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

These are my notes from the Beau Monde and Hearts through History First Annual Historical Romance Writers Conference.

Historical Romance author Kalen Hughes wore a day dress from the Regency period and brought in two friends wearing Georgian clothes. Woot! Costumes! Ms. Hughes busted the comfort myth about corsets: in truth they were made to fit, so were very comfortable. It is physically impossible for it to pinch, because there is nothing in the construction that comes together in any way that could pinch or poke. (unless the boning is coming out of its casing.) Georgian and Regency corsets don’t make it impossible to breathe, because the metal grommet was not invented until 1828 and therefore on cannot pull the corset strings tight enough to rearrange ribs (not until Victorian). Corsets are all about creating the right silhouette. The Georgian corset was designed to provide a tube-like body. The Regency corset was all about pushing the boobs up and separating them.

She debunked the Rebel Myth: Ladies did NOT go about without corsets. They would feel naked without them. It would be like a woman now going without a bra – breasts still bounced without support. Women did not feel constrained by their stays because it was an everyday occurrence. Boys & Girls started wearing stays at 6 months. Boys stopped at age 5-8 when they were breeched. Girls continued. Scandalous is girls wearing drawers, which were introduced in the Regency period from France. Not common until Victorian era. Drawers are crotchless to enable urination. They end just below the knee where they button shut

The word “stays” is equivalent to the word “corset”. “Corset” was introduced around 1790 from France, and throughout the Regency the two words were used interchangeably. In the Victorian era only “corset” was used.

Corsets are not uncomfortable, but they do restrict the wearer. The shoulder straps hamper full range of arm motion. A woman cannot raise her arms all the way in a regency corset and cannot bend at the waist. Everything is from the hip. Busks mandate perfect posture. Slouching is impossible. True discomfort can be caused by the shift, which may leave tiny welts that itch when the shift is removed. If a woman loses weight the corset can rub, but if she gains weight it is not a problem, because the lacing can simply be loosened. If the boning works out of its casing it can really jab. Eating in a corset was not a problem until the Victorian era, hense the advent of the 6 hour meal. Women wore stays while pregnant, which had side lacing marked for expansion. There were no pregnancy clothes. Instead things were adapted. Women didn’t not go into confinement till the Victorian era.

Ms. Hughes spoke on Sex and the Corset. At social function it would be quite difficult to remove the corset or stays for a tryst, because it takes 25 minutes to remove. The corset has Spiral lacing, so that it cannot be loosened. The lacing must be completely removed and usually laced up the back, so women could not dress by themselves. Only the Victorian corset had cross lacing that could be popped off.

The shift is worn under corset. It is easily laundered and used to keep the corset clean. The petticoat looks like a pinafore. It ties in back and goes on over the corset. Gives layer between dress and corset. Ms. Hughes told us that there is zero documentation about dampened petticoats, except one letter from a man bitching about debauchery in france. The lower sleeves of a dress could be removable for hot weather. The garters had metal springs.

Hero did not have tight pants: all britches have a big bum so can he can sit down. The shirts have slim sleeves and never buttoned all the way down. (so the stereotypical romance cover with the man in a ripped open shirt wouldn’t have been possible, unless it’s really ripped. The cravat has two removable collars and a cravat pad,

These are my notes from the keynote speech at the Beau Monde and Hearts through History First Annual Conference for Historical Romance Writers.

Jocelyn Kelley (aka Jo Ann Ferguson) noted that we are all searching for the Holy Sale – the one that guarantees our career. From that point forward there will be no more struggles and all characters and plots will flow smoothly. But the Holy Sale is about as close to reality as any Monte Python plot. The best lesson we can learn is that of the knight on the bridge who keeps fighting even when his limbs are cut off. Rejection – It’s only a flesh wound.

She urged her audience, “Never give up, never surrender.”

Ms. Kelley started writing romantic fiction for publication at age 12. In high school she wrote a 600 page “wonder” with characters based on her school friends set in the 1700s. First manuscript serious manuscript she wrote on a typewriter while her three kids were taking naptime. It was rejected by every editor in new york, while she was working on books two and three. She even received a rejection for someone elses book! But she never gave up, never surrendered, and 10 days later she finished book three. That book went on to be her first bestseller, even after an agent said the book was “totally inappropriate for market in which it’s aimed.” One of her books took 14 years to publish, just have to wait until market is ready. Her first contract was for 4 books with option for 14 more, but the publisher died and others took over company. The company went bankrupt after publishing 6 of her books (no more royalties!). Between1989-1992 Ms. Kelley had only one short story published. Multiple publishing lines closed before her books came out, but again she never gave up, never surrendered. She worked on early PAN unemployment program for published authors during this period.

Her agent recommended she write a traditional regency and in 1992, two days after an RWA conference, Zebra called with their first offer. Since that day she has sold over 90 titles.

Ms. Kelley told her audience not to write what’s hot, because it will be cold before it sees the light of day. She relayed a humerous quote form a Disney Imagination book: “There are only 26 letters in the alphabet. How hard can writing be?”

She told us: “Ideas are easy. Writing is very hard.”

When she first joined RWA in 1985 all but one member was writing contemporary and she had self doubt about if she should be writing historical. She urged her audience not to let others change what you believe you should be doing. Aspiring authors must decide what their motivation is. Is it fame and fortune? Validation for self as artist? Because you can’t NOT write? There is nothing like finding a dream come true to keep ones nose to the keyboard. Too often we think of things so far in the future that we lose track of the steps to get there. It is easy to fail with pie in the sky goals. Aspiring authors should make small achievable goals. An aspiring author is one moving forward on the quest.

The blackest moment happens right before a sale.

Ms. Kelley’s advice – if you can give up writing, you should.

Some people give up because they can’t make the move from writing to sales. We are in sales because we are hocking a product. Rejection is part of the process. Learn from them. Keep rejection letters on a project until the project sells, but don’t obsess.

Ms. Kelley once received a rejection from an editor that said, “this doesn’t work for me, but I like your writing so send me anything else you have soon as possible.” She thought the editor was just being nice, so she threw away the letter. Only years later did she realize she had passed up a really great opportunity. That 600 page wonder from high school? It’s now with an editor who says “this is so fresh and new!” Ha.

She read lyrics by Anne Murray from the song “Children of My Mind,” and left her audience with these words:
“Writing isn’t a quest. It isn’t just what I do. It’s what I am.”

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

The weeks of madness have begun!

1. WRITING
Where have I been the last few days? Madly writing. Not blogging. WRITING. Madly. Writing fiction is lot harder than I anticipated. Silly me. But gosh, how I enjoy it.

2. PITCHING
My very first Agent pitch is next week at the Pacific Northwest Writers Association Conference. I am terrified. I must start practicing a 10 minute pitch, as well as a 4 sentence elevator pitch, but I have no idea where to start. “Write it like you write your book reviews,” one friend suggested. I’d love to, but my mind won’t grasp it. Gah!

Another stress point – the PNWA sent me an email apologizing that one of the three-or-so agents who accept Romance manuscripts can no longer attend. They’ll do their best to get me another appointment with an agent in my genre, but if they can’t they hope I still have fun at the conference. I’m terrified about pitching, but I still want to do it! Oye Vey.

3. NETWORK THIS
My business cards arrived from VistaPrint and they are cut off-center. All of them. Do I have time to reorder before the conference??? I don’t know.

4. WHAT NOT TO WEAR
The PNWA Literary Contest Award dinner is next Saturday, July 19th. My critique partner confirmed they do indeed call all the finalists up in front of the room. Oh NOOOOOOS! What should I wear???

The RWA RITA and Golden Heart Award dinner is Saturday, August 2nd. I hear finalists wear Oscar-worthy gowns. Is that true? What do regular conference attendees wear? What should I wear?

I don’t have time to go shopping. I have to WRITE!

5. IT’S MY PARTY AND I’LL CRY IF I WANT TO
My birthday is on Tuesday. Happy Birthday to me. You know what I really want? A publishing contract. Where’s my fairy godmother?

Get out your popcorn! It’s time for the Oscars of the Romance Industry, folks. I, for one, am quivering in anticipation.

Finalists for the best published romance novel of the year, the RITA, and the best manuscript by an unpublished author, the Golden Heart, were announced today. Winners will be announced at the RWA National Conference in San Francisco on August 2nd. I have only read 4 of the books on the list, but this gives me the opportunity to run out and buy more. (Like I needed an excuse?) I am disappointed that some of the books I LOVED this year did not make the list; I have no idea if their authors submitted them to the contest in the first place.

Full RITA Finalist list

Full Golden Heart Finalist list

The beautiful Pacific Northwest is highly represented – no surprise! It must be something in the sparkling water, or the fresh air, or the friendly inhabitants. Who knows, but I will be rooting for the following books simply because I am highly prejudiced towards Cascadia (I have only read 3 of these):

2008 RITA for Contemporary Series Romance Finalists

• Snowbound by Janice Johnson
  (What- no website??)
  Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Superromance – (0-373-71454-8)
  Laura Shin, editor

2008 RITA for Novel with Strong Romantic Elements Finalists

• Odd Mom Out by Jane Porter
  Grand Central Publishing, 5 Spot – (0446699233)
  Karen Kosztolnyik, editor

2008 RITA for Paranormal Romance Finalists

• He Loves Me, He Loves Me Hot by Stephanie Rowe
  (Delightfully yummy – I blogged about it briefly here)
  Grand Central Publishing, Forever – (0446619019)
  Melanie Murray, editor
• Prince of Magic by Linda Winstead Jones
  (But wait – she doesn’t live in Cascadia! No, but she’s Mr. Wonderful’s cousin.)
  Penguin Group USA, Berkley Sensation – (978-0-425-21448-0)
  Christine Zika/ Wendy McCurdy, editor
• Raintree: Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones
  (But wait – she doesn’t live in Cascadia! No, but she’s Mr. Wonderful’s cousin.)
  Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Nocturne – (0-373-61764-X)
  Leslie Wainger, editor
• Touch of Darkness by Christina Dodd
  (Dark and rich – I reviewed the 1st book in the series, Scent of Darkness, here)
  Penguin Group USA, NAL – (0451221842)
  Kara Cesare, editor

2008 RITA for Regency Historical Romance Finalists

• The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn
  (Miranda is a hoot!)
  HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books – (0061230839)
  Lyssa Keusch, editor

2008 RITA for Romantic Suspense Finalists

• White Heat by Cherry Adair
  (Awesome website, by-the-way, very James Bond)
  Ballantine/Ivy, – (978-0-345-47644-9)
  Charlotte Herscher, editor

2008 Golden Heart for Contemporary Series Romance Finalists

• Borrowed Stilettos by Rebecca Clark
• Under a Harvest Moon by Joleen Wieser