Welcome Guest Blogger Debra Ullrick

My First Conference and Editor meeting

I’d only been a member of the American Christian Romance Writers (aka ACFW now)for a few months. At that time there were a little over three hundred members. Everyone was talking on the loop about the conference and how they couldn’t wait to go. It sounded like a lot of fun and was being held in Denver, my home state, so I decided to go.

Didn’t have a clue what to expect or how to act or anything. My friend told me she’d been to quite a few, so I asked her a ton of questions. What does one do when meeting with an editor? What about these one liners I’d heard about? Can you talk to other editors? That one she said yes, but cautioned me about talking to them while they were in a bathroom stall. My first thought was, someone must have done that or she wouldn’t have mentioned it. That person must have memorized every detail of that particular editor’s shoes or stalked them. Not sure which one, but either scenario didn’t tempt me. Uh uh. Not one little bit.

Anyway, then our conversation turned to Meet-n-Greet night. Living on a cattle ranch at the time, my wardrobe was limited, so I asked her what every one wore to them. She said people wore slippers, various hats, etc and to wear something that gave people a clue about who I am or what I love or what I do. Didn’t think my cowboy boots with lawn fertilizer on them would be appropriate, so I went for the Monster Mutt cap. I love monster trucks, but I didn’t want to drag my large remote control Grave Digger truck with me, so I borrowed my husband’s Monster Mutt cap. Now, you have to picture this, okay? The cap resembles a dog, complete with floppy ears, wide cartoonish eyes, and its tongue sticking out at whoever looks at me.

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When I entered the room that Thursday night, I was met with wide eyes, double takes, stares, and whispers. Some laughed and inquired about my cap. (Bless their little pea-pickin’ hearts. SMOOCH) Some fled. Probably didn’t want that dog licking them or slobbering on their clothes or anything. Can’t blame them. Most of them were dressed in nice gowns, or comfortable, yet classy attire, or suit dresses. Not Monster Mutt hats. My friend had tricked me, I was sure of it. Oh well, even if she did, I was going to be myself and have fun. I did too. After people got over the initial shock, they accepted not only me, but my cap.

When it was time to eat, my friend led me to a table at the front. Just what I wanted, to sit up front of all those people with my Monster Mutt cap. I sat down beside this really nice lady, and we chatted and chatted like we’d known each other for years.

Fifteen or so minutes later, my friend leaned over and said, “You do know that that’s Francine Rivers, right?”

“Francine Rivers!” I squealed, and about got whiplash spinning my head (Floating body part, alert!) Francine’s direction. “Oh my gosh. You’re Francine Rivers!” I belted out as if she didn’t know who she was. She laughed, and so did I until I remembered my cap. The one with its tongue sticking out directly at Francine Rivers.

Debra's husband Rick, Francine Rivers and Debra

To make matters worse, I didn’t feel too good. Thought it was a case of the nerves. Was I ever wrong. That night, I spent the whole night throwing up. I had the flu. Not only was I worried about my friend/roommate getting it, although it would have served her right, hehe, my first editor’s meeting and my first paid critique meeting with Linda Windsor were on Friday, the next day. Thank God, I felt better the next morning and was able to keep my meetings, and no one seemed to notice The Walking Zombie Woman.

On Saturday, I met Jim Peterson, acquiring editor at that time for Heartsong Presents. Because he was standing amongst a group of women and not headed to the bathroom or anything like that, I asked my friend if it would be okay if I pitched my book idea to him. She said it would be fine, so I did. He loved my Ford/Chevy, mud-bog racing rivals and asked to see the whole manuscript when I got it finished and even gave me his card. His card! With is contact information! Wow! Talk about mind blowing. Hmmm that must have been where I left my mind. I’ve been wondering where I left it all these years. *smiling* I still have that card. My first published novel, The Bride Wore Coveralls, came as a result of that first conference and that meeting with Jim.

Francine Rivers and Debra and Hat :)

I will never forget that conference. If any of you ever get a chance to go to one, do. A word of advice though… if anyone tells you that people wear fuzzy slippers or weird hats or anything else strange to Meet-n-Greet night, run! And if you do decide to wear something peculiar, make sure you know who you’re talking to. It might very well may be Francine Rivers.

Please leave a comment to get your name in the drawing for one of THREE copies of my  latest release, The Unlikely Wife.
Find me online at http://www.debraullrick.com/

Back Cover Blurb:

The arrival of Michael Bowen’s bride, married sight unseen by proxy, sends the rancher reeling. With her trousers, cowboy hat and rifle, she looks like a female outlaw—not the genteel lady he corresponded with for months. He’s been hoodwinked into marriage with the wrong woman!

Selina Farleigh Bowen loved Michael’s letters, even if she couldn’t read them herself. A friend read them to her, and wrote her replies—but apparently that “friend” left things out, like Michael’s dream of a wife who was nothing like her. Selina won’t change who she is, not even for the man she loves. Yet time might show Michael the true value of his unlikely wife.