Can you introduce yourself to my readers a little?
Happy to! “Cat Adams” is actually a combination of “Cat(thy Clamp)” and “(C.T.) Adams”. In addition to the Blood Singer series (Blood Song), readers might remember us from the Tales of the Sazi (Hunter’s Moon) and Thrall/Kate Reilly (Touch of Evil) paranormal romance series, both of which earned us an RT Career Achievement Award in paranormal romance. We’ve been writing together for about a decade now, and have about 20 novels (and numerous short stories in anthologies) to read when you’re done with The Eldritch Conspiracy, which is book 5 of the Blood Singer/Celia Graves series.
I can be found at: website | Blog
Cathy is at: Twitter
Cie is at: Facebook | Twitter
Can you introduce us to the world that you have created?
The Blood Singer series is set in an alternate Los Angeles, where pretty much every mythological creature and pantheon does (or did at one time) exist. There are witches and mages, vampires (who are mostly feral animals) werewolves, gods and goddesses, etc. Psychics assist the police in interrogations and, of course, that means the bad guys also have witches, psychics and clairvoyants on their payroll! So there’s lots of room for storylines.
Will this be your first RT or are you a veteran? Any advice for those who are going for the first time?
We’re both veterans. Actually, we do have some advice for newbies. They’re meant to be both humorous and practical. (Remember, keep laughing, but listen up!)
1) Sleep, we don” need no stinkin’ sleep. Good thing too. Because while you’re at conference, you won’t be getting much. Not that you overschedule necessarily. But there are parties with cover models, and drinks with folks who actually UNDERSTAND what you do (and GASP, think it’s important).
2) I am worse with names than I thought I was. OY! OK, I know I’m bad. Really bad. I always have been. It doesn’t help that I have memory problems due to an illness that get worse when I’m tired. BUT GUYS, IT JUST ISN’T FAIR! I mean, one name per person OK? Not: Rachel Who, who writes under Mariah Wind for historical, Midnight Joy for erotica, and posts under Kinky5894. AARGH!!!!!
3) WHERE’S MY CAMERA?. You’ll want photos, and NOT for the scenery (although those cover models….) Nope. To take pictures of all those folks with the multiple names, with their name badges on. Because they are your friends, your contemporaries, and the coolest people you can imagine, and you’re going to want to send thank you notes to each and every one of them, but you can’t if you keep thinking of them as Rachel9458!
4) Oh, lord do my feet hurt! (Comfortable shoes are a must…) As are a luggage cart, sturdy bags for books, and LOTS of business cards to give out and a holder to GET business cards from everybody. 4B) GET BUSINESS CARDS FROM EVERYBODY. 4C) You’ll get LOTS of free books (Yay!) in the Goody Room and your conference bag, and there will be TONS of freebies in the Promotion Alley. But you’ll need to get them home. Either bring along an empty bag, or pack an empty duffel bag at the bottom of your luggage. Trust us, you’ll need it.
5) Do I really have to go to work today? Do NOT schedule yourself to be back at work at 8:00 a.m. on the morning you returned at 1:00 a.m. Give yourself at least a couple of days to rest up.
6) They want HOW MUCH for a burger here? Eek! Don’t forget to eat, even if you’re broke! A quick tip for the ‘traveling on a shoestring’ folks: Ship a package ahead of you to the conference hotel with non-perishable foods, like crackers, peanut butter, jelly, tuna, and canned meats or trail mix. Eating lunch or breakfast in your room is perfectly acceptable (and a LOT of people do it!). You can even make little parties with people you meet to mix & match foods. Also, pubbed authors who are on a panel for the first time, there’s usually a “green room” or “con suite” with free food. But it’s usually only open to panel participants.
7) OMG! Is that the editor I wanted to query? Right here in person?! Don’t forget you’re a writer (if you write, that is…). If you’re an aspiring author attending for the first time, take along a short synopsis of each book (NEVER the whole book) in case you get the opportunity to meet with an agent/editor. If you are lucky enough to meet an editor or agent you should have two things memorized in your head.
First is the “elevator pitch.” The premise is that you get in an elevator on the ground floor of the hotel and the only other person in the elevator happens to be a major publishing house editor or your “dreamed-of” agent. You have five minutes to get to the top floor and nobody is going to interrupt you. The agent/editor turns to you as the doors close and says, “Oh! You’re a writer? So, what is your book about?” You should have a brief speech already in your head so that by the time the doors open at the end of the time, the editor is nodding, handing you a business card and saying, “Sounds interesting. Why don’t you send me a synopsis and a couple of chapters? Nice meeting you!” Make the effort to actually TIME your speech, so that it’s no longer than five minutes. This can also work if you meet someone in the bar or get placed at the same lunch table. The elevator pitch is a terrific thing to have with you.
Second is the “formal pitch.” This should be a bit more involved (but you can always fall back on the elevator pitch if need be.) The editor/agent will want to know: 1) the GENRE of the book; 2) the TITLE of the book; 3) the PLOT of the book (not the subplots, not the prologue, just the general plot. Try to sum it up in a half page pitch); 4) the CHARACTERS of the book (basic information like names, nationality/species, basic description, basic background). You normally have ten minutes, which is why I’d consider the five minute pitch. You can use the other five minutes for a Q&A session. Don’t be afraid to actually READ the information from 3×5 notecards or a notebook. The editor doesn’t expect you to be a polished speaker. They just want to know about the book.
8) Ooo! I want to go to that panel, and that one, and that one! Take the classes that actually seem interesting and, if possible, ALWAYS attend publisher spotlights. A publisher “spotlight” is where the editors of various publishing houses explain what is upcoming in their calendar and what they’re looking for as the “next big thing.” You’ll learn the names of the various editors, and quite possibly can ask questions about things in their guidelines which confuse you. NEVER be afraid to ask questions, but honor any request to not duplicate if someone else asks something similar, or if they don’t want to be interrupted during their presentation.
9) I’m hungry, but I don’t know anyone in the whole room! ALWAYS attend any free breakfasts/lunches that are part of the price, or if not, then try to budget for at least one of the scheduled meals. It’s worth it. Really, even if you’re just a reader. Steel yourself at the door and then sit down at a table with a bunch of strangers. You never know who you’ll meet and sometimes you’ll wind up meeting your next critique partner or future best friend. You might also wind up meeting your favorite author, or sit next to an agent or editor who edits your favorite author. Heck, if you write, you might sell your book on the spot. Really. It’s THAT important for you be brave and outgoing. The best ice-breaker that I’ve found is: “So, what do YOU write?” Just ask any person at random, and then really listen to the answer. Ask questions and you’ll get asked in return about yours usually. You might not like the genre they write, but you never know until you ask.
10) It’s such a long line. Should I really get my book signed? Attend any book signings that are part of your package. You don’t have to buy anything if you can’t afford to, but watch how the authors interact with the fans and think what you would do the same or different when you’re behind the table signing someday.”
Are you speaking on any panels during RT? Are there any you are looking forward to?
Actually, Cathy will be giving a workshop (so individually, rather than on a panel) on understanding publishing contracts. It’s a must attend for aspiring authors! I think one of us will also be on a vampire panel, but I can’t remember which one right now.
If someone were wanting to meet up with you at RT, who should they look for?
A heavyset woman with brown hair. Boy, is THAT unique at an RT con. LOL! Actually, the one place (other than my workshop) that I (Cathy) know I’ll be is at the Intergalactic Bar & Grille on Thursday. It’s a MUST ATTEND for newbies. Very fun, with party games and prizes. It really gets you in the conference spirit.
