The SFWC2018
(which translates to; San Francisco Writers Conference 2018), was so worth my time and money! The trip was a huge success in education, making new friends, and connections for both my heart and my book. What a whirlwind of events!
Thursday, upon checking into the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins Hotel, I felt as if I’d come back to see an old friend. The first experience I had there set me on my course for finding the people I needed to guide me on my author journey. This year I knew better of what to expect and how better to navigate the conference, thus making better use of my time. I was so excited!
If you’ve ever been to any sort of multi-day conference, you know when you arrive you are full of excitement and energy. By day two, you are settling into the conference mode and mingling, class hopping, and filling your brain with as much information as possible. Upon day three, classes are harder to concentrate on and the cocktail hour comes earlier and lasts longer than the previous two days! My husband says, “the mind can only absorb what the ass can endure,” and I am here to tell you, that is very true! All that being said, I was still very happy to be there by morning 4 and Agent Speed Dating!
Grace Cathedral
is an inspiring and beautiful church in San Francisco, just a block from the hotel, and I spent the first two days looking at it through my hotel window. By Saturday morning, I was feeling a little overwhelmed and thought maybe the fresh air would do me good. I took a walk. The unusually warm breeze for February blew through my hair as I walked up California Street to a small park just across from the church and the Huntington Hotel. People were running in shorts and t-shirts and I thought, wow! How blessed am I to be in the city on such a gorgeous day!
After walking around I pulled the door open to the majestic Grace Cathedral and entered the silent basilica. I sat in the back pew just taking in the feeling of peace and gratitude. I realized I was there for a purpose that hadn’t hit me until I sat down. I needed guidance. I hadn’t stepped into a church for awhile, and I’m not even Catholic, but God and I go way back so I figured he wouldn’t mind much of my denomination. I prayed.
Whatever my purpose was at this conference, I knew I had my plans, but thought if God could just guide me to the people I needed to have in my life it would be better than me trying to figure this out on my own. When I left the church, I felt a sense of relaxation about the entire weekend. Whatever would be, would be. I was just happy for the experience.
I went to the SFWC2018 with a purpose. I told myself, I was going to find an agent that I could work with to help me publish my book! What I left with was far more important. I met and connected with new writers from around the world, found old friends, and serendipitously met an editor I am going to work with, just on an elevator ride from the lobby to the 10th floor! Last minute, I also decided to pay extra to meet for a 15 minute conversation with and agent of my choice. She and I had good chemistry, and she gave me sound advice. She also was NOT the person I believed I would try to connect with originally. She ended up being the person I was meant to connect with.
By Sunday morning, when I went in to pitch my book at the Agent Speed Dating, I was ready! When I found this same agent again, she smiled at me, said, “You don’t have to pitch me, I am already interested in the book,” and she gave me her card! Provided that the editor and I polish my manuscript, she said I could just send her the whole thing. I’d say that is a pretty darn good start!
Driving home
I felt accomplished because I did what I set out to do and more! My heart was full from the new friends I met and old ones I reconnected with, and moving forward with my book I also realized the original title I had for it, After the Fire, is what I’m purposing to use. It sat better than the title, Out of the Ashes, with every person I spoke to at conference. First gut instincts are usually best.
I will keep you all posted on my progress and know we are one step closer to getting this baby into book form! I hope to have a copy into each of your hands soon. It’s a process. It’s not something you can rush if you want it done right, but I am feeling like the train is still moving forward.
Love to one and all!
