It was a rousing success and well worth the rush hour commute to get there and back.
(I work from home. My commute is normally from my bed, to the coffee maker to my keyboard. The only traffic I encounter is having to wait for my house-mate to finish in the bathroom.)
I love writers.
We’re smart, observant and interesting individuals always with a story or three to tell. The passion and dedication we bring to the table is unmatched by anyone (except artists) simply because we do this for the love of what we do not for the expectation of profit.
This makes us innovators, entrepreneurs, work-around-ers, and highly, highly creative.
I was so impressed, as I always am, at the caliber of people in the book industry. Right from the folks who aren’t brave enough to put a capital ‘W’ when they call themselves a writer to the folks who make a living wage in books.
I want to give a shout out to some of the great folks I met/talked/listened to yesterday. (Unfortunately I had to miss a couple of sessions so this is a pretty short list)
The Book Broads – Angela Crocker, Perry Richardson & Kim Plumley
Books on the Radio – Sean Cranbury
Protagonize – Nick Boutin
Namaste Publishing – Mary Kellog
Toasted Cheese – Theryn
CBC – Canada Reads Hannah Clausen and Kimberly Walsh
Things I learned:
- As an author it’s up to you to market your book. The publisher can do only so much before it’s time to concentrate on their next title.
- Social Media helps to level the playing field between the big publishers and indie publishers.
- Don’t be afraid to toot your own horn.
- Don’t be afraid to toot your own horn. (most authors need to hear this at least twice)
- Participate – Get out there an comment on other peoples blogs.
- Have your own blog, write about stuff related to writing, your challenges, your triumphs, things you find interesting that might interest your audience.
- Don’t just think about it DO IT!