Come to EPICon 2014!

Every year since 2006, we have attended EPICon, the annual conference for EPIC, the Electronic Publishing Industry Coalition. Why do we go year after year? Here are a few reasons:

EDUCATION

EPICon features speakers on all aspects of publishing, focusing particularly on the publication of ebooks. The EPIC membership consists of e-publishing professionals: published authors, editors, publishers, cover artists, publicists, agents, marketing experts, etc. The workshops presented are intended to provide information to the attendees about the current state of the industry. Since it is a moving target and has been for the past ten years or so, we stay current. We’ve never attended without learning something. 

NETWORKING 
We met two of our current publishers at EPICon. We were able to get to know them personally before we submitted our books to them. They remain close personal friends as well as our business partners. I also met one of my writing partners at EPICon 2006. She has been part of all five of our romance anthologies, including The Art of Love published this past September. She’ll be included in number six, as well.

MEET THE AUTHORS
For readers, this conference provides a chance to get “up close and personal” with lots of published authors. At meals and during free time, these folks are available to chat or question. Even I have been able to get to know some of my favorites, like Holly Jacobs. I’m a bibliophile (that’s a book junkie), so I read more than I write. Finding out what motivates my fellow writers has been one of the great blessings of attending this conference every year. And I’ve found new authors, as well.

PITCH OUR WORK 
We’ve been able to pitch our latest work to several different editors and publishers. This year, EPICon will provide even more opportunity for aspiring authors with “Speed Dating With Editors.” Each writer will be given a couple of minutes to pitch their work to editors from several publishing houses. This is a unique opportunity most aspiring authors never get. So if you’ve always envisioned yourself as a published author, here’s your chance!

FORM RELATIONSHIPS

This is probably the main reason we attend. Over the years, we’ve formed quite a number of lifelong friendships. These folks are our supporters, colleagues, and most of all, friends.


If you want to ask any specific questions about the 2014 EPICon, email epicon@epicon.com.

Desiree Holt on EPICon 2014

This week I am interviewing Desiree Holt, who is currently planning EPICon 2014, coming up next March in San Antonio, TX.

Disclaimer: Larry and I have attended every EPICon since 2006. They are our favorite conferences, and we often present workshops. We never fail to learn new things!

Desiree, thank you for being my guest today. You have been very active in planning the past two EPICons and you will be in charge of the next one. What do you like about this particular conference?

Desiree: First and foremost I’d have to say the number and variety of workshops. We have many new presenters this year and many new topics. We are offering everything from the mechanics of social media—not why you should do it but how to. We’ll have everything from “Painting the Picture—How to Make Your Readers ‘see’ Your Characters” to a workshop about prisons for people who write thrillers and suspense. We’ve added some spice to eFiesta. Authors will sign cover flats or cards or whatever they choose to bring, and we will also have a Google chat set up so readers who can’t attend can talk to their favorite authors. And finally, “Speed Dating with Editors” for both published and unpublished authors, a chance to pitch your story to a variety of editors.

What special events are planned for EPICon 2014?

Desiree: We’ll have the popular river cruise we did two years ago and we’re adding a one hour ghost tour. You now, The Menger is a haunted hotel and we wanted our attendees to know all about the ghosts that haunt that place as well as surrounding areas.

Who may attend the conference?

Desiree: Absolutely anyone. There is something here for everyone involved in digital publishing—authors, editors, publishers, designers. You name it. We especially encourage aspiring writers and readers to attend. But I encourage all industry professionals to join EPIC if they have not already. The membership fee is a very, very reasonable at $30 per year and offers a lot of benefits.

What makes this conference different from all the other writing conferences?

Desiree: First and foremost, it deals strictly with all things digital. You can learn everything from how to prepare your manuscript to how to format it for self-publishing to how to promote yourself on the Internet. We have workshops that explain the uniqueness of digital publishing and promotion and presenters who will explain how to do it.

Can unpublished writers attend? How about readers?

Desiree: Yes. And everyone you will sit next to, have coffee or a drink with, attend workshops with, is involved in the world of digital publishing so you have a unique opportunity to share and absorb information pertaining just to this industry.

What are the dates and location for the conference?

Desiree:

March 13-16, 2014, The Menger Hotel, San Antonio, Texas.

And it’s always bigger and better in Texas, you know!

How can people find our more information?

Desiree: Simply go to www.epicorg.com and click on the Lone Star Flag. The schedule is still a work in progress but we will be updating it constantly.

When can we start signing up?

I am hopeful that the registration from will go up no later than May 15.

Thank you, Desiree, for joining me today. I, for one, can’t wait to go to EPICon 2014!