A conference is like a garage sale by Morgan Mandel

A conference is like a garage sale. I never know what I'll discover, but I usually can find something I like to take home with me. Among my take home items, of course, are books, some of them free. Those are just the tangible goodies.

With June's mention of  Spring Fling 2010 coming in April, I remember back to my first conference, Of Dark and Stormy Nights, sponsored by the Mystery Writers of America. I read about its existence in a magazine and decided to try it out. There I met many fascinating mystery writers, made friends, and learned much about writing from their panels and speeches. What impressed me was the fact that many others were like me in the same boat, striving to get published. There were also others who had made it to the promised land of publication and were happy to share their experiences.

That was quite a while back. Since then, I've been to Bouchercon, the National RWA conference, Love is Murder, and Spring Fling, to name a few conferences. Each held something unique for me to remember. I got my first contract at Love is Murder one year and had Two Wrongs published, which led to the next contract for Girl of My Dreams. Another year I got my inspiration to self-publish. The result is my recent release, Killer Career.

In April, I'll be going to another Spring Fling conference. I don't know what I'll take back this time, but I'm sure to find something great. For info. on this conference to be held April 23 and 24 at the Hyatt in Deerfield, IL, click onto: http://www.chicagospringfling.com/

What about you? Have you been to any conferences? If so, what do you like about them? Or, maybe you're thinking of trying one. Which one?

How to Get Ready for a Writers' Conference by Morgan Mandel

Feb 6, 7 & 8 - this Friday, Saturday & Sunday, I'll be at the 11th annual Love is Murder Conference in Wheeling, Illinois. I've been to every one of them and each is better than the one before. Since I've got conference on my mind, I thought I'd provide a checklist for those who are going to a conference.

Here's how to prepare:

• Register for the conference - try to get on one or more of the panels and to be included in one or more book signings. You still have time if you want to go to Love is Murder.


• If you have food allergies or preferences, arrange for substitutes


• Finish your book


• Scope out the editors and agents and learn their preferences


• If you haven't already, start and maintain a presence on the web - website, blog, listservs, social marketing networks


• Check your wardrobe for suitable clothing that will reflect the image you wish to project. If necessary, save up and purchase new outfits


• Accessorize


• Publicize the event and the fact that you'll be there


• Make plane, train or bus reservations if necessary


• Get directions ahead of time


• Make hotel reservations if you're staying overnight


• Get a copy of the schedule beforehand, if you can, so you can pick your panels and events


• Get to the conference early to get the lay of the land


• Network and make friends


• Pitch to the editors and agents


• Learn a few things and have lots of fun!

I'm not ready yet. I still have some items to finish on the checklist, so I better get cracking. What about you? How do you prepare for a conference? Have I missed anything? Anyone else coming to Love is Murder?

For more Morgan, check out my daily blog at http://morganmandel.blogspot.com - today's topic is Preditors and Editors Poll Results

Power Marketing Panel and More at Love Is Murder

We've been getting our Power Marketing panel organized for the Love is Murder Conference, right near O'Hare Airport, at the Westin Chicago North Shore, in Wheeling, Illinois, taking place on Feb. 6, 7 and 8. There's still a chance for you to sign up for the conference. Click the link above to learn how.

Members of our promotion panel include Morgan Mandel, Rosemary Harris, Joanna Campbell Slan and Jennie Spallone.

If you're new at the marketing game, or want to learn or share some promo tips, you our panel on Friday, Feb. 6 from 2-3 pm is for you.

The Power Marketing Panel is not the only attraction at Love is Murder. The bulging agenda features pitching classes, editing panels, a crime scene re-enactment, a panel about humor in mysteries (Saturday, 9-10am - another panel I'm on), guns, sex, history, librarians, good food, book signings, special guests like Jeffery Deaver, Alex Kava, Steve Berry, Sharan Newman and Raymond Benson, and much more.

By the way, I'm not the only Acme Authors Link member who'll be in attendance. You'll also find Rob Walker, Terri Stone, Margot Justes, and Norm Cowie there as well. Come join us for lots of fun and lots of learning.

Is anyone reading this coming to Love is Murder? Will it be your first time? If you've been to LIM before, what do you like about it? Please share.

If you can't come, I welcome your comments about the special guests or conferences in general.

I hope to see some of you over there.

Just a wee dram after a hard boot camp, if you please

Just a note as I'm pulling out my kilts and shining my combat boots to remind both aspiring and published writers that there is a reward for hard work. That reward could be publication, or it could be your own self satisfaction, but on February 2nd you can make that reward some of the finest Scotch Whisky on the planet. After the Novelist's Boot Camp workshop at this year's Love is Murder (www.loveismurder.net) conference and convention, we're very happy to once again have Martin Duffy, Master of Whiskeys, as the host for our annual Scotch tasting. Marty has promised to bring samples of the Classic Malts, a great lineup of fine Scotch from all over the isles. You'll get a bit of history, a wee dram of several malts, a bit of instruction on how to sample Scotch and bring out its true character, another wee dram, have a few laughs, have another bit of a dram, and repeat.
It's a great time and a great event, and even if you're not a big fan of Scotch before the tasting, you will be afterward!

CROSS PROMOTION By Morgan Mandel

I'm at it again with the cross promotion. While on vacation, I took a video of the Blessing of the Animals in Woodruff, WI. Some of the stars of the video were my own dog, Rascal, along with Muffin and Stewart. A big hit was Dawson, the horse, who hammed it up while getting blessed.

Here's the youtube.com link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0QXRde-FOI
If it doesn't work, go to youtube.com and do a search for morganmandel (one word) It will be the top video.

The animals are cute, some noisy, but what do they have to do with my present novel, Two Wrongs, a mystery, or Girl of my Dreams, my upcoming romantic comedy?

Not much, but I did add the video to my collection on youtube. Anyone interested in seeing the video might just be interested enough to look at my other works there, including book trailers for both books, plus videos of other authors at Authorfest and Love is Murder.

Cross promotion is a fun thing. It's a good way to get your message across without slamming it into your audience's face. Try it, you'll like it.

Morgan Mandel
http://www.morganmandel.coom/
http://bookplace.ning.com/
http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com/
http://mysteryturtles.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/morganmandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com/