It’s been a week since the 33rd annual conference of Romance Writers of America concluded in Atlanta, Georgia and the boost I received by attending will last me until the the next one in San Antonio a year from now. I’ve been an RWA member for about thirty years and have attended countless RWA annual conferences around the country so I should be jaded by now. But I’m not.
This conference kicked off with approximately 400 authors including Heather Graham, Cathy Maxwell, Carla Neggers and Mary Burton autographing books in an event open to the public. All proceeds went to literacy and approximately $55,000 was raised.
Each year the conference program offers so many tracks that there’s something for everyone, whether a beginning or published author. Or, as was pointed out at the conference, a hybrid author, one who is both traditionally and self-published. This new term is just one example of how the publishing industry is changing and how helpful it is to associate with several thousand other writers, editors and agents to expand one’s knowledge. For many like myself, it’s also an opportunity to see friends and acquaintances.
Particularly memorable was the conference keynote address by Cathy Maxwell, best-selling author of more than 30 romance novels. I was honored to sit at her table surrounded by her publisher, editor and publicity director representing Avon Books along with authors and friends. Cathy recounted attending her first conference and realizing that she was “where she was meant to be” and using discipline and focus to achieve her dream of becoming a published author. But the overall theme was that each of us is “good enough” and that we shouldn’t ever doubt ourselves. Our table sat spellbound–some with tears in their eyes–and coffee and a delicious cheesecake went untouched while Cathy held us mesmerized.
At the conclusion of her speech, Cathy was presented with a gift from RWA and later urged to unwrap it at our table. It was a beautiful crystal pencil holder! Her day wasn’t yet over as Cathy later spoke on a panel titled “What’s a High-Concept Series (and How Do I Write One)?
New York Times bestselling author Carla Neggers and I found time to chat between her autographings and workshop titled “Writing as Work/ Writing as Play: Does It Have to Be Either/Or?” Carla reports hearing that many industry “insiders” feel romantic suspense is on the upswing.
I had many workshops circled in each day’s program. The problem is that often several are at the same time, the room is filled to standing room only or you meet a friend who urges you to join her for coffee, lunch or a drink. What’s a gal to do? Thank goodness most of the programs are recorded and I ordered the full set. I’m planning on listening to all those that I missed!
Free Autographed Books!
Oh, did I mention the publisher book signings? Authors assemble in large rooms and sit at tables with stacks of their FREE books. Each author autographs for fans who stand in line until books are all gone. Fortunately, there is a mailing facility in the hotel for the books that so many attendees ship home. I didn’t always get to each of these signings–held over various days–but did get autographed copies of the latest Lisa Gardner and Karen Robards books!
Mary Burton, whose most recent book is The Seventh Victim and who also writes as Mary Ellen Taylor (The Union Street Bakery), ran out of books before I reached her but she did have a few bookmarks left for fans! When asked about her conference experience, Mary said, “Love the gal who spoke about nutrition. Dr Ann? (Boost Energy–Beat Stress with Ann Kulze, MD) She had great advice. Also it’s just great catching up with old friends and talking shop with writers. I talk about POV at home and eyes glaze over. :)”
Sally and Jude Deveraux
Besides multiple workshop tracks (Career, Craft, Self-Publishing, Spotlight, Writer’s Life and Research plus untaped workshops for published authors only) there are also private cocktail parties and dinners. At the Ballantine Bantam Dell cocktail party, held at the White Oak Kitchen & Cocktails, I enjoyed seeing Linda Marrow and Gina Wachtel who both welcomed me so warmly. Of course, meeting Jude Deveraux, romance industry legend, was a treat.
An invite from author Bonnie Vanak to accompany her to the Harlequin party afterwards was a hoot and a group piled into our cab to the Ritz Carlton. The cab driver thought we broke his record for the number of passengers in his cab! One of whom was the delightful Ann Major, author of 70 novels and a founding member of RWA. She’d sent me a lovely note of encouragement at an especially low point in my life so it was a distinct pleasure to finally meet her. We enjoyed our time at the Harlequin party complete with an array of fabulous desserts and dance music and later left to enjoy a leisurely dinner at our hotel. Oddly, nearly everyone we’d been hanging out with at the party arrived to join us there! Nothing like a late dinner with friends both old and new.
Saturday was more workshops. Enjoyed listening to Barbara Freethy and Belle Andre chat about self publishing. Belle said the best thing an ebook author can do to promote her first book is to write a second book. In another workshop, three authors including Susan Mallery discussed their guide to building and developing a “street team” of fans who help create buzz about an author’s books. Not for the faint of heart and it takes a commitment of time and talent but all felt very effective as evidenced by publishers also establishing such “teams.”
If you’d like to know more about what others learned at the conference, I recommend reading the following blogs by Bonnie Vanak and Barbara Vey. We all had different experiences which is what makes the annual RWA conference so wonderful and inspirational.
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