By J.A. (Julie) Kazimer
One of the things I learned this past weekend at the RMFW conference was how to draw your attention. Pat (my amazing, fabulous, awesome co-editor) and I had a brief discussion on blog headlines and titles. We decided and I’m thinking rightly so, not to cheat and lie to our readers with misleading headlines. That means, I must give you at least one way to improve your sex life. I’ll leave that to the end, so to keep your interest…
I had a great weekend at the conference. Colorado Gold is one of the top conferences around. Ask anyone. We had an array of workshops ranging from Body Language to How to Distribute Bodies…or was that books? Damn. I might need to rethink some things.
I learned a whole bunch. I always do at these things.
For example, Shannon Baker, our illustrious Writer of the Year, can sure hold her booze.
But that’s enough about Friday night other than to say, a good time was had by all. Thanks to Who Else Books (Nina and Ron) who hosted the booksigning with what seemed like a million authors. Too many books to choose from. Not a bad problem to have.
Saturday was a day filled with learning and, for me, that was learning from my workshop attendees. I did a Guerrilla Marketing session, and was amazed by the intelligence and insights of my fellow writers.
The banquet was a festive event with the winners of the CO Gold contest being revealed. The air was thick with tension as the names were called. Or was that the stench of author stink after a day of workshops? Either way, it was great to see the finalist and the winners enjoying the moment.
That was followed by the Rick Hanson Simile Contest, always the classiest of events. And this year didn’t disappoint. The night is much of a blur, but I do remember selfie and sphincter. Like I said, classy.
The night was capped off with a speech by the controversial Mark Coker of smashwords fame/infamy. Apparently Mark and Donald Maass won’t be lunching together anytime soon. Following his speech, there was an author reading. It was a fun event, and interesting to hear the variety of works. Carol Berg brought down the house with her short story from an upcoming anthology.
Sunday morning…well I missed most of it, having slept like the dead. But I did attend the iPAL and PAL meetings, which were, as always, informative. RMFW is a special organization and it’s all volunteers, who work their butts off, to make it so.
Susie Brooks did an awesome job this year, as did all the board, guest speakers, presenters, and volunteers. Though, what made this conference so special for me, were the 125 first time attendees. Everywhere you looked there was new blood. People excited to learn craft, to pitch to agents and editors, to be a part of a vibrant community like ours.
For those who attended this weekend, what was your favorite part? What did you learn? Did your pitch go well? Please share your experience. If you didn’t attend, we missed you and hope to see you next September.
Now, I promised one tip to improve your sex life, and that is…
Please friend me on facebook (as I’m very lonely) at https://www.facebook.com/JulieAKazimer.
You can also check me out (in a figurative sense) at www.jakazimer.com.
My favorite part of the weekend was making a plan to meet up with you so I can learn to be just like you!
Me too. I’m excited to get marketing with you.
Hey, still waiting for that sex tip! Seriously, great round up, Julie. I liked the addition of the Birds of a feather meetings and the book readings–floated in and out on that event and found some great readers there.
I did try for a sex tip, but I couldn’t post with blushing. I thought both author to author and Birds of a feather were great additions.
You are LOL funny, Julie. I really believed you were going to give that tip at the end of the post.
Thank you for the kind words. I’m having too much fun with the blog and our great blogging team to think of it as work.
And now I’m floating on that Colorado Gold cloud and thinking Suzie Brooks and her conference team are unbelievable. It just keeps getting better. I even heard a rumor that Kent Krueger might be back next year. Now that’s BIG!
It’s hard to get back into non-conference life.
Will Shannon hold my liquor? Or let me drink hers when she sets it down? I think the guerrilla marketing session would be great, if I were righting about Jane Goddall or bananas. Hey, wait a minute . . . guerrillas smile, right? Hmmmmm. I guess I should’ve been there. And readers, I can attest that J.A. didn’t lie about the post. . . she is lonely on FB so please, friend her and then lock your doors. It’s worth it!
You know me WAY too well.
I actually overheard someone on Sunday morning say, “Well, I’m off to sex!” Best conference line evar.
Heck yes.