After months of planning and late evenings finding presenters, creating a schedule, leaflets, programs, and goodie bags etc. our writers conference was a great success on Saturday. Without our excellent volunteers the event would not have happened. We began at 7.00 am preparing for registration and breakfast. A steady stream of registrants arrived and were handed draw tickets, goodie bags, programs and a warm welcome.
Our presenters were well received and everyone went away with valuable information, new friends and prized silent auction items. With a diverse schedule of topics there was something for everyone to learn, no matter their preferred genre.
We were fortunate to have our local Mayor, Roxanne Carr, open the conference and the current Writer in Residence, Margaret Mcpherson, give a short presentation on what a WIR is.
Ideas for next year’s conference are already spinning around in our minds as it will be our 10th Anniversary. Bigger & better and maybe a two day event!
Jejune – definition: 1. naive and simplistic 2. lacking interest or liveliness; dull
I attended this event yesterday and from the start it was a struggle. Firstly, my friend, Linda’s car would not start so I drove to her rescue with jump leads at hand. Normally, this would be a quick and easy task but the temperature yesterday morning was -22 with the wind chill so standing around ankle deep in snow while the car’s battery charged was not fun to say the least. Once it did start we headed to the Dream Write Publishing office to collect books and promotional items for the event. En route coffee and sandwiches were purchased to restore our bodies somewhat. We were lucky enough to find a heated underground parkade – extremely welcome in the circumstances. After trudging over icy paths with our heavy supplies to the venue, we were able to set up and at last relax.
Fourteen authors were present for the book sale and we happily networked with each other. Some were familiar faces while others were new. Book summaries were told and purchases made and silent auction items bid upon. Although the ‘traffic’ was not as anticipated, I don’t think it was a lack of interest but rather a reluctance to venture out in severe weather. This was the first Authors for Altruism event. One the organizers will learn from and improve for next year.
Yes, we authors, are an intrepid breed. Even one book sale is worth the effort. Our story will please the reader and hopefully they will relay that fact to others. Here are some photographs of my table set up. Rumble, as always, was in attendance along with his print book Rumble’s First Scare, bookmarks and coloring pages. I made the ‘glob’ table covering by the way.
My fantasy, The Rython Kingdom was displayed in print form as well as postcards for the e-book version, as well as bookmarks I made with beads attached and a glowing orb (shiny things attract customers, I find).
I displayed a pre-order form for my children’s chapter book, Ockleberries to the Rescue and displayed proof copies for people to see. Again I had two animal ornaments that glittered and changed color. http://www.dreamwritepublishing.ca/
The other books shared on the adjoining table with Linda, another member of the Writers Foundation of Strathcona County, were :
We were lucky to have two news station reporters arrive (luckily not at the same time!) who took photographs, footage and interviewed the organizers. All in all it was a good day and I will certainly participate next year. I even brought home supper – a silent auction item of an Italian meal with a bottle of wine and napkins included.
What promotional items do you use for your events?
Barbie-Joe Smith – humor for adults. http://www.dreamwritepublishing.ca/authors/barbie-jo-smith
Natasha Deen – humor for children. http://www.natashadeen.com/
Bill Roberts – screenwriting. http://www.celticraineproductions.ca/our-team.html
Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail – writing for magazines/freelancing. http://www.daniellemc.com/
Roxanne Carr, Mayor of Strathcona County – welcome speech. http://www.strathcona.ca/local-government/mayor-councillors/mayor/
Margaret Mcpherson, Writer in Residence. http://ouralbertawriters.com/listing/margaret-macpherson/
Mandy Eve-Barnett's Blog for Readers & Writers 