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From Rabbit in the Headlights, to a Relaxed Bunny!

  • flowry28
  • Mar 27
  • 3 min read

I recently took part in the annual Society of Writer's (SAW) Conference at Westerwood Hotel, Glasgow as part of the City Writers Group I am a member of. This is my first time attending the conference and as much as I was looking forward to it, I arrived to find myself floundering in the foyer. Do you know that feeling when you can tell you must look like a 'newbie'? I certainly felt like a rabbit in the headlights, not quite sure what to do. There were people milling around everywhere and everyone seemed to know what they were doing.


I spoke with a lovely lady at a table who looked like she should be in the know. Introducing myself, she handed me my lanyard for the weekend, though seemed unable to answer any questions I had. I felt as though I was already 'meant to know' (I'd forgotten to read my horoscope.) Thankfully a kind gentleman appeared at my side and handed me a lovely tote bag with some goodies from those who were speaking over the couple of days, and asked if I needed anything. It turned out, this was the President of SAW, and presumably he's seen his fair share of rabbits!

Some of the City Writer's Group
Some of the City Writer's Group

I was there now, and there was nothing else to do but mingle, and see who I could find. There was a table I knew I had to find, with workshop details for the following day so I could get my name down on the list of my choice. On my way there, I discovered Pauline Tait, and Wendy H Jones, who I knew from City Writers and who instantly made me feel at home. They have both attended the conference several times, and Wendy being a previous President, have seen it all before. Wendy, very gratefully, took me under her wing and showed me around, before ensuring I had a seat at their table for the evening meal later that night. There is something comforting, seeing a familiar face in a busy crowd.


The weekend continued the following day with a selection of workshops. I had selected Pauline Tait's Publishing Children's Books to Traditional Standards, which was relaxed, informative, and full of small golden nuggets which, all melted together, create a blueprint of what to do, and not do, during the process of indie publishing. I have known Pauline for quite a while, having assisted me on a one-to-one basis through the process of releasing Mousey Mornings, but it was lovely to see the 'live show' and pick up further information.


The afternoons' workshop I had chosen was hosted by the award-winning broadcaster and journalist Lesley Riddoch, about how to write papers, blogs, and social media. It was certainly an interesting session, full of insights into her life and work with the main key to consider posts on 'Interest first. Importance second.' (I hope I am achieving that in this blog for you?)

Pauline Tait, Kathryn Holme, and myself
Pauline Tait, Kathryn Holme, and myself

Saturday evening was rounded up with a candlelit Gala Dinner, with a further award ceremony, where we celebrated fellow City Writer Kathryn Holme's commended award for her picture book, Captain Kit. The evening was topped off by a drink in the bar and a couple of hours quiet, relaxed chatting with fellow authors.


Sunday morning was rounded up for me with a workshop from The BookHouse, Broughty Ferry. Andy, the owner, spent an hour discussing 'How to get Self-Published Books into Bookshops.' I am privileged enough to have my books in several Waterstones stores, however, I found this workshop the most informative over the weekend. Andy discussed from his booksellers perspective, the process of how their shoppers buy, and how it is wonderful to write a beautiful book but shoppers really do tend to judge a book by its cover, with several thoughts to consider before they even open the book to check if they are drawn into it. With that in mind, they — the bookseller — have their own decision making algorithm to take a book into stock or not.


I finished the weekend as a very relaxed bunny, inspired to continue writing, and learn more about my craft, as well as looking forward to attending the conference again next year. If you are a budding writer, or published author already, I would highly recommend joining SAW to meet and mingle with others in the same mindset. Everyone was happy, welcoming, and engaging to make me feel at ease. A happy bunny indeed.


Thank you for reading, and if you are interested in find out more information about anyone mentioned above, please check out the following links:

 
 
 

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