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The Lone Star Experience

Happy Wednesday All,

Tuesday's give away was a HUGE success! We had a ton of entries--I think probably over 60? 

The winner of Kerrelyn Sparks' signed copy of Sexiest Vampire Alive is Debra G. (she emailed in her entry to me) and Debra's favorite vampire is Roman Dragnesti (whose story can be found in the first Love At Stake novel, How To Marry A Millionaire Vampire).

Thank you to everyone who entered. I noticed that Angus, Ian, Roman, and Robby were extremely popular. I saw a lot of Gregori and Phineas fans as well. Maybe I'll run a poll one day and find out which one wins.

As you all know, on my birthday (Oct. 15th--this past Saturday) I attended the Northwest Houston RWA's Lone Star Conference. Alexandra Sokoloff was the keynote speaker and from what I heard (I wasn't in the conference room the whole time) she was really good. She seemed really nice--I met her briefly at the Meet & Greet party the night before.

 A big round of applause, kudos, thanks, hugs, toasting and the crowd cheering wildly goes to Jenn (President of NWHRWA) and Stacey (1st V.P. of NWHRWA). These two spearheaded the Conference and were incredible hostesses.

I know they had a lot of help and those people were incredible, too. Everyone involved worked hard to make the conference the success it was and the deserve so much credit and a standing ovation!

The great and awesome Christie Craig gave a wonderful lunch talk on being a writer and working hard. I admire this woman so much. She's such an inspiration to me. If you haven't read her books, please do. Her Romance novels are pure comic genius in my opinion. And, if you get to meet her in person, consider yourself blessed. She's a sweetheart.
 
I also got to hang out with chapter-mate and published author, Tea Trelawny. She is another sweetheart who is fun to hang out with. I sat next to her through part of the Conference. She's so encouraging and kind. I count myself lucky to know her.


We had three really nice agents and one really nice editor come to the conference. One of the agents, Taylor Martindale (of Full Circle Literary Agency) and I got to talk some at the Meet & Greet Party the night before and she's so much fun! She made me feel very much at ease during my pitch. I also had a nice conversation with Pam Hopkins of Hopkins Literary Associates and a good conversation with Natalie M. Lakosil from the Bradford Literary Agency. I didn't pitch to editor Kelli Collins of Ellora's Cave, but I've heard very good things about her and she seemed very nice, too.

I don't have a picture of Alexandra Sokoloff (keynote speaker) Here's a photo I took of the conference room (it's bigger than it looks):

Lone Star Conference with Alexandra Sokoloff

Like I said, the quality isn't so great, but that's basically how it was set up. We were in one of the ballrooms at a hotel--it was a big room (this picture doesn't do it justice) and the whole staff and everyone was extremely nice to us.

Maybe next year some of you other writers who weren't able to come this year will join us. It's truly a wonderful experience!

Hope you enjoyed this little taste of the Lone Star.

Have A Whimsical Wednesday!

Comments

C.C. Hunter said…
I agree Bethany. It was a fabulous conference.

CC
Bethany said…
C.C. Thank you so much for dropping by--you rock! :-)

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