22 September 2014

Hello again!

Well, folks, it’s crunch time. If you haven’t booked your hotel room, it’s now or never. Today is the last day to get a room at the $99 rates. If you’re planning on being at SOTA, reserve your room NOW! Call the hotel at 1-866-961-3780 and tell them you’re with SOTA. Come Tuesday, the rate will have increased, and no, I won’t be able to do anything for you. We have exceeded our room block AND gotten a discount on our initial rate. Any further snoozing guarantees you losing.

…Unless you happen to be a female attendee looking for a roommate, that is. My registrar is looking for a roommate. Her room is booked and she is a pleasure to room with. And sharing a room will cut your room rate in half.  So if that appeals to you, let me know.

Meanwhile, let’s look at some of what you’ll be missing by not attending SOTA this year. First of all, there’s our fabulous Sunday prize draw. Most conferences have a silent auction. We don’t. We have a giveaway. If you’re registered and present on Sunday, you’re eligible to win something. What? We never know! Sometimes a book, sometimes some fancy soap, sometimes a reading, sometimes a bottle of wine, sometimes a scarf, and sometimes some other goodie. Speakers and attendees donate these prizes, and they are often very generous. It’s a way of giving back. So if you’re coming and would like to donate something, let me know. Your offering will be gratefully appreciated for sure.

Secondly, there’s the AFAN hospitality suite, hosted by none other than Eric Pride. Hospitality is an under-statement with AFAN. This is THE place to be for after-lecture networking. There will be food, there will be wine, and there will be great conversation. And again, if you want to bring your favorite cheese and some crackers or a libation, feel free. It will be gratefully accepted.

Eric, by the way, will be doing double duty this year because he is a lecturer at Open Forum. Here’s his topic:

The Bridge Between Astrology and Magick

Eric Pride explores the boundary between the astrological and other esoteric communities and reveals the fruit of these mysterious intersections.

And while we’re on the subject of Open Forum, we had a cancellation this week. Pundit Prakash has had to cancel due to impending surgery. He has been replaced by none other than Matthew Currie. Stay tuned for more details on this one…

Not all of our lectures are general interest or alternative topics. We have quite a number of lectures geared to professional development. One of those is by one of your favorite lecturers, Samuel Reynolds. Here’s a description:

Horoscope Writing for Money With Love

Horoscope columns have gotten a bad rep, sometimes with good reason. The astrology seems missing from some and we’re left with vague cliches. Reynolds, a horoscope writer for several international publications, will show you how to write horoscopes that can earn money while keeping your integrity and love for astrology.

You know, I tried my hand at writing horoscope columns for about 6 months. I hated almost every minute of it. Maybe if I’d heard this first, I would have been happier and more productive with it. No matter. If you’ve ever toyed with writing horoscope columns — or if you simply want to know how it’s done, this is for you!

On another level, for you speakers and consultants, voice projection can make you or break you. So we have Kathy Thompson in Open Forum to give you a few tips:

Voice Coaching for Astrologers

Your voice and words are essential consultation and lecture tools! Techniques to improve your speaking voice, eliminate vocal fatigue, warmer tone, vocal endurance, increase range and more.

Kathy is an accomplished singer who has traveled all over the world. She is also an excellent voice coach. You might be amazed by what a bit of coaching can do for you.

Ok, so I hope some of these lectures and workshops are getting you excited. We’re aiming to give you good value, good information, and some good fun as well. But again, our fees on EVERYTHING go up September 26. So if you haven’t registered, register NOW. Snooze on this one and you’ll be paying more. Why do it?

…And on that note, I will close because I’m already running late with the mailing. Happy Fall and have a most excellent week.

Best,
Donna