*
by Charli May 1st, 2007 at 1:34 pmJordan! It was such a blast dancing all night with you and Julia! I loved being able to hang out with you again. As for the workshops, I agree, I didn’t get much out of the one panel I went to. LOL But I’m in a very mixed up place in my career too. I want to keep selling erotic ofcourse, but I also want to stretch my wings a bit.
by Sasha May 1st, 2007 at 1:50 pmCharli, Yes, it is.
I hear you.
by Jordan May 1st, 2007 at 3:31 pmSasha, It was fun dancing with you, too.
I think a lot of writers are in your shoes right now. At least the conversations I had seemed to indicate that was the case. :/
by Jordan May 1st, 2007 at 3:32 pm“Everyone talked about how the bubble is about to burst for both markets.”
Aaaaiiieeeeeeeeeeeee!
I think I’m going to be sick…
by Jeaniene May 1st, 2007 at 5:04 pmJeaniene, Take a breath. They weren’t talking about the urban fantasy market.
If anyone crosses lines between romance and urban fantasy, you do. 
by Jordan May 1st, 2007 at 5:25 pmVERY, VERY INTERESTING . . . hmmm . . .should we switch to Inspirational then?
LOL!
Do tell us more Jordan! =)
by Red May 1st, 2007 at 6:54 pmRed, LOL! No, I don’t think things are THAT drastic. *ggg* All the publishers were adamant that they receive stronger stories, more world-building, and unique twists no matter what genre you write in. They say they’re seeing a lot of the same types of books repeatedly being submitted.
by Jordan May 1st, 2007 at 7:15 pmI also get the sense that they’d like to see more books pushing boundaries. Don’t be afraid to go over the top. They can always bring you back. And that’s easier to do than to make you push harder and farther.
by Vivi Anna May 1st, 2007 at 9:02 pmYes, Vivi, I think you’re right. I got the feeling that a lot of editors are bored with what they’re seeing. They want something to shock them.
by Jordan May 2nd, 2007 at 12:35 amWelcome back! Sounds like you had a great time–I’m still stewing in jealousy of everyone who got to go!
by Larissa Ione May 2nd, 2007 at 5:10 amLarissa, The consensus of all of the people I hung out with was that it was a nice getaway, but not helpful careerwise. I thought that might make you feel better.
by Jordan May 2nd, 2007 at 9:27 amJordan! Welcome back. It was so much fun hanging and chatting with you. This is the first year I’ve spent so much time with Julia as well. (*waves* to Julia!). In answer to someone’s question, Vicki is gorgeous! Rachel was a doll (can’t wait for Stray) and Sasha’s a riot! I loved my short time hanging with Sasha (and my book thong with her mom’s homemade beads!). Yep, Jordan, definitely did the fangirl thing with Jim Butcher and his wife Shannon. She was sold out of her books by time I got my pic taken with them. *pout*. It was a great conference!
Patrice *who plans to blog once she has collected pics from various friends. I think we’re all still recovering. LOL!*
by Patrice Michelle May 2nd, 2007 at 9:30 amOops…and Vivi, I had the best time talking with her about books. She’s so down to earth, she and Kimberly were so much fun to chat with. Can’t wait ’til next year.
by Patrice Michelle May 2nd, 2007 at 9:32 amThanks Patrice.
It was nice seeing you, too.
by Jordan May 2nd, 2007 at 10:09 amHi Jordan,
I can see how some authors might feel that way about RT–that it doesn’t help build their career at this point. Since I’m more of a newbie, at least to the world of NY publishing, it’s been a huge help for me. Just talking, learning, listening… I absorbed a ton of info, both in and outside of the workshops. In particular, I really appreciated the time you took to talk to me. Thank you! Same goes with the many other authors who generously lended a hand up to this newbie, who’s still feeling her way around.
Hugs!
by Tawny May 2nd, 2007 at 12:29 pmTawny, You’re welcome. It was great talking to you. I’m glad that you got a lot out of the talks. I know I did when I first went to RT. I think it’s still a terrific venue for new authors. You do learn a lot. Not as much as you do at RWA, but definitely quite a bit.
by Jordan May 2nd, 2007 at 12:46 pmJordan, it was cooool meeting you as well. I don’t think I laughed so much in over a year. I called my child and she said “Mommy, what’s wrong with your voice? You sound like an old man!” LOL. Voice was SHOT!! Ignore Vivi, I had nothing to do with keeping her in trouble, it was the other way around I SWEAR!!
Besides my own panel, I went to one other. Robin Schone, Monique Patterson and Susan Pezzack-Swinwood were the panel members. It was very very informative. I went, for a particular reason and was so glad I did.
I think when we go to conferences like these, we have to have a clear game-plan in mind. I like to have fun…uh, just ask Vivi, teehee. But, I want to gain something from the experience. I was fortunate that I accomplished what I set out to do. Party with a purpose, that’s my middle name, mami.
by Kimberly May 3rd, 2007 at 11:25 amxo
k
Forgot to add, that I agree with you and Vivi. In fact, Viv and I talked about this at length, after a particularly interesting conversation I had with an editor. I think the editors are looking for something new, crazy, vibrant. They seem to be ready for us to take it to the next level. Yeah, a chick like me is ready to scare them…evil grin
by Kimberly May 3rd, 2007 at 11:29 amKimberly, My voice was shot too from trying to talk over the music and laughing so hard. You had me in stitches. I’m glad you got something out of the panel with Monique. (Love her.) I do think you have to have a purpose. I don’t think I determined that before I left, which certainly added to the restlessness. Editors are definitely ready for something new and outrageous. If anyone can give it to them, you can. *ggg*
Nothing but love. 
by Jordan May 3rd, 2007 at 12:34 pm