I’ve been writing for a long time. So almost every weird thing that could happen has happened to me. Here are some stories.
Long ago, when I was really wet behind the ears, I attended one of my first RWA conferences. Harlequin was having a big session to tell us about a new line, but they didn’t want to give too much away. I thought the presentation was really useless, so when the session was over, I got up and hurried to the exit–where I saw my agent talking to another woman. I rushed up to the agent and said, "They didn’t say anything!" She smiled and nodded and told me we could discuss it later. Later she told me she had been talking to the Harlequin publicist when I complained about their presentation.
I should have learned my lesson about conferences then. But I was still too stupid to catch on. My next blunder was in the bathroom. I went into a toilet stall. My friend went into another, and we kept talking about a publisher’s presentation while we peed. When we came out, the editor we’d been talking about was washing her hands at the sink. Sigh.
It took two reinforcements to teach me to be careful what I say and where at conferences. Although, if you know me, you know I can be a loudmouth. So I sometimes still forget to be cautious.
Those are two of my choice conference experiences. I’ve had other screwups along the way. The most recent was when Berkley sent me galley pages. At the time, I was having some home construction, and the front door looked like it was blocked. So the Fed Ex man left the package at the sunroom door on the side of the house–and didn’t tell me it was there. Six weeks later I found the galleys for a reprint of a novella. Thank the Lord it was a reprint–and there was nothing I wanted to change, since it was already in production. But after that, I asked my editor’s assistant to e-mail me when she was sending galleys–so I’d know to look for them.
Then there was the time I spent a week responding to a revision letter–and sent off the revised manuscript. The editor called me the next week to say that she’d been trying to figure out what I’d changed but couldn’t find anything different. I went scrambling back through my computer files and found that I’d sent the WRONG FILES. She had the old version. Sigh. At least I haven’t made THAT mistake again.
So what’s happened to you? Any bad experiences you’re not embarrassed to share with us?
Rebecca
Wow Rebecca
Some sucky stuff. Glad I’m a reader not a writer
Comment by Liz Denler — October 28, 2006 @ 4:15 am
Too funny, Rebecca!
My daughter scribbled in crayon all over not one, but two of my contracts.
I’ve said some stupid things too…I speak before I think…and I always gt it in my head that those things are going to hurt my career. So hearing someone as experienced as you has done it a time or two, I feel better!
Comment by Alyssa Brooks — October 28, 2006 @ 2:59 pm
Thanks, Alyssa. You reminded me of another funny story. I was going to collaborate on a non-fiction book with a professional in the medical field. I had all the materials for the book in a box on the floor in my office. One of my cats walked into the room and threw up in the box, then walked out. I guess it was an omen since I was never able to come to terms with the professional. So we abandoned the project.
Rebecca
Comment by Rebecca York — October 28, 2006 @ 3:14 pm
Oh, gosh, Rebecca, a bit daunting re the cat… As for sending in stuff, I write notes to myself, and have a few times accidentally left them in the manuscript. Had the copy editor once point one out–and say please fix this. (The note was about looking up a general’s name who was a real person and just mentioned in passing. Well, duh, of course I didn’t mean to leave it in…I just overlooked it and certainly I wanted to fix it…But her tone was mildly reproving, which annoyed me at the time : ) I would have found it when I read it over, but glad she caught it, too.
Nicole Byrd
Comment by Nicole Byrd — October 28, 2006 @ 8:49 pm
Nicole, leaving a note in a manuscript is what I call “the death wish.” Like once when I was writing articles, and I put two manuscripts into envelopes. Only I sent the wrong manuscripts to the wrong editors!
Rebecca
Comment by Rebecca York — October 28, 2006 @ 9:51 pm
Eeek! Great stories, you can smile abotu it now, yes?
I’m totally paranoid about this kind of thing. When I send something off I go over and over it to make sure the right stuff is attached etc, then as soon as it’s gone realise there is a horrendous typo on the first line. I’m sure I’ll be too frightened to say anything to anyone at my first RWA conference 
Well, until that first glass of wine…
Comment by Saskia Walker — October 29, 2006 @ 8:13 am
My most embarrasing moment (says the newbie with loads left to come) was my first Berkley party this year in Atlanta. I’d made the mistake of skipping breakfast, lunch and dinner. Went to the party and had 2 glasses of wine. While I didn’t get drunk, I was rather happy with that empty stomach and alcohol mix. The next thing I knew my agent had me by the arm and was leading me over to meet the publisher, Leslie Gelbman (spelling). I was still able to speak, but barely able to feel my toes and kept wobbling back and forth. I still can’t recall exactly what was said, other than my agent informing me that Leslie had the memory of an elephant and would remember my name. I wasn’t exactly sure I wanted her to.
The other moment I had at that party (which was what probably led to my drinking in the first place) was when I first arrived. I walked in with new author Sunny, who is very beautiful and articulate and soft-spoken. The room was virtually empty, but the marketing department and publicity people were there. We walked up to them and she chatted and captivated them all, occasionally nudging me and saying, and this is Heather Waters, she’s new with Berkley too. I’d just sort of nod and pray for the floor to suck me up. I was so nervous!
Comment by Heather — October 29, 2006 @ 11:29 am
Oh, Heather, you made me laugh out loud. I’m quite shy, though have come a long way (but had a long way to come!) and I remember a lot of –please, floor ,open up now–moments when I first started. It will get better–It helps to remember that 90% of the writers in the room probably feel much the same
Nicole
Comment by Nicole Byrd — October 29, 2006 @ 4:20 pm
Nicole, not surprising, since I’m sure a lot of writers are introverts. I mean, what do we do all day? Sit in a room by ourselves and make up people and stories about them. We can control our imaginary world. But we tend to get into trouble in the real world.
Rebecca
Comment by Rebecca York — October 29, 2006 @ 4:24 pm
So true, Rebecca
Nicole
Comment by Nicole Byrd — October 31, 2006 @ 1:52 am