Oh brother. I know I've been saying that I can see things changing in the publishing industry in the upcoming months, but THIS is NOT what I meant, nor is it anything but bad news.
Recently Harlequin announced their own 'self-publishing' division. Er, well. . . not really. You see it is actually an even more horrible state of affairs - it is VANITY publishing.
To recap for those of you not in the publishing circles:
Self-publishing = you do it all. You are the publishing house, you pay to have the book printed (like LULU) create cover art, edit. In return you ISBN is owned by you (will say Joe's publishing house), and you also get all the cashola you make (minus printing fees) by selling books.
Vanity Publishing = you pay money to a publisher. They do printing, give you an ISBN (that says Harlequin - in this case), maybe edit (again, jury is out on that one) and help with cover art (note; that's only help, not actually creation of any real cover art more than clip art). In return you get. . . royalty based on sales. Now, that royalty is probably around less than 30% (NOTE: there is Nothing on HQ's site telling you the percentage of royalty, so could be a lot lower/higher). Oh, and dear author, don't forget, your publisher takes their cut too - usually the majority of the money, because after all they've done ALL this work for you.
Vanity is screwing the author. Plain and simple. While I'm not a fan of self-publishing at all in any way, shape, or form, vanity publishing is wrong on so many levels. . .
And this is the second large press in the past three months to have moved to this type of model.
So - What is going on in the publishing industry? Have all the standards gone out the window, and are we now going to play screw the author who isn't savvy enough to understand how this works - they take the money and RUN?
Oh, you say, "but the author could sell their books and make money, right?"
First, I need to pick myself up off the floor. I fell from my chair laughing. Now to answer that question. . . WRONG!
Let's do some math, shall we (and you KNOW how I hate math):
Initial investment in HQ's rouse is $1,000. Okay, not too out there. Let's be generous and say that for each book you sell, that you get $2.00 royalty. You would need to sell OVER 500 books just to make back the monetary outlay. Now, granted that doesn't sound like a lot, and truly in terms of general book sales, it isn't much. But the point here is that while the magic number of 500 is only enough to pay yourself back.
Even at 500 - the self-publishing model looks a heck of a lot better! Initial investment in self-publishing is usually lower, but even for sake of argument, let's say you chose the $1,000 package. Now, here's where it's very different from vanity publishing because no one else gets a cut of that sale! So, likely you'll make closer to $8 a book royalty, thus only requiring 125 books to be sold.
And even better. . . GET A REAL PUBLISHER!!!! You won't have to pay a dime, nothing, nada, and then for every book you sell, you'll get your royalty and it's gravy because you didn't have to pay! Wow, what a concept.
This is smacking of who cares about our reputation, let's just worry about the money. Hey, I know we're all on hard times, but doing this? I don't know.
I still say that there are going to be big changes to the publishing industry, but I'm still certain this isn't what I had in mind.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
4 Book Give-Away!
Okay, so in October, my favorite month, I get as giddy as a schoolgirl who was just asked to the prom. I go from speaking engagement to another event (with sometimes multiple bookings in one day), excited to talk about my books. I love sharing my stories with others, and especially this time of year, spooktacular central, or October, I'm a sought after commodity.
Well, I can't be in all places, and with the cost of travel lately, I'm forced to stay a bit closer to the place I call home (or at least 100 miles radius thereof).
So, since I'm feeling in a frightfully good, sharing kind of mood, I've decided to run a little contest and give away 4 books! (your choice of book, and either e-book, or paperback)
Here are the rules if you wish to play along.
I'll post 4 different questions. Some will be easier, others more difficult. A correct answer to the question will close that question down and the person with the correct answer will be awarded their choice of book written by yours truly.
*IF you guess a question correct, you are automatically ineligible to answer other questions. ONLY 1 book per person.* (I'm trying to be fair and spread the love here)
So - to make sure we all get it -
1 - I post question.
2- first person to correctly answer question, receives book from me.
3 - that correct answer shuts down that particular question (so if you know the answer, and want a book, you better act quick before some other genius guesses correctly).
Contest will remain open until questions are all correctly answered and books awarded. Some questions will require a bit of work on your part - meaning, you may need to hunt out the answer, or have seen me at a local event in order to know.
To Answer: send me an email (author@christinabarber.net) with contest in the subject line and then provide the question number and answer. It's that simple.
I'll announce here, on the blog, when the question has been answered correctly, by whom, and then what the correct answer is. (in case you're curious).
SO- Ready to get to it?!? Let's rock:
ANSWERED! 1) What is the name the town where I grew up? Answer: Mountainside, New Jersey. Correct answer goes to Matt!
ANSWERED! 2) Who was the cover artist for my novel, Seely's Pond? Answer: Mark Helwig. Correct answer goes to Dana! If you wish to see more of his work, check out his website at www.markhelwigart.com.
3) At the recent Necronomicon convention, in a crowded panel room, I stated: (either panel will work, and get as close as you can to my words. If there's a tie here, I'll pick the more precise answer):
On the panel, 7 Mistakes Writers Make, What was my Pick for the 7th mistake writers make?
Or
During a discussion on Women in SF/F panel, my panel mate commented that he critiques romance in return for his partner to critique his sci-fi work (both admit to dislike the others genre). My comment to him about things he DIDN'T discuss in his critique was?
4) Who is it that I believe haunts my home?
Well, I can't be in all places, and with the cost of travel lately, I'm forced to stay a bit closer to the place I call home (or at least 100 miles radius thereof).
So, since I'm feeling in a frightfully good, sharing kind of mood, I've decided to run a little contest and give away 4 books! (your choice of book, and either e-book, or paperback)
Here are the rules if you wish to play along.
I'll post 4 different questions. Some will be easier, others more difficult. A correct answer to the question will close that question down and the person with the correct answer will be awarded their choice of book written by yours truly.
*IF you guess a question correct, you are automatically ineligible to answer other questions. ONLY 1 book per person.* (I'm trying to be fair and spread the love here)
So - to make sure we all get it -
1 - I post question.
2- first person to correctly answer question, receives book from me.
3 - that correct answer shuts down that particular question (so if you know the answer, and want a book, you better act quick before some other genius guesses correctly).
Contest will remain open until questions are all correctly answered and books awarded. Some questions will require a bit of work on your part - meaning, you may need to hunt out the answer, or have seen me at a local event in order to know.
To Answer: send me an email (author@christinabarber.net) with contest in the subject line and then provide the question number and answer. It's that simple.
I'll announce here, on the blog, when the question has been answered correctly, by whom, and then what the correct answer is. (in case you're curious).
SO- Ready to get to it?!? Let's rock:
ANSWERED! 1) What is the name the town where I grew up? Answer: Mountainside, New Jersey. Correct answer goes to Matt!
ANSWERED! 2) Who was the cover artist for my novel, Seely's Pond? Answer: Mark Helwig. Correct answer goes to Dana! If you wish to see more of his work, check out his website at www.markhelwigart.com.
3) At the recent Necronomicon convention, in a crowded panel room, I stated: (either panel will work, and get as close as you can to my words. If there's a tie here, I'll pick the more precise answer):
On the panel, 7 Mistakes Writers Make, What was my Pick for the 7th mistake writers make?
Or
During a discussion on Women in SF/F panel, my panel mate commented that he critiques romance in return for his partner to critique his sci-fi work (both admit to dislike the others genre). My comment to him about things he DIDN'T discuss in his critique was?
4) Who is it that I believe haunts my home?
Friday, October 09, 2009
A Rant (or whine), Take it or Leave it
Oh, yay, yet another day in the life of a miffed writer post. Too bad. Suck it up, and read on, or click away. A warning though, I'm in one of those 'feisty' moods.
Rejection. It sucks no matter how you look at it. Whether it's on a query to an agent, or a submission to a publisher, it is inevitably, and unfortunately, part of the publishing business. I'm sure every aspiring writer, and published writer, has heard this ad nauseam. And everyone who has been there, done that, owns the t-shirt, can also tell you that you have to keep trying.
And it is that - trying. Yep, trying my patience. You have to wait, and wait, then get that rejection, sometimes so fast that you wonder if they even read one word, before tossing it into the big 'R' pile.
But honestly that's not the part that is, pardon the expression, but burning my biscuits. What's got me angry is timing. For what it's worth, timing is everything.
I've discovered that you may have the new best idea, with clever characters, well-written plot, and done in a way that hasn't been slimmed to death by a thousand other authors, yet no one will give it the time of day. And it's all because of timing. Damn. Unfortunately when one book becomes an instant hit, you'll see publishers scrambling to climb aboard the money express. All they want is, 'how can we get our own series like that one? or can so-and-so write something like this? and pull from their stable of authors' and grab at the opportunity to get similar books to ride the popularity wave. And hey, you can't blame them! They know what the public demands, and so they'll give it to them. Oh, and in the process make a butt load of money. Again, no qualms there either.
But that only equals the market being flooded with type X novels. Be it other houses wishing to grasp that golden 'hot' ring, or new writers who want to hook into the hottest selling stuff. Well again, here goes with the timing. First, it takes around 18 months from the time a book is purchased from the author until it sees the bookstore shelf. So, what's hot now isn't what will be hot in 18 months. Never, ever, write to the current market. By the time you get your novel out, it'll be glutted with others like it and no one will touch it with a ten foot pole. Even IF you write something a little different, it's just not going to appeal to agents and editors because they are looking for the next big thing, not last years clearance items.
So, while writing takes skill, patience, and tenacity, it also takes a ton of luck. BTW- luck has never been my strong suit. But I'll keep plugging away, because if nothing else, by sheer bullheadedness, I'm going to get there.
Rejection. It sucks no matter how you look at it. Whether it's on a query to an agent, or a submission to a publisher, it is inevitably, and unfortunately, part of the publishing business. I'm sure every aspiring writer, and published writer, has heard this ad nauseam. And everyone who has been there, done that, owns the t-shirt, can also tell you that you have to keep trying.
And it is that - trying. Yep, trying my patience. You have to wait, and wait, then get that rejection, sometimes so fast that you wonder if they even read one word, before tossing it into the big 'R' pile.
But honestly that's not the part that is, pardon the expression, but burning my biscuits. What's got me angry is timing. For what it's worth, timing is everything.
I've discovered that you may have the new best idea, with clever characters, well-written plot, and done in a way that hasn't been slimmed to death by a thousand other authors, yet no one will give it the time of day. And it's all because of timing. Damn. Unfortunately when one book becomes an instant hit, you'll see publishers scrambling to climb aboard the money express. All they want is, 'how can we get our own series like that one? or can so-and-so write something like this? and pull from their stable of authors' and grab at the opportunity to get similar books to ride the popularity wave. And hey, you can't blame them! They know what the public demands, and so they'll give it to them. Oh, and in the process make a butt load of money. Again, no qualms there either.
But that only equals the market being flooded with type X novels. Be it other houses wishing to grasp that golden 'hot' ring, or new writers who want to hook into the hottest selling stuff. Well again, here goes with the timing. First, it takes around 18 months from the time a book is purchased from the author until it sees the bookstore shelf. So, what's hot now isn't what will be hot in 18 months. Never, ever, write to the current market. By the time you get your novel out, it'll be glutted with others like it and no one will touch it with a ten foot pole. Even IF you write something a little different, it's just not going to appeal to agents and editors because they are looking for the next big thing, not last years clearance items.
So, while writing takes skill, patience, and tenacity, it also takes a ton of luck. BTW- luck has never been my strong suit. But I'll keep plugging away, because if nothing else, by sheer bullheadedness, I'm going to get there.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
And Where Have YOU Been Young Lady?
Okay, so you're probably wondering if something had happened to me, possibly something like that I fell off the face of the earth, right? No, sorry, just got stuck in limbo.
Between all kinds of general 'life' chaos, I hadn't done much in the way of writing. Partially because 1) my vampire series was still in limbo. No offers. And you certainly don't want to waste your time writing book two if the first in the series hasn't been purchased.
2) because I didn't know where I wanted to go from here - what was I going to write next?
There was also a niggling feeling that my work was flat, it was missing something. And it wasn't easy to qualify that statement so I could find a solution to the problem. I agonized over it, which of course didn't help matters. I wanted desperately to go back into Eideann's War and rewrite it, fix the staleness, but how?
Over the summer I read a few books, at the suggestion of my husband (thanks, love!). I wasn't looking to dissect the books, but rather to just plain out read for enjoyment. But that's when the 'Ah-ha!' moment struck. It was my voice, or lack thereof that caused me to feel my work was flat. Funny thing is that I was told in a rejection that while the storyline, and writing were good, it lacked any distinct voice. Voice. I never really understood what the meant, until now. Sure, I'd heard the term often enough in writing seminars, and among fellow authors, but it never clicked.
The hardest thing about learning to trust my voice was that damn internal editor. You know the one, with the huge red pen, dark, brooding eyes, that pops up way too often commenting, "No, no. You can't do that." or "No, that's not correct. You can't say it that way. And you certainly don't need that information." I had learned some pretty hard lessons over the years, but my first eye opening critique group is the one that had beat me into shape - or truly over-beat me.
I'd taken my my bruised and shredded manuscript, and worked hard to eliminate all the unnecessary information, but to a fault. 'Throat clearing' was the term used - what a writer does before they actually get to the story. Unfortunately they called the first four chapters of my novel, throat clearing, or extraneous. I cut, cut and cut some more. Every time I went to write descriptive, that horrid editor would jump out, "Is that really necessary to the over all story?" Most of the time my answer was no, and then I'd delete it, or simply not write it.
But something has to be said for overall descriptive prose. Certainly we don't want, or need chapters upon chapters of basic information, but in a way, we do. This is where I find myself today. Now I know there is more to world-building than just knowing everything about the world in which your characters live - your reader needs to see it as well. And it will all come out in the form of my voice - how I wish it to read, how I want the story to be told.
That internal editor - well, she's bound, gagged, and told that if she even makes a peep, I'm callin' in the 'Guys' from Jersey to make her a custom set of cement shoes. I can't have her dead, after all, I'll need her eyes later, way later, after I'm ready to edit.
So - with a new found voice I revamped my vampire novel (yeah, pun-ny huh?). I inserted things that I wanted my reader to see, places, people, all how I want the story to be told.
Speaking of limbo - I'd stopped querying for around a year on this novel. It was honestly one day away from becoming a trunk novel (one that will lay in a drawer for years, untouched). But after my work on it, I've decided to try again. It has been year, and I've also noticed a trend. Several agents are now actively looking for horror, literary horror, or upscale horror. Ask anyone in the publishing industry and they'll tell you what may sell today, won't tomorrow, or next year - and visa-versa.
I'm a firm believer in 'things happen for a reason', so maybe I'll find out what the grand plan is.
But incase we still don't have any nibbles on Eideann's, I have been working on a new series - sort of a YA with lots of psychic abilities, ghosts, and outerworldly trouble.
So, to answer that original question - I've been busy!
Between all kinds of general 'life' chaos, I hadn't done much in the way of writing. Partially because 1) my vampire series was still in limbo. No offers. And you certainly don't want to waste your time writing book two if the first in the series hasn't been purchased.
2) because I didn't know where I wanted to go from here - what was I going to write next?
There was also a niggling feeling that my work was flat, it was missing something. And it wasn't easy to qualify that statement so I could find a solution to the problem. I agonized over it, which of course didn't help matters. I wanted desperately to go back into Eideann's War and rewrite it, fix the staleness, but how?
Over the summer I read a few books, at the suggestion of my husband (thanks, love!). I wasn't looking to dissect the books, but rather to just plain out read for enjoyment. But that's when the 'Ah-ha!' moment struck. It was my voice, or lack thereof that caused me to feel my work was flat. Funny thing is that I was told in a rejection that while the storyline, and writing were good, it lacked any distinct voice. Voice. I never really understood what the meant, until now. Sure, I'd heard the term often enough in writing seminars, and among fellow authors, but it never clicked.
The hardest thing about learning to trust my voice was that damn internal editor. You know the one, with the huge red pen, dark, brooding eyes, that pops up way too often commenting, "No, no. You can't do that." or "No, that's not correct. You can't say it that way. And you certainly don't need that information." I had learned some pretty hard lessons over the years, but my first eye opening critique group is the one that had beat me into shape - or truly over-beat me.
I'd taken my my bruised and shredded manuscript, and worked hard to eliminate all the unnecessary information, but to a fault. 'Throat clearing' was the term used - what a writer does before they actually get to the story. Unfortunately they called the first four chapters of my novel, throat clearing, or extraneous. I cut, cut and cut some more. Every time I went to write descriptive, that horrid editor would jump out, "Is that really necessary to the over all story?" Most of the time my answer was no, and then I'd delete it, or simply not write it.
But something has to be said for overall descriptive prose. Certainly we don't want, or need chapters upon chapters of basic information, but in a way, we do. This is where I find myself today. Now I know there is more to world-building than just knowing everything about the world in which your characters live - your reader needs to see it as well. And it will all come out in the form of my voice - how I wish it to read, how I want the story to be told.
That internal editor - well, she's bound, gagged, and told that if she even makes a peep, I'm callin' in the 'Guys' from Jersey to make her a custom set of cement shoes. I can't have her dead, after all, I'll need her eyes later, way later, after I'm ready to edit.
So - with a new found voice I revamped my vampire novel (yeah, pun-ny huh?). I inserted things that I wanted my reader to see, places, people, all how I want the story to be told.
Speaking of limbo - I'd stopped querying for around a year on this novel. It was honestly one day away from becoming a trunk novel (one that will lay in a drawer for years, untouched). But after my work on it, I've decided to try again. It has been year, and I've also noticed a trend. Several agents are now actively looking for horror, literary horror, or upscale horror. Ask anyone in the publishing industry and they'll tell you what may sell today, won't tomorrow, or next year - and visa-versa.
I'm a firm believer in 'things happen for a reason', so maybe I'll find out what the grand plan is.
But incase we still don't have any nibbles on Eideann's, I have been working on a new series - sort of a YA with lots of psychic abilities, ghosts, and outerworldly trouble.
So, to answer that original question - I've been busy!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Non-Romantic Vampires
This is a pet peeve of mine, that is, vampires that are all about romance. I'll confess, I don't read romance. It just doesn't 'do it' for me. There's something that really irritates me about Happily Ever After (aka HEA). Life doesn't end in an HEA. Ever. I know that really sounds as if I'm a pessimist, but for clarity sake here, I'm not saying that people can't be happy, but rather that the EVER AFTER part is bogus. There's always something that crops up to cause change or unrest.
Now onto the real issue - the vampires and romance. Of course there's a ton of books out there with vampires and romance - including the wildly popular Twilight Series. It's not my cuppa. Believe me, I've tried to read some of these Best-selling fiction, but each time I find I'm disgusted with the leather-pants wearing vampire hottie man (usually with long hair) who falls in love with a mortal woman, though he knows he's not supposed to be with her, thus making him a bad boy too. And she is strangely attracted to him, all of his hulking mass, and despite him being a 'monster' (yeah right), she loves him anyway. Ugh. Tell me how many novels that little blurb describes - probably the majority. They're all the same underneath, and the paint on top is just a slightly different color (if you get my drift).
Let's face it, romance sells. Period. No matter what other genre trappings, if there's romance in the novel, it'll more than likely have a better chance of hitting the shelves than those that don't. And mine don't. To go one step further down that path, I will not consider adding it either. It doesn't make sense in the way I wish to portray my vampires and world.
I KNOW there's a readership out there, hungry for vampire novels that don't have romance. I know this as fact since I've spoken with a lot of you at conventions, book signings, and other events. I also know that there are always changes in what is popular, and I'm placing my money on a movement away from the shiny, leather-pant, long haired, hunky vampire toward a darker, more evil fanged friend. When you look at vampire lore, you'll see that vampires are evil, undead creatures of the night.
And what about a strong female vampire lead? Novels like that are definitely far and few between. This is where I'm going with my vampire series. I have a strong female lead, with a funny, yet strong male counterpart. One of my beta readers said their relationship is very much like Scully and Mulder from the X-Files. Even my vampire is different. I went out to mythology to find a different take on vampire lore. While it is a loose interpretation, I'm using the myth of The White Women of the Scottish Highlands.
Now, to be fair, I will say that there has been some interest in the series by a few select publishers. To date, we do not have any offers. Yet. And certainly when we do receive the offer, I'll be certain to let you all know. :-) (See I'm really an optimist).
Now onto the real issue - the vampires and romance. Of course there's a ton of books out there with vampires and romance - including the wildly popular Twilight Series. It's not my cuppa. Believe me, I've tried to read some of these Best-selling fiction, but each time I find I'm disgusted with the leather-pants wearing vampire hottie man (usually with long hair) who falls in love with a mortal woman, though he knows he's not supposed to be with her, thus making him a bad boy too. And she is strangely attracted to him, all of his hulking mass, and despite him being a 'monster' (yeah right), she loves him anyway. Ugh. Tell me how many novels that little blurb describes - probably the majority. They're all the same underneath, and the paint on top is just a slightly different color (if you get my drift).
Let's face it, romance sells. Period. No matter what other genre trappings, if there's romance in the novel, it'll more than likely have a better chance of hitting the shelves than those that don't. And mine don't. To go one step further down that path, I will not consider adding it either. It doesn't make sense in the way I wish to portray my vampires and world.
I KNOW there's a readership out there, hungry for vampire novels that don't have romance. I know this as fact since I've spoken with a lot of you at conventions, book signings, and other events. I also know that there are always changes in what is popular, and I'm placing my money on a movement away from the shiny, leather-pant, long haired, hunky vampire toward a darker, more evil fanged friend. When you look at vampire lore, you'll see that vampires are evil, undead creatures of the night.
And what about a strong female vampire lead? Novels like that are definitely far and few between. This is where I'm going with my vampire series. I have a strong female lead, with a funny, yet strong male counterpart. One of my beta readers said their relationship is very much like Scully and Mulder from the X-Files. Even my vampire is different. I went out to mythology to find a different take on vampire lore. While it is a loose interpretation, I'm using the myth of The White Women of the Scottish Highlands.
Now, to be fair, I will say that there has been some interest in the series by a few select publishers. To date, we do not have any offers. Yet. And certainly when we do receive the offer, I'll be certain to let you all know. :-) (See I'm really an optimist).
Monday, March 30, 2009
Imagicon - Day 2 and 3
So, with all that went on, I didn't have time to update the blog until now - Monday morning after the convention, sorry.Here is the recap of day 2 and 3 of Imagicon:
Saturday started with a 10am panel on Killing off Characters. We had a blast discussing ways in which we 'did in' characters. From there I went to my table and chatted with all those who stopped by. Just before Noon (and my two panels), we had a fire alarm go off and had to exit the convention space. So, now we have all these costumed people standing outside, meandering around, waiting until we were allowed back into the building. I have to say that several passers by did a double take, the kind that could cause whiplash, when they saw this motley crew standing around outside. After a few minutes, we were allowed back in, and I scrambled to the panel room. Since I was double booked, I'd decided to do a half-and-half session at each. The first half hour, I attended the Ghouls and Monsters panel. We had fun talking about the monsters we created. And in usual style, I tossed out a question to my fellow panelists, then promptly left!
From there, I raced, literately, down the escalator and into the 1st floor panel, No DQ Q&A. There, I joined wrestler Mr. Terrific, and Amazing Race stars to discuss whatever the audience wished to talk about. Of course, my field of ghosts really brought out the goose bumps, as expected. After that session, I wandered back to my table and chatted with more folks, and sold and signed books.
Sometime around 5:00, my stomach reminded me that it was once again time to find food, since the last meal had been at 8 in the morning. After packing up, I headed to grab a burger at the pub - yes, I know I was a bad girl, but it certainly was worth it!
In all the running, I'd forgotten about the Artist Meet and Greet, and realized it wasn't too late to stop by. After making a wrong turn, I found the room. I had a nice glass of wine, and talked with the artists attending the convention.
At 7:00 I went to my last panel of the day, Making make-believe, believable. I was really tired, but managed to keep it together and give my thoughts on the topic.
After the panel, I went to my room and crashed. Hard.
Sunday:
We had an early start - the writing seminar started at 8am. This meant that I had to be up, ready, packed, checked-out of the hotel, and fed all by 8. I managed to accomplish it, but I think it had a lot to do with the fact that I'd gone to bed early the night before. We broke into groups and started helping the attending writers with their prose. My group worked our guys hard. We had them write both a character, as well as a setting, using prompts that we'd given them. They did a great job!
At 11:30, I went directly to the panel, Creating Villains, where we discussed creating the 'bad guys' and answered some great questions tossed out to us by the audience.
With a long drive home ahead, I left when the panel was over.
All in all it was a good convention. I met a lot of new faces, and had some good times talking with some old friends.
Here are the links to those writerly friends, all of whom were panel mates at one time or another over the course of the weekend:
Alan Gilbreath
M.B Weston
Jeremy Lewis
Sherrilyn Kenyon
Jeannie Holmes
Wandering Men
Friday, March 27, 2009
Imagicon - Day 1
Okay, so you'll get a blog today, but sadly no pictures. I'll try to remedy that for the next posting.
Recap of Day 1 -
I got started a bit early from Georgia, headed to Birmingham since it was pouring rain. I *hate* driving in the rain. So, I figured the slow and steady approach would be best given the wet circumstances. After a mind numbing 2 and a half hour trip - I successfully pulled into the Sheraton slightly ahead of schedule, around 11:30 Alabama time. Just so you know, last trip this way, I was plagued the entire time by the one hour time difference. I know, one hour isn't like jet lag material, but it still mucks with my whole system.
I checked in, settled into the room, then went on the hunt for the convention check-in. After that was handled, I had time for a quick lunch before my 1:00 panel.
The 1:00 panel on publishing and self-publishing went very well. We had good attendance, which, honestly, was surprising since it was such an early time slot - the first panel of the convention. I stated my opinionated view on self-publishing. From there I had a 2:30 panel on Character development. Again we had a good number in the audience and lively participation from the authors.
At 3:30 I spent about an hour at my signing table. But my stomach began to rumble, since it was used to the Atlanta time zone, and I went in search of some down time and food.
After a brief stop in the room to check email and such, I went to dinner and had a wonderful feast of salmon from the hotel.
I decided to wander for the remainder hour until my 8Pm panel. However, when I went up to the panel area, the director snagged me, and asked if I'd be willing to hop onto the 7PM panel about Paranormal. Of course, I said yes.
The 7Pm panel was sparsely attended, perhaps due to the other events going on, but we still had a good time talking about ghosts and sharing our stories.
Again the 8PM panel had sparse attendance, but we still had a fun time discussing Urban Fantasy and all it entails.
So, that was today. . . and I'm tired and ready for some shut eye, before it's time to do this all again tomorrow.
A few minor points about the hotel - first, it is a very nice hotel. Staff is friendly and helpful and the rooms are well appointed. Food is good quality, and an okay price (a bit more than I would normally pay, but well. . .). I do have one major worry though. . . the tornadoes. Last year, on the same weekend in March, I was here for another convention. That was the weekend the tornado ripped through Atlanta. Here, I had hail pounding my 17th floor window - a very scary experience. So I was a little worried this time around, knowing that the weather promises more of the same - rain, storms and tornadoes. But this time, at least, I have an East facing room. . . where as last time, my westerly facing floor to ceiling window took the brunt of the wind driven hail.
So, more to come, but hopefully no 'Wizard of Oz' stories about me being sucked up by a tornado.
Recap of Day 1 -
I got started a bit early from Georgia, headed to Birmingham since it was pouring rain. I *hate* driving in the rain. So, I figured the slow and steady approach would be best given the wet circumstances. After a mind numbing 2 and a half hour trip - I successfully pulled into the Sheraton slightly ahead of schedule, around 11:30 Alabama time. Just so you know, last trip this way, I was plagued the entire time by the one hour time difference. I know, one hour isn't like jet lag material, but it still mucks with my whole system.
I checked in, settled into the room, then went on the hunt for the convention check-in. After that was handled, I had time for a quick lunch before my 1:00 panel.
The 1:00 panel on publishing and self-publishing went very well. We had good attendance, which, honestly, was surprising since it was such an early time slot - the first panel of the convention. I stated my opinionated view on self-publishing. From there I had a 2:30 panel on Character development. Again we had a good number in the audience and lively participation from the authors.
At 3:30 I spent about an hour at my signing table. But my stomach began to rumble, since it was used to the Atlanta time zone, and I went in search of some down time and food.
After a brief stop in the room to check email and such, I went to dinner and had a wonderful feast of salmon from the hotel.
I decided to wander for the remainder hour until my 8Pm panel. However, when I went up to the panel area, the director snagged me, and asked if I'd be willing to hop onto the 7PM panel about Paranormal. Of course, I said yes.
The 7Pm panel was sparsely attended, perhaps due to the other events going on, but we still had a good time talking about ghosts and sharing our stories.
Again the 8PM panel had sparse attendance, but we still had a fun time discussing Urban Fantasy and all it entails.
So, that was today. . . and I'm tired and ready for some shut eye, before it's time to do this all again tomorrow.
A few minor points about the hotel - first, it is a very nice hotel. Staff is friendly and helpful and the rooms are well appointed. Food is good quality, and an okay price (a bit more than I would normally pay, but well. . .). I do have one major worry though. . . the tornadoes. Last year, on the same weekend in March, I was here for another convention. That was the weekend the tornado ripped through Atlanta. Here, I had hail pounding my 17th floor window - a very scary experience. So I was a little worried this time around, knowing that the weather promises more of the same - rain, storms and tornadoes. But this time, at least, I have an East facing room. . . where as last time, my westerly facing floor to ceiling window took the brunt of the wind driven hail.
So, more to come, but hopefully no 'Wizard of Oz' stories about me being sucked up by a tornado.
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