Writer Etiquette

As many seasoned writers know, most writer's conferences or CON's are the result of a large number of hard-working volunteers. Such is the case with our Love Is Murder CON (www.loveismurder.net) to include the board members. We adore our volunteers

I had a recent exchange with a writer who was very rude via email to not only me but to our web master as well. I had never heard of this writer before and couldn't find much on the web about her but it's safe to say at this point that I now have a very negative impression of her from how she behaved.

This isn't to say that she didn't have a right to be frustrated or even provide her constructive feedback but when any of us do this we must keep in mind that anything that we say or do is a measure of who we are as writers, especially these days.

Not everything that goes viral is a good thing.

There are many, many skills that need to be developed to have a successful writing career and good manners and professional behavior are definitely on the list.

Picture This!

My daughter and I commute on the train to our jobs in downtown Chicago (at least for another week) and it finally struck me that we've done some generational things in reverse. She often reads a traditional paperback and I often read on my Kindle, especially newspapers and newsletters.

It just struck me as interesting.

While I do believe that the younger generations coming up are embracing, and even demanding technology in ways my generation didn't, I think it would be unwise for writers to assume that older generations won't use digital devices to read books and to assume that younger generations won't read in paper.

One example of paper that younger generations still eagerly embrace is that of graphic novels. Comic-Con was just held in San Diego and we, The Board of Love is Murder (loveismurder.net) are adding graphic novel classes.

So, keep an eye on not only the technology changes that are happening but who and who is not embracing those changes and when. What you see and truly observe might just surprise you.

See you at Love is Murder 2011!
http://www.loveismurder.net/

Love is Murder Con

Okay - I'm late in posting but I've just come off a very arduous ride on the Con prep and execution roller coaster for Love is Murder. The word is spreading that the board has decided to forgo the 2010 Con and focus on the 2011 Con. Lots of folks have speculated as to why but the truth is that we've grown so much and the board wants a chance to step back and reassess where we're going and how big the Con should be. Many Con's cap their registration because planning and executing a Con is a tremendous undertaking. Love is Murder has often been herald as a gem of a Con and the board wants to keep it that way.

We embrace many of the writers that other Cons don't. We don't discriminate against authors who have published outside the traditional venues, something we cherish and want to preserve. We've often attracted stellar headliners, agents and editors and provide an incredible opportunity for everyone to network. So, save your pennies, write that great American Novel - or not, and start to prepare for the 2011 Love is Murder Con.

Hope to see you there.