Another big, big day for the Story Carnivores!
We started out with a couple of workshops. You’d think that at a writer’s conference, there would be time for oodles of workshops. And oodles are available, believe me. But between trying to fit in pitches, going to meetings and parties, and just trying to remember to take a breath once in a while, there is never time for all of those you really want to attend. We attended one on writing GLBT relationships, and one where the panel talked about the money side of being a writer.
The keynote luncheon speaker was Stephanie Laurens. She talked a lot about how publishing is shifting toward digital, but authors shouldn’t be afraid because it just brings us closer to our readers. There were charts and cartoons involved, and it was pretty inspiring. (Although, I think it’s a little bit easier for an already-best-selling author to dismiss the importance of having a big publisher behind a new book.)
After the luncheon, we spent some time working on Brian’s pitches (tomorrow’s the day!) Then we went to my agency’s party. It. Was. So. Crazy. Cool. We had drinks. With my agent. Because I have a literary agent! A really killer one, too. I got to hug her for the first time. And eat lunch with C.C. Hunter, who has the same agent. I made a dinner date for tomorrow night with a woman who shares my editor. I’m so looking forward to that.
After the party, we went to a local indie bookstore. I know. I know. We’re surrounded by books. Over the next two days we’ll be loaded down with them. But we couldn’t resist. The store was the kind we both love–wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling books, with surprises around every corner.
Then we found a locally-owned Mexican restaurant where we had fruity margaritas and incredible food for a fraction of what it costs to eat at a hotel across the street from Disneyland. Score!
Big day tomorrow! We’ll be back to report on how it goes!!
