#TimeWarpTuesday ~ #UtopYA2015 here we come

UtopYAcon the con that changes lives forever!

about

I had been following my online friends journey since the Con started three years ago and we had always talked about me getting my butt to the USA. Well finally 2014 was the year for me.

Was it everything I expected? 

absolutely not -  it was so much more!!

Months of preparation can prepare you for some things, but not everything. Here I was 18 hours later on a flight with family and all my book merchandise on a plane to Nashville. I thought arriving a day earlier would give me some time to rest - boy was I wrong. 

By noon the entrance was packed with all the bookly people I have only met online, it was crazy. I got pulled from one person to the next as we squeeeed and giggled and hugged the crap out of each other, then the jet lag set in, the room started to spin and the excitement made it worse. In comes Tiffany King.... I have 'known' Tiffany king for about three years online but meeting her in person was spectacular, of course I was scared at first, these authors are what I want to be when I grow up and Tiffany would not hear of it, in fact everyone I met and admired made me feel like part of the family. Tiffany was so great she offered us a room for my kids to change into their swimwear as she knew we had traveled almost and entire day to get there. Tiffany was also so kind and crazy to drag me along with her to introduce me to those she knew ran in our social circles. Then she invited me to the Thursday Night event...
I also got to meet Chelsea fine for the first time and from the first physical hug it was girl crush time! 

I got to meet one of my besties from the social world - Raine Thomas, Carol Kunz and hang out a bit more with Tiffany. The night was dedicated to the readers that show us authors the love. Quinn Loftis is the beautiful crazy that stood on the tables screaming and cheering on the crowds. Games and fun were held by all! 

~ 

Friday the official event start day! 

As expected I didnt sleep a wink, there were so many I still needed to meet and hug and kiss and go fangirl over,  and to be honest I still had doubts about how I would be received by the USA peeps. 

Friday was crazy amazing! Welcome packs stacked with precious goodies, Janet Wallace welcomed us all like the rock star she is, key note speaker Gennifer Albin brought us all to tears! Chelsea Fine and Morgan Wylie were amazing authors to meet and they were just as enthusiastic and nervous to meet me as I was to meet them. But soon we hang out like we had known each other our entire lives! Once the tables openened, OMG it was utter madness, this is one thing that I wish I had prepared for more! Within the first hour I cant tell you how packed my table was, I signed books, and I still think many of them I probably crab wrote!! I sold out within that first hour ! 

THANK YOU FOR THE LOVE. And if it were not for my table mate Becca Vincenza I would have spun way out of control. She stood ready to hand me books, swag and handled my money, not that I asked her, she was just that amazing! The highlights of course was meeting my street team members who I only get to chat with via social media, but to get to meet and greet those who stand by you everyday and help promote you - is a dream come true! 

Once in a while you get a chance to leave your table and the hunt is on for those you been dying to meet. Like Jo Michaels and Jennifer Laslie. 

Friday came and gone in the blink of an eye and I had not gotten to attend one panel session that day - my only regret! After all I was there to learn.

Friday night book signing event!!! 

My first ever international book signining event - say it with me - squeeeee!

Getting a chance to sign my books with these international superstars - I cannot put in words. I sat across from Raine Thomas and as always felt so at ease and on cloud nine in her presence. I got to meet my cover designer the awesome Regina Wamba, fellow authors Shelley Crane, Rachal Harris , Heather Hildenbrand and  Chelsea fine, Oh gosh the list goes one and on, and finally I get to meet more of my street team and thank them for all the support personally. 

Of course I had sold all my books out earlier so I felt a bit of a disappointment only have a set put out for display. 

check out my album here

Saturday 

This for me was a super fun day, I let myself relax a little and made my way around the exhibition halls to meet those I had yet to catch up with.  Oh and Ian Somerhalder decided to stop by to get in with the kick ass event. This day I truly came into my own and went on a rampage to meet everyone and anyone I could! 

Saturday I eventually got to attend two panel sessions, and let me tell you, I learned more in that one hour of panel session than I did in my two years of online research back home!
ATTEND THE PANELS! 

SATURDAY AWARDS AND AFTER PARTY 

Saturday awards evening was so well put together and with each award acceptance speech, we cried! The after party was totally insane, as hard as the authors, bloggers and designers work throughout the year - that's how hard we party! Never in a million years would I have thought it possible I would be attending an awards event in the USA! The entire con was all about meeting, greeting and celebrating each other and it could not have gone down more perfectly! 



~ 
So 

• How has UtopYA changed you?  (OR how do you HOPE it will change you?)
• Before I went to UtopYA2014 I was extremely nervous as I a nobody from South Africa with only as much as a profile pic people with witch my readers and author friends could identify with. Although I had been friendly with most of the authors, being there in the flesh put loads of pressure on me , to look and act my best (not myself). But the moment I arrived I was overwhelmed by how special and loved everyone made me feel! And I could truly be me and like me for who I am. It honestly felt like coming home to family. Not only have I disregarded any faults I thought I might have as a public figure – I am more myself than I have been in a very long time. From a business POV – its boosted my confidence to just go out there and do my thing!

• What steps are you going to take to help you reach your goals?
• read the full interview here:  on what my goals for next year's con is, what I would do differently and why UtopYAcon???

You can also read my interview with our local papers on what UtopYAcon meant to me  and has given me...

Who is the Con for? 

Readers, bloggers, publishers, Agents, media gurus , new and established writers as well as anyone who loves books and writing.

Do's and Dont's 

Do attend the panels 

Do not forget your pen and paper

Do buy a table

Do not sit it alone, get someone to sit in while you attend the panels, the panels are why you are there - to learn. In my personal experience I learned more in that one hour that I did 2 years of online research as an author.

Do make up swag! 

You do not have to pay a fortune.

Bookmarks are awesome and usable and the designs are without limits. It has your lovely cover, you can print novel lines, quotes, links and coupon codes for discount buys etc..

If you are traveling abroad:
Do no need to pack a hairdryer
Do not take shampoo and conditioner or body wash - more room for books and shoes!

Do ask for help

Do not think you are alone in this, every attendee is there to get to know each other, they are not your competitors they are your friends, they are what makes it worth while, they are who you need to do this - its takes and entire village to raise a brand/book/blog.

Do get the hang of selfies! 

Do wear the killer outfits! 

most of all 

BE YOURSELF

this is an environment of love and passion and creation, this is where you will find your place. 

Do attend the key note speeches - it will change your life, inspire you and give you the ammunition you need to tackle that dream!

Do create a pre-order option for you readers.

Do stop by every single table

Do get to know everyone

Do take loads of pics

Do it! 

buy your ticket now!

Do take advantage of the theme! 

This years theme was everything  alien!

The Pitch that landed me the call for more

I am a  South African award wining author, with a flair for mixing genres and converting non sci fi believers .

"My goal as an author is to touch people's lives, and help others love their differences and one another."
I  love to swim, fight for the trees, and  am a food lover who is driven by my  passion for life.  I  dream that one day  my stories will change the lives of countless teenagers and have them obsess over the world literacy can offer them instead of worrying about fitting in.
My drive behind her author career is healing through words.

Lets face it as a modern South African writer / aspiring novelist we face many challenges in landing that book deal we all dream about.  The role as a writer has many complicated layers and holds such beautiful promise. It's a compulsion driven by a need to inspire, make a difference and heal through words and stories. Every writer has a message to deliver, an urge to be heard and to connect through expression, but at the same time stand out as an individual. 

When I started writing my first novel, I believed in my creation. In my dream to heal through words. Once my manuscript was done, revised and edited it was time to find an agent/publisher to deliver my story to the world. But I soon discovered how isolated and alone I was in the South African publishing world. Resources, agents and tools for a SA writer of Young Adult Science- fiction was a rarity. For me as a SA writer there was no support. Without landing an Agent there was no getting published. 

Four years later, through countless hours, and money wasted on a Vanity publisher,  I  eventually started making a name for myself in the international market. But paying in USD currency for an editor, a cover artist and a publicist started to take its toll on me. I couldn't understand why I had to fight so hard for my dream to come true.  I quickly found that it was so easy and extremely welcoming to adhere to international trends, and pretty soon I had a huge fan base in America. 

In 2014 my ultimate dream came true when I attended a USA book signing and writers con in Nashville. I did extremely well and established myself as a force to be reckoned with as my editor would say. What I gained and learnt in those few days was a revelation compared to the three years of online research. I learned about honing the perfect pitch hoping it would give me the confidence to pitch my projects one more time. I leaned so much at the con I couldnt wait to apply it -= And then the booboo! (yup I said booboo) While at the con I got an off chance to do live pitch and even though it wasn't to an agent I totally froze up and BLEW IT! 

UNTIL... 

a few months later and hours after sulking I found ROSAcon2014 and this was my chance to show myself I have to get up and do it again. I learned so much how can I not use it??

What won me over to attend the event is that I would have the once in a life time opportunity to pitch my voice to very important players in the publishing industry - and editor from Harper Impulse and a bigshot US agent. I had to grab this opportunity as they don't come often. 

 When I registered to ROSAcon 2014 I was extremely, extremely excited by the fact that there was actually a happening, gathering of SA writers with the opportunity to learn about the growing market of SA writers and know that there were SA writers that have been extremely successful in the industry despite the extreme challenges we as SA authors face.

Building up to the pitch that could ignite my writing career to such an extent that I could possibly become a full time writer.

Once I registered with with ROSA I took out all my notes I learned in the US and studied them, did the worksheets. A day or so later I got a wonderful email from Romy Sommer (host of ROSA) and published author with Harper Impulse. 

Tips on what to add in your pitch... I posted some of it here.

As expected, even after all my preparation, it didn't guarantee they would like my work -  I had a very sleepless night. 

Minutes before the pitch, actually waiting in line with a few other authors, was killing me slowly. 

I chewed up all my nail polish!

On realizing everyone in the room felt the same I started to feel a bit better that I had others sharing the same kind of torture. Romy Sommer made us all feel a bit more relaxed and she was totally right there was nothing to be worried about.  And she was right!

It was love at first sight!!!

First pitch 

The gorgeous Charlotte Ledger from Harper Implulse.

Charlotte was great from the word hello! 

On doing research on Charlotte, I soon realized I love this woman's passion and beauty -  I don't have anything that would sweep her away - So I started writing something that would peek her interest and sway mine... Well turns out she freaking loved my first chapter and wanted to see more. Immediately my guard was down and all the prepping just soaked in and delivered everything I was taught. 

The important thing was to ask questions - and I did and going back to my story I'm freaking in love with I cannot wait to send her more. ~ although this does not mean I will get the YES PLEASE WE WANT YOU - the fact that I got the call for more proved to me that I can hook like no ones business.

Second Pitch 

To the esteemed lit agent Laurie McLean 

This too was huge deal for me, as Agents are non existent in our parts and landing one would mean I can spend more time on writing and my agent would become my best friend and help me grow in areas where I suck. Once again I wanted to write something inspired by Laurie's taste, because having something an agent actually likes is a wonderful start.

Laurie was wonderful, I didn't feel intimdated at all. In my opinion I thought we got on really well. She was so easy to talk to and I could see the passion for stories with each blink of the eye. I fed off her energy and got us much from Laurie as I could. I'm not sure who asked more questions me or Laurie? Yup I got the call for more!!

I am still on a high from this event that could possible change my life, and like I said before even if I don't fully close the deal, I know how to create a good hook and feel confident enough to pitch to other agents and editors now. What a wonderful opportunity it has been!! 

You can follow my journey @CarlyleL

www.carlylelabuschagne.com

GO GET EM!!!!

"dont be crippled by fear, let love give you wings"

~ Carlyle Labuschagne 

Next up: reports on Rebecca Crowley's talk on 'How to stand out from the slush pile'.

My CrAzY Corner's 2014 Annual YA/NA Blogfest

Totally thrilled to be part of this fabulous event put together by the awesomely talented 

Apryl Baker

World War III has left Earth in utter turmoil. People’s beliefs are said to be the cause of the worldwide destruction. After The Clearing new laws are set about - to show certitude in anything besides the law is weak and chargeable as mutiny. To be illogical and have faith in religion is illegal, to be limitless is dangerous. And Illness is seen as a defect – all flaws that are inexcusable. 

But to love is the greatest betrayal of all man kind. It is a fault the world has long forgotten and punishable by death, a fatal risk Aecker and Opel are fully prepared to take - because in love there is freedom. But how far can they push back before it claims their lives and of those they care about?

Today you will get an exclusive look at the characters from my just released novel

Dead Of Night.

Meet our hero Aecker Halt

This is how I envision Aecker. 

He is 19 years old, the future leader of Cupola a refugee colony city set up under the remains of and old damn. He loves to read, a passion handed down from his father, who was killed by the New World leaders ST. His mother was  also killed by ST when showing signs of affection (Love). His twin sister died in the first bomb attack of WWW III. His Older Brother Dyllian is head council in Cupola, and is training Aecker into a commander of the free world, but Aecker has other plans, he has hopelessly fallen in love with a girl who just might bring an end to the New world order. Together they fight side by side to survive the fatal law of death after love. Within this quest he will risk much more than his and her life, he risk the lives of countless Inborns (Those without genetic gene transplants) who reside in Cupola. Now just add the ruggedness and a crazy look in his eyes and you will have the perfect Aecker. 

Images taken from my pinterest board Tim Borrmann as model 

Meet his Brother Dyllian Halt

He too is a stunner at 26 years old. He is  trained ex military, very disciplined, and loyal to Cupola...  until his brother brings home a Tracker.  Her presence quickly unravels everything their father built in Capola. But soon he finds out that love really does exist and he must save them both or lose the future of freedom forever.

Image taken from Pinterest

Now meet the Heroine 

Kylie James as Opel 

Opel comes into our lives after Aecker our hero saves her from a violent attack. She's lost her memory, but once she is discovered by Dyllian (Aecker's brother) he confirms what she cant accept. She is a new Gen Tracker. A deceiving assassin sent by ST to infiltrate and destroy Cupola.   Once she is discovered by one of the refugees within Aecker's home city she is hunted. Her identiy is not the only secret taken from her memories, her genes means something to ST and they will do anything to capture her, until they find out she has been inflicted by love for their enemy. Opel, Aecker and Dyllian must die if the new world order is to survive, but not without torturing all the secrets out of them. Opel will fight until each of her lives runs out to save what she has found in Aecker.

Join the event page for some awesome giveaway! 

Read it now! "DEAD of NIGHT - Prologue