One Very Fab Conference

I just got back from the Romance Writers of America National Conference. Conferences are always fun, but eternally exhausting. Let’s just say me and Visine become one at these things.

All the big romance names were there: Suzanne Brockmann, Nora Roberts, Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn and I could go on and on.

A lot of young adult authors, too: Shannon Greenland (that’d be me), Simone Elkeles, Stephanie Hale, Heather Davis, Tina Ferraro, Julie Linker... Again, I could go on and on. (and if you’re a YA author and I left you out, totally be cool about it, okay? I’m still a bit blurry from the week long event.)

Simone Elkeles (YA author), Stephen Barbara (fab agent), and myself gave an awesome workshop—and I’m not just saying that. It was called “Its Not Cheating If You Do It With A Younger Guy”. Funny title, huh? Simone came up with it. It definitely got people in the door. The workshop was all about what’s hot in YA right now and how to transition into writing for that market.

Now I’ve been to a lot of workshops over the years. Some are great, some are mediocre, and some are real snoozers. If its not attention grabbing I usually end up leaving and doing something better with my time (coffee, bathroom, etc...) (That’s why I always sit in the back, so I can make my escape). Ours must have been great because only two people got up and left during the whole hour. I’d like to think they had a bathroom emergency.

So now I’m back and I’m leaving again this up coming weekend to give the same workshop down in Tampa. Let’s hope it goes just as well!