Last weekend I was so fortunate to gather together with other writers, editors, agents, publicists, publishers and anyone else you can think of, at the Words in 3 D conference in Edmonton.
Highlights:
1. Getting to hear Shelagh Rogers from CBC’s The Next Chapter talk with Alistair MacLeod. HUGE fan of both of them, and I got to ask Alistair a question during the chat, get my books signed by him afterwards, and meet Shelagh in person. Had some uber-dorky moments of gushing to them, but oh well! That talk – and my question – will possibly be put on the website for a future podcast. Yay!
Check out this Storify from the evening to read tweets from before, during, and after the event (by my friend Tamara Stecyk)
2. Getting to attend the incredible freelancing panel featuring Caitlin Crawshaw, Joan Dixon, and Marcello Di Cintio. So insightful, inspiring, and terrifying. There were some great quotes that came out of that session that you can read on my Twitter account (@danicanuck)
3. Hearing the keynotes and panels involving Rosemary Shipton, Nancy Flight (Greystone Books), and Hilary McMahon (Westwood Creative Artists). Thanks to these knowledgeable and feisty ladies for making the trek to Edmonton. Things I learned from them:
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If you’re good-looking, you might send in a photo with your proposal. If you’re not, well….
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We authors need to take advantage of digital platforms and create a brand-spanking-new product that couldn’t exist in print
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Literary agents are adept speed-daters
Now a little rest from conferences until mid-August, when I’ll be sitting on some panels at Calgary’s When Words Collide. Hope to see you there!
L-R: S.G. Wong, me, and Tammy Lee Valgardson at the panel. (ItsYourPhoto.com)