Back: Valerie Comer (Canada), Anita Mae Draper (Canada), Lucy Morgan-Jones (Australia), Cherie Gagnon (Canada), Ian Acheson (Australia), Cathy West (Bermuda), Cathilyn Dyck (Canada) Front: Christine Lindsay (Canada), Iris Munchinsky (Canada), Grace Bridges (New Zealand) Missing: Kara Isaac (New Zealand)
Friday morning breakfast was a special time as the ACFW Beyond the Borders group got together. We are the non-American ACFW members and although most of us assembled were from Canada, members also came from other Commonwealth countries. There are also members from other nations of the world, but these are the ones we enjoyed breakfast in Dallas with.
Much of Friday passed in a blur. I didn't make it to all the workshops I signed up for because of editor appts for me, or for people close to me. From the first ACFW conference when someone stood outside waiting for me - to offer a hug to congratulate or comfort me - I've tried to be there for a few others. The hardest part is the waiting. And while waiting, you see others emerge from their appointments - some stoic, some red faced, others in tears or trying to hold them back. And you wonder how you'll be received and if anyone is interested in the work you've laboured over.
My appt that day went well. I don't know if anything will come of it, but the editor remembered me and said to have my agent send in my manuscript. Time will tell.
My appt that day went well. I don't know if anything will come of it, but the editor remembered me and said to have my agent send in my manuscript. Time will tell.
Inkies in Dallas, Sep 2012; Back L to R: Jennifer AlLee, Dina Sleiman, Anita Mae Draper, Front L to R: Lisa Karon Richardson, DeAnna Dodson, Gina Marie Welborn
The noon meal was my chance to meet fellow Inky, DeAnna Dodson who lives in Texas and was only at the conference for the day. DeAnna is also the only Inky who is an agency-mate at Books & Such Literary Agency, and we had lots to talk about.
The meal time went too fast, and then there was an extended workshop before the General Session which included the State of ACFW Address by ACFW President, Margaret Daley. On the heels of that came the Keynote Address with Michael Hyatt. I have to admit that I was a bit put off by the latter. Yes, Michael imparted some very good information, but I felt like his speech was one long info-mercial where he tried to sell me his book on how to write a book. This is the first keynote address I've attended where I haven't walked away inspired.
Friday night dinner is traditionally the night when clients dine with their agents or publishers, and the rest of us go cruising the town. Last year I attended the My Book Therapy party on the roof top of our hotel with the spectacular St Louis arch in full view.
But this year I was part of the Books & Such Literary Agency and was going out to dine with several agency-mates, or Bookies as we're called. The consensus was Love & War in TEXAS in Grapevine.
The meal time went too fast, and then there was an extended workshop before the General Session which included the State of ACFW Address by ACFW President, Margaret Daley. On the heels of that came the Keynote Address with Michael Hyatt. I have to admit that I was a bit put off by the latter. Yes, Michael imparted some very good information, but I felt like his speech was one long info-mercial where he tried to sell me his book on how to write a book. This is the first keynote address I've attended where I haven't walked away inspired.
Friday night dinner is traditionally the night when clients dine with their agents or publishers, and the rest of us go cruising the town. Last year I attended the My Book Therapy party on the roof top of our hotel with the spectacular St Louis arch in full view.
But this year I was part of the Books & Such Literary Agency and was going out to dine with several agency-mates, or Bookies as we're called. The consensus was Love & War in TEXAS in Grapevine.
Love & War in TEXAS restaurant, Grapevine, Texas, Sep 2012
I enjoyed the whole meal from meeting the Bookies to the platter of Texan food.
The trip back to the hotel was also an event as we passed dust still swirling from the old bridge the city had blown up since we'd passed that way earlier. I'd chosen to spend time with new-friends instead of watching a part of history be destroyed. I'm glad I chose the happier event.
The trip back to the hotel was also an event as we passed dust still swirling from the old bridge the city had blown up since we'd passed that way earlier. I'd chosen to spend time with new-friends instead of watching a part of history be destroyed. I'm glad I chose the happier event.
