I’ve been MIA since I’m working hard to finish my manuscript by tomorrow’s deadline. At midnight I turn into a pumpkin. Mark your calendars for the upcoming Emerald City Writers’ Conference Book Fair on October 10th. We have a fabulous list of authors, mostly romance but also some fantasy. Come join us and be sure to say hi!

Local Book Fair Offers Opportunity to Chat with Best Selling Authors

The Greater Seattle Romance Writers of America is sponsoring a Book Fair on October 10, 2009 at the Bellevue Hilton. The event runs from 4:30-6:00 pm in the Skyview Ballroom and includes signing opportunities with the more than fifty best selling and award winning authors listed below. This is a free event and open to the public. A portion of the proceeds will go to support DAWN, the Domestic Abuse Women’s Network of King County. The Bellevue Hilton is located at 300 112th Avenue SE in Bellevue, Washington. Their phone number is 425-455-1300.

Cherry Adair
PJ Alderman
Elizabeth Amber
Susan Andersen
Jenna Bayley Burke
Hanna Rhys Barnes
Susan Colleen Browne
Mary Buckham
Wendy Burge
Megan Chance
Eileen Cook
Deborah Cooke
Lacy Danes
B.J. Daniels
Heather Davis
Claire Delacroix
Cait Donnelly
Robert Dugoni
Bonnie Edwards
Yasmine Galenorn
Lisa Hendrix
Mark Henry
Lisa Jackson
Delle Jacobs
Paty Jager
Jean Johnson
Janice Kay Johnson
Rosemary Jones
Kris Kennedy
Cindy Kirk
Anthea Lawson
Linda Hope Lee
Anne Lethbridge
Jennie Lucas
Susan Lyons
Kate MacAlister
Susan Mallery
Margaret Mallory
Delilah Marvelle
Phoebe Matthews
Bob Mayer
Terry McLaughlin
Minette Meador
Mima
Debra Mullins
Hannah Murray
Alexis Morgan
Jane Porter
Therese Daly Ramin
Terri Reed
Serena Robar
Gina Robinson
Jacquie Rodgers
Gerri Russell
Jessa Slade
Shelli Stevens
Christine Warren
Susan Wingate
Linda Wisdom
Robin Wood
Michelle Ann Young

It’s that time again: send in your entries to the Emerald City Open (ECO) and sign up for the Emerald City Writer’s Conference for fabulous workshops, the chance to dazzle agents and editors, and a rollicking good time with fellow writers. I had a lovely time last year and intend to be there this year too.

Conference registration begins May 16th.

ECO contest deadline June 1st.

Christine Warren at ECWC 2008

20th Anniversary
Emerald City Writer’s Conference
Sponsored by the Greater Seattle Romance Writer’s of America
October 9-11, 2009
Bellevue Hilton
Bellevue, Washington

• Editor & Agent Appointments
• Educational & Inspirational Sessions
• Bookfair
• Chat Sessions with Your Favorite Authors
• Social Events for Networking

Join us as we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the first Emerald City Writers Conference. In addition to group editor and agent appointments, the conference features educational sessions taught by published authors and experts in their field. Classes cover everything from the writing craft to online marketing. Chat sessions with best selling authors are also featured.

The annual bookfair offers opportunities to mingle with your favorite authors. Several social events provide opportunities for networking with other writers, published authors, editors and agents making this annual conference a not-to-miss event.

Our Speakers
Keynote Speaker: Claire Delacroix
Featured Speakers: Lisa Jackson & Christine Warren

Special Guests
Cherry Adair, Elizabeth Boyle, Stella Cameron, Megan Chance, Bob Dugoni, Yasmine Galenorn, Susan Mallery, Bob Mayer, Jane Porter and more!

Editor & Agent Appointments
Registrants are offered the opportunity to pitch in group appointments to editors and agents of their choice; appointments are scheduled on a first come, first served basis, so register today! Emerald City Opener finalists will receive private appointments.

Editors
• Wanda Ottewell, Editor: Harlequin
• Peter Senftleben, Editor: Kensington
NOTE: Peter will also be speaking at a session entitled “The Editor/Author Relationship: How to work with your editor from the call to published book and beyond”
• Megan McKeever, Editor: Pocket Books

Agents
• Steven Axelrod, Agent: The Axelrod Agency
• Alexandra Machinist, Agent: Linda Chester Literary Agency
NOTE: Alexandra is also speaking at a session entitled “What Every Agent Wishes Every Author Knew.”
• Vivian Chum, Agent: Prospect Agency

Registration is limited. To register, visit www.gsrwa.org.

Emerald City Opener
Deadline June 1

Does your first scene compel editors to ask for more?
Your opener is the hook that attracts an editor or makes a potential reader decide to purchase your book.

Polish the first seven pages of your manuscript and send them to the Emerald City Opener Contest. You will receive feedback in the form of detailed score sheets. Your judges (published writers or Golden Heart finalists and winners) are encouraged to include comments on your entry. First, second, and third place winners in each category will receive an award certificate and an individual editor or agent appointment at the Emerald City Writers’ Conference (Oct. 9-11, 2009). In addition, the first place winner in each category will receive a $25 gift card.