We were all different at a writers' conference I recently attended: old young, male, female, trans, black, white, Asian, Eastern, Western, Army, Navy, engineers, doctors, nurses, homemakers. But we were all the same too. We love writing and just want to reach out to the audiences we think we can address. I've never been anywhere where I could automatically relate to the other person and have so much to talk about.
What do you write? Oh fantasy, romance, mysteries, historical fiction.
What do you like to talk about? Bronco riders, weddings, Willa Cather, medieval times.
Where have you published? Simon and Schuster (envy), by myself, Poetry Magazine, nowhere (just learning).
How did you find an agent? Our children went to school together; Still looking; I had one, but it didn't work out and now I'm looking for a new one.
Have you been to this conference before? I've been coming for eleven years; this is my first conference.
How many copies of your books have you sold? Over 100,000. I'm a New York Times best-seller (envy).
How did you do it? I'm on Book Bub; I expanded my network; I have friends in high places.
What an absolute delight to be among a community that is such a comfort to me and to realize that regardless of where we are on the spectrum, we can all learn from one another. It made me think out of my "bubble," and I think I'm a better person for having had this chance.
Mimi Pockross is the author of Pulling Harvey Out of Her Hat: The Amazing Story of Mary Coyle Chase. Look for her next book, An American Family, date of publication yet to be announced.
