For anyone out there who is planning to go to the RWA conference and you’re panicking about pitches–check out this helpful post from Anna Genoese of Tor.

The other day, my mother-in-law asked me what my goals were for the upcoming RWA conference. Of course, I said that I wanted to get a fabulous book deal and land a super-star agent.

But is that going to happen?

Um, probably not. I don’t actually think an editor is going to take one look at me, hear my stellar pitch in an elevator, and immediately offer me a 7 book deal. (But that would be pretty awesome!)

So, what are some realistic goals?

1. Network. I want to get business cards from industry professionals. I want to meet them face-to face. I want to have a contact person at publishing houses and agencies.

2. Learn what the editors want. Attending “Spotlight” events will allow me to learn exactly what it is that editors are currently seeking for their lines. Once I learn this info, I’ll be able to better target my submissions. (And, yes, I’ll definitely post spotlight info that I gather on my blog.)

3. Mix and mingle with other writers. It’s not often that I get a chance to actually hang out with others who share my love for romance writing. I want to bask in the glow of like minds!

4. I want to learn how to kill my fictional lover. (Fun workshop on Friday night–50 ways to kill your lover should be discussed! Can’t wait!)

So, there you go. Four realistic goals. But, hey, should a book deal appear, well, you won’t hear me complaining…

Anyone else have any goals to share?

Now back to my creating my business cards.

Just a few more days until the big conference. Nick and I will be loading up the Element and heading out on Wednesday morning. I think we’ll have about 4 and a half hours of driving ahead of us. (I can’t remember exactly, even though we’ve been to Atlanta over a dozen times.)

Today I’ve started creating my business cards. I picked up a handy tip from the RWA website–I’m going to write short book blurbs on the back of my cards. I’ve got two books that I’d love to place, so I’ll do two versions of my cards–one with my straight paranormal romance description and the other with my erotic paranormal romance description. And maybe I’ll find some nice editors and agents who want these cards. (Oooh, got to think positive!)

Now, the last time I wrote a blog entry, I was ranting about my chain letter. Well, yesterday, our central air conditioning unit broke. Yep, no more nice, cool air. And when you live in the deep south, you truly need that nice, cool air. I could say this breakdown occurred b/c of my failure to send out the letter as instructed (cuz, yeah, it did cost me some money to get my central cooling unit up and running again), but since my bro-in-law works in the air conditioning business, I managed to get a great deal. So, is this chain letter punishment? Nah–I think it was just crummy luck.

Now a very random question: Am I the only one seriously intrigued by the promo commercials for Heroes?

Back to preparing for RWA…

Okay…so I go outside, all nice and happy, and pick up my mail around noon. Looking for those perky little SASEs that mean I’ve got either a request or a rejection coming to me. Instead, I find a plain, white envelope, no return address, waiting on me.

Hmmm…

I open it, still hoping that maybe it’s something involving my writing. Maybe–

But no! It’s a dang chain letter. Oh, I HATE chain letters. This is how my letter begins:

“Greetings! This is NOT a chian letter.” Um, yeah, it so is. Liar!!

The note goes on to read: “This letter has been sent to you because someone wants you to receive a financial blessing.” Bull. Someone wants to torture me.

Apparently, if I don’t send this letter off to 20 folks within the next 96 hours, I can expect all sorts of calamaties to befall me. For example, “While in the Philippines, Gene Welch lost his wife 51 days after receiving this letter which he failed to circulate. After circulating his copies, he received $7,500,000!” Call me crazy, but maybe that money was an insurance payment (assuming, of course that Gene and his dearly departed wife are actually real people–not that I think they are!). But wait–is this a threat? If I don’t send out the letter, can I expect something to happen to someone I love? Or, gasp, will I be like “a young woman in California” who was “plagued with various problems, including expensive car repairs”? Gee, what are the odds of a car breaking down and needing repairs?

The letter ends with this inspirational quote, “I don’t know what your beliefs are personally, but I believe in Blessings from God through Jesus Christ, Our Lord!!!” Well, just FYI, I do believe in God. But I don’t happen to believe in the power of a chain letter. So, yes, this letter will leave my hot hands within 96 hours–it will be tossed into the trash.

Oooohhh…I hate chain letters, chain emails.

Now back to looking for my SASEs in the mail.

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