League of Utah Writers

I just registered for the League of Utah Writers Conference. I think that writers conferences are invaluable for those who want to become published, or continue to grow their writing career. I've met writers at them who have become great friends and mentors, and gained invaluable contacts that later led to endorsements.

When I started submitting my first novel, I did an internet search for writers groups. I found the LUW and attended my first chapter meeting in January 2002. J. Scott Savage was the speaker that night. Annette Lyon was the Chapter President. Little did I know, but I would join their critique group that summer and eventually replace Annette as Chapter President. You can say that I jumped in with both feet.

So if you want to become a published writer, find a writers league near you and sign up for conferences in your area. Check out the speaker line-up and sign up for interviews to meet with agents or publishers. Most agents find their clients through referrals or at writers conferences.

Catching Up

Another picture from BEA--this is the WriteWise group of authors. It was fun hanging out with them.

I was emailing a friend the other day and realized "I should be writing this on my blog." Not that I have a huge following, but it's useful to chronicle my writing life.

Right now, I'm not writing. Officially, at least.

I have a project that I'm working on (sort of)--a map for my next book. I've sent a half dozen labeled maps to the designer and promised a follow-up email with all the locations listed that I want to appear. The problem is . . . and the delay for me . . . is that I want this map to be good for the next two books that I write, so I have to make sure I have all the bases covered.

Upcoming projects:

1. Start the next book in the Prophets of the Promised Land series. I've been thinking about it . . . which usually means that I'm a couple of weeks away from writing the first chapter. For me, the writing process becomes so involved that I almost have to train my mind and start to prepare myself for the actual first pages. Just like preparing for a 5K, running every day is great for conditioning, but for the actual race, I need to get my mind in the right place.

2. Scout for dates and locations for a Novelist Workshop. The editing company I manage has expressed interest in working hands-on and in-person with some of our clients, as well as opening it up to other aspiring novelists. Think gigantic critique group with award-winning writers.

3. Trying to stay sane as an agent reviews my rewrite on QUEEN. The 100 pages are cut and the rewrite sent in . . . In the meantime, I started a blog on my research. It's been an amazing era to research and the Queen of Sheba a mystery that keeps everyone guessing.

Other than that, I'm spending almost every night watching my kids play baseball or softball. The best part of summer :)

Some pics from BEA

Over the next couple of weeks, I'll be posting blogs about my experience at BEA Expo in Los Angeles. But for now, here are some fun pictures:

Lu Ann Staheli and I in front of the L.A. Convention Center:



James Dashner signing copies of his most excellent book: The 13th Reality


NY Times Bestselling author, Jason Wright, signing copies of his soon-to-be-released book: Recovering Charles


Karen Kingsbury--siging copies of Between Sundays. She was a gracious person and posted pictures of all those who came to her line on her website:



And Lu Ann's idol: Peter Walsh (the "Clean Sweep" guy on Oprah), now an author. I stood in the line with Lu Ann and told Peter that I was a recent convert. We hope to interview him for our Writing Blog soon!