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What I Learned from Susan Elizabeth PhillipsPosted by: Jeffe Kennedy on Jul 15 2012, 10:40 am in book release, Jeffe Kennedy, release day, Rogue's Pawn, Susan Elizabeth Phillips Rogue’s Pawn releases tomorrow! Rogue’s Pawn releases tomorrow! Rogue’s Pawn releases tomorrow! I know – I’m a little over-excited. This is my first novel release (as opposed to novellas or shorts) and it’s a book I worked on for a long time and have shed tears and blood over. Release day for Rogue’s Pawn feels like a step into a new world for me. A new stage in my writing career. Thus, it was interesting to spend the day yesterday with a thirty-year veteran of the field. Susan Elizabeth Phillips is one of the Big Names in genre fiction/women’s fiction/romance/whatever the hell you want to call it. I shelled out $27.91 for her new hardback yesterday – as I imagine a lot of people out there are. She’s a fixture on the bestseller lists. Her career longevity is enviable. She’s also a really lovely person. So, as Susan spent an our with the LERA chapter yesterday, chatting with us and answering any questions we posed, and as we ate dinner with her and then at the library, where she gave a presentation to an enthusiastic crowd, I carefully noted the lessons I learned from her. Not so much her advice on writing, on the changes in publishing and how to use a timer to make sure you write. That was all great stuff, but I’ve heard quite a bit of it before from her talks at conventions. What I learned is how a Famous Author should conduct herself. 1. Don’t be a diva. Susan Elizabeth Phillips is so not a diva. She’s a regular person who appreciates the RWA community. She talks honestly and openly about her career, her strengths and weaknesses and the joys and difficulties of the career we all share. 2. Address both the published and pre-published writers with equal respect The first thing Susan did with our chapter was ask for a show of hands of where everyone was in our careers, and she made sure to offer advice to all levels of writers. 3. Talk to everyone Susan has social skills. This might seem like a no-brainer, but she did everything my mother taught me to do. At dinner, she got up and talked to people at both ends of the table – just like a bride making sure to talk to everyone at her wedding. She asked people questions about themselves – not tail-sniffing questions like what do you write and are you published yet, but about our lives and our day jobs and our hobbies. I left feeling like I’d made a friend. 4. Your presentation can be fun How does a Famous Author talk to a crowd of people who’ve come to see her? No – she doesn’t read an excerpt from the new book. She doesn’t tell them how and when to buy her books. She talks to them like friends. She plays with the babies. And she plays a little quiz game, giving people prizes for identifying lines from her books. Even after spending the better part of the afternoon with her, I enjoyed her presentation at the library. That’s saying something. And now I know who I want to be when I grow up.
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So true, Jeffe. That SEP is one classy lady! So glad to have had the chance to spend the day with her. ;0)
Me, too!!
[...] because I’m promo girl, I’m also over at the LERA blog, talking about what I learned from Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ visit yesterday. [...]
Also: Promote the genre. Holding up our books in front of all those potential readers: priceless!!!!
I loved her quote from Sandra Brown: When the water rises all the boats go up
)oh, really good additions. I forgot to mention that she showcased local authors, too. And I loved that quote. I do believe it’s true.
Nice summation, Jeffe. I’m still processing the experience. It is not often we meet true ‘Giants of our industry’ –and I mean that with utmost respect. Susan is, indeed, a gracious lady sharing a rich tapestry of life lessons.
Our monthly chapter meetings are always inspiring because of the the diversity and generosity of our members, and every once in awhile, we have dessert.
Thanks LERAites and especially Susan Elizabeth Phillips!
So true, on all counts!
I’m very happy that things worked out so well, and a good time was had by all.
Thanks to you, for being a nudge!
Jeffe, as always, you get right to the heart of it. I learned some priceless lessons yesterday!
Thank you, Samantha – so did I!
Hi Jeffe,
Great post. I was inspired by her words to be true to ourselves, our stories, and our own process for writing those stories. Pantser or Plotter – whatever works!
SUCH a good point, Kari. So important for us to remember. And thank you!
Oh! And congrats on the release!!!
Thanks for posting this recap, Jeffe, especially for those unfortunately LERAites who couldn’t be there to see her in person. *cough*
I’ll jet over and read what’s up on the LERA blog, too.
Oh wait…this IS the LERA blog.
Yup. Blonde.
LOL Laurie!
Seeing her was amazing! And her lecture was very insightful.
I’m glad you could make it, Tia – such a great opportunity!
Thanks for the write-up, Jeffe, and congrats on the book release. I didn’t realize it was the first!
Wish I could have been there, but my consolation prize was finishing up The Great Escape and a brownie. In fact, reading that book has added pounds to my waistline–you’ll realize why when you read it! Love, love, love her writing, and her advice.
Thanks Kathy! It’s the first novel, so it *feels* different, you know? Wish you could have been there, too – maybe someday?