Romance Writers of America members: online voting is now open for the annual elections. Your vote is needed, and it takes 3 minutes. Check out the candidates and Q&A sessions on the RWA national website. PRO members get to vote on PRO liaison. PAN members, well, there’s only one person running. It’s disturbing how many positions are uncontested. Only one person wants to be president? Really? I know it’s a lot of work, but come on. It’s president! (No, I’m not running, but I might at some future date.)

I predict more people will vote this year given the buzz over epublishing. Our votes matter, whether you’re an aspiring author, book seller, librarian, epub’d or traditional published author. Let’s get out the vote!

This year the Romance Writers of America National Conference is in Washington DC. The literacy signing is this Wednesday and the conference runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Last year I had a lovely time at the conference in San Francisco. This year I will not be attending, as I have a family wedding the same weekend. For those of you who are lucky enough to go–TAKE LOTS OF PICTURES!!! I want to hear all about it.

If you go to the literacy signing, please say hi to Greater Seattle RWA authors–especially Shelli Stevens and Deliliah Marvelle–and fabulous regency authors Joanna Bourne and Meredith Duran (and buy their books!). I will be rooting for Washington State authors at the award ceremony: Yasmine Galenorn, Susan Mallery, Anthea Lawson, Vivi Andrews, Cherry Adair, Julia Quinn, Susan Wiggs, Janice Kay Johnson, Debbie Malcomer and Lisa Kleypas.

Yesterday the Romance Writers of America announced the finalists of the coveted RITA award. Winners of the awards will be announced July 18th at the RITA and Golden Heart Awards Ceremony to be held at RWA’s 29th Annual National Conference in Washington, D.C. (Photo is of Regency romance author Julia Quinn with her RITA win last year for THE SECRET DIARIES OF MISS MIRANDA CHEEVER.)

There are 12 categories and multiple Seattle finalists. The full list of GSRWA member finalists in both the RITA and Golden Heart should be up on the website soon. Congrats to Yasmine Galenorn, Susan Mallery, Anthea Lawson, Vivi Andrews, Cherry Adair, Julia Quinn, Susan Wiggs, Janice Kay Johnson, Debbie Malcomer and Lisa Kleypas (unsubstantiated rumor says she moved to Bellingham). Seatown represent!

So many books, so little time. How will you decide which finalists to read? Here are the 13 you should choose first (in order as they appear on the RITA finalist list):

1. Passionate by Anthea Lawson
   Kensington Publishing Corp., Zebra Debut
   Finalist: Best First Book
   
2. Private Arrangements by Sherry Thomas
   Bantam Dell Publishing Group
   Finalist: Best First Book, Historical Romance
   
3. Strangers in the Night by Kerry Connor
   Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Intrigue
   Finalist: Best First Book, Contemp. series suspense/adventure
4. The Man Behind the Cop by Janice Kay Johnson
   Harlequin Enterprises, Superromance
   Finalist: Contemp. series suspense/adventure
5. Seduce Me at Sunrise by Lisa Kleypas
   St. Martin’s Press
   Finalist: Historical Romance
6. The Spymaster’s Lady by Joanna Bourne
   Penguin Group USA, Berkley Sensation
   Finalist: Historical Romance
7. Dragon Wytch by Yasmine Galenorn
   Penguin Group USA, Berkley
   Finalist: Paranormal Romance
8. Mine to Possess by Nalini Singh
   Penguin Group USA, Berkley Sensation
   Finalist: Paranormal Romance
9. Mr. Cavendish, I Presume by Julia Quinn
   HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books
   Finalist: Regency Historical Romance
10. My Lord and Spymaster by Joanna Bourne
    Penguin Group USA, Berkley Sensation
    Finalist: Regency Historical Romance
11. “Only You” by Jacquie D’Alessandro in It Happened One Night
    HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books
    Finalist: Romance Novella
12. “Thicker Than Blood” by Meljean Brook in First Blood
    Penguin Group USA, Berkley
    Finalist: Romance Novella
13. “The Fall of Rogue Gerard” by Stephanie Laurens in It Happened One Night
    HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books
    Finalist: Romance Novella

The 2008 RWA Literacy Autographing featuring over 500 romance authors was an absolute madhouse, but this year it raised $58,000 for the Readers for Life nonprofit. I didn’t get to meet as many authors as I had hoped, but I did get to meet Joanna Bourne and interview her (see last post).

Video Clips:

Here are some short clips to give you an idea of what it was like. I’ll work on keeping the camera steadier on future expeditions.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxYx5MptkcY]

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

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDHoxe2-eqs]

Photographs with authors:

(left) Avon Regency author Jenna Petersen and I went out to lunch together. (right) Linda Winstead Jones, who was awarded the Emma Merrit Service Award this year and has two finalist paranormals in the 2008 RITA. She signed a copy of THE GUARDIAN.

(left) Jessica Andersen signed a copy of NIGHT KEEPERS for me. I’ve heard great things about it, and have been waiting to get an autographed version before I bought it. (right) Jennifer Ashley signed a copy of HIGHLANDER EVER AFTER. Her husband was there talking to fans about her books, which was really sweet.

(left) The beautiful and unbelievably talented Marjorie M. Liu signed THE WILD ROAD. (right) Linguistic goddess Joanna Bourne ran out of MY LORD AND SPYMASTER, even though I’ve been waiting specially to get an autographed book. But I bought an autographed copy of THE SPYMASTER’S LADY to drool over.

The Beau Monde and Hearts Through History chapters of the RWA are hosting their first annual Historical Romance Writers Conference today, which I am attending. Though the schedule was constructed very late, I am looking forward to the workshops offered.

My day is packed:

7:45 – 9:00AM Breakfast & Registration & Annual Meeting
Golden Gate A2-A3

9:00 – 9:40 Keynote Speaker: Jocelyn Kelley (aka Jo Ann Ferguson):
“The Quest for the Holy Sale”
Golden Gate A2-A3

9:45 – 10:40 Sell that Historical
with Kensington editor Hilary Sares & Michelle Buonfiglio from Romance: B(u)y the Book
Where the genre is and where it’s going! If anyone knows, it’s these two women. So if you’re looking to sell or interested in what is selling, this is the workshop for you.
Sierra H

10:45 – 11:10 Break

11:15 – 12:10 Georgian and Regency Clothing
with Kalen Hughes
Join author Kalen Hughes for a live demonstration of clothing of the 18th and early 19th centuries (if we’re very lucky she’ll even have a male model in full regimentals!).
Sierra F

12:25 – 1:30 Lunch with Jenna Petersen!

1:15 – 2:15 A Gentleman’s Tipple: Georgian, Regency and Victorian Beverages
with Kalen Hughes
What’s the difference between Whiskey and whisky? Sherry and sack? What does Raspberry Shrub taste like? Join author Kalen Hughes and find out (must be pre-registered).
Sierra H

2:15 – 2:25 Break

2:30 – 3:25 Making Your Historical Characters Come Alive
with Megan Frampton, Amanda McCabe & Andrea Pickens
Just because you’re writing in a distant time period doesn’t mean your characters should be distant to your readers. Make your characters come alive through dialogue, attitudes, description and actions, while still remaining true to the period.
Sierra I

3:30 – 4:30 Tea and Silent Auction
Golden Gate A2-A3

5:30-7:30 p.m. RWA Literacy Autographing
(Open to the Public)
Yerba Buena Ballroom

8:45 – 11PM Soiree with Dancemaster
Golden Gate B2-B3

I just bought my plane tickets!!! I’ll be in San Francisco MONDAY, July 28 at 6 pm, and I fly out SUNDAY, August 3 at 7 pm. This will be my very first romance conference. Last summer I attended the Pacific Northwest Writers Association Conference, which I’m attending again this July even though it has half the workshops offered last year. I learned a lot, and I’m really looking forward to RWAcon so that I can bask in the glow of my idols.

The 2008 Romance Writers of America National Conference will be held July 30 through August 3 at the San Francisco Marriott.

Here are 13 workshops that I’m thinking of attending. Until Hermoine lends me her time toy, I won’t be able to attend all of them. Why I picked each is in red.

1. Dialogue: Writing Between the Lines (CRAFT) — Elizabeth Hoyt
   Writing fantastic dialogue can lift your book from good to sold. This workshop will cover the mechanics of dialogue, how to tell if your dialogue is working, and how to show what your characters are thinking when they’re not speaking. Dialogue is the hardest part of writing for me, and I’ve been told to read The Raven Lord more times than I can count. I’m making a new TBR pile – one with an end of July deadline!
2. How to Layer and Texture Your Novel for High Impact (CRAFT) — Cherry Adair
   New York Times best-selling author Cherry Adair explains why there has to be a balance of dialog, narration, research, and description in your novel, which can be achieved by adding layers and texture. (2 hours) Cherry is a Seattle author. I’m still learning the craft of writing.
3. Writing the Best Seller: Six Magic Words (CAREER) — Susan Elizabeth Phillips
   Learn from New York Times best-selling and RITA Hall of Fame author Susan Elizabeth Phillips the six magic words that lead to bestsellerdom. I heart SEP and my critique partner told me not to miss her workshops cuz they are fabulous.
4. Writing the Unputdownable Novel (CRAFT) — Joan Johnston
   New York Times best-selling author Joan Johnston shares eight ways to “hook” your reader so she can’t put your book down. Another TBR author, that several DIK girls have rec’d.
5. Make ‘em Scream: How to Write Amazing Romantic Suspense Editors Will Buy (CRAFT) — Hilary Sares
   Editors are always looking for a hot mix of tough stuff and true love. This Kensington editor presents an insider’s guide to breaking in and staying the course in romantic suspense—covering pace, atmosphere, plotting, technical elements, and romance. I’m not writing romantic suspense, but fast pacing and keeping your readers hooked are good to know for any genre.
6. The 21st Century Heroine: How Far She’s Come and Where She’s Heading (PUBLISHING) — Michelle Monkou, Kate Duffy, Caridad Ferrer, Tracy Montoya, Monique Patterson, Candice Poarch, and Francis Ray
   A panel of editors and authors facilitate a discussion that will highlight the past, focus on the present, and analyze the future of the romance heroine. This sounds like an excellent blog post topic. How can I refuse? And The Kate Duffy herself is speaking. I’m intimidated already.
7. World Building: Creating Your Own Universe (CRAFT) — Lisa Jackson and Nancy Bush
   New York Times best-selling author Lisa Jackson and author Nancy Bush discuss how to build a believable, fictional world. I heart world building. The more I learn the more I want to jump head over heels into my next paranormal project.
8. Writing for the Historical Market (PUBLISHING) — Elizabeth Boyle, May Chen, and Laura Lee Guhrke
   The historical market is a vital and wonderful opportunity for new romance writers, but the ins and outs of selling and continuing to sell can be baffling without an insider’s perspective. Join best-selling, award-winning authors Elizabeth Boyle and Laura Lee Guhrke and HarperCollins editor May Chen at this workshop to discover the opportunities that abound by taking a step back in history—without making costly missteps. Elizabeth is a Seattle author. I’m writing a regency, so this sounded important to know.
9. Bad Boys and Naughty Girls (CRAFT) — Allison Brennan, Jordan Dane, Cindy Gerard, C.J. Lyons, and Lucia Macro
   Best-selling authors, debut authors, and an executive editor discuss the seductive nature of villains and anti-heroes. Discover how authors create the darker characters we love to hate and who’ve become our guilty pleasures. Another great blog post topic. Anti-heroes are on the rise. Drake Vireo anybody? And more TBR authors than I could shake a stick at.
10. Secrets of the Best-selling Sisterhood (PUBLISHING) — Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Jayne Ann Krentz
    Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Jayne Ann Krentz reprise their very popular workshop on what it’s like to be New York Times best-selling authors. SEP and JAK, need I say more?
11. Writing the Hot Historical (CRAFT) — Janet Mullany, Helen Breitweiser, and Pam Rosenthal
    An agent and two authors guide you to creating a convincing historical world (while turning up the heat), with a glance at the market today. Like I said, I’m writing a historical. Would be nice if it were hot. or Hawt.
12. Writing—and Selling—Crossover Fiction (CRAFT) — Eileen Wilks, Ann Aguirre, Catherine Asaro, and Cindy Hwang
    The panel, including a newly published author in urban fantasy, an established paranormal romance author, a best-selling science-fiction author, and an editor who buys and publishes crossover fiction, will present a variety of viewpoints on this timely topic. More TBR authors! This time on the dark paranormal side. Fun, fun, fun! And another great blog topic too.
13. Take Five! The Agent Cartel Reveals Its Top Five Pearls of Wisdom for Career Success (PUBLISHING) — Kristin Nelson, Pam Ahearn, Roberta Brown, Natasha Kern, Lucienne Diver, Elaine English, Carolyn Grayson, Pam Hopkins, Jennifer Jackson, Patti Steele-Perkins, Deidre Knight and Michelle Grajkowski.
    A dozen agents offer five pearls of wisdom for success in publishing. (2 hours) Sounds like something I need to know. Agents intimidate me even more than published authors.

Are you going to the 2008 RWA National Conference? Have you picked out the workshops you are going to yet? What looks good to you? On which workshops would you like me to go and report back? I take fantastic notes, if I do say so myself.

One of the benefits of membership in my local RWA chapter is being privy to Romance contests that are announced. I intend to start applying to these, and though I have yet to write a single love scene, I’m sure it’ll be a piece of cake. Right? Riiight.

Where does the heart of a book lie? In the first chapter? or Between the Sheets?

Announcing the Greater Detroit RWA annual Between the Sheets contest.
Enter your best love scene, up to 10 pages – anything from sweet to
erotic.

Final judges:
Leah Hultenschmidt, Dorchester
Diana Ventimiglia, Harlequin/Silhouette
Elaine English, Elaine P. English Literary Agency

Prizes:
1st Place: $100
2nd Place: $50
3rd Place: $25

Deadline: February 14, 2008.
Open to all RWA members unpublished in book-length fiction, $20 entry fee, multiple submissions allowed.Entry includes one page unjudged setup. For more information, entry form, and guidelines, go to www.gdrwa.org or email bts@gdrwa.org.

Wish me luck!

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.