Last night was packing… Today is counting down until I hit the road.
I’m headed for ConText 23 in Columbus, Ohio with some of my writing buddies. We’ve been planning this since last spring. I’m all atwitter about mixing and mingling with other writers, attending panels and figuring out ways to make my writing better, and oh yeah, promoting the heck out of my new book. That’s right, my new book. Thanks to the wonderful support of the folks at Soylent Publications, I’ll be publishing my first collection of short stories, titled Charmed City: 13 Tales of the Dark and Strange in Baltimore, in May 2011. So excited…. Is it time to hit the road yet?
When the last post appeared, our daring heroine was nervously awaiting her first public reading…. Did she chew her fingernails to the nub? Was she pelted by rotten tomatoes by an angry audience? Or did get everything go well? We tune in now to find out the answer….
I arrived at Balticon in plenty of time to get ready for the reading, but the preparation didn’t make me feel any less nervous. But even with my nerves, everything went just fine. To our great relief, the audience members outnumbered us. They were attentive and applauded nicely after each piece. Vonnie Winslow Crist read an enchanting tale, and Katie Hartlove read beautifully. I am so proud of my fellow Writer Goddesses. I even got comments later in the con about how enjoyable my part of the reading was.
Then, in a bonus round, the author who followed us, Leona Wisoker, asked if we wanted to stay and share reading time with her. Bonus! I got to hear part of what sounds like a really good novel from Leona, and I got to read my back up story, “Master Pinchpenny’s Heartaches and Cure-alls,” which I think went even better than the first reading.
The rest of the con was quite a whirlwind, but it was a good whirlwind. I went to lots of panels and got some really good ideas for future stories. I got to spend good times with good friends and pick up a new Tee Morris book I’ve been itching to read. But best of all, I made some good publishing contacts, and if all goes well, one of the book release parties at next year’s Balticon will involve me. To say that I’m thrilled is an understatement.
P.S. – All authors mentioned in this post – Vonnie Winslow Crist, Katie Hartlove, Leona Wisoker, and Tee Morris – are well worth looking up and spending some of your precious cash and reading time on. Just sayin’…
I’m nervous. And excited. Friday, as in tomorrow, I get to do my very first ever public reading of my work. I’ve stood before classes of 20-30 students and taught. I’ve sold my work and it’s been read by more than just sympathetic family and friends – and I’ve gotten compliments on it too. But still, the thought of standing before strangers and reading my creative work has got my mouth all dry. Seriously, anyone got a drink of water out there?
But I’m going to do it. And I’m going to do my very best to rock the house. Because I’m really hoping that this will be the first of many.
If you happen to be at Balticon, which I really encourage since it’s an awesome con, come on by Salon D at 5 pm on Friday, 5/28. I’ll be reading.
P.S. – Yes, the Pocket Program says Vonnie Winslow Crist for that timeslot, but she’s my fellow Writer Goddess and she’s very generously sharing her timeslot. Besides being a wonderful critiquer and giving friend, she’s also a wonderful writer. So, stop by and give us a listen.
