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Boy! What a Ride! 4/25/2009 6:59:13 AM
Book convention info/report What a ride! The book convention started at the first of the week and it is officially over tomorrow. Every genre was represented. I have never seen some of them; guess that makes me "old" Erotica seems to be the big thing these days and that leads me to wonder what is really happening to literature. Yes, I admit an English literature background.(partially)
I have also been introduced to Urban Fantasy, an interesting genre that appeared recently. Many young people are reading it and there were several who were would be writers of the genre there. It has a section in the bookstores all of its own. I admit I am not quite certain of the difference between Urban Fantasy and Multicultural. I am working on that.
Inspirational, mystery, thriller, suspense, historical all still ride high but the RT convention was founded originally on the love of romance. Romance writers filled the aisles and cover models strode the hallways without their shirts. Pirate stories are big, still. Bodice ripping on the high seas sounds a bit difficult but "could be doable" (as my daughter-in-law says). I was greeted at the door by a mermaid with a long blue tail, seaweed in her hair and a bra made of sea shells who was accompanied by two pirates.
The book signings were filled with booksellers, readers and interested locals. Two hours of smiling and nodding and taking photos. It was good.
Most of the time is spent filling up the goodie table and putting out flyers. Attending the classes and panels, you always learn something you didn't know. There is always someone who knows something you didn't know and they are always willing to share.
One good tip I picked up at the signing expo was to keep each card given to me by a bookseller in a small box that was alphabetized by city or area. This way, when you travel you can drop in on them and offer to do a signing while you are in town. Always send the booksellers you meet flyers after the convention to remind them of you and the books you write.
The agent meetings and editor meetings weren't handled very well this time. Apparently, the person who assigned the venues inside the convention center put these appointments in the hallway between two busy conference rooms. The noise was horrific and it was difficult to concentrate. Several agents didn't show up and their appointments were given to others. Some people got squeezed and others got left out. Some were told to just submit after the convention with a note that there had been an appointment at the RTC.
There was networking, of course. And the cover models mingled with the writers for whom they posed. There were classes for beginners, intermediates and panels of good information. Then there were the parties and balls.
They had a lot of e publishers there and sevceral independant houses. It was good to see the little person represented. It was a convention for all writers. All was fun and contacts were made.
