NC Writers' Network Fall Conference

Back to the land of the living. I have been running at full speed since Saturday morning but it's all been worth it. My friend Pam Cable and I presented a 1 1/2 hour workshop on Saturday at the NC Writers' Fall Conference. Our topic was "Publicity, Promotion, & Pulling Your Hair Out." We had 25 attendees and received great feedback. So good, in fact, that at the Saturday night dinner in front of the 500 attendees, the conference director actually gave a special call-out to Pam and myself for some of the advice we'd offered during the workshop.

Although I enjoy teaching, there's also a little nervousness there as you're never quite sure what you're going to get in terms of attendees. Luckily, we had a room full of eager listeners who participated, asked questions, and contributed their own knowledge. Pam and I both left the room feeling great about what had taken place.

Aside from that, I got a lot out of the conference itself. I have it on the top of my to-do list to contact an agent who was there. I didn't attend her session but apparently she was on a panel and made the announcement that she was desperate for an author to write a "crazy cat book."  Uh... hello? People were coming up to me all weekend saying, "You have GOT to meet Bess." I agree. Bess, Bess... where are you? I could never find her so I'm shooting her an e-mail today.

I'm also pleased to announce that my Lessons In Stalking books sold out at the conference. The Barnes & Noble woman running the table (who was reading my book on her breaks) said people would buy one and then come back and buy 3 more. That just warms a cat authors heart.

Other news:

• I went running at Salem Lake on Sunday and managed to trip over a rock and fall before I even hit Mile Marker 1. My left knee is now this huge skinned, bloody mass. Really attractive. I'll be sure to wear a lot of skirts in the next couple of weeks. It doesn't hurt much, other than at night when it comes in contact with the sheets.
• My running group had their farewell dinner last night. I've spent all summer with these people. Lots of laughing and reminiscing. ("Less talk! More run!") It's encouraging to see the huge leaps of improvement everyone has made.
• I had a quick two-minute appearance this morning on Fox 8 Morning News. Talked about my story in the Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul book. Cindy Farmer is warm and wonderful but is it really worth all the time spent on hair and make-up for the brief appearance? (Answer: Yes, of course.)
• We're having our front porch repainted. So when our relatives arrive on Thanksgiving, there should be lines of yellow tape crisscrossing the front of the house, warning them not to enter. Let's hope they take the hint.

So much for the glamorous world of public speaking. I've lost the kickin' boots and stylish clothes and am back in t-shirt and sweat pants, ready to re-enter the realm of the written word. Back to work.