Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Perparing for the Spring Fling Conference in Chicago

My first conference, ever!

      By Jaye Shields


            I am over-the-top excited (and super duper nervous) about my very first conference. Tomorrow morning at 6AM I will depart SF for the windy city for Chicago’s Spring Fling Conference. If I manage to remember how to speak, I have an editor appointment with Tessa Woodward from Avon. I was planning on pimping my novel Secrets of the Sky, but decided otherwise since it’s actually the third in a trilogy. What do the experts say? Good idea?

            But I’ve got bigger things to worry about. Like what to wear…So here’s a brief glimpse of what I plan on cramming into my gigantic red suitcase.
 ·       Every pair of foxy heels I own. Should I also bring my Viking Boots??
o   P.S. Every self-respecting woman should own Viking Boots
·       Hot Rollers (Yes I realize this will take up half my suitcase) I need to rock big bouncy Carrie Underwood hair. If I go au natural I’ll look more like a Cali Hippie girl.

·       Five copies of my hottest scenes to read at the late night Hot Reads get together.
o   Note to self: wear bright red lipstick for this to distract everyone from my crimson-flushed cheeks

·       Slacks, Blazer (I went on this epic hunt for a cute blazer but they were all too expensive) Instead, I’m going to be rocking my plain black one with an unidentified stain on the sleeve.

I’m going to be rooming with a charming lady whom I plan on venting all my querying and pitching woes to if all does not go well. This is when I’ll treat her to a cosmo or something. I told her that they should serve writer themed beverages. Like a JK Rowling-tini or something.
Anyone else have any fancy author-themed drink ideas?
There’s tons of fun workshops. There’s this one I’m in desperate need of…Go From Contest Diva to Published Author.
            More like contest bitch-slapped diva in my case.
Some judges are just rough. I’m not planning on entering contests anymore. So far the only thing I’ve gotten published has been sans-contest, so maybe that’s a sign. Last year I got a ton of lame contest feedback for my urban fantasy novels. By lame, I mean half the judges loved it and half the judges hate it. How the heck am I supposed to go from there?

There’s plenty more fun workshops planned:
     Rejection: A Love Story (Right up my alley until about a month ago)
    Ghost Hunting Through the Ages
    Evil 101
   Can This Manuscript Be Saved? (Something I’m wondering about my trilogy right about now)
Does anyone have any conference horror stories?
I’ll give you all mine when I come back. I’m sure I’ll have plenty of cringe-worthy moments.
But you’ll still love me, right?

XOXO   Jaye Shields

About Me:
Born and raised in the grunge capitol, I took my love of music and poetry from the Pacific Northwest to California. Now I live in Alameda, a quaint island town in the Bay Area. Graduating this month with a degree in Anthropology with an emphasis in Archaeology, I'm just itching to climb some more pyramids. When I'm not in school, I'm either working at VW or taking long walks along the Alameda beach and gazing at the the outline of San Francisco in the distance.
Oh yes, and I'm a travel nut. Let's all go to Paris...

7 comments:

  1. coming from a person who rarely laughs out loud let me just say I giggled loudly. your blog puts a smile on my face and I can't wait to hear about your trip! Take pics and keep writing!

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  2. Have fun on your trip! I've never been on one, so it should be interesting to hear how it went for you.

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    1. Lacey! You are missing out. This was soooo much fun. After you get all resituated, we must begin strategizing our next conference. So many incredible people, lots of fun swag, and deeeelicious food. Oh, and did I mention networking? Yep, you and I are definitely going to a conference in the future. Just as soon as my wallet gets heavier and your new-home feng sui is all worked out. ;)

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  3. Ooo an interview with an editor! Lets hope she loves your novel. Why not pitch it as a trilogy?

    Do they have GHD's in the states? Could save you a lot of room with the rollers :o)

    It may be a British thing (or quite possibly an Aimee thing!), but what are Viking Boots? I've heard of Cowboy Boots...

    Hope you have fun, and I'm up for Paris any time!

    xx

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    1. Someone told me that pitching a trilogy was a no-no. But after she seemed to like it so much I let it slip that there are other lying in wait as well. *cough* trilogy.

      I'll take a picture of my viking boots and post them one of these days for you ;) Living in scotland, I don't know how you navigate the rain without them.

      See you in Paris, although, you're a hell of a lot closer than I am, darn it!

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    2. Yay, glad she liked it!

      In Scotland we just go with wet feet, soggy feet for 90% of the year. The only exception is music festivals when I don my Hunter wellies :o)

      Would you believe - even though its in swimming distance (if you are insane) - I've never been to France? Mexico, yes, Florida, of course but never France!

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  4. Hope you had a great time - and like Aimee - I'm desperate to know what Viking boots are! x

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