Several agents and editors from New York attended,
and I wanted to take advantage of the one-on-one book pitch sessions being
offered. From experience I knew these 10 minute appointments went fast, and I
needed to sign up early. Not a good self-promoter, I usually shoot myself (or wished
I had) during the interview process, so I rose that morning to meditate and prepare
in my room.
I walked the short distance from the hotel to the library where the
conference is held, thinking I had arrived in plenty of time. The woman at the table informed me, “There are only two editors left with times
available.” I perused the names and asked about my editor of choice, Monique Patterson. The helper with the clipboard checked the schedules confident that Monica was already booked. To her surprise
and my glee the name on the first slot had been scratched threw, not once, but twice,
leaving it open for me. My confidence
in prayer sored, as I returned to the hotel to meet my friends.
They were sitting in the lobby, where I discovered one of my
writer companions had awoke having health issues that necessitated a
wheelchair, or she wouldn’t be able to attend the conference. Being a
Methodist, I had noticed a United Methodist church across the street from the
library and hotel. The concierge called the number, but no one answered. Of
course it was Saturday, I thought, listening to the machine. However, the pastor
left his cell number.
Boldly, I called and identified myself (like he’d know me),
explained our problem in one sentence, and asked if the church had a
wheelchair they might loan us for the day. He immediately said, “Can you come
right now?” He was on site, preparing for a funeral.
We shuffled to our waiting SUV and drove across
the street. Pastor Don Ross, wearing his blue suit and tie, met us at the front
door, wheeled the chair down the walk, and helped us load it. We exchanged a
few pleasantries with simple return instructions and waved good-by. In ten
minutes we were at the conference, on time with a rolling front row seat.
Listening to the morning greeting, I knew the interview
would go fine. Calm and professional, I met the challenge and my fears with
confidence—someone smarter than me was in charge.
