Before I talk about the conference I want to let everyone know that my recently released e-book, Destiny Unknown (formerly published as a Loveswept romance) was advertised in one newsletter as being offered for .99¢ on Kindle starting today. I didn’t realize I needed to wait 30 days (after enrolling the book) before offering a promotion, so the promotion for Destiny Unknown will begin on Wednesday, November 25th, not today. Sorry about that. HOWEVER, Destiny Unknown is available now for just $2.99. (Amazon Link )
Killer Nashville
This was my first time at this conference. It was held at the Omni Hotel, just a block from Nashville’s downtown Broadway where all of the bar and music action takes place. But, alas, I only had one chance to check out that area. From Thursday afternoon until the end of the conference I was busy seeing friends, attending sessions, and hitting the hotel’s bar. (For research, of course.)
The first event of the conference was a wine tasting party. An excellent way to start any party, in my opinion. When M. William Phelps came into the room, he was immediately surrounded by fans. (More about him when I highlight his session, but many of you may have seen him on TV on as the host of the Investigation Discovery series Dark Minds.)
Wine tasting party, Clay Stafford taking M. William Phelps’ picture.
After the wine tasting, I had dinner with Deni Dietz, who is a long time friend and Five Star’s senior editor (and the wife of my editor). I always enjoy spending time with Deni.
Friday started with a greeting from Clay Stafford, organizer of the Killer Nashville conference. Following Clay’s welcome. M. William Phelps talked about CRIME PAYS. (My notes on his talk will be ready next week.) After he finished, some attendees had pitches with editors and agents, some went to round tables, and the rest of us went to the sessions. It’s always difficult for me to decide which one to pick when there are several that interest me. I did take notes at the ones I attended, and I’ll relay that info in future blogs.
Friday evening Sisters in Crime had a reception, and after that I wandered down to the bar where I had a long talk with Maryglenn McCombs, a publicists, and Janet Finsilver, who owns (or is owned by) a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy. Anyone who owns a Ridgy is automatically great in my book.
Zuri about five years ago
Saturday. Morning I was right. Only a handful of people made it to the session on Romantic Suspense but we— Claire Applewhite, D.D. Ayres, Cj Peterson (aka Marilyn Johnston), Nancy Sartor, and yours truly—had a good time. Everyone made some good points, and the audience asked good questions.
Romantic Suspense panel
After that I went to one more session before Clay began his series of interviews with the guests of honor. Robert K. Tanenbaum was scheduled before lunch, Phelps after lunch and then John Gilstrap.
MWA had a reception that evening before the KN banquet, awards ceremony, and talk by Tanenbaum.
I’d decided not to attend the banquet and who to my surprise shows up but Suzanne Berube Rorhus, a long time friend from Battle Creek, MI. She and her husband asked me to join them for dinner, which I gladly agreed to. We had a great time catching up on what we’d been doing. Suzanne was on her way to Memphis for a bar-b-que launch of an anthology that has one of her short stories.
Sunday was a morning of sessions and then it was over.
That’s the overview. Next week I’ll give specifics from the talks and sessions. Today I’m still resting up and getting those notes in order.
Sounds like you had a killer of a time! How great to network with other authors that we only previously know via internet.
What I love, Jacqueline, is the energy and ideas I get at a conference. Also, not only did I get together with authors I’ve known through the Internet, I met some new writers I want to know more about.
What a great time you must have had. Conferences always fill me with so much energy for writing, even though I’m exhausted when I get home.
Ditto on the exhausted, Diane. I’m just beginning to catch up with the chores at home along with the follow-ups from the conference.
Whew. You sounded busy! But I’m glad you had a good time. I can’t wait to hear more!
I didn’t take as many pictures as I wish I had, but I did take notes. Now I just have to hope I can make sense of those notes.
Sounds like it was a good conference and a fun time. I haven’t been to a conference in a few years, except for the retreat, and I’ve missed the energy and motivation they give a writer. I look forward to hearing more about this one.
Lucy, I consider the Retreat from Harsh Reality a type of conference. I always go away from those with energy and motivation.
What a fun time! How great to catch up with friends old and new. Your blog left me smiling and happy the conference was rewarding on so many levels.
My biggest problem last weekend, Bonnie, was I was always cold. I forgot to bring a sweater, so shame on me, but I’ll never understand why hotels have to keep their conference rooms so cold.