Romance Writers Gone Wild August 13, 2009

Ever Wondered what happens at the RWA National Conference? I just posted an article at www.AWritersTools.com that will give you the lowdown.

Is the RWA Conference Worth the Price? March 16, 2009

As Seen From a First-Timers POV

Having been one of many first-timers attending 2008 the RWA Conference in San Francisco (RWA standing for Romance Writers of America), I have been asked by other first-timers one simple question…“Was it worth it?”

“Was it worth it?” I think as I consider my four-day adventure. “Was it worth the more than $1,000 price tag for registration, hotel fees, and travel costs?” My answer is a resounding YES, and here are 20 Reasons Why:

1. No kids and no husband for four full days! (Do I really need to go on? Yes? OK…)
2. More then 2,000 women excited about romance. (How liberating…and how energizing. You’ll come back inspired and ready to tackle that manuscript.)
3. You get to meet all of your favorite romance authors, get their autographs, and even get pictures taken with them.
4. You will be surprised to find that the biggest Bestselling Romance Authors are just like you. (Some have day jobs, families, writer’s block, editor denials…the list goes on and on.)
5. Hundreds of free books from each publishing company, as well as…
6. Another dozen free books just for registering, and attending the luncheons, plus
7. An onsite bookstore with tons of books about Romance Writing that you will not find in your local bookshop, AND
8. Discounted shipping to send your books home (instead of toting them through the airport).
9. A chance to meet and pitch to editors face to face…
10. Or stalk editors if you didn’t get an appointment (not that I did this… ),
11. As well as find an Agent.
12. A chance to meet other first-timers new to the romance industry (great to know you’re not alone),
13. And a chance to meet other published writers more then willing to offer you hours of free advice on breaking into the industry (…advice which needs to be taken with a grain of salt).
14. The realization that you are never too old to break into the industry,
15. …or too young.
16. Dozens of workshops to choose from for wherever you are in your writing career.
17. A chance to hear Editors pitch to you exactly what kind of stories they are looking for,
18. The Goody Room (where you can find tons of great free gifts from hundreds of published authors),
19. The Midnight Madness Bizarre (where you can help support other chapters by purchasing really cool stuff for really cheap),
20. And of course, the chance to see the City when you are not at the conference.

There are many other reasons, of course. However, I listed some of the biggest realizations that I made, although I was also lucky enough to find my new critique partner in San Francisco (a HUGE bonus for me). So, no matter what you are looking for, be sure to go to at least one conference in your writing career. It will change the way you look at the Romance Writing Industry forever.