Harwelden Mansion Book Signing

On November 20, I joined about 20 other Oklahoma authors at Harwelden Mansion in Tulsa for Oklahoma Ink's fourth annual book fair. Not only was the location beautiful, but also some proceeds went to a good cause. The money benefited the Tulsa Press Club's Scholarship Fund.

The evening was lovely. Friends came I'd not seen in ages, plus I got to make new friends. Lots of pictures were taken, but I've not seen them. (I've decided I'm not very photogenic and my pals just didn't want me to know.) The picture above was sent to me, and I had to post it. Aren't these girls beautiful...or should I say glamorous?

As I mentioned, other Oklahoma authors were there. Billie Letts, William Bernhardt, Teresa Miller and more sat at tables and signed books. I was honored to be in their midst.

But I felt COOL to be at the same event as Ally Carter. You know Ally Carter. She's the one who wrote I Could Tell You I Love You, but Then I'd Have to Kill You. I've mentioned her books before as Hogwarts for spies. The National Spy Museum in Washington D.C. sells her books in the gift shop. Why? Because they're that cool.

And I got to meet her. And she bought Glamour. The latter, of course, completely increased her cool factor in my opinion. Most of all, she's a really nice lady. She seems like one of her characters you could pal around with...even though she just might know 120 ways to maim you with a paperback.

All in all, the Tulsa event was better than I expected.

HAWK Writing Workshop in Tulsa, OK

3 reasons to go to Tulsa, Oklahoma, on June 21-22, 2008.
3. Tornado season is mostly at an end by then.
2. The HAWK Writing Workshop is a good one.

1. I'm speaking at the HAWK Writing Workshop!

I've attended previous workshops and have been thrilled at the different approach taken by HAWK. It's not like any conference I've ever attended. There is a personal touch that makes you feel comfortable and opens you up to learning. This year promises to be even better--and not just because I plan to dazzle my (captive) audience. The model for the weekend changes each session, so just because you've attended one before does not mean you know what to expect. The organizers really seem to pay attention to feedback and give attendees what they want. For example, this year the first day will have two tracks: one for fiction and one for non-fiction. The next day will be focused on selling your work.

One of my favorite aspects of the event is that it's a real workshop. Sure, speakers will talk to you and pull some of the lecture-y stuff you get at conferences around the nation, but here they also give you activities you can use in your writing as well as the opportunity to practice new skills. For example, one year we had a one-on-one pitch practice session. I watched others give their pitches and get critiqued as well as practicing my pitch. The experience was invaluable for pitch sessions as well as query letters. The personal contact with speakers and other attendees makes the learning continue beyond the sessions.

Learn more information here. Check out the faculty here. Register here

Inklings Win Big at OWFI

For you aspiring writers out there, you should check out OWFI. One of my group's favorite aspects of OWFI is the contest. Not only does the conference offer opportunities to network with agents, editors and authors, but it also provides the opportunity for us to make a little cashola. For only $20, a person can enter each of the 33 categories. Good deal, right? Plus, conference attendees get nifty bags like these:The Inklings were able to shake our Hallelujah basket (filled with jingle bells) several times and wear our celebratory tiaras at Saturday night's banquet. Our group scooped up three first place wins, one third place, and several honorable mentions. Good times. Here are three founding members of The Inklings before the ceremony:

Here I am with an award for a series of columns I wrote called "Pregnant Pauses," a humorous and very real take on infertility. I have fodder for more! If I knew the right market, I could definitely have a real column.

OWFI Receives Stormy Welcome to Midwest City

Oklahoma Writers' Federation, Inc. hosted its 40th annual conference at a new location this year where over 399 attendees and various speakers gathered to celebrate. JA Jance was the keynote speaker for Friday night and her humor and storytelling prowess let us all witness just what makes her a best selling author. We also had such big wig authors as AC Crispin and Bob Mayer in addition to top agents and editors. Check out our website for more information. Maybe you'd like to attend next year!

The Sheraton Reed Center in Midwest City is our new home. The fact that the May 3 tornado obliterated the original conference center did not deter us from moving there the same weekend. Storm chasers weren't disappointed. The first night of the conference was interrupted by tornado sirens. Community members as well as conference attendees congregated in the enormous tornado shelter. Marcia Preston, our 2008-2009 president, didn't let a little wind and hail deter her, though. She continued her session in the shelter!

Here is my mom holding some of the hail after it had melted a bit. Most of the hail was golf ball sized. However, at one point they released us to go outside when the sirens went off again. For a brief period of time the hail was enormous. As my mom commented as she retreated to the shelter again, "I'm going inside! It's the size of snowballs!" A lot of cars were damaged.

I miss friends and family in Oklahoma, but the weather is truly awful. My allergies went nuts while there. No wonder. This article from Forbes.com lists Tulsa, OK as the #1 worst place for spring allergy sufferers. Oklahoma City ranks 15. Anyone who has ever been around me during a tornado threat knows that I'm a complete wimp. Returning to NJ was a bit of a relief since Garrett told me that they announced on the news that Oklahoma is the most dangerous state to live in for natural disasters. Eek.