For those writers who couldn’t make it to the wonderful Romance Writers of Australia’s conference in Melbourne this year...there was the Claytons online conference to salve the wounds...
It was a full on three days for the organizers — Anne Whitfield, Helen Katsinis, Neely Lyon and Mel Teshco (I could hardly be called one of the organizers...but hey, I’ll stake a claim lol!) —not to mention quite a few busy weeks leading up to it, but I think it’s safe to say it was a great experience for the attendees. We were blessed with some wonderful guests and workshops.
Helen
managed to ‘throw together’ some great banners, including ones for each writing challenge, which included Marvellous super heroines, Days of our Lives (adult) or Clueless (YA) Ludicrous plot, Back blur
bs, Short Stories and Short Story Critiques and Synopsis. Helen, Neely and I divvied up these between us and ran with them, and I think we did a pretty good job *g*
We had a couple of wonderful editors come to the party– Samhain’s senior editor Sasha Knight and Ellora’s Cave editor Meghan Conrad, both were wonderfully warm and happy to answer questions and encourage pitches.
Author guests included Diane Gaston, Michelle Diener, Darlene Gardner, Erica Hayes, Sami Lee, and generous lovecats:- Tracey O’hara, Anna Hackett and Natalie Anderson. The amazing Helen Katsinis also squeezed in a blogging work
shop. (She seriously deserves a medal!)
And 
then...if all that wasn’t enough, we held nightly parties and games in the chat room, with a trivia contest (prizes!) and some great photos sent in for the Friday night virtual ‘cocktail party’ – which we then used as temporary book covers to inspire some brilliant blurbs! (photos *left* Helen Ellis *right* Imogene Nix *bottom* Toni)
Speaking of trivia...in the yahoo group workshops alone in the three days we managed to rack up over 2096 emails....I shudder to think of the end result had we not used the chat room for many of the Claytons workshops!!
All in all it was an experience I'll never forget, and one that seriously opened my eyes to how much volunteers do and have done to help out their fellow writers =)
(photo: Joanna Lloyd)
It sounds and looks as though you all had a blast. Hope you all had a good time and best of luck!
ReplyDeleteIt was a fantastic weekend. And even though I was in and out - I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Great post and rundown Mel. :)
ReplyDeleteMarlena it was full on, but lots of great comments and lots of fun =)
ReplyDeleteHi Tracey,
ReplyDeletethanks! That was inbetween trying to help me get onto chat LOL!!
Mel, it sounds like you Clayton girls had a blast! And VERY productive too! Congratulations! I LOVE the photos you've posted!
ReplyDeleteIt's great to know that the people who couldn't make the trek to the face-to-face conference have had this terrific alternative from the comfort of their home offices!
Congratulations to the Clayton team!
:)
Sharon
I had a fantastic time at Claytons. Huge thanks to the organisers, the presenters, and also all the generous authors who sponsored the event.
ReplyDeleteOh, Mel, Claytons is such a FANTASTIC idea! I didn't realise you got editors on board too! High fives to you all! Love the pics =)
ReplyDeleteYes, Claytons was mad and manic and so much FUN! Great presenters too.
ReplyDeleteLove the pictures and it sounds like it was a lot of work and lots of fun was had by all
ReplyDeleteHave Fun
Helen
I'm still trying to recover!!! It was a blast and it looks like everyone had a great time, and there was a nonstop array of great presenters. Something for everyone!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the wrap up Mel.
Mel, it sounds as if the Clayton's was excellent fun!
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love the photo's -- Joanna's shoes are to die for!
Thanks Sharon!
ReplyDeleteIt was very productive and very tiring. Just so glad it came together so well in the end =)
Hi Coleen! I'm so glad you enjoyed it - thanks for letting us know =)
ReplyDeleteHi Robbie! Yes, the editors were great, and it was so good to have the different perspective from the other side of the publishing coin.
ReplyDeleteHi Adina!
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping in =)
Manic and mad and fun is pretty much spot on!
Helen, I agree - the pictures are great. There were so many more, wish I could have shared them all =))
ReplyDeleteEleni,
ReplyDeleteI don't know how you coped - seriously! I'm only glad you were there to hold my hand! LOL
LOL!! MIchelle I'll let her know... looks like another one with a passion for shoes, eh??
ReplyDeleteI think we helped each other cope, along with Anne and Neely. It was definitely an experience we will not soon forget! :D
ReplyDeleteYou've got that right Eleni =)
ReplyDelete