2006 ACFW Conference

What do I say about my first conference? It was intimidating, exciting, stimulating, frustrating, loud and lonely. I think I must have experienced the full gauntlet of emotions over those three days. Made new friends. Put faces with names and met with editors who weren't so intimidating after all. Now the agents, they're another story! Scared me spitless! Why? I don't know.

I had an editor request a proposal and another to request the full of two of my books. I'm sending proposals to five agents. A good conference? I sincerely hope so.

One agent, bless her heart, said my story was too scary and I should target men agents. Isn't that funny? My target audience is women.

What's Your Line?

Sunday afternoon I took some advice from the conference forum and cold-called my critique partner, Dina Nickerson. My words, "This is Cynthia Hickey from Westbow Publishing. I'd like to hear about your book." (Hope Westbow doesn't mind I used their name, but I know Dina plans on pitching to them). Anyway, Dina started giggling. In my infinite wisdom, I informed her she was pitching incorrectly. This just sent her into a bigger fit of giggles. Now mind you, I've never met this woman face to face, and this is the first time I've heard her voice, but we spoke for a good hour about our books, the upcoming conference, life, etc. Who says you need to meet someone in order to find a friend?

My husband says the two of us at conference will be a force to reckon with. Well, not his exact words, but I can't say them here. Now, I've gone from knowing noone at the conference, to having someone excited to meet me. I am truly blessed! Plus, she told me that if my book isn't picked up by an editor at this conference, she wants to know why! Me, too!

The Reluctant Burglar

This is the first novel of Jill Nelson's I've read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. What would you do if you found out your father had stolen millions of dollars worth of rare art and upon his death, it all falls into your lap?

Desiree Jacobs wants to right the wrong her father had done, despite the interference of Old Hollywood style FBI agent, Tony Lucano. As Desiree struggles to right the wrong, save her father's business and clear his name, she finds herself on the hunted list. The Reluctant Burglar takes you along with Desiree through a ring of cutthroat art thieves and into a reluctant partnership with Agent Lucano.

A totally engrossing read. Highly recommended.

My Review of Violet Dawn

Paige Williams arrives in Kanner Lake looking for all the things she'd always wanted. A family. A friend. The feeling of belonging. Unable to sleep one night, Paige decides to take a long soak in her hot tub only to discover the floating body of the resident movie star. Paige does the unthinkable and the town of Kanner Lake is rocked on its heels.

Although I found Brandilyn's "Violet Dawn" a little more predictable than her Hidden Faces series, this book is every bit as much of a page turner. The characters feel real, with human quirks. The villain every bit as evil. This is definitely a book to read when you have a chunk of time. You won't want to put it down.

The Characters Inside My Head

Last night I couldn't sleep. Marilu Hutchins wouldn't stop talking. I'm half finished with my novel "Innocent Justice" and Marilu is insistant I write her story instead. I haven't been able to get into Justice in quite a while. I think I've discovered the reason why:

Marilu Hutchins was forty years old when she awoke and realized the man lying next to her wasn't her husband. Her husband was Tom Hutchins...and she'd killed him.

"Innocent Justice" will have to wait. I'm moving on to "Clouded Vision".