That is what I call the RWA National Conference. And it’s that time again.
I always dread going and I always have a much better time than I think I will. In my pessimism, I only remember the incidents which confound me – like the persistent statement, “I know that historicals aren’t selling…” This came up repeatedly at RT. I got so annoyed (to be fair I was coming down with pneumonia) that I threw up my hands and begged the heavens to “Take me now!”
You know this how? Because nobody who sits behind a desk in a publishing house or literary agency is going to say something so silly.
Which brings me to my point. There is an absolutely staggering amount of misinformation circulating out there. I don’t know whether conferences like RWA and RT do a tremendous amount to minimize this but give us credit, those of us who attend, give workshops, author/editor appointments and the like – we are trying.
If you get your industry information from someone who is not employed in the industry, I beg you, be skeptical. Ask, “You know this how?”
Hey, Kate! I’m not going to make RWA’s conference this year due to “other” issues going on. Sure would like to see you and Hilary, but…
As for misinformation, I *listen* to very few people and those folks are the important ones in any particular industry. *Information* usually starts as mere gossip and typically escalates to total BS. Just sayin’…
Can’t wait to see you, Kate!
have fun ladies
Not every industry professional is in the know…at my agent appointment at National last year, as soon as the words “western historical” were out of my mouth, the agent waved me away. Said she couldn’t do anything with those.
I just got the cover flat for that book. Maybe she couldn’t sell it, but I sure could. (Have I said thank you lately, Kate?)
No, I thank you. RACHEL AND THE HIRED GUN will be published in Zebra on 1/09.
Kate
Hey, have fun. Some of us are staying home, so you have to make up the difference at RWA
I’m going, and cannot wait to see my online friends and some of my favorite authors, plus I look forward to exploring a little of San Fran.
As for historicals not selling, I just laugh. I buy more of those than any other kind of book, and I buy A LOT of books. Plus I know many, many readers who also buy lots of historicals, so that comment is rather amusing to me. And rather outdated – I’ve heard it for at least the last 3 years (rolling eyes).
Isn’t it weird? You buy lots, we sell lots…Elaine gets told, “No way, Jose.” Just plain silly.
Kate
Even if a LOT of historicals aren’t selling, it’s obvious that some are, or bookstores wouldn’t be stocking them. They might just not be super “hot” right then. Who knows though, everybody is dooming and glooming every genre and subgenre.
I keep hearing “vampires aren’t selling anymore.” (we’re all very paranoid about losing our vampires)
I don’t see that at all. The Twilight movie is coming out (unless it’s out already, I don’t always keep up with what’s at the box office.) I didn’t read Harry Potter until after the first movie, and after the movie, the sales climbed even higher. I know people who NEVER read romance, or about vampires, who have jumped on the Twilight bandwagon. For some it’s a fluke, but I think for many, they will be looking for more vampire romance. And it’s a YA, that both adults and YA readers are reading.
I think Twilight is going to bring in a lot more vampire readers and honestly I don’t think they are going to care what was on the shelf available 5 years ago, or how many times it’s been done, cause it’s new to THEM. Anyway sorry for that rant/ramble. I just think anyone who thinks vamps are about to die is smoking the wacky weed. Or not paying attention. Or really cynical, or a combo of the above.
Hi, Kate!
Meet in the hotel bar for a drink (or two).
Is it true that there’s no market for Victorian pirate cross-dressing vampires?
See you in San Fran!
Only if they can shift into fluffy white kittens.
See you soon, my firend.
Kate
That should have been “friend”. But you knew that.
I freaked the first time I heard historicals weren’t selling. They are my escape, my therapy, my binky. They’ve gotten me through every horrible life event I’ve experienced. I don’t know what I’d do if they disappeared from the shelves! LOL
Fortunately, I’ve never had difficulty finding great historicals to buy.
I have a Regency/Napoleonic “thing” but I’m thinking those westerns are looking mighty intriguing too…
‘In Bed With A Stranger’ will release in June 2009….I love writing historicals…..
Mary Wine
I feel your conference pain, Kate. I’m sitting here at RWA avoiding crowds and reading blogs.
At RT Houston I was told fantasy romance was dead. Yesterday, a friend of mine was told the same by an agent.
My only romance sales have been fantasy romance.
Chasing trends seems fruitless considering that by the time a manuscript is written to trend, shopped and sold, the trend will likely be yesterday’s news.
I’d much rather write what spirits me away from the everday tedium and worry about the business aspects of writing later.
Maybe I’m an idealist, but if I’m not in love with what I’m writing, I doubt anyone else will be, either.
Hope your conference was a wonderful one.