Monday, March 12, 2007

So Many Things

So much has been going on I'm not sure where to start. At present I am sitting in my favorite place in the world, the study in our home in Cornwall. I have come down to check on some building work and am at peace. Now to focus on writing!

But before that I must tell you about the fantastic Saturday I had. The RNA (Romantic Novelist Association) ran a marketing morning. Yes, I know I don't have a book to market yet but I will one day! The first high point was seeing fellow racers Bernardine Kennedy and Lesley Cookman. The morning began with Alison Baverstock, http://www.alisonbaverstock.com/, speaking about we how we can work with publisher and then work beyond them. She emphasised using the people around us for support and ideas. I am looking forward to using her book How to Market Books when the time comes.

The second part of the morning was run by Kate Allan, historical novelist and marketing professional- http://marketingforauthors.wordpress.com/- spoke to us about marketing our books using the Internet. Again an excellent look at what tools are available to authors......now I just need to have a book published.

We had a few hours break before the afternoon session....so I had lunch with the delightful historical romance writer Carol Townend in M&S and the snuck off for some knicker shopping!

While having coffee in the morning I heard wonderful news that Giselle Green the author of the Writers Guide to the Zodiac has just signed a two book deal. She was over the moon and I still get the shivers when I think about her news!

The afternoon was a panel session with writers Rachel Hore and Jessica Hart along with agent Jane Judd and senior editor at Corgi /Black Swan Katie Espiner. The questions thrown at them were wide but what came out quite clearly is what a tough market it is, write the best book you can and the best length was 80,000 to 100,000 for first time writers.

That takes care of Saturday so I leave this post and blog about all the other things later!

10 comments:

Kate Allan said...

Glad you enjoyed the talk!

Unknown said...

I did indeed! Thanks!

Jan Jones said...

It was a great day, wasn't it? And you WILL need the marketing know-how soon!

Unknown said...

Hi Jan. It was a berilliant day. I learned so much.

Thanks for the vote of confidence :-)

Caroline said...

That's so interesting. Feel like giving me any tips? Please.
x

Lucy Diamond said...

Sounds great - really inspiring!

Zinnia Cyclamen said...

Thanks for blogging this. I was interested in Lesley's take on it too. Although it was focused on romantic novelists, I think there's useful information for all of us there.

Unknown said...

Carolione maybe I can do a proper blog with my notes if I can get permission from the presenters! I'll try.

Unknown said...

Lucy it was a great day....I learnt so much and had fun to boot!

Unknown said...

Zinna, will jump over to Lesley's blog and see what she had to say. i didn't feel that too much of the seminars were geared to romantic novelist though. Much of it was general advice for any writer :-)