Reflections on the GCLS 2022 Conference in Albuquerque

I did it, I screwed my courage to the sticking place and went in person to the Golden Crown Literary Society 2022 Annual Conference in Albuquerque. I’m glad I went. I got to meet several of my favorite authors, learned a lot about writing and marketing, networked, and even made friends. (It’s a lot to talk about so I’ll do a follow-up blog that talks about what I learned about writing and marketing next week)

While I had a positive experience, going to the conference alone was still one of the hardest things I’ve done in a long time. I thought I was ready. I booked my tickets, practiced my reading for my author spotlight, planned out which panels to go to in advance, and was excited to go. That optimism lasted until I arrived on Thursday and remembered I didn’t know anyone there.

Between my social anxiety and being naturally shy, I’ve always found social gatherings to be challenging, I get burnt out quickly at parties even when I’m with people I know and like, much less surrounded by strangers.

I came close to bolting during the welcome reception the first night. I’d gotten food and a drink and realized I needed to sit down to be able to eat but felt too awkward to ask to join any of the tables. I was contemplating abandoning my plate and going back to my hotel room when two of the conference organizers asked me to sit with them. (I think they must have noticed I looked on the verge of tears) Talking to them helped set me more at ease and I was able to stay through the rest of the reception.

The next day was better. One cool thing the GCLS conference does is assign conference newbies “con buddies,” someone who’s been to the conference before you can reach out to for advice. After the first reception, I realized I needed help and emailed my con buddy and asked if she could make introductions for me. She graciously agreed, and the next morning introduced me to more writers than I could possibly remember the names of.

By the end of the second day, I was exhausted but starting to get to know people and feel more comfortable. Everyone I met was genuinely kind and helpful. Once I could see past my own awkwardness, I did start to realize that I wasn’t the only person there who was feeling a little overwhelmed. Writers, after all, are often introverts.

When it came to meeting more established writers, I was fairly star-struck at first. Because I started writing during the pandemic, I hadn’t yet had a chance to even meet anyone from my publishing company in person. On the third evening of the conference, there was a gathering for Bold Strokes Books authors and editors.

I almost froze like a deer in the headlights when Radclyffe sat down and talked to me. I have been reading her books since I was a teenager and she’s been a major influence on me as a writer. She was welcoming and reassuring. We talked a little bit about my book, and I feel even more certain now that I made the right decision to go with Bold Strokes Books as my publisher.

I also had the chance to meet Meghan O’Brien at the same gathering. Her book, The Three, is one of the reasons I ever dared to write a book with polyamorous characters. She was friendly and very approachable, and I enjoyed talking with her about writing.

During the course of the conference, I met and talked with a lot of authors, editors, and even some readers. I think I was even able to make some friends. If I can, I will attend the GCLS conference next year in Denver. Until then, I’m going to try not to be such a hermit and keep in touch with people. For the first time in my life, it is really starting to feel like I’m part of a writing community and that is a wonderful feeling.