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Showing posts with label Lone Star Conference. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lone Star Conference. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Lone Star Conference
If you want a small, intimate, reasonably-priced writer's conference where you learn tons and have a great time, here's the official plug:
The 2012 Lone Star Writer's Conference
Presenter: Best-Selling Author JAMES SCOTT BELL
Topic: Plot And Structure
Attending Editors:
Chris Keeslar, Boroughs Publishing Group
Liz Pelletier, Entangled Publishing
Deborah Gilbert, Soul Mate Publishing
Attending Agents:
Elaine Spencer, The Knight Agency
Location: Houston Marriott North at Greenspoint
Date & Time: October 13, 2011; 9 am to 5 pm (registration and breakfast 8:30 - 9:00 a.m.)
Cost: $130.00 (includes lunch and coffee breaks)
James Scott Bell presents…
PLOT & STRUCTURE: In this day-long workshop, you'll learn techniques and exercises for crafting a plot that grips readers from start to finish, including:
• Dazzling dialogue
• Plotting for perfect structure, every time
• "Jump off the page" characters
• Power revision for next-level novels
• Stronger scenes for stronger manuscripts
Register Today!
** 2012_Registration Form_Lone Star **
Online payment through PayPal is available!
Accommodations:
Houston Marriott North
255 N Sam Houston Pkwy East • Houston, Texas 77060 USA
* $79.00 – For Room Reservation Click Here *
Here's the unofficial plug:
Smaller conferences allow you to have more one-on-one time with industry professionals. One of the biggest pluses of the Lone Star Conference in Ruth Kenjura's post-conference wine and chocolate party. Ruth's hotel room becomes a no-pitch zone where guest speakers and attendees can talk industry (and sometimes a little gossip flows) in a comfortable, no-pressure environment.
It's not unusual for folks to join NWHRWA after experiencing the Lone Star. So if you will be in the Houston area in October (or plan to be), please come!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Best Conference EVAH!!
Currently Reading - My own book, Amish, Vamps & Thieves, in preparation for sending to requesting agents
Three requests aren't the only reason the 2010 Lone Star was a fabulous conference. Vice-President Stacey Purcell and her jolly crew of volunteers worked their asses off to provide an wonderful experience for everyone.
Festivities started Friday night. Stacey and her husband Pete opened their lovely home to the attendees, speakers and agents. Incredible food, good drinks and fascinating conversation quickly followed. The reception broke up fairly early since registration started at the ungodly hour of 8AM.
That didn't stop a few of us meeting in the room of Party Goddess Ruth afterwards. Seriously, Ruth Kenjura is noted for her informal wine-and-chocolate conference get-togethers. Everyone's invited, but she has just one rule--her room is a no-pitch zone. The idea is to provide a comfortable place for folks to get to know each other. If you're going to RWA National in New York, find a NWHRWA member. She'll show you the way to the party!
Of course, even after we left Ruth's for our room, Christie and I were up until the wee hours, gabbing away.
The next day, speaker Randy Ingermanson adressed a full house on story structure in the morning, then internet marketing in the afternoon. All three agents had full pitch schedules. The Luncheon Keynote speaker, Agent Christine Witthohn, gave a breakdown of where she sees the publishing industry heading in the Sea of Change. You know e-books were mentioned more than once. Christie Craig then announced the winners of the Lone Star Writing Contest. Our hometown girl, JoAnn Robisheaux, won first prize in the Inspirational category.
I spent a lot of time with Bonnie Starling, who won second place in the YA category. Can you believe this very lovely lady flew down from Ontario, Canada, to attend? She wasn't the only long-distance traveler. Marina Osipova, a finalist in the Single Title category, arrived from Russia by way of Staten Island. These gals are a lot of fun. It's too bad they both live so far away!
MAJOR COMPLIMENTS go to Chef Tony and Chef Scott of the Greenspoint Mariott! Not only was the conference food delicious, these guys went out of their way to create some terrific dishes for my buddy Diane who suffers from severe food allergies. The three berry ice cream they designed for her really needs to be added to their regular menu. And let's just say their grilled asparagus is to die for!
Everyone who stayed at the hotel Saturday night, including the agents, ended up at Ruth's (of course). Talk turned to industry news, and I loved getting the straight scoop from industry professionals.
The thing that surprised me the most was when Christine Witthohn said she only gets roughly 25% of the manuscripts she requests at conferences. Amy Boggs and Naomi Hackenberg seconded Christine's experience, though Naomi said hers runs more to 30%.
[Insert all seven of George Carlin's Words You Can't Say on Radio or TV here.]
Folks, if you're going through the trauma of pitching, send the f***ing manuscript to them! Seriously, that makes absolutely no sense to me, especially since these three ladies took time out of their insane schedules to come to the conference in the first place. You've got their ear. Make the most of the connection because your career may hinge on it.
Now, I'm off to follow my own advice. . .
Three requests aren't the only reason the 2010 Lone Star was a fabulous conference. Vice-President Stacey Purcell and her jolly crew of volunteers worked their asses off to provide an wonderful experience for everyone.
Festivities started Friday night. Stacey and her husband Pete opened their lovely home to the attendees, speakers and agents. Incredible food, good drinks and fascinating conversation quickly followed. The reception broke up fairly early since registration started at the ungodly hour of 8AM.
That didn't stop a few of us meeting in the room of Party Goddess Ruth afterwards. Seriously, Ruth Kenjura is noted for her informal wine-and-chocolate conference get-togethers. Everyone's invited, but she has just one rule--her room is a no-pitch zone. The idea is to provide a comfortable place for folks to get to know each other. If you're going to RWA National in New York, find a NWHRWA member. She'll show you the way to the party!
Of course, even after we left Ruth's for our room, Christie and I were up until the wee hours, gabbing away.
The next day, speaker Randy Ingermanson adressed a full house on story structure in the morning, then internet marketing in the afternoon. All three agents had full pitch schedules. The Luncheon Keynote speaker, Agent Christine Witthohn, gave a breakdown of where she sees the publishing industry heading in the Sea of Change. You know e-books were mentioned more than once. Christie Craig then announced the winners of the Lone Star Writing Contest. Our hometown girl, JoAnn Robisheaux, won first prize in the Inspirational category.
I spent a lot of time with Bonnie Starling, who won second place in the YA category. Can you believe this very lovely lady flew down from Ontario, Canada, to attend? She wasn't the only long-distance traveler. Marina Osipova, a finalist in the Single Title category, arrived from Russia by way of Staten Island. These gals are a lot of fun. It's too bad they both live so far away!
MAJOR COMPLIMENTS go to Chef Tony and Chef Scott of the Greenspoint Mariott! Not only was the conference food delicious, these guys went out of their way to create some terrific dishes for my buddy Diane who suffers from severe food allergies. The three berry ice cream they designed for her really needs to be added to their regular menu. And let's just say their grilled asparagus is to die for!
Everyone who stayed at the hotel Saturday night, including the agents, ended up at Ruth's (of course). Talk turned to industry news, and I loved getting the straight scoop from industry professionals.
The thing that surprised me the most was when Christine Witthohn said she only gets roughly 25% of the manuscripts she requests at conferences. Amy Boggs and Naomi Hackenberg seconded Christine's experience, though Naomi said hers runs more to 30%.
[Insert all seven of George Carlin's Words You Can't Say on Radio or TV here.]
Folks, if you're going through the trauma of pitching, send the f***ing manuscript to them! Seriously, that makes absolutely no sense to me, especially since these three ladies took time out of their insane schedules to come to the conference in the first place. You've got their ear. Make the most of the connection because your career may hinge on it.
Now, I'm off to follow my own advice. . .
Friday, October 15, 2010
The Lone Star Conference
Hey Folks!
Wild, Wicked & Wacky will be dark until Monday, October 18th, while I attend the Lone Star Conference sponsored by the Northwest Houston Chapter of the Romance Writers of America.
Take care and get some pages done!
Wild, Wicked & Wacky will be dark until Monday, October 18th, while I attend the Lone Star Conference sponsored by the Northwest Houston Chapter of the Romance Writers of America.
Take care and get some pages done!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Public Service Announcement
Currently reading - Wolfsbane and Mistletoe, edited by Charlaine Harris and Toni P. L. Kelner
If you've still got some funds for writing business, you can be in the Houston metro area on October 16th, and you haven't already registered, I strongly recommend the Lone Star Conference sponsored by the Northwest Houston Chapter of the Romance Writers of America. With three agents taking pitch appointments and Randy Ingermusson, creator of the Snowflake Methodology, as Saturday's speaker, there's education and networking galore.
Check out the NWHRWA Conference page for more information on this fabulous opportunity!
If you've still got some funds for writing business, you can be in the Houston metro area on October 16th, and you haven't already registered, I strongly recommend the Lone Star Conference sponsored by the Northwest Houston Chapter of the Romance Writers of America. With three agents taking pitch appointments and Randy Ingermusson, creator of the Snowflake Methodology, as Saturday's speaker, there's education and networking galore.
Check out the NWHRWA Conference page for more information on this fabulous opportunity!
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