I’ve finally recovered from my week-long trip to San Antonio, and today I caught up with the rest of the house and yard work. It’s amazing how fast I can fall behind when I’m gone for just a few days. Thank goodness, my daughter is a wonderful help around the house.
San Antonia took me way out of my comfort zone. I’m a small town girl, and there were over 2000 romance writers at the convention, which is nearly a third of my town’s population! 
The workshops were wonderful, though there were so many of them, it was impossible to take them all in. The Beau Monde Mini conference and soiree were a blast. Yes, I dressed up in my Regency finery. 
It was very interesting to see the agents and editors interacting with the authors, who were understandably nervous. I quickly figured out who’d I’d love to pitch to (Laura Bradford was adorable, as were several others) and who I’d avoid pitching to.
You see, three hours of observation can teach you a lot. For instance, I discovered, which agents and editors are personable, who try to put the author at ease and interact with them, even if they aren’t interested. I also found there were a few, and I do mean just a few, who bordered on rude and whose body language screamed, “I don’t give a damn.” Crossing your arms, leaning back in your chair, and staring at the table instead of interacting with the anxious author pouring their heart out across from you, or looking at your cell phone while the author is still talking, put a few of them on my, I’d-never-pitch-to-that . . .
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| A couple of my Romance Writers Weekly friends |
Well, you fill in the blank.
Food was expensive and service slow, but with that many people taking over the Marriott Rivercenter and Marriott Riverwalk, both were to be expected.
It as hot, hot, hot, and muggy! I didn’t get much sleep due to the two hour time change, all the activities, and my excitement.
I’ll make some changes the next time I go to a conference, the most important being, I’ll network more. I’ll get my chance in October. I’m headed to the Emerald City Conference in Seattle.
Tootles for now!
Collette
