Tuesday Tidbits

I'm still riding that conference high, people. Since I've attended the Colorado Gold every year for what seems like ages, it's become more like a reunion with friends.

Catching up with everyone was marvelous, but it was also a lot of fun to meet the agents and editors there. The group this year was more sociable than in years past, and they didn't hide in their rooms after hours, but instead mingled with the attending writers at the bar and in the hospitality suite.

Kristin Nelson was one of the agents in attendance, but I think because she lives there in Denver, she went home at the end of the day. I don't blame her. She must have been exhausted. I've met her at conferences in the past but never got a feel for her personality. I hear she's a nice person.

Becca Stumpf (The Prospect Agency), on the other hand, has got to be one of the friendliest, most enthusiastic agents I've ever had the immense pleasure of hanging out with at a conference. I'm extremely social, and so is she, so we had a wonderful time chatting. She chatted with everyone and thoroughly enjoyed herself. The writers at this conference are professional enough to know better than to annoy an agent or editor, and she felt comfortable around us, which is great.

Miriam Kriss (Irene Goodman Agency) is a delightful, gregarious person who's passionate about books. OMG, the woman's intense. I can see why she's such a successful agent. Since some of her clients happen to be favorite authors of mine, it was fun talking with her about their books. I think Miriam knows her clients' work better than they do. Like Becca, Miriam was social and generous with her presence at the after hours events, and she imparted a lot of helpful information to anyone who asked. I was impressed.

Donna Bagdasarian (Maria Carvainis Agency) is an amazing person who's hysterically funny and pulls no punches. To say she tells it like it is would be an understatement. She was a joy to listen to on the agent panel and had everyone rolling in the aisles. Donna was socially present and mingled with the writers after hours. There's a lot to be said for agents who aren't afraid to jump in with both feet and get involved.

I didn't even see Rachelle Gardner (WordServe Literary), and that's because she had to leave for another conference before ours was over. Considering she reps mainly Christian fiction, I can understand why she wouldn't want to hang out in the bar or attend the after hours party where massive quantities of alcohol was consumed.

Kate Seever couldn't make it to the conference due to a family emergency. Poor girl. I hope everything turned out okay. Laura Rennert (Andrea Brown Literary Agency) couldn't make it at the last minute, but I don't know why.

I'll share my notes on the agent panel tomorrow in a separate blog. Right now I've got to get back to work!