Seattle romance authors were out in force last weekend at the Emerald City Writers Conference. Aspiring authors, published authors and avid readers converged on the Bellevue Hilton for three days of motivational speeches, writing workshops and more cake than any sane person could eat. Editor and Agent pitches, overflowing raffle baskets and career milestone recognitions rounded out the fun-filled frenzy. I met amazing women who speak my language. It was thrilling.

Highlight 1: In which Susan Mallery launches us on a glorious quest

Susan Mallery gave the best speech of the weekend, sharing her path to publication and urging us to “show up.” She has written over one hundred books, and finally hit the best seller list after 18 years. At one point she received over fifty rejections within twenty months. She has two secrets to success: 1) Set Goals, and 2) Show up and do the work. The goal to “get published” is different from the goal to “have a career as an author.” The former is the wrong goal; it is not the same as making a living as a writer. (Donald Maass shares the same advice in his landmark book The Career Novelist, as well as advice on how to build the latter.)

After Ms. Mallery achieved her first goal, getting published, it took her twelve years to set another one. She urged the audience not to repeat her mistakes. “Make sure your goal is clear,” she said. “Know the path to get there. Most importantly, write it down.”

She encouraged us not to sell ourself short, but to reach for the stars. “Put your goal in the universe and it will happen,” she said. “You must set an impossible goal and show up to do the work.” In my head I began to hum “The Impossible Dream” from Man of La Mancha: This is my quest / To follow that star / No matter how hopeless / No matter how far.

Publishing may not be hopeless, but it is quite daunting. Ms. Mallery shared numbers: one in one-thousand will sell her novel. Less than fifty-percent of those will sell a second time. “You must believe in yourself,” she said. Don’t let the fear of failure hold you back.

She provided note cards to the audience so that we could write down our goals. I wrote two I have control over, and then, with Don Quixote singing in my head, wrote two that feel terrifyingly far away. Wish me luck.

Highlight 2: In which I am attacked by a boa

This fabulous thing snuck up behind me and wrapped its soft, molting length around my exposed neck. My eyes rolled up in my head as it sank its long fangs into my jugular and released its Diva energy directly into my blood…

My confirmation to RWA PRO membership came just in time for me to be honored with a fabulous feather boa during the Key Note luncheon. I have joined, according to the RWA, the ranks of the “almost published.”

PRO focuses on the business side of writing rather than craft and offers many benefits to its members. To be eligible to join PRO, RWA members must either provide proof that they have completed a romance manuscript and that they have submitted the manuscript to a publisher or literary agent.

Here I am with my fellow fashionistas.

Highlight 3: In which Julia Quinn makes copious lists (and I take copious notes)

The Key Note Address was given by delightful regency author Julia Quinn, whose latest book, Mr. Cavendish I Presume, recently hit #1 on the New York Times Best Seller list. We raised a glass in her honor. Julia’s lists:

Top Four Things I Learned Before Getting Published

1. When setting up work space, make sure you cannot reach the refrigerator without getting up from the chair.
2. There is no substitute for knowing your market. (Ms. Quinn didn’t join RWA until after publishing her first book. She used a Joanna Lindsay novel to count how many words should be in a manuscript.)
3. The only way to finish a book is to write. Writing has to be a priority. Just do it. (swoosh!)
4. Rejection is part of the journey.

What I Learned After Publishing – The Practical

1. Hit save on your computer every time you pause to think and back it up every night.
2. People on the cover of your book will never look like your characters do in your mind. Authors are notoriously bad judges of what looks good on a cover, because they overanalyze. A good cover makes an impression in under thirty seconds.
3. Marketing departments know a lot more than authors think they do. Give them consideration before you freak out.
4. Word of mouth is a one-way street. A book can sell based on buzz, but buzz can rarely sink it.

What I Learned After Publishing – The Inspirational

1. Make friends with other writers: they are people with common interests whose eyes will not glaze over when you talk covers and marketing.
2. You Must have a life outside of writing: it will force you to remember there are people who don’t notice Point Of View switches every time they read a book.
3. You will never hurt your career by helping another author.
4. Learn the importance and art of setting goals. Set short and medium-term goals alongside long ones. Make them achievable. Celebrate every milestone and every small victory.

Top Four Things to Never Forget

1. Everyone needs an editor. When you find a good one cherish her; throw yourself around her ankles and never let go.
2. Your writing will determine how far you get, but luck will determine how fast you get there.
3. We do important work: romance novels make people happy. Don’t ever forget to be proud of what you do.
4. Have fun!

Highlight 4: In which I attack authors with my fabulous boa and flip cam

The Book Fair was well attended by local, and not so local, romance and urban fantasy authors, and raised money for DAWN. I took a few Desert Island Interviews, before the batteries died, and bought more books than I had cash for. Proud member of Book Whores Anonymous. Star-struck, I only remembered to take a handful of photos. (clockwise from top: GSRWA President Shelli Stevens, Christine Feehan and Katie MacAlister, Allison Brennan, Mark Henry, Richelle Mead and Christine Warren.)

Highlight 5: In which Cherry Adair kicks butt and challenges us to a duel Write the Damn Book!

Every year at ECWC, Cherry Adair motivates aspiring authors to finish their book by offering prizes to participants who can write the book they pledge to write in one year. Full conference fees for ECWC and RWA Nationals, including airfare and hotel, National RWA dues and first chapter critiques were some of the extremely generous gifts she handed out at this years ceremony.

I signed up for this years challenge, pledging to write a 90,000 word dark paranormal romance tentatively entitled The Gates of Hell by October 1, 2009. I honestly hope to finish it by Christmas (NaNo’s coming), but hey, who’s counting? If I’m really good I’ll have the trilogy completed by the deadline.

A non-romance-reading friend recently asked me for paranormal romance recommendations. Of course I jumped at the chance to pimp books, but the pressure is hot. The mission, should I chose to accept it (and I did): She needs to be completely sucked in and addicted for life. It’s imperative. (Especially if I’m moving to Portland! I want her to join the Cheeky Pages Romance Book Group at Powell’s with me and attend all the Romance author signings in Cedar Hill Crossing.)

I wrote up a list of recommendations and started filling a box of books for her. Mr. Wonderful called me crazy, said I was going to scare her, and told me to tone it down, so I sent him to Portland with only 7 books from my shelves to tempt her to the dark side. Her reading tastes have been everywhere from chick lit to horror. My goal was to give her a wide cross-section so that she would have a better chance of finding her poison of choice. Does she prefer light or dark paranormals? High Fantasy or Urban Fantasy? Hot or sweet? Irreverent or serious? Here are the books I sent her, and my thoughts on the series to recommend NEXT if that book hits the spot, from DARK to LIGHT:

1. Bitten by Kelley Armstrong
   Next – Patricia Briggs‘ Mercy Thompson series, Ilona Andrews‘ Kate Daniels series
2. Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione
   Next – J.R. Ward‘s Black Dagger Brotherhood
3. Fantasy Lover, Dark-Hunter series by Sherrilyn Kenyon
   Next – Gena Showalter‘s Lord of the Underworld series
4. Lord of the Fading Lands by C.L. Wilson
   Next – Meljean Brook‘s Guardian Series
5. No Rest for the Wicked, Immortals After Dark series by Kresley Cole (I temporarily misplaced book 1. :0) Next – Nalini Singh‘s Psy/Changelings
6. You Slay Me (book 1), Aisling Grey, Guardian series by Katie MacAlister
   Next – Stephanie Rowe’s Goblet of Eternal Youth series
7. Bit the Jackpot, Vegas Vampires series by Erin McCarthy
   Next - Lyndsay Sands‘ Argeneau Vampire Series

I don’t own the first book in Nalini or Meljean’s series, otherwise I would have sent them. (I hope to get autographed copies for my forever shelf soon!) Would have sent Dark Lover and Moon Called, but my copies are already on loan to other friends.

What books would you recommend to a Paranormal Romance virgin? What books are out-of-this world that are guaranteed to get my friend addicted?

EDITED TO ADD: She’s starting with BITTEN!!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dilT46jbyiY]

Katie MacAlister‘s klutzy heroine, dragon anti-hero and hilariously snarky Newfoundland dog demon pack an excellent punch. On the lighter side of paranormal romance, YOU SLAY ME, book 1 in the Aisling Grey, Guardian, series, is one of my desert island keepers.

Did I mention how much I like book videos?

Where will you be April 25, 2009? Getting burnt to a crisp in Orlando at the Romantic Times Convention? Or embracing your inner vampire in the sun-free Pacific Northwest at KatieCon?

CROUCHING VAMPIRE, HIDDEN FANG
Author Katie MacAlister sent out more updates on her plans for KatieCon 2009, and it sounds like a lot of fun:

I’m envisioning an all day event with a buffet lunch, and probably either an afternoon tea, or some sort of afternoon dessert. There would definitely be a Q&A session, and also some games like romance Jeopardy (with prizes!), a raffle benefitting local charities, and even possibly a version of GothFaire with some fun folks brought in to read palms and tarot cards, take pictures of auras, do henna (temporary) tattoos, chair massages, etc.

If that isn’t enough to sway you from the RT Vampire Ball to rainy Sea-town (or Bellevue as the case may be), Katie may have copies of her May 09 book, Crouching Vampire, Hidden Fang, to give to attendees two weeks before anyone else gets them! Whoot!

TWILIGHT
From Vampires AND the Pacific Northwest to Vampires IN the Pacific Northwest: the trailer for Twilight is out and it looks…creepy. Note to self: must read Twilight before movie debut December 2. As you may know, I’m particularly attached to books set in my rainy state. Stephanie Meyer on why her vampires live in Forks:

For my setting, I knew I needed someplace ridiculously rainy. I turned to Google, as I do for all my research needs, and looked for the place with the most rainfall in the U.S. This turned out to be the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. I pulled up maps of the area and studied them, looking for something small, out of the way, surrounded by forest… And there, right where I wanted it to be, was a tiny town called “Forks.” It couldn’t have been more perfect if I had named it myself. I did a Google image search on the area, and if the name hadn’t sold me, the gorgeous photographs would have done the trick. (Images like these of the Hoh Rainforest (a short drive from Forks).

She’s correct, the Olympic Peninsula is BEAUTIFUL. Mr. Wonderful and I just came back from camping there and we didn’t get rained on! Quite the accomplishment for the world’s only temperate rain forest.

Where will I be in April? I dunno yet. I’ve always wanted to go to a masquerade ball, but the stories from this year’s RT Convention were less than appealing. What about you – which would you attend? Have you been to an RT Convention? Have you read Twilight? Are you going to see the movie?

Edited to add:

I’m so sad that Breaking Dawn is coming out during the RWA conference, because I’ll miss this awesome-sounding book release party at Powell’s City of Books. It makes me wish I lived in Portland:

COMING AUGUST 1: BELLA’S BALL
Unless you’ve been living under a rock lately, you’ve probably heard of a little someone named Stephenie Meyer. Between her popular vampirific YA series, the Twilight Saga, the film version of the first book, Twilight, (filmed in Oregon and releasing on December 12), and her new novel for adults, The Host, Meyer is quickly reaching a J. K. Rowling-level of fan devotion. That’s why, on Friday, August 1, we are thrilled to host Bella’s Ball, a midnight release party celebrating the long-awaited fourth book in the saga, Breaking Dawn. Come to Powell’s City of Books for fun and games. Enter our costume contest. Listen to a spooky DJ. You can even donate blood (easier than the vampire’s way) at a Red Cross blood mobile from 3:30-6:30 p.m. and be rewarded with priority line-placement when the book goes on sale. I know! Hold your squeals of joy, all of you in the Edward or Jacob camps. We’ll see you there!

Katie MacAlister, another wonderful SEATTLE author, has long been one of my favorite reads for her spunky characters and lol humor. One of my first romance novels was her book Men in Kilts and her Aisling Grey, Guardian, series is awesome. I adore Jim, the demon newfoundland.

KATIECON 2009? MAYBE…

Recently, some of the lovely folk over on the message forum have been talking about arranging a Minion Meet/Get-Together/mini KatieCon in the Seattle environs, since they know I am a shy little hermit who doesn’t travel much.

I started thinking about that, and after talking to my darling agent Michelle, we decided that rather than have just a couple of hours over a tea, we’d like to do a day-long event. The event would be held in the meeting room of a hotel, with one meal catered by the hotel (they do a great job with food). We’d also likely have some amusements–Michelle wants poker with prizes being exchanged for chips, rather than money (don’t ask Michelle about her Puzzle Pirates poker addiction–it’s just too, too shameful)–and probably a Q&A session with us both, books to be signed, a raffle benefitting a local charity, giveaways, etc.

This would not be a conference in the sense of workshops, agent appointments, etc. It would instead be a gathering of people who wanted to get together for a day to talk about dragons and Dark Ones, scarf down some delicious food, and generally have a good time.

Originally we were thinking of this fall for the KatieCon, but after consulting with Michelle, we feel April or May of next year would be better. Since attendance will be limited to keep me sane, I’d like to hear from those of you who would be interested in coming. There would be no charge for the event other than your travel and lodging expenses (if applicable), etc., and would likely be held on a Saturday. I have a May 2009 book, so it might be fun to have the event in the middle to end of April, so I could pass out early copies of the book.

If you are interested in coming to the Seattle area (the hotel where I’d have the event is actually in Bellevue, which is right next to Seattle) for this get-together, please drop me an e-mail (katie@katiemacalister.com) with:

• A vote for a Saturday in April 2009
• A vote for a Saturday in May 2009
• A vote for some other time

Once I see how many people are really interested in attending, then I will be able to make some decisions about dates, attendance limit, etc. Questions and comments are also welcome, so let me know what you think about the whole idea!

Best,

Katie

Did someone say Puzzle Pirates??? Funniest book ever (if you’ve played Puzzle Pirates)- Blow Me Down. I’ll be there, taking pictures and notes for you poor souls who don’t live in the most beautiful place in the world, the Pacific Northwest.

If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of reading Katie (I’ve read all but 2 of her books!), may I strongly suggest you read You Slay Me, the first book in the Aisling Grey, Guardian series.

Imagine this: a room full of scrumptious romance novels being signed by the brilliant goddess authors themselves. Heaven! Today, after taking in an enjoyable production of Spamalot at the Paramount Theater, I attended the Book Fair at the 2008 Emerald City Writers’ Conference. I was very excited to see some of my absolute favorite authors, but I was overcome by debilitating shyness, tying my tongue in knots so that I could barely ask for an autograph. All of the brilliant questions I had thought of in the preceding days went scattering out of my head; leaves to the wind. Pity. So you get a post in which I ruminate on what I should have said or asked or done, were I not such a spaz, rather than witty and unusual tidbits about your favorite authors.

Katie MacAlister

I met Katie first, as she was my first romance author crush. She writes mostly paranormals these days, but she also has done a few contemporaries and historicals. Her heroines are delightfully klutzy, spirited, foot-in-the-mouth types. Her stories are unique, imaginative, and funny. I bought three copies of her new book Ain’t Myth-Behaving, one for me, one for my mummy’s best friend who first turned me on to Katie (with Men in Kilts!), and one for my college roommate Rachael who first told me to read romance novels (whom I’m visiting in London). I am soooo excited for the upcoming release of Holy Smokes on November 6th (Book 4 in the Aisling Grey series) and managed to screw up my courage enough to ask her if she is planning any events for it. But no, she isn’t. and then I bolted, fraidy-cat that I am. What had I been planning to ask her? I wanted to know if she has a recipe for Dragon’s Blood, Aisling’s favorite drink. I know exactly what I think it tastes like – Glugg using my great-grandmother’s secret family recipe. (Glugg is a Swedish drink with spices that is set on fire.) I also really wanted to get autographed copies of Blow me Down (yes, the Puzzle Pirate romance novel) for presents for friends, but she didn’t have any.

Jenna Petersen

Jenna is the sweetest person and made me feel relaxed enough to have a short conversation with her. She asked if I was writing romance novels and I laughed, face red from embarrassment, and said no, I’m just a huge fan, because really, who could possibly think of writing when standing in the same room as all these uber talented ladies? Jenna writes historical romances set in Regency England as Jenna Petersen and erotic fiction as Jess Michaels. I bought a copy of her latest book Seduction is Forever, which is in the “Lady Spies” series, for myself, and a copy of Parlor Games for Rachael. I would have liked to ask about her path in becoming a writer (because she’s not too much older than me) and her process in getting the novel down on paper. But I know she’s probably answered those a thousand times. She has a great website called The Passionate Pen for people who dream of writing romance novels. It has info on publishing, agents and editors, submissions and articles on writing. There is a permanent link on the right-hand side of this blog under “Writers’ Links”.

Julia Quinn

I’ve now read all but one and a half books in the “Bridgerton Series”, which Julia just ended with the recently released On the Way to the Wedding, about Gregory Bridgerton. Unfortunately she had run out of copies of that book, so I got an autographed copy of The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever, which I love but already own. I pushed my copy off on my mother-in-law when she visited a few weeks ago (I’m a book pimp), so now I have a special autographed copy at home for general drooling over and re-reading when the mood suits me. The hero is kind of an ass, but I love Miranda’s strong spirit and hilarious commentary. Julia’s dialog rocks! My dialog, on the other hand, drooped miserably, and I ran away before I did something embarrassing, like kissing her feet. Oh, and then she said she had seen me on the internet (just from my name) and I was pleased and mortified at the same time. It’s terrifying to think that authors are actually reading this!

Elizabeth Boyle

I hunted down Elizabeth, and got an autographed copy of her new book Love Letters from a Duke. I had brought my copy of His Mistress by Morning, but was too shy to get it autographed too. Is that kosher at a book fair? I’ve never been to one before. Elizabeth writes Regency romances, and I first discovered her in one of the Regency anthologies that I previously posted about. She was knitting, and I could have asked her what she was making and start small talk there, but as usual my brain froze and I got my picture and scurried off. I liked the cover of the new book and I started reading it in the really long check-out line. I will probably stay up late reading it (instead of packing)!

Stephanie Rowe

Stephanie had a whole heap of new books out and I chose the latest issue in the “Immortally Sexy” aka Goblet-of-Youth series, Sex and the Immortal Bad Boy. Her paranormals are Funny. Satan, in particular, and Teresa, and really Becca and Nick and Satan Jr. and, well, all her characters are fantastic! The romance between Becca and her Markku in the last book, He Loves Me, He Loves Me Hot, was one of the best I’ve ever read. I loved the imagry of Nick pouring his love and emotions into Becca’s black vacuum of a soul. The long plane ride from Seattle to Copenhagen to London tomorrow will be a pleasure will all these new books!

Caroll Burnett has been singing this Once Upon a Mattress song in my head for the past few hours:

Though a lady may be dripping with glamour
As often as not she will stumble and stammer
When suddenly confronted with romance [authors].

This weekend is the 2007 Emerald City Writers’ Conference (incidentally, not held in the Emerald City, leading me to suggest “Romance Writing for Geographically Challenged Folks” as a new name), hosted every year by the Greater Seattle Romance Writers of America, held every year at the Bellevue Hilton. If you aren’t a writer but an avid fan, make sure you check out the Bookfair featuring some of my favorite authors, including Julia Quinn (pictured left), Katie MacAlister, Jenna Petersen, Stephanie Rowe, Elizabeth Boyle, and Alexis Morgan.

Down-and-Dirty FAQS:

When: Saturday, October 27, 2007 4 – 6pm
Where: Skyview Ballroom, Bellevue Hilton, 300 112th Avenue SE, Bellevue, WA
Why: Many fabulous Romance Writers will be there
Why2: A portion of the proceeds from the book sales will go to DAWN, Domestic Abuse Womens Network of South King County.

Spirited, headstrong and virginal, Elizabeth vows never to marry like her hero, feminist Mary Wollstonecraft. Unrepentant rake Lord Wallingford is drawn against his better judgement to the girl who spurns societies strictures, despite his irritation at the upheaval she brings to his life. They fall in love, get married, have babies, and live happily ever after. The End.

Regency Romance is a subgenre set in England in the 19th century, derived from the works of Jane Austen. Novels typically feature witty dialog and take place during the London social Season with balls and fancy gowns and machinations of the Ton. Despite the completely predictable characters and plot, you gotta love a good regency. They are just like the story of Cinderella – true love and happy endings.

I have been remiss in my book reviews of late, after announcing that I would do an overview every week of my readings (which lasted all of one week). Here are the Regency authors I have discovered lately:

Victoria Alexander
An award-winning television journalist, Victoria writes a mean Regency romance. I was expecting something silly and unoriginal when I picked up two of her books while browsing the Ballard Library shelves, and was happily surprised to find clever banter, endearing characters, and believable love. Yummy, warm and fuzzy, happily-ever after.

A Little Bit Wicked is about scandalous widow Lady Chester and rakish Viscount Warton who, despite vows never to marry on both sides, fall in love and get married. The characters were refreshing, original, and robust. Rating: <3 <3 <3 <3

In The Marriage Lesson Lord Helmsley finds himself saddled with the responsibility of chaperoning three young ladies into society and finding them suitable husbands. Though he is also looking for a mate, he wants one meek and biddable to whom he will be the moon and stars, nothing like the brash, independent Lady Marianne who spurns proper behavior. Faced with her threat to find adventure with or without his help, he reluctantly gives her “lessons in life” and ends up losing his heart. The end is very silly, with Lord Helmsley cooking up all sorts of idiotic ruses to get Marianne to agree to marry him. Rating: <3 <3 <3

Jenna Peterson
Jenna is a relatively new author who attended the UW before moving to the midwest. While we doubt her sanity for leaving, we still must love her for being from the best city in the world, namely Seattle.

Scandalous is Jenna’s first book and a satisfying read. Upon discovering that her fiance has a wife, Katherine finds herself married off to his rakish brother Dominic. Her careful plans to find a husband who will never endanger her heart go awry as she finds passion, deception, and ultimately happy-ever-after. The characters are full-bodied and endearing. Rating: <3 <3 <3

Katie MacAlister
Katie started off her fabulous career writing historical novels with Noble Intentions, Noble Destiny, and The Trouble with Harry. Once again I started out of order with the second book, but the series is loosely connected so it didn’t matter much.

Noble Destiny is a tongue-in-cheek romp through regency London with Katie’s typical witty flair. Shallow, eccentric Charlotte returns to London after being widowed to find herself ostracized by her beloved Ton. She traps Lord Carlisle into marriage in an attempt to regain her rightful place in society and renew her fortunes, only to discover that she really married for love. Rating: <3 <3 <3

I’m completely, utterly addicted to reading romance novels. In the past few weeks I’ve sped through them…much to the detriment of school and sleep. My current biggest fear is running out of good ones at the library. Last night I read (straight through, five hours, till 4 am) Katie MacAlister’s Blow Me Down. I knew it was about pirates, but I didn’t realize until I looked more closely that it was about Puzzle Pirates, with which I had a brief, torrid affair back in College. Although the book was set in a “virtual reality” version of the game, all I could think of was a cartoon world full of lego people. I still enjoyed it, but couldn’t help laughing every time my brain reminded me “this is a romance novel about puzzle pirates.” Ha. I am such a dork. If anyone out there knows when Katie is planning on making an appearance, I’d love to meet her.

Carla came over last night and I pushed a romance novel on her, one of Ryan’s cousin’s books that was the first “real” romance novel I ever read. She didn’t like Outlander, so she’ll hate this book too, but I couldn’t find my copy of Men in Kilts to give her. If only I could pass my addiction along to some of my friends. A stitch-n-bitch, wine & chocolate tasting, romance novel club just makes my toes curl in longing. A girl can dream, can’t she?