RWA11 New York, NY Was Amazing

Cursor…

Starting spreading the news. I am home today. I was part of it. New York, New York…

Oh, please imagine Frank singing those mock lines, not me. I can’t carry a tune to save my dog’s life much less my own.

Happy Fourth of July everyone. I hope you all are having a wonderful, safe holiday weekend. New York was wonderful. My roommate, Kathy Kulig, and I spent the few extra dollars and snapped up a Times Square view room. The view was so worth it. We
turned the comfy chairs towards the window and in the early morning had our coffee and tea while watching New York hit its stride. We could see the cast of Good Morning America set up on the corner below us. At night, ( I mean very late at night-hours pass a country girl’s bedtime) we watched the hundreds of people still walking the square while we shared the accountants of each other’s day. It was very relaxing.

The very best thing about my trip however was getting together with my on-line friends, some I’ve never met. I’ll share some pictures. More are up on my Facebook Fan Page.

My Ruby sisters of course. We spent hours together. We had dinner together after the literacy book signing, which raised nearly $47,000.00, (Yeah RWA authors), we went to a Broadway play and we just chilled and watched the crowds. I met Carla Cassidy that way.





(Daryanda Jones -'First Grave On The Right' and I at the literacy signing)


Ruby Slipperhood Sisters at 'Jersey Boys'



Ruby Sisters; Liz Bemis, Rita Hueben, Me and Carla Cassidy. I just love Carla's work.




I also ran into to other friends like, sweet Mary from the Pink Fuzzy Slippers several times and each time I got hugs. I love hugs.





And fellow Wild Rose authors Silver James and Riley Quinn. Both wonderful ladies and we had fun chats. This is Riley.







I had the most yummy dinner with Fellow Wild Rose authors Anne Carole and Tess Quinn.


Anne is flanked by friends.


I just love Tess. Such a sweetie.







I ran into Liz Selvig who won the 2010 Golden Heart for Single Title Contemporary. We were in Margie Lawson’s class together years ago and remained on-line buddies.
After years, we finally met. I think we liked each other a lot.



I also ran into Margie once, but never saw her again. You can go a whole conference and not met up with someone. Like for me, I never found online buddy and queen of high heels Michele Miles and I wanted to catch up with Sandy James so bad. Conflict kept me from sitting in on her workshop. Another reason why I need to buy RWA11 CDS.



The workshops were fantastic. I really enjoyed listening to Harlen Coben and Lisa Jackson. They really should go on the road together. They played off each perfectly and in the process managed to teach us a lot.




And Roxanne St. Claire’s workshop , ‘How To Mend A Broken Scene’, was awesome! If you get a chance to take this workshop, do! I studied my handout last night, again.


The Ruby workshop, 'Road To Novel Completion', which I was a part of, was a great success. The feedback has been awesome. I was so nervous as this was my first time speaking at a conference and I'm so glad my Ruby sisters, Anne, Tamara, Jenn, Vanessa and Liz were a part of it. We had a great time, as you can see. I couldn't believe the number of people who were in the audience. I learned later Stacy Boyd, senior editor at HQ was one.


Writers, if you ever get a chance to go to Nationals, go. It is so worth the expense. And readers, if ever you hear the National RWA is going to be close to you, head out to the signing. It’s a great way to meet your favorite authors and to help a great cause.

I could go on for hours but we all have lives to get to. I'm heading on another excursion this week with DH, so next week, probably Tuesday, I’ll shared more pictures and more news. Thanks for stopping by. Stay safe and remember to jump over to my website and join my newsletter. Shortly, I’m going to post another contest for members only. WINK

(((HUGS))) AJ

Welcome Author Lilly Gayle

I'm so excited to welcome back my good friend and awesome author Lilly Gayle and she has a scary story to tell. So read on.


Autumn, thanks for having me on your blog today. The timing couldn’t be better since my first historical, Slightly Tarnished, was released last week. It’s now available in both print and e-book format from the publisher at http://goo.gl/0O9Vk and Amazon at http://goo.gl/hpoci .

And let me tell you, this book was a long time in the making. It was originally entitled American Beauty. I wrote it in 1999 and quickly found an agent. She requested ten hard copies via snail mail. That’s a lot of paper and ink. But I printed out all ten copies of the 350 page manuscript, packed it in the box a case of printer paper came in, and sent it to Colorado. I never heard from her again. All calls went straight to voice mail. Emails and certified letters went unanswered. To this day, I don’t know if she died, if aliens abducted her, or if she changed the title of the book and published it herself.


So, I sent the manuscript to publishers and other agents. And the rejections started rolling in. Then some time in 2001 or 2002, I got a call from an agent who wanted to take me on as a client. She then recommended an in-house editing service. It wasn’t cheap. But she said if I paid for her editing services, she could almost guarantee a publishing contract when the edits were done to her satisfaction. Color me naïve.

I wasn’t a member of any writing groups at the time, and I knew nothing about legit agents. But I did look her up online, and she had a professional looking website and a long client list. She had to be legit. Right?

Wrong! But I fell for it, hook, line, and credit card debt. Yep, I put that $2,500 editing fee on my credit card and anxiously awaited the edits. She mailed the manuscript back about a month later, and there were just a few red marks throughout.

At first, I thought it was because I was such a good writer. But as I looked over her edits, I started to wonder if she was a good editor. She marked spelling and punctuation errors any critique partner could have found—if I’d had one at the time. And she made a few suggestions about cutting a line here and there. She mentioned nothing about the plot or clarifying character motivation. Nothing about pacing. Or conflict. Nada. Zip. Zilch. Then, after I made the changes and sent the manuscript back, she sent me a contract for a marketing plan.

WTH? A marketing plan? Wasn’t that what an agent was supposed to do for her 15%? Market the damn book? Apparently not at her agency. And her cheapest marketing plan was $2,500!

That’s when I said, “Screw you and the horse you road in on.”

Okay, maybe I didn’t use those exact words. But I did call to say she ran a scam agency designed to defraud clients and take advantage of desperate wannabe writers. And I filed a complaint with the credit card company. But it was too late to get my money back. I’d paid for a service, and she provided it—crappy though it may have been. So, I filed a complaint with the company. Like that did any good! The agent actually said, “You’ll regret not signing with us. In this current literary climate, it’s impossible to find agents and publishers willing to work with new authors, and no agent or editor will provide the one on one service we provide here at The ****** Agency.”

Later, I went online and did my homework. That’s when I discovered Preditors and Editors. (Yes, predators is spelled that way.) The website http://pred-ed.com/pubagent.htm had issued this warning for Agent X: Strongly not recommended. A literary agent with The ****** Agency. And more recently on 7/25/06: Agent X has a judgment against her in "Washington Superior Court (King County) for $8,320 for breach of contract, fraudulent business practice and consumer protection violations."

While surfing the net, I also found Romance Writers of America and a local writers’ group less than forty miles from my home. After joining RWA and Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, I learned legit agents don’t charge reading or editing fees or recommend in-house editing. A legit agent will charge 10-15% of sales and postage. Nothing more. If your agent charges fees, check them out before signing a contract.

I also found my critique partners through HCRW. And, I got a third agent—a legitimate agent this time. Unfortunately, that relationship didn’t work out, but that’s another story.

Then in 2005, I completed a paranormal romance and submitted it to Silhouette. The editor loved it and sent a revision letter. But after nearly two years, three revision letters, an editor change, and a line change, it was ultimately rejected. According to the second editor, the story wasn’t dark enough for the new line. Sometimes, luck and timing are everything. That’s when my longest standing critique partner, Amy Corwin, suggested I submit to The Wild Rose Press. So, I changed the name of the book to Out of the Darkness and submitted it. They published it last year.

The owners, editors, and marketing staff at TWRP are the best. They respond in a timely fashion and the books go to print faster than some publishers acknowledge receipt of an author’s manuscript. I was so impressed with TWRP, I revised American Beauty. Again. And changed the name to Slightly Tarnished. I submitted it a year ago. And Slightly Tarnished was released last week.

The Wild Rose Press is listed on Preditors and Editors. In 2008, the site had this to say: P&E is hearing good things about this publisher. And I 2009 and 2010, Preditors and Editors Poll results named TWRP as the number one e-publisher.

So, if you’ve never read a book by a TWRP author, now’s as good a time as any.

To learn more about Lilly Gayle, author of paranormal and historical romance: Where love is an adventure no matter the century. go to...
www.lillygayleromance.blogspot.com
www.lillygayle.com & www.facebook.com/lillygaylebooks



*****

Hurry! Time is running out. To enter to win a copy of my new release, IN THE PRESENCE OF EVIL, pop over to my website and read the details. And, don't forget next Wednesday is my release day party, right here. Join me for a good time. AJ

Welcome Friday Friend Cara Marsi

January 7, 2011


I met Cara in Washington D.C. during the RWA National convention and immediately knew I found a new friend. She is such a treasure, and I'm so very happy to have her visiting me today. Please welcome her.


ITALY-ROMANCE, ART, HISTORY, FOOD, GORGEOUS MEN
MYSTERY, INTRIGUE AND MURDER


Write what you know, they say. Does that mean you should only write about the town where you live? Of course not. Talented writers can make historical eras from several hundred, or several thousand, years ago seem real. With good research, writers can tell a believable tale about places they’ve never been. However, when you write about a place you’ve visited, your knowledge lends a certain authenticity to your story. Not to mention the fun of revisiting memories of a treasured vacation. Or going to a cool place to do research for your story.

Murder, Mi Amore, my just-released romantic suspense novella from The Wild Rose Press, is set almost entirely in Rome, Italy, a place I visited in 2006. We all know Italy is beautiful, filled with art, history, great food, and beautiful men and women. But every city has an underbelly. I used my imagination to interject this dark side onto the touristy Italy I visited.

All four of my grandparents came from Italy, from the province of Abruzzo. So I have more than a passing interest in the country. I visited Italy with my family for the first time when I was twenty years old, more than a few years ago.

My trip to Italy in 2006 was the inspiration for Murder, Mi Amore. My husband and I traveled to Rome alone. We spent a few days touring the city, then took a train to Abruzzo to meet up with a tour led by my Australian cousin Luciana. Luciana’s company specializes in trips to Abruzzo.

When we were on our own in Rome, my husband and I got lost a lot. We tend to do that. Thanks to the kindness of Italians who spoke English, we always found our way. But it made for a few adventures. None of our adventures were as exciting and dangerous as the ones I put my heroine Lexie through though.

Rome was bustling as always in June, especially with World Cup fever all around. We stayed at a hotel on one of the most popular and crowded streets, Via Corsi. Trevi Fountain was a short walk away. The Pantheon was around the corner. And so was an amazing gelato shop where we bought too many luscious gelatos, the Italian ice cream. Yum. Kiwi Melon was my favorite. There was also a little shop that sold whimsical clocks. We bought two clocks there. I mention the gelato shop and the clocks in my story. Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon also figure prominently.

In Murder, Mi Amore, the hotel on the Via Corsi where Lexie stays is the one where we stayed. I don’t use the actual name, of course. I remember well how I felt as I shouldered my way through the throngs of tourists and natives on Via Corsi. I use these feelings to describe Lexie as she makes her way on this same street after she buys the handbag that starts her adventure with jewel thieves, terrorists, murder, and a mysterious hunky Italian named Dominic.

As I wrote about Lexie and Dominic meeting for the first time at Trevi Fountain, I could hear the chattering of the crowds and the snap of cameras and feel the sun’s heat. I could almost taste the wine Lexie orders. When you see pictures of this iconic fountain, it looks as if it’s in the middle of a very wide street. Nope. It’s set at the end of a very narrow cobblestoned street.

Every scene and location in Murder, Mi Amore is authentic. When Lexie is dragged through dark and narrow streets by her would-be kidnapper, I pictured the little alleyways dotting Rome.

There’s one chapter set in the small town of Ripa Teatina, in Abruzzo. This is the town my paternal grandparents came from. My husband and I traveled that same mountainous road between Rome and Abruzzo that Dominic and Lexie traversed. We weren’t chased by someone trying to kill us, as my characters were, but as I wrote the scene I pictured the mountains in the distance and the lush vegetation.

The food we had all through Italy was exquisite. I tried to convey some of that in my story. Outdoor cafes are as ubiquitous as the motor scooters in Rome. I got a charge out of the young women, dressed in flowing skirts and wearing stilettos and helmets, and flying through the streets on their scooters. I include a couple of near misses with scooters in my story.

My novella ends in Las Vegas, where Lexie lives. My son lives there also. I tied in the real Trevi in Rome to the fake one at Caesar’s in Vegas, and put Lexie in more danger. Just because she left Rome didn’t mean she was out of danger.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my little travelogue, and I hope you’ll read my book and that it will take you away to exotic places. I’d love to hear from you. I can be contacted through my website: www.caramarsi.com




Here’s the buy link for Murder, Mi Amore: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/murder-mi-amore-p-4345.html

Here’s the link to the video, which is very sexy:
http://www.youtube.com/user/CarolynMat2

Also, look for my werewolf paranormal romance, Cursed Mates, released December 13, 2010, from Noble Romance Publishing. That story is set in Maine, a place I’ve visited and loved. I used my visit to Maine to describe some settings in the story. But I didn’t meet any werewolves or demons while there.

Buy link for Cursed Mates:

https://www.nobleromance.com/ItemDisplay.aspx?i=212


Video link for Cursed Mates:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvlCLeAV934


My cousin Luciana’s travel site:

http://www.absolutelyabruzzo.com/abruzzo/view

2010 Golden Leaf Winner Evil's Witness

Cursor..

I'm posting early this week for two reasons. One, my son is getting married to a wonderful girl. I can't wait to call this young woman, who has been my daughter's best friend for eight years, daughter. Their marriage is really meant to be. Maybe next week, I'll share a picture or two. She is going to be so beautiful. And son... well, I made him. He's gourgous.

The second reason for posting early is in the title. This past weekend Evil's Witness won the 2010 NJ Golden Leaf award for 'Best First Book'. The judges, I understand, were booksellers, librarians and readers groups. I'm so thrilled and honored. I can't tell you how much.

There were a lot of reasons for me to remember this conference. I got to hook up with a four of my Ruby Slippered Sisters (2009 Golden Heart finalists). They are truly a special part of my life. I saw many old friends and had great conversations over drinks and dinner, and I made new friends. I hope they all become old friends as time goes on.

The workshops were awesome. The special breakfast and luncheon speakers, Sharon Sala and Robyn Carr were inspiring. I think I did well with agents. We'll see how things pan out. And the booksigning held afterwards was a dream come true for me.

Now, with my toes finally finding the ground, I'm diving into the first round edits which hit my email upon my return.

If you can possible attend a conference, go. Being around others who understand why you talk to no one phyiscally in the room or on the phone, is truly like walking among the stars.

Please stop back Friday when I welcome guest Sherry Gloag, author of BRAT. Love that title.

Walking Among The Stars

Cursor..

I’m so excited. It’s been over a year since I’ve attended a conference or workshop. This weekend is the New Jersey Romance Writers conference and I’ll be there. Even though, my novel, EVIL’S WITNESS, is up for an award, Golden Leaf Best First Book that is not why I’m excited. Well, okay, I am but there's more. I can’t wait to be surrounded by other writers and learning more about the craft and industry which I love.

I’m sure you understand how it is no matter where your interest lay. When you’re with others who understand your enthusiasm for something, it’s like walking among the stars. I’m eager to meet face to face friends I’ve made online and to see those I haven’t seen in months. I feel like a sponge ready to soak up knowledge in the workshops I already have highlighted on my schedule to attend. I’m also a little nervous about taking an agent appointment, telling her about my new wip and hearing her thoughts on the romantic suspense genre in today’s tight market.

So today, I’ll be tweaking my pitch and getting my books and promo material ready for the book signing which is another reason for me to be excited. This will be my very first RWA conference signing.

God, it’s going to be a blast! If you’re in attendance, please say hi. Have a great weekend everyone and join me again next week for an update. AJ

Stephanie's Story

Cursor..

Startled by a crash, Stephanie woke and fell from her couch to the floor. The boom reminded her of the episode last winter when a car skidded into their front porch taking out a corner post. Gripping the leather cushion, she sat up, swept her hair back from her face and stared into the dark corners of her living room. The red display of a digital clock on the entertainment center read three forty-two.

Another thump vibrated the floor seconds before the door which lead to the garage burst open. Light spilled across the carpet. Gene was home, finally.

“Damn kids.” His words were slurred and the alcohol he’d consumed over the last six hours while at his weekly poker game preceded him by about twenty feet.

More rattling.

“Stephanie, I’m caught. Get this damn thing off of me or I’ll—“

“Will you keep it down?” She scurried to her feet and hit the light switch to the high-hat lights above the fireplace. “The kids are sleeping. They have to get up for school in two hours.”

“This is my house and I’ll yell at them for leaving their freakin’ bikes lying in front of the door anytime I want.”

Em’s bike had been parked against the wall where it was supposed to be. Gene probably knocked it over making his not-to-steady way inside. However, arguing with him while he was in this state of mind was not going to do her any good. He’d only get more boisterous and eventually wake the kids just to scold them for something they didn’t do, and was his own fault. God, she was tired of Gene’s partying. He was married, a father of two. What example did he set for Bobbie? Would he ever grow up?

The sadness which filled her cemented the truth in place. No.

Gene fell forward and she grabbed him under his arms. As he struggled to free his foot from between the railings of Em’s bike, he leaned onto her and Stephanie’s nose became buried in his beer stained tee shirt. “My, God. How much did you have tonight? You didn’t drive home, did you?”

Em’s bike clattered against the garage’s concrete floor. “Damn straight I did. “

“You’re drunk.”

“So. “

Over his shoulder, she caught a glimpse of their wedding portrait and wondered where that happy, young couple went wrong.

Disgusted, she pushed Gene away. “So you’re a cop.”

“Yeah." He shrugged and then scratched his stomach, pulling his tee shirt up over the flat abs he worked hard to maintain since he quarterbacked for their high school football team. "Don't worry. The guys won't ticket me.”

She folded her arms across her chest in order to keep her hands from reaching out and strangling some sense into him. “What about hurting yourself, or God forbid, someone else?”

“I didn’t, okay.” He waved her away. Then with dithering steps, he made his way into the kitchen and flipped on the lights. “What’s to eat?” He called over his shoulder. “I’m starved. Rosie got pissed with Tony and threw the pizza we ordered at him. ”

Steph drew a breath as she raced after him hoping he wouldn’t reach the pots and pans before she could block him. His buddies probably ordered the pizza after midnight and the delivery guy woke Rosie’s seven-year-old twins. Poor Rosie.

She stepped between Gene and the stove just as he reached for the knob to turn it on. “Why don’t you go get a shower and I’ll—”

His frown turned wolfish as he grabbed and pulled her close, grinding his hips into hers. “You’re hoping I’ll fall asleep aren’t you?” He nuzzled her neck. “After I grab a couple eggs, I’ll be ready to take care of you, babe. Why don’t you whip them up for me?”

Not in the mood to be manhandled, she pulled away from his clutch. “Stop it, Gene. I’m not in the mood for your games. I’m going to bed.” Stephanie turned only to be stopped by the bite of his fingernails on her arm.

His eyes narrowed. “I said I’m hungry.”

“And I want a divorce.” She yanked her arm free. “See who gets what they want first.”



Author's note: I hope you enjoyed Stephanie's Story. The official release date for Evil's Witness is June 18, but it's on sale now at The Wild Rose Press, as an early bird special. Here is the link. http://www.thewildrosepress.com/

Also remember, if you leave a comment on either John's story or Stephanie's, your name will go into the June 23 contest drawing. I'm giving away one e-copy of my January release Obsessed By Wildfire, which has received two GREAT reviews. You can check out those at my website. Because OBW is rated spicy, you must 18 to win. If you're under 18, I'll send you a great gift via US snail mail anyway. If you've already bought OBW, and many of you have, thank you very much, you can choice to receive a $5.00 Starbucks ceritifcate. Each time you comment, your name goes into the hat, so comment on both posts.

Make a memory today. AJ

No part of this posting may be used without the expressed permission of the author.