My RWA Recap Back to Blog
Okay, now that things are getting semi back to normal here in Alabama, I can finally get around to giving my RWA Recap. So, here goes:
I arrived late Wednesday–just in time to check in and then hop over to the Literacy Signing. Wow–talk about wild. The place was packed! So many authors, so many readers. After the signing, I went to The Gathering. Great event–several editors and agents spoke about the paranormal genre (and there was a chocolate fountain!!!–talk about my kind of event…). I sat at a table with several wonderful authors, including Jeri Smith-Ready. Her book, Eyes of Crow, will be released from Luna on Octover 24. (After reading the blurb, I can’t wait to get my hands on the book!)
On Thursday, I attended the Crime in Mind workshop and then a body disposal workshop–both were great. Later, I took a trip to the aquarium with Nick and Jack–the place was jam packed with people, but I still enjoyed seeing the Beluga whales and the whale sharks. Thursday night, I went to the eHarlequin PJ party–very fun.
Friday was full of workshops. I attended several spotlights and went to the Passionate Ink luncheon. Then I joined in for the Blaze anniversary party. For dinner, I met with the Red Sage authors–what a great bunch of ladies! Everyone was so gracious and fun!
By Saturday, I was pretty much exhausted. I pitched to an editor, got a request for a full, and attended more spotlights.
So, from all my spotlights, here are a few highlights:
NAL (New American Library) prefers agented submissions, but will consider unsolicited materials. Unsolicited submissions should be mailed to: Editorial/Romance, New American Library, 375 Hudson, New York, NY 10014. Initial submissions should include the following: a cover letter, first 3 chapters of the work, a synopsis of 5-10 pages, and a SASE. The current response time is 3 to 4 months.
To submit a historical or contempoary romance (including paranormals) to Avon, you must query first. Send the query to avonromance@harpercollins.com. Also, here’s a fun bit of info on Avon–check out their fanlit site: www.avonfanlit.com. Editors and writers will be teaming up on the fanlit site to write a novella. Very interesting idea.
Okay, that’s all my news for now. I brought home a ton of free books, met a lot of really wonderful writers (PJ, Lynda, Leigh C., Leigh W., Jane, Rachelle, Terri, Rae, Calista, MK, and many, many more) and I met a great lady from Germany who is operating the equivalent of a German Romantic Times–it’s called LoveLetter Magazin.
So, my verdict? Interesting, informative, but oh, so tiring…I think I need to sleep for at least 3 days in order to fully recover.
Tweet It
Thanks so much for sharing your news, snd best of luck with that request, well done! I’d be a bundle of nerves if I had to present in person 😉
Hi Cynthia,
I’m so glad you posted, since I didn’t get your card. Now I know your last name! 🙂
I was at the body disposal workshop, too. I always wondered if someone could really claw their way out of a coffin if they were buried alive (or reanimated as a zombie or vampire), but from what she said, not likely!
Thanks for mentioning me and my book, and best of luck with that submission.
Hi, Saskia! While I was at the conference, I attended a spotlight on Black Lace Publishing–isn’t that one of your publishers?
Jeri–thanks for dropping by! And I agree–seems like the chance of clawing out of a coffin is pretty slim.
Cynthia, if you slept 3 days I’m figuring you’rea awake by now. Thanks for the National recap. The body disposal workshop sounds…unusual.*g*
Alas, Edie, I was denied my precious sleep. The baby is teething, and there is no rest to be found here! 🙂
And the body disposal workshop truly was fun!