Should I Tell Them...?

Happy Thursday Everyone!

Life has been busy lately. I've been writing more regularly, which is awesome. Nothing is ready for you, yet, darling readers,  but don't despair. If I'm writing it means that work is one step closer to being in your hands.

Lately I've been thinking a lot about how readers perceive their relationship with writers. The gap is less wide nowadays thanks to social media and the like; however, I still sometimes run across readers who are surprised that writers would want to hear from them.

Let me put it to you like this: a while back I heard about a high school classroom that needed books, so I sent copies of some of my Immortal Dreams books (I don't know if it was all of them or the first three). The teacher sent me a card thanking me and telling me her students had already picked them up. I didn't need the teacher to send me a thank you, I was happy to send the books. But that card made my day. It's taped to my dresser mirror and I can see it every single day. It reminds me that my stories are fun and appealing. That I can tell a good tale.

There are other moments similar to that where a reader made my day simply because they told me they enjoyed my work. My day seemed brighter and I couldn't help smiling one of my biggest smiles. It makes me so happy that people are having fun and enjoying what I do. And I love hearing about it, too.

Gary Chapman has a book called The Five Love Languages.  After reading the book I figured out I was "Words of Affirmation". But I'm not the only one. Other authors really enjoy hearing from their readers. It means a lot when we've touched your heart somehow. Or made you fly away on some fantastic adventure. Somehow we made your afternoon, your day, whatever--maybe even touched your life--means a lot. It's a big part of why I, and so many other authors, do what we do.

So go ahead. Send that email to your favorite author telling them how much you enjoy reading their novels. Let them know you had fun. Ask them about characters or when their next book is coming out. They'll be glad to hear from you.

And who knows...they might even write you back. I can't guarantee it, but it could happen. Either way, our readers are important to us. You all are the reason we can do this. We've got stories to share, but we need you to be able to share them.

So, on behalf myself, and other authors...thank you, thank you, thank you so much!

Have A Thrillingly Terrific Thursday!

You Mean It Isn't That...?

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 (or any other romance novelist) for any amount of time are also aware of the vastness of the genre. There are so many sub-genres (no, I haven't tallied them up, but I imagine they keep expanding). Romances sometimes even contain some kind of mystery--even murder (example, Christie Craig's The Cop Who Stole Christmas). I'd venture to say that if one looks hard enough there's bound to be something for everyone. In my novels, I've got adventure, romance, suspense, humor--you name it.

The point is, Romance writers don't encompass just one thing. They're NOT all like whatever is popular (for example, I've gotten "Oh you write Romance...like Fifty Shades Of Grey?" and I've also gotten, "Oh, like Twilight?") No, it's a vast, expansive--whatever adjective you want to use to say the word "big"--genre and industry.

And we love our readers. Romance writers are incredibly big on being good to their readers. Case in point: author Elizabeth Hunter often does "Five Friday"--a live Facebook video where she answers reader questions/comments and talks about her upcoming work. She also does giveaways. I've done several giveaways. I also carry around swag (bookmarks) for people that include information on how to find me so if they want to know more they can find that information.

I honestly think that no matter your gender or background, you probably can find a romance that suits your tastes (I've even seen little bits of romance in mid-grade...like Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine or Betsy & Joe and Betsy's Wedding both by Maud Hart Lovelace). (P.S. If you have a kid 10 years or older who is interested in writing and you live near Brewster, NY, Gail Carson Levine is doing a 6-week workshop!)

In any case, the Romance genre is one of the biggest (if not the biggest) genres out there. And the comments I've mentioned don't really bother me; however, they do remind me that there are a lot of stereotypes and at one point, yes, there probably was something to them (when there weren't a lot of options) but the genre has come a LONG way since then.

So, go ahead, and enjoy the genre. I know I do!

Have A Magically Marvelous Monday!

It's That Time Again...

Happy Wednesday Everybody!

I'm one tired chica. For the last 4 nights either dizziness (due to allergies) or Youngest Offspring has made sure I don't get a full-night's sleep. In fact, I don't think I've slept from 11 p.m. to 8 or 9 a.m. in over a year. I imagine it's part and parcel of the whole Mommy-gig. But since I know things could be much worse, I suppose I should thank the Lord this is all I'm up against in terms of being a mom at the moment.

The NWHRWA has opened up registration for the annual Fall Conference--the Lone Star Writer's Conference, which is happening Saturday, October 1st. This conference is open to ALL writers, NOT just Romance novelist. So you Thriller, Suspense, Horror, and such, you can come, too. YA and NA writers, you come, too. It's open to ALL writers.

The fabulous NY Times Best Seller, Kerrelyn Sparks, will be

Me, KERRELYN SPARKS, and author Christie Craig

talking about world building and all of that fun stuff. We have another speaker for the afternoon--someone I've never heard before, but she sounds great, too. Her name is Jennifer Fusco, and she'll be speaking on promotion.

More details can be found on the website, which if you click right here, it'll take you straight to the information on the conference.

Trust me, you do NOT want to miss. We have a lot of fun. There are raffle baskets (great stuff are in those, believe me--I plan on bringing at least one for the raffle, so don't you want to come and see what I'm giving away?) I have to double-check, but I believe lunch is included, and we usually have something out for breakfast. This is southern hospitality, folks, and we don't skimp on the welcoming.

As of the writing of this blog post, they're waiting on the reservation code for hotel rooms, but I'm told that will be available soon. We especially encourage any Lone Star Writer's Contest finalists to come because we do a whole announcement for that.

I've already turned in my registration...have you?

Have A Wonderfully Whimsical Wednesday!

A-Conferencing We Will Go...

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 go once, just to gain the experience and see what it's like.

If you're interested in more information on RWA Nationals, please don't hesitate to look up their website here. RWA has a ton of information available, not just for Romance writers, but often writing in general. It does mostly cater to Romance writers, but I know some Non-Romance writers who have benefited from information RWA provided.

So, for those of us who can't attend Nationals and would like to go to a writer's conference, what are our options?

Many RWA chapters have conferences throughout the year that cost less. They're smaller, and generally only offer one or two topics, but sometimes that's what's best for a writer (every writer is different and they have to decide what works for them in terms of conference options).

My RWA chapter--NWHRWA has an annual Fall conference every year that takes place the first Saturday in October. The nice thing is, this is usually when the weather is getting cooler in Texas so you're not as likely to melt (you're welcome) and we generally have one or two topics, so it's focused, and sometimes intense--but gives you more opportunity to use your energy to learning one thing at a time and soak it up. (If that's your preference).

I'm excited for my chapter, NWHRWA, Lone Star Writer's Conference this year. We have a great line up planned:

 

Lone Star Conference

Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016

Location:  Hilton Garden Inn -- Houston Cypress Station

160 Wagon Point Houston, TX 77090  Room Rates:

 $92 plus tax (reservation link coming soon!)

from a while back
me, author Kerrelyn Sparks,
and author Christie Craig
at one of Christie's book signings

Conference Fee:

 $120 chapter members/$130 non-members (registration link soon)

Speakers Include:

NYT Best-Selling Author, Kerrelyn Sparks, and 

Jennifer Fusco, author and marketing wiz of Market Or Die

Publishing Houses: Casablanca (by Sourcebook), TBA

Agencies: SBR Media

Conference Features:

Morning pitch appointments, Afternoon Pitch "speed dating"

Raffle Baskets (items to be raffled off)

2016 Lone Star Contest Awards

We will have a meet & greet at the hotel on Friday evening at 6pm.

Saturday's event will include a full breakfast and lunch, with snacks. 

Morning pitch appointments with publisher and agent.

In the afternoon it will be done "speed-dating" style.

Please watch the NWHRWA website for information.

The information will be on the website soon including the registration code

for the hotel and link to register for the conference itself.

We welcome Romance writers, as well as Non-Romance writers to 

this conference, so if you're not a Romance writer, don't let the 

Romance part stop you from coming!

Have A Marvelously Merry Monday!

And The World Keeps Moving...

Happy Friday Everyone,

Also, Happy September--yay, Fall is on its way!

Not only am I late posting this during the day, but I'm also behind on blog posts. I've been working hard on edits and a bunch of things going on in my life, so I had to put blog updates on hold. I don't know what next week will bring in the way of blog posts, but I'll try to post more.

I'm not the only busy one around here. While I'm hiding under the editing rock, the world keeps spinning around me (which is a good thing!)

So, I'm going to tell you to what's going on in the order I heard/found out about it:

In October I'll be posting another official book review. This is one where the author has asked me to do this. I've started the book in question and I'll be setting a date, soon.

Adult Romance author, Robin Badillo's Whiskey Road is now available on Amazon Kindle.

My book review of Christie Craig's new release (adult Romance), Don't Mess With Texas was quoted by Christie in her blog post on Killer Fiction. (Arrow down on that post to see what part of my review she quoted). I was deeply honored that she liked it so much that she'd quote it.

The very talented Jennifer Bray-Weber's Blood And Treasure (adult Romance) is on a poll for Historical Book to read this month on iBookBuzz.  Please everyone go vote for Blood And Treasure! (Oh, if you don't have Blood And Treasure...there's several ways you can pick up a copy:  Amazon Kindle, Amazon Paperback and Barnes & Noble Nook).

Shanna Swendson, the author of the awesome Enchanted, Inc. books says that it's up to the publishers if book #5 gets out. I'm hoping that the publisher will agree to publish Book 5. I encourage y'all to pick up this series--all 4 of the books. They're Fantasy (I've found them in the General Fiction aisle at Barnes & Noble, but they're available through Amazon and online at Barnes & Noble as well).

Teri Thackston's new adult action/thriller novel, Border Heat, is available on Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook.



Also, reminder:  the  Lone Star Conference hosted by the Northwest Houston Romance Writers of America (NWHRWA) is happening on October 15, 2011. You do NOT have to write Romance to attend the Conference (we invite authors of all genres). Screenwriters are also invited. Please be sure to let other authors you're acquainted with know about this conference. I've attended it  in 2009 and 2010. Both years were excellent and I had a great time. This year looks like it's going to be just as awesome. Authors/writers...you won't want to miss an opportunity to learn more and have fun with other authors.

Anyway, what are you reading these days?

Have A Fantastical Friday!

Not To Be Missed: Lone Star Conference--Keynote Speaker Alexandra Sokoloff

Happy Monday All,

So...did y'all notice the new addition on the top of the margin on the right hand side?

Yes...it's that time again...registration time for the Lone Star Conference!

The Northwest Houston Romance Writers of America is inviting writings near and far to come join us for fun, pitching appointments, a keynote speaker (Alexandra Sokoloff), and a great group of writers who are waiting to welcome you to the Lone Star State. Whether you write Romance or something else, I urge you to think about coming down. I attended the last 2 Lone Star Conferences and it was and awesome experience both times.

I plan (God willing) to be at the conference for a third year. To me, it's a great way to celebrate my birthday!  (Yep, you read that right. The Lone Star Conference falls on my birthday this year...October 15th).

Anyway...I hope writers all over will come and visit the Lone Star State and hang out with us NWHRWA members. We'd love to have you.

What events are you looking forward to?

Have A Magnificent Monday!

The Lone Star Shines

Happy Monday Folks,

I'm posting this way later in the day than I normally would, but there's several things going on in my life right now (not bad, just several things) so if I miss a day posting (or post later in the day), that's why.

The NWHRWA's Annual Lone Star Conference is still accepting early entries--early bird discount won't last much longer (early bird discount ends on May 25, 2011 at midnight).

Oh and writers/authors--the NWHRWA Lone Star Conference is in October!

Have A Merry Monday!

What To Call Yourself?

Happy Friday All,

I would've posted this earlier, but I wasn't feeling well last night. I'm doing better today, though. (YAY!)

Yesterday, NWHRWA's President, Jenn, was on Four Foxes One Hound Blog posting about calling oneself a writer. It's a great post, by the way, and I give Jeff (the hound) a lot of credit for hosting Jenn. She's smart and funny and most definitely a writer.

The other blog post I wanted to talk about was NWHRWA's Vice President, Stacey, being hosted by Jenn on Muse Tracks. Stacey is also very funny and smart. She and Jenn have a great dynamic working together to head up NWHRWA.

When I grow up I want to be a published author. I'm already an adult, so one down, one to go!

Question for the day:  What did you want to be when you grew up? Did you end up being what you wanted to be, or did you change your mind?

Have A Fantastic Friday!

If You Thought Yesterday Was A Hint...

Happy Tuesday Folks,

Oh. My. Gosh. This contest, as I like to say, "rocks my socks". I'm not through putting together details (I'm giving myself and the people involved some space to check up on one part of it). But the prizes that are being donated are gonna be good!

I can't list the prizes (yet), but I'm telling you, those that are donating (and I can't reveal them, yet, either) are really generous beings and they have my most heartfelt gratitude for helping me out in that area.

So far I do know I will be running this contest 3 days--giving away something every day, which is fabulous, because then I can have a new winner and really get this party going.

Other than author interviews, (which I got one scheduled for February, and working on scheduling a March one) I've never done anything this big on my blog before. (LOL, unless you want to count the times I posted parodies that I wrote).

So far it looks like I'll run the contest next week--I'll let you know if that changes. (Yes, when I said soon, I meant it).

Gather your friends, gather all readers, and writers...this is gonna be big. Maybe a little cheesy (because I like cheesy--and besides we have to have a little fluff in our lives) but it's also a really awesome thing.

This week will be preparation week. I hope to run this contest next week.

But be sure to check back here daily for updates and news.

Oh and while you're at it...

Since yesterday was about heroes...let's talk heroines. What makes a good heroine in your eyes? Do you have a favorite, and if so, who?

Have A Terrific Tuesday!