Festival of Romance

The first day of the Festival of Romance kicked off at around 9am this morning and was a buzz by 9:20 & it didn't stop there. There were talks, Q & A sessions, book sales, author signings and networking galore. There were opportuities to mingle with editors, publishers and agents, oh, and I mustn't forget the book sellers.
I found all the developments with e-books fascinating and I didn't realise how vast the e-book market has now become.
I've made a few new contacts and I'm looking forward to tomorrow when I get to do it all over again.

Festival of Romance

The Festival of Romance

The Festival of Romance is the UK’s first romantic fiction convention. So what is it all about? The festival is open to anyone who is interested in romantic fiction, either as a reader or a writer. There is something for everyone.  Held over two days, Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd October 2011 and takes place at Hunton Park, near Watford, UK.  http://www.devere.co.uk/our-locations/hunton-park

So what can you expect from this festival?

•   Carole Matthews celebrity author interview
•   Book fair, panels, debates and reading group
•  Meet authors and fans from around the world 
•   Competitions and quizzes
•  Writing workshop with Sue Moorcroft
•   Learn from the experts how to write romance
•  Chocolate tasting with Choc Lit
•   Meet the Mills and Boon editors
•   Win a publishing contract with Xcite Books
•   Fashion show, Book Awards and Ball 
•   New Talent Award for unpublished writers
• Judges: Donna Condon, senior editor at Piatkus 
•  Jane Judd, literary agent

 This looks like it will be another successful event by organised by this company who are establishing themselves within the conference marketplace. To find out more check out their website:  www.festivalofromance.co.uk or you can join their social network: http://festivalofromanceonline.ning.com/

This event is quickly filling up, but tickets are still available. If you are into romantic fiction this is one you really should investigate. 

August is running away.

Somehow it is three quarters of the way through August and although the writing is getting done, I’m not being as industrious as I would like to be.  And why is this? I put it down to having my son back from university and lack of sleep. Okay, that isn’t really true, it is being out in the garden and de-cluttering the house and outbuildings. However, today has changed that. I am now focused and determined to write at least 1500 good words each day, more if possible. That shouldn’t be a problem.  I know where the story is going, and how I want it to blend. The characters are screaming at me to get on with it, so that is exactly what I’m going to do.

Winchester Writers' Conference 1st - 3rd July 2011

After some great comments on my current novel ‘Ribbons of Red’ I’m hard at work, but realised I haven’t posted anything on my blog for a while.

I’m heading down to Winchester again to work on the One-to-One desk for Friday 1^st -3^rd July 2011 and be assured I’ll be writing in my spare time!!!!

There are some wonderful speakers, workshops and seminars to become involved in and if you are lucky you might still be able to purchase tickets. Here are just a few to get you excited: Barry Cunningham who is this year’s Plenary Speaker – I’ve heard Barry speak on many occasions and it is something not to miss. There are a few new faces to the Winchesters Writers Conference this year and many regulars.  David Headley (agent), Teresa Chris (agent), Lorella Belli (agent), Jude Evans (senior editor), Donna Condon (editor), Bernard McKenna (film scripts) and many, many more, seventy in total and that’s  just in the one-to-one appointments.

Winchesters’ Writers’ Conference is a family affair, only the family is rather large. There is something special that happens when writers get together...creativity flows in abundance. T he support and encouragement is delightful and the networking invaluable.

Agents, editors and book doctors are all there to give their thoughts on your work. It is an opportunity to grow as a writer and many attendees met their agent or publisher during their One-to-One meeting or by sitting next to them at the dinner table. Networking never stops – make sure you don’t.

2011 Backspace Writers’ Conference

This is the 7^th Annual Backspace Writers’ Conference which is held in New York City.

The conference runs from the 26^th – 28^th May 2011, but you can select to attend for one, two or three days. There will be many agents, authors and editors to network with and to help you to enhance our manuscripts.

So what is on offer?

Query Letter Workshops – Opening Pages Workshops – Panel Discussions – General Workshops – Master Classes – Book signing and a special workshop with Donald Maass (Literacy Agent) - http://www.maassagency.com/

All this wrapped up with good food, drinks and like minded people.

There is still time to register, but be quick, time is ticking by, so check out the website for further details: http://www.backspacewritersconference.com/

Personally, I would love to attend, unfortunately do to the fact that it is in New York City and I’m scheduled elsewhere means I’ll have to miss out on this occasion. However, should you be attending please drop me a line and let me know how it was for you and what you got out of it.

Free Yourself to Write

If you've always wanted to make space to write, really write, then this might be the ideal opportunity for you.
Do you fancy a week in the glorious Lycian region of Trukey to write? If so, then check out Philippa Pride's website: www.thebookdoctor.co.uk This break gives you the opportunity to learn, improve or hone your work with the support of a dedicated professional. So what are you waiting for? Go check it out now. 

Fantastic News from Festival of Writing

Fantastic news coming from the, ‘Festival of Writing’, that took place for the second year at the University of York. Once again this was an outstanding event. There was something for everyone, from the novice writer to the accomplished author. One thing that people might not know is the generosity of the writing community. I’ve heard people say, I don’t go to those sorts of things – I’d feel like a spare part. But this really isn’t the case. Writers are a big-hearted crowd. Willing to talk about their own work, yes, but equally interested in what the person next to them is writing. I guess it really boils down to what you put into it, as to what you get out of it.

I’m in a great position to see, the nervous faces of the tentative writer entering the one-to-one arena, (a place to pitch your work to agents etc.), scared and shaking. I’m not surprised! They enter and find me on the desk. I’ve heard it said that it’s like the fear of entering the doctor’s surgery and getting past the receptionist!! But I do always smile and try my hardest to accommodate everyone’s requests. But there is one thing I can’t do is magic up an appointment if the agent, editor or book doctor is fully booked. If you’ve missed your allotted time, I will do my hardest to slot you elsewhere, but that isn’t always possible. However, on the whole, most writers come out feeling they have received the best critique on their work, some come out with requests for full manuscripts and as it has been the case this year, writers come out with a further meeting booked to sign up with an agent. To ensure that these events run smoothly, we have to make certain that we adhere to timings; hence the day runs smoothly for agents, editors, book doctors and the delegates themselves.

This year I know for a fact that there were at least three people taken on by agents. Many people were amazed at the great feedback they received. You have to remember that this time with the agent will be brief, but they will give you some important advice. Don’t panic if they say some negative things, these can be changed and this is probably where you need to concentrate your efforts. ‘Anything worth doing is worth doing well’, it is a truth that we all have to learn to accept. Festivals like this are there to help you grow your work and extend your talents. So, if you’ve never been don’t be scared, it is fun and you will learn something. I still learn every conference or festival I attend. The writing world isn’t a dinosaur, it is constantly evolving and you have to evolve with it if you want to break into, stay in or try something new. You are only as good as your last piece of work. So take advice, edit and re-edit, then re-edit again before you send your work out there if you are to get the best result. After all it’s why you write, isn’t it?