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Thursday, May 10, 2012

So the Conference...

Okay, you guys. So I've organized WriteOnCon for two years now. When I was asked to help with a real, live conference, I thought How much harder can it be?

Let me just say: SO MUCH HARDER.

Number one, you can't attend in your pajamas. Number two, there's all kinds of arrangements for people that have to be taken care of. And lots of running around. And scheduling. And dinners.

Anyway, my friend Erin Summerill is a genius. GENIUS. Not only a great writer (I know, because she was in my primer group), but an amazing photographer. I took some of her photos from Facebook (go follow her!) to give you an idea of the conference.


This makes me look important. But I'm just moderating. Next to me (far right) is Holly Root, Michelle Wolfson, Molly O'Neill, Weronika Janczuk, Lisa Mangum, and Michelle Witte. 

Me hard at work during the publication primer. Notice the TREATS.

Conference queen, Jaime Theler. 

My sweet CP, Sara!

The Famous Peggy Eddleman.

Two of my favorite people, Kirk Shaw and Lisa Mangum. 

Me on the phone. This happened a lot actually...

James Dashner aka Jimmy Dashner according to my husband. 

A sneak peek into the green room... 


Michelle Wolfson and Kiersten White.

The Fabulous Tess Hilmo, who won a Whitney for best novel by a new author. Yay, Tess!

Over 450 strong!

Jenn Johannson, Kasie West, and Liz Adair -- a few of my faves!

And my new author photo. I mean, come on. I look like a model or something. Ha! It's amazing what PhotoShop can do. 

Again, I can't thank Erin enough for the amazing job she did at the conference. Go follow her writing blog, and her photography page on FB.
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40 comments:

  1. Laura PaulingMay 10, 2012 at 5:04 AM

    My friends run the New England SCBWI and I've seen it's a lot of behind the scenes work! And I love the new picture!

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  2. Alex J. CavanaughMay 10, 2012 at 5:10 AM

    She does take great photos! Looks like it went well.

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  3. Jemi FraserMay 10, 2012 at 5:16 AM

    Love the new pic! Very nice!! :)

    Just organizing PD for a staff is tough enough - can't imagine prepping a whole conference! :)

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  4. Matthew MacNishMay 10, 2012 at 5:26 AM

    Why does Jaime look like a crossing guard? And I know I said this last night, but I love your hair!

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  5. Luisa PerkinsMay 10, 2012 at 5:35 AM

    It was all awesome. You guys did an amazing job! The new photo ROCKS.

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  6. Creepy Query GirlMay 10, 2012 at 5:48 AM

    fantastic photos! Looks like it was a great time and a great success!

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  7. Donna K. WeaverMay 10, 2012 at 6:11 AM

    And you had to teach, too!

    For seven years I worked on the committee responsible for a real life conference (though not quite this large). It's SO much work. Thanks for doing it Elana. It was fabulous!

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  8. Miranda HardyMay 10, 2012 at 6:11 AM

    Great picture, Elana! Looks like the conference was fantastic. Good job.

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  9. Angela BrownMay 10, 2012 at 6:21 AM

    All these fantastic photos almost make me feel like I could experience it. Darn it. Soon, I shall.

    *maniacal laugh*

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  10. Kelly HashwayMay 10, 2012 at 6:25 AM

    Looks like a great time with some truly awesome people!

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  11. ilimaMay 10, 2012 at 7:08 AM

    It was sooo fun to meet you (and Erin too--she is hilarious). The conference was amazing and you did such a great job. I can't wait for next year. And the blue streak is gorgeous. :)

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  12. storyqueenMay 10, 2012 at 7:20 AM

    Love the blue streak!!
    Love the photo!

    You look Marvelous!!

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  13. ChristyMay 10, 2012 at 7:47 AM

    The conference was a major success! And I'm loving your new photo!

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  14. Tasha SeegmillerMay 10, 2012 at 7:50 AM

    So much fun! Everyone looks fantastic and smart and everything.

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  15. RachelMay 10, 2012 at 8:05 AM

    That looks SO FUN. *wishes college students could afford stuff like this*

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  16. Amy SaiaMay 10, 2012 at 8:07 AM

    It looks like you did a GREAT job. I can't even imagine all the work that went into organizing something like that. Love your new pic--and love the picture of Tess Hilmo too!

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  17. lisa and lauraMay 10, 2012 at 8:38 AM

    Ah! AMAZING conference! I'm so jealous! I wish we could have been there.

    Also...YOUR HAIR IS BLUE!!!! You look gorgeous my friend! Now I want a blue streak in my hair too....

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  18. Julie DainesMay 10, 2012 at 8:46 AM

    Loved the conference. You did a great job, even if you did say the word pee in front of everyone! Erin is awesome and her photos from the conference are wonderful.

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  19. Kathryn PurdieMay 10, 2012 at 8:51 AM

    Oooh, look how studious I look in the Publication Primer photo with you! Haha. Seriously, though, that was a stellar class, Elana. You are an awesome teacher!

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  20. J.R. JohanssonMay 10, 2012 at 8:51 AM

    Great pics! It was so fun to see you. :) I'm still so jealous of your blue streak. I may have to get one for the occasional times I straighten my hair...or find one I can curl or something.

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  21. Bethany WigginsMay 10, 2012 at 9:00 AM

    You're hot. Best photo ever! And the hair rocks!!!

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  22. Stephanie McGeeMay 10, 2012 at 9:24 AM

    The conference was awesome. So glad I finally got to go. Great photo!

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  23. Sara B. LarsonMay 10, 2012 at 9:27 AM

    You guys did an amazing job! The conference was so awesome. And I LOVE your new picture!! :)

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  24. Lily PrussoMay 10, 2012 at 10:13 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  25. EmilyMay 10, 2012 at 10:17 AM

    Also, love the blue streak.

    I'm super jealous I wasn't at this conference, but my crits, Ilima and Katie, gave your class five stars...

    Next year!

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  26. Lindsay N. CurrieMay 10, 2012 at 10:32 AM

    I seriously love the new author pic and it looks like although this conference might have been a tad stressful, it turned out awesome! Congrats:)

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  27. i'm erin.May 10, 2012 at 10:51 AM

    Oh my gosh! I'm so flattered and strangely warm and speechless. I don't even know what to say. I need to go dance walk down the streets of NYC right now. Gah!
    You're so nice. And I'm so...unable to say anything intelligent.

    Thank you.

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  28. StephscoMay 10, 2012 at 11:01 AM

    I love the blue in the hair - is that photoshop or for real? :)

    I just attended my first RWA conference and was most impressed by the organization. I've helped run various other types of conferences (work and school related) and I understand how hard it is given so many things that can go wrong. This shindig was seamless.

    Looking forward to an SCBWI conferece, I'm a new member!

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  29. Janet JohnsonMay 10, 2012 at 12:31 PM

    Erin is great. And I do love that picture of you. :) So wish I could have been there. One of these years. 4 realz.

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  30. Jenny S. MorrisMay 10, 2012 at 1:59 PM

    Erin is fantastic. I'm going to fly to Utah just to get my picture taken. Your new photo is awesome.

    And yay Peggy!! Luv her.

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  31. Leslie S. RoseMay 10, 2012 at 2:23 PM

    Go blue. Looks like the conference was a hit. Congratulations.

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  32. Natalie AguirreMay 10, 2012 at 3:49 PM

    Sounds so awesome. Love the last picture of you.

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  33. TaffyMay 10, 2012 at 4:39 PM

    Erin's fantabulous! your new pic is so cute, Elana!

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  34. AnonymousMay 10, 2012 at 7:46 PM

    Looks like a great conference.

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  35. Claire DawnMay 11, 2012 at 2:48 AM

    I'm helping with a writers' retreat for 20 and it got a little hairy there for a while. (I'm sure it will get hairy again as we get close to the date.) I can't imagine a writers' event for 450.

    Good job! Or as they say out here in Japan, Otsukaresama!

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  36. Debbie DavisMay 11, 2012 at 10:46 PM

    you were fabulous and looked cool under pressure! I loved seeing you and I must admit that the blue flare just added to your over all saavy! love ya!!

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  37. Leslie May 17, 2012 at 2:53 PM

    You and everyone else who did the conference did an AMAZING job! It was so much better than I even anticipated it would be and that's even after hearing about it from my sister (Erin) that past couple of years. I came home feeling excited to write and learn!

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