Sorry I haven’t written. I’ve been exhausted since returning from the conference on Sunday. I went in early to visit a dear friend. We had a blast, even made it to the beach. When you live in a land-locked state, getting to see/feel the ocean is important.
I’ve been trying to arrange my thoughts about the conference. In a lot of ways it was the most laid back conference I’ve ever attended. Maybe that’s because it was on the west coast or perhaps it was the state of mind of the attendees. I’m really not sure. All I know is that the lack of drama was a delight.
I didn’t manage to attend many of the talks and the only spotlight I went to was held by Tor. For those of you interested, Tor is looking for old-fashioned space opera romances (ie think futuristic romances with aliens), urban fantasies and romantic suspense. The urban fantasies do not have to be romances. Romantic suspense is being acquired by Jozelle Dyer. She would like to see a synopsis (2 to 5 pages long max) and a full manuscript IF you are unpublished. Yes, my friends, Tor accepts unagented submissions. If you are published, then you can send her the first three chapters and a synopsis. Jozelle isn’t interested in seeing anymore cops/FBI/CIA/Ranger/etc. suspense books. She wants ordinary people put into jeopardy, who have to get themselves out of trouble. Heather Osborn doesn’t mind looking at time-travels, too, but the paranormal element must continue throughout the book not just during the time-travel episode.
This was the first conference I’ve attended that I didn’t have time to go to the various talks. My time was spent attending publishing events and meeting with my editors. I did manage to meet a few authors, Karen Foley (lovely lady), Leslie Kelly (cracks me up), Meljean Brook (surprised me by knowing about my book) and Michelle Rowen (who I believe could get me in a lot of trouble *g*). I also met Jim McCarthy, an agent for Dystel and Goderich. Don’t let the picture on the website fool you. He’s lost a ton of weight and looks fab. He was my date for the Harlequin party. I don’t think I’ve laughed that hard in a long time. Funny, funny man. An author would be lucky to be represented by him.
The signing I did for Tor on Saturday went well. I had one box of books left over, but went through four. There seemed to be a lot of excitement. Hopefully it’ll carry through to when the book is released. I plan to mail out some more ARC’s to booksellers and will hold contests in the future, since I’ve gotten such a lovely response.
The conference is a bit of a blur. It seemed like I went from appointment to appointment between trying to meet up with friends. I did do something I haven’t done in a long time. I went to as many publisher signings as I could. My BOX of books arrives tomorrow. Gulp. I grabbed a lot of books I’d been after for a while and some that just looked interesting. A couple of friends were kind enough to go get UF’s for me while I participated in the Tor signing. And I am truly grateful. I cannot wait to spread them all out on the bed and drool. Yes, I enjoy getting books far more than clothes shopping. 
I probably won’t attend RWA next year. Instead, I’m going to the Romantic Times conference in Orlando. It’ll be after RED comes out and before SCARLET is released. A good time, I think. I’m also going to try to attend BEA again. I really enjoyed that conference and it’s in N.Y. next year. I should be able to meet up with my agent and editors while enjoying the expo.
I’m opening the blog up to questions. If you have any, fire away.
Whee, space opera! There’s not enough of it.
Welcome back, glad you’re recovering. Is there any Harlequin news you know of, even though you weren’t at the spotlight?
by Charli August 6th, 2008 at 2:45 pmCharli, You were missed.
The only thing I heard about Harlequin was that the sales were up. They are going to expand more of their e-books by doing more shorts (beyond Nocturne Bites and Spice) and they’re looking for authors.
It was really a lot of the same ol’, same ol’ with the various publishing companies. Most said that historicals are coming back (I didn’t know that they’d left.) and the paranormal market is getting tighter. Not really a surprise
by Jordan Summers August 6th, 2008 at 2:55 pmI missed breakfast with Michelle Rowen and coffee with you. Sniff. But I was already exhausted so I’m glad I didn’t exhaust myself more by staying in SF.
Snicker on historicals. And yeah, paranormal’s been tight for a while, I think. Good news for Harlequin!
by Charli August 6th, 2008 at 4:01 pmHey J! I’m glad you had a good conference. I missed coming. At least I’ll get to see you in Orlando at RT in 09.
Any noise about how UF and YA are doing? What editors are looking for in those areas?
by Vivi Anna August 6th, 2008 at 5:43 pmCharli, I’m glad you took care of yourself.
by Jordan Summers August 6th, 2008 at 7:07 pmVivi, The YA market is still very healthy. Obviously as things go along it will get tighter, but for now it’s a good place to be if you have the voice for it.
The UF fantasy market seems to be in a state of flux because frankly, no one seems to understand what an UF is. The definitions at the conference were all over the place—much like erotic romance. A lot of things are being tagged as UF, when in fact they’re paranormal romances and a lot of things are being called romances that are clearly UF’s. In the end, I think it will only HURT the UF genre.
by Jordan Summers August 6th, 2008 at 7:09 pmThe conference sounds like it was fun. Our New Zealand one is in 9 days.
by Suzanne Perazzini August 7th, 2008 at 1:55 amThanks for the info. I went into the Tor site as I have a couple of ms’s which would be perfect to submit to them but the whole issue of sending snail mail and having to have US postage on a letter completely throws me so I closed the site. Snail mail just seems so obsolete now.
One day I will get to the US conference then I will meet all the writers I have been in contact with for so many years. It will be great fun. Raine, if you’re out there, you had better come too. I’ll let you know when.
YAY!! I’ll see you in Orlando!
RWA sounds like it was a great time. Thanks for the rundown.
by Sasha August 7th, 2008 at 10:26 amSuzanne, The conference was fun. There were a lot of folks from Oz and N.Z. there. Your post office should be able to handle postage for you. I know it’s inconvenient, but if that’s what they require, then at least it’s only a one-time thing. They do most everything else by email. Only you can decide whether the effort is worth it.
by Jordan Summers August 7th, 2008 at 1:21 pmSasha, It was a nice time. Very laid back.
Can’t wait to see you in Orlando.
by Jordan Summers August 7th, 2008 at 1:22 pmWelcome back, and thanks for the information.
by BernardL August 7th, 2008 at 2:16 pmBernard, I looked for you, but I didn’t see you.
Thanks!
by Jordan Summers August 7th, 2008 at 2:37 pmYAY! I get to see you and Sasha in Orlando ;-). It’s going to be melting hot.
Thanks for the great company after the Ritas. It was fun talking to you. Conferences always seem to be quick “his” and “byes” to me, and I really enjoy a nice conversation and gossip session. Let’s do it again!
by Gennita Low August 10th, 2008 at 9:19 amGennita, It was great seeing you, too. Sorry I was so tired by the time we really got the chance to talk. We’ll definitely catch up in Orlando.
by Jordan Summers August 10th, 2008 at 6:35 pmJordan, thanks so much for the info on what Tor’s looking for. I’m going to link to this when I do a roundup at the end of the week. It’ll make a lot of aspiring SFR writers very happy.
by Heather August 11th, 2008 at 1:45 pm[…Jordan Summers…posted an update from RWA that all of you aspiring SFR writers won’t want to miss.[…]
by The Galaxy Express: Stand By For Action! August 14th, 2008 at 9:13 pmYou’re too sweet! I just got a query from someone who saw my name here, so I came to scope out what you were saying about me! Lovely meeting you and getting to spend some time together at the Harlequin party. You’re warm and wonderful, and I wish you oodles of success!
by Jim August 25th, 2008 at 8:02 pmJim, Thank you! (((Hugs))) I meant every word. I had a great time. My stomach hurt from laughing so hard. I appreciate being called sweet. *g* Although, I think you and I define that word differently.
LOL!
That’s so cool! I hope more people submit to you. I’ve been recommending you to various folks.
by Jordan Summers August 28th, 2008 at 3:25 pm