Good morning all and welcome to another Cruisin’ the Blog, our members have once again been very busy with good news this week and blogging their little hearts out. Which is good because if they didn’t I’d have nothing to do. First up we have a new release:
A.B Gayle (aka Alison Bailey) had her story Reversal published this week in a new anthology from Noble Romance Publishing:
A.B. Gayle – ECHOES OF THE FUTURE Noble Romance Publishing
Reversal
Sebastian is bored. He has another five years of lone duty supervising his family’s robots on their space station. The last thing he wants to do is the housework. For Christmas, his mother sends him a Domestic Darling cyborg. True to form, she purchases a factory second and sends one that doesn’t quite fit the bill. Instead of being a pert blond with big tits and a cute ass like in the advertisement, this one is six foot tall and built like a Greek god, a very virile Greek God. In an attempt to improve its functioning, Sebastian uses some of his brilliant programming skills. The resulting changes ensure Sebastian will never be bored again.
CRUISIN’ THE BLOG: ~
Where Our Members Blogging ~
Australia’s own, Harlequin American Romance Author CC Coburn is strapped into the bloggers seat this week with the interesting topic The Top Five Inventions of My Time – How About Yours?
This week Fiona is blogging about one of my new favourite medical shows Royal Pains. The topic There’s Something About Those Eyes.
This week Jenn posted about her short story selection in this year’s Little Gem Anthology.
Kelly has a great post over at iHeartPresents – Where To Next? by Kelly Hunter
15th Mar - PROMO GUEST AUTHOR: Tracey O’Hara
There’s something incredibly appealing about dark urban fantasy, don’t you think? Is it the tormented alpha hero, or the kick-butt-more-than-a-match-for-him heroine? Perhaps it’s the grey, not-so-clear-cut sides of life that feature prominently in the world building of this genre that draws us. Maybe it’s a combination of all three.
Whatever appeals to you about this genre, Aussie urban fantasy author, Tracey O’Hara, certainly delivers for us DUF fans.
Come and join Tracey on Kylie’s blog on Monday, 15th March and find out more about her and her books plus Tracey is giving awaye-book version of Night’s Cold Kiss from Fictionwise to one lucky commenter.
18th Mar – Mary drops into International Christian Fiction Writers at 7pm EST for her regular post. Now if you have dropped by before you know Mary always has an interesting topic.
Week 6 and Paula chats about how we all approach out writing differently. She also shares an interesting fact about plotters the other day: visualise a 1-10 plotting scale, with 1 being “no plotting ever, just writing” and 10 being “charts, sheets, colour coding, files and plans”. ‘A Novel in 3 Months’ blog. Yes, I’m still enjoying these blog posts.
Paula is also having some fun over at the Silhouette Desire Authors Blog First Lines – a fun contest, now brush up on your Desire knowledge for this one.
RWAus Blog ~
Mon 8th Mar – Natalie Hatch – Craft Day
Tue 9th Mar – Monique Wood – A Day in the Life of Writer Imelda Evans
Wed 17th Mar – Shona Husk - Guest Blog
Thur 18th Mar – Thu 18 March – Romancing the West
Fri 12th Mar – Anita Mack – Blog Bite – Carla Molino
Member who Blog Regularly ~
Blogs of Interest ~
BookEnds, LLC — A Literary Agency ~
The topic this week Pet Peeves, want to know how not to upset an Agent? This may be helpful.
The wonderful Ladies over at Lady Scribes have another Crit Friday up: With the success of last month they are giving you another chance to submit for critique a scene where the hero first sees or notices the heroine, or the heroine first sees or notices the hero.
Okay I’ve been slack and not promoted LoveCats Downunder for a while. We all know the girls have great posts. Tracie has an interesting post Book Adaptations.
MEMBER’S CONTESTS and GIVEAWAYS:~
Anna’s contest for March/April 2010 – Win the Proverbial ARC of My Reckless Surrender.
The contest closes 30th April, 2010.
Annie has her new contest up on her website for March ‘New Beginnings Book Giveaway’
This contest runs till 11th April.
Mel Scott is running a monthly contest on her blog where she is giving away one of her favourite book each month until her novel ‘Shadow Kin’ is released. This month it’s Sunshine by Robin McKinley.
Mel Teshco and Anna Hackett ~
Mel and Anna have joined forces to promote their Nocturne Bites new releases )Mel’s March 1st release of Her Dark Lord, and Anna Hackett’s April release, Hunter Surrender) and are giving away a Nocturne Bites book a week.
CONTEST RESULTS ~
Little Gem Results ~
Anthology Placegetters:
Equal First: Jennifer Kay–The Unfinished Poem
Dorothy Martin–If Only
Second: Shona Husk–Soul Song
Third: Cath Ryan—Madonna of the Gate
In alphabetical order:
Lilian Begelhole–The Fantasy Lover
Helen Ellis–Family Business
Cara Gabriel–Blue Topaz and Smoky Quartz
Fiona Gregory–Seize the Man
Alicia Hope–The Brande Topaz
Sandra Linklater–Time Capsule
Jenn J McLeod–A Penny For Your Thoughts
Maggie Mundy–Sea and Vines
Shayne Sands–Finders Keepers
Bronwyn Stuart–Million Dollar Dreams
5DI Participants Announced ~
Category Romance Writers – Mentored by Lilian Darcy
Anita Mack
Lisa Roderick
Doreen Sullivan
Janet Radevski
Linda Hills
Chris Weston
Terri-Anne Green
Shannean Moncrieff
Historical/Mainstream Writers – Mentored by Sophia James
Akanash Gaddi
Iona Jones
Annelise Balsamo
Maddison Fitzsimmons
Bridget Ransome
Mary-Anne Rome
Gabrielle Wade-Steiner
Catherine Evans
Paranormal/Suspense Writers – Mentored by Fiona Brand
Leisel Leighton
Jo McAlister
Annie Newton
Sue Burgess Thompson
Sharon Phillips
Tina Marie Clark
Amanda Reynolds Smith
Enisa Hasic
Congratulations Ladies.
MEMBER’S NEWS: ~
Anna’s latest novel Captive Of Sin has finaled in the 2010 Gayle Wilson, Award of Excellence! WOOHOO Anna, congratulations.
Astrid found out during the week that her dark fantasy/romance story is one of fourteen stories in the Scary Kiss anthology. Astrid’s story The Hidden One.
Heather has just signed a contract with Nobel Romance Publishing for her Regency novella ‘One Wicked Night”. WOOHOO Heather.
Pur-Fect Seduction just keeps on getting great reviews. This week it is You Gotta read Reviews. Congratulations Heather.
Lesley had her short story, The Truly Awful Shirt Shop, published with Australian Women Online. Here are the links: Part 1 and Part 2.
Michelle de Rooy ~
Michelle has had both her Emmy entries requested by Meredith Giordan from Berkley.
WOOHOO Michelle, all the best of luck.
Shona shared with us the cover for Scary Kisses. Scary Kisses is a paranormal romance anthology dues for release in April. Shona’s story is Black Widow.
Suzanne received the copy of her cover for her soon to be released novel ‘Heat in the Outback’ to be published by Eternal Press.
TOP TEN ~
To Love, Honour And Disobey – Natalie Anderson
Mistress: At What Price? – Anne Oliver
Wedlocked: Banisher Sheikh, Untouched Queen – Carol Marinelli
Doctor On Loan/Bushfire Bride – Marion Lennox
Outback Bachelor – Margaret Way
The Cattleman’s Adopted Family – Barbara Hannay
Desert King, Doctor Daddy – Meredith Webber
A Mother For Matilda – Amy Andrews
Tempting The Negotiator/The Doctor’s Pregnant Bride? – Zana Bell, Susan Crosby
Fugitive Bride/Marriage At A Price – Miranda Lee
Top Ten Bestsellers
Forgotten Mistress, Secret Love-Child – Annie West
Wedlocked: Banished Sheikh, Untouched Queen – Carol Marinelli
Revealed: A Prince and a Pregnancy – Kelly Hunter
His Ring, Her Baby – Maxine Sullivan
Top Ten eBooks
Forgotten Mistress, Secret Love-Child – Annie West
Wedlocked: Banished Sheikh, Untouched Queen – Carol Marinelli
Bride, Bought and Paid For – Helen Bianchin
CONFERENCES in 2010~
The 2010 Romancing The West Conference
Saturday 1st May 2010
Metro Hotel
61 Canning Hwy
Perth
See Event Page on blog or RWAus website for more details.
RWAustralia together with SARA present the 2010 Romance Roadshow Event
~ Romancing the Novel ~
Featuring special guest speakers:–
Venue: SA Writers’ Centre
Date: Saturday 15th May
Visit SARA website for more details.
RWAustralia National Conference 2010
~ Sun, Surf and Sizzle ~
Friday 13th to Sunday 15th August 2010
Crowne Plaza Hotel
Coogee Beach NSW
For more details visit the RWAus website or Conference page on the blog.
RWAustralia Claytons Conference
~ Believe the Dream ~
Friday 13th to Sunday 15th August 2010
Online conference – The conference you can attend when you can’t attend the National Conference.
More details soon.
CONTESTS for 2010:~
RWAustralia
Opens: 15th February 2010
Closes: 26th March 2010
See website for details.
CHALLENGES: ~
RWAustralia Writing Challenges for 2010 Feb – Mar
Monday Challenge
Challenge is for 2,000 words for the day or more. Total of 37 Monday Challenges this year with a potential for 74,000 words plus.
Dates:
- Mar 15th
- Mar 22nd
- Mar 29th
Book/ Edit in a Week
- April 5th to 11th (EIAW)
Pam Collings is the coordinator for the above challenges. For contact information please refer to January Hearts Talk. Instructions for challenges available on ROMAUS Files.
UPCOMING EVENTS: ~
Sunday March 21
The Opportunities of Romance Fiction ~ Anne Gracie
When: 10:00am–4:00pm
Where: NSW Writers’ Centre
Cost: $100 M, $85 MC, $140 NM
FMI + Bookings: NSW Writers’ Centre OR (02) 9555 9757
Sunday 21 March
Writing Historical Fiction ~ Nerida Newton
When: 9:30am–4:00pm
Where: Cairns Campus, Tropical North Queensland TAFE, Eureka Street
Cost: $85 M, $75 MC, $115 NM
Booking deadline: March 8
FMI + Bookings: Queensland Writers Centre OR (07) 3839 1243
Wednesday March 24
The Assessor, the Mentor and the Editor ~ Sydney Smith, Michael Nolan & Melanie Dankel
When: 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Where: Victorian Writers’ Centre
Cost: $12 M, $10 MC, 15 NM
FMI + Bookings: Victorian Writers’ Centre OR (03) 9094 7855
Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 March
First to Final Draft Masterclass ~ Shelley Kenigsberg and Selena Hanet-Hutchins
When: 10:00am–4:00pm
Where: Byron Community & Cultural Centre
Cost: $115 M per day, $145 NM per day
FMI + Bookings: Essential: (02) 6685 5115 or Email Susie OR Website
Sunday March 28
Motivated Action, Motivated Characters ~ Adair Jones
When: 10:00am–4:30pm
Where: Queensland Writers’ Centre
Cost: Cost: $110 M, $100 MC, $160 NM
FMI + Bookings: Queensland Writers’ Centre OR (07) 3839 1243
Saturday April 10
Imagining History ~ Tom Gilling
When: 10:00am–4:30pm
Where: ACT Writers’ Centre
Cost: $96 M, $84 MC, $146 NM
FMI + Bookings: Phone (02) 6262 9191 or ACT Writers’ Centre
Saturday April 17
The Kindest Cut ~ Shelley Kenigsberg
When: 10:00am–4:30pm
Where: Queensland Writers’ Centre
Cost: $110 M, $100 MC, $160 NM
FMI + Bookings: Phone (07) 3839 1243 or Queensland Writers’ Centre
Saturday April 17
Defining, Planning and Achieving Your Writing Goals ~ Chris Ostermann
When: 2:00–5:00pm
Where: SA Writers’ Centre
Cost: $55 M, $77 NM
FMI + Bookings: sawriters@sawc.org.au or (08) 8223 7662 SA Writers’ Centre
Tuesday 20 & Wednesday 21 April
Research for Fiction Writers ~ Arnold Zable
When: 6.30–8.30pm
Where: Victorian Writers’ Centre
Cost: $44 M, $36 MC, $55 NM
FMI + Bookings: Victorian Writers’ Centre or (03) 9094 7855
Saturday May 1
Getting Started: Making Stories, a creative writing workshop for beginners ~ Wendy James
When: 10:00am–4:00pm
Where: New England Writers’ Centre
Cost: $50 M, $60 NM
FMI + Bookings: New England Writers’ Centre or (02) 6772 7210 or Email: newc44@dodo.com.au
Saturday May 8
What Do Women Want? Workshop ~ Dianne Blacklock
When: 10:00am–4:00pm
Where: Northern Rivers Writers’ Centre
Cost: $67.50 M, $80 NM
FMI + Bookings: Bookings essential on (02) 6685 5115 or Email Susie or Website
ONLINE Events
Julie Rowe, a 2006 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 e-mail to Announceonlinewritingclasses-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
That rounds it up for another week. Congratulations to everyone who had good news to share this week, don’t forget to support our bloggers.
Happy Reading
Sandie
Tracey O'Hara
/ March 14, 2010Sandie – as usual fabulous roundup. Thanks so much for mentioning both the LoveCatsDownunder and the contest on Kylie Griffin’s blog – I am looking foreard to that tomorrow.
Have a great week everyone.
T
suzilove
/ March 14, 2010Oh my goodness, I thought I was too late!
But here I am grabbing the Adonis again!
Anna Campbell, I’ll sayit again….La..la…la!
Sandie,
Every week the news just gets better and bigger,
Thanks so much for keeping us up to date,
And congratulations to everyone with such fantastic news,
Suzi
suzilove
/ March 14, 2010Tracey,
We must be twins posting at the same time,
So we can share the Adonis,
Anna won’t mind,
Suzi
Nicky
/ March 14, 2010Thank you Sandie for once again reining in all the news to one spot. I know I am only one of many who truly appreciate the effort you put in doing this for the members each week.
Anna Campbell
/ March 15, 2010Sandie, wow, more and more every week. Thanks for putting this together. It must TAKE nearly a week! And thanks for the congrats for the Gayle Wilson Award final. Very happy about that
find your date online
/ April 5, 2010good news
wrist weights
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