Windy City – Romance Writers of American Conference, held 2/22/2019 to 2/23/2019
I think this is a “guest speaker” meeting of RWA, more than a conference. There are no literary agents to grab for a pitch. No editors to elbow in the elevator. No one even bothered to ask if I’m writing or if I have a business card. (What?!)
Tonight, thriller novelist James Scott Bell spoke on indie publishing (previously known as self-publishing). Entertaining speaker! Humorous, engaging. Huge fan of his book, “Revision and Self-Editing for Publication.” I’m going to bother him for a selfie tomorrow. (Eek!)
Am I interested in indie publishing? No. I like the idea of an agent loving my book alongside me, defending me, helping me to word my pitches, coaching me when I get hot-under-the-collar from an editor’s comment. Not to mention traditional publishing means they have their own cover design artists.
Did you know James Scott Bell started to indie publish exclusively? Me either! That’s daring! He’s really in with the times! How cool is that?
Favorite part of the night:
Coming back to the empty, silent hotel room. The empty, uncluttered desk. My laptop and me. I plan on editing ten more pages for the ACFW Genesis Contest.
You know what? There’s a word for this. It’s called a “Writer’s Retreat.” Except there is no registration, no other participants. Like six months from now I’ll book a hotel room and write for an evening, uninterrupted. (Unless I can reserve a cabin in the woods! Now we’re talking!)
But I couldn’t do this more than a day. The hotel room is so quiet. I miss the laughter from Barnabas and the pounding feet of Silas. The aggravation of Adam trying to corral two little boys.
More than anything I miss the mug of hot milk at bedtime.
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