(Or, how I spent my week in New York!)
Yes, I attended the RWA National Conference in NYC, and it was a memorable week.
First off, I realized it was the 10-year anniversary of the first RWA conference I attended, in New Orleans in 2001. Then, I was wide-eyed, overwhelmed, and intimidated. I ran from workshop to workshop, absorbing knowledge and envying all the published authors.
This year, I had a published author band on my name tag, and a speaker sticker because I was presenting a workshop. I did attend some workshops, but I missed others because I was off meeting with my editors (how cool to be drinking Sancerre in a lovely French bistro, chatting with my editor and assistant editor!) or signing books at publisher give-aways.
A lot has changed in my own career, but there’s also a tidal wave of change in the industry, resulting in part from the huge growth in electronic books but also in part from the economic downturn. Readers’ purchasing habits are changing and everyone who works in the industry—writers, editors, publishers, agents, booksellers, distributors—is facing job redefinition. We have no idea what things will look like in 5 years—or even 1 year! It’s exciting, and scary.
But the week wasn’t all business. I did manage to free up a little personal time in NYC and here are a few highlights:
• Buying an orange cupcake at the Magnolia Bakery in Greenwich Village—the one made famous by Sex And The City. It was yummy! And strolling the peaceful streets of the Village early Friday evening, only a 5-minute subway ride from the hustle and bustle of Times Square.
• Attending a Sunday matinee of The Addams Family, starring the incomparable Bebe Neuwirth as Morticia—then finding out it was her very last performance. The audience was included in the goodbye remarks, and saw the hugs and tears. It was a special New York moment I’ll always remember.
• Have you been wondering where Daniel Radcliffe comes in? Well, I saw him and John Larroquette in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Who knew Harry Potter could sing and dance like that—and who knew he was only 5’5”—and how fabulous to see Larroquette, at the age of 63 (and the height of 6’4”!), make his Broadway debut.
Yes, it was quite the week, and it’s good to be home and immersed in the next story!
It was also lovely, last Friday, to have the courier deliver a package of cover flats for my December Brava, the 4th in my Wild Ride to Love series, Yours, Unexpectedly. What do you think? Is a bridal gown cover a hook for you?
If you’d like an autographed cover, I’d be happy to send you one. Just pop over to my website and use the Contact form to make the request, and give me your mailing address.
Hi Susan!
Thoroughly enjoyed reading about your time at conference, especially about what you did during your ‘down time.’ What a great time you had! Love the cover for sure! Great post! Lisa
Thanks so much, Lisa! And thanks for dropping by.
Love hearing about your experiences in NYC and at RWA conference. Wish I could have made the trip.
I did know that Daniel Radcliffe was only 5’5″ and only realized how short that is when I saw a clip of his Broadway performance a couple of weeks ago. He sure looked like he was having fun with this new part.
As for the cover, I do like the wedding dress and will watch for it this winter. I think I would like the picture better without the gloves so that we could see her crossed fingers better. Long sleeves of lace and bare fingers would bring more contrast into the picture. That said, it really only needs your name on it in order to wind up in my shopping bag.
Aw, Laurel, you’re so sweet! And I agree that I wouldn’t have minded bare hands. Do brides really wear gloves? That doesn’t quite seem right to me – I mean, he has to put the ring on her finger, so does she peel off the gloves, or does he? I obviously have very little experience with formal weddings. Hmm, I got curious so checked out Kate Middleton and nope, no gloves!
As for Daniel — yes, he was definitely having fun. I was so impressed. Great singing voice, a pretty fine dancer too, and he got so into the character. We had really good seats and it was such a kick to see how wet his hair was, and see the sweat on his face. He put so much energy into the performance, and it’s not like he ever has to work another day in his life, right? He’s doing this because he loves it, and to grow as an actor. Gotta respect that!
Your bridal cover is fabulous! Love it.
I’m not surprised about Daniel. Remember how Ron Weasley towers over Harry in later movies?
Thanks, Mia. I love the cover too.
It must be strange to cast kids for a series, then see what happens as they grow up.
Nice cover. Makes me wish I’d worn one of those. I got married in a borrowed maternity dress. Still together and happy twenty years later, so it all worked out. Congrats on the new book, it looks good.
Well, as we romantics know, it’s the happy ending that really counts. But I wish you could have had the gorgeous dress. Ever thought of a renewal of vows ceremony? Maybe for your 21st anniversary?
Beautiful cover! Intriguing title! Sounds like you had a blast in New York.
Thanks, Vonnie. Yes, I had a great time. I’d have loved to have more time to explore one of my favorite cities, but my writing deadline, and my pocketbook
, didn’t allow for that.
Great cover, Susan! And congratulations on your ten year anniversary with the RWA National Conference. Wow, have you ever accomplished a heck of a lot in ten years!!
Thanks, Jacqui. Of course I’d been writing for awhile before I ever went to that first RWA conference. And then I didn’t go again until 2005 (Reno), when I went with a first sale and a Golden Heart finalist ribbon on my badge. But I didn’t win the GH the way you did!
That is short, Susan. No wonder JL’s arms looked so long. But, wait. He’s 6’4″,so his arms ARE long.
It was an amazing show.
Congrats on Yours, Unexpectedly. That’s one beautiful cover.
And I think Larroquette looked even taller because Radcliffe is so short, and vice versa. But they were both great together.
Here’s hoping that bridal dress cover flies off the shelves!