~ By Angela Kay Austin
At what age did you decide (realize) you were meant to write? It’s always been a part of me in one way or another. When I finally made the decision to jump off that bridge and submit, I think I didn’t sleep for weeks waiting for responses. When the rejections came, I just knew they were wrong…how could they not see my genius J
It took years, but finally, I did receive that wonderful wonderful yes!
Now, feeling like a “legit” author, I thought it’s logical attend a conference. Participate and sign. Attend lectures. It’ll be no big deal. Right?
What on earth was I thinking?
I freaking lost my mind at RomanticTimes! I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, I think I lost weight…no time for eating or sleeping will do that to you.
I don’t know about past events: ratio of cover models to guests, aspiring writers vs. readers, etc. But, what I do know is that I was able to walk up to people whose books I’ve read for years, and say hi. Take pictures, and ask questions. Nalini Singh will never know how amazing I felt when she walked into a Harlequin party and strolled over to me to say hi. AMAZING!
Every lecture I attended made something explode in my brain. I thought I was the only one to think or feel a certain way about something, but here I was surrounded by others who thought and felt the same way. They battled the same problems.
I can’t wait for next year!
I had an absolutely amazing time! I hope that I’ll get to run into a few of you guys next year. See you in Kansas City!
After twenty years of practicing marketing: writing copy, designing layouts, developing advertising campaigns, Angela realized each piece of the plans she put together eventually told a story. And, since she was a tween reading her mother’s Reader’s Digest, and every teen magazine she could find she’d dreamt of telling stories.
Her first book, Love’s Chance stayed on Red Rose Publishing’s Best Seller list for 10 weeks. Her second release, My Son, is available from Red Rose Publishing. And was a best seller at All Romance Ebooks. New releases: Sweet Victory and Scarlet’s Tears are available from Vanilla Heart Publishing.
Angela has written for the Ezine Rithm ‘n Blues.
Jeff, I think my excitement was combustable because I love books, and because they have always been such a big part of my life.
Angela, sounds like you had a wonderful time at RT.
As a librarian for nearly 30 years, I went to innumerable library conferences, including several on the national level. Those were always big draws for big name authors — both as speakers and in the exhibit area signing books.
Hearing, seeing, standing near, or even shaking hands with some of those authors was a huge thrill for me.