ConnectiCon 2013 Rocked!!

07/19/2013 | Casey Wyatt

(I’m cheating today. This is the same post over at the 7 Scribes. It’s going to be a scorching 99 here today. Stay cool everyone!)

Welcome to another Friday! Casey here.

I’m happy to report that I crossed an item off my bucket list. It all started with a Kindle Daily Deal and a book called Theft of Swords by Michael J. Sullivan. Every day, since I purchased a Kindle Fire, I check Amazon’s Kindle Daily Deals (very much like a junkie looking for a fix).

This particular day, Theft of Swords was the fantasy offering. I downloaded a sample, was hooked by the first page and immediately purchased it. And, because I happened to be in Goodreads that day, I sent a friend request to the author.

Long story short, in addition to accepting my request the author sent me a note and we started a conversation that ended with him agreeing to be my guest, here at the Scribes, on August 9th (Yay!). While researching his various social media sites, it turned out

he’d been invited to ConnectiCon as a literary guest, along with Brandon Sanderson.

Now, my hubby and I have discussed going to this convention for as many years as it’s been going on. Each year, it has gotten progressively bigger and more exciting. When Michael suggested we meet up at the conference, I was happy to accept.

I’ve been to the Connecticut Convention Center before for other events, but none of them come close to the size and scale of ConnectiCon. There was so

much to do: panels, Q&A sessions, book signings, gaming, vendors, and parties. So much that we barely scratched the surface. Check here for more information.

The best parts for me aside from meeting Michael and his wife, were the costumes (more on those in a

moment) and encountering artist Dan Dos Santos. His artwork has graced the covers of Patricia Brigg’s Mercy Thomas books and Diana Rowland’s white trash zombie series (among many others). Super nice man and very gracious. While we were chatting, Brandon Sanderson came up to the table (squee!).

Now, those costumes – fabulous, fantastic, well-made, top-notch. What more can I say? The variety was mind-boggling. And for the amount of people attending, everyone was polite and relaxed.

Overall, it was a great experience for me. Hubby was a bit overwhelmed by the sheer geekiness but there were plenty of comic book and movie characters. On the drive home, he was speculating what kind of costume he could make for next year.

So, if you live in the New England area (and even if you don’t) and if you love comics, anime, role-playing, manga, gaming, etc. don’t miss a chance to attend this con!

What Cons have you attended? What are your favorites? And if you haven’t ever attended one, would you consider it?

I Must be Crazy!

05/11/201207/22/2012 | Casey Wyatt

Happy Friday! Please remember to visit me over at the Scribes for Cal’s Double Chocolate Cherry Cookies. Yes, you did read that right. I did use double, chocolate, and cherry all in the same sentence.

It’s hard to believe that it was only a year ago that I started this blog (in April 2011). And last May, I was preparing to pitch to editors (see here). Well, CT Fiction Fest is back (tomorrow!!) and I will be pitching again. Only this year, I’ve decided to throw an agent or two into the mix.

Now that I’ve sold two books, I’d like to expand my horizons or maybe it’s more accurate to say broaden my reach. I’ve realized that in order to keep motivated, I need to update my goals. For so long, the goal was – sell a book!

Mission accomplished. Now it’s time to dream bigger which includes writing more stories. And believe me, I’ve got loads of them locked in my head, scribbled in notebooks, and even all over Post-It notes. Coming up with ideas is not a problem. Executing those ideas, while promoting Mystic Ink and preparing The Undead Space Initiative for release all while maintaining a full time job/life, is not so easy.

But, hey, I’m not complaining. No one is standing over me with a gun making me write. I could walk away at any time. Of course, I wouldn’t be happy with myself. I already know because I’ve walked away from writing before and it drove me nuts.

Since stopping isn’t an option, eventually something will have to give. At the moment, I’m focused on Mystic Storm and a totally different novel. That’s means not so much time spent on social media or other activities. The only way I can create time for writing is to take it from something else. That’s just how it is.

Buried deep in my mind is the fantasy that some day I can quit my day job. There is 8-9 hours, right there, plumb for writing. If I need to acquire an agent to do that – I’ll consider it. If I need to stick to e-pubs for a while – yup, that works. If I need to Indie publish – that’s a viable option too.

So back to pitching, this year, the focus is on – where can I go next? And what can I accomplish with the time I have?

To a non-writer I know this seems like crazy talk! But in reality, you have to really love what you’re doing to keep going. Selling a few books was exciting, but by no means the end of the story. Like anything writing is a journey, not a destination.

How about you? What are you trying to accomplish? What are you willing to give up to get there?

Bid on Me!

05/04/201205/03/2012 | Casey Wyatt

Happy Friday everyone! Please remember to stop by the Scribes and read my post – Pitch Perfect.

This year, along with my other Soul Mate sisters, I’m participating in Brenda Novak’s Auction for Diabetes Research. So far, the auction has raised $1.3 million, with a goal of $2 million.

The auction runs from May 1, 2012 – May 31, 2012.

There is an impressive variety of items up for bid from autographed books, e-readers, jewelry, networking opportunities, and the grand prize is an iMac.

As a group, Soul Mate authors are auctioning off a Kindle, fully loaded with Soul Mate Books. Click here, to place a bid.

I’m giving away an e-book copy of Mystic Ink and a 15 page evaluation of a WIP in progress. If you’re interested, please click here, and it will take you directly to my bidding page.

And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that next weekend is Connecticut Fiction Fest – CTRWA’s annual writing conference.

If you live in the area, this is a great event! We have agents and editors galore, a variety of valuable workshops, book signings and a raffle.

Check it out – Fiction Fest 2012.

Speaking of the conference, I’m pitching again this year, so it’s back to work for me!

Have a great weekend!

Exciting News!

06/29/2011 | Casey Wyatt

Ascension took first place in the paranormal category in Passionate Ink’s Stroke of Midnight Contest! It was announced at RWA Nationals tonight!

Quickie!

05/20/2011 | Casey Wyatt

Last Saturday, I attended Connecticut Fiction Fest. It was an amazing, whirlwind day. After four pitches, I came home with six requests (4 for Mystic Ink, 2 for Ascension). So, needless to say, I have been busy preparing my submissions.

It’s amazing that no matter how many times and how many eyes review a manuscript, there are always typos, missing words or misplaced punctuation marks. While giving both books a last minute look over, I had to resist the urge to start tearing into the text.

Even harder, swallowing back that inner doubt (you know, my writing sucks, no one will ever like my book, etc.). To combat the doubt, I remind myself that these are the best books I could write based on where I was at the time they were written. If none of the submissions work out, there are other publishers out there. And I can always indie publish too. All options are on the table.

Upward and onward – I have an aggressive goal of trying to complete two books this year. Not sure if I can do it, but I will do my best. The only way to become a better writer is to keep writing. And that means letting go and moving on to new ideas, new stories, and new characters.

I can’t wait!!

CT Fiction Fest

04/11/201104/11/2011 | Casey Wyatt

Hi all,

Next month, on May 14, I will be attending CT Fiction Fest. The event is sponsored by the CT Romance Writers. The keynote speaker this year is Eloisa James!!

There will also be 13 agents and editors such as Bantam Dell (Random House), St. Martin’s Press, Harlequin, The Donald Maas Agency, Irene Goodman Literary Agency, and Curtis Brown to name just a few. Each participant is guaranteed two appointments.

Workshops and special speakers include: Kristan Higgins, Jessica Anderson, Anton Strout, Toni Andrews and more.

Check it out!

http://ctrwa.org/ignite-your-muse/