NETWORKING - Part One

PREPARATION

Ahhh, networking...sounds scary to some of you doesn't it? We spend so much time making "computer" friends and writing that sometimes the idea of face to face networking can be daunting. But trust me, everyone has something they can use to their advantage while networking at a conference... even if the very ideas of talking to strangers makes your hands sweat.

And why should you trust what I have to say? Well for those of you who know me personally, I'm outgoing and usually have a lot of success when I attend conferences.

But here's the thing: None of it was accidental.

I remember someone laughing the first time I went to RWA Nationals when I said I didn’t care what classes I was taking because I was just going to hang out in the bar. It may have sounded silly but it was part of my plan. I went there to make connections and meet people.I knew people would be at the bar and I was going to meet them.

I had a plan! Was it perfect? No, but I had one.

I have been networking professionally for my career since 94. Being a hairdresser is all about selling yourself, making good first impressions, being prepared, executing a good service and follow up. Same things one needs to network and network well.

So in the next few days I would like to pass on some of the things I have learned.

Today I am going to discuss possibly the most important of all.


PREPARATION

This is the hard part. Just like plotting your book, all good things come from good preparation. Its more than just business cards but planning what to say and where to go. I tried to break it into four easy steps.


1. WHAT IS YOUR AGENDA?

Why you are at the conference?To improve your craft?
Meet an agent?
Pitch your books?
Meet other authors?
All of the above?

My personal goal is always to make a good connection with one person each day. Just one...now come on, that isn't that hard when you think about it. Just one.

If your goal is to take a lot of classes, then your best chance of meeting people is in the classroom. So don’t sit with your friends. Find a stranger.

Personally, I would caution against only focusing on classes while attending a conference. There are great things you can learn but you can do that at home online, too. If you spent the money to attend a big conference you need to network.

Remember: Everyone else is there to network too!


2. MAKE A GAME PLAN

a. Dress for success. Sounds like a no brainer, but you would be surprised by what some people think is acceptable. You should look your best at all times, like you’re on a job interview for your dream job.

NO SWEATPANTS!!!! Get out your make-up, ladies!!! No frumpkins allowed.Writing is a business and just because we can wear sweat pants while we work, doesn't mean we can at a conference!

b. Identify where are you most comfortable meeting people?

The biggest part of networking is being where the people are so golden opportunities don’t pass you up.
There are basic places you meet people:

Café
elevator
classes
bar

So think of the places you feel comfortable and put them into your plans to be there you wont miss serendipity stopping by.

Are you an early riser? The coffee shop.

Are classes your fave place? Sit buy a stranger.

Bit of a lush like yours truly? The bar. And frankly this is where 80% is done, is a great place to make friends!

Over wine sudden friendship springs....

c. Before you get on the plane, make sure you have an active Facebook account because I guarantee 90% of the people you meet will ask. And its becoming almost unacceptable not to have one.



3. BUSINESS CARDS AND PROMO

My favorite!

This is possibly the most important thing in preparation after psyching yourself up.

Once the conference is over and everyone has gone home this is all they have of you.

Things to avoid when making your business cards:

a. Shiny paper. The person who gets it can't make notes about who you are if its shiny.

b. Busy, dark backgrounds. If you use a dark card, make sure the back is white so people can write notes about you.

c. I would avoid putting your face on your card if you are using something you think is sexy or if your face consumes more than 1/4 or the card. If you put a pic of yourself on the card...think Real Estate Agent, where their face is in a box next to their name.

Your name and contact info are THE MOST IMPORTANT THING not some sexy/fun picture or an overexposed pic of your face.

d. I would even caution against having more than one book cover on the card. It tends to get busy

A busy crowded card is a forgotten card. KISS: Keep it simple stupid

If you want your cover on the card, make sure it is a thumbnail pic and your name is the most prominent feature.

e. Clear concise font, no fancy swirly stuff no one can read. Preferably a pale background with a matte finish.

They will get a lot of cards and you don't want them to forget you!

f. ALWAYS have your promo material handy. Maybe paperclip the card to your bookmark and tie it with a ribbon so you have something nice to hand folks.

The extra touches will be what they remember when they get home and are sifting thru that giant stack of promo and cards they have in their conference bag

g. Always say your name twice!

When you introduce yourself and when you hand them your card. Say your tagline.
Repetition for emphasis!


4. CONVERSATION STARTERS

My consultation with my customers is scripted. I ask the same questions every time and I ask then in the same order. This is because I do not want to miss something important. You can be just as prepared in ‘casual’ conversation

There’s nothing wrong with making a list of 5 or 10 interesting things to start conversations if you are nervous about talking to strangers.

"Have you attended RT before?"
"This is me 1st/2nd conference. How about you?"
"Wow, this is a really nice hotel!"
"Are you a writer?"
"What classes have you taken so far? Wasn’t that a great welcome speech?"


Well now that you have a start on how to prepare yourself, you are one step closer to having a successful conference. Some of these things may seem simple but they are great reminders.

Stay tuned for tips on how to execute all of your preparation when you get to the conference!

Deanna
"Spicing up your love life one naughty read at a time!"

FREE BOOKS!

This weekend, Feb. 18th and 19th, Rainbow eBooks has my short holiday story SECRET SANTA available for FREE download. Its a sexy, fun story and I hope you stop by and get your own copy! It comes in 5 different formats for all types of e-readers.


It's Christmas Eve and Adam has a special gift for Paul - himself, wrapped in a big red bow.

Blindfolded and ready for a magical holiday, Adam anxiously waits for his boyfriend to come and unwrap him. Just when he thinks their date has been forgotten, the door bursts open and his lover arrives. They have the best sex of Adam’s life, but afterward Paul disappears before Adam can catch his breath or remove the blindfold.

Left with only the memory of a tender kiss, a mysterious Santa hat, and a tray of half-eaten cookies, Adam soon discovers his lover was not who he thought it was...


And for every dollar you spend on Rainbow Ebooks this weekend those generous folks over at there are also entering you for a chance to win your own copy of THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW.

I hope you all get a chance to stop by this weekend to download your FREE copy of SECRET SANTA and your chance to win the erotic retelling of THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW

Enjoy your free story and good luck!

Coffee Time Romance!

Hey all!

I just created a thread over at CTR!

For the next 24 hours if return here with the answer to the question I posted on my thread you will win a copy of one of my 3 erotic books!

RED RIDING HOOD

THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW

SECRET SANTA

All you have to do is come up with the answer to a silly question about me! Honest, it is not that difficult!

Good Luck! The first three folks with the right guess will win!
Just post on CTR your answer and leave your contact info here on my blog!


~Deanna

RUN DEVIL RUN

Decadent Publishing announces the release of a Paranormal-romance fiction anthology rooted in rock ‘n roll and ripped straight off the Sunset Strip.


Run Devil Run, an L.A.-based rock band well known locally for their dynamic live performances, diverse musical talent, and humorous video antics has lent their faces, titles and lyrics as inspiration for a five-book series with the publisher. The stories are penned by popular and award-nominated authors Rachel Carrington, Mari Freeman, Susan DiPlacido, Valerie Mann and Becca Dale, and will be released first in ebook format, then later in print.

“I’ve seen RDR play live several times and they are impressive. When this idea came to me, they were a natural fit. Paranormal romance lends itself easily to the Rock vibe,” says Heather Bennett, Co-owner of Decadent Publishing. “Customers who buy the series off our site will be treated to a free download of the coordinating song so they get the whole multi-media experience.”

Mari Freeman writes,” Music has always influenced my writing, but creating a story, characters and an entire world based on the lyrics of a song has been one of the most unique experiences. The collaboration between Decadent Publishing and Run Devil Run has found a creative way to take that musical influence and share it with readers. Read the book, get the song that inspired it. That rocks!”

Remarks Jackie Joyride of Run Devil Run, ”The fact that our music could inspire authors of this caliber to bring characters to life, I mean, it’s a thrill for us. It’s been great working with Decadent Publishing and to see these stories come together around our music…it’s an ego boost for sure!”

COCKTAILS AND COCK TALES WITH SELESTE DELANEY

COCKTAILS AND COCK TALES would like to welcome Seleste deLaney! Sexy paranormal romance writer extraordinaire!
Today we will be sipping a Mommy's Special Hot Cocoa

Mommy's Special Hot Cocoa
6 oz hot cocoa
1 shot peppermint schnapps
1 ox Pinnacle Whipped Cream Vodka


Deanna: So here we go! Where are you and what are you wearing?

Seleste: I so should answer this at a different time of day LOL. I’m at my desk in my kitchen (new office sooooooon!) and I’m wearing jeans, a teal tank top, and a dark brown cashmere wrap sweater.

Deanna: Sounds sexy just the same! Now what’s your poison? Vodka? Hot Coco?

Seleste: I like my hot cocoa with peppermint schnapps, but I’m now thinking about trying it with vodka too. Hell, let’s go for all three…yummy!

Deanna: OMG! I haven’t had one of those in a while! And since its 20 degrees out, I say we defiantly add the vodka. Wouldn’t want to get cold, would we? (((evil grin)))Now that we’re comfy, tell me about your new book?


Seleste: My newest release (I actually had two holiday releases, how awesome is that?) is THE GHOST OF VAMPIRE PRESENT and it’s the sequel to OF COURSE I TRY.

Deanna: Where did the idea for this story come from?

Seleste: Well, I had already decided to turn OF COURSE I TRY into a series, and I was toying with the plot of the novel (which is drafted now) while I was thinking about doing something for Decadent for the holidays. And I wondered if I could figure out a way to bridge from OF COURSE I TRY to the novel. I was taking a tiny page from your book and trying to think of a classic holiday story and seeing if I could twist it. THE GHOST OF VAMPIRE PRESENT kind of came at me fully formed from that initial brainstorming session. I love it when that happens :)

Deanna: What was the hardest part of writing this story for you?

Seleste: Since THE GHOST OF VAMPIRE PRESENT and OF COURSE I TRY are written from Jocelyn’s point of view (the novel is third person, multiple points of view) I needed to work in some little hints of things to come without giving away everything. The other difficult part came from the fact that through the whole story, from beginning to end, Jocelyn is never sure if it was a dream or real. Conveying that for the reader and making it believable was tough. Hopefully I pulled it off though

Deanna: What’s the easiest thing about writing it?

Seleste: I love this world and these characters, so sinking into Jocelyn’s head is easy. It’s always the most fun for me to write characters that I inherently “get”, and I know what it’s like to be a woman searching for her identity in the world.

Deanna: What is your dream story, your opus, if you will? The one you dream about writing but haven’t don’t it?

Seleste: The one that makes me an international best-seller? I don’t know if I have a dream story specifically. Basically if I have an idea, I get it out on paper. A friend of mine is still pushing for me to finish the one that I was working on way back when I first started writing again. But it’s another vampire series and the world would contradict with the BLOOD KISSED world, so I’m not sure how well that would work LOL.

Deanna: When did you first discover you were a writer? Were you like sitting on the toilet and just said, “Ya know, I think I’m gonna write a book.” Or was it more profound?

Seleste: I don’t know if it’s profound, but I’ve been writing since I was little. I stopped for a long time because I was told to “get serious about my future”. It took a lot of years before I realized I was happier writing. Pretty much since then, I haven’t stopped. I’m always working on at least one manuscript.

Deanna: What helps you when you are stumped on a scene in a manuscript? I usually have a cocktail or three. But that’s just me.

Seleste: Cocktails can help. Music too. Sometimes I just veg in front of the TV. But for me, the best thing is chatting with a friend. You know those moments on TV shows (House comes to mind right now) where the main character is just talking to someone and suddenly a random word or phrase makes the lightbulb go off and they know what to do? That happens to me a lot, so you’ll usually find me writing with at least one chat window open. It’s a good thing my friends are so understanding :)

Deanna: Most of my stories have a theme song, do you do that for your characters?? If so what is it?

Seleste: I have playlists (soundtracks if you will) for my novels, but not necessarily for shorter pieces. If I had to name a song for Jocelyn for THE GHOST OF VAMPIRE PRESENT , it would be “That’s What You Get” by Paramore. I think it fits the mental turmoil that is still plaguing her.

Deanna: Tell us about a scene that you have written then afterwards, when you read it, you shocked yourself? You know I want a dirty answer (((hint hint)))

Seleste: Wow, I’m not sure I am ever that drunk that I completely forget the whole scene LOL.

Deanna: That's not what I meant, silly!

Seleste: I know! I will say in the novel, there is a sex scene that completely wasn’t in the plan and when it popped up, I just went O.O. My first thought was along the lines of “Well, this may be the scene that pushes the series to a heat level of five.” Oddly enough, it isn’t very long and doesn’t involve Jocelyn at all LOL. (But it will probably be your favorite, just because I know what you like :P)

Deanna: Thanks for stopping by, Seleste! I had fun and now I'm all out of vodka!

Leave a comment below and win your choice of OF COURSE I TRY or THE GHOST OF VAMPIRE PRESENT

For the rest of you Seleste is all over the internet. You can find her at her website, blog, Facebook and Twitter. And THE GHOST OF VAMPIRE PRESENT is available now at Decadent Publishing.

Holiday Storytime

So here it is!

Me!

On YOUTUBE!

OMG, don't pay too much attention to me, rather my story! Here it is and a great way to raise some money for a really great cause!

My latest story SECRET SANTA is a funny m/m about a naughty night by the fireplace where the hero, Adam, has no idea who just made love to him…that is of course is because he blindfolded himself! LOL

More importantly, SECRET SANTA is the December Decadent Publishing Read for Life feature. Read For a Cure is a Decadent Publishing program benefiting the American Cancer Society Relay For Life Each month, they donate ALL PUBLISHER PROFITS from one book to R4L in their efforts to help fight back against cancer.

I will be donating 50cents per purchase of SECRET SANTA to this same great cause until December 31st.

So if you have never read an m/m story before, please pick up a copy of SECRET SANTA. It is One Naughty Read for one Nice Cause!



For more information about how you can help donate to Relay for Life or to join TEAM DECADENT check out this LINK

COCKTAILS AND COCK TALES WITH ANNE HOLLY!

Today we have erotica Author Anne Holly with us. We will be sippin’ on some Bailey’s and coffee while she tells us about her two new holiday releases, UN-SCROOGED and GOOD FOR THE GOOSE

Bailey’s and Coffee
2 oz Bailey’s Irish Cream
5 oz black coffee

Deanna: I start out all my interviews the same, Anne: Where are you and what are you wearing?

Anne: I am in Ontario, Canada, and quite chilly, so I am pretty much bundled up. Since I spend most of my time trying to squeeze my writing and other work in between bouts of toddler minding, my usual uniform consists of something schlumpy and relatively clean. Sexy, no?

Deanna: Schlumpy, that’s a good one. We usually call that dressing like a frumpkin. Ya know? A frumpy bumpkin? LOL, which is exactly my own personal look this morning. Good thing we’re not Skyping! So what’s your poison? Vodka? Hot Coco?

Anne: Coffee. Always with the coffee. Once a year, I add some Bailey’s to that or to some cocoa, but that’s about as wild as I get.

Deanna: You wild one. Well, the interview is called “Cocktails and Cock Tales” so bring on the Bailey’s! (((pours a healthy dollop into each coffee cup))) Now that we’re comfy, tell me about your new books?


Anne: My two brand new releases in the past week and a half or so are both Christmas stories. My new Decadent Publishing release is a romantic comedy set in England, which is sort of an homage to A Christmas Carol, called UN-SCROOGED, where an eccentric writer must come of out his protective bubble if he wants to grab onto his last chance – an optimistic and cheerful Canadian grad student who has moved into his building for the year. Their story culminates in an awkward family Christmas where he has to deal with what made him as bitter as he is.

Deanna: Sounds fun! And your second book?

Anne: I also have a new erotic romance for the holidays out with Wicked Nights’ erotic line, After Dark, GOOD FOR THE GOOSE, which focuses on a recently divorced professor who has a hot fling with a young Latin lover only to find that it might not be just a fling after all.


Both of the heroes in these two books are my favourite male characters that I have written so far – adorable, and hot, hot, hot. Just right for cold nights. ;)

Deanna: I’m sensing some similarities in these stories, can you tell us about that?

Anne: I was a grad student for many years, and now teach a university, so I love the weird, eccentric personalities one sees as a career academic – and as a writer, as well! That is why most of my works involve academics or writers, etc – it’s what I know. I am also fond of thinking of ways and reasons people resist love and romance, and figuring out how they can overcome that cynicism that life makes in them. And, well, the winter holidays are a great time for that – people are more vulnerable, I think.

Deanna: What was the hardest part of writing these stories for you?

Anne: Editing was no picnic, I can tell you that! My natural fiction style is quite chaotic, so forcing it into industry standards can be painful. I’m learning, though. Also, with erotica and sex scenes in general, I sometimes have a hard time writing things I wouldn’t say in mixed company. Full-body blushes are not unheard of when I write those parts.

Deanna: ROFL!!!! Yeah, one time I was writing a hot m/m sex scene and my mom called. A tornado was on its way and she wanted to come over and sit in my basement. Needless to say I had to leave my poor heroes hanging.
Way to solider on through those full bodied blushes. I’m sure your readers appreciate it. What’s the easiest thing about writing for you?

Anne: The characters! Also, my favourite part. When I sit down to write a story or book, the characters are already alive in my head. They make everything else so much more worth it.

Deanna: I totally feel the same. What is your dream story, your opus, if you will? The one you dream about writing but haven’t don’t it?

Anne: I have some more literary stuff I’d like to do some day when I have the time and introspection to do them – stuff about my family history. I will also be working on one soon, which is sort of in pre-production, to use a filmmaking term – a romance set in Nova Scotia’s ship building past, a time I find very exciting. I have also had a screenplay bubbling away on the back burner for a long time.

Deanna: Those all sound great, I hope you get to write all of them…and more importantly SELL all of them!
When did you first discover you were a writer? Were you like sitting on the toilet and just said, “Ya know, I think I’m gonna write a book.” Or was it more profound? J

Anne: I’ve had multiple epiphanies in my life. When I was a kid, I was all about pronouncing, “I am going to be a writer when I grow up!” I was good, too – for a kid. Then, after I finished my undergrad degree, I actually wrote a romance (mostly as something to do, but also because I was seeking direction), which got rejected on my one and only inquiry, so it got shoved in a shoebox when I started grad school. I wrote that one after I read LaVyrle Spencer’s retirement novel, where she included a letter encouraging people to write – that was like a light going on for me, and I remembered how much I wanted to write when I was a kid. But, that rejection made me think, “Well, I tried,” and I moved on.

Then, when I finished my PhD I thought – “You know, this summer, I am going to see what I can do with this.” So, I hauled out the old manuscript, and polished out the school girl stuff and made it a bit stronger, and I sent it off – and it got accepted! (I was stunned, frankly.) So, then I started in on my new direction of writing a lot and publishing as much as I could, so I could learn as much as possible and start building my name.

That novel, STRINGS ATTACHED, which was first written about eight years ago and then revamped, is being released in May 2011! I am still in awe of that. Take that, editor who rejected it way back when!

Deanna: Lol, success feels great, doesn’t it? What helps you when you are stumped on a scene in a manuscript? I usually have a cocktail or three. But that’s just me.

Anne: I watch movies. When I work on a story, I typically have a “muse,” or an actor who reminds me of the character’s qualities. When I get stumped, I take an evening off and watch one of that actor’s movies, which can get the creative juices flowing again. (Get your mind out of the gutter, there.)

Deanna: No, you can’t make me! See? I got out him just to prove a point!

Anne: Lol, You're bad!

Deanna: Thank-you! Now what else helps you kick writer's block?

Anne: Sometimes, it is music, though – for instance, when I did my paranormal erotic, I listened to a lot of Type O Negative, because Peter Steele (rest his soul) made for an excellent muse, and the music had the right feel, both dark and sexy… Then I had to do two Christmas stories immediately afterwards, which made for a jarring switch. I really had a hard time changing moods there.

Deanna: Tell us about a scene that you have written then afterwards, when you read it, you shocked yourself? You know I want a dirty answer (((hint hint)))

Anne: Well, in GOOD FOR THE GOOSE there is some very light bondage and the hero seems to like being teasingly whipped – that surprised me a great deal to see myself write that.

Deanna: HA! I knew I got out the whip boy for good reason!

Anne: Lol. In my current work in progress, I have an extended scene as my hero is in search of condoms, which I found rather amusing and that surprised me – I am usually squeamish about putting my heroes in really embarrassing situations, even though the poor guys do end up humiliated a lot of the time.
Sometimes, I have to say, though it might sound like conceit, I some times sit back and say to myself, “Man, did I write that? That’s good!” I am still shocked when I see myself write like an actual writer, if that makes any sense.

Deanna: Well you ARE a writer, so of course it makes sense!

Thank you for stopping by today, Anne. It was a lot of fun but now I'm all out of Baileys....(she says she only has a little, yeah right!)

If you had fun reading today's installment of COCKTAILS AND COCK TALES, please post a comment so Anne can stuff one lucky winners stocking with their choice of UN-SCROOGED or GOOD FOR THE GOOSE!

Here's where you can find Anne Holly on the web:
Website, Blog , Facebook, and YouTube
GOOD FOR THE GOOSE links:
Wicked Nights
Amazon:
UN-SCROOGED Links:
Decadent Publishing
Amazon