2012 ACFW Conference - Day 2

ACFW Conference - Day Two (Friday)

 

 

Day two of the ACFW Conference was another jam-packed day filled with Continuing Educational Sessions, Workshops, and networking. It was also one of the most exciting and important days of the conference for me! Why? Because this was the day I was scheduled to have my very first interview to "pitch" my manuscript/book idea to an Acquisitions Editor with Zonderkidz, an imprint of Zondervan. Zondervan, a division of HarperCollins, is one of the largest Christian publishers in the country.

I was a bundle of nerves as I entered the room and met with Editor Kim Childress of Zonderkidz. I only had 15 minutes to convince this total stranger that my book would be a good fit with their company. Although she probably didn't notice (or maybe she did, LOL), but I felt as though my body was shaking throughout the entire interview. I also felt like I stumbled over every word that came out of my mouth. Well, I must have done a decent enough job because Ms. Childress requested a copy of my manuscript and stated that she really liked the entire concept I presented to her. She also stated that she would discuss it with another Editor at Zonderkidz and have someone contact me within six weeks. If I don't hear from someone within that time frame, she advised me to call her directly. Yay!!!!! Words can't even describe how elated I was!!!! I'm not sure how many other attendees she told that to, but the simple fact that I didn't get a rejection and thrown out of the interview was enough for me to celebrate!! Yay! Especially after I tipped the table a bit with my clumsy body after the interview was over and spilled a little of Ms. Childress' coffee! YIKES!! Thank the Lord it was not spilled on her! Let that be a lesson of what NOT to do when you are interviewing with someone really important!!!! LOL!

OK, time for me to finally get some sleep. It has been another long and exhausting day, but I thank the Lord for it! I am truly having such a great time!! Below are just a few pics.

God Bless!
T Denise Clary

Me sitting in a CE course with some Authors that "adopted" me into their group. 
From left to right: Author Keisha Bass, Me, Author Beth Shriver, and Author Patty Green.

 

Keisha Bass and I.
Keisha is one of the Authors featured in "Chicken Soup for the Soul"

 

Acquisitions Editor, Kim Childress, of Zonderkidz.
And NO, I wasn't bold enough to take a pic of her during the interview. LOL. I found this pic from the ACFW website.

 

 

I couldn't resist posting this, lol. Look how well they feed us at this conference!! Our dessert at lunch, and it was delish!! :-)

 

 

 

 

2012 ACFW Conference - Day 1

ACFW Conference - Day One (Thursday)

I didn't get an opportunity to post after my first official day at Conference (which was Thursday) because the schedule here has been so hectic. The typical day at the ACFW Conference starts at 8:00a.m., and depending on if you choose to attend all of the sessions they offer, ends around 9:30p.m., or even later. I can tell you that although I am truly exhausted, I've been having the best time. Actually, this has been the BEST conference I have ever attended. Considering that I have only attended legal conferences (this would be my first writers' conference), I have never experienced anything like it! I have been so amazed and overwhelmed by the energy of this event. Everyone has been so friendly, caring, welcoming, even nurturing, as well as possess such a fire for God.

 

I am going to keep this post as short as possible because like I stated previously, I'm exhausted, and I still want to blog about day 2 (Friday).  I wasn't able to capture, with pictures, all the aspects of the first day at Conference, but I will let the pics I did take tell some of the story.

God Bless!
T Denise Clary

I am sitting in the "First-time Attendees" Orientation meeting. There are a lot of other "Newbies." Yay!! :-)

 

I met and had lunch with award-winning Author, Editor, and Writing Coach, Susanne Lakin. She gave me a lot of great tips and introduced me around to other well-known Authors, Editors and Agents.

 

Attending our first General Session dinner. As you can see, this conference is well attended.

 

Keynote Speaker, Michael Hyatt, at our first General Session meeting. Michael Hyatt is the former CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers.

 

I befriended Hannah, aspiring Author, and a fellow "Newbie." 

 

Powerful and uplifting praise and worship team.