This weekend, Fodder and I packed a suitcase and a snack bag and hit the road. I decided at the eleventh hour to attend the North Louisiana Storytellers and Authors of Romance (NOLA Stars) Written in the Stars conference, and I’m sure glad I did.
Friday evening, I arrived in time to hook up with my DSRA pal, Nena Clements, and say hi to fellow Arkansan, Keri Ford. I was also in time for the food and fun of the meet and greet reception. 🙂
Saturday was jam-packed with great workshops, a chance to meet some writers I’ve only chatted with online, and (dun-dun-dun) my first-ever, live pitch to an agent or editor. That’s right. I have 8 novels, 16 novellas and over a dozen short stories published without ever having to sell a story with just the words coming out of my mouth.
You know what I learned?
I’m no good at it. The second I got past the introduction, my thoughts went haywire and all semblance of cool went flying out the door. I…am a babbler. Thankfully, the agent and editor that I spoke to were both very kind and patient. They’re also at least partially fluent in babble, because they both asked to see what I was offering.
So…yay! I did it! And now I know what I need to work on before zipping out to NYC for RWA nationals. Well, that and the stories I want to write before I go. So this week, I will once again be preparing submission packages for Full Court Press.
*claps and bounces* I’m just so relieved that people seem interested. I’m also relieved that I don’t have to do that again until July.
How about you? Are you a savvy salesperson? Can you talk your way through anything? Or, are you one of those people who purposefully chose a major that involved mainly essay tests and blue books?
First off, major congrats to you on a successful weekend! I’m not the least bit surprised that people are interested in what you have to offer. So thrilled that you managed to lure a few agents! 🙂
The idea of a live pitch even terrifies me a little, and I’m a teacher, born and bred to BS my way through anything. 😉 I actually laugh about it sometimes. I’m a lot more shy than people realize, but when I get up to ‘perform’, so to speak, after the initial stutter-steps, I come alive. I soak up the attention and spout out sheer and utter brilliance (or at least that’s how it sounds in my head). 😀
The only reason I’m commenting here is because I can type out my words. If I had to rely on face-to-face speech I’d be hiding under something. In fact, I probably ‘talk’ more now, thanks to the internet, than I ever did in person.
Congrats on your successful weekend! I’m not surprised people were interested, though, because your story ideas are always awesome!
Yay and congrats. You were born to do live pitches. Really. I can hardly believe it was your first.