I’ve been in a reading rut lately. I’ve been doing so much un-fun reading for work and school, that fun-fun reading doesn’t seem appealing to me anymore. Okay, I will admit I’ve been reading a lot of graphic novels, but only because there are pictures in them. I haven’t read a single romance— except for a re-read of an all-time favorite classic, Crimson Obsession by Deanna James (does anyone know if she even writes anymore?)— and werewolves and vampires and dragons? Meh. But I was browsing Amazon the other night and found this:

And the blurb—

When new music teacher Ali Mather enters Jeanne Cross’s quiet suburban life, she brings a jolt of energy that Jeanne never expected. Ali has a magnetic personality and looks to match, drawing attention from all quarters. Nonetheless, Jeanne and Ali develop a friendship based on their mutual vulnerabilities. THE LIAR’S DIARY is the story of Ali and Jeanne’s friendship, and the secrets they both keep.

A chilling tour of troubled minds, THE LIAR’S DIARY questions just how far you’ll go for your family and what dark truths you’d be willing to admit—even to yourself.

No werewolves, no vampires (what enters her house “when she is not at home”? Man, it better not be werewolves. Or vampires. Or aliens). But my first thought was, “Ewww, women’s fiction!” [Side note: Can anyone tell me why I seem to have this weird bias against women’s fiction? I’m a woman. I like fiction. Why don’t I like them? (Women’s fiction, that is. Not women. I love women. Women are awesome. But crazy. And yet awesome.)] But this line, “her fear that someone has been entering her house when she is not at home” really sent a chill down my spine. Holy shit. Is it all in her head? Is it for real? I’m biting my nails already. Naturally, I just had to buy it even though I just spent a GILLION BAZILLION dollars at the hospital. Universal Healthcare, I am soooooo ready for you.

Anyway, I hope this book is good. That would at least make the whole eating-ramen-noodles-for-a-week thing worth it.

Update: Oh, lookeeee! It even has a book trailer on YouTube! Man, if I ever get a book trailer done, I hope Jane and Ned will agree to do it. Their video reviews are BRILLIANT.

Harlequin Presents is looking for new writers!

It’s an exciting time for Harlequin Presents: from January 2008, there will be 12 of our intensely passionate romances available every month. And with this increase of titles comes a great opportunity for aspiring authors – we will be looking to buy more books for publication!

The old saying goes that first impressions are lasting impressions – and when it comes to reading a Harlequin Presents, that certainly holds true. If the first chapter doesn’t immediately grip the reader with its pace, passion and intensity, then she won’t continue to turn the pages.

So Presents is inviting unpublished writers to show us how they can grab the attention of our readership with first chapters that really sizzle. The INSTANT SEDUCTION competition offers prizes that are chances of a lifetime for the lucky winner and runners-up:
*First prize – win yourself an editor for a year!
*Two runners-up will be given editorial critiques of their first chapter entries and also a personal telephone consultation about their writing!

Continue to visit this blog for full details of the competition – and the chance to prepare for publication with an exclusive series of writing tutorials prepared by the editorial team at Harlequin Presents, including advice on First Chapters, How to Write a Synopsis, Developing a Global Voice, Loving the Alpha Male and Generating Emotional Conflict. Check out the all the links under the writing competition category.

Entries for the competition will be accepted as on-line submissions only from 1st January until 14th February 2008. Entries should comprise of the first chapter and a synopsis of a previously unpublished/unsubmitted novel aimed at Harlequin Presents.

Address for entries: instantseduction@hmb.co.uk

Good luck everyone and we are very much looking forward to finding some exciting new voices.

And now I need some ideas… *rubbing hands together*

Oh, and thanks to SweetNSourGirl for reminding me to add the website where y’all can find out more info.

… not run by me.

Miss Kate Rothwell is running this month’s contest on the account of me being a lazy cow with no money. The deadline is November 24, 2007.

You enter 400 words or less. If you put in 500 words I’ll know and I’ll leave you up but you probably won’t be a finalist. We’re not all about the rules, but there might as well be some way to eliminate the thousands of entries we’ll get.

Heh. Once I ran a Best Reviews contest no one entered and I kept opening up the thing. First it was romance reviews. Then anyone could enter. Then it was fine, go lift something from Amazon. I don’t give a f***.

Bam hated WIP things (um, oops. I didn’t notice that rule once) I say if it stands alone without a sense of wtf?, and if it works, okay.

Here’s November’s topic: Revealing The Big Secret. You get points for never actually saying outright what it is. Show don’t tell, baby. Speaking of which, there was some thought to making it a Secret Baby, but heck, you do your secret. Maybe you get points for making it a Secret Baby just because anyone who can write that well deserves points.

You win a twenty dollar gift certificate to Amazon or Samhain (I’m cheaper than Bam). AND you win a book. I have a beautiful pile of them and you get to pick one. And you win the glorious button that I’m going to make eventually to proclaim to the world that You Are A Professional Award Winning Writer. Hey, you won the contest and you’ll paid for your writing, right?

and here are the prizes:

You’d win:
* a pair of Bosnian Sox
* a book with a Big Secret in it (I have one all picked out) or one of mine.
* $20 to spend on more books with or without big secrets.
* A gorgeous e-button declaring you are a champion pro writer.

So go. Now. Then come back here on December 1st for MY writing contest.

A Slice of Heaven

Boy meets girl. Boy and girl go ga-ga over each other, but fight the attraction. Boy and girl give in to their feelings and fall madly in love. Something happens to break boy and girl up. Boy and girl reunite and live happily ever after… Oh so sweet. Oh so simple. Traditional romance fans read this scenario time and time again, yet never tire of it.

Many can’t see the appeal of romance books. As a proud romance reader and author, I hear it all the time—Romance novels are too predictable—They’re nothing but female porn—They aren’t realistic—They don’t touch real issues…. Readers and authors of romance are often times made to feel like the unwanted bastard child who refuses to just disappear.

I’m sure some of you have felt it or perhaps seen the disdain when whomever you are speaking to says, “Oh, you’re reading romance…” I’ve been known to say, “So what do you find so wrong with reading about two people who fall in love, respect each other, complement each other, solve their issues and live happily ever after?” I’m sure you all have a few dozen defense of romance battle stories.

I know at times I could just scream. Or better yet, how about finding a romance readers paradise? Somewhere where other avid readers of romance gather to commune with people who actually LOVE a great LOVE story? How about meeting your favorite romance author—scratch that—how about meeting your favorite romance authors and actually getting to hang out with them instead of being rushed through the book signing line?

How about if you are one of the “lowly” romance authors? Imagine a place where you are welcomed and shown appreciation for your talent instead of being shunned as “not a real author.” This romance readers’ paradise is also a romance authors’ paradise because you are able to connect with your readers with real quality and a large quantity of time. In this place literary agents and publishing houses seek you out.

Ahhhhhhh yes, Romance Reader and Author Heaven.

Allow me to tell you about a slice of Heaven called the Romance Slam Jam Conference, an exciting, power-packed conference for readers and authors of Black romance. Sixty published authors, numerous aspiring authors and hundreds of avid readers are expected to attend the 2008 event. Thirteen years ago, Emma Rodgers and Ashira Tosihwe, owners of Black Images in Dallas, and Best Selling Author Francis Ray began the conference to demonstrate what Nikki Giovanni describes as “The Power, Passion and Pain of Black Love.”

Big names such as Beverly Jenkins, Donna Hill, Francis Ray, Rochelle Alers and other top notch authors will be in attendance, but the Romance Slam Jam conference is much bigger than the names of authors who attend. For a few days each year, readers and authors of Black romance come together and celebrate our love of the romance genre. We discuss books, industry trends, make new friends, catch up with old, conduct workshops, party… This conference has become more than a conference, and the attendees have become more than attendees. The attendees have become a family and the conference has become a reunion. It’s impossible to explain the depth of the relationships formed at this reader and author event. This is something you must experience.

The next Romance Slam Jam will be in Chicago from 30 April – 4 May 2008. To learn more about the Romance Slam Jam Conference, visit the website at http://www.romanceslamjamconference.com.

Much Joy Peace and Love

Deatri King-Bey

Proud Romance Reader and Author

http://www.deewrites.com

Man, look at this lady go.

Laura and I pitched an urban fantasy series a couple of weeks ago. I’m sure y’all remember me mentioning Good Touch from time to time. It’s along the lines of Patricia Briggs, but with my own voice / twist on the genre. Anne Sowards, my editor for the Jax books, compared me to Ms. Briggs. Of course, she also compared me to Jim Butcher, and I nearly melted into a puddle of boneless goo. They’re two of my favorite authors!

On Friday, Anne offered for my urban fantasy series on pre-empt — three book deal! She and Laura did some negotiating and they’ve worked out an amazing deal. We’ve officially accepted the offer now, so I’m free to squee about it.

And that’s on top of her other series. I’d say she’s the luckiest person I know, but it ain’t just luck with this lady. It’s blood, sweat, tears, and grit. Oh and motherfucking pure unadulterated talent. Hardest working woman I’ve ever met. She is a leaf on the wind. Watch her soar. Except without the ka-chunk part, I mean (those who saw Serenity know exactly what I’m talking about. I haven’t forgiven you yet, Whedon).