On the Road to RomantiCon - by Kathy Kulig

Getting Ready for Writing Conferences

When Terry asked me to guest blog and write about what it’s like to get ready for a writers conference, my first thought was INSANE. I’m looking at stacks of papers spread out on my dining room table that need to be stapled—hand outs for one conference where I’m presenting a workshop. Upstairs, several loads of laundry need to be folded. I just returned from a vacation less than a week ago, so I dumped out my suitcase and started repacking it. Authors need to bring promo items to give away at book signings and leave on swag tables. I made some excerpt booklets myself to save a few bucks. Thankfully, I’ve been making them up all summer. I’m trying to condense the items into two small bags. Since I’m driving two other EC authors to RomaniCon, Cris Anson and Kathleen Coddington, luggage space will be limited. I also need to bring my laptop to squeeze in some writing time. Oh, and I guess it would be a good idea to practice the workshop I’m presenting so I sound like I know what I’m talking about. Let’s see, six and a half hour drive into Ohio, I’m driving, hmmm. Guess my passengers will have to listen to a lecture about Screenwriting for Novel Writers. It’ll help pass the time.

This month—I’m going to two conferences: RomantiCon Ellora’s Cave’s first Convention on October 9-12^th (www.jasminejade.com/romanticon) and New Jersey Romance Writer’s PYHIAB Conference October 23-24 (www.njromancewriters.org).

For NJRW, I need to bring my own books to sign and I just had one (WILD JADE, Cerridwen Press) come out in print Wednesday. Yeah, rush order for NJRW, yikes. The folks at Ellora’s Cave are probably ready to hang me, placing an order for author’s copies days before RomantiCon.

Packing. Ha! Packing for writer’s conference can be quite interesting. Not just business casual clothes. At some conferences you may need to include items such as: purple lace corset, vampire satin cape, faery wings, 5-inch come-f**k-me-heels, faery dust body and hair glitter, etc. And if you go to Dragoncon, the costumes get even more elaborate.

I love writer’s conferences. They’re great fun. I get to meet readers, writers and other publishing professionals. I’ve learned so much through the various workshops and panels and made wonderful friends. Checking out the hot cover models is another perk too. If you’re going to either of these conferences please stop by my table at the book signing. You don’t have to buy a book, just say hi!

Visit me: http://www.kathykulig.com

Kathy Kulig

www.kathykulig.com

Desert of the Damned @ Ellora's Cave

www.dangerzoneauthors.com