Jane Porter's Blog, page 37

NYC Reader Together

I haven't been blogging much since I'm writing hard (hard, hard, hard!) on my Harlequin trying to get it in.  It was due June 1st so you can see why I'm frantic and I leave Sunday for the massive but amazing annual RWA conference, which takes place this year in NY's fantastic Times Square.

I heard from a couple readers in the NY area that they want to see me so I've thrown a fun, quick reader get together for NY.  I have to limit the headcount due to hotel seating caps, so it is first come, first serve if you want to join in the fun!

And now the details for the get-together…

What:  Join Jane Porter & Friends

When:  Tuesday, June 28th, 2011

Where:  At the Marriott Marquis Hotel In NYC Times Square

Why:  For the RWA Literacy Signing 5:30-7 pm and then a Special Reader Dinner after from 7- 9 pm in Marriott Marquis' Atrium Lounge – 8th Floor

Misc: We'll be having Drinks & Appetizers and the hotel is located at 1535 Broadway, New York, NY 10036

I love seeing my readers as you can tell by these two pics of readers who are now dear friends–Shannon from California (pic above) and Cindy from NJ (pic below)–so do join me if it sounds like something you'd enjoy.  If you can attend, I need you to  let me know ASAP (and by 6/26/11 at the latest) by letting me know in the comments below and then I'll get back to you to confirm.  The hotel requires a fixed headcount so if you say yes, please come as they'll still charge for no-shows!

Now its back to writing, and then packing, and then New York, New York!!

©2011 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

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Viva Las Vegas

It's been eight years since Ty and I met, and we've been bouncing back and forth between Hawaii and Seattle as if we own stock in the airlines, but after a couple houses, and a baby, and some nervous laughter, Ty and I have decided to make if officially official.

We're getting married in September in Las Vegas with Elvis.

That's right.   Surfer Ty and I are getting married at A Elvis Chapel with Elvis conducting the ceremony.   (Love it.)

Love that it's going to be a small wedding and super relaxed, and really fun.    I love that Ty's a great dadd.  And I love that even after eight years I think he's seriously sexy, and he still makes me laugh so much.

So tomorrow we head to Hawaii for the summer and then in September it's Viva Las Vegas with my kids, family and close friends.   Can't wait!  Las Vegas will never be the same!

©2011 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

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Smokin' Hot Romance

I was interviewed for over 30 minutes yesterday by a local radio personality about writing romance for her radio talk show.   The focus was on my Harlequin romances and while I didn't hear the edited interview live, you can listen to it here:

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=577&a=30117&p=&n=AudioClip

Or you can read an article (a little different!) here:

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=108&sid=495512

There's always a lot of ha-ha about writing romance, and love scenes and questions about how people react to what I do, and as you all know, I love what I do and am so proud of writing for Harlequin.  Romance rocks.  It's positive, emotional, sensual, escapist.  It can be uplifting and empowering.  It can be grounded and real.  It can be bittersweet or edgy, dark and passionate, hopeful and light.  Romance encompasses everything and my Harlequin romances vary from sweeter to brooding with the whole range in between.

To celebrate my Harlequin career,  I will be giving away 25 Harlequin romances plus reader goodies on Monday.  Want a chance to win one of my smokin' hot romances?    Tell me which of my Harlequins is your favorite, or if you don't read Harlequins, why would you want to win one? Contest runs through Sunday night and I'll announce the 25 winners on Monday.

Have a great weekend!  I'm in Victoria, BC with Ty and Mac and loving it!

 

©2011 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

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Mommy's Bed

My littlest guy is crying his heart out right now.  A month of traveling–and sleepig with us because we're in hotels and strange places and the Hawaii house–has made Mac only want to sleep in Mommy and Daddy's bed.  Tonight he's cried for twenty-five minutes without stop and I don't think I can take it much longer.  I know what the baby books say, and last night we let him cry it out, but it took him almost 45 minutes with Ty standing there for twenty-five minutes rubbing his back and singing to him but it was still exhausting.  Mac is such a little Taurus…so very stubborn…and all he wants is to sleep between Ty and me in our bed.

It's not right.  I know we're creating bad habits.  But oh, he's only two and he won't want to sleep with us when he's 16, will he?  Nah.  My almost sixteen year old barely spends time with me anymore, more interested in Facebook, texting, and girls than hanging with family.

I think I'm going to get him.  I need to ge thim.  Not because it's right, but because he's shouting "Help, Mommy.  Save me!"

Do you have any bad parenting habits?  Is there something you did–or didn't do–that you regret?  Share one of your guilty parenting moments and you've got a chance to win a Help Mommy Prize…pampering spa products, fantastic escapist reads, and loads of gift cards.  Contest runs through Thursday and I'll announce the winner Friday morning.  Talk to me and maybe you'll win!

©2011 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

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Mountains to Sea

After five days in Whistler on a writer's retreat I came home for a day and now I fly out tonight for Hawaii to join my two Gurney guys there.  I'm really looking forward to getting some sun and swimming in the ocean and just soaking up Hawaii's beauty.  I need it after the hectic few months where every week had one to three events and lots of writing squeezed around my many commitments.

Our Whistler retreat had its own moments of drama–a BBQ that literally was on fire and required an emergency application of a fire extinguisher, a crazy bout of food poisoning, and then my run with a bear.

I have the bear story on my Facebook page, but for those of you who don't do Facebook, the story in short…I wanted to get a quick run in before heading to airport, headed out down this little grassy slope, was kind of hopping over the rocks and glanced to my left and saw a black bear.  He wasn't massive, but he wasn't a cub and I froze, and tried to remember what Barb and Carla had said about bears.  They are both Canadians and Barb lives in Whitehorse, Yukon and Carla is in Calgary and constantly hiking through Banff, so they have bear expertise.  I thought they said stare bear in eye to show him you're not afraid, so I did that.  Then I remembered, no, don't stare bear in eye.  Look big and threatening.  So I lifted up my arms and then felt actually very small.  I'm not even 5'3″ so with arms in air I felt puny.  Dropped arms.  Struggled to remember if running away would make me look like prey, so I kind of took a step back and another and one more and THEN I ran, up hill, staring back over my shoulder the entire time in case Mr. Bear wanted to follow.  Bear did not.  I got into the cabin.  All was good.  Except run was over.  I was done for the day.

But now its off to Hawaii with pale sand, warm water and endless sun.  And to share my Hawaii love with you, I have a special I Heart Hawaii prize for one of you–a signed copy of Flirting with Forty, the Flirting with Forty Lifetime movie on DVD, Kona coffee, macadamia nuts, sarong, and lots more really fun stuff.  Want to win?  Tell me what you plan to do this weekend for Memorial Day weekend and you're entered!  And if you don't feel like talking about that, talk books to me.  You know how much I love to read!!  Contest runs through Monday night and I'll announce the winner Tuesday morning, May 31st.  Mahalo!

 

 

©2011 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

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Bubbly Mac

My Mac is away from me this weekend and I miss him already.  He's with his dad for his grandmother's memorial service in Oceanside this weekend while I'm on a business trip in Canada.  I was so sorry to miss Pat's memorial–and just as sorry to not see Ty's family.  I will be heading to Hawaii Wednesday night to join Mac and Ty there for a week, but in the meantime I had to share a few of my favorite pics of Mac this week playing with bubbles.

He is such a fun boy.

I have a very cool prize for one of you–a copy of Beth Kendrick's brand new release, The Bake-Off, a big beach towel, a $15 Starbucks drink card, a JP water bottle and lots more great reader goodies.  Want to win?  Tell me about a favorite book you've just read and you're entered!  (I'm reading The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook and loving it!!!  I'm neaaring the end and dreading hitting the last page…wish it'd go on fort another 100 pages!)  Contest runs through Monday night and I'll announce the winner Tuesday morning.  Good luck!

©2011 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

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Book Signing Secrets Podcast

Waxcreative, my web designers who specialize in author sites (and who create so many of my fun printwork I love to share with you all, like these fun bookmarks that I used for She's Gone Country), have started a podcast series highlighting book signing tips from author-to-author, and my interview was published this week.

As most of you already know, in publishing today, an author needs to do a lot of self-promotion and I work really hard to not just market my books, but give my readers opportunities to connect with me.

Here's a snippet of my interview transcript:

Q: What secrets can you share to help create successful book signing events?

My Answer: Successful booksignings don't just happen.  They're created.  I work hard to make every event I do a true event.  But to get people out of their house requires effort and planning. You have to offer your readers something… your book, yes… but something to compete with the hectic world we're in. Is it a girls night out?  Is it a social event?  Is it a small, intimate get together?  Is it a discussion or a party?  I focus on the type of event, and then getting folks there.  I use social media, enewsletters, and mailed event invites.  I try to follow up as well and I "reward" those that come with food and drink, or a fun discussion.  Stuffy book events just don't draw readers.

Head over to Waxcreative's blog to read more of the transcript or, even better, listen to the podcast!

I have two contests in conjunction with my podcast–one for readers and one for writers and I'll have a winner for each with wonderful prizes!

For the reader contest, I'd like to know what my readers want when you go to a book signing?

For the writer's contest, I'd love to hear from fellow authors what are your favorite forms of promo?   Or, what is your least favorite promo to do?

Contest runs through Friday night and I'll announce the winners Saturday morning.   When you share your comments with me below, be sure to say up front if you're a reader or a writer (or like me, both!  )

 

©2011 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

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The Fun of Foreign Editions

Like most my author friends, I love getting copies of my foreign editions on the mail.  It's almost like Christmas when you open up the box and discover your book, but now in a new language with a brand new cover and title.  I was doubly thrilled this week when I opened a box and discovered my very first Japanese manga comic book based on In Dante's Debt, my fourth Harlequin Presents and my first Rita nominated book!  As a massive fan of Japan and Japanese culture, I squealed as I flipped through the pages, loving the illustrations and art and emotion.  Lots of tears in the story and lots of love scenes, too!  So fun!

In celebration of my Harlequins' foreign settings and foreign editions, I'm doing a weekend contest with four prize winners.  Each winner will receive a cool, colorful international tote bag from World Market, an international calendar, a signed copy of my soon to be released A Dark Sicilian Secret and yummy European chocolate.  The contest runs through Sunday night and I'll announce the winners Monday.  Chat with me and you're entered!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

©2011 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

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Wed Wine Tasting & Fun

I attended another wonderful event last night here in Bellevue with moms from Cherry Crest Elementary.  The women were really nice and very fun and made me feel so comfortable.  I appreciate all those who have bid on an evening with me at their school or non-profit auctions and hope you know that I'm the lucky one to get to meet such awesome women!

I have another event in Bellevue this coming Wednesday, May 11th from 6 to 8pm at the Bellevue Club.  Not familiar with the Bellevue Club?  It's at 11200 Southeast Sixth Street, Bellevue, WA 98004 and there is a $25 charge for the wine tasting, but if you're interested in attending and don't belong to the Bellevue Club let me know and I can get you on the RSVP list!  (Or call the Member Events Office at 425-688-3384 or email social@bellevueclub.com and they can add you, too.)  I will have all six of my women's fiction titles on hand and can't wait to mingle and chat with all who attend.  If you live in the Greater Seattle, grab a couple of friends, and join us.  Husbands, dates and men welcome!  I'm thinking of dragging my guy along, although he'd probably prefer to be home playing with Mac!

Click on the poster to see the full sized invitation.

Right now the sun is shining and there's blue sky peeking between clouds.  I think I better take my little guy out to a park to get some Vitamin D while I can. Hope you're having a wonderful Saturday and enjoying your weekend.  And to make sure you've got a perfect weekend, I've got 3 prizes to giveaway–3 signed copies of Wendy Wax's sensational The Accidental Bestseller, a $10 Starbucks drink card, a signed book from my backlist, and more.  I LOVE Wendy's writing, and she has a new book out this week–Ten Beach Road–and the reviews are fantastic.  If you're looking for something wonderful to read, look for Wendy's new book.  My copy just arrived from Amazon today!

The contest for Wendy's novel and fun goodies runs from today through Wednesday night with me announcing the three winners on Thursday morning.  Tell me your idea of a perfect day and you're entered!  It's that easy.  :)

©2011 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

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It's May…and almost Mother's Day!

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Can't believe it's early May and the RWA conference in New York is just 7 weeks away!  The annual conference is usually late July and I'm excited that I'll soon be meeting up with so many of my author friends, but a little overwhelmed by all I have to do first!

She's Gone Country continues to earn kudos which is very gratifying as I loved this story!  I learned this past week that She's Gone Country is a finalist for the National Readers' Choice Awards sponsored by Oklahoma Romance Writers of America in the Mainstream category! That's the third big regional contest She's Gone Country has placed in, and this time it's all thanks to the readers for voting for it, so–thank you!!!   If you're interested in who else placed in the Mainstream category, heck out all the finalists here.

Over at Facebook I've been running a contest that ends tomorrow on Thursday.  If you want a chance to win a signed copy of She's Gone Country, a Jane Porter water bottle and more, "Like Me" on my author page and make a comment.

I am so so so grateful to you who read me, and recommend me, and post reviews when you can.   If you find an author you love (two of my favorite authors have new books out this week…Wendy Wax and Beth Kendrick…so excited for them and have ordered both from Amazon) do talk your fav author up, and share the love because so many of us published authors are only here because you buy us and like us.  I wouldn't have a career if it weren't for you, and I really fight to write the stories you want versus what "marketing" somewhere in New York thinks you need.  I'm passionate about stories with heart and hope, stories you can relate to, and maybe its not the cool thing, or maybe some industry insiders can dismiss it as chick lit or fluff, but its what I believe in and its what I want to do.

Change is coming for me and my women's fiction trade books. I've been waiting a long time for decisions to be made regarding my new trilogy about The Brennan Sisters and it seems like things are breaking loose. Change is always scary but and hopefully everything will soon fall into place and I'll have good news to share.

Mother's Day is just days from now and I've got a special Mother's Day package for one lucky reader. It's a terrific prize–completely indulgent–and I'll draw the winner's name Saturday night and announce on Sunday, Mother's Day. How to enter? Tell me five things that make you happy…and it can't be a person!!

My five things? 1) A vase of fresh flowers in my kitchen,  2)  Ooba's guac and chips  (or any great chunky guacamole!),  3)  Being lost in a great novel,  4)  Watching my fav TV shows like Glee, American Idol, or The Voice with my kids,  5)  My super comfy beat up Lucky jeans,  6)  Going to a musical,  7)  Mango bodywash,  8)  a super crunchy sweet apple,  9)  my first cup of coffee in the morning,  10)  the smell of my clothes when they come out of the dryer,  11)  just sitting in the sun soaking it up on a pretty day,  12)  the bench press!  13)  a red t-shirt

Okay, that's more than 5 but that's the whole point…there are so many things that make me happy…little things, inexpensive things, things that just feel good.  So share and hopefully you'll win!

 

©2011 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

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