Chicago Bookish Fun
Pitching my novel, meeting authors, and coming home with far more books than I could carry.
June has been such a wild month. I’ve been in Chicago the past two weekends attending two awesome book events. It’s been such a blast. I’ve been living out my bookish dreams.
First Bookish Event
At the Writing Workshop of Chicago, I pitched my manuscript to an agent. It went really well, and they asked for my first thirty pages. I worked super hard this past week to get my query, synopsis, and pages ready.
After I reread my entire manuscript aloud and incorporated my edits, I submitted my application to the agent, which means I am officially querying. I won’t have time to send out more queries until after our trip to Kansas City, where we’re going to a World Cup game. I will provide more updates in my next article.
Second Bookish Event
An author recommended attending the American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference because it was in Chicago this year. I signed up, having no idea what to expect. OMG. It was the coolest thing ever. Everywhere I turned, there was an author signing books.
When I entered the exhibit hall, I was worried it would only be vendors selling products. I walked over to the HarperCollins booth, and someone offered me a book and the opportunity to have it signed by the author. I said yes. I was shocked that the book was free. It seemed too good to be true. I kept saying yes over thirty more times. It still seems too good to be true. I keep waiting for the catch!
Things I Would Do Differently at ALA
Bring Tote Bags:
I thought I had to pay for the books at the author signings, so I figured I would buy a couple. However, the books were free. I apparently have a problem saying no to free books. Although some vendors were giving away free totes, it would have been nice not to worry about it. Plus, I broke the straps of one of the bags because I overfilled it, so more is definitely better.
Bring Water!
I thought that there would be free glasses of water because they had that at the workshop. That was not the case! There were bubblers, but I should have brought more water.
Check out KidLit:
There were authors signing middle grade and picture books. I got a few MG books, but I stayed away from the picture books. I had to have some restraint, but I wish I had checked out a few of them. They looked so pretty!
Things I Would Do the Same at ALA
Get the Exhibits Only Pass:
There were panels and classes, but I was exhausted after six hours of standing in line and carrying around twenty-four books. I didn’t need to do more than get the free books and attend the author signings.
Pack Lunch!
There was a cafeteria in the McCormick Center, but it was really busy and crowded. On the first day, I took a break and found a spot to sit and eat. On the second day, I ate in line. I liked having the flexibility to choose.
No Itinerary:
I had a hard time figuring out which authors were attending the conference and when they had signings, so I didn’t make an itinerary before going. My plan was to wander. It was spontaneous and fun. But then, I met a woman in line who had a list of books she wanted to get. I used her list as a reference throughout the day. However, I had a hard time finding booths and often didn’t arrive early enough. They closed lines once they were out of books, so I often had to deviate.
Get in Line Early:
I wanted to meet Emily Rath and get a copy of her new book, Devour Me. I got in line half an hour before the signing, and there were still ten people in front of me! That was plenty early, and the booths don’t like lines forming too early because it clogs the space.
Enjoy the Conference:
I didn’t max out every second of the conference. On Saturday, I was there from 10:30-4:30. On Sunday, I was there from 10:00-1:30. That was enough. I got +30 books. (One woman got +100 books last year.) I need to get a new bookshelf for all of them.
Things I Learned
I’m a writer! I was talking to a librarian, who asked if I was a librarian. I said that I was just a writer. She told me that I’m not just a writer. I should own it.
An author said she knew what it was like to be in the querying trenches, but going through it was totally worth it. Another writer said just finishing a book is a big deal.
Don’t be afraid to ask for a picture!
People loved my Frankenstein dress. They thought that I was into horror. One person in the publishing industry gave me an ARC of Adam, Mine by K. Ancrum because it is a Frankenstein retelling and figured I’d like it. Another person in the publishing industry asked if I’ve watched the Apple TV show: Widow’s Bay. I haven’t. Maybe I’m writing in the wrong genre??? Or, I need a new dress.
It’d be a dream to attend this event as an author. I’m manifesting for this to happen one day!
Conclusion
I loved these bookish events. Writing Workshop of Chicago motivated me to get my manuscript done, and ALA Annual Conference was better than Christmas. I would totally attend next year if it wasn’t in New Orleans. 😔 I hope it’s back in Chicago some time soon!
Book Talk
Made for You by Jenna Satterthwaite is a page-turning thriller about a synthetic woman, Julia, who was designed to be the perfect match for the bachelor. She competes on The Proposal and wins!
Over a year later, Julia’s world shatters when her husband disappears and ends up as the prime suspect. With everyone wanting to pin the crime on her, she investigates. Told in dual timelines, we get to explore Julia’s relationship and uncover the truth of what happened. It was a fun, fast-paced read.
Sending you windy city vibes,
Liza