Andrea Laurence's Blog, page 8

Release Day – One Week With The Best Man

So excited to share that it’s release day for the latest Brides & Belles story. You’ve had to wait for months, but Gretchen’s story has finally arrived. Click here for more information.

Pre-Order Contest for STIRRING UP TROUBLE

The third book in the Rosewood series will release on October 12th. Between now and then, I’m doing a contest! Pre-order STIRRING UP TROUBLE and enter with your confirmation number. One lucky winner will get a Kindle Fire HD 7 in their choice of black or magenta. Enter here by October 11th to be eligible to win!

All entrants will receive an exclusive Rosewood short story not available elsewhere.

Special Sale

Great news! The second book in the Brides and Belles miniseries is now marked down to 99 cents at all digital retailers through the 18th of August. If you haven’t read it yet, now is your chance to catch up before ONE WEEK WITH THE BEST MAN (Nov) and A WHITE WEDDING CHRISTMAS (Dec) come out this fall!

Buy links and the blurb is available on the book page!

 

Contents of a Writer’s Signing Kit*

At a recent signing event, myself and fellow author Kimberly Lang started comparing our signing kits, noting deficiencies and what we wished we had on us at the time. Together, we came up with a list of things we needed to add to our bags based on issues we’ve run into in the past. So, with RWA around the corner, I thought I’d share the list in case you need to beef up your own kit.

First, the container – I use a small zipper pouch, although I’ve also seen pencil boxes. Whatever inspires you and is big enough to fit everything. My new additions are making for a tight fit on my current pouch. I may need to up size the bag or get some smaller containers for pills, mints, etc.

Now, the contents –

One or Two of my favorite purple Geltec pens (my signing pen of choice)
Three sharpies – black, pink and silver (for signing fabric, kindle covers, etc. The silver works well on glossy and dark surfaces)
Autograph stickers – I get mine from Ninth Moon. I love them.
Small scissors (3-4 inches)
Tape (opted for the small, pop up tape dispenser)
Removable Putty Tabs to hang things without leaving holes
Safety Pins
Hand Sanitizer
Travel size tissue
Mints
Aleve
Stash of Business cards
Lipstick, lipgloss or chapstick
A Square or other device to accept credit cards if you’re selling your own books

I’ve probably forgotten something, but here you go. Aside from the first few obvious things, the rest result from times when we needed to hang a sign or banner, trim something, or needed to spiff up after some long hours with readers. I have also found that having a mint or headache medicine can endear you to nearby authors in need.

Is there anything I’ve missed that you can’t live without during a signing? I’m always looking for good ideas.

*The title of this blog is inspired by the short story “Contents of a Dead Man’s Pockets” by Jack Finney, which I read in high school. I don’t know why that sort has stuck with me, but basically, its a man on the ledge about to jump who is distracted by what is in his pockets. As I recall, whatever he finds there convinces him not to kill himself. This list is nowhere near as dramatic.

Release Day – Seduced by the Spare Heir

It’s officially release day for my entry in the new Montoros series – SEDUCED BY THE SPARE HEIR! I’m so excited to share this story. Gabriel was an interesting character to write. All playboy on the exterior, but underneath, a guy that was desperate for someone he could trust. Serafia was a woman that everyone thought was beautiful, except her. In their quest to make him suitable to be king, they find what they need in each other and in themselves.

For more information on the book and where you can order it, click here!

The Comprehensive, Must-Have, Magical, Mystical, Packing List

Back when I was on the Writing Playground blog as Smarty Pants, I was known for my annual RWA packing list. I have realized that I leave for RWA in NYC in two weeks, so it’s time to start thinking about packing. It’s been a few years since I posted my list, but I depend on it, so I thought I’d put it on my personal blog for anyone interested. It’s a great place to start building your own list if you don’t have one already. It isn’t specific to NYC, so some things you may need to add or remove depending on the weather of the locale.

Mine is broken into sections, starting with what I’m wearing on the plane. These are usually items that are too bulky to pack and comfortable for travel. Jeans, a sweater and sneakers are must haves in my book and I’ve racked up my share of airline miles in them. Planes get cold and I’ve been so happy to have my sweater instead of wearing shorts and flip flops like all the other tourists. Plus, when they change your gate for the 10th time or your plane is late and you have 15 minutes to make your connection, sneakers are a godsend.

Wear on Plane :

– Nice Shirt

– Jeans

– Sweater

– Sneakers (or slip-ons for walking to make getting them on and off in security easier)

– Socks

Then I have the list of what goes in my carry on. I like backpacks because my hands are free, but this could be your small roller bag, laptop, your toiletry bag…whatever. Just make sure these items are in a bag you physically have custody of at all times. Must have stuff. You don’t want it to end up in DC while you’re waiting at the luggage carousel at LaGuardia.

Backpack :

– Plane Itinerary / Ticket

– Camera & Battery Charger

– Cell Phone & Charger

– 1 extra pair of panties & socks (just in case)

– Book or e-Reader of choice (& charger) to read on the plane

– ID and/or Passport (I keep this and some cash in an easily accessible pocket – one that zips for security – for the 20 times I have to get it out to travel. This is mainly because of the next item.)

– Purse (I transition to a smaller purse and stuff it inside my backpack so I have less to carry. This makes it harder to get to, so I take a few essentials out for the day. Even though you won’t need your keys, be sure to carry them with you as well so you have them when you get home.)

– Snacks & An Empty Water Bottle (They don’t feed you on planes anymore, so this is a MUST. Its also good to have once you get to Nationals so you have something to eat aside from the overpriced hotel food. There is a Walgreens not far from the hotel in Times Square, FYI. As for the water bottle, if you don’t want to pay $3 for a drink, you can refill it as you travel, but it must be empty to get through airport security. You can also get one of those Brita Filtering bottles.)

– Prescription Medication (Never, ever check your pills with your luggage.)

– Travel Alarm Clock (If you can’t set your cell phone, and you can, I’m pretty sure)

– Mini flashlight

– Business Cards

– Signing Kit (pens, stickers, etc.)

– Presentation Materials (If you’re doing a workshop, everything needs to stay on your person)

– Laptop (If you’re planning to work. Never check your laptop or other expensive electronics.)

Next is what goes in my toiletry bag. Mine is actually a small bag that fits inside my luggage, which is good considering all the charges for extra pieces these days. If you’re carrying this on, remember all liquids, gels and aerosols must be smaller than 3 ounces and must all fit within a clear, one quart ziplock bag. You have to pull this out and run it through the security x-ray separately. If you do check the bag, I still recommend putting liquids inside a ziploc bag in case a bottle comes open and leaks all over your clothes. My makeup remover wipes got squished in my bag, leaking out and making my bras smell like Neutrogena the whole trip.

Toiletry Bag :

– Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Floss & Mouthwash

– Deodorant

– Hairbrush

– Shampoo & Conditioner (if you can use the hotel provided ones, ok, but my hair is too picky)

– Lotion and Soap (I will use the hotel provided stuff, but if you can’t, pack your own)

– Hair Products – Gel, Hairspray, Mousse, Detangler

– Hair Electronics – blow dryers, curling iron, flat iron, etc. (coordinate w/ roommates to cut down on unnecessary appliances)

– Makeup, brushes, cotton applicators, good mirror, tweezers

– Moisturizer w/ SPF (you might also take outright sunblock if you’ll be outside a lot siteseeing)

– Razor & Shaving gel

– Feminine Hygiene (I always take an emergency stash just in case.)

– OTC Meds – Pain Reliever, Antacids, Stomach Pills

– Clear and colored nail polish & file for manicure fixes and hosiery runs

– First Aid Kit & Extra bandaids (if you have to ask, you don’t know me very well)

– Mini Sewing Kit & Scissors

– Mini bottle of Downy Wrinkle Release Spray & Febreze

– Bandaid Friction Block & Moleskin

Luggage :

– Another copy of your flight itinerary in case your bag loses its ID tag

– Promo items for the Goody Room (bookmarks, giveaways, chocolate for signing)

– Panties x # of days, plus one or two if you’re going siteseeing and might get sweaty

– Sport or Trouser Socks x # of days needed

– 1 pair pantyhose (I hate them, but its good to carry one pair JIC. I have a pair of shoes that just rubs something fierce without them, but are super comfortable otherwise)

– Regular bras & dress bras (as needed for formals, etc)

– Spanx (the ever-so important foundation garment) & slips as needed

– Casual tops x # of siteseeing/travel days

– 1 pair jeans (if you aren’t doing a lot of tourist stuff, this might not be necessary, especially as I’m wearing a pair on the plane)

– Seasonal Jacket, etc, as needed (depends on where you’re going, as SFO was cold, NYC is NOT)

– Pajamas (I don’t know how many times I stress over every outfit, then forget PJs)

– Daytime Outfit Components (see breakdown below)

– Party Outfits as needed for Ritas, Publisher Parties, etc.

– Swimsuit, if you think you might manage to make it to the spa at some point

– Badge Lanyard with conference and chapter pins

– Shoes – At a minimum, 2 pairs of comfortable casual shoes or sandals, 1 or 2 dress pairs for formals, maybe some slippers or flip flops if you’re inclined to swim or visit the spa. If you coordinate your outfit to a color scheme, you can cut down to less. I do not recommend wearing the same shoes every day, even if it matches. I find even the most comfortable pair will start to rub and make your feet sore if you wear them over and over. You will do a lot of walking.

– Jewelry – Make sure you know what you’re wearing with each piece and put them all together in a bag with tissue if you don’t have a jewelry travel case.

Finally, to determine my outfits, I use a daily breakdown. I try to bring some neutral pieces like a black sweater or a skirt that I can use a couple times if I need to. Microfiber is awesome – it doesn’t wrinkle and it takes up almost no space in your bag. I also advocate the inclusion of one extra outfit that lies somewhere between your workshop attire and your formal in case you get an impromptu invite to a dinner or a party someplace nice. Here’s my breakdown based on my typical activities…

Wednesday – Blue & black sheath dress, black sandals, navy jewelry

Thursday – Black jeans, pink silk blouse, black ballet flats, pink jewelry

Thursday Night – Navy lace cocktail dress, silver heels, silver jewelry

Friday – Paisley sheath dress, black heels, purple jewelry

Friday Night – Black and white formal, silver heels, silver jewelry

Saturday – Black dress, black heels, pearl jewelry

Saturday Night – Purple formal, purple heels, purple jewelry

Sunday – T-shirt, jeans, etc. for flight home (add days as needed if you’re siteseeing)

Pitch Outfit – if you are pitching, bring the outfit that makes you feel your best if its not already one of the ensembles you’re wearing

Extra Outfit – a fabu, just-in-case outfit that you can wear with the shoes and jewelry you’re already planning to bring

Hope The Comprehensive, Must-Have, Magical, Mystical, Packing List helps make planning for the big trip a little easier for you. Have I missed anything? What’s on your must pack list?

I’m on Wattpad!

I’ve dipped my toe into a new platform and opened an account on Wattpad. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing chapters of my novella EXECUTIVE PURSUIT. Two chapters are already up and ready to be read. Chapter three will go live on Friday the 12th.

Check out my profile here and become a follower.

 

 

Release Day – FEEDING THE FIRE

The day has finally arrived! For those of you that have anxiously been awaiting the arrival of Pepper & Grant’s story on your e-reader, the wait is over!

Romantic Times Magazine said “This is a fun-filled and steamy story featuring a hero who’s been crushing on the heroine for years – and who just happens to be a deliciously hot firefighter. If that’s not enough, there are also some laugh-out-loud moments, a dash of witty banter, a long-held family secret finally revealed and a peeping tom mystery. With a diverse cast of three-dimensional characters, Laurence’s latest has all the elements of a great small-town romance.” ~ 4 stars

Get more info and the buy links here!

Goodreads Giveaway

As part of the promotion for the release of my upcoming Brides and Belles book – THIRTY DAYS TO WIN HIS WIFE - Harlequin is sponsoring a Goodreads giveaway. Click here to enter to win one of 24 copies by the end of January!

Susan Mallery’s New Year, New Author Contest

Happy New Year! I’ve been invited to participate in an amazing opportunity this year and I can’t wait to share it with all of you. How awesome would it be kick off the new year by winning thirty books from thirty different romance authors? Susan Mallery, who started out writing category romances and now rocks the bestsellers lists with her women’s fiction novels and the Fool’s Gold romances, has included me in her “New Year, New Author” contest. One lucky reader will win a prize pack of 30 books by these talented writers:

Andrea Laurence, Ann Roth, Christine Rimmer, Cindy Kirk, Donna Alward, Jacqueline Diamond, Janice Maynard, Jennifer Lewis, Joanne Rock, Jules Bennett, Julie Benson, Karen Rose Smith, Karen Templeton, Kate Hewitt, Katherine Garbera, Kathie DeNosky, Kathleen O’Brien, Laura Marie Altom, Linda Thomas-Sundstrom, Maureen Child, Melissa McClone, Michelle Major, Nancy Robards Thompson, Sarah M. Anderson, Shirley Jump, Susan Mallery, Teresa Southwick, Terri Reed, Tina Leonard, Yvonne Lindsay

To enter, visit the Contest Page at SusanMallery.com. It’s under the Members tab on her website. If you’re not a Member yet, you can join for free in just a few seconds.

Good luck, and may 2015 be amazing!