Conference Spotlight ~ Announcing a Conference Tour Extra!

Welcome to another of our Conference Spotlights from the

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER conference.

The Palazzo Versace tour & High Tea

Glimpse how the rich live at the Palazzo Versace!

 

Photo courtesy: Palazzo Versace


Team Diamonds are Forever are proud to present a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the ambiance of the Palazzo Versace. This tour is a luxury experience beyond your wildest imagination.



‘Package includes:

  • Exclusive behind the scenes guided tour*
  • Sumptuous Fashionista High Tea
  • Limousine transfers**

Relax and have high tea. Photo courtesy Palazzo Versace.

 

Departing QT Gold Coast: Approximately midday Friday for return at 4pm.

 

Cost: $69 per person – Limited places available. Payment MUST be made at time of booking.

For more details:  please go to the Tour page on the RWAus website.

Check out our heroine in our video:

Palazzo Versace Tour & High Tea

 

Don’t miss out, darlings…

 

*Room availability dependent on hotel bookings at the time of the tour.

** Chauffeured Limousines or luxury coach transfer.

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by Eleni Konstantine on May 28, 2012  •  Permalink
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Event Announcements

50K in 30 Days

50K in 30 Days starts June 1 and runs until June 30. This is your opportunity to write, write, write. Our motto this year is Participate to Motivate, so let’s have a writing party. Whether you want to write, edit or both, we’ll help you reach your Word Goal together.

Can’t manage 50k? No problem! Set a goal you can manage, then add another 10K – we all have to start somewhere. We’ll be there with you, participating, cheering you on and to carry you across the finish line.

This year the challenge will take place on the RWA Forum. Would you like to join us? Look out for news and information on the RWA Forum, our Facebook Group Page, Facebook Page and in Cruisin’ with RWA on how to join up for this amazing race. Ready? Set. GO! (PS: You must be a financial member of RWAustralia to participate.)

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RWA Diamonds are Forever Conference 2012

When: August 16-19, 2012

Where: QT Gold Coast, Staghorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise

Bookings/FMI: Romance Writers of Australia Conference page

                              ***

Keeping up Appearances

Rachael Johns
Pop in and see Rachael at the following events:

When: Wednesday June 6

Time: 6.30pm

Where: Ballajura Library, cnr Kingfisher & Illawarra Cres, BALLAJURA, WA

FMI and RSVP to 9249 1488.

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When: Saturday June 23

Time: 10.30am

Where: Dymocks, 171 York St, Albany, WA

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ONLINE Events

  • January 9, 2012 – 30 December, 2012 – Kim Wilkin’s Year of the Novel ~ Helene Young

A year long course to help guide you through the process of creating your novel in a year, developed by Dr. Kim Wilkins. Facilitated by Helene Young.

Helene Young is a contemporary suspense author. Her first two books, WINGS OF FEAR, and SHATTERED SKY, were released by Hachette Australia. Her third book, BURNING LIES, is due for release in July 2012 by Penguin Australia.

Cost: $445

FMI + Bookings: http://awmonlinelearn.com.au/course/category.php?id=4

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Classes are run from Margie Lawson’s website using on-line teaching software used by universities. Take a cyber tour before you start your class and introduce yourself.

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Affordable forum-style writing classes

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Julie Rowe, a former Golden Heart double finalist, moderates the Announce Online Writing Classes list.

The Announce Online Writing Classes list notifies subscribers of around 25 to 35 workshops available each month. Most tutorials are sponsored by Romance Writers of America chapters, but on occasion other reputable teachers are handpicked too.

Interested? Subscribe by sending an email to:

Announceonlinewritingclasses-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

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In Person Events

(Costings Code: M-member, MC-Member concession. NM-Non-members)

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June 2012

  • June 2 - Writing Erotica for Publication

When: 10 am to 4 pm

Where: ACT Writers Centre workshop room

Cost: $110 members of the ACT Writers Centre, $95 concession members, $170 non-members (includes 12 months of membership)

Bookings: You can book by phone on 6262 9191, online by clicking here or at the office. Payment is required at time of booking

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  • June 2 - How to Write a Romance Novel ~ Paula Roe

When: 11:00am–12:00pm

Where: Strathfield Library, NSW

Cost: Free

FMI + Bookings: http://www.strathfield.nsw.gov.au/library/location—opening-hours/ OR (02) 8762 0222

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  • June 2 & 9 – Fiction Feedback: A Focus Group on Your Writing ~ Kevin O’Brien

When: 1.00pm–4.00pm

Where: NSW Writers’ Centre

Cost: $605 M, $520 MC, $865 NM

FMI + Bookings: http://www.nswwc.org.au/products-page/fiction/fiction-feedback-a-focus-group-on-your-writing/ OR (02)9555 9757

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  •  June 15-17 - Winter Writing Workshops: Popular Fiction ~ Anne Gracie, Kate Forsyth & Shane Maloney

When: Friday 15 June 5.00–8.00pm, Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 June 9.30am–5.00pm

Where: Trinity College, Melbourne University

Cost: $205 full course; $75/$70 C for individual sessions

FMI + Bookings: http://winterwritingworkshops.weebly.com/

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  •  June 16 and 30 - Advanced Class ~ Juliet Marillier

When: 10:00am–4.00pm

Where: Katharine Susannah Prichard Writers’ Centre, WA

Cost: $100 M, $160 NM

Submission deadline: May 16

FMI + Bookings: http://kspf.iinet.net.au/events.html#jun OR kspf@iinet.net.au OR (08) 9294 1872

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  • June 16 - Adventures in Fiction: Getting Started ~ Bronwyn Parry

When: 10:00am–4.00pm
Where: New England Writers’ Centre, NSW
Cost: $55 M, $65 NM
FMI + Bookings: http://www.newc.org.au/program/events/Adventures-in-fiction.htm OR admin@newc.org.au OR (02) 6772 7210

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  • June 16 - Writing Historical Fiction ~ Helen Halstead

When: 2:00pm–5.00pm
Where: South Australia Writers’ Centre
Cost: $55 M, $77 NM
FMI + Bookings: http://www.sawc.org.au/whats-on/workshops-and-seminars?task=view_event&event_id=54

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  • June 23 - Show, Don’t Tell ~ Venero Armanno

When: 10.30am–4.30pm
Where: Queensland Writers Centre
Cost: $110 M, $99 MC, $160 NM, $144 C
FMI + Bookings: http://www.qwc.asn.au/courses-and-events/courses/weekend-workshops/workshops/show,-dont-tell/ OR qldwriters@qwc.asn.au OR (07) 3842 9922

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June 23 - The Wonderful World of Romance Writing 101 with Rachel Bailey and Anna Campbell
When: 12pm to 3pm
Where: Noosa Long Weekend Festival, Bicentennial Hall Annex, Bicentennial Hall, Sunshine Beach
Cost: $40.00
FMI: http://www.noosalongweekend.com/workshops.html

Limited numbers, bookings essential: Ph: (07) 5455 4455 Internet: http://www.noosalongweekend.com/how-to-book.html

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June 23, August 11, October 13 & December 8 – Year of Romance – Marion Lennox
Over 50 percent of the world’s trade fiction is romance – so if you’re interested in writing romance, your market is assured. In 2012, Marion will take you and your manuscript on a journey to discover your market and how to work your romance novel so it sizzles on an editor’s desk.
Marion Lennox has written over 90 romance novels for the giant romance publisher Harlequin Mills and Boon. Her books are translated into 28 languages and sold in over 130 countries. She’s won numerous writing awards including twice winning the prestigious US Rita Award for Best Traditional Romance. Last year she received a US Romantic Times Career Award for a body of work that “makes us laugh and teaches us about love”. www.marionlennox.com
Early birds receive 10% discount. Offer closes 28 March

When: 10.00am–4.00pm

Writers Victoria, Wheeler Centre

Cost: $625 M, $580 MC, $690 NM

FMI + Bookings: http://writersvictoria.org.au/what-s-on/event/year-of-romance/ OR (03) 9094 7855

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June 24 to July 21 - Valerie Parv is Established Writer-in-Residence at The Katharine Susannah Prichard Writers Centre

Valerie has been named Established Writer in Residence for 2012 by the Katharine Susannah Prichard Writers Centre in Western Australia. The KSP Writers’ Centre is the oldest of its kind in Australia in Perth in the former home of Katharine Susannah Prichard, Australia’s first internationally recognized author of Coonardoo, Working Bullocks and The Goldfields Trilogy. The Centre conducts readings, workshops, writers in residence programs and other services designed to encourage writers at all levels of the craft.
Each year the centre hosts an established writer in a residency program funded by the West Australian Department of Culture and the Arts. In her role Valerie will pursue her own writing work while participating in the events of the centre, conducting a workshop Saturday 14 July 2012 and readings Tuesday 17 July , and sharing her knowledge and experience with the local writing community, June-July 2012.

*~*

July 2012

July 7 and 8 - The Fundamentals of Fiction: Plot and Scene ~ Sarah Armstrong
When: 10:00am–4.00pm
Where: Northern Rivers Writers’ Centre, NSW
Cost: $135 M, $160 NM
FMI + Bookings: http://www.nrwc.org.au/v2/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=45&Itemid=62 OR info@nrwc.org.au OR (02) 6685 5115

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  • July 14 – Getting a yes from agent or editor – The Two-Page Test Workshop with Established Writer-in-Residence Valerie Parv

Participants are invited to bring along the first two pages of their work in progress for discussion.

When 1.00 – 4.00pm

Costs: $25 for KSP-members and $40 for non-members. Booking and payment in advance is essential. Optional payment by direct deposit – details here.

  • July 17 – Valerie Parv Literary Dinner

Join us at KSP to listen to Established Writer-in-Residence, Valerie Parv, read her work. Meet other writers and enjoy a three-course candle-lit dinner. Bring your own favourite drinks.

When: 7.00pm

Costs: $25 for KSP-members and $30 for non-members. Booking and payment in advance essential. Optional payment by direct deposit – details here.

FMI: Shey Marque - Coordinator

Katharine Susannah Prichard Writers Centre
11 Old York Road
Greenmount WA 6056Phone: (08) 9294 1872
http://kspf.iinet.net.au

***

Romance Writers of New Zealand 2012 Conference

Online registration is up and running on the RWNZ website for the conference to be held at the  Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Auckland, from Friday August 24 to Sunday August 26. Speakers include Randy Ingermanson (“The Snowflake Guy”), New York Times-bestselling author Eloisa James, USA literary agent Nephele Tempest (The Knight Agency) and Joanne Grant, editor from Harlequin Mills & Boon in London.

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New Releases ~ June 2012

June 2012 New Releases

 

Alicia Hope – THE LONG ROAD TO LOVING GRAYSON – Smashwords and Amazon

Anna Cleary/Carol Marinelli – IN BED WITH THE BOSS- HM&B Special Format

 

Anne Oliver – THE MORNING AFTER THE WEDDING BEFORE – HM&B Sexy

Coleen Kwan – ASHER’S INVENTION – Carina Press

 

Fiona Lowe – SYDNEY HARBOUR HOSPITAL: TOM’S REDEMPTION – HM&B Medical

Helen Lacey – MADE FOR MARRIAGE – HM&B Blush

Janet Woods – SECRETS AND LIES – Severn House

Janni Nell – DANCE OF FLAMES – Carina Press

 Kelly Hunter – SINGLE GIRL ABROAD – HM&B Duo


Leonie Knight – THE DOCTOR, HIS DAUGHTER & ME – HM&B Medical

(Leonie’s Final Book)

Liz Fielding – ELOPING WITH EMMY – HM&B Sweet

Lucy Clark – DIAMOND RING FOR THE ICE QUEEN – HM&B Medical

M J Scott – BLOOD KIN – Roc


Margaret Way – ARGENTINIAM IN THE OUTBACK- HM&B Sweet

Meredith Webber – THE DESERT LORD’S LOVE-CHILD – HM&B Special Format

 Michelle Douglas – THE MAN WHO SAW HER BEAUTY – HM&B Sweet

Rachael Johns – JILTED – Mira

Shona Husk – KISS OF THE GOBLIN PRINCE- Sourcebooks

 Sue MacKay – THE DANGERS OF DATING YOUR BOSS – HM&B Medical

Suzanne Brandyn – EYE’S OF A STRANGER – Carina Press

 

Tamara Gill – A MARRIAGE MADE IN MAYFAIR – Decadent Publishing- Sourcebooks

Trish Morey – WINTER BLOCKBUSTER – HM&B Special Format

Yvonne Lindsay/Paula Roe – DIAMONDS DOWN UNDER – HM&B Special Format

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A Day in the Writing Life of … Chris Taylor

This week we are featuring a day in the writing life of Chris Taylor who writes romantic suspense and who recently made the finals in the single title section of this year’s RWA Emerald Contest. Welcome, Chris.

What time of the day do you write?      For the last three years, I had the luxury of being a stay-at-home mum to five children. I used to write every day from 9am until about 3pm, only taking breaks for morning tea and lunch and when my three year old demanded my attention (sometimes more often than others!). This year, I returned to part time work (3 days a week) and I’m finding it hard to get back into a regular writing schedule. At the moment, I write mostly at night after the kids have gone to bed.

Where do you write? Do you have your own special place?      I have a great office with a huge screen desktop, fan, bottle of water and tube of lip gloss all within easy reach. I have a wonderful view outside my window onto the Nandewar Ranges, which is lovely.  I always take my laptop if I’m out and have it at the ready if I get a spare moment to work on my WIP. I’m very fortunate that I’m able to block out a lot of extraneous noise and distraction and just focus on my work (comes from years of living with 5 young kids!)

Is there any particular rituals you do to set the mood / harness your muse?     My inspiration for my characters often comes from a song. I love country music and anyone who knows anything about country music knows that the songs are usually tales of woe and bad luck – he’s lost his girl, his horse, his dog. . . you get the picture. If I’m getting nowhere with a story, I will often play the song that initially inspired me over and over and try and “become” the story the singer was aiming for.

 What’s the first think you do before you begin to write?      I like to re-read anything I’ve written the day/night before first thing the next day before I sit down to write anything new. I edit as I go although sometimes I know something’s not quite right and I just can’t find the right words. During these times, I write the passage in bold and underlined, so I can find it easily later and have another crack at it.

Are you a plotter / planner or a pantser?      I am more of a plotter. I usually do a rough, handwritten draft before I start writing anything on the computer, just in general point form. Chapter by chapter, I set out the main points I want brought out in each chapter. This can change as I begin actually putting my draft  down in book form, but I do refer to my initial draft quite frequently and the story does tend to stay fairly true to my original draft. Occasionally my story takes a completely different turn and I then adapt my draft accordingly.

Do you have a schedule that you follow for your writing time? Are you a goal setter with your writing?     I try very hard to set writing goals every day. Before I returned to work, I had a goal of writing 3000 words a day, which I usually met. At the moment, I’m a little more relaxed and my writing output has definitely suffered. I’m determined to get back into setting a daily goal and having regular writing sessions.

What writing tools do you favour?      Apart from my very first handwritten draft which really only covers the three or four major points which will arise in each chapter, I write everything on the computer. I’m lucky to be a fairly fast typist, and couldn’t imagine writing a book longhand. I am very much in awe of any writer who can accomplish this!

Do you use whiteboards, posters, visual aids to help in your creativity?     I do keep a timeline separate from my WIP so I keep a handle on whether it should be day or night the next day, the next week etc over the course of my story. I also do a character profile on each of the main characters before I start and this gets added to from time to time as the story develops.

Do you take time out to stretch, rest your eyes etc and if so do you do any exercises at your desk or between sessions?     I have a really, really good office chair and footstool that do their best to keep my posture correct. I tend to suffer from mild carpel tunnel syndrome too, so I generally wear wrist supports if I’m going to be at my keyboard for the day. I always have a bottle of water on my desk and usually go through three or four bottles a day if I’m in the zone.

Is your writing space messy, organized or somewhere in between?      My desk is usually quite tidy. I hate working in a messy environment and I’m a very organised person. At the moment, my desk is a mess and gives me mild stress every time I sit down. I’m in the middle of preparing three quarterly BAS statements for my husband’s business and organising an overseas trip for me and my family. There are passport applications, photos, tour books and other paraphernalia spread all over the place!

What is your favourite form of procrastination? Do you have any tips to beat off that old foe “procrastination”?     Procrastination can cripple all of us. The biggest thing I try to do is visualise the scene I’m intending to write before I write it. Ie. I will think about the scene while I’m in bed or on the toilet (sorry , too much information!!) and try and get a clear picture of what is going to happen, what’s going to be said, etc. That way, when I do sit down to write it (usually the next day), the scene is already in my head – I just have to get it down. The other way I fend off procrastination is to set a daily writing goal – I know I will have to keep banging away at the keyboard until I reach it, so the longer it takes, the longer I’m in there. . .

What’s the last thing do you do before you finish your daily writing session?   The last thing I do after any writing session is SAVE my work at least THREE times – to my desktop, a USB stick and to my online backup. Those hard-fought words are just too precious to lose.

You can read more about me and my books at my website www.christaylorauthor.com.au

 Thank you, Chris, for sharing a day in your writing life.

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by Suz Hamilton on May 25, 2012  •  Permalink
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Cruisin’ with RWA

Welcome back to Cruisin’. The count down to 50k in 30 Days has started. Read more on where you can register below.

Don’t forget to send your good news and blogs to cruisin@romanceaustralia.com – we love to hear from our members and share in celebrating their success.

~

50K in 30 Days Challenge

Registration opens midday Thursday May 24 on the RWA Forum. Participate to Motivate!

50K in 30 Days starts June 1 and runs until June 30. This is your opportunity to write, write, write. Our motto this year is Participate to Motivate, so let’s have a writing party. Whether you want to write, edit or both, we’ll help you reach your Word Goal together.

Can’t manage 50k? No problem! Set a goal you can manage, then add another 10K – we all have to start somewhere. We’ll be there with you, participating, cheering you on and to carry you across the finish line.

This year the challenge will take place on the RWA Forum. Would you like to join us? Look out for news and information on the RWA Forum, our Facebook Group Page, Facebook Page and in Cruisin’ with RWA on how to join up for this amazing race. Ready? Set. GO! (PS: You must be a financial member of RWAustralia to participate.)

Register your participation on the forum by June 1 to receive your invite to join this exciting event.

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RWA Merry Webber Blogs

May 25 – A Day in the Writing Life of Chris Taylor – Suzanne Hamilton

May 26 -New Releases – Nicole Flockton

May 27 – Event Announcements – Juanita Kees

May 28 – Conference Spotlight – Eleni Konstantine

May 29 – Little Gems 2012 Author Carmen Gowans – Jenn J McLeod

May 30 – Winter Writer’s Workshop with Anne Gracie – Imelda Evans

May 31 – Cruisin’ with RWA – Juanita Kees

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Cruisin’ the News

Share your good news with us each week and we’ll join you in your happy dance. Congratulations to all our members this week. Share your new release, new cover, contest win, new contract, new website and more good news with us at cruisin@romanceaustralia.com

  • New releases

May 26 – Look out for some exciting new releases in the New Releases Blog

Nikki Logan’s how-to on THE CHEMISTRY OF READING – AROUSING YOUR READER is now up at Amazon and Smashwords.

Janelle Lee’s UNCOVERED  is now available in eBook

Astrid Cooper‘s new release FANGS FOR THE MEMORIES made it to the bestseller list at Extasy Books.

  • New Cover

Share your cover love with us at cruisin@romanceaustralia.com

  • New Contract

Zaide Bishop has signed a contract with Carina Press to produce a seven book series. The novellas are due for publishing on the following dates:

- Book 2 by Jun 30, 2012
- Book 3 by Aug 31, 2012
- Book 4 by Oct 31, 2012
- Book 5 by Dec 31, 2012
- Book 6 by Feb 28, 2013
- Book 7 by April 30, 2013

  • Keeping up Appearances

Pop in and see Rachael Johns at the following events:
When: Saturday May 26, 2012
Time:11am
Where: Books Plus Armadale, shop 21A Armadale Shopping Centre, Armadale, WA

When: Wednesday June 6
Time: 6.30pm
Where: Ballajura Library, cnr Kingfisher & Illawarra Cres, BALLAJURA, WA
FMI and RSVP to 9249 1488.

When: Saturday June 23
Time: 10.30am
Where: Dymocks, 171 York St, Albany, WA

~

Cruisin’ Member Blogs

Share a link and a short blurb here each week by emailing the details to us at: cruisin@romanceaustralia.com

May 23 - Flirting and Body Language – A Girl Thing

May 25- This week on Friday Feast:

I’m delighted to host rural romance author Mandy Magro, whose gorgeously covered JACARANDA released this week. Mandy is sharing a recipe she learned off her English mother-in-law and it’s a stunner – Chocolate Orange Cheesecake. Yep, just like a Jaffa except much, much better.

So come on over and say hi, but don’t forget a napkin because I promise you will drool!

May 24 – MAGIC THURSDAY: Eleni Konstantine

May 26 – ENCHANTED ORB: Maree Anderson

May 27 – Weekly Overview

May 29 – GOOD NEWS DAY

May 30 – A BITE OF…with Kathrine Leannan

May 28 – A mouthwatering moment with Juanita Kees from her debut release, FLY AWAY PETA

May 23 - Debbie Phillips, the chairperson of the ARRA, is Keziah’s guest this week.

May 26 – FROM THE BOOKSHELF…Phaeton Black:Paranormal Investigator series (Jillian Stone)- looking for a new book to read or a new-to-you author? Check out what’s on the bookshelf!

May 29 – TOPIC: Being a Published Author – In the beginning… – What happens after you get THE CALL? The first in a four part series.

May 25 – The magical guest this week is multi-published Eternal Press author, Kathryn Meyer Griffith with her story  WITCHES.

  • Wine, Women and Wordplay

May 21 – Show Don’t Tell Part II

May 23 – Feed the writer: Chocolate Brownie recipe!

May 25 – More on what makes a man sexy

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Enrico’s Pick Six

Submit your blog site link to cruisin@romanceaustralia.com to share with our readers. Enrico hand picks six blogs to showcase every week.

Enrico’s Pick Six this week:

  1. Magical Gains
  2. Nicola Marsh
  3. Phillipa Fioretti
  4. Rhian Cahill
  5. Sami Lee
  6. Teen Fiction Cafe

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Cruisin’ for Contests

The RWA Contest season is now closed. Watch this space for information when the season re-opens around mid-August with HM&B High Five.

~

Enrico’s quote of the week

A word is not the same with one writer as with another.  One tears it from his guts.  The other pulls it out of his overcoat pocket.  ~Charles Peguy

Regards Juanita

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by Juanita Kees on May 24, 2012  •  Permalink
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Conference Spotlight ~ Heart Health & Charity Auction

Welcome to another of our Conference Spotlights from the DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER conference.


Today Charity Auction co-ordinator, Enisa Hasic talks to us about Heart Health. 



In Australia, which disease is statistically the number 1 killer of women every year? When asked this question, the majority of women will reply, ‘Cancer’, predominantly Breast Cancer and Ovarian Cancer. While it’s true that cancer does kill many, many women, the number 1 killer in this country is heart disease.

Yes, the same disease with the dubious honour of statistically being the number 1 killer of men here each year.


What is heart disease?

It is a term used to encompass many conditions affecting the heart. Your heart is a beating muscle about the size of your clenched fist situated in the front and slightly left of the middle of your chest behind your breastbone. Through a series of vessels your heart pumps blood repeatedly to the rest of your body.


Heart conditions include:

  • Heart Attack – due to coronary heart disease, when an artery supplying blood to your heart suddenly blocks completely some of your heart muscle begins to die. Without medical treatment this can be fatal.
  • High Blood Pressure (or Hypertension) – increased pressure of the blood in your arteries as the heart pumps it around your body, can lead to serious health problems such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, aortic rupture.
  • Coronary Heart Disease – the clogging of coronary arteries by the gradual deposit of fat on the inner wall leading to reduced blood flow to the heart. It is the most common cause of death and disability in Australia.
  • Heart Failure – occurs when your heart muscle weakens and fails to pump blood effectively. This causes blood and fluid build up.
  • Deep Vein Thrombosis – a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in your leg, caused by injury, surgery or long periods of inactivity.
  • Palpitations – an awareness of your heartbeat.
  • Atrial Fibrillation – when your heart beats abnormally due to a disturbance in your heart’s electrical system.
  • Angina – chest pain or discomfort due to insufficient blood flow and oxygen to your heart muscle caused by an underlying heart problem.
  • Coronary Artery Spasm – a temporary spasm in a coronary artery resulting in temporary discomfort or pain.
  • Familial Hypercholesterolaemia – Inherited condition where your body fails to remove sufficient cholesterol from your blood. This leads to high blood cholesterol levels and early onset of coronary heart disease.

These conditions can be triggered by a multitude of causes including smoking, diabetes, high blood cholesterol or being overweight.



So what can we do to reduce the risk of heart disease?

To reduce your risk and prevent developing a heart condition doctors advise women (and men) to:

  • quit smoking,
  •  eat healthily,
  • reduce salt intake,
  • maintain a healthy body weight,
  • limit alcohol intake and
  • exercise regularly.



Heart disease often has no symptoms, and for this reason, like many other diseases, it is known as ‘the silent killer’. Because of this it is vital to have regular medical checks.

The Heart Foundation is determined to reduce the impact of heart disease in Australia. Their website states they ‘fund cardiovascular research, support health professionals in their practice, develop health promotion activities, inform and educate the public and assist people with cardiovascular disease’ to ensure fewer people live with or die from the disease.



Sunday 19th August is “Wear Red For Your Heart” day, as we support the vital work of the Heart Foundation. The Silent Auction to be held at RWA’s 2012 ‘Diamonds are Forever’ Conference will benefit not only the Heart Foundation in its quest for Australians to have the best cardiovascular health in the world but will also help raise the awareness of this disease in women and encourage women to be as vigilant in looking after our heart health as we are in keeping check of our bodies for signs of cancer.

And through our new awareness, we can help spread the word about the devastating effects of this disease to other women around the country, thus helping make the Heart Foundation’s vision of good heart health in women a reality.

~~~

Thank you, Enisa.

To donate an item to the Silent Auction, please email Enisa at enisa_h@yahoo.com.

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Posted by Eleni Konstantine on May 23, 2012

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Little Gems 2012 Author – Juanita Kees

Many of you will know Juanita’s name from her various blog posts as member of the RWA Online Team. She can now add author in the 2012 Diamond Edition of Little Gems.

Her short story: Rough Diamond

What challenges you most in writing a short romance story? Do you have any tip/s for writing a short story.

Rough Diamond is the first short story I’ve written. That in itself was a challenge. How would I pack all that emotion, attraction and crux of the story into 3000 words or less? Tips: Write as much as you like, trim it back to the essentials and give it your best shot!

Do you have a favourite line/short piece from your short?

She smiled. “Long story. May I?”

He shrugged and dropped it in her upturned palm. “Sure. For the record and in case you want to sue if the curse rubs off, I’m Rough Diamond.”

Kimberley shot him a disbelieving look. “Really? Is that the best you’ve got?” She turned the ring towards the sun and admired the rainbows of light it cast between them. “I’ll never convince the court to take the case seriously with a name like that.” Her smile softened the words as she ran a finger along the filigree setting around the diamond.

What was your inspiration for the story?

My engagement ring.

What are you working on now? and/or What are your writing goals for the future?

I’ve just had my debut contemporary FLY AWAY PETA accepted for publishing by Eternal Press and am waiting on my first round of edits. The release date is August which coincides nicely with my first RWA conference. In the meanwhile I’m working on the sequel DARKNESS & LIGHT which is still in the early stages. I have two others in the plotting stage and TAMING THE TIGER, my 2011 HMB New Voices entry is a work in progress.

How can people find out more about you/your writing? Do you have a website or blog?

I’d love to chat to readers at my author site www.juanitakees.com and my blog site www.mission-romance.blogspot.com. I’m also on Twitter and Facebook.

Will we be able to catch up with you in person at the RWA National Conference in August?

Yes :)

Anthology Orders Now Open

Would you like to order the anthology for yourself, as a special gift or a Christmas (yes I said Christmas) stocking filler?

Orders are now open and we are taking pre-release orders until the end of June, so plenty of time. Use the order form on our RWA website.

NOTE: Pre-release ordering means you are ordering and paying but the anthology will not be available until August (launched at the national conference).
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by Jenn J McLeod ~ Come home to the country... on May 22, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Jenn J McLeod ~ Come home to the country... on May 22, 2012

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Author Spotlight & Giveaway: Ali Ahearn & Ros Baxter

Today we have a double Author Spotlight, with authors and sisters, Ali Ahearn and Ros Baxter! The duo are generously giving away a signed copy of their book, SISTER PACT!

 

1. Welcome Ali and Ros to the RWA Author Spotlight! Can you give us an overview of what your novel, SISTER PACT is about?

Two very different sisters, estranged for seven years, forced to play nice on a Survivor-esque reality TV show to inherit an obscene amount of money from their grandmother’s will. There’s jungle. There’s humiliating challenges. There’s a ferret called Des.

And a little bit of romance along the way.

Sister Pact is IN HER SHOES meets DEAD FAMOUS.  It will appeal to all women who love to laugh and cry in the same book, and who realise that only those who know you well can hurt you like you never imagined.  And to everyone who likes a really happy ending.

 

2. This story is about sisters, and is written by sisters… how did you go about the process of writing a story together and deciding who does what?

Once we’d decided on the premise and that we would each write one POV character, the process was relatively easy thanks to the magic of email. Ros wrote a chapter. Ali wrote a chapter. And on and on.

Having that new chapter ping into your inbox was always exciting!

 

3. Can you give us a sneak peek from your book, maybe a brief excerpt from a favourite scene, or the first sentence?

To give everyone a taste of the two sisters I’ve included the opening paragraph for both.

Joni –

Joni Tripton reached for the locket that hung reliably at her neck and crossed herself. Then she sent up a swift and silent prayer to any deities generous enough to ignore the sacrilegious streak that had seen her kicked out of Sister Mary Magdalene’s School for Gifted Teenagers over a decade ago. And almost every institution she’d been dragged, cajoled or stumbled into by accident ever since.

Frances –

Frances Sutcliffe was cutting the heads off twelve perfectly formed long-stemmed roses when the knocking started again. She ignored it, preferring to pretend she was castrating Edward with every satisfying snip.

Her husband had always had enough balls for several men.

 

4. What do you love most about being an author?

Ali – those days when the magic is happening and the words are flowing faster than you can get them down. And being able to legitimately claim pyjamas as work clothes.

Ros – like Ali, when you get in The Zone and realise three hours have passed without you even noticing.  And getting that book in the mail, seeing your name on the cover and feeling like every childhood fantasy just came true.

 

5. How important do you think it is for authors to be actively engaged in self promotion?

I think these days self-promotion is a necessary evil. And if I just had another hour in my day it would make if a hell of a lot easier!

 

6. Who are some of your favourite authors?

Ali – Jenny Crusie, SEP, Janet Evanovich, Rachel Gibson. Two of my fav category authors are Kelly Hunter and Sarah Mayberry – I want to be them when I grow up!

Ros – Nora Roberts (for characters you lose yourself in), Charlaine Harris (for pure indulgent escapism and making me break my rule about vampire books/films), Kate Morton (for delicious phrases, spine-tingly plots and having the good sense to live in Brisbane).

 

7. Complete this sentence: When I’m not writing, I’m…

Ali – thinking I should be writing.

Ros :

(a)    Experiencing generalised guilt about something I’m sure I should be doing but forgot OR

(b)   Running around yelling “get your shoes on!” or “why didn’t you say you needed a tree costume last night?” while applying mascara and looking for  a lost library book OR

(c)    Holding a paper bag to my face and taking really deep breaths.

 

8. What advice would you give to aspiring authors out there?

Ali – Never. Give. Up. Learn your craft. Grow. Hone. Develop your voice. Don’t listen to the naysayers.

Ros – Realise there really isn’t some magical something that published authors have that you don’t.

 

9. What’s next for you both? Do you plan on writing more stories together in future?

Ali – We’ve just completed the second Frances and Joni story where Frances is kidnapped by a cult and Joni comes to the rescue. I’m working on my next Medical and RIVA and I’m also working on a romance for Entangled which is scheduled for an August release.

Ros – Maternity leave from my day job – baby number four.  And working on some revisions on a single title manuscript that I’ve had some great feedback on from our publisher.

Thanks Ali and Ros for being on the Author Spotlight today! You can visit them online at their website, blog, and Facebook. Sister Pact is published by Harper Collins Australia.

To WIN a signed copy of SISTER PACT (Worldwide Giveaway!!), comment below and answer one of the following questions:

1. Which two authors would you like to see write a book together?

OR

2. If you could co-author a book with any author in the world, who would you choose?

*Winner will be announced on Monday 28th May, and will have one week to respond to the email notification or another winner will be chosen. Good luck!

~ Ali and Ros are sisters who are as close as they are different. Ali married the first boy she ever loved. Ros tried to remember the name of hers the other day and gave up and had a chocolate bar instead. Ali thinks everything will work out. Ros thinks everything will get found out. But for all their differences, they are fiercely close and desperately proud of each other. Nothing feels real until it has been spoken aloud to the other. They both love to talk, laugh and write preferably over a bottle of bubbly and something coated in chocolate. They live in Brisbane.

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by Juliet Madison on May 21, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Juliet Madison on May 21, 2012

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Bestseller List – April 2012

Welcome to our Bestseller list for April 2012.

Amazon US

Harlequin American Romance Top 100

The Sheriff and the Baby – CC Coburn

Colorado Christmas – CC Coburn

Colorado Fireman – CC Coburn

Amazon US

Harlequin Historical Top 100

One Unashamed Night – Sophia James

Mistletoe Magic – Sophia James

High Seas To High Society – Sophia James

The Border Lord – Sophia James

Lady with the Devil’s Scar – Available July 24 – Sophia James

Amazon US

Harlequin Presents Top 100

Fiancee for One Night – Trish Morey

One Last Night – Melanie Milburne

One Night in the Orient – Robyn Donald

An Indecent Proposition – Carol Marinelli

A Shameful Consequence – Carol Marinelli

The Billionaire’s Bride of Innocence – Miranda Lee

An Offer She Can’t Refuse – Emma Darcy

Girl in the Bedouin Tent – Annie West

Trouble in a Pinstripe Suit – Kelly Hunter

The Future King’s Love-Child – Melanie Milburne

Ruthless Boss, Royal Mistress – Natalie Anderson

The Ex Factor – Anne Oliver

Innocent Secretary…Accidentally Pregnant – Carol Marinelli

Forbidden: The Sheikh’s Virgin – Trish Morey

Billionaire Doctor, Ordinary Nurse – Carol Marinelli

The Ruthless Greek’s Virgin Princess – Trish Morey

Devil in a Dark Blue Suit – Robyn Grady

Wedlocked: Banished Sheikh, Untouched Queen – Carol Marinelli

Scandal: His Majesty’s Love-Child – Annie West

The Master Player – Emma Darcy

Amazon US

Harlequin Romance Top 100

A Summer Reunion – Sarah Mayberry + Others

Their Miracle Twins – Nikki Logan

His Plain-Jane Cinderella – Jennie Adams

Mardie and the City Surgeon – Marion Lennox

Nikki and the Lone Wolf – Marion Lennox

Cinderella: Hired by the Prince – Marion Lennox

Executive: Expecting Tiny Twins – Barbara Hannay

Christmas Angel for the Billionaire – Liz Fielding

SOS: Convenient Husband Required – Liz Fielding

Executive Mother-To-Be – Nicola Marsh

Betrothed: To the People’s Prince – Marion Lennox

The Rancher’s Adopted Family – Barbara Hannay

Passionate Chef, Ice Queen Boss – Jennie Adams

Australian Boss: Diamond Ring – Jennie Adams

Falling for Mr. Mysterious – Barbara Hannay

Bachelor Dad on Her Doorstep – Michelle Douglas

The Sheikh’s Destiny – Melissa James

A Wish and a Wedding – Melissa James + Others

Amazon US

Harlequin Superromance Top 100

A Natural Father – Sarah Mayberry

Protecting Her Son – Joan Kilby

In His Eyes – Available August 7 – Emmie Dark

Amazon US

Regency Historical Top 100

To Dare the Duke of Dangerfield – Bronwen Evans

Noble Satyr: A Georgian Historical Romance – Lucinda Brant

Midnight Marriage -  A Georgian Historical Romance – Lucinda Brant

To Wager the Marquis of Wolverstone – Bronwen Evans

Amazon US

Historical Romance Top 100

To Dare the Duke of Dangerfield – Bronwen Evans

Noble Satyr: A Georgian Historical Romance – Lucinda Brant

Amazon US

Anthologies Top 100

A Captain’s Order - A Duke’s Command – Tamara Gill

Holiday Affair – Annie Seaton

Amazon UK

Historical Romance Top 100

To Dare the Duke of Dangerfield – Bronwen Evans

Amazon UK

Romance Sagas Top 100

The Traders Wife – Anna Jacobs

Amazon UK

British Heads of State Top 100

Keeper of the King’s Secrets – Michelle Diener

In a Treacherous Court – Michelle Diener

Amazon UK

Anthologies Top 100

Entangled, A Paranormal Anthology – Michelle Diener + Others

Holiday Affair – Annie Seaton

Noble Romance Publishing, LLC

Top 10 Bestsellers

Sanctuary – Jess Anastasi

Dead Reality – Jess Anastasi

Severance – Jess Anastasi

The Book Depository

Historical Romance Top 100

The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae – Stephanie Laurens

In Pursuit of Eliza Cynster – Stephanie Laurens

Viscount Breckenridge to the Rescue – Stephanie Laurens

Bride by Mistake – Anne Gracie

The Reckless Bride – Stephanie Laurens

It Happened One Season – Stephanie Laurens + Others

The Brazen Bride – Stephanie Laurens

Midnight’s Wild Passion – Anna Campbell

The Accidental Wedding – Anne Gracie

Rules of Engagement – Stephanie Laurens

The Book Depository

Romance Sagas Top 100

Destiny’s Path – Anna Jacobs

Beyond the Sunset – Anna Jacobs

Cherry Tree Lane – Anna Jacobs

Farewell to Lancashire – Anna Jacobs

Ridge Hill – Anna Jacobs

High Street – Anna Jacobs

Hallam Square – Anna Jacobs

Spinners Lake – Anna Jacobs

The Traders Wife – Anna Jacobs

Lancashire Legacy – Anna Jacobs

Threepenny Dreams – Anna Jacobs

Until next month, have a good one.

Tamara

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by Tamara Gill on May 19, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Tamara Gill on May 19, 2012

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Blog Bites with Cathryn Hein



                Today I have the pleasure of  introducing  contemporary-rural romance author, Cathryn Hein.

I’m from: I was born and grew up in Mount Gambier, S.A. but thanks to my partner’s job we move around a lot so where I’m from tends to vary. Currently I’m a Melbournian, although for how long I don’t know!

Three words to describe me: Inquisitive, affable and content.

 At home I cook: Anything and everything. I love to cook and experiment with different recipes all the time.

My worst habit is: According to my other half my worst habit is what he calls my “Feral Cheryl” mood, which is when I get an attack of the tidy-ups and start nagging over things not being in their proper place.

It’s a bit daggy but I love: The Eurovision Song Contest. Overloaded with kitschy fun!

My first job was:  Picking flowers for a very, very strange man during my gap year. I lasted less than two weeks. After that I stuck to horse-riding jobs. Far safer!


Saving for: Um…future fun?My day job is: Writing.

I procrastinate by: Browsing my cookbook collection. Although I have been known to zone out on Spider Solitaire…

Three things people might not know about me are: 

  1.  I love Dr Who, especially the David Tennant incarnation, and possess a sonic screwdriver.
  2. I have a postgraduate diploma in business management.
  3. My best ideas usually occur in the shower.

Favourite author:  I admire and adore so many authors it’s impossible to choose a standout favourite. Plus it really depends on my mood.

Current reading: Kate Morton’s The Distant Hours

Favourite book as a child: The Black Stallion by Walter Farley.

Favourite movie: Love, Actually. Although I LOVE the Indian Jones trilogy.

When I was young I wanted to be: An Olympic equestrienne or vet. Preferably both.

Why I write: Because not following this dream is unthinkable.

 Latest Project: In between madly promoting my latest release, Heart of the Valley, I’m working on another rural romance, this time set in far-western Victoria and featuring a scarred hero, a feisty but damaged heroine, a warty horse and a mad goose with a Napoleon complex

Thank you Cathryn for joining us today.

 If you would like to find out more about Cathryn and her books, go to her website http://cathrynhein.com

 

RWA members can take a bite. Contact Kerri Williams to schedule your Blog Bite feature on blogbites@romanceaustralia.com

14 Comments
by Kerri Williams on May 18, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Kerri Williams on May 18, 2012

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