Lots going on.
Most significant. My "baby" turned 7 years old this past weekend. Her favorite present? A box of Lucky Charms all to herself.
Updates on my writing . . . last week I finished the first draft of ATHENA, part of The Newport Ladies Book Club series I'm writing with Annette Lyon, Josi Kilpack, and Julie Wright. We have a blog called The Newport Ladies Book Club blog, although there's not a lot on it . . . yet, but become a follower so that you can be updated at all times :)
Also, I'm getting editing notes back from my alpha readers for my YA speculative book THE BURNING. They are coming back very positive, with some great fixes as well.
This week my priority is to work on edits from my publisher for CHRIST's GIFTS TO WOMEN, which will be out Spring 2012.
AMMON should hit stores any day now. I'll be posting a list of signings very soon! I've received lots of great reviews, which are being posted on the side-bar, and I'm really excited to hear from all of you as well. BTW, AMMON will NOT be eligible for a 2011 Whitney. I'll be serving on the Whitney Committee this year, which means that any 2011 release is ineligible.
CONFERENCES:
Some exciting conferences are coming up.
THE Teen Writers Conference will be June 18 at Weber State University. If your teen is interested in writing, this is a great conference. Details HERE. *Seating is limited and the registration deadline is June 8.
PEG Live Critiquing Workshop: August 13, American Fork Library. This is sponsored by my editing company and will include a day of live critiquing by my senior editors. It will be fantastic and very hands-on. Details are on the PEG Workshop blog. We've already had a great response, so please sign up early--seating is limited!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
2011 LDS Storymakers--Wrap Up
I'm looking forward to reading reports from the conference this year.
My job on the committee was to host the visiting agents/editors with Laura Bingham. We started out with a few glitches that included one agent canceling, and another agent quitting his job as an agent (although he still ones one of the most popular agent blogs).
We also had to brown-nose Robison Wells a little to see if he'd invite his agent, Sara Crowe.
It was amazing how everything came together in the end and we landed three amazing agents, Sara Crowe of Harvey Klinger, Sara Megibow of Nelson Literary, Becca Stumpf of Prospect Agency, and fantastic editor, Marcia Markland, from St. Martins Press.
w.o.w.
Agents: Sara Crowe, Sara Megibow, Becca Stumpf
On Thursday afternoon, I picked up Marcia Markland from the airport. She is a sweet and gracious woman and marveled at the expanse of blue sky in Utah. We went for a small tour around downtown SLC and found that we had something in common--we are both directionally challenged (Marcia, I know the temple is here somewhere, let's turn this way)--something that James Dashner pointed out later when a group of us were in The Van going to dinner.
With Marcia Markland at the Whitney Gala
Fast forward a couple of hours and ANWA writer, Karen Dupaix, arrived at the hotel with agent Becca Stumpf. Moment of surreal-ness when Becca and Julie Wright realized they'd met before at a conference in NY. We all had dessert and Becca proved to be very delightful and very funny.
Laura Bingham had brought agent Sara Megibow in earlier that afternoon, but she had a couple of clients to hook up. Pretty cool that 2 of her clients were coming to the conference. I didn't get to meet Sara Megibow until the next day, but she is definitely an agent who doesn't mix words. She exuded confidence and enthusiasm in every aspect.
Agent Sara Crowe flew in close to midnight, so we were able to connect at the welcome on Friday morning.
Me with writer Christy Dorrity
Throughout the conference, I was told repeatedly how great each of our guests were. All of the agents, and Marcia, requested manuscripts and gave excellent advice all the way around. They all came to the Whitney Gala on Saturday night and it was cool that one of Sara Crowe's clients, Dan Wells, won Best Novel.
Speaking of the Whitney's, two of my "upcoming" co-authors won their first Whitney Awards: Annette Lyon for Band of Sisters in the General category, and Julie Wright for Cross My Heart in the Romance category. It was weird, but I think I was more excited when they won, than when I won in previous years. (No, Alma the Younger didn't win but a most excellent book, Trespass by Sandra Grey, did. We had fun talking about our historical faux pas that we hope our readers don't notice.)
Me with Annette Lyon & Lisa Mangum at the Whitney Gala
Taking Marcia back to the airport she commented that this conference was the nicest one she's ever been to. She loved the people and marveled that she'd been treated so well. So, a big shout out to the conference attendees. Thanks for doing the committee proud!
My job on the committee was to host the visiting agents/editors with Laura Bingham. We started out with a few glitches that included one agent canceling, and another agent quitting his job as an agent (although he still ones one of the most popular agent blogs).
We also had to brown-nose Robison Wells a little to see if he'd invite his agent, Sara Crowe.
It was amazing how everything came together in the end and we landed three amazing agents, Sara Crowe of Harvey Klinger, Sara Megibow of Nelson Literary, Becca Stumpf of Prospect Agency, and fantastic editor, Marcia Markland, from St. Martins Press.
w.o.w.
Agents: Sara Crowe, Sara Megibow, Becca Stumpf
On Thursday afternoon, I picked up Marcia Markland from the airport. She is a sweet and gracious woman and marveled at the expanse of blue sky in Utah. We went for a small tour around downtown SLC and found that we had something in common--we are both directionally challenged (Marcia, I know the temple is here somewhere, let's turn this way)--something that James Dashner pointed out later when a group of us were in The Van going to dinner.
With Marcia Markland at the Whitney Gala
Fast forward a couple of hours and ANWA writer, Karen Dupaix, arrived at the hotel with agent Becca Stumpf. Moment of surreal-ness when Becca and Julie Wright realized they'd met before at a conference in NY. We all had dessert and Becca proved to be very delightful and very funny.
Laura Bingham had brought agent Sara Megibow in earlier that afternoon, but she had a couple of clients to hook up. Pretty cool that 2 of her clients were coming to the conference. I didn't get to meet Sara Megibow until the next day, but she is definitely an agent who doesn't mix words. She exuded confidence and enthusiasm in every aspect.
Agent Sara Crowe flew in close to midnight, so we were able to connect at the welcome on Friday morning.
Me with writer Christy Dorrity
Throughout the conference, I was told repeatedly how great each of our guests were. All of the agents, and Marcia, requested manuscripts and gave excellent advice all the way around. They all came to the Whitney Gala on Saturday night and it was cool that one of Sara Crowe's clients, Dan Wells, won Best Novel.
Speaking of the Whitney's, two of my "upcoming" co-authors won their first Whitney Awards: Annette Lyon for Band of Sisters in the General category, and Julie Wright for Cross My Heart in the Romance category. It was weird, but I think I was more excited when they won, than when I won in previous years. (No, Alma the Younger didn't win but a most excellent book, Trespass by Sandra Grey, did. We had fun talking about our historical faux pas that we hope our readers don't notice.)
Me with Annette Lyon & Lisa Mangum at the Whitney Gala
Taking Marcia back to the airport she commented that this conference was the nicest one she's ever been to. She loved the people and marveled that she'd been treated so well. So, a big shout out to the conference attendees. Thanks for doing the committee proud!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
The Bitter & The Sweet
Early this morning I spent time reading about a good friend of mine's new battle with breast cancer. She was recently diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer. Fortunately it hasn't spread to the rest of her body. She is journaling each day on a private blog and it's heart-wrenching to read it. How did she find out? A dentist wouldn't treat her because of a sore in her mouth and told her to see a doctor for an antibiotic. One thing led to another and she is now fighting the beast.
Her advice? If you are 40 or older and have no history of cancer in your family, get a mammogram each year. If you are under 40, with history, start earlier.
So, next Monday (after the craziness of the Storymakers Conference & Mother's Day), I'm scheduling a mammogram.
In other, much better news, I found out this morning that ALMA THE YOUNGER won 2011 Best of State in Literary Arts for Fiction. A couple of years ago, ABINADI won. My husband said to me, "Are we going to get another parking ticket?" Hope not! (for the torrid details of my last Best of State adventure, read here)
Her advice? If you are 40 or older and have no history of cancer in your family, get a mammogram each year. If you are under 40, with history, start earlier.
So, next Monday (after the craziness of the Storymakers Conference & Mother's Day), I'm scheduling a mammogram.
In other, much better news, I found out this morning that ALMA THE YOUNGER won 2011 Best of State in Literary Arts for Fiction. A couple of years ago, ABINADI won. My husband said to me, "Are we going to get another parking ticket?" Hope not! (for the torrid details of my last Best of State adventure, read here)
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