Around 2,000 writers, agents, editors and other professionals in publishing will gather in San Francisco to attend or give workshops, network, and socialize during the Romance Writer's of America conference. Unpublished writers get the opportunity to pitch their stories to editors and agents with the hope they'll one day see their words in print. The grand finale is the Rita and Golden Heart Awards Night, RWA's version of the Oscars. The conference is an exciting, hectic, informative, and exhausting few days.
The morning before the conference officially opens Faith, Hope & Love, a special interest chapter of RWA, hosts a mini-conference for inspirational writers and professionals that ends with a wonderful time of worship, fueling our spirit for the days ahead.
I'll participate in giving a workshop entitled: First Year on the Job: From "THE CALL" to Publication. I'll attend my publisher's party, a gala event, and see my editor at lunch and other functions. Best of all, I'll hook up with writer friends I've met at prior conferences and only see once a year/ Those friends are one of the many blessings of being a writer.
Whatever your dream, grab the opportunities like this conference to bring it to fruition.
Blessings,
Janet
Monday, July 28, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Shirley Jump at Seekerville today
Shirley Jump, my critique partner and friend, is at Seekerville today talking about Show Not Tell. She's the author of thirty-three books. Her latest release, Boardroom Bride and Groom is on sale now. Stop in and pick her brain at www.seekerville.blogspot.com
Blessings, Janet
Blessings, Janet
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Happy day!
Mary Connealy, author of Calico Canyon, a good friend and Seeker pal suggested I get my picture taken holding Courting Miss Adelaide. Since I know better than to ignore Mary's advice, here I am in my office holding a copy of my debut novel. In two months it will be in the stores so you can hold it, too. :-)
If you haven't read one of Mary's book, pick up a copy of Calico Canyon. I loved it!
Janet
Monday, July 14, 2008
Susan Meier's Ten Minute Solution
If you have too much to do and not enough time to do it, stop in at http://www.seekerville.blogspot.com/ today and chat with Susan Meier. Her ten minute solution will increase your productivity. Post a comment and I'll enter you in a drawing to win one of Susan's backlist.
Blessings, Janet
Blessings, Janet
Thursday, July 3, 2008
The winner is...
My author copies arrived! After a two year wait, I'm thrilled to hold the book in my hands! The colors are vibrant. Miss Adelaide is even prettier in person. ;-) I'm very proud of this, my debut book.
I put the names of those who left a comment about the cover in the pot for a copy of Courting Miss Adelaide. And the winner is...Pamela. I'll be contacting her by e-mail.
Thanks for entering!
Janet
I put the names of those who left a comment about the cover in the pot for a copy of Courting Miss Adelaide. And the winner is...Pamela. I'll be contacting her by e-mail.
Thanks for entering!
Janet
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Courting Miss Adelaide's now has a bookmark
In a week or so, I'll have bookmarks to promote my debut novel, Courting Miss Adelaide. My critique partner and dear friend, Shirley Jump, http://www.shirleyjump.com/ handled the design. I'm really pleased with how they turned out. And can't wait to pass along this tangible reminder of the books' release this September.
There's so much to do to promote a book. I will write blog posts and answer interview questions. Contact the media. Set up book signings. It's all a bit overwhelming, but exciting, too. I have some wonderful friends who want to be influencers for the book. They'll read then posting reviews and invite me to their blogs, if they have them. They'll help get the word out. There's nothing like word-of-mouth to build buzz.
Blessings,
Saturday, June 7, 2008
The ladies at American Girl
My two daughters and I took my granddaughter, along with her lookalike American Girl doll, to Chicago's American Girl store last weekend. We soon discovered we ladies loved the dolls as much as our little princess, crowned such just for this special day. :-)
We started our adventure at American Girl's stage show and were enthralled with the stories of Molly(1944), Kit (1934), Samantha (1904), Addy (1864), Kirsten (1854), Josefina (1824), Felicity (1774), and Kaya (1764). The performers, mostly children, did a phenomenal job of acting and singing. The show ends in September. The Chicago store will relocate to the first floor of the Water Tower on Michigan Ave. Four other stores are in New York, Atlanta, Dallas, and Los Angeles.
After the show, we hung around to meet the actors and get autographs, then headed to dinner in the American Girl dining room, a darling spot decorated in black, white, and hot pink. Our table overlooked the old Water Tower and the carriage traffic moving past beneath our window. Zoe, my granddaughter's doll, sat in a special chair that slid onto the table's edge. Our waiter brought her a tiny black and white mug, while we enjoyed cinnamon rolls, huge tray of appetizers, a salad, entree--I chose talapia--and dessert of iced angelfood cake, sugar cookie with pink sprinkles and chocolate mousse in a miniature flower pot.
The store closed soon after dinner so we headed to the carriages, letting the princess select her steed. The lovely temperature had dropped by this time, but we were toasty under a blanket as we took the half hour ride along Lake Michigan and discovered two small parks we didn't know existed.
We managed to get a few hours of sleep in our hotel before the noise of the elevated train woke us the next morning. After breakfast we returned to American Girl to let the princess shop for her birthday, only days away. The items are expensive, but very well made and rich with detail. She selected a daybed with a trundle, along with lovely matching bedding. We stopped in the beauty shop and got pointers on how to take care of Zoe's hair. The princess didn't want to relinquish her doll to the hairdresser, even though Zoe's tresses could use some TLC. Before we left the store, we toured the historical dolls, looking at books, DVDs, furniture, and accessories. I'm drawn to Molly, but Kit was a favorite of my daughters. Samantha drew lots of attention, but in the end, we ladies resisted the urge to buy ourselves a doll. Who knew this trip would reawaken our own little girl fascination with dolls? After lunch at The Cheesecake Factory, we piled into the van. We'd had a delightful time and vowed to make another all-girl excursion.
Are you or a little girl in your life a fan of American Girl? If so, which doll is your/her favorite?
Blessings,
Janet
Courting Miss Adelaide
We started our adventure at American Girl's stage show and were enthralled with the stories of Molly(1944), Kit (1934), Samantha (1904), Addy (1864), Kirsten (1854), Josefina (1824), Felicity (1774), and Kaya (1764). The performers, mostly children, did a phenomenal job of acting and singing. The show ends in September. The Chicago store will relocate to the first floor of the Water Tower on Michigan Ave. Four other stores are in New York, Atlanta, Dallas, and Los Angeles.
After the show, we hung around to meet the actors and get autographs, then headed to dinner in the American Girl dining room, a darling spot decorated in black, white, and hot pink. Our table overlooked the old Water Tower and the carriage traffic moving past beneath our window. Zoe, my granddaughter's doll, sat in a special chair that slid onto the table's edge. Our waiter brought her a tiny black and white mug, while we enjoyed cinnamon rolls, huge tray of appetizers, a salad, entree--I chose talapia--and dessert of iced angelfood cake, sugar cookie with pink sprinkles and chocolate mousse in a miniature flower pot.
The store closed soon after dinner so we headed to the carriages, letting the princess select her steed. The lovely temperature had dropped by this time, but we were toasty under a blanket as we took the half hour ride along Lake Michigan and discovered two small parks we didn't know existed.
We managed to get a few hours of sleep in our hotel before the noise of the elevated train woke us the next morning. After breakfast we returned to American Girl to let the princess shop for her birthday, only days away. The items are expensive, but very well made and rich with detail. She selected a daybed with a trundle, along with lovely matching bedding. We stopped in the beauty shop and got pointers on how to take care of Zoe's hair. The princess didn't want to relinquish her doll to the hairdresser, even though Zoe's tresses could use some TLC. Before we left the store, we toured the historical dolls, looking at books, DVDs, furniture, and accessories. I'm drawn to Molly, but Kit was a favorite of my daughters. Samantha drew lots of attention, but in the end, we ladies resisted the urge to buy ourselves a doll. Who knew this trip would reawaken our own little girl fascination with dolls? After lunch at The Cheesecake Factory, we piled into the van. We'd had a delightful time and vowed to make another all-girl excursion.
Are you or a little girl in your life a fan of American Girl? If so, which doll is your/her favorite?
Blessings,
Janet
Courting Miss Adelaide
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