Writer Mama Riffs on Raising A Writing Career Alongside Your Kids

The delivery truck just arrived with my new biz cards for the PNWA Conference. Yahoo! Three cheers for Vista Print!

Here’s a list of all the things I carry so that I can be prepared at a conference or event:

1. biz cards
2. Writer Mama cover blow up
3. WM post cards
4. a updated one-page flyer of upcoming WM events
5. a sign-up clipboard for both of my e-zines

And when I’m presenting, I add:

1. my trusty iBook with video cable and remote control (to change slides)
2. My Powerpoint presentation
3. interactive handouts for attendees (I like them to get something out of it for them)

And for this presentation, CHUTES AND LADDERS, I also need:

1. an extra easel to display the game board
2. the game board
3. sticky squares to get the board to stand up
4. a sample handout (a handout with SAMPLE written across the top)

For signings, I need:

1. a couple of fine-point SHARPIES
2. extra books for if/when supplies run out
3. a smile
4. food in my tummy (I’m hypoglycemic so I carry almonds)

Okay, this is a fairly unique situation. I’ve never needed to bring this much with me before. But hopefully, it gives you an idea.

So much for traveling light!

MY SUMMER 2007 SCHEDULE

JUNE 2007

OWC Presents! Me.
How to juggle writing with your already busy life
Monday, June 25, 7 p.m. @ Powell’s, Oregon Writer’s Colony Presents, Beaverton, OR, Info at Powell’s Events: http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/calendar, Free

JULY 2007

Pacific Northwest Writers Conference
Chutes and Ladders of a Writer’s Career: Healthy Habits of Productive Writers
Saturday, July 28, 2007, from 8:30 to 10:00a.m. Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center, 17620 Pacific Highway South, Seattle, WA 98188
Registration required

AUGUST 2007

Willamette Writers Conference: Registration Required
Portland Airport Sheraton Hotel, Portland, OR

Thursday, August 2nd: Writers Faire 2007, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Willamette Writers and Oregon Writers Colony join forces to feature local writers and their published works. Come speak with these talented authors, buy their books, and get them autographed. I’ll be signing copies of Writer Mama!

My presentations at the conference include:

Friday, August 3rd: 10:30-12:00 a.m.
Forget Non-fiction Features: Write Short and Get Published!

Sunday, August 5th:
1:30-2:45 p.m. Part 1: Get Known Before the Book Deal: Platform Building Basics
3:15-4:30 p.m. Part 2: Get Known Before the Book Deal: Platform Building Basics

August 18th: Two six-week Writers on the Rise e-mail classes begin!

• Writing & Publishing the Short Stuff

• Pitching Practice: Write Six Queries in Six Weeks

Here’s what a recent student from Writing and Publishing the Short Stuff had to say:

This was the most helpful writing class I have ever taken. The way Christina structured the assignments got me over some mental hurdles about what I’m capable of. I liked how some of the assignments built upon the previous ones, allowing for a painless trip to a great final outcome. I also appreciated learning how to submit finished work because I feel more ready to do that vs. querying at this point. Christina is knowledgeable, organized and an excellent teacher. I felt very comfortable under her tutelage. The class is well worth the cost.

Complete details available here. Classes fill quickly, so register early to save your spot.

Whidbey Island Writers Association Fall Residency
August 21-23rd
I have been invited to the Whidbey Island Writers Association Fall Residency where I’ll be teaching alongside Andrea Hurst (of Andrea Hurst Literary Management), Marvin Bell (the prolific poet), and Holly MacArthur (managing editor of Tin House literary magazine). My topic is “Creating Your Writing Career From the Ground Up.” To learn more about the only MFA program in the country not affiliated with a college or University, click here.

Actually, some of these are from Tuesday and others are from Wednesday night, in addition to tonight, Thursday.

Tomorrow, it’s BEA.

Well, I’m here! Although I felt a bit like Alice-down-the-rabbit-hole at first, I am starting to feel right here at my hotel only a couple of blocks from Madison Square Garden and Macy’s.

Stumbled off my leavin’-on-a-JetBlue-plane red-eye at about 8:00 a.m. And it only took me three hours to arrive at my hotel in Manhattan. (Okay, so I got on the Airlink tram for no reason, my shuttle was right in the same terminal. In my own defense, I was a wee bit tired.)

Checked in, opened my bag to unpack, and discovered that yes-indeed my shampoo and condtioner bottles had exploded. Fortunately, it was a small mess and only my workout clothes were effected. Whew!

I thought my response to all of this was very urbane. I decided it was time for a nap.

Nap taken, I had a lovely meeting with my agent for Writer Mama, Rita Rosenkranz at her home on the Upper West Side. (More about how great she is later.) Then grabbed a bite and walked back to my hotel through Times Square, which would not have been complete without the three-some of “I (Heart) New York” t-shirts for my family to wear all matchy-matchy.

It’s about eight o’clock, and since I am in The City That Never Sleeps, I think I’d better get some shut-eye.

Big conference tomorrow! Can’t wait to see everyone.

Will Schwalbe, senior vice president and editor in chief of Hyperion

Judy Hottensen, vice president and publisher of Miramax Books

Shaye Areheart, vice president and editorial director of Shaye Areheart Books/Random House

Obviously, the WDB/BEA Writer’s Conference is a stellar experience for writers, who write in any genre. And, of course, I understand that for any number of reasons, you may not be able to attend (but maybe next year!).

Maybe now is a good time to take a look around for a writers conference and writers association a little closer to home. I am a big advocate of baby steps, so why not start by attending a writers conference in your area and then plan on moving on to bigger and better conferences next time?

For a complete list of writers conferences that you can search by state, please visit:

Shaw Guides 

I’m feeling calmer about my trip to NYC the more I prepare to leave. I typed up a list of who’s on first while I’m gone and that made me feel a lot better.

“Grandma Cindy” is flying in on Wednesday and on Tuesday and Wednesday, for sanity’s sake, Samantha will miss two days of preschool.

I imagine I am not the only mom who has trouble replacing herself when she is out of town. For all the moms who have to travel frequently, my heart goes out to you!

I tried on all my clothes and discovered there is only a couple things I need to run out for today. I’m so glad I shopped for this trip gradually over the past couple months. Three cheers for advance notice!

When I was invited on Good Morning America, I had absolutely nothing to wear. None of my old clothes fit any longer.
Why? Because I’d had a baby, that’s why. My weight fluctuates so much more now than it used to. But I don’t get hung up on it. I just make sure I have clothes that fit!

I’m rambling instead of packing (and meeting that deadline that pops up while I’m gone). Here are a few more interesting folks I’ll meet at the Writer’s Digest/BEA conference:

Peter Selgin, By Cunning & Craft: Ten Lessons for Fiction Writers (this is an nice site to check out…love the color!)

Linda Swanson-Davies, co-editor of Glimmer Train Stories

Writer’s Digest Editors: Robert Brewer, editor of Writer’s Market, Chuck Sambuchino, editor of Guide to Literary Agents, Lauren Mosko, editor of Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market and Alice Pope, editor of Children’s & Illustrator’s Writer’s Market

John Truby, Screenwriter/Director

G. Miki Hayden, Mystery author (bio)

Working on my presentation, “Get Known Before the Book Deal,” for the Writer’s Digest Books/BEA Writing Conference.

No problem with the presentation but the excitement is causing butterflies in my belly that could probably fly me to New York without any help from JetBlue!

I have heard that excitement can be as hard on the ol’ body as stress. After all the excitement I have had this year, I can testify…it’s true. You have to take it easy and slow on this stuff.

I’ve been so busy, I hadn’t been able to bring myself to look at who-all is going to be at the BookExpo itself. It’s pulse-quickening, I’ll tell you. And it’s hard to work afterwards.

Breathe. Breathe. Okay.

Here are links to the online homes of some of the folks who I’ll see there and can’t wait to meet:

Keynote Speaker: Novelist, Jodi Picoult

Other presenters:

Donald Maas, Donald Maas Literary Agency

John Warner, editor of McSweeney’s Internet Tendency

Moi!

Keith Flynn, founder/editor of the Asheville Poetry Review, author of The Rhythm Method, Razzmatazz and Memory

Les Edgerton, author of Hooked, Write Fiction That Grabs Readers at Page One and Never Lets Them Go

Maria Schneider, editor, Writer’s Digest

Okay, that gets us through the keynote and the first round of breakout sessions.

More later. Must go plant feet back in ground. I am feeling like just about the most blessed writer on the planet!

Well, writer mamas, this is about as exciting as it gets…

BookExpo America. The largest publishing event in the country. Talk about exciting.

I fly out in two weeks!

I’ll get to see my agent, Rita Rosenkranz, my editors, Jane Friedman and Michelle Ehrhart, meet my publicist, Greg Hatfield, and of course all of the other Writer’s Digest Book authors and Writer’s Digest Magazine contributors, who will be attending. Yahoo!

I also get to meet my brother’s girlfriend Kate (finally), who works for a publisher back East. Yay!

Any Broadway show recommendations for me? Anyone seen anything not to be missed lately?

Just wanted to announce that my (our) trip to central Oregon this summer had to be canceled due to a work conflict for my husband that leaves me without adequate back-up to be able to make the trip with my sanity (and my five-year-old) intact.

Here’s the appearances that had to be canceled as a result:

Almost Back-to-School Trip
1. Redmond Writers: August 23, Location TBA, Redmond, Oregon

2. Paulina Springs Books—Mini Workshop: August 24th @ 6:30 p.m., Paulina Springs Books, Sisters, Oregon

Hope to see folks there another time!

Samantha and I zipped up to Third Place Books on Friday. And despite hitting some serious traffic, we made it!

Samantha was very excited to go on an “adventure” with mommy and see our friends Kelly, Jeannette, and Rob.

If you haven’t ever been to Third Place Books and you can possibly go, it’s so worth the trip. Imagine a huge, book-filled independent bookstore that opens up to a food court and stage area. There is a dining area in the middle where families and friends hang out and enjoy great food and music or speakers. Several years ago, Jason and I drove down from Bellingham to see SARK there.
This time there was a drumming band! Samantha enjoyed dancing with a bunch of kids after my presentation. I was so grateful for the dancing opportunity because Samantha was restless after the long car ride.

She only made it through part of my talk before Kelly whisked her off to the kid’s area (and to take off her shirt, she’s always warm) but she was sure to come back for her moment at the microphone).

Thank you Cheryl and Third Place Books. And special thanks to Rob, Jeannette, and Kelly! We had a great time.