Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Flops and Victories: More of the SCWW Experience

Saturday morning, I spilled coffee all over the breakfast table and added a beautiful stain border to Craig Faris's freebee signup sheet. I learned that it's best to remove my swinging purse from my shoulder BEFORE I lean across my coffee. Everyone else at the table agreed this was a valuable lesson, except Craig, who, being a man not from San Francisco, does not carry a purse.

Patti Callahan Henry was the keynote, and you wouldn't believe how approachable she is! I hope I'm always able to conduct myself with that kind of enthusiasm and outright bubbliness, when I'm a published author.
My mom, myself with derpface, and Patti.

I finally met agent Sorche Fairbank, after a couple of years of missing her throughout the conference. Last year and this year, I'd heard people talk about her critiques with glowing praise. Two different writers spoke of her in hushed voices, as if she were a secret. I informed her of this somewhat mystical reputation.

As for my personal victories, Sunrise is back in action. I pitched, and the the stronger chances held true. Yay for full manuscript requests. I was much less nervous than last year. I had overprepared and built the pitches up in my head as these monumental moments. And spending some time at Random House probably developed my comfort level and confidence.

Harry Potter references make great ice breakers. In certain scenarios, so do Fifty Shades innuendoes.






2 comments:

  1. LOL! Yes, Sorche does indeed have some sort of magic, there is no doubt. I heard rumors of her psychic abilities this year and I don't doubt them at all. And yes, Patti Callahan Henry was fantastic and approachable. This is such a fun conference. It's no wonder people come from all over the country to attend.

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    1. Hahaha! She can read the fortune of your literary career in the palm lines of your query letter.... :)

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