Tuesday, May 21, 2013

RT Convention 2013 Recap


I did it again. I survived another RT Convention. And let me tell you, that is not an easy task!

KANSAS CITY, MO - 2013

Since the pre-con class I signed up for didn’t start until Tuesday, I thought ahead and emailed the Kansas Speedway in hopes of getting some kind of tour to do a bit of research. I didn’t think I’d hear back from them but to my surprise, they were over and beyond accommodating. The Track’s PR Rep contacted me, and we set an appointment for me to visit.


As a writer of stories revolving around racing, this look into the NASCAR world was a fabulous opportunity, but as a longtime fan of the sport, this look into the NASCAR world was a monumental SKWEE!!!! moment in my life. It was so spectacular I can’t even describe it…



The Pre-Con Plotting class with Cherry Adair was a great experience. The woman can plot a story in minutes. She even thought up one of her next stories right in front of us. Cherry also met with us one on one to talk about our own plots and what we could do to improve them. Although her methods may not be for everyone, I got a lot out of this class, and I seriously recommend taking this one if you ever get the chance.

Cherry Adair & Me

The convention portion was intense. So many authors to meet, connections to make, business cards to hand out, workshops to go to, socials to attend, and networking to do at the bar. Needless to say, I hardly got any sleep all week, but with all I’ve learned and the friends I’ve made, it was all so worth it.


Riley Darkes & Me - Friend from SavvyAuthors.com
Waiting in line for the Teen Party
Me & Stacey Kade
Kiera Cass after making the NY Times Bestsellers list
We found a lost pass at the RT Gala
One of the exciting things that happened to me this year was that I was named a finalist in the American Idol Writer Contest hosted by agents Nicole Resciniti & Louise Fury.

During the finals, I was a complete ball of nerves. I didn’t win, but I got some great feedback and a friend got a sweet offer from one of the agents. All in all, I’m glad I participated.

My biggest goal this year was to conquer my nerves and actually pitch my story to agents face to face, and I’m happy to report that my nails are still intact. My 10 min pitch appointment was kind of a fail. My nerves got the better of me, and I blabbered my way through the whole thing. But when came time for the pitch-a-palooza, I found my confidence. A few full requests and a few partial requests later, I walked away bursting with a sense of success.

My big fan-girl moment (yes, I fan-girl once in a while... Don't judge me) was ending up in an elevator with Jennifer L. Armentrout. I'd been in her presence before and even spoke to her last year, but for some reason, after following her success throughout the year and admiring her work (when I say admiring I mean, pouncing on every book she’s ever written) I froze, said nothing and left the elevator feeling like a total idiot. But later I got to talk to her in the hotel bar, when a friend brought her down to meet me. SKWEE!!!!

Jennifer L. Armentrout & Me

Again this year the amount of books and swag I got was insane… Look at all this stuff!! (Lookout for Giveaways)

Swag & Books

And now that I’m home, exhausted, overwhelmed, yet grateful of my experience, I’ve marked my calendar yet again for next year. RT Convention 2014 in New Orleans… here I come!!

Sleep… who needs it!!!

3 comments:

  1. Wonderful post, Lucy!! RT was so much fun, and I'm so glad we got to meet in person! :D Congrats on all your success! Loved your fangirl moment!! teehee I had one of those when I met Nicole Peeler! ;D

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  2. You never fully realize what you've accomplished in a week at RT until you come home and condense it into a blog post like this one. I'm very proud of to have been and continue to be a part of your RT experience. It's inspiring and I wish great success for you.

    I can't say I don't enjoy the social aspect of these conventions. New Orleans, here we come!

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  3. Great recap! Congratulations on the pitch-a-palooza requests! I hope you sent them out already! :)

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