Writing is a solitary profession. Most writers are introverts who enjoy being alone, appreciate quiet, and can amuse themselves with the power of their mighty imaginations. For me, though, writing can be a little overly lonely at times. Take today, for example. Other than people who are related to me, and the cashiers at the stores I visited, and the little people I drive via car pool, I exchanged actual face-to-face words with one person. For under five minutes. And that one person certainly wasn’t someone who knows or cares about the world of publishing.
Thus, it’s always a delight for me to attend the American Christian Fiction Writer’s annual conference. I chat with people all day! And EVERYONE present is involved in the world of publishing.
The conference took place last week. Cara gave you a look at her conference experience yesterday and today it’s my turn! Here’s a peek into my (virtual) photo album….
Dani and I at my favorite salad spot!
The fun began last Wednesday, the 16th. The conference officially starts in the afternoon on Thursday. But I know from experience that it’s exhausting to sleep poorly the night before the trip, then get up at the crack of dawn, then catch a flight, then check in and rush straight to the first session.
So I convinced my friend Dani Pettrey to fly in on Wednesday. Dani’s first book for the Christian market and mine came out the same month. Since well before that, she and I have been walking this road together, sharing our struggles, encouraging each other, and praying for one another.
Since I live in Dallas and the conference was located in Dallas this year, I picked her up at the airport and we had salads for lunch. Then we relaxed poolside at her downtown Dallas hotel before walking a few blocks to Stampede 66 for dinner. Several other authors joined us there. Some live in town (like Lynne Gentry and Kellie Coates Gilbert) and others flew in for the conference. Like Kara Isaac, who flew in from New Zealand!
L to R: me, Dani, Andrea Nell, Tari Faris, Lynne Gentry, Kara Isaac, Laurie Tomlinson, Kellie Coates Gilbert.
The next day, Dani and I immediately buckled down and got serious about our profession with…
…a pedicure. Note Dani’s neck pillow! Let’s just say that Thursday morning didn’t stink.
I did eventually transport Dani to the conference hotel in the center of DFW Airport. Yes. The center of the airport. Odd location.
Once at the hotel, I soon met up with Katie Ganshert!
If you follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter, you’ll probably recognize Katie as my “Pinterest War” nemesis. She might be my Pinterest War foe, but she’s my real life friend.
More writer buddies awaited at the genre dinner:
At the genre dinner, you’re invited to dress like your characters. So you can see that a few of the ladies are dressed in more historical garb.
The next day I attended a wonderful class taught by Allen Arnold entitled The Wildness of Writing With God. Inspiring!
That evening my publisher, Bethany House, treated their authors to dinner. Two editors and two women from Bethany’s marketing department attended the conference.
Here’s Dani and me with Noelle Buss (in green), the Director of Marketing at Bethany.
On Saturday, Dani and I had the honor of presenting a workshop! It was titled Taming the Social Media Beast. Most writers aren’t social media gurus. For us, social media can quickly become an intimidating, energy-eating beast. Dani and I provided practical tips about how to get the best value out of Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook for whatever amount of time a writer has to give. Oh! And we gave out chocolate and prizes.
Here we are with Lindsay Harrel, who volunteered to be the ‘hostess’ of our presentation. She went on to WIN a Genesis Award for unpublished fiction later that day.
We’re always invited to dress up for the gala awards ceremony the final night. Usually, I buy a dress at the outlet mall near where I live, but this year I unearthed one from the back of my closet. Here’s to little black dresses!
With fellow contemporary romance authors, Kariss Lynch and Melissa Tagg.
With Katie Ganshert and Betsy St Amant. The three of us having wedding novellas releasing in ebook format this fall. Next fall, they’ll be packaged together in a print collection!
And then it was over. All my friends and publishing folks flew off and I returned home.
Here’s the pile of laundry that awaited me….
Have you read books by any of the authors mentioned in this post? Do you enjoy attending conferences centered around your work and/or hobbies?
p.s. I’m currently running a giveaway for 3 signed copies of A Love Like Ours via my facebook page. Pop over and leave a comment on the top-most post to be entered!
Becky Wade
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I really enjoyed reading about the conference, Becky! Great photos. I am glad it went so well, and you enjoyed it.
Becky
Thanks, Becky! I appreciate you for following the blog. 🙂
Loved seeing your photos, Becky. Allen Arnold’s class was amazing! And seeing all of my writing friends was fabulous! Dani even hostessed my workshop right after presenting your great social media session. I look forward to ACFW every years for exactly the reasons you mentioned, and I’m already looking ahead to Nashville. 🙂
Karen, your class was amazing! I need to get some links from you on where you get all those amazing giveaways. I love how you surprise and delight your readers.
I need the audio to your class, Karen! You’re one of my favorite workshop presenters.
Great fun to see that you aren’t all work and no play! 😀 It looks like everyone had a great time. And yes, I HAVE read books by a few of the people in your pictures! 😀 We are so blessed to have great Christian authors providing us with some amazing books to read!!!
I’m not surprised to hear that you’ve read book by several of the authors I mentioned, June! Superreader, you.
Love seeing your ACFW photos! I was about to ask where you found salads with greenery outside. I’m so jealous. I was trapped at the hotel from Tuesday evening to Sunday evening. I got home and was like “give me grass!!!!!!”
Yes! Lol! Give me grass!! We only managed to find that scrap of greenery because we ventured out of DFW airport.
You and kelly coates gilbert are the only 2 i have read books by.
Kim – thank you for reading my books!
Thanks for reading my books, Kim! And yay for my friend Kellie Coates Gilbert!
Becky – Thanks for including me in the Stampede 66 dinner. You neglected to tell everyone about that hilarious pig made of pork rinds! What a hoot! I really enjoyed connecting with new writing friends and old. The conference is like a big family reunion!
Some of us also encountered a very handsome cowboy (picture) inside the women’s restroom at Stampede 66. Dani has the photographic proof….
Oh, I loved reading this blog. I have read many of the books by your friends. I have read Dani, Betsy, Melissa, and Katie. (like I’m friends on first name basis) I enjoyed seeing your pictures because I too have a business and we have conventions every year in Fort Worth. It is always so fun to see everyone at the Rally and learn new ways to work my business. Thanks for sharing!
Exactly, Dana! Conventions can be educational, fun, and inspiring. And thanks for reading so much contemporary romance. I appreciate your support of our small sub-genre!
Becky, it was so wonderful to meet you! I’m reading My Stubborn Heart. Oh my word, it’s so good. I can’t be here long cause Kate and some ex-hockey player are waiting for me … and I have laughed. Oh my word. 🙂
Becky, I loved ACFW this year. It was an amazing conference. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Fun post, Becky! Had so much fun with you.
Thank you so much for sharing your photo album! It is fun to put a face to names I see in our library every day.