What's Up Wednesday: RWA 2013 Nationals!

Hi all! Back from RWA Nationals in Atlanta. While my Ready. Set. Write! progress has stalled for July since I've been away most of the month, I did get more of a feel for my new project and even started some first lines during Michael Hauge's screenwriting to novel session because I got so excited. My hand actually turned green from the pen I was using--I was writing so fast the color rubbed off!

What I'm Reading:

On the plane, I finished an indie-pubbed New Adult novel called Game. Set. Match. by Jennifer Iacopelli, featuring three characters who intersect at a top-ranked training facility that prepares them for pro-level matches. I ate up the tennis stuff since I used to play and still occasionally watch the sport. I started this book while Wimbledon was on, so one day at the gym, I could read a snippet and look up at the TV monitors and see Serena Williams smash a baseline hit. I also started a Scottish Highlands historical romance based on a recommendation, and while I appreciate the details, it may not be for me.

Plus...

What I WILL Be Reading:
Omgz boooookssss

(Mostly) Free books!

RWA is a bonanza of free books. The conference tote bag is packed with at least ten books, so immediately after registration, you either dump all those books upstairs in your room, or lug them around, as I did, to your pre-conference workshop. (Aw, such a sad problem to have!)

Each keynote speaker lunch gives attendees two of the author's books on their chair. Publishing imprints host their own author book signings throughout the week--such as Avon or Sourcebooks--and those books are free and you can meet the author.

MOAR books!

I also paid for a few books at the massive literary signing the first night, where a portion of the proceeds go to various literary charities. Being a newbie, I just may have tried to hand some cash to Rachel Gibson for one of her paperbacks, not realizing that readers collect their books and then line up at the end to purchase in bulk. WHOOPS!

Rachel Gibson promo on the elevator door

Crowds at the literacy signing

What Inspires Me

The RWA conference inspired me on two levels: the workshops, meeting new writers, and learning industry stuff, and then on a second level, to realize how far I've come already. I attended a regional RWA conference in Chicago in early 2012, where it clicked for me that this writing hobby really needed to be treated like a business if I wanted to succeed in it. I'd been writing seriously for a year or so at that point, but wasn't ready to pitch to an agent, and I still needed a lot of help in how to craft a good story.

Laura Bradford & I

To think, just a year later, I signed with an agent and we're moving forward toward publication. I still feel like a newbie, but chatting with other writers at the conference, I found many were asking ME questions. Lots of writers go to conferences to pitch to an agent, or to prepare, learn, and grow before they query or self-publish. Realizing I was more toward the middle--not totally green, but far from experienced, was a cool little revelation. And at least with RWA, the Big Name authors are almost all very friendly and eager to share their knowledge and experiences.

Here's me and agency owner Laura Bradford, who my agent Sarah LaPolla works for. I sat next to her for YA Day and saw her a bunch of times througout the conference.

I've learned so much in the past few years outside of conferences. I've learned it from YOU. I want to give a BIG VIRTUAL HUG to all the bloggers who have posted query letter revisions, and offered critiques, writing advice, industry guidance, and everything else that helps mentor new writers. It's because of you, your blogs and this community, that I found the resources on how to research agents and industry standards. So THANK YOU!

Now here's a fun little collage from the conference:

The two women in the top row, right of my blinged-out name badge are India Powers and Sonali Dev, both Windy City members (my chapter) who were nominated for the Golden Heart, the RWA award for unpublished manuscripts. I met one of my agent's other clients, AJ Larrieu, who is fabulous, and another writer Karen Akins who I met because we found our agents through the same blog contest (Miss Snark). Also featured: Windy City and Chicago North RWA chapter members, me with historical romance writer Erin Knightley, some lost work gloves, Kristan Higgins as keynote speaker, Samhain Pub dance party, historical author Cathy Maxwell signing (who made us all cry at her keynote), and the downtown ATL skyline. Good times!

Here are a few links to other blogs with recaps and round-ups:
Top 10 tips, quotes, and advice I heard at RWA2013

The RITA winners with book reviews

Red Carpet Roundup! (including Yours Truly with my fancy fascinator, standing next to a cute blond in hatwear)

Author Roni Loren, Photos from RWA

Casablanca Authors cover the event, including FOOD PICS!

A chance to win the signed book haul from RT (Romantic Times Mag/conference)

What have you been up to this week? Have you met your reading or writing goals? Or did you take a really great vacation?