Lori Devoti, paranormal romance and urban fantasy author

I know the rest of the world have their noses stuck inside Harry Potter today, and while I do read the books, I’m not obsessed with them and won’t be tracking to the store to get a copy right away. Besides, I really need to attack my TBR pile. REALLY. I Do.

As if it wasn’t bad enough, I’m also fresh back from RWA National, where I just can’t seem to turn down a free book. (Although I do blame Ann Christopher for part of my glutteny by FORCING me to go with her to the Avon and Harlequin signings.) Then yesterday I HAD to go to Waldens to spend my $5 Borders Reward Cash before it expired at the end of the month. I was good though. I only bought one book. That’s right. ONE. How strong am I?

Anyway, point is I have a lot of books to read. But what should be next?

Romance, which I got a lot of at National, or Urban Fantasy, which has been my running addiction for quite some time? I’m thinking it is going to have to be Urban Fantasy…although a number of the books I got at National look very good…but what can I say? When I am on a kick it is hard for me to get off it.

Here are my choices…

• Simon Green– I have a trade paperback which has his first three Nightside novels in it and I strongly suspect I am the last urban fantasy reader on the planet who hasn’t read him. It is a tad embarrassing. Plus I have had the book for some time. I just keep picking what I’ll call women’s urban fantasy over it. (gotta support those female writers) But I think it may be time.
• The second in Rachel Caine’s Weather Warden series. (I KNOW I’m behind on this one too.) This one I only bought about a month ago though.
• Or the book I bought yesterday–the start of what would be something new for me–the first in the Zodiac series by Vicki Pettersson .

So, any thoughts? Anyone read these authors? Which is you fav?

Pic of some of the Nocturne authors and here’s a link to a slide show of all the pictures I took at National.

First I am home and happy to be here! Last night Laura Drewry and I ditched the actual RITAs and instead opted to put on our dresses and drink daiquiris in the bar. It was lovely. When the RITAs were over we snuck down and mingled.

Okay, now time to review the conference a tad. I thought I’d report on the PAN sessions I attended. Today I’m going to share some info I picked up at Carly Phillips session on the road to success. It was a low-key but great talk. She mainly told us her personal journey, but she also gave us a few things to think about for ourselves.

The first was How is your agent looking at you? Agent problems seemed to be everywhere this conference. I can’t tell you how many people were either looking for a new agent–or in my opinion should have been. It is really important that you have an agent who is supportive of your work and understands you and what your goals are. People always say a bad agent is worse than no agent–but I’d go a step further and say a good agent can be bad for you too. Don’t get hung up on the fact that everyone else thinks your agent is a “top” agent, or one they would like to have. The only thing that matters if the agent is a good fit for you. If you can’t get them to send your stuff out or if they make you feel like dogie doo–they are not a good agent for you.

The biggest question Carly raised was What is success for you? We talk about this a lot in my local chapter. With so many options today so far as publishing, I think it is really important writers decide what they want out of writing. Then decide what route they should go. The toughest part of this is not letting what someone else thinks is important influence you–you need to decide that for yourself.

Carly took this further–talking about contests, money, bestseller lists, etc. Contests IMO don’t do much for your career or to sell books, but they do provide validation. Be honest with yourself–are you someone who needs validation? If you get down on yourself without it–contests may be an important part of your success plan. (Remembering of course that not finaling may be harder if you are looking for validation.) Do you just want to have a steady money-making career? Or do you really need to see your name on a best-seller list? Again be honest.

Then look at How can you get there? Certain houses are known to be better at getting their authors on best-seller lists. Would it be worth it to you to take a smaller advance to get with one of those houses? Or perhaps money is important enough you are willing to write for a number of houses under various names.

Carly also said you need to be willing to put yourself out there–to crash and burn. Without taking some risks, you will not get the big gains. But most important she said to like your career.

I totally agree and I think the best way to do this is to do what she said in the beginning–be honest with yourself. Decide what is really important to you–what you (not your critique partners or friends) want. There is nothing wrong with having a goal that doesn’t include making a list or getting a six figure deal.

So–what are you waiting for? Sit yourself down and pry the truth out of your brain. What do you really want? What would make you feel like a success?

Last night was the booksigning and overall it was great. They controlled the entry more this year so it wasn’t a crazed flood of people entering the place. I think the “halls” were bigger too. There was plenty of traffic but it wasn’t the freak you out crush it was in Atlanta.

I sat next to two lovely authors–Delilah Devlin and Helen Kay Dimon–I am sure neither will be requesting a seat next to me again though–since I spilled not one, not two, but THREE glasses of water. Good news is I’m fast. No books were damaged. Delilah did give me a strange look when I started whipping her books off the space in front of her…but realization soon followed and she joined me in my frenzied relocation of books.

I’m glad my husband wasn’t there…He would have been giving me the “I can’t take you anywhere” look.

The hotel is nice the staff is really nice–much nicer than at the Atlanta hotel. My only complaint is it doesn’t seem like there is anything near by–as in walking distance. I thought there was before we came….of course since it is something like 100 out there, I haven’t been exactly eager to just wander the streets.

Today the actual conference starts. And I just realized I haven’t looked at the scedule at all. So, that’s next on my list.

I’ll try and check in again. I’ll have some pictures once I make it back home.

Lori

I leave tomorrow, and I have been scary productive today. Got my word count in, sent the dedication and dear reader letter to Harlequin (for Guardian’s Keep), dropped off things at the library, packaged and mailed prizes for my web site contest and Treasures of the Dark, grocery shopped…and resisted the impulse to buy sushi at the grocery store for lunch. Grocery store sushi–one day before flying. Just didn’t seem wise.

Still on my list…downloading pics from my camera so I have an empty memory card, charge camera’s battery, sync my phone to my lap top (just got done syncing ipod), polish my toenails (with cute little flowers), pack last few items….and I think…I’m done!

How about you are you packed and ready to roll?

Only two days until RWA National! Time to brush up on tipping. Here’s a link.

In the spirit of National coming, let me say this is also related–a happy traveling Lori is a Lori with a good coffee (hot) or tea (iced). Was I the only one who noticed Atlanta had some pretty lacking choices in these areas? And it’s most definitely in the South! Maybe it was just downtown Atlanta…Anyway, here’s hoping Dallas is more with it.

And side note–parts of this seems freakishly accurate. Guess that’s the key–”parts.”

What Your Latte Says About You

You don’t treat yourself very often. You find that indulging doesn’t jibe with your very disciplined life. You can be quite silly at times, but you know when to buckle down and be serious. Intense and energetic, you aren’t completely happy unless you are bouncing off the walls. You have a healthy relationship with caffeine. You’re definitely not dependent on it. You are responsible, mature, and truly an adult. You’re occasionally playful, but you find it hard to be carefree. You are expressive and friendly, but you are never pushy.

I’m packed. Okay, not totally packed but on my way to being packed for National. In case you think I have serious issues…the chocolate isn’t for me, it is all attached to bookmarks (some with wolf tattoos). Now the wine…Well, I do plan to share, some…

As for shoes. These are tough for a woman. Men wear a pair and pack a pair. This just doesn’t work if you are female–and YES, two pairs of black heels are reasonable. Each outfit requires a certain shoe–it isn’t convenient, but that’s the truth of it. One of my friends was advised by her sister that five pairs were too many to take on a 7 day trip. PLEASE! I assured my friend her sister was completely out of touch, and a quick poll confirmed it. Five is about the minimum–unless there are some unusual forces at play. And I am not a girly girl. These are just the harsh realities of being female and going out.

So, in less than four days me, my chocolate, wine, and shoes will be in Dallas–how about you?

The winners are: Esther Erman and Bobbi Dumas!! (As selected by a third party unbiased judge.) Congrats to both.

And thanks to everyone who entered. There were some great entries.

Who knew Lusse could become so near and dear to so many of you? Twisted bunch, aren’t you? ;-)

FYI, both winners felt Lusse should be brought back. There was no right or wrong answer–I was just surprised how many of you felt she should be brought back…some said even to give her her own book…

If you are here looking for the announcement, there was a slight change in plan. I discovered I had forgotten to put a deadline on my announcement. Duh. So, everyone has through today to enter.

Tomorrow–really. I will announce the winner. But not first thing. A kind friend has agreed to be my selection committee–of one.