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ICRS Tuesday

Captain's Log, Stardate 07.11.2007

I started the day with a great meeting with Al Hsu, an editor at InterVarsity Press. We discussed Asian Americans—fiction, non-fiction, the church, family. He’s been in publishing for many years and is very wise. We had a great discussion. I also met his wife Ellen, who’s totally nice and is also into card-making!

I wandered the floor and happened to meet Robin Jones Gunn. She asked if I’d eaten yet, and since I hadn’t, said to join her for lunch. On the way to lunch, we met Mark Mynheir, and he gave me a copy of his book, got The Void. Isn’t that cool?

Robin has so much wisdom. I loved having lunch with her. She gave me such good advice, both professionally and spiritually. I hope I’ll get a chance to have lunch or dinner with her at the ACFW conference in September.

I met up with agent Steve Laube, and walked with him to his next meeting, but on the way we were hailed by Cec Murphy and agent Jeff Dunn. Jeff had been the first editor to request my manuscript, at Mount Hermon several years ago when he’d been an editor at RiverOak, and he and I have remained friends. It was fun chatting with them, and then Steve went to his meeting and I let Jeff and Cec continue their own talking.

I wandered the floor again and caught up with Sarah Sumpolec. We were at a doll booth and entered the drawing for that afternoon at 3 p.m., and I won a children’s Bible! I gave it to Sarah.

We swung by the Zondervan booth where Karen Kingsbury was signing, and the line was just mega-long so we didn’t get in it. However, I saw my senior editor Sue Brower, Joyce Ondersma (Author Relations), Karwyn Bursma (Marketing Director), and Karen’s kids Kelsey and Tyler. They were all dressed in SF 49ers jerseys with Alex Smith’s number 11 on them to promote her book coming out in November, Between Sundays, which is about a football player and inspired in part by quarterback Alex Smith.

We stood in line for Catherine Palmer’s, The Briton, and FRANCINE RIVERS got into line behind us!!!! I refrained from gushing, but introduced myself. She was with her daughter Shannon, and Shannon and I chatted while Francine chatted with Sarah and Steve Laube, who happened by.


Francine Rivers, her daughter Shannon, and me

While we stood in line to get Melody Carlson’s book, These Boots Weren’t Made for Walking, a guy recognized me and started talking about my book. Stuart McGuiggan is a Key Account Manager for WaterBrook Multnomah, and he loves Christian fiction. We had a great time discussing good books we’ve read lately, and he’s excited to read Sushi for One. I was so thrilled to talk to him!


Melody Carlson and me

I chatted in Starbucks with Sarah, her husband, and also Jennifer Schuchmann, who joined us. Then I had a great dinner with my agent Wendy Lawton, Janet Kobobel Grant, Sue Brower, and ZonderKIDZ senior editor Barbara Scott.

After dinner, I got to talking first with Jeanne Wynn (Wynn-Wynn Media), then with Chip MacGregor (MacGregor Literary), Andy Meisenheimer (Zondervan), and Beth Jusino (Alive Communications). We were joined first by Kathleen Y’Barbo, Cathy Marie Hake, and Kelly Eileen Hake, then by Sigmund Brouwer. I had never met Sigmund and when I found out who he was, I managed not to gush too much, but at least I didn’t gush as much as Andy. ;)

Chip abandoned us to meet with someone at the Westin, so Beth and I went to get a drink at the bar and saw Steve Laube at a table surrounded by his harem, which consisted of Kathleen, Cathy, Kelly, and Tracey Bateman. Andy and Susan May Warren joined us later.

Susie had been waiting on a couple, and when they arrived, she introduced us. It was noisy and I didn’t notice at first when they arrived, but then she introduced me to the guy, I said hi, she said, “This is Ted Dekker and his wife LeeAnn.” Then I really did gush, I’m ashamed to say, but he took it in stride. He then got into an intense discussion with Steve, so I was unable to embarrass myself further.


Sigmund Brouwer and Andy Meisenheimer


Me and Beth Jusino


Me and Chip MacGregor

Continued: ICRS Wednesday
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Comments

  1. Georgiana DanielsTue Jul 10, 11:02:00 PM 2007

    Talk about a fabulous trip! Wow. I'm gushing and I'm not even there. Looks like you're having enough fun for all of us :)

    PS. My daughter was looking over my shoulder and said you look really happy.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jessica FergusonWed Jul 11, 06:05:00 AM 2007

    You've got to be having so much fun! The whole time I'm reading your blog, I'm just grinning and laughing like an idiot. LOL If I ever go to ICRS, girl, I want to go with YOU. Camy, have you ever thought of being a travel writer... I feel like I'm there. I love the pictures and your humor, and I can't wait to get my hands on your books. You're too cute and fun. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Crystal LaineWed Jul 11, 08:59:00 AM 2007

    Whoa, if you are Camy Tang (not an astronaut drink or lingerie...hmm) then you get around. Is there anyone at ICRS you haven't seen?

    Simply amazing. A friendly sort, you are. Awesome. Your book signing sounded like it was great.

    Does your face hurt from smiling?(Probably not. Those muscles are in great shape, I think.)

    ReplyDelete
  4. PatriciaWWed Jul 11, 10:38:00 AM 2007

    Camy, you have the best conference posts!

    Deleting your entry and re-adding it in Blogarithm made all the difference. Now I can read you daily again without needing to remember to hop over.

    Glad you had a great trip. And I hear your signing went really well. Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousWed Jul 11, 11:42:00 AM 2007

    I'm glad you're having a good trip!

    I have a feeling that I would have made an absolute idiot out of myself had I met Ted Dekker unexpectedly... everyone would have probably pretended not to know me. Forever.

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownWed Jul 11, 01:52:00 PM 2007

    Thanks for putting the pic of us up. That one of you and Chip is just plain scary :) That color blue looks so good on you btw.

    I didn't realize Jeff Dunn was an editor now. He's a super nice guy.

    I'm jealous you got to meet Ted and Francine. I was hoping to bump into both. At least I got to bump into you though!

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownWed Jul 11, 01:53:00 PM 2007

    I meant that Jeff Dunn was an agent. Last time I saw him he was an editor.

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownWed Jul 11, 04:09:00 PM 2007

    I think this is truly the only time in my life when I get INCREDIBLY jealous...what fun!

    And I am SO looking forward to getting my copy of Sushi For One?

    ReplyDelete
  9. BrittanieWed Jul 11, 05:06:00 PM 2007

    It looks and sounds like so much fun. I love confernces. I am just a reader not a writer :) so you will not see me at this one. You must have an amazing memory! Lol

    ReplyDelete
  10. UnknownWed Jul 11, 06:01:00 PM 2007

    Girl, so glad you're having fun. And praying for safe travels home! :D

    ReplyDelete
  11. T. ForknerWed Jul 11, 06:38:00 PM 2007

    Camy, you look lovely as always. What fun! Thanks for letting us live vicariously through you. I'm with Robin, praying for you and for safe travels home.

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousThu Jul 12, 01:36:00 PM 2007

    Wow. This was fun to read, but now I'm so dying for the ACFW conference to get here!

    ReplyDelete

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