Went to San Diego RWA chapter's conference, Spring Into Romance, this weekend. Fun drive down, nerves, talking, excitement, a bit of rain to liven things up.

We got to the hotel early, were able to check in right away, and then headed down to get lunch. Afterwards we went and signed in - only to discover that one agent and TWO EDITORS wouldn't be there this weekend. Of course, it was the two editors I just happened to be targeting. Now, all is not lost - one editor was fired, so to have pitched to her and then have her fired would have been nasty. The other was in the hospital, but she's going to take phone pitches, so there is still hope in that arena.

But that insight came with time. That evening, I walked around majorly bummed. Had a fantastic evening session with Harley Jane Kozak. Went to dinner, listened to Julia Quinn who is funny and wise and young and a successful historical writer. Ended up going to bed, still pretty bummed.

Saturday morning, I don't know, something clicked. I didn't come down to San Diego to waste any opportunities. I signed up for an appointment with the other editor left, one from Harlequin (who I didn't originally make an appointment with because I feel I know everyone there even though that's *totally* not true).

I have a fabulous day listening to Catherine Coulter, Jenny Crusie, Madeline Hunter, Jenny & Bob Mayer before going into my pitch session at 4:30pm.

It went really well. I pitched both books, neither of which I thought she'd be interested in, and voila! She told me to send one to the NY office for a new line HQ is putting out (NOCTURNE); and she said she *has* to look at the other one, which is the Lily book from a couple years back.

WOO! FLying on air, I head up to the hotel room where my roomie is already drinking wine - her pitch had gone well, too. But then we had that night to worry about - agents would be listening to the first ten pages of our novels as we read them aloud, and then give us feedback.

Well, after dinner and more wine, we made our giggly way downstairs to the Night Owl session (reading aloud). They changed it to only two pages (relief!) and there were ten of us there. I got some terrific feedback (mostly of the 'I really liked this, thought it was funny, loved the premise' variety) and, at the end of the evening, came away with a request from an agent in San Diego. COOL BEANS!

So while I've got some work to do, at least I can get the two partials out (since, like, I've already WRITTEN THE BOOK! WOO!) - that's tomorrow's plan.

And then it's hell-for-leather time in finishing this paranormal romance, so I can send it to the ladies in NY. At least they don't know it's coming, so I've got a bit of a breather...

Life has become exciting again. I am so thrilled I can barely contain it!

'Scuse me while I go pass out from exhaustion now...