Funny, but I've had my agent Steve Mancino for a year, but Sunday was the first time I met him face-to-face. Perhaps some of you think that you must go to New York to get an agent, but really, it's all done with snail mail, email, and smoke and mirrors. Yes, you could meet an agent at a writer's conference which I did...twice. Once with good results, once with not so good as it turned out. But we won't talk about that. Ancient history!
It was nice to meet Steve and his boss Joshua Blimes. I felt quite comfortable with those two. I hope they felt the same. It's very exciting working with someone who knows what they are doing! He makes me work on my manuscripts, which are already worked over worse than a bum in a back alley, but I suppose a few more times won't kill it. We met up in probably one of the coolest horror bookshops ever, called Dark Delicacies in Burbank, CA.
The owner, Del Howison, was a real sweetheart and a helluva interesting guy. He is co-author of the Bram Stoker Award-winning anthology DARK DELICACIES: ORIGINAL TALES OF TERROR AND THE MACABRE, with another one to come out soon. Slay 'em, Del!
I also met Charlaine Harris, my fav author of the Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire series. I snuck in my copy of her latest DEFINITELY DEAD and got her to sign it. That was fun. Because I also chatted here and there with her online but not in person. Just as nice as everyone says she is.
I am gearing up for Bouchercon, readying my patter and stretching my drinking muscles. I think I'm gonna need them. Isn't that what writer's are also supposed to be good at? It's going to be interesting and I am really looking forward to it. Hope the schmoozing pays off in a contract. Cross your digits out there.
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