Just returned from a writers’ conference in San Luis Obispo, on the coast midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco where I did a couple of workshops. What an interesting group of writers I found, and nice people, too. (Eric Maisel was the keynote; I also sat in on literary agent Laura Rennert’s workshop on YA novels.) And the central coast is a dream, the way I imagine California used to be, lots of sensuous hills with only nubby bushes and occasional trees. Lovely.

This is definitely one to remember for next year, this time. And quite affordable for attendees, too.

What’s on your list of conferences–to do or to recommend?

(I tried to post a link and Blogger isn’t accepting the URL. Just Google Central Coast Writers Conference, San Luis Obispo, and you’ll easily find it.)

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Also, what you would do …

There’s an author represented by an agent I quite like a lot. If I wasn’t with my current wonderful agent, I would want this agent; that’s how much I like him/her. This agent told me a story about an author who, if the story’s true, acted unethically toward my colleague. (I’m assuming the story is true because I’ve never known this agent to lie, and he/she has a good rep in the publishing biz.)

Okay. The author’s publicist sent me the author’s book for my show. I had been musing over inviting this author on–until I heard the story. My interest vanished–because of my agent friend.

So, my question is, do you let loyalties influence the interactions you have with others?

On the one hand, it’s so high school.

On the other, the opinions and experiences of the people you know help you make decisions. This agent didn’t say, I’ll be upset with you if you have her on the show. He/she would never do that. In that way, it’s so not high school.

And on the other, when you let your emotions and loyalties color your decisions, you’re never approaching anything or anyone fresh.