Heather Foeh

Whew! After three days of workshops, my brain is overloaded and I’m worn out. Two days ago I definitely was feeling like I could take on the publishing world with one hand tied behind my back. Today…not so much. But I think I’m just exhausted physically and mentally. When I get back home to my cozy little office and start writing again, all will be well.

I’ve learned so many great things here and I look forward to putting them into practice. Michael Hauge’s workshop about uniting plot and character arc was amazing. I’m definitely looking forward to PLANNING my next book before I start writing it…gee, there’s a thought!

Today Lisa Jackson was our speaker at lunch and she did a great job. She was entertaining and accessible - a nice combo. Tonight is the Rita/Golden Heart awards ceremony. We’ll be rooting for Julie Kenner from our Austin chapter! Then tomorrow morning we’re making the trek home with our brains filled to the brim.

I’m having a blast at the RWA National Convention in Dallas this week. It’s my first time attending “Nationals” (as everyone calls it) and I’m hooked. Last night there was a huge book signing and all the money raised goes for literacy and will be donated to the Dallas area. I got to meet Julia Quinn, Rachel Gibson, Carly Phillips, Emma Holly and many, many more authors - it was fabulous. Today during a break I sat about 15 feet away from Nora Roberts, which was quite a thrill. But the best news is that I met “my” agent this morning.

If you read my earlier post you know that my full manuscript was requested by Michelle Grajkowski of 3 Seas Literary Agency. Well, the first session that I attended today was being given by Michelle and I had the pleasure of seeing her in action and I really liked her personality and work philosophy. After the session I went up and introduced myself to her and told her that she had requested my full manuscript as a result of the Four Seasons contest. She told me that she was looking forward to reading the whole story because “those pages were great” [the 25 pages I'd submitted for the contest]. Hooray! That set the tone for a wonderful day at the conference.

To add to the happiness of the convention, my best friend Michelle found out last night that she received first place in the Ignite the Flame contest and her pages are going to Chris Keeslar at Dorchester. She will find out on August 15th whether or not he is going to request the full manuscript (and I have complete faith that he will, of course). So, all in all, a great week for me and Michelle here in the Big D.

I’m a sucker for trying new brands, especially when I like their advertising. Recently I’d heard some radio ads for Weetabix cereal and also seen some billboards in Austin, so I was interested to give it a try. I had to wait a bit for my local HEB grocery store to start carrying the cereal, but as soon as I saw it there I grabbed a box and I’m so happy to report that they’re delicious! Apparently you can eat them in a variety of ways (many options on the back of the box). My preferred method is to put one biscuit in a bowl, squirt some honey on the top, add a little bit of milk (about halfway up the biscuit), then repeat the process. I tried putting in 2 biscuits into my bowl at once but the second one is a bit too soggy by the time I’m done, so now I do the one-at-a-time method.

I’m interested in hearing if anyone else has some favorite ways to eat them and can give me inspiration…so please share!

OH MY Very happy news this week!! I found out that I placed second in the Short/Long Contemporary category of the Four Seasons Contest [see my previous post]. But the extra exciting part is that one of the judges asked for my full manuscript! THIS IS BIG NEWS! This is the whole reason most people enter writing contests — because it can be a foot in the door with an editor or agent. I’m absolutely thrilled!

I haven’t received my return packet yet, so I do not know which judge made the request. It was either Margo Lipschultz, editor at HQN, or Michelle Grajkowski, agent at 3 Seas Literary Agency.

[UPDATE: I found out that it was Michelle Grajkowski who requested and I hope to get to meet her this week at the RWA National Conference in Dallas!]

My local Austin RWA chapter has been so wonderful and supportive and full of good advice. I’m so happy to be a part of that great group.

Stay tuned for an update when I hear more details…