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Nationals Recap: Day 1
 Posted by Vanessa Barneveld Jun 29 2011, 12:40 am in 2011 RWA conference, agents, conference photos, editors 10:00am My day began with a lie-in and a sumptuous breakfast of Cheetos and mixed nuts, followed by the application of a miraculous cosmetic that banished the luggage under my eyes. 11:45am Downstairs at a retreat for Golden Heart finalists past and present, sparks flew during a discussion on the impact of e-publishing. I don’t have photos of that clash. Instead, I’ll give you a rundown of what some editors and agents are looking for. I was wired on cucumber and watercress sandwiches, so please forgive any gaps/flaws in this recap. Selina McLemore [Mac-le-more], editor, Grand Central Publishing, Forever
Donald Maass, agent, Donald Maass Literary Agency
Robert Gottlieb, chairman, Trident Media Group lit agency
Alexandra Machinist, agent, Janklow and Nesbit lit agency
Barbara Poelle [Po-elle], the Irene Goodman Literary Agency
Jennifer Enderlin, editor, St Martin’s Press
Then we had cake. A cake with vivid-blue icing that I hoed into before anyone could warn me that eating cake with vivid-blue icing is a fashion don’t. 2011 GH finalist Erin Kelly refused to let me back into the conference room without first blotting blue icing off my face and hair. Later, Kim MacCarron and Katrina Snow, from the 2010 GH Unsinkable group, informed me my lips and tongue were blue after I scarfed down more cake. (Katrina’s compact mirror confirmed the unthinkable.) Again, no photos. 3:00pm Readers and writers lined up outside the ballroom for their chance to meet their fave authors at the charity literacy signing event. Security personnel wearing conspicuous secret security-style suits and earpieces swarmed the area. 5:30pm – lit signing continued My friends stood back and let me talk to my girl crush, Meg Cabot. Could not believe Meg remembered me (and how to pronounce my name without an Australian accent) after our first meeting in Orlando last year. Also spoke to our Jeannie Lin, RITA finalist Simone Elkeles, and friendly Aussie invaders Kandy Shepherd and Christina Brooke. I told Stephanie Bond I attended her workshop at a Sydney conference years ago and that her 30-minute-timer method of writing is pure genius for busy people. Squealed at Erica O’Rourke, a 2010 GH finalist whose first book, Torn, was released TODAY! Babbled at a few other people. I’m so sorry I missed seeing a gazillion other authors. I was flummoxed by the sheer number of fans and by the alphabetical order that ran from right to left rather than left to right. Or was it the other way around? Anyway, it was too much for my frazzled neurons. 6:30pm Went to my room and stuck the key in the door. It wouldn’t open. Little wonder — I was actually two floors below my own room. Sorry to the person in Room XXXX. The weirdo cursing at your door was me. Red-faced this time (not blue-faced), I jumped back in the elevator, where Deb Werksman (or someone who looks a LOT like her), acquiring editor for Sourcebooks, greeted me with a very cheerful hello that almost made me forget my latest embarrassing international incident. 8:30pm Ruby dinner excursion to Italian restaurant Becco. Warm and cozy atmosphere. Faaaaabulous company! Our honorary Ruby sister from Brazil, Gabi, had the locals in fits of laughter when she commented on how efficient America is. Though as a fellow tourist, I wholeheartedly agree! Seriously. 10:30pm Elizabeth Langston hosted a Ruby after-party in her room. Autumn Jordon brought wine, pretzels and an enormous bag of Hershey’s Kisses that I just wanted to dive into. Lindsey Brookes announced a new line of Ruby merchandise — top-secret stuff. It’s all between us and a Marriott security guard for now, but we’ll keep you posted. Midnight-ish I met up with that lovely Stephanie Bond again — this time in an elevator. And, yes, I got off on the right floor this time and that glorious king-size bed is calling my name. See you tomorrow!  My daily essentials -- Cheetos, nuts, and an eye-lift in a tube.  The Golden Network Retreat  Our Sara Ramsey with her 2011 GH class in the background. What you don't see in the pic are her superb ruby stilettos.  The lit signing - before  The lit signing - during. This pic does not do the event any justice. In reality, it was wall-to-wall fans and authors.  Our Jeannie Lin, one of the many Rubies featured at the literacy event.  Rubies at Becco  Rubies to the left, Rubies to the right  Yep -- Rubies! Share:
              
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Hey, Vanessa, sounds like you’re having a wonderful blue-icing level good time! How fantastic to catch up with everyone. I’ve been thinking about you all over there today – first year since 2006 when I haven’t been lining up to go to the literacy signing. Meg is lovely, isn’t she? And so gorgeous! Have a wonderful day tomorrow. Keep us up to date on what you’re up to. I’m living the conference vicariously through you. And watch out for stray Romance Bandits!!!!
Hi, Anna! I’ve been thinking about you and missing you! I caught a glimpse of Bandita Anna Sugden yesterday and I’m sure I’ll bump into more Banditas over the coming days. Meg Cabot always looks gorgeous, doesn’t she?
Wow! What a day! I loved this post, Vanessa!
Lots of chuckles and some very good tips!
Beware cucumber and cress sandwiches – they sound so civilised but they obviously have a powerful kick! No wonder they were such a staple at garden parties!
And beware blue icing! As a Sagittarian who spills red wine and whose beetroot invariably falls out of her sandwiches on to the lightest piece of clothing she’s wearing, this one is a real heads-up for me!
I’m looking forward to hearing more of your adventures!
Sharon
Oh, Sharon — I think spilling red wine and beetroot on white clothing is an Aries thing, too! Yes, those cucumber sandwiches pack a lot of punch. Gotta be careful of getting watercress stuck between teeth. Though, as Kim said to me, real friends tell you when there’s a big old chunk of green stuff stuck to your eye teeth.
Vanessa, it sounds like you’re having a marvellous time! Terrific that Meg C remembered you (how could she not?). I attended that workshop by Stephanie B too and it changed my approach to writing (for the better). Am smirking here at your rundown of a day at RWA National – sounds like a blast.
But most of all – can you give me details on your luggage removing eye cream? Sounds splendiferous!
Hi, Annie! Do you remember the chorus of ‘Ahhh!’ in the room when Stephanie Bond revealed the 30-minute timer? It’s such a clever idea and makes so much sense.
The miracle cream is Ooh-La-Lift by Benefit. It’s a brightener and I swear it shrinks those bags. I’m going through quite a bit of it here!
WOW – how jam-packed and exciting does your first day sound. Thanks for those snippets of gossip from the agents. And have a BLAST the rest of the time
x
Rach!
You’re welcome, Rach! It *was* a jam-packed day. I wish I could sleep in just a little bit more but there’s another big 12 hours ahead. Yay!
Vanessa,
Thanks for this terrific post-it’s almost like being there. Looking forward to more intel on the super-secret Ruby merchandise!
Sounds like you’re having a great time.
Good luck with it all. Kelley
Hi, Kelley! I’m glad the recaps are bringing the conference closer to you. I’m sure the super-secret Ruby merchandise would sell like hot cakes! Hmm, that reminds me — must have a proper breakfast today! Thanks for stopping by
Blue icing. Bwaahaahaa! You know I would have been right beside you, digging into that cake. I’m sure blue is a lovely color on you…and I would have been a good friend and taken a picture to preserve the moment. (grin) Yep, now you’re thanking God I’m not there.
Seriously, I want to jump on a plane right now and come join all of you. (can you hear the whine in my voice?) Everyone looks like they’re having such fun!
As to the agent tidbits…Isn’t it interesting how many of them are looking for unique, distinctive and out-of-the-box? I feel especially sorry for Barbara Poelle. What she must have to read….
Dinner must have been really fun seeing as how you ended up at a stranger’s door. (tee-hee) I think the other Rubies need to keep a closer eye on you.
I hope you all got a good night sleep because today is going to be even better. Enjoy the moment, and slam dunk those pitches!!
Hi, Shea,
I walked into the goodie room yesterday and the first thing I saw was the cover of The Marked Son. Woo hoo! A cover I recognized.
Beth
Ooo, yay! I’m glad you found them. If I can’t be there, at least my first literary baby can.
Hey, you might not have been there, but your cover had a prime spot on the tables, so you did good!
(Whines) Oh, pleeeeease come up here, Shea! Can’t you get your trainer to pass a hat around at the gym and collect your airfare? I’m sure you would not have taken a photo of me doing an unintentional impression of a blue-lipped Muppet.
Thanks, Beth, for pointing out the cover flats for The Marked Son! I will let my feet de-swell for a moment and then run down to get mine.
(hee-hee-hee) Oh, yes. But I would have. It’s okay, I would have taken it with you. We could have smiled (blue) cheese together. It would have been a fun memory.
Next year in Anaheim, we will have blue cake together and photograph it for the blog, Shea!
Oh, this post was so much fun, Vanessa. Thank you for taking time out of such a busy day to send us the highlights!! I loved the international incidents, the VIP sightings, and the notes on the editor/agent comments. How very interesting that so many of them say they’re looking for books that are innovative and/or push genre boundaries.
We home-bound folks thank you for the recap!
It’s my pleasure, Elise! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. I only wish you were here, too.
It sounds to me like this group of agents and editors want to see fresh, genre-breaking stories. That shouldn’t be too hard, should it? (Cough, cough!)
Great fun — and oh-so-informative! (Note to self: don’t eat the blue icing!)
Loved the comments of wanting writing that “is out of the box”, and “straining to break out of their genre,” and “innovative concepts that break the mold.”
This might explain why –after months of winning/placing highly in contests without any requests– my Regency-with-a-twist just got three requests for fulls… all in one email from a contest coordinator!
Woot!
Oh, Eileen, I’m so excited to hear of the interest in your Regency-with-a-twist! Please let me know what happens!
I’m pleased everyone’s heeding the warning on the blue icing. No matter how luscious it looks, no matter how how hungry you are, just don’t go there. Especially before a pitch. On the other hand, it’s a great ice-breaker.
I’m seriously plotting a donkey, Jello, were-chicken erotic story. Thanks for the idea.
Kelly, if anyone can write a donkey/jello/were-chicken story and write it well, it’s you!
You are way too funny, Vanessa! Your post had me in stitches and you make me wish I’d ponied up the big bucks and came to the conference. I’m with Shea, when’s the next flight to NYC? I’ll just have to make do with avidly reading the Rubies’ “Nationals Recap” posts instead. Good luck to all the GH and RITA finalists and most of all have fun everyone! And stay away from blue icing…
Waving madly at my Unsinkable sister Jacqui! I’m glad you liked the post. Please, get here any way you can — stat! Plane, train, automobile…horseback?
One advantage of staying at home is you *can* eat as much blue icing as you like. Just don’t open the door for salespeople or the UPS guy, etc.
I want some eyelift in a tube, where do you get it! The Ruby loop has been soooo quiet without y’all! Thanks for the recap and the pics, now I can pretend I’m there…
Hi, Diana! You can get that eyelift in a tube at Sephora. It’s called Ooh La Lift. Awesome stuff! http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P1287 (No, they’re not paying me for this mini-advertisement. I wish!)
Aww, such a fun post, Vanessa. Thanks for sharing a piece of the conference. Grinning all the way through your post and then a little blue that I was missing it all. (and I’m not talking about blue icing).
Enjoy the rest of your trip. Thanks for taking the time to post the stories and pictures.
Bev, we are blue because we’re missing you!
Wonderful and hilarious account of the day!!! Thanks for sharing this, Vanessa!!
My pleasure, Elisa! And I so hope we’ll see each other next time.
Looooooved meeting you all! This was so much fun! Thank you so much for this wonderful experience!
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