Not forking out the dough for the RWA Conference this year, with evening wear, suits, high heels and whatever “business casual” means?

Not to worry! Romance Divas is hosting the

Not Going to Conference Conference…

The Conference You Don’t Have to Get Out of Bed For!

From July 28-31, come hang out with some terrific, savvy authors — and you don’t even have to brush your teeth (although, seriously, good dental hygiene gets you extra points.)

We’ll be hosting panels on:

The Power of Three: A crit group tell-all (Paranormal)

Crystal Jordan

Patti O’Shea

Dayna Hart/Rowan Larke

The Lolitas of STEAMED! Present Writing the Steampunk Romance -more than leather corsets and brass goggles!

Marie-Claude Bourque

Theresa Meyers

Whips, Chains, Slings, Oh My: It Really Isn’t About the Toys (BDSM Erotica)

James Buchanan

Joey Hill

The Great Big YA Panel

Rhonda Stapleton

Shannon Delany

Kiersten White

Carrie Ryan

Linda Gerber

Saundra Mitchell

Lara Zielin

Brenna Yovanoff

Register for free at Romance Divas, then come join us on the forums for the discussions, as well as some terrific prizes:
Eden Bradley/Eve Berlin:
1) erotic e-books, THE SEEKING KISS and TEMPT ME TWICE.
2) a synopsis critique in any sub-genre of erotica/erotic romance.
Jax Cassidy:
1) erotic e-books, DEVIL’S HEART and BRUSH STROKES.
2) book cover design or banner ad
Kristen Painter:
copy of her e-book, ALL FIRED UP
Rhonda Stapleton:
1) STUPID CUPID YA Book trilogy
2) a proposal critique (1st 3 chapters and synopsis) for any genre of book, romance or not
K.B. Alan:
1) The choice of one of her e-books: PERFECT FORMATION, ALPHA TURNED or BOUND BY SUNLIGHT.
2) A $25 Barnes and Noble gift card.
Robin L. Rotham: Signed copies of BIG TEMPTATION, ALIEN OVERNIGHT, and ENEMY OVERNIGHT
AJ Chase: copies of e-book CAT AND MOUSE
Inez Kelly:
1) e-book package of both MYLA BY MOONLIGHT and SALOME AT SUNRISE
2) The complete Dirty Laundry Series (3 e-novellas) co-written by Ginny Glass aka Wordsugar and Inez Kelley
Kate Pearce:
1) a three chapter ~and~ synopsis critique-any erotic romance, paranormal romance or historical romance.
2) Winners choice, in either print or e-book format (if available), of a set of the Simply series (there are 5) ~or~ a set of the Cowboys (there are 3) ~or~ a copy of KISS OF THE ROSE-readers choice.
R.G. Alexander:
Winners choice of any two e-books from her Samhain or Ellora’s Cave back list
Nadia Lee:
Critique of 1st chapter & synopsis-paranormal or contemporary romance
Shelley Munro: Winners choice of any one her backlist books from Ellora’s Cave or Cerridwen Press
Ciar Cullen: Winner’s choice of any one e-book on her website.
Voirey Linger: A copy of her e-book RISKING ETERNITY
RF Long:
1) a submission package critique (letter, synopsis and 3 chapters)
2) e-books! (details TBA)
Crystal Jordan:
1) 1st chapter and synopsis critique
2) One copy of any e-book off her Samhain backlist (http://samhainpublis…/crystal-jordan)
3) One copy of IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT (print or electronic, winner’s choice)
Jeannie Lin:
1) a first chapter critique, any genre
2) an official BUTTERFLY SWORDS souvenir charm
Elise Logan: Winner’s choice of any e-book from her backlist
Marguerite Labbe:
1) A critique of an m/m story
2) Signed copies of her m/m vampire trilogy MY HEART IS WITHIN YOU, HAUNTED BY YOUR SOUL and OUR SACRED BALANCE
Seeley DeBorn:
One jar of home made body or face scrub, customized to the winner’s preferences and skin type.
For example: Orange Spice Oatmeal, Coffee-Cocoa, Citrus Salt, Lavender Mint, Honey and Flax
Sela Carsen: a copy of her e-book CAROLINA WOLF
Hailey Edwards:
1) a copy of her sweet fantasy romance ebook, EVERLONG.
2) two five dollar MBaM gift cards
Charlotte McClain:
Copy of her two e-books, LOVE TO DECLARE and ROCK STAR’S RETREAT
Cynthia Justlin: (Golden Heart Finalist!) Proposal Critique (3 Chapters and synopsis)-any genre other than erotic
Lainey Bancroft:
1) signed copies of her contemporary romance, THE TROUBLE WITH TESSA and her chick lit romance COZUMEL KARMA
2) Proposal critique (3 chapters and a synopsis) any genre except Steampunk
Tina Burns-Publisher-Liquid Silver Books:
1) a critique of 1st 3 chapters & synopsis
2) 3 be-book prizes for 3 different winners! Winners choice of any one e-book download from LSB library.
Mima:
Winner’s choice of one e-book from her backlist-see her website for booklist.
Taneasha: handmade jewelry by our own Taneasha-details to come!
Barbara Sheridan:
1) Winners choice of one e-book from her backlist-see her website for booklist.
2) Critique of up to 20 pages of either M/M, or M/F romance or erotic romance in various subgenres (contemporary, historical, paranormal or suspense/mystery)
David Bridger:
A copy of his ebook BEAUTY AND THE BASTARD
Victoria Janssen:
3 print books TBA (whatever she finds at the RWA Conference)
Gemma Halliday:
Signed copy of SCANDAL SHEET
Jennifer Leeland/Jennifer McKenzie:
1) copy of her e-book MARKED FOR PLEASURE (Kindle version available upon request)
2) copy of her e-book MARKED FOR DESIRE (Releasing June 29th) (Kindle version available upon request)
3) copy of her e-books The Command Series (Trilogy)
4)copy of her BDSM e-book series (3 from TWRP and 1 from Samhain)
Emily Ryan-Davis:
1) Critique of novella-length (up to 30k) manuscript; any time period, m/f, menage, f/f (m/m not her area of expertise)
2) signed print copies of her anthology: MATING CALL, DRAGON DANCE and DRAGON BOUND
3) e-book copy of CHANGING THUMBELINA
Sabrina Darby:
1) Signed copy of her erotic historical novel, ON THESE SILKEN SHEETS
2) Critique of first thirty pages of any Regency (erotic or non erotic fine, but m/m outside my area of expertise)
Alina Morgan:
1) copy of her e-book The Twilight Deception
2) copy of her e-book The Shadow Unveiled
Debbie Mumford:
1) Critique of a synopsis
2) Winner’s choice of any e-book from her back list.
Kimberly Troutte:
1) copy of her e-book SOUL STEALER
2) copy of her e-book CATCH ME IN CASTILE
Sasha Devlin:
1 pair of hand made writing mitts or gloves-style and color TBD by the winner
Julia Knight
Winner’s choice of one copy of any of her books available in e-book format

and from me a print copy of Inheritance

This past weekend I went to the Emerald City Writer’s Conference for the second year in a row.

I love this conference. It’s got the agents/editors, prizes, workshops, big authors, and mostly it’s got great people working both behind the scenes and in front to make it one of the best damn conferences I’ve been to.

This year was no exception. I got to moderate Cherry Adair (bwahaha – no one really moderates Cherry – if you’ve met her you understand) and particpated in her Finish the Damn Book challenge, where I was lucky enough to win my RWA membership fees paid for the year. Thank you so much, Cherry. Your generousity of heart knows no bounds.

I was also the backup moderator for Allison Brennan, who I frequently stalk, because I love her books so much. At the book fair, I bought a signed copy of Playing Dead (her latest release and the last in the prison break series) and ended up reading it all on Saturday (because, unfortunately, I was kept in my room do to food poisoning from some food I had in the bar). Great book. Interesting lady. She was also our closing speaker for the conference and it is amazing to think all she has done with five children. I only have three and I’m overwhelmed! The bottom line is she decided to take herself and her career seriously and here she is. It was very inspiring to me.

The agents and editors were very informative, although the one I really wanted to pitch to doesn’t represent my stuff (which we only discovered during the pitch panel). Thankfully she recommended the one agent that I already love (and have met and had a great conversation with), but have been to chicken to actually query. Because she was so fantastic when I met her and didn’t know that she was an agent. It was just great, easy conversation. I don’t want to screw it up with actual work stuff… do I? LOL Yes, I do. I will do it. I will… um, soon.

So the fact is, I wouldn’t have even been able to go to this conference this year, as my husband injured his back and missed work. He’s self-employed and missed work means missed paychecks. We’d already done that when I was at Nationals and it was nerve-wracking. Then, as I was sitting on the fence going back and forth re my decision to cancel on the ECWC this year, I received an email telling me that I had won Susan Mallery’s PRO drawing and my conference fee had been paid. Unbelievable. I’d only just received my PRO designation two weeks before, because I’d been putting it off for a year (wondering what it would really do for me). Wow. Although I thanked Susan at conference, I need to thank her again here. Thank you for making it possible for me to go to ECWC this year – it meant more to me than you will ever know.

Susan and Cherry show us what it’s like to help other writer’s continue working towards their dream. Some day I want to be just like them, and I definitely plan on paying it forward.

The GSRWA chapter does a fantastic job and it’s members are warm and welcoming.

Read my article this month at Romance Divas http://www.romancedivas.com/resources.html and you can see what this “newbie” to RWA Nationals found valuable.

Once again I need to thank Romantic Inks for making it possible for me to attend conference in the first place. For those who don’t know, I had to write an essay for and won my conference fee paid by Romantick Inks. I had to come up with my airfare, hotel and food expenses, but without the conference fee paid I would not have been able to go.

Thankfully, I had request for a partial and for a full so am busy working on those. I appreciate your support so very much!

I’m home and I’m exhausted (not great when you have three young children who haven’t seen you in almost a week and don’t really care how tired you are).

Nationals was all at once amazing, confusing, exhilerating (I know I’m spelling that wrong, but too tired to look it up) and overwhelming.

I think my favourite part was meeting up with my online friends – many of whom, I’ve known for over three years online without having met face to face. Romance Divas? You rock – each and every one of you. I almost cried when I met Diva Lisa (ok, let’s be honest there was no almost about it – the lady is a class act and she proved it in person). If I could go back and change my vote for switching teams Diva, I so would. Jax? She could fit in a tea cup she is so tiny. I felt like a giant next to her, but her personality is giant so it was all good. What a dynamic, fun lady. I wanted to add a quick shout out to Feisty, who braved the conference her leg in a cast, crutches in her hands, with dignity and aplomb. I can’t imagine how hard and frustrating that must have been. You are a strong and amazing woman – must be why you’re called Feisty.

There are so many more Divas to mention (not the least of whom were my two roommates, but I will get to them later) and sufficed to say, I loved you all. And what is most amazing is how gorgeous they all are – inside and out (click on photos to see in full).

I also met with a Canadian contingent of authors from back East. I only know most of them through Christine D’Abo and following them through her blog posts. To Christine, Amy, and Wylie – you are beautiful, lovely ladies – you made me laugh and made me proud to be Canadian. I know that you will all go far on your writing journey because you all just kick ass.

I met so many people and obviously I would be writing for days if I listed them all. There are stand out authors for me, who were gracious, fun and encouraging: Sylvia Day (can’t wait to start Eve), Allison Brennan (don’t know which book to start first) – I promise I won’t stalk the two of you as much any more (at least for a little while LOL), Lisa Kleypas and Sherrilyn Kenyon (new to me authors – don’t gasp I have heard of them, obviously, just never read them before) who were each so friendly and nice.

I talked to an agent (not having a clue she was an agent, because I don’t like to look like I am reading the name cards in front of people’s chests) who made laugh and who also made me rethink who I wanted as my dream agent. I will never forget the “bathing in baby seals” comment as long as I live (and thank you very much again for that, total highlight). Even if you never become my agent, I hope we run into each other again and go for drinks. I can always use another friend.

Last, but not least, I need to mention my absolutely fantastic roommates. When we met we’d known each other from online, but more in a “yeah, I know who you are and I’m sure you are not strange” kind of way. In person you couldn’t find three more different people, not only in size, but personality. However, these ladies made me laugh and smile and were there for me when I found out, shortly after I arrived, that my Dad had suffered a heart attack and was going for double bypass surgery on the Thursday. I told no one else about that (not until I had a little melt down on Saturday morning) and they kept me strong. I needed to get through conference and there was nothing I could do for my Dad except pray and I was already doing that. Chi and Christina made me laugh so hard, they understood me, they were considerate (three women, one bathroom and it was all good) and mostly they were just lovely ladies who captured my heart and friendship forever. I would room with them again in a second and I hope they would say the same of me.

So – what about the workshops, the agent/editor appointments, the literacy signing, the food, the learning and so on? Yeah, it all happened. But my highlights are the people. Plus, I have to write an article regarding the rest, so when that’s done you can find out all about it.

Today you can find me at the Cobblestone Press Blog where I’m talking about Vampires and Harmony.

You will also find me at the airport, winging my way to San Francisco to Nationals.

Tomorrow, check out Romancing the Blog, where I’m talking about being a reader at Nationals.

So now, I go and pick my daughter up from Kindergarten, come back to pull the chocolate chip banana muffins I made my family out of the oven (there is someone here I am not leaving it on with no one home), pack the car, pick my oldest up from school early and the five of us will head out for the long trek to the airport. I will try to post from Nationals (if I can find the time! )