Happy Monday All, We're getting closer to Romance Writers of America's National Conference (aka "Nationals" or "RWA18"). It's interesting to me how the longer I'm in the genre, the more of the stereotypes and comments that come my way. For instance, last year, I was in the elevator going up to get something from my hotel room, and this person who was attending another event said to me, "Oh, you're with that book thing." Now, I played it off. I mean, technically it is a "book thing", but this illustrates some of what we romance novelists encounter. Nationals are so much more than just a "book thing". We have a ton of writers there, sure, but we also have people in other capacities. There are agents, editors, bloggers, sometimes cover artists/models, and well, it wouldn't shock me if someone from film showed up...oh wait, they already did... PassionFlix . Darling readers, any of you who have followed me (o...

Happy Monday Everyone! Sorry I've been MIA for so long. A ton of things have been going on: For one thing, I attended my first Romance Writers of America National Conference ( RWA Nationals ) in Orlando, Florida in July. While there, I got to go to Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom (my very first time going to Disney World and my first time going to Nationals since I joined RWA in 2009). Nationals was an amazing experience. Normally I'm nervous when going to conferences, but for the first time, I wasn't. I'm not sure why. Maybe I had a lot of people praying for me, and sending me positive thoughts. Maybe I went in with the right attitude. Either way, or both, I am not sorry one bit that I went! Arriving! We--that is, the whole Averie clan--arrived in Orlando, Florida on Tuesday, July 25th. Everything went smoothly with getting our luggage, and despite a little issue at the rental car place, that even went smoothly. Then came trying to find the hotel ....

Happy Tuesday All, I skipped posting last week for two reasons. One, I wanted to give proper attention to the interview with Meg LeFauve after the hold up with the formatting, and two, I had several things going on. Me (Maid of Honor), and my deceased friend, Sarah, on her wedding day in 2003 Monday marked 4 years since my friend, Sarah, died, and by the time I thought of doing a blog post it was late in the afternoon, so I decided to switch this week's post to today. Recently the national organization I belong to, Romance Writers of America (RWA) opened up registration for its annual conference --dubbed "Nationals--which is being held in July, at a resort in Orlando, Florida this year. Talking with my family, it was decided for the first time since I joined in 2009, I would go. I'm all registered with a hotel room and have had a lot of outpouring of Me at my chapter's conference in 2014 support from other RWA members both ones going and those who have b...

Happy Monday All, I hope everyone is having a wonderful Summer. Down here in the Lone Star State we are melting, but that's not unusual. Heat + Humidity = Texas Summers. I'm surprised we're not in the triple digits (the week forecast looks like we're going to get close). It makes me very grateful for central air condition and car air conditioning. This week is the week of RWA Nationals. RWA is Romance Writers of America. Nationals are the conference they host every year--generally in a different location each year. The Conference is open to members (and I believe non-members) alike. A huge number of industry professionals, as well as writers, attend Nationals every year. Although, I'm in the latter group--the group that doesn't attend. You have to budget for Nationals because typically it does cost more than the local ones. Given my family demands and my financial situation, it's not something I can do at this point. Maybe in the future. I would like to ...

Happy Thursday All, So sorry I've been away--there's been a lot going on over here, so I've been very busy. Allergies are a little better--thank you to everyone for your good thoughts/wishes/prayers. The other day I mentioned my RWA (Romance Writers' of America) chapter, the Northwest Houston Romance Writers of America  is having its annual Lone Star Contest for writers. There are several categories to enter, everybody. There's great prizes available and an opportunity to get your work in front of editors and agents. One year I was a coordinator for one of the categories and I saw some really talented writers come through. This is a chance to show people what you're doing with your work. It's fairly easy to enter, and it's not real expensive either. Please go to the contest web page and check out further details . The category chairs (coordinators) are all really nice people and the person who heads it up is so helpful. Have A Thrilling Thursday...

Happy Friday All, It's been a rather quiet week with RWA Nationals going on (catch up on RWA Conference news by way of Twitter ). I'm not there--wasn't in the cards for this year, but I've seen pictures from a couple of chapter mates of mine. But wait! Maybe it's not as quiet as I thought... This just in... Suzan Harden has released the second novel in her Bloodlines series (this release is the next one after Blood Magick ) The new release is entitled Zombie Love . It's available now on Amazon Kindle  It's also available on Smashwords , and XinXii . (Should be available on Barnes & Noble Nook soon).  Gotta say, I don't envy Suzan's heroine, Samatha "Sam" Rideway. Although, Sam sounds like she can handle anything thrown at her.   Also, yesterday Will Graham's book, Street Heat went in-print through Amazon . It's been available on Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook for awhile now, but now you can also get it in print. ...