 ThrillerFest VIIPosted by Guest Jun 23 2012, 11:55 pm by KJ Howe With two weeks to go before ThrillerFest, I’m thinking of little else. As the Executive Director, I really want the conference to be a complete success. It started me thinking–and I’d like to ask you to share your thoughts–about what you love about a writing conference. Whether you’re a reader, a bestselling author, or an aspiring writer, what are the top three things you hope to gain from attending a conference? As a past participant of ThrillerFest, I soaked up every moment of CraftFest, sessions on the craft of writing taught by NYT Bestsellers. Where else could I listen to people like Lee Child, David Morrell, Catherine Coulter, John Sandford, Ann Rule, Ken Follett, and many others on the art and science of writing? AgentFest, a “speed-dating” styled event where you can pitch to over 50 top agents was also quite an experience. We’ve had many success stories resulting from AgentFest (if you are interested in reading about them, just visit www.thrillerfest.com and click on the AgentFest tab). Imagine connecting with your dream agent and selling at auction? I also enjoy hearing from experts, and every year we host people who are from the CIA, FBI, Secret Service, and other thrilleresque arenas. Of course, meeting some of my favorite authors ranks up there as well. But, most of all, it’s the connections with people who share a common passion for the written word. Reading and writing are both solitary pursuits, and nothing makes me happier than connecting with people who also enjoy talking about story, characters, plot–and even grammar! I’d be most interested in hearing about your conference experiences and what worked and what didn’t. If you’re in the NYC area from July 11-14, I hope you’ll consider joining us. In the meantime, thanks for sharing your thoughts!
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Did I get that pesky bird?
One of these days I plan to make it across to Thrillerfest, KJ. It always sounds awesome and such a great place to hang out with authors I love. I’m sure the one you’ve organised will surpass all that have come before!
I’m bummed not to be going to any conferences this year, due to the Olympics making ticket prices in and out of the UK so high. I’ll miss catching up with my writer buddies, especially my beloved Bandita sisters and the BBs who attend.
The thing that I love about National, that is really important for me, is the recording of all the sessions. I often find I can’t make many workshops due to catching up with people and networking (stop sniggering Tawny and Beth!!), so it’s useful to be able to listen to the sessions after. Plus, if I’ve gone to a really good session, like Michael Hague, I can listen over and over.
Enjoy your day with him Anna
Have Fun
Helen
Anna, beware of the GR today. He’s been in Australia so much he probably expects it to be winter. He may think England is balmy and try to sunbathe!
Anna, I like the recordings, too, but because the CD player in my car is not MP3, playing them on the road has become a real pain. The adapter thingie is cumbersome, and if I turn the car off, the CD starts over. I can’t skip tracks to get close to where I stopped the way I would if it were in the console player. :-/
Good luck with the Rooster!
BBCAmerica is advertising 2012, a show about the Olympics starring Downton Abbey’s Hugh Bonneville. It looks interesting.
Nancy, great point. What a pain to start over…you’d have to go for a long trip!
Congrats, Anna!!! Hope you have fun with the GR today.
Have him row in Cambridge, living out my dream!
Great comment about the recordings. I also listen to the ThrillerFest ones after the conference as I’m not able to attend any of the workshops on site.
We can’t wait to have you back on North American soil!!!!
You don’t get to go to ANY workshops?! That’s a shame. I hope you get to meet lots of interesting people as compensation.
Hi Nancy, I’ll be making sure the next set of tracks are ready to go, checking on food and beverage, fighting fires. I do get to meet the most interesting people ever, so I feel very lucky!
KJ
I have been to a couple of Romance Reader Conventions and have been to one Romance Writers Conference and loved them both, I too love listening about how authors get their story lines and writing their stories for us to read hearing about new things that are happening in the business but best of all for me I love meeting and getting to know the authors I have made lots of friends through these conferences authors and readers and love discussing the books we are reading and getting recomendations on new to me authors love to see my TBR pile grow LOL
Have a great time at ThrillerFest
Have Fun
Helen
Helen, it seems as though everything grows my TBR pile! Someday, I’m coming down to those wonderful conferences in Australia.
Nancy
It would be fantastic if you could get here one day
Have Fun
Helen
Thanks, Helen. I know I would love it.
Helen, I totally agree with you. It’s amazing to make a personal connection. When I read the Banditas’ books, I hear their voices when I’m reading. Love it!!!
I would love to goto my real 1st conference soon. I went To Barbara Vey reader appreciation since it was in my city, loved it, but want to go to bigger one, but they can be so expensive.
Dina, conferences can, indeed, cost a mint! I’m not going to RWA this year because just getting there would cost me a small fortune, and then there’re the conference fee, hotel, and meals to cover.
I might’ve gone to Barbara Vey’s, which sounded fabulous, but it just wasn’t in the budget. That was Milwaukee, right? There is a Wisconsin RWA chapter. I don’t know whether they do a conference, but if so, maybe that would work for you.
yes I’m in Milwaukee, so Barbara’s was GREAT and planning on next yr. Yes, when I added all costs, it was too much, alsomost like a vacation, even Chgo was alot, wish they made it easier and less exp. the one in We was Wausau so kind of far, I’ll keep trying, lol
Barbara Vey is great. I bet that was a fun time!
Yes, conferences are quite expensive. It’s important to plan carefully. I hope you get to go to one soon.
Dina is right about the big expense of the writing conferences and conventions. Although I don’t write science fiction or fantasy, I am a HUGE fan of both. I would adore going to DragonCon one year, which many of my friends have attended. Getting to meet some of my idols from the fantasy world would be amazing!
KJ, you’re right about both reading and writing being lonely pursuits. Connecting with other readers and writers is very exciting for those of us who are basically loners! I haven’t been to an RWA conference since Washington, DC, but I look forward to going again one day (when these last two kids finish college). Being around writers, going to talks, meeting editors and agents and hearing about developments in the industry really get me energized to write like nothing else.
I am in dire need of some inspiration and motivation these days. I think a conference would be just the thing. And if you chance to see Harlan Coben, please get a picture with him and post it for me!
Caren, “many” of your friends are going to DragonCon?! If it’s anyone I know, do shoot me an email. I look forward to hauling you down there sometime, you and Duchesse, who I know would so love it!
We could go to ConCarolinas sometime. It’s small but has had some great guests.
Caren,
I’d LOVE to go to DragonCon some day, too! If nothing else to see all the outrageous costumes!
Come on, then, Suz! Maybe we could all go next year.
DragonCon is comparatively cheap if you have a roommate and can drive to it.
Hi Caren,
I wish I would have known you were a Harlan fan…he was our spotlight guest two years ago, and he was fantastic. So funny!
KJ, I am coming to Thrillerfest someday! I’d love to see you, of course, but I’d also love hearing authors talk about their work. I go to panels in the DragonCon Writer track partly because of who’s on them, not only because of the topic.
Some of the bandits and buddies may remember I worked for the Daily Dragon last year. I didn’t ask for celebrity interviews but for authors. Getting to interview S. M. Stirling and popular Lair guest Laura Anne Gilman were highlights of my weekend, as were attending readings and getting Elizabeth Moon’s autograph.
I’d also enjoy the sessions with experts. I love learning interesting things. Info that’s not only interesting but useful is even cooler. And I like meeting people who’re into the same books I am.
I know you’ll be working very hard, but I imagine you’ll enjoy it, or you wouldn’t do it. What’s your favorite part of Thrillerfest?
Hi Nancy,
Love Laura Anne Gilman. Did you know she has a recurring character called Kim Ann Howe? My husband won an auction for naming a character. So funny to read the books with my name in them!
Yes, I adore everything about ThrillerFest, from the people to the atmosphere. Everyone comes from such different and interesting backgrounds. Makes for a fascinating crowd. I would say it’s the people that I love the most. People who love thrillers seem to share a genuine passion for action and adventure!
I’m dying to attend a Thrillerfest conference, KJ! Maybe next year.
What I love most is getting to hear my favorite authors talk about their writing, journey, or just plain life! Some writers are very solitary, almost stand-offish, and others are so open and friendly. It’s interesting to have a chance to see them all up close and personal.
Jo, I also love meeting authors. Isn’t it fascinating how people surprise you? Sometimes I picture authors and then I’m completely shocked when I meet them because my vision of them isn’t accurate. It’s fun!
Jo, I also love meeting authors. Isn’t it fascinating how people surprise you?
Hey KJ! Good luck with ThrillerFest!! With you heading the project I know it will be fantastic!
I’m limited in the # of conferences I can attend at this point in my life. Not just because of the money, but only so many days off in a year from the DNJ!
What do I like about conferences? Going to different cities, seeing the sites, meeting new authors and reconnecting with old friends! (Get me some Joanie T time, along with all the other Banditas who will be attending this year!)
Talking books, Talking publishing, Talking with other people who have strange people talking in their heads, too!! hehehe
Hi Suz,
Exactly!!! How many “normal” people understand voices in our heads??? We need to go to conferences to find people who understand!!! Either that or a psychologists’ conference. LOL
Hi KJ! Great post. You’re such a superstar!! I’m so impressed and excited that you’re Executive Director now. I know Thrillerfest 2012 will be fabulous. I wish I could make it this year.
I’m another one who always buys the workshop recordings. I wish I could attend them all in person, but I tend to spend more time meeting up with old friends and agents and editors.
Your AgentFest is such a fabulous opportunity for writers to take advanatage of. I hope you get some big success stories this year. Let us know!
Hi Kate, you know that we have eight success stories coming out of AgentFest last year. Amazing really, when you think about how hard it is to sign with a good agent. Fingers crossed the same happens this year!
Wish I had stowed away in the GR’s luggage, Anna! A trip to England and seeing you would be a treat!
ThrillerFest sounds amazing, KJ ! I need to put it on my bucket list!
I love everything about writers’ conferences! There are so many people I only get to see once a year at Nationals and I so enjoy reconnecting with them. I love the workshops as you never know when something will be said that is just the thing you needed to hear. For me it is the only time I am able to submerse myself in the writer’s world and spend time with people who understand the journey!
Louisa, it would be amazing to have you join us at ThrillerFest. I wish I could bring the entire group of us!!! It’s truly a brilliant conference.
KJ, I bet you’re flat out like a lizard drinking at the moment in the run-up to ThrillerFest. I bet it’s exciting too! I hope the conference is a HUGE success. I love pretty much everything about conferences – apart from the fact that I only get to see some people once a year, if that, but you’ve got to take what you can get. It’s all pretty wonderful but I have to say it’s the personal connections you make that really stay with me as the most important element of getting together with writers and readers.
Anna C, the personal connection is crucial. Gone are the days where writers can hide. Now we need to be on the web and out there meeting readers and other writers. We can’t be hermits any longer. LOL