It started early this morning when I realized that I brought a wrong-sized shirt, and I forgot to bring my business cards.

All day I felt as though my brain has been stuck in neutral.

That’s not to say the day was a total bust. I learned quite a bit in the pre-conference workshop about writing to the market and marketing writing and the importance of tropes. The presenter gave lots of information including online resources in which I know I will lose myself.

I also had interesting discussions with other attendees at my table, what they’re writing, and bouncing ideas off one another.

The next part of the day was fairly uneventful. I attended a Q&A session with agents and editors. Continuing with feeling… off, the editors/agents described how they want their prospective authors to know the current market such as comparable titles, and knowing their publishing house (such as reading what they publish). For which I haven’t done enough research. At least not recently. I decided then I would cancel my appointments, because I am obviously not prepared enough.

Then Becky Minor, one who started Realm Makers 11 years ago, stood up and said, “If you think at this point you should cancel your appointments, because you haven’t done everything the panel is suggesting, don’t. You can still ask questions and have a great discussion.”

It was as if God himself spoke to me.

I didn’t cancel my appointments.

I then ran into a fellow editor who I’ve worked with at Havok for the last few years. She encouraged me quite a bit, so I returned to my room slightly more confident.

After the panel discussion, I did do some research on comparable titles to my books. For my fantasy, I remembered reading several books from an author similar to one of mine, so if the editor asks, I can at least answer that question. The other publisher does not only traditional, but also offers packages to help authors self-publish. That’ll me an opportunity to ask a lot of questions about their business strategies, etc. I don’t think knowing comparable titles will be that big of an issue. If they do ask, I’ll have to be honest and say, “I’m gonna have to get back to you on that.”

All I can do now is pray that tomorrow my brain isn’t mush, and I can formulate a coherent sentence or two.