Gwen Reyes | Conferences, Learning and... PARTIES!

I love March. It’s a month I spend 11 other months looking forward to, and the reason has nothing to do with my birthday—since my birthday is in September. It’s a month that kicks off everything I love: spring, new OPI nail polish, and conference season! There are few things I love more than traveling across the region and joining fellow book, movie, and creative geeks as they discuss their passions. As you're reading this, Sara is sleeping in the bed next to me because she is presenting a workshop on author marketing for attendees of the Nola Romance Writer’s annual conference in Shreveport, Louisiana. Next week the Fresh Fiction team is making the trek from our cushy Dallas headquarters to the raucousness of Austin for South By Southwest (SXSW). SXSW is the one festival and conference I look forward to the most. I'm ready, credit card in hand, to purchase my badge for the annual film, music, and interactive festival in August and I spend the remaining months planning my assault on the city of Austin. 2010 will be my sixth year in attendance, and I have never looked forward to a SXSW as much as I do this year’s.

The activities are amazing; SXSW will have over a thousand panels for the
Interactive portion alone, and dozens of world, national, and regional film
premieres. It’s also one of the major stops for up and coming musicians before
they head out for their summer concert tours. I have met so many talented and
inspiring designers, creatives (including authors) and filmmakers attending SXSW
over the years, and it is one event Fresh Fiction jumps through hoops to attend.
All around, SXSW is a little paradise for geeks of all types and means, and it’s
a prolific organization that aims to boost the exposure of arts and creativity
in the Southwest region. What’s presented here is trending six to eight months
later!

SXSW is always a lot of work, but it’s fun and so worth it. The designers and
filmmakers we meet, both fresh and established, inspire us to return to HQ with
plans to continue Fresh Fiction’s evolution for years to come. It’s a great
feeling when you know that what you are doing is special and other people are
willing to share their own stories and information to help you out. That’s the
camaraderie you feel throughout the festival.

Oh, and I'm going to party for six nights straight, because these people know
how to bring it—thank God there is a free coffee bar two blocks from our hotel!

Gwen Reyes

Readers 'n 'ritas Candace Havens is sponsoring this weekend's blogs! You could win some cool stuff from one of the HOTTEST authors around! Comment today to be entered!

Comments

20 comments posted.

Re: Gwen Reyes | Conferences, Learning and... PARTIES!

Enjoy! It sounds like great fun. It's always wonderful to end winter on such a high note.
(Rosemary Krejsa 9:53am March 6, 2010)

I just returned from a conference in San Antonio, we had a great time. If you get a chance you should take the hour drive and visit the River Walk. Beautiful city. Had a great time at Howl at the Moon also :)
(Vikki Parman 10:10am March 6, 2010)

I've never been to a conference,
but it sounds fun.
(Margay Roberge 10:20am March 6, 2010)

The thing about conferences is you get to pick people's brains, eat and participate. I especially love the Q&A where you're updated about current events in the field and share in the experiences.
(Alyson Widen 11:21am March 6, 2010)

Sounds like fun! Wish I was there too. Never have been to a conference but would love to someday.
(Cherie Japp 12:42pm March 6, 2010)

Never been to a conference or met a favorite author. Always love the pictures and reading the blog posts from those attending.
(Cathy MacDonald 2:56pm March 6, 2010)

I definitely want to check out an out of area con again the future. I've always had fun in the past but the day job seriously gets in the way :)
(Summer Sharp 2:57pm March 6, 2010)

I am attending a con at the end of April in Columbus ohio and I am excited-- it is my first time, con virgin!!
(Danyel McDaniel 3:19pm March 6, 2010)

That sounds fun. I wish I could party for six days straight.
(Jane Cheung 5:30pm March 6, 2010)

I would love to attend a conference. I need to plan to make this happen.
(Mary Preston 5:44pm March 6, 2010)

The conferences sound like loads of fun!
(G. Bisbjerg 7:15pm March 6, 2010)

I wish there were comparable events in my state, Arkansas. Hope you all have fun, and keep us posted!
(Mary Anne Landers 7:30pm March 6, 2010)

Mary Anne, there are lots of Conventions in North Texas. Not sure where you are in AR, but DFW to NW AR is a 5 hr drive.
(Summer Sharp 8:06pm March 6, 2010)

Sound like a load of fun!
(Lisa Richards 8:16pm March 6, 2010)

i always love a good conference. the most recent one i went to was an early childhood education one. i've yet to go to a book/readers romance convention but one of these days most definitely! :)
(Michelle Santiago 9:29pm March 6, 2010)

I haven't been to a book conference, but
it does sound like something I'd enjoy.
(Jung Ja Ahn 11:16pm March 6, 2010)

This sounds like so much fun and a great way to party. I have never been to a book conference but I think I would enjoy it
(Gail Hurt 3:53pm March 7, 2010)

I can't wait for when I get to start heading to conferences - they need to have writers conferences listed on a giant list somewhere! :)
(Tami Winbush 7:05pm March 7, 2010)

I have gone to a publishers conference but never got lucky enough to meet any of my favorite authors.
(Diane Sadler 8:13pm March 7, 2010)

I have always wanted to attend SXSW, sounds and looks like so much fun, but live on the East Coast and have never had the traveling $$
(Kelly Holt 8:59am March 11, 2010)

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