Happy Friday Darling Readers, I hope everyone is doing well. I've been running around being wife, mommy, and writer.  I got some material out to an agent who requested some chapters of a WIP (work in progress) of mine. I expect it'll be a while before I hear back. Agents are incredibly busy and they also have their real lives to think of, too. But I'm praying for a contract. I really like this agent and the agency the agent represents. I posted my review of C.C. Hunter's final installment of Della's story, Unspoken . I really enjoyed it. I think her fans will NOT be disappointed. Currently I'm looking forward to a bunch of things that aren't my projects: C.C. Hunter's Shadow Falls going to Internet screen show series. Jennifer L. Armentrout's Oblivion release and the Lux Series going to screen. (I think TV?) Kiera Cass's announcement about The Selection going to the big screen. Reading the last book in Lesley Livingst...

Happy Tuesday All, I promise, I didn't do it on purpose. Really. The NWHRWA Lone Star Conference came around and I... Forgot my camera! However, I did, in fact, go, and there are a ton of witnesses who will attest to the fact I was there. For all I know, RM Brand might have gotten a photo of me during the time I was down in the Conference room helping them set up before it started.  Donald Maass was unable at the last minute to come. His family had an emergency, so he had to back out. However, he was nice enough to do his best to help us get someone. In the end, James Scott Bell, who came last year, rescued us and returned with a brand-new topic. (I give Raven Raye, our 1st V.P. a lot of credit for dealing with this unforeseen situation, she worked so hard and deserves a standing ovation). Friday night, I attended (by invitation) the Meet & Greet. I got to sit down and chat with agent Kevan Lyon , who is authors Jennifer L. Armentrout and Katie McGarr...

Happy Tuesday All, It's voting day here in the US of A, so all of those who are eligible have a civic duty to exercise our right to vote. Which, is something I will (or depending on when you, my readers read this post and when I get to my designated voting area) or have done. Today Laura Childs' Stake & Eggs is released, which I reviewed yesterday . This past NWHRWA meeting I've learned some pretty awesome things about next year's Lone Star Conference. We are fortunate to be able to have Donald Maass of the Donald Maass Literary Agency come and be our keynote speaker. We're also going to have an agent from Larsen Pomada Literary Agents , and Marisal Lyon Literary Agency  and who knows what other awesome things will be in store by the time the date of the conference rolls around. The date of the conference is on October 5, 2013--so you can start planning now. It's apple cider season (Fall)! I've been enjoying the tasty treat. I'll be glad ...

Happy Wednesday All, Whew! Things have been extremely busy on my end (but mostly GOOD busy). Monday was my birthday, and it was a wonderful birthday--thank you to everyone who wished me Happy Birthday. I truly appreciated the thoughtfulness! Before I launch into talking about the Lone Star Conference, I want to tell you I did a stupid thing. I forgot my camera! Can you believe it? I was so bummed. So unfortunately, I don't have pictures (color me sad) but others had photos and I have many witnesses to say I was, in fact, there. Hopefully the next time I go to the Lone Star Conference I'll remember a camera. So here's a run-down of my experience... Friday was the Meet & Greet party at the 1st V.P. of my chapter's house. As always, Stacey is a wonderful hostess (her husband minion-ed with the best of them) and it had good food, good company, and good fun. A bunch of us gave James Scott Bell a tutorial on how to talk like a Texan, and he picked up very quick...

Happy Friday All, Yep, you read that right, it's Friday! It's also almost the end of October--where did the time go? Today I want to talk about pitching. Writers know that they have to be prepared to talk about our work--whether to friends and family, or to professionals. It can be nerve-wrecking. Especially if you don't know where to begin. Diane with Pitch University  is the answer to   writers' nerves and uncertainity about their pitching and query letters. In fact, I got her to help me with my pitch for the Lone Star Conference and I'm glad I did! She has a lot of articles/materials and information to prep authors to talk about their work to the agents and editors who will decide whether or not to request pages from them. She also has opportunities to video-pitch to real agents and editors who are guests on the website. A whole team of "minions" work with Diane and the site is just amazing. If you're preparing to pitch and/or send a ...

Happy Wednesday All, Tuesday's give away was a HUGE success! We had a ton of entries--I think probably over 60?  The winner of Kerrelyn Sparks' signed copy of Sexiest Vampire Alive is Debra G. (she emailed in her entry to me) and Debra's favorite vampire is Roman Dragnesti (whose story can be found in the first Love At Stake novel, How To Marry A Millionaire Vampire ). Thank you to everyone who entered. I noticed that Angus, Ian, Roman, and Robby were extremely popular. I saw a lot of Gregori and Phineas fans as well. Maybe I'll run a poll one day and find out which one wins. As you all know, on my birthday (Oct. 15th--this past Saturday) I attended the Northwest Houston RWA's Lone Star Conference . Alexandra Sokoloff was the keynote speaker and from what I heard (I wasn't in the conference room the whole time) she was really good. She seemed really nice--I met her briefly at the Meet & Greet party the night before.  A big round of applause, ku...

Happy Monday Everybody! While I'm trying to use up the rest of the pictures on the camera I got for the Lone Star Conference (my husband took the digital camera to the outing he took offspring on so I don't have the photos, yet). I'll tell you a bit about the Conference, then I've got a special announcement that has to do with a blog give away and my birthday. First of all, the Lone Star Conference was a blast. All the agents were very nice, and while I didn't talk to the editor much, she seemed like she was very nice, too. Alexandra Sokoloff gave some great advice, and she was very nice, too. She seemed like a really approachable person. I must give a lot of credit to the president and first vice president. They worked extremely hard figuring out who to have out and how to set it up. They were great at recruiting people to help them and those people did a fantastic job--so I give them all a round of applause. AND... I have an announcement: Have A ...

Happy Thursday All, Wow! I know I've been very silent lately. We've been battling infections--we thought they were allergies but turned into infections. I've been on an antibiotic for about 2-3 days now and offspring is going on an antibiotic and husband is trying to keep sore throat from needing to go to the doctor. Life is far from boring. NEW THING-- I am on Twitter now. Yep, I finally decided to just go ahead. I'm still trying to find my way...but you can find me on there @WriteBethanyBethany --profile has a pretty purple background (very fantasy looking, kinda romantic, so I thought it worked. Don't have a background of my own to load up at this point).  The Twitter Feed can be found in the right hand margin of my blog. I'm prepping for the Lone Star Conference --yes it's right around the corner--October 15, 2011--but there is still time to sign up to go! Beadmore Designs and authors Tess St. John  (Adult Romantic Suspense, Historical and Mystery...

Happy Monday Everybody! I hope you all had a good weekend :-) I had a great weekend. Friday night was the Meet & Greet for those attending the NWHRWA's Lone Star Conference . ( Click to go to the NWHRWA's Website ) In this relaxed atmosphere, I got to first meet Naomi Hackenberg of Elaine P. English PLLC . Naomi was very personable, and really nice. I also got acquainted with one of the Finalists of the Lone Star Contest for the YA Category--which I had been the category chair. It was a delight to meet her and soak up her enthusiasm. Keynote Speaker, Randy Ingermanson , was also at the Meet & Greet, so I got an opportunity to say hello to him. He also seemed very nice and has a good sense of humor :-) Christine Whitthohn was also in attendance. She also seemed very nice. I sat in with a small group and listened to her talk about the business during the Conference and she gave a wonderful talk during lunch. The Conference was incredible. We had door p...

Happy Friday All, Working with the Lone Star Contest (it's the annual contest hosted by NWHRWA) has been quite the experience. As a Category Chair, I have seen some stuff that, while I couldn't give an opinion because I wasn't one of the judges, but a part of me was thinking "I'd like to read this one!" If you haven't had a chance to help out with a contest, find a niche that fits you and go for it. You get to learn how the critique process goes, some of what happens behind the scenes, and you never know, you might see something awesome. I'm really excited about when we get to announce the finalists. I'm sure it will be a very positive experience. I can't announce the results here, since things have to be done through the official channels, but I am going to say, it's been one of the parts of the Contest I've really been looking forward to--that is, giving that news to people that their story is going on to the final judges! Ent...

Happy Tuesday All, There is less than 62 days until the NWHRWA's annual Lone Star Conference. In the margins of this blog you'll see a little ticker with a black cat (in honor of one of my characters in a manuscript I'm in the process of writing) telling how long until the Conference and if you click on some of the words below it, they'll take you to the NWHRWA's Conference site. Some of you might remember how I went on and on about Todd Stone last year . This year, it's 3 agents and Randy Ingermanson of the Snow Flake Method .  Christine Whitthohn from Book Cents Literary Agency is scheduled to speak during lunch. Then, if that wasn't enough to whet your appetite for a writers' conference, there's 2 other agents as well:  Naomi Hackenberg from Elaine P. English, PLLC and Amy Boggs from Donald Maas Literary Agency. Last year was an incredible experience...with book signings and all kinds of things. I don't know everything that's planned...

Happy Thursday All, NWHRWA has the rest of the information up on the upcoming October Conference. Please head over to the page for more information .  Looks like it's gonna be a good one! Have A Thrilling Thursday!