I’ve really been limited in what I feel comfortable talking about on the blog for the last few years, ever since I realized people actually read this thing. Honestly, I have a lot of anxiety about sharing my thoughts on the internet. Mr. Stewart, he of the 10 thousand twitter followers, does not have these qualms. But I’m a shy, sensitive sort, and so I worry about how strangers perceive me and how one might take my words out of context and generally doing things wrong on the internet.

I’m going to worry less about what other people think about me, stress less about blogging grammatically correct sentences, and embrace the creative community that the internet can be when we aren’t being snarky drama queens. I’m poking my head out of my shell again to share the light of my creativity with the world one post at a time. I can’t guarantee that I’ll post regularly, but it’ll be a sight more than never.

Until then, mes amis, this is good night and good luck.

Follow along online or in person. There are happy hour, late night, and author reading events as part of the writing marathon. Check out the full schedule online. The event raises money for literacy programs in our fair city, including 826 Seattle and Seattle Arts & Lectures’ Writers in the Schools Program.

Seattle Public Library’s Shelf Talk blog asked some of the writers what their favorite books on writing are. Classics by Donald Maass and Stephen King made the list, but the other four I haven’t heard of. I see a trip to the library in my future.

Shelli Stevens

TAKE ME AWAY contest!

ENTERING THE CONTEST (short version)
To enter the contest, share the sprout widget from her contest page (it isn’t wordpress compatible) on one of your social networking pages. Leave a comment in her contest post with a link to your blog entry or wherever you’ve posted the graphic and your answer to the following question: If you could close your eyes and just be Taken Away somewhere at this moment, where would you go?

Romance Extravaganza

Meet some of your favorite best-selling romance authors on a day dedicated to romance readers and book lovers.

Saturday, May 2, 11:30am–2:30pm

Covington Library

Meet the Authors

11:30am – Keynote Address by Amanda Quick

Noon – Book Signing Party with all participating authors

12:30pm – Historical Romance Panel with Amanda Quick, Elizabeth Boyle and Gerri Russell

1:30pm – Paranormal Romance Panel with Cherry Adair, Stella Cameron, Yasmine Galenorn, Alexis Morgan

Sponsored by the Covington Friends of the Library and the Greater Seattle Chapter of Romance Writers of America.

Books will be for sale at this event.

Pat White & Alexis Morgan!

Please join us on Sunday March 15th at 2:00 p.m. for tea.

Each author will be promoting their latest releases as well as answering questions, signing books and doing a short reading. There will be tea, of course, as well as other refreshments. Your attendance and support for fellow local authors as well as local independent bookstores would be greatly appreciated.

We hope to see you there!

McDonald’s Book Exchange
The Northwest’s Premier Romance Treasure Trove
16415 NE 83rd St.
Redmond, WA 98052
425.885.4773
888.830.2414
Here’s a link to a map!

Alexis Morgan
DARKNESS UNKNOWN, Pocket Star, Feb. 2009

Gwen Mosely’s life changes forever when she stumbles across a handsome stranger, unconscious and left for dead in the woods behind her farm. Cut up and bleeding, he’s barely survived a vicious battle, but the real shock is how quickly his wounds heal—a gift he shares with Gwen’s teenaged half-brother Chase.

Jarvis Donahue can’t keep his eyes—or his strong, capable hands—off the sexy redhead who rescued him. He finds warmth of Gwen’s smile and the desire in her eyes are impossible to resist, but there’s a problem. Jarvis immediately recognizes Chase as a fellow Paladin in the making, a warrior born to defend mankind in the relentless battle against the Others. Neither Gwen nor the boy know it yet, but Chase will need Jarvis’s help coping with the compulsion to fight that is written in his blood and in his bones. Although Gwen may hate him for it, Jarvis is duty-bound to secretly introduce Chase to the dangerous fate they both share.

As the barrier between the two worlds weakens, the threat grows perilously close to Gwen’s farm. Jarvis is torn between protecting his lover, but without revealing his true identity, or betraying his people’s secret and risk losing her forever.

Pat White
UNDERCOVER STRANGER, Harlequin Intrigue, Mar. 2009

(featuring a heroine named Ciara who lives in Seattle. What’s not to love? )

He suspected she wasn’t as innocent as she claimed…

With her girl-next-door looks and quaint doll museum, Ciara O’Malley seemed innocent. But she was secret agent Griffin Black’s number one suspect for a terrible crime and he knew how to get close enough to uncover her illicit activities. By seducing the truth right out of her. Then walking away. Except all of Griff’s make-believe attraction turned surprisingly real once Ciara became a target herself. Suddenly Griff found himself protecting Ciara rather than using her. And yet, even with all his special training, Griff didn’t know which was more frightening—how deep this criminal network ran…or how far one beautiful redhead had worked her way under his skin.

• What’s Your Story??? A Writing Workshop
  Newport Way Library, Sundays March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and April 5, 1-3pm
  We all have stories to share. This six-week workshop provides an opportunity to try creative writing – fiction, nonfiction, memoir – in a nurturing atmosphere. Marketing your material will also be discussed. All writing levels welcome. Please register online or call 425.747.2390.
  Sponsored by the Newport Way Library Association.
• Writing Novels for Kids and Young Adults
  Sunday, March 15, 3:30pm
  Ages 13 and older welcome
  North Bend Library
  Join local children’s author Kevin Emerson for a workshop and discussion about writing and publishing for young readers. Author of a hardcover novel, Carlos is Gonna Get It, and a paperback series, Oliver Nocturne, Kevin draws from his own experiences to cover topics such as generating ideas, developing a ‘voice’ for young readers, writing a manuscript, and getting published. Be prepared to write!
• Power Editing
  presented by thriller author Bob Dugoni
  Sunday, March 22, 2pm
  Mercer Island Library
  Now that you have typed, “The End” – you’re finished. Or are you? Review the common mistakes novelists make and how to fix them before submitting to an agent or editor. Learn five steps to editing your manuscript including: making judgments about your protagonist and antagonist, evaluating secondary characters, tightening the manuscript, reviewing word and sentence choice and polishing your work to eliminate typos and spelling errors.
• Monday • March 30 • 7pm
  Fantastic Fiction Salon with Nancy Kress: Planning Your Novel
  Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Avenue, Seattle
  What do you need to know before you begin writing your novel? The full cast and everything that will happen? Only the first scene? The ending? This workshop will explore decisions to help you plan that book you always wanted to write, or perhaps are writing now: plotting, choosing characters and point of view, starting strong, structuring and pacing for the long haul, research, and “the promise of the ending.” The day will include lecture, discussion, samples of professional work, and writing exercises. You’ll come away with a draft for what you want your novel to be.Sponsored by NW MediaArts, Richard Hugo House, and University Book Store. $5 donation at the door.
• Getting Started and Moving in the Right Direction
  presented by thriller author Bob Dugoni
  Tuesday, March 31, 7pm
  Bellevue Regional Library
  From the initial query letter to your published novel, the writer must convey they understand classic story structure. This NY Times best-selling author will provide in-class exercises and assignments to help students better understand story structure so they can evaluate their novel’s plot. Learn the four stages to writing and determine if you should or shouldn’t, outline.

The Deadline for Clarion West applications is March 1:

Clarion West is an intensive six-week workshop for writers preparing for ­pr­ofession­al careers in science fiction and fantasy, held annually in Seattle, Washington, USA. The 2009 workshop will run from June 21 through July 31. For more information on the workshop and how to apply, visit our Workshop page.

Author Signings:

• February 27th – March 1st
  Celebrate Romance 2009
  Portland, OR
  Conference where romance readers and authors come together as equals to celebrate their love for the romance genre. Unlike many other conferences, this gathering has no other agenda but to support readers and their passion for romance novels.
• Monday • March 2 • 7pm
  Kim Harrison
  White Witch Black Curse (The Hallows, Book 7) (WILLIAM MORROW)
  Reading & Book Signing
  University Book Store in Seattle
• Saturday • March 7 • 5 PM
  Mark Henry, Lauren Dane and Caitlin Kittredge
  Signing books, giving stuff away, harassing customers
  Barnes and Noble: 300 Andover Park W. #200, Seattle
• Tuesday • March 17 • 7pm
  The Paranormal Bender Tour: Four Authors, Seven Days, One Hell of a Road Trip
  Mario Acevedo (Jailbait Zombie), Mark Henry (Road Trip of the Living Dead), Caitlin Kittredge (Second Skin), and Cherie Priest (Fathom) are cruising the west coast for five evenings of witches, vamps, shapeshifters, zombies and all things weird. Just look for the classic Impala and listen for the questionable content, as the authors read choice selections from their latest works, bandy about prizes and sign their new releases. The Paranormal Bender Tour is for mature audiences only—though an immature sense of humor is welcome and even encouraged. So bring your fangs, your cauldrons, and your appetite for brains. This is a night for kindred spirits and killer stories, from the demented minds of four of the most twisted purveyors of paranormal fiction (and a few special guests).

JANUARY

• January 10: 1pm
  Writing workshop with Jayne Ann Krentz
  University Bookstore – Bellevue
  Writing workshop and celebration of the publication of Running Hot. Free – Please rsvp to ubs_events_bellevue@earthlink.net for a seat at the workshop
• Monday • January 26 • 7pm
  Fantastic Fiction Salon with Eileen Gunn
  Eileen Gunn, winner of the Nebula award and author of “Stable Strategies and Others,” reads and discusses her work. $5. Co-sponsored by Richard Hugo House. www.nwmediaarts.com
  Richard Hugo House Cabaret, 1634 11th Avenue, Seattle
  Sponsored by NW MediaArts, Richard Hugo House, and University Book Store.
• Wednesday • Januray 28 • 7pm
  Lois McMaster Bujold
  The Sharing Knife: Volume 4: Horizon (EOS)
  Reading & Book Signing
  U District store
  Lois McMaster Bujold, a multi-Hugo award winner and fantasy fan favorite, presents the fourth book in her popular Sharing Knife series. In the world of the soldier-sorcerer Lakewalkers and ancient magic, Dag Hickory is deepening his understanding of his power. And becoming someone—or something—different.

FEBRUARY

• Tuesday • February 3 • 7pm
  Patricia Briggs
  Bone Crossed (Mercy Thompson, Book 4) (ACE)
  Reading & Book Signing
  U District store
• Monday • February 16 • 7pm
  Christopher Moore
  Fool: A Novel (WILLIAM MORROW)
  Reading & Book Signing
  U District store

MARCH

• Monday • March 2 • 7pm
  Kim Harrison
  White Witch Black Curse (The Hallows, Book 7) (WILLIAM MORROW)
  Reading & Book Signing
  U District store

Author Jennifer Ashley (AKA Allyson James AKA Ashley Garner) shares the books she would bring if stranded on a desert island. She writes historical, paranormal, contemporary, and erotic romance, historical mystery, and historical mainstream fiction. Her latest book will thrill fans of tortured heroes:

IMMORTALS: THE REDEEMING

For centuries they have walked among us–vampires, shape-shifters, the Celtic Sidhe, demons, and other magical beings. Their battle to reign supreme is constant, but one force holds them in check, a race of powerful warriors known as the IMMORTALS

He is going to take her. And it won’t be gentle. After all, the last 700 years of torture and captivity haven’t been gentle on Tain. This woman, this half-demon who leaves him burning with desire, is pretty tough herself. She needs to be, for the world is not safe for demon-kind these days. A violent backlash has disrupted the balance of power, and now Tain finds he may have to rescue the dark ones instead of fight them. He feels compelled to protect the alluring Samantha–whether she wants him to or not–but all he can think of is seduction. Ultimately, she’ll either destroy him or bring exactly what he needs most…THE REDEEMING

Watch the book trailer:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBPa90O0VuM&eurl=http://www.jennifersromances.com/index.html]

In other, more exciting news, hawt paranormal romance author Larissa Ione is hosting a party with tons of givaways and author interviews. On Ms. Ione’s day of fun, she will be giving away four ARCs of DESIRE UNCHAINED. You know it’s gonna be good. I am counting down the days for Shade’s story. The party is hopping on her group blog WriteMinded. Some lucky sod will be selected to win one of two Grand Prizes, see below.

Grand Prize #1: A Writeminded Tote Bag filled with SIGNED books by the Writeminded authors, including:
Brazen by Maya Banks
For Her Pleasure by Maya Banks
Sweet Surrender by Maya Banks
Long Road Home by Sharon Long
The Boy Next Door by Amy Knupp
Doctor in Her House by Amy Knupp
Wild, Wicked and Wanton by Jaci Burton
Riding Wild by Jaci Burton
Surviving Demon Island by Jaci Burton
Hunting the Demon by Jaci Burton
Riding the Storm by Sydney Croft
Unleashing The Storm by Sydney Croft
Seduced by The Storm by Sydney Croft
Hot Nights, Dark Desires by Sydney Croft, Stephanie Tyler and Eden Bradley
Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione
Coming Undone by Stephanie Tyler
Risking It All by Stephanie Tyler
Beyond His Control by Stephanie Tyler

Grand Prize #2: An eBookwise-1150 eBook Reading Device

The delightful and talented Meljean Brook interviewed at the 2nd Rose City Romance Book Signing at Powell’s Cedar Hill Crossing on September 19th. Ms. Brook writes the paranormal romance series The Guardians. Her complex mythology, imaginative world building and compelling characters make The Guardians a series not to be missed. The seventh book in the series, DEMON BOUND, comes out the first week in November. Stay tuned for her most engaging hero yet…

DEMON BOUND

Novice Guardian Jake Hawkins has a power that could help Alice Grey out of her deal with a demon. But in helping her, he never expects to fall in love. Now fleeing for their lives, they are about to discover a secret that will change their universe forever.