I’m getting ready to leave for the RWA National Conference in Orlando. It promises to be a big event this year as it’s sold out. I’m not sure how many people that will be, but I’d guess it would be in the 1000-1200 range. That’s 1000 published and unpublished writers, editors, agents, and hardcore readers wandering around the mega-sized hotel. It’s an interesting dynamic given that writers, by nature, are introverts. Agents, on the other hand, are the extroverts. Unfortunately in this environment, hungry writers tend to hunt down agents and editors with single-minded intent. Everybody’s wanting to make contacts and sales. Agents and editors are, meanwhile, hurrying everywhere while trying to hide the color of their name badges. See? It’s fun.
There will be a lot happening in those four days. There will be countless workshops, one of which I’ll be moderating. (I hope it doesn’t get out of hand!) Publishers will be having parties for their staff and authors. Authors will be gathering in the bars to share gossip. Ahem… “industry news.” It’s always great to see friends or make that chance encounter with a big name author. You never know when you’ll run into Nora Roberts in the elevator or end up sitting at a luncheon table with J.R. Ward.
Anyway, it’s the one time of the year where authors come out of their writing caves. It’s a fun time, and a lot of good things happen there. I, for one, am ready to go.