Friday, October 1, 2010

Book Academy Conference

OH MY WORD! For those of you who weren't there. YOU MISSED OUT! It's only one day long, but SO worth the effort to come.

This conference has really pumped me up for the coming months before my book comes out. The first class I went to was "Leveraging the Media Every Step of the Writing Process," by Marion Jensen. He was awesome. He calls himself a nerd. Not so. He's just super smart about how to use the internet to get your name and book out there. He's cute too! All because of him, I'm going to start using twitter more. Great way to network.

My next class was "How to Plan the Perfect Launch," by Josi Kilpack.  I can't wait to get started with that! What a party it will be! She had such great ideas that save time and money, yet are more fun.

Don Carey and Krista Jensen

Sheila Stahley, Renae Mackley, Josi Kilpack, Me, Annette Lyon

Traci Abramson, Julie Wright, Me

Me, Renae, Jeff Savage and his wife

C Michelle Jeffries, Me, Tristi Pinkston


Krista and Me. New best bud!

The Masters and my sweet friends

Rob Wells, the brilliant, and Sheila Stahley, Miss Popular!
The third class was "Powerhouse Publicity for Your Book: Ways to get the Media's Attention," By Kelly Smurthwaite- Covenant's publicist, and Anntette Lyon. This one was fantastic. Can't wait to team up with my publicist too. I'm so determined to get my name and my book out there. Can't wait for the fun to begin. They had some great ideas and I hope to implement as many of them as I can.

And last but not least, I went to "Overcoming Writer's Block," By Rob Wells. He actually changed the title of the class to Overcoming obstacles to writing. He had us rolling in our seats! What humor! What talent! Man, I could have sat there all day listening to him. What a story. I sure love that guy. He had great ideas and let me tell, you, if you missed it, you better come next year because I'm not going into all those details here. It woudln't be the same anyway.

After that, we all went to Chili's to hang, eat, joke and get to know one another better. I became closer to those I already knew, and developed some new friendships that I hope to nurture in the future! Thanks for the fun guys! Hope to see you all soon!

12 comments:

Krista said...

It WAS awesome! So great to know you better in such a fun, supportive atmosphere. I love writers!

Unknown said...

Glad I didn't miss out! And thanks to you, Melissa, I got in on some great fun with the dinner crowd. Good luck in implementing all you learned with your soon-to-be published book!

Julie Wright said...

I had so dang much fun, it was not to be believed. Thank you for being there and making it so!

Old Kitty said...

Thanks for sharing this here - what a fun and very productive conference for you!! Yes - twitter away - that seems to be the way these days! LOL!! But if it works, it works - go for it! GOOD LUCK!!

Take care
x

Why Not? Because I Said So! said...

That was a great day!

You make me laugh...me popular? Maybe with the 7-8 year old crowd. :)

Remember what i have told you before, I am here for you when your book comes out. i will be promoting your book, as long as i get a copy to read before it comes out. ;)

Anna del C. Dye said...

That sounds like a conference I should have been to. Where was is and is it coming to Utah?
Very good classes. Finally here in Utah, lots of authors are getting the message that they have to promote their own books. There for they have no idea what to do.
Do you have any notes that you would like to pass along?

Arlee Bird said...

Sounds like some really helpful classes. Hopefully I can make it to something like this one day. Glad you did.

Lee
Tossing It Out

Krista said...

It was so fun meeting you! Great pics. I'm posting mine today. I can't wait until the next conference!

Chantele Sedgwick said...

How fun! Those are some great authors you got to hang out with, and now you are one of them! I probably would have freaked out just a little bit...:)

kbrebes said...

Melissa! Is Hicksville really a town in Utah? It sounds like you had a wonderful time at Book Academy. How fun! Your blog is nice and I look forward to meeting you at StoryMakers 2011!!! Great pics!!!

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

Dang that looks like fun! Loved seeing the pictures and seeing so many familiar faces. I love my country and all but living hundreds of miles away from the action is really crummy sometimes. What a blast you had!

Heather Moore said...

I wanted to go to Chilis so bad! Sniff... The "one you don't remember" in that picture is Traci Abramson