RWA 2011 Rocked!! Wanna see pictures?

My biggest accomplishment for this conference? I did it on 2 pairs of shoes. Total!! I'm really not kidding. Seriously though, the high I've been on since RWA 2011 in New York City hasn't lessened a single bit. I look forward to that conference every year and pretty much as soon as one's finished, I'm counting down the days to next year. This conference was a lot of fun for me because it was in NYC. I used to live there for about a year so it was incredible great to be able to be back in the city again. The hotel was located right in Times Square!! I've heard it described as the cross-roads of the world and it's just a vibrant and alive place, any time of the day or night. I loved that I had such an awesome view of it from my hotel room!

During the day it's spectacular, but at night? Incomparable!

I even had a chance to revisit some of the city. Can you guess where this was taken :)??

It's also important for me to volunteer to an organization that does so much for writers. This year, I signed up to help set-up for the huge literacy signing. This event is open to the public and the proceeds go towards literacy. So many authors, so many fabulous books and I got a bit of a workout. Perfect.

I didn't really know what to expect of the opening session this year, but it really was wonderful. 3 very different authors writing very different books and each one was fascinating. I certainly wouldn't have expected Diana Gabaldon for instance to mention blow jobs, but there you have it! It was a highly entertaining and educational panel :).

The keynote addresses are often a high light at these conferences and this year was no exception. Both Madeline Hunter and Sherrilyn Kenyon absolutely rocked, but it was Sherrilyn that delivered perhaps the most moving and inspirational speech I've heard. You really have no idea when you look at a person what they might have gone through, what they've overcome and how they've triumphed. Now I understand how she could have written Acheron. Not everyone could have written that book. She's my new hero and if I ever complain about writing, someone please pick up one of her books and hit me over the head with it!

The workshops have become less useful for me in terms of craft, but I still get a tremendous amount out of them. In fact, the entire conference is one big inspirational experience from start to finish. What could be better than spending several days in the company of writers and like-minded professionals? It really is a very liberating experience.

Some of the highlights in terms of more 'fun' events were the Romance Divas Divafest. There I connected with people I've only ever met online and got to try a butterscotch martini. OMG yum!

I also attended the RWA Passionate Ink party. Yes, she is doing what it looks like she's doing. But we're equal opportunity.

 And I can't forget the guys either!! I'd only recently joined this RWA chapter but it was SO much fun. Who knew I'd actually learn something useful about Burlesque while laughing my butt off and getting to see some performances that were just great!

I also went to the Harlequin PJ party. No PJs for me, but I was able to connect face-to-face with a number of folks who hang out on the eharl loops. Oh and of course, I can't forget 'naked, g-string guy'. Our window looked directly into the changing rooms for the Broadway show The Lion King. And he was changing. It was right there and it was spectacular. There was no-where else to look. Honest LOL. OK, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!!

The conference ended with the Rita and Golden Heart Awards ceremony. This is our chance to get dressed up, relax, hang with friends and recognize some of our best aspiring and established authors. It's always fun and some of the acceptance speeches are amazing. Meg Cabot did a great job as MC. Yep, even more inspiration!

Here's a pic of me and Rula Sinara! We only see each other once a year, but we make it count!

 And a self portrait :). I look tired, but it was a good tired!

So...I had an amazing time, caught up with new and old writer friends, got inspired and hopefully fired up enough to carry me through to next year!! Anaheim 2012, here I come!

I'm at RWA 2011 this week and...

Having THE time of my life! What's not to love about hundreds of writers all in one place talking about books, writing and how to be better at it? This is my 'girls weekend' I look forward to every year, but it's also so energizing, inspiring. Follow me on Twitter and Facebook as I post about the conference. I'll be posting here about it next week as well. Off to another day of heaven!

Wanna talk BDSM? Wanna win something?

I have a special guest here today with an 'interesting' topic :) to keep things moving while I'm making my way to the Annual Romance Writers of America conference in New York. I'll be checking in and hopefully posting some progress reports. Until then, take it away, Randi!

I want to thank Kaily for letting guest blog today. I’m Randi Alexander and I write cowboy erotic romance. My first book, Chase and Seduction was released May 27 from The Wild Rose Press' Cowboy Kink line.

The Cowboy Kink line is - just as it sounds - a line of kinky erotic romances focused on cowboys. Each of the books is written by authors who have their own version of 'kink.' And with cowboys, you know a lot of the kink has to do with ropes and whips.

But I want to talk BDSM today. If you're not familiar with the acronym, it stands for Bondage and Discipline / Dominance and Submission / Sadism and Masochism. It's not specific to sex, but in erotic romance, it is sexual in most stories. The reason I'm sounding like Wikipedia is that I've had a few people in a variety of age ranges ask me what BDSM was.

While I'm not familiar with it personally, except for a little 'slap and tickle' now and then, I did write some light BDSM into Chase and Seduction. The excerpt below is the opening of the scene, which takes place outdoors, making it extra-kinky.

I've read a few erotic BDSM books, where there is meticulous detail paid to the bondage, the discipline, the role playing. While it was titillating, it wasn't what I wanted to see my characters doing. It just didn't fit the character backstories I'd written for them. But Chase does have a kinky side, which he gladly introduces Reno to, but it's not BDSM. The outdoor 'slap and tickle' scene is just a little extra treat I threw into the book, and it's one of my favorite sex scenes.

But many readers love erotic romances with heavy bondage, discipline, dominance, submission, sadism, or masochism. They sell very well, and are exciting, seductive, and just as romantic as my light BDSM. And that's where I need your help.

I have a story in mind, and I'm considering including some BDSM. What do you like to read? Do you prefer a story without it, or with a little 'slap and tickle', or do you like a full-throttle BDSM story? I'm excited to hear your comments.

And, as promised, following the story blurb, I've attached the beginning of my BDSM scene.

Country music superstar/actor Chase Tanner has yet to be denied anything–and he’s never wanted anything or anyone more than gorgeous screenplay writer Reno Linden. So when the film they are working on is finally finished, Chase decides to turn up the volume on seducing Reno. 

Reno Linden lived a quiet, rural life until she was thrust into the Hollywood scene when her book was adapted to film. Chase Tanner is larger than life, sinfully sexy and hell-bent on getting her into bed. Skittish after a failed wedding engagement, Reno risks the plunge into Chase’s arms, and is surprised that her good girl self can keep up with bad boy Chase. 

Though Chase returns to his cowboy roots often, and Reno cherishes the time spent with him on his ranch, the two find their careers pulling them in different directions. Will their attraction survive the glitz and stress of fame? 

EXCERPT: Over 18 only please.
“Woman! Don’t make me come after you!”
Reno straightened, showing him her profile. “You could never catch me, old man.”
“Old?” Chase leapt to his feet, and she jerked, dropping the flower.
He stalked toward her. “I’ll show you old.”
She let out a shriek and bolted in the opposite direction, laughing crazily.
He took a hop, then ran hard and fast, and was upon her in seconds. Grabbing her around the waist, he lifted her off her feet. “There’s no getting away from me, Reno.”
She slapped at his hands. “Let me go, you evil letch.”
He released her, only to grab one wrist, bend and grab her opposite knee, and lift her over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry, her warm skin rubbing against his, kindling a fire in each nerve she touched.
She squealed and laughed. “Chase, you put me down.”
Dominating her this way sent a rush of desire through him, and her weight felt like a feather as he strode back to their blanket. Reaching up, he swatted her behind. “You hush now.”
Her indrawn breath was followed by a soft moan. Then she asked, “And if I don’t hush?”

To celebrate the release of Chase and Seduction, I'm giving away, to one lucky *commenter, an e-copy of my novella Her Cowboy Stud. Just leave a comment today and we'll choose a winner tomorrow. *Commenter must be 18 years of age or older to win.

I'm also giving away a cowgirl hat to one subscriber to my newsletter. For more details, and to sign up for this contest, please go to my website, RandiAlexander.com  And while you're there, you can read the first chapter of Chase and Seduction.

Good luck, and thank you!

RandiAlexander.com

WildAndWickedCowboysBlog

What promo stuff do you like??

Does anybody see May? I've searched everywhere. Did anybody see where it went? I can't believe half the month is already gone which means I need to get my act together and figure out what promo items I'll be offering at RWA Nationals in NY at the end of June. Honestly, this is a stressful decision. I want something to showcase myself well, but for it to be an item that's useful and wanted. Needless to say, I want to make sure my investment in this is a wise one. I don't think it translates to sales, but it is a way for an author to get their name in front of potential readers and industry professionals. It needs to be interesting and eye catching, something useful and something that's not too expensive.

So...what things do you like to pick up at events/conferences? What catches your eye? What do you wish authors would offer more of? What things do you actually keep and use? What things do you hate? Yeah...I need some HELP!

Blogger has been having some issues lately so I haven't posted over the last week. I THINK it's all better so we'll be getting back to the regularly scheduled programming now!

RWA 2010. I promised pictures...

The RWA 2010 conference seems so long ago now, but I love to go back and look at the pictures. It was an amazing event, so rich in offerings, so diverse in attendees and so much FUN! Just like Nationals in DC last year, I took so much away from this event. It's inspirational fuel to get me through the next year, that's for sure. I didn't take a ton of photos like I know others did. I tend to get lost in experiencing the moment before I think to capture it on my camera, but I'd like to share a few of the memorable ones!

The literacy signing. Even though I attended it last year, it still blew me away. So many authors. So much talent! So few dollars to buy all those fabulous books :). The room was enormous. It's awe inspiring to see so many of our genre all together! I volunteered for the event helping with the exit procedures and water duty for the signing authors. Sigh... Perhaps I'll be in the room next year and someone will be bringing ME water?

Old friends. For those that attended. Nora's (Roberts of course) keynote, it was funny and thought provoking and bluntly honest, like I think she probably is. She talked about the early conferences where she made those special connections with colleagues that have lasted a lifetime. Last year I had that experience with Rula Sinara. We just clicked and stayed in touch over the course of the year. This conference was a great excuse for us to get caught up in person and we had a ball! I think we scrubbed up quite nicely! I'm on the right!!

Famous authors. I have to admit I love to catch glimpses of my favorite authors and I go to their sessions if I can. I've loved Linda Howard for a long time and I'm sure I've read every book she's ever written. Her writing and style has evolved tremendously, but the core understanding of the mechanism of the man - woman developing relationship always intrigues me. She did a very funny and educational session about the 12 stages of intimacy. I usually like to do my 'groupie thing' from afar, but when she announced at the end that she was retiring from public speaking, I knew I may not get another chance. I love this shot. She is so beautiful and she smelled so darned GOOD!

Professional connections. It was wonderful to meet some of the folks from Ellora's Cave. There's nothing that can really take the place of that person-to-person connection and I got to meet EC's Editor in Chief, Kelli Collins and the Publisher, Raelene Gorlinksy. Both smart, insightful women. Here they are in action (L to R) at the EC Spotlight. 

Fabulous parties. The Rita and Golden Heart awards ceremony is such a fun event. It was a formal sit down dinner run much like the Oscars. At least it had that vibe about it. Very exciting for those nominated and those dreaming that one day they might be. It was great to see everyone looking so magnificent and it was an awesome way to wrap up the conference!

I really can't wait for next year. New York, here we come!!

Meet Isabel Roman

Well, I'm back from RWA Nationals pumped and jazzed, inspired and humbled. And buried in revisions LOL! I'll post some thoughts and some pictures on the conference when I get a chance, but first a treat, something a little different. I have Isabel Roman here today talking about the hero from her lastest book, Sex & Subterfuge. Isabel has been on this amazing, whirlwind virtual blog tour. Comment on her post here and be in the running to WIN a Vice Versa beaded fashion purse, a summer shawl, and a box of Godiva chocolates. Yum!

Take it away, Isabel!

Lucien Harrington, Earl Granville, Viscount Harrington. Who is he and why did I choose to write about him?

There are so many different types of heroes in romance novels these days. I have noticed that one of the more popular is the anti-hero or the bad boy tamed by a good woman. Lucien is not the bad boy, though he has his wicked streak on occasion.

When I conceived Lucien, I didn't have to suffer over how much alpha maleness to pour in or unnecessary bravado. He just happened easily. Lucien Harrington is not intimated by much. He has absolutely nothing to prove to anyone—he’s confident, aggressive or caring as the situation demands, and has followed his own path without regret.

He can mix with the highest of nobles or the lowest of seamen. When he encounters a woman who is stronger in magicks than he, he doesn’t scoff or run, he relishes it.

Lucien is one of those protagonists who approaches life with the ease that confidence gives. When he sets on a task, he does not stop until it is accomplished. He is a gentleman, but he is still a sexual creature. As a Druid, Lucien is far less judging of sexual activities than his Victorian counterparts. Morgana Blackthorne puts that judgment to the test and she is not disappointed.

For me, the mark of a good romance hero is the lingering desire to find just such a man. I know I would be happy with a Lucien and I certainly hope my readers will be too!

You can read  Dark Desires of the Druids: Sex & Subterfuge available now in bookstores! Also be sure to check out my free Dark Desires of the Druids: Choose Your Own Adventure story!

Blurb:

A master magicker, Morgana Blackthorne has a tenuous hold on her following. When a strange Englishman arrives on her doorstep with news of other druidic magickers, and magicker problems, she’s intrigued but suspicious. There hasn’t been contact between the American and European druids in over a hundred years. Plus she has her own worries and doesn’t need the handsome earl adding to them.


Lucien, Earl of Granville, left England to seek out the Blackthorne Druid line and discover what they’ve been up to since contact was lost. Once he and Morgana meet, their mutual attraction distracts him from his purpose. Embroiled in her problems, he finds himself more concerned with her welfare than is practical for a passing affair.

When I invited you into my bed, it never occurred to me I wouldn’t want you to leave.

There are darker forces at work and the hunger of a weak magicker desperate for power. Will Lucien convince Morgana of his true feelings before things spiral out of control? Or will the surrounding subterfuge tear them apart?

Excerpt:

“Lucien Harrington,” Jacobs, her butler, intoned, “the Earl of Granville.”

Smiling, Morgana swept out of the circle, stepping into the foyer, and greeted her guest. His timing was off, but as the magicker she knew him to be, not suspect.

“Welcome, Lord Granville,” she said, offering a slight curtsy.

He was tall, with dark blond hair, dark blue eyes, and a sharp nose over which he looked down at her. Her eyes traveled over his face, down his body, clothed in immaculately tailored Savile Row, back to his face. Arousal pooled hot in her belly.

She’d never wanted any man. Yet Morgana wanted Lord Granville. Her skin prickled at his nearness, her womb clenched with want.

Forcing her mind off his body, she studied his face. Briefly, want flashed in his eyes and she smiled a truly wicked smile at him. It was gone as fast as it’d shone and she returned to studying him. There was grief hidden deep in his eyes, along with suspicion and weariness. Tilting her head, she wondered what caused those emotions. Suspicion she could easily understand. It’d been more than a hundred and thirty years since their families had any contact. Though, since he’d sought her out, she should be more suspicious of him.

“Mistress Blackthorne,” he bowed over her offered hand. Flicking a glance behind her, he said, “I hope I’m not interrupting.”

“Not at all,” Morgana smiled. She could all but feel David’s displeasure. Suppressing a giddy smile, she took Lord Granville’s arm and led him into the parlor. “We’re about to begin the New Moon Ritual. Do you still practice it in England?”

Looking up at him with guileless eyes, she waited for his confusion, gratified when it sparked briefly in those bottomless depths. Damn them all. She could be as gracious as she liked, but in the end, resentment bubbled to the surface. They’d abandoned her ancestors to indentured servitude and hadn’t bothered to contact any of them since.

“I’m afraid we lost that custom when we lost the valuable Blackthorne line.”

Morgana raised her eyebrow at him as they entered the parlor. Wasn’t he the diplomat?

“Would you care to join the ritual, Lord Granville?”

He bowed again and smiled. “It would be my pleasure, Mrs. Blackthorne.”


Thanks Isabel. It was a pleasure having you here and I love your measure of a hero! You can find out more about Isabel and her stories here.

RWA Nationals & Win a Nook!

RWA Nationals are almost here. It's funny. I've been waiting for this conference for over six months and it comes down to the wire to get ready. Why does it always happen that way? Nails to get done tomorrow and I still have to pack. I'm driving, so I better make sure I know where I'm going. I need to download my camera of photos from my vacation at the beginning of the summer and I need to back up the laptop. I also bought new shoes for the Rita & Golden Heart awards ceremony that I KNOW are going to rub my feet. Sigh. There are probably a million little things to remember. OK, probably not that many but I already feel like I've forgotten something. This will be the first year I'll be putting something in the Goody Room at the event. It's exciting and nerve-wracking. What if no-one takes my stuff LOL? Not sure I want to lug it all the way back home. Maybe it's best not knowing. I'll be attending as a RWA-PRO this year, so I'm really looking forward to the PRO Retreat. Really, I'm just excited overall to be among so many other people who think hearing voices in your head is NORMAL! I'll plan to post some pictures next week!

During the month of August, I'll also be participating in the Long and the Short of It's 3rd Anniversary Party. What does this mean? Well, firstly, there's a chance to win a Nook. Actually, they're giving away THREE Nook eBook Readers that come with $50 BN.com gift certificates AND are already pre-loaded with dozens of romance and juvenile fiction eBooks. My book, Picture This will be one of them! It's a scavenger hunt and you can find all the details here. Sounds like fun!

Oh my...

It's one week to the RWA Nationals conference in Orlando and...oh my! I've been excited for a long time, but just recently the nerves have started to kick in. Why? I'm not exactly sure. I'm pitching to an agent, but I did the same with an editor last year, and while it's nerve wracking, I don't think that accounts for the anxiety I have. It's not like it's my first conference. I did attend the event in DC last year and it was so valuable and awesome I can't describe it. I think the biggest thing I came away with was inspiration. I was incredibly motivated after the event last year and filled with the certainty that I was going to be a published author. Well, here I am, going into the conference this year and I'm just...nervous. Perhaps it's because I've made that first step. I've stepped up onto that first rung of my publishing journey and I have more at stake now, I'm more invested, I've had a small taste of success, I'm not just on the sidelines wishing and hoping. Back to the fear of success thing again? Maybe. Regardless, I'm looking forward to spending 4 days with like minded people, who understand what it's like to be a writer and a romance writer at that. I'm looking forward to the educational sessions to improve my craft, to learn more about the business side of publishing, the opportunities to meet and mix with published authors and to meet people face to face I've only 'talked' to online. I'm also looking forward to coming away with that renewed enthusiasm, the strengthened drive to succeed, the inspiration to write the next best book that I can! For THAT, I can hardly wait!

I'm a PRO!

That's RWA-PRO of course! I remember attending RWA Nationals last year with my 'first timer' ribbon (a big neon sign that said 'newbie') and seeing all the others with PRO and PAN ribbons. I kind of wanted to blend in and it made me feel conspicuous, to say the least. A good thing came of it though. It was a conversation starter for fellow newbies and I met another wonderful aspiring author. She had the guts to talk to me first! I really had no idea of all of the designations at the time, but swore by the following years conference, I would at least step on up to the next level. Of course, there were some hurdles - the major one being the controversy around Harlequin's status in RWAs eyes as an eligible publisher. Man, I'm glad all that was figured out and common sense prevailed! And of course, I had to complete a full manuscript, have it requested and send it off! I made it though! And now? It's early days. I've looked at the information on the RWA site, I've requested access to the PRO loop, I know there is a PRO retreat at the Nashville conference and that PRO members get priority for securing editor/agent appointments at the event. That's all good. Right? For the rest, I'm not certain, but it sure felt great to achieve such a tangible goal on this journey. That doesn't happen all that often. And now I'll have a PRO ribbon to wear in Nashville. It's silly I know, but wearing that ribbon will sort of make me feel like I belong there this year.

Totally freaked out here!!

As I looked at my blog today that darn counter is blaring at me, warning me, mocking me. Yes, it's almost Golden Heart time. I'm still doing some final edits on the manuscript I intend to enter and still need to clean up my synopsis. Yeah, the dreaded synopsis which I know is not a strength of mine. I've put it off until the end, until I have no choice but to tackle it. Yikes!! (do people really use that word in real life?). Anyway, I keep telling myself I work best under pressure, I still have time (baring any major disasters) and of course I'll make it, but it doesn't help with the mild (OK, maybe not so mild) panic that is starting to set in and the surety that my stuff really sucks. I haven't heard much around the forums about the Golden Heart lately and probably not likely to now with the controversy around Harlequin Horizons and RWA. Will be interesting to see how it plays out!

To epub or not to epub?

This question has been revolving in my mind for a long time. I have a clear idea of what I want to publish and with which publishers. No surprise they're the big guys. It's tough; competition is fierce and the wait times are brutal. I have often weighed the pros and cons of going the route of an e-publisher. After all, a number of todays successful authors started out that way and some continue to publish in this fashion right along with their best selling novels via more 'traditional' means. Then there's this whole topic with RWA and publishers they consider to be 'valid' and this area gets sticky very quickly, particularly when it comes to the Golden Heart and PAN eligibility. SO, what thoughts do others have about this? Is it one or the other and what factors needs to be weighed? Can they coexist and is it a step that should be added to a complete publishing strategy? Can it hurt or hinder other opportunities?

I'm no longer a 'pitch virgin'!

A couple of weeks out now from the RWA conference held in D.C. and my thoughts keep drifting to the pitch meeting I had with an editor. It lasted for all of 10 minutes and I had to impress her enough such that she would request my manuscript. In my prior life I had delivered many presentations (sometimes to hundreds of people), I had conducted training sessions and had attended many conferences over a 15 year period, but for the pitch meeting I wasn't just nervous, but TERRIFIED. Perhaps because it meant so much to me; before, it was important of course as I considered my career seriously but it was just business. This was just too close to my heart and soul. I prepared meticulously, writing out and discarding a multitude of index cards to assist with the delivery of my 'pitch'. I believe I did OK in the meeting considering I had never ever ever told a single soul anything about what I have written. Did I say EVER? And I had to say it out loud. It probably helped that it was a stranger, a stranger that had heard a lot of strange stuff before I bet. She did ask for my first three chapters after all, but I still wonder if there was something I could have done better or what she really thought of my delivery and style. As I finish the revision of those chapters and prepare to send them off, I look back on the meeting. It could be an invaluable experience that I can file away and which could benefit me for the future pursuit of publication OR it could be an instrumental turning point in the realization of a dream!

Romance Writers of America

I just returned from a fabulous conference in Washington D.C.; the annual RWA conference. Joining RWA was one of the first things I did at the end of last year when I committed to this path. I recognized this was THE organization to belong to if I was serious about writing romance (and I intended to put my money where my mouth is). I have attended many conferences (in career 1 of 2) and was impressed with the professionalism of RWA at the event. I met many wonderful authors and aspiring authors and attended many informative and educational sessions. I even pitched to an editor who asked to see a partial manuscript so I am mad at work editing my first 3 chapters to send in! I had such a great time at the event, I wanted to thank the following specifically:
* Jayne Ann Krentz for helping me encapsulate my own core story
* Stephanie Bond for helping me realize that analytical thinkers can be romance writers too
* Angela Knight for reiterating that it has to be more than just hot sex (although I'd take it in a pinch)

I think my primary take away from the event was that there are all these really wonderful women out there who genuinely care about the books they pour their hearts and soul into and the readers that eagerly await their next work. I can only hope to be as gracious as they are.