Erin Richards's Blog, page 16
October 3, 2012
Book Review: Love, Eternally
Love, Eternally is next up in my Book Review blog series! To be clear, I will be reviewing books by other publishers (not just Crimson), including young adult books. But over this summer I've read some fantastic books from new publisher Crimson Romance and want to share them with you!
Title: Love, EternallySeries: Book One of the Roman Time Travel SeriesAuthor: Morgan O’NeillGenre: Time-Travel, Historical RomanceRelease Date: July 2, 2012Format: ebook (Print forthcoming)
Buy Links:
AmazonB&N
“Back Cover” Blurb:
A witch's ancient curse propels talented flutist Gigi Perrin back to A.D. 408, to the court of the depraved Roman Emperor Honorius and his admirable sister, Princess Galla Placidia.
There, Gigi grapples with her disbelief about what has happened, and with the strange, new world of violent politics, social upheaval, and Visigoth barbarians straining at the very gates of an empire.
Through it all, she must struggle with her powerful attraction to a pagan senator and military commander, Quintus Magnus, a man exotically different from anyone she has ever known. On the brink of a dark and war-torn age, Gigi joins forces with Magnus, battling to save a princess and her people, and ultimately finding love amid the chaos, before the fall of Rome.
My Review: Fantastic Time-Travel Romance – Highly RecommendedLOVE, ETERNALLY is an enthralling tale of power, love and destiny that transcends time. A witch’s curse takes the reader back to Ancient Rome where a 21st century flutist meets her destiny in a Roman warrior turned powerful senator, during a time of violent upheaval. The setting was authentic and thrilling, and I felt like I was there beside Gigi and Magnus step-by-step through perilous danger, heartache, and ultimately love.The authors did their research well and flawlessly integrated a love story in a historical period of great turmoil. LOVE, ETERNALLY was an amazing and exciting time-travel read that shouldn’t be missed. I highly recommend it, and I can’t wait for the second and third books in the series!
If you don’t believe me about this book, believe the 11 other 5-star reviews (as of today’s date)! I’ll be reviewing the fantastic Book Two of the Roman Time Travel Series, AFTER THE FALL, in a few weeks. (I received a review copy from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review).
Title: Love, EternallySeries: Book One of the Roman Time Travel SeriesAuthor: Morgan O’NeillGenre: Time-Travel, Historical RomanceRelease Date: July 2, 2012Format: ebook (Print forthcoming)
Buy Links:
AmazonB&N
“Back Cover” Blurb:
A witch's ancient curse propels talented flutist Gigi Perrin back to A.D. 408, to the court of the depraved Roman Emperor Honorius and his admirable sister, Princess Galla Placidia.There, Gigi grapples with her disbelief about what has happened, and with the strange, new world of violent politics, social upheaval, and Visigoth barbarians straining at the very gates of an empire.
Through it all, she must struggle with her powerful attraction to a pagan senator and military commander, Quintus Magnus, a man exotically different from anyone she has ever known. On the brink of a dark and war-torn age, Gigi joins forces with Magnus, battling to save a princess and her people, and ultimately finding love amid the chaos, before the fall of Rome.
My Review: Fantastic Time-Travel Romance – Highly RecommendedLOVE, ETERNALLY is an enthralling tale of power, love and destiny that transcends time. A witch’s curse takes the reader back to Ancient Rome where a 21st century flutist meets her destiny in a Roman warrior turned powerful senator, during a time of violent upheaval. The setting was authentic and thrilling, and I felt like I was there beside Gigi and Magnus step-by-step through perilous danger, heartache, and ultimately love.The authors did their research well and flawlessly integrated a love story in a historical period of great turmoil. LOVE, ETERNALLY was an amazing and exciting time-travel read that shouldn’t be missed. I highly recommend it, and I can’t wait for the second and third books in the series!
If you don’t believe me about this book, believe the 11 other 5-star reviews (as of today’s date)! I’ll be reviewing the fantastic Book Two of the Roman Time Travel Series, AFTER THE FALL, in a few weeks. (I received a review copy from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review).
September 30, 2012
To Autumn, Fall, Samhain
Now that summer is officially over and instead of my Six-Sentence Sunday, I thought I'd post this Ode to Autumn for your reading pleasure or divergence, or what the heck!
O Autumn, laden with fruit, and stain'd
With the blood of the grape, pass not, but sit
Beneath my shady roof; there thou may'st rest,
And tune thy jolly voice to my fresh pipe,
And all the daughters of the year shall dance!
Sing now the lusty song of fruits and flowers.
"The narrow bud opens her beauties to
The sun, and love runs in her thrilling veins;
Blossoms hang round the brows of Morning, and
Flourish down the bright cheek of modest Eve,
Till clust'ring Summer breaks forth into singing,
And feather'd clouds strew flowers round her head.
"The spirits of the air live in the smells
Of fruit; and Joy, with pinions light, roves round
The gardens, or sits singing in the trees."
Thus sang the jolly Autumn as he sat,
Then rose, girded himself, and o'er the bleak
Hills fled from our sight; but left his golden load.
(To Autumn by William Blake) A fallen leave is nothing more than a summer’s wave goodbye.
O Autumn, laden with fruit, and stain'd
With the blood of the grape, pass not, but sit
Beneath my shady roof; there thou may'st rest,
And tune thy jolly voice to my fresh pipe,
And all the daughters of the year shall dance!
Sing now the lusty song of fruits and flowers.
"The narrow bud opens her beauties to
The sun, and love runs in her thrilling veins;
Blossoms hang round the brows of Morning, and
Flourish down the bright cheek of modest Eve,
Till clust'ring Summer breaks forth into singing,
And feather'd clouds strew flowers round her head.
"The spirits of the air live in the smells
Of fruit; and Joy, with pinions light, roves round
The gardens, or sits singing in the trees."
Thus sang the jolly Autumn as he sat,
Then rose, girded himself, and o'er the bleak
Hills fled from our sight; but left his golden load.
(To Autumn by William Blake) A fallen leave is nothing more than a summer’s wave goodbye.
September 23, 2012
Six+ Sentence Sunday
I can't keep to 6 "sentences" or my excerpts will be miniscule! Here's a continuation of my YA SF that I started 2 Sundays ago:
“Do you think it’s another ozone shift?” Livia gnawed on her bottom lip.“Looks like it.” I held my palm up, catching fat, glittery snowflakes, watching them melt on my warm hand. “Where are the clouds? It’s seventy degrees outside.”Livia zipped up her coat. “Not anymore.” She shuddered to prove her point.The temperature had fallen about thirty degrees in moments. Sun worshippers all along the ragged coast scrambled into their clothes and dashed off the beach. Most of them were probably afraid of a tsunami or tidal wave. I laughed at their paranoia. The Northern Sea may be intemperate on any given day, but the tides have followed the usual moon cycles for the last sixteen years.
“Do you think it’s another ozone shift?” Livia gnawed on her bottom lip.“Looks like it.” I held my palm up, catching fat, glittery snowflakes, watching them melt on my warm hand. “Where are the clouds? It’s seventy degrees outside.”Livia zipped up her coat. “Not anymore.” She shuddered to prove her point.The temperature had fallen about thirty degrees in moments. Sun worshippers all along the ragged coast scrambled into their clothes and dashed off the beach. Most of them were probably afraid of a tsunami or tidal wave. I laughed at their paranoia. The Northern Sea may be intemperate on any given day, but the tides have followed the usual moon cycles for the last sixteen years.
September 19, 2012
Book Review: Forgotten Dreams
I'm starting a regular blog series on the books I review. I plan to review only books I like because that's my perogative. I hope they help you add some great titles to your TBR list.
Without further ado, here's my first review!
Title: Forgotten Dreams
Author: Alexia BanksGenre: Paranormal RomanceRelease Date: August 6, 2012Format: ebook (soon in print) Buy Links: Amazon B&N " Back Cover” Blurb:
Itching for adventure, Miami private investigator Shane Connelly heads for Swan Creek in North Carolina wine country. But she quickly discovers it's anything but the perfect spot to while away the summer months.Her country home turns out to be a burned out hovel that she suspects is haunted. Discouraged, she plans to head home when a handsome stranger arrives at her doorstep.Before she can beat a trail off the mountain, Shane and her handsome neighbor Jesse are inexplicably drawn together as they dodge bullets, unearth ghosts, and unravel a dark town secret. In the end, Shane realizes it's not the high altitudes that are making her head spin, but her brooding lover with the penetrating dark eyes. My Review:
A great romance, intriguing suspense, and a nice dose of humor make FORGOTTEN DREAMS an enjoyably entertaining story. The story grabs you from the first page and keeps you hanging on until the end. Despite the burned out home Shane obtains as payment for PI work, I loved the slice of North Carolina wine country the author introduced me to. I felt like I walked in Shane’s shoes as she investigated the hauntings and secrets of her new home and of Swan Creek.The plot and character motivations are believable, leaving you cheering for Shane and Jessie throughout. Spiced with a supernatural flare and a surprise ending, FORGOTTEN DREAMS is sure to please a wide variety of fans. The cover art is beautiful and a wonderful depiction of the story. I would have picked this book to read based on it alone!
Without further ado, here's my first review!
Title: Forgotten DreamsAuthor: Alexia BanksGenre: Paranormal RomanceRelease Date: August 6, 2012Format: ebook (soon in print) Buy Links: Amazon B&N " Back Cover” Blurb:
Itching for adventure, Miami private investigator Shane Connelly heads for Swan Creek in North Carolina wine country. But she quickly discovers it's anything but the perfect spot to while away the summer months.Her country home turns out to be a burned out hovel that she suspects is haunted. Discouraged, she plans to head home when a handsome stranger arrives at her doorstep.Before she can beat a trail off the mountain, Shane and her handsome neighbor Jesse are inexplicably drawn together as they dodge bullets, unearth ghosts, and unravel a dark town secret. In the end, Shane realizes it's not the high altitudes that are making her head spin, but her brooding lover with the penetrating dark eyes. My Review:
A great romance, intriguing suspense, and a nice dose of humor make FORGOTTEN DREAMS an enjoyably entertaining story. The story grabs you from the first page and keeps you hanging on until the end. Despite the burned out home Shane obtains as payment for PI work, I loved the slice of North Carolina wine country the author introduced me to. I felt like I walked in Shane’s shoes as she investigated the hauntings and secrets of her new home and of Swan Creek.The plot and character motivations are believable, leaving you cheering for Shane and Jessie throughout. Spiced with a supernatural flare and a surprise ending, FORGOTTEN DREAMS is sure to please a wide variety of fans. The cover art is beautiful and a wonderful depiction of the story. I would have picked this book to read based on it alone!
September 16, 2012
Six Sentence Sunday
Continuing with the first six sentences of my YA SF, here's a little more to entice you. Yeah, I know, it's more than six sentences! But who's counting?
“Hey, Rowan,” Livia’s voice drifted to me, “Cutting academy? Snow day?” My best friend laughed and plopped down in the sand next to me curling her legs beneath her. She stuck her tongue out to catch fluttering snowflakes.“More like sunday.” I swatted at an orange sand beetle ducking for cover under my raised leg. It was a rare day along the Almeria coast that we had a good span of sunshine before the weather changed or asteroid particles barraged us. But it was the first time it’d snowed in the Sun Pole since the Shifts encroached upon the southern part of the planet two years ago. Still, Coastal Almeria never got snow, not even before the Shifts. The southern half of the planet lived in daylight, but we’d increasingly began to see the dark side of the planet grow closer to the Sun Pole, bringing with it these strange weather patterns. I shivered again, a bit of a freak-out going on inside me as I slipped on my overcoat.
“Hey, Rowan,” Livia’s voice drifted to me, “Cutting academy? Snow day?” My best friend laughed and plopped down in the sand next to me curling her legs beneath her. She stuck her tongue out to catch fluttering snowflakes.“More like sunday.” I swatted at an orange sand beetle ducking for cover under my raised leg. It was a rare day along the Almeria coast that we had a good span of sunshine before the weather changed or asteroid particles barraged us. But it was the first time it’d snowed in the Sun Pole since the Shifts encroached upon the southern part of the planet two years ago. Still, Coastal Almeria never got snow, not even before the Shifts. The southern half of the planet lived in daylight, but we’d increasingly began to see the dark side of the planet grow closer to the Sun Pole, bringing with it these strange weather patterns. I shivered again, a bit of a freak-out going on inside me as I slipped on my overcoat.
September 9, 2012
Six-Sentence Sunday
This is my first "six-sentence" Sunday, and the first of a regular series. Since I'm revising my YA science fiction novel, I thought I'd share the current first six sentences.
Fluffy snow drifted upon me, falling from a crystal blue sky. I lay on the sand soaking up the late afternoon sunshine and shivered at the sudden drop in temperature.Sunshine, not snow clouds.“What the heck?” I sat up and rubbed my prickly arms, a knot of foreboding tightening in my stomach. The snow dissolved upon my warm skin, dribbled between my legs to my ratty blanket.
Fluffy snow drifted upon me, falling from a crystal blue sky. I lay on the sand soaking up the late afternoon sunshine and shivered at the sudden drop in temperature.Sunshine, not snow clouds.“What the heck?” I sat up and rubbed my prickly arms, a knot of foreboding tightening in my stomach. The snow dissolved upon my warm skin, dribbled between my legs to my ratty blanket.
August 26, 2012
First Reviews for WICKED PARADISE and an Excerpt!
Here's what a couple of readers have said about WICKED PARADISE:
"A Marvelous Novel, Brimming With Imagination"
5-Star Review (my first 5-star review!!):
With the pace of our rush away world, we tend to forget the pleasures of a story well told, languid in its unfolding, and rich in its depths. Wicked Paradise is such a tale. I was drawn in, deeper and deeper, until I could not put it down, appreciating Erin Richards's wonderful use of language, her lush imagery, and intense characterizations. This is a marvelous novel, brimming with imagination. Morgan and Ryan are heroic and passionate protagonists, who must find their way to each other, and to WindWraith, the evil demon they must overcome in a bid to save their mystical, shadow moon island - and, perhaps, the world at large. Ancient Avalon, Druid magic, time travel, twenty-first century post-apocalyptic ruin, high adventure, and romance! Kudos to Ms. Richards for mingling it all together and delivering a novel that entertains, surprises, and enthralls. I loved it!
"Wicked Good Read"
Wicked Paradise is a mix of Merlin magic and twenty-first century apocalyptic destruction. Morgan of Avalon and Ryan O'Rourke must team up to save all magic by destroying the evil WindWraith. Trapped on a deserted isle that is caught between two worlds, these two powerful characters are instantly drawn to one another. Though they come from two different times and worlds, they must learn to trust and confide in each other otherwise the manipulative WindWraith will play upon their doubts and fears in a plot to escape his prison. And if he escapes, all hope for magic and civilization will be doomed.
Erin Richards does an amazing job weaving a sexual tension between Morgan and Ryan that leaves you craving more. The world building on the island provides a very vivid picture--from the fruit on the trees to the moons in the sky to the unique creatures that inhabit the isle--that made it easy to get lost in a world of magic and love.
Want more? Here's an excerpt:
Leaves clung to Morgan’s hair and he reached to pick them out. Her eyes followed his movements, narrowing as if he meant to strike her. Slowly, he feathered his fingers down her silk smooth cheek. He wanted to touch every inch of her, just as he wanted to do from the moment she invaded his dream. Now, she stood before him in the flesh, wearing his T-shirt, alluring as hell. So very alive, he feared turning his back on her. Afraid he'd find his fingers touching air, his eyes gazing upon a mirage.
"Did you tell the truth about the dream? You spoke to me." She shook a finger at him. "What did you say?"
Did she honestly believe they hadn’t shared the dream? Druid or not, dream connection or not, she was pure trouble, and he had a difficult time burying his paranoia. He also had a tricky time reconciling his lack of trust with his desire. For the first time in his life, he wanted to believe in someone he simultaneously desired. There was a first time for even that, right?
On impulse, he bent his head as if to kiss her. A hairsbreadth separated their lips, and he breathed in her fresh shallow exhale. Her breath contained her entire essence, pouring liquid passion into his soul. He nearly yielded to his hunger and tasted her pinched lips. Easing back, she flipped her hair over her shoulder, and he met her insolent expression. Lust arced through him, stunning him with the blow to his system. Hell, he never believed dreams came true. Especially in the life he led, and certainly not in the last two nightmare years.
Until now.
"I said I would find you." His lips grazed her velvety cheek. "When my work was done," he whispered in her ear.
Still not convinced? Read even more here:
Website | Amazon | B&N | iTunes
"A Marvelous Novel, Brimming With Imagination"
5-Star Review (my first 5-star review!!):
With the pace of our rush away world, we tend to forget the pleasures of a story well told, languid in its unfolding, and rich in its depths. Wicked Paradise is such a tale. I was drawn in, deeper and deeper, until I could not put it down, appreciating Erin Richards's wonderful use of language, her lush imagery, and intense characterizations. This is a marvelous novel, brimming with imagination. Morgan and Ryan are heroic and passionate protagonists, who must find their way to each other, and to WindWraith, the evil demon they must overcome in a bid to save their mystical, shadow moon island - and, perhaps, the world at large. Ancient Avalon, Druid magic, time travel, twenty-first century post-apocalyptic ruin, high adventure, and romance! Kudos to Ms. Richards for mingling it all together and delivering a novel that entertains, surprises, and enthralls. I loved it!
"Wicked Good Read"
Wicked Paradise is a mix of Merlin magic and twenty-first century apocalyptic destruction. Morgan of Avalon and Ryan O'Rourke must team up to save all magic by destroying the evil WindWraith. Trapped on a deserted isle that is caught between two worlds, these two powerful characters are instantly drawn to one another. Though they come from two different times and worlds, they must learn to trust and confide in each other otherwise the manipulative WindWraith will play upon their doubts and fears in a plot to escape his prison. And if he escapes, all hope for magic and civilization will be doomed.
Erin Richards does an amazing job weaving a sexual tension between Morgan and Ryan that leaves you craving more. The world building on the island provides a very vivid picture--from the fruit on the trees to the moons in the sky to the unique creatures that inhabit the isle--that made it easy to get lost in a world of magic and love.
Want more? Here's an excerpt:
Leaves clung to Morgan’s hair and he reached to pick them out. Her eyes followed his movements, narrowing as if he meant to strike her. Slowly, he feathered his fingers down her silk smooth cheek. He wanted to touch every inch of her, just as he wanted to do from the moment she invaded his dream. Now, she stood before him in the flesh, wearing his T-shirt, alluring as hell. So very alive, he feared turning his back on her. Afraid he'd find his fingers touching air, his eyes gazing upon a mirage.
"Did you tell the truth about the dream? You spoke to me." She shook a finger at him. "What did you say?"
Did she honestly believe they hadn’t shared the dream? Druid or not, dream connection or not, she was pure trouble, and he had a difficult time burying his paranoia. He also had a tricky time reconciling his lack of trust with his desire. For the first time in his life, he wanted to believe in someone he simultaneously desired. There was a first time for even that, right?
On impulse, he bent his head as if to kiss her. A hairsbreadth separated their lips, and he breathed in her fresh shallow exhale. Her breath contained her entire essence, pouring liquid passion into his soul. He nearly yielded to his hunger and tasted her pinched lips. Easing back, she flipped her hair over her shoulder, and he met her insolent expression. Lust arced through him, stunning him with the blow to his system. Hell, he never believed dreams came true. Especially in the life he led, and certainly not in the last two nightmare years.
Until now.
"I said I would find you." His lips grazed her velvety cheek. "When my work was done," he whispered in her ear.
Still not convinced? Read even more here:
Website | Amazon | B&N | iTunes
August 22, 2012
What's Erin Up to Today?
Today, the lovely author Laura Simcox has interviewed me on her blog. Stop on by...here's the link: http://ljsimcox.wordpress.com/2012/08/22/escape-to-paradise/
Laura's contemporary romance SUMMER PROMISES releases on September 7. Be sure to check it out and all the other great books at Crimson Romance.
You still have time to enter my Kindle giveaway. More details.
Laura's contemporary romance SUMMER PROMISES releases on September 7. Be sure to check it out and all the other great books at Crimson Romance.
You still have time to enter my Kindle giveaway. More details.
August 13, 2012
Book News & Kindle Giveaway!
I’m excited to announce that my second novel WICKED PARADISE has just been published by F+W Media and is available for download at your favorite online retailer. The print edition (hopefully) will release in the fall for you die hard print book lovers!If you get a chance, please “like” WICKED PARADISE on Amazon and Barnes & Noble even if you don’t purchase (you must be logged into your Amazon and BN accounts). The “like” button is located at the top of the book listing on the retailer websites. This helps book ratings and search engines!
More Good News!My debut novel CHASING SHADOWS was just released in print and is available to order online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, or you can order it from any local bookstore.
Kindle Giveaway!To celebrate my book releases, I’m giving away a new Kindle to one lucky winner! Enter my Set Sail for Wicked Paradise Contest for your chance to win. No purchase necessary! It’s easy peasy. See details and entry form on my Website.
Also, if you play on Facebook, please “like” my Facebook Fan Page. If you “like” my Fan Page ANDenter the contest on my website, you’ll earn a second entry in my Kindle giveaway!
Pass the news on!Thank you!Follow, “Like” and Read More at: Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook
August 8, 2012
My Mini Tour of RWA 2012
When I registered for the Romance Writers of American 2012 National Conference in January, I wanted my experience at RWA12 in Anaheim to be energizing and motivational. I needed that motivation after a long dry spell since my first book, CHASING SHADOWS, was published in 2008.
May 2012 changed all that. As I set off in my speedy Camaro to drive to Anaheim from Northern California, I was already filled with energy, motivation, and excitement. I now had a contract from Crimson Romance (an imprint of F+W Media) to publish my second book, WICKED PARADISE, which releases to the world on Monday! I viewed the conference in a new light, wanting to learn more about social media and promotion for my upcoming release. Of course, networking and meeting friends was still a top priority!
I arrived at the Anaheim Marriott Wednesday afternoon after a 6-hour drive. Our room card keys were appropriate for 2000+ romance authors, publishers, agents and other industry professionals.
First thing, I met up with my writing partner, Jen. We had met online a few years ago, each looking for a writing/critique partner. At the time, she lived & worked in the mid-west, but soon moved to California. Then we found out we worked in the same town. Yet, we hadn’t ever met in person! It was finally great to put a face to the name and to hang out with her throughout the conference, talk shop and catch up on our lives!
After checking in and getting a goody bag full of books at the registration, I skipped next door to the Literacy Signing…a huge room full of published romance & women’s fiction authors from Nora Roberts (who had the longest line of eager fans) to debut authors excitedly signing their first book. The event was open to the public at the Anaheim Convention Center and all proceeds from the signing were donated to literacy organizations.
I excitedly met Mary Kay Andrews, one of my favorite women’s fiction author. Of course, I just had to buy her newest release and have her autograph it!
After dinner out with Jen, I endured hotel maintenance in my room for 2 hours while he fixed a leaking faucet. He couldn’t have come to my room while I was gone? Nope. Had to be when I wanted to sleep before the next event-filled day. Sure, I could have sent the guy away…but he assured me it wouldn’t take long. Seriously? 2 hours?
Thursday took me to workshops like “360 Degrees of Promotion,” “New Paradigms in Publishing,” a publisher spotlight on Carina Press, and an interesting Keynote Luncheon speech on the state of print & eBook publishing by author Stephanie Laurens. It wasn’t quite the motivational speech normally reserved for the luncheon keynotes—which surprised many people. Kudos to Stephanie for speaking her mind!
Throughout the day, I made periodic visits to the Goody Room filled with tables of promotional material from autographed books, bookmarks, gum, mints & chocolate, CD’s, pens, romance trading cards, brochures, post cards, clips, etc. I have to admit I was more interested in getting ideas and samples of promotional materials for my own promo purposes than I was as a reader. But I was selective, and I did pick up a few items for books I wanted to check out. As a bonus this year, RWA had set up tables in the Goody Room and free Wi-Fi for networking and internet access. This was especially useful since the Marriott charged for internet access per day in our hotel rooms. (I had to pay for access at least one day to keep up with the day job.)
Thursday cocktail hour took me to a Van Gogh Vodka sponsored event, “Romancing the Cocktail.” We tasted three different vodka cocktails made with pomegranate, chocolate and peach vodkas (not mixed together, thankfully). The chocolate concoction was my favorite. Below is a snapshot of our goody bag as we stumbled out of the room. And that’s all I’m gonna say about the vodka party. What happens at the vodka party, stays at the vodka party.
After Thursday cocktail hour, the Crimson Romance authors met up at Buca di Beppo for an awesome, family-style Italian dinner. It was great meeting many of the Crimson authors who I’ve only recently met online. Plus, F+W Media’s knowledgeable Digital Merchandising Marketer joined us for dinner, and afterward, she let us pick her brain about promotion and marketing. The Crimson Romance authors are a wonderful, supportive group of ladies. A fun evening was had by all!
Friday brought more workshops, networking and hanging out with writerly friends (old and new), and a great Keynote Luncheon speech by author Robin Carr.
Friday also introduced the publisher book signing events, which carried through to Saturday. Each publisher sponsoring a book signing had their own room where you could meet your favorite authors and new authors, and have them autograph their newest book for you. Unlike the Literacy Event, these books were free and a big highlight of the RWA convention.
It seemed like everywhere you turned, there were free books for the taking. We even had books from the Luncheon Keynote speakers on our chairs at the lunch tables.
Here’s my stash of books (including the row on the shelf) ….and I didn’t even make it to all the book signings.
Workshops, book signings and the Rita & Golden Heart awards ceremony continued on Saturday. For me, the conference ended Friday night. Instead of attending the Saturday events, I met up with family and went here:
Exhausted, but even more motivated, I returned home on Sunday to step-up my promotional efforts for WICKED PARADISE. There’s so much to do, but I can honestly say my arsenal of knowledge about promotions and social media is now full and I’m ready to put in place some of the tricks of the trade I learned, in the coming weeks and months. One thing I heard repeatedly: you never stop promoting yourself and your books. Another thing I always hear is that an author draws readers with every book she/he writes. So I’m eager to get back to working on my next masterpiece more than anything!
I don’t know when I’ll attend another RWA National Convention, but it’s an electrifying, mind-boggling experience not to be missed at least once every few years.
May 2012 changed all that. As I set off in my speedy Camaro to drive to Anaheim from Northern California, I was already filled with energy, motivation, and excitement. I now had a contract from Crimson Romance (an imprint of F+W Media) to publish my second book, WICKED PARADISE, which releases to the world on Monday! I viewed the conference in a new light, wanting to learn more about social media and promotion for my upcoming release. Of course, networking and meeting friends was still a top priority!
I arrived at the Anaheim Marriott Wednesday afternoon after a 6-hour drive. Our room card keys were appropriate for 2000+ romance authors, publishers, agents and other industry professionals.
First thing, I met up with my writing partner, Jen. We had met online a few years ago, each looking for a writing/critique partner. At the time, she lived & worked in the mid-west, but soon moved to California. Then we found out we worked in the same town. Yet, we hadn’t ever met in person! It was finally great to put a face to the name and to hang out with her throughout the conference, talk shop and catch up on our lives!
After checking in and getting a goody bag full of books at the registration, I skipped next door to the Literacy Signing…a huge room full of published romance & women’s fiction authors from Nora Roberts (who had the longest line of eager fans) to debut authors excitedly signing their first book. The event was open to the public at the Anaheim Convention Center and all proceeds from the signing were donated to literacy organizations.
I excitedly met Mary Kay Andrews, one of my favorite women’s fiction author. Of course, I just had to buy her newest release and have her autograph it!
After dinner out with Jen, I endured hotel maintenance in my room for 2 hours while he fixed a leaking faucet. He couldn’t have come to my room while I was gone? Nope. Had to be when I wanted to sleep before the next event-filled day. Sure, I could have sent the guy away…but he assured me it wouldn’t take long. Seriously? 2 hours?
Thursday took me to workshops like “360 Degrees of Promotion,” “New Paradigms in Publishing,” a publisher spotlight on Carina Press, and an interesting Keynote Luncheon speech on the state of print & eBook publishing by author Stephanie Laurens. It wasn’t quite the motivational speech normally reserved for the luncheon keynotes—which surprised many people. Kudos to Stephanie for speaking her mind!
Throughout the day, I made periodic visits to the Goody Room filled with tables of promotional material from autographed books, bookmarks, gum, mints & chocolate, CD’s, pens, romance trading cards, brochures, post cards, clips, etc. I have to admit I was more interested in getting ideas and samples of promotional materials for my own promo purposes than I was as a reader. But I was selective, and I did pick up a few items for books I wanted to check out. As a bonus this year, RWA had set up tables in the Goody Room and free Wi-Fi for networking and internet access. This was especially useful since the Marriott charged for internet access per day in our hotel rooms. (I had to pay for access at least one day to keep up with the day job.)
Thursday cocktail hour took me to a Van Gogh Vodka sponsored event, “Romancing the Cocktail.” We tasted three different vodka cocktails made with pomegranate, chocolate and peach vodkas (not mixed together, thankfully). The chocolate concoction was my favorite. Below is a snapshot of our goody bag as we stumbled out of the room. And that’s all I’m gonna say about the vodka party. What happens at the vodka party, stays at the vodka party.
After Thursday cocktail hour, the Crimson Romance authors met up at Buca di Beppo for an awesome, family-style Italian dinner. It was great meeting many of the Crimson authors who I’ve only recently met online. Plus, F+W Media’s knowledgeable Digital Merchandising Marketer joined us for dinner, and afterward, she let us pick her brain about promotion and marketing. The Crimson Romance authors are a wonderful, supportive group of ladies. A fun evening was had by all!
Friday brought more workshops, networking and hanging out with writerly friends (old and new), and a great Keynote Luncheon speech by author Robin Carr.
Friday also introduced the publisher book signing events, which carried through to Saturday. Each publisher sponsoring a book signing had their own room where you could meet your favorite authors and new authors, and have them autograph their newest book for you. Unlike the Literacy Event, these books were free and a big highlight of the RWA convention.
It seemed like everywhere you turned, there were free books for the taking. We even had books from the Luncheon Keynote speakers on our chairs at the lunch tables.
Here’s my stash of books (including the row on the shelf) ….and I didn’t even make it to all the book signings.
Workshops, book signings and the Rita & Golden Heart awards ceremony continued on Saturday. For me, the conference ended Friday night. Instead of attending the Saturday events, I met up with family and went here:
Exhausted, but even more motivated, I returned home on Sunday to step-up my promotional efforts for WICKED PARADISE. There’s so much to do, but I can honestly say my arsenal of knowledge about promotions and social media is now full and I’m ready to put in place some of the tricks of the trade I learned, in the coming weeks and months. One thing I heard repeatedly: you never stop promoting yourself and your books. Another thing I always hear is that an author draws readers with every book she/he writes. So I’m eager to get back to working on my next masterpiece more than anything!I don’t know when I’ll attend another RWA National Convention, but it’s an electrifying, mind-boggling experience not to be missed at least once every few years.
