ARWA’s newest PRO — Sally Cassell
Congratulations to Sally Cassell, our chapter’s newest PRO member!
Deb Yates final in Chicago’s “Fire & Ice” contest
Deb Yates’ historical manuscript, A Secret Heart, finaled in Chicago’s Fire & Ice contest!
Deb Yates finals in “The Sheila”
Our Deb Yates it hot, hot, hot! Her manuscript, Heaven Sent, finaled in the Historical category of the Sheila contest, sponsored by the Valley Forge Romance Writers. [3/25/07]
Julie Kenner is a RITA finalist!
Hooray!! Julie Kenner’s California Demon is a RITA finalist in the “Romantic Elements” category! (We’ll be cheering for you in Dallas!) [3/25/07]
Christine Keach finals in the Merritt
Christine Keach has finaled in the Contemporary Series category of the Merritt contest with her manuscript, Fractured Paradise. Go Chris!! [3/24/07]
My Five Reasons for Being a Writer
By Jane Myers Perrine
Here they are, my top five reasons for being a writer.
The Serious Reason
I love being creative. From the time I was a child, I loved to tell stories. My second grade teacher wrote on my report card, “She has a literary ability and I hope she continues in the this.” In eighth grade, I wrote a short mystery about a bunch of baddies eventually identified by the heroine because they all wore the same kind of shoes. I read it to my enraptured class and felt, for the first time, the power of words.
The Practical Reason
Every novel I buy is tax deductible. I read a lot.
The Egotistical Reason
I live in a small community in Central Texas and am well-known here. People introduce me to their friends as an author. I’m invited to speak at all sorts of events. Fame is fun.
The Thank-Goodness Reason
I no longer have to get up at five-thirty and spend the day locked in a classroom with thirty teenagers.
The Real Reason
I work at home and don’t have to take a shower until noon.
…And One More Because Writers Can Never Stop And Hate To Edit Themselves
I meet such wonderful people — other writers.
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Jane Myers Perrine has loved books her entire life. When she isn’t reading or writing one, she spends time thinking about plots and the characters who rattle around in her brain. Her next novel, LOVE’S HEALING TOUCH, will be published by Steeple Hill Love Inspired in September, 2007.
My Five Reasons Why It’s Okay to Visit the Bookstore
by Nicole Reillan
1. I don’t believe in wasted space and when I rearranged my bookcase, I discovered new territory that requires conquering by the latest Nora Roberts or Sabrina Jeffries. Ditto for my nightstand. And the coffee table. Ooh…maybe if I shove my computer to the corner of my desk, I can fit another stack of paperbacks there…
2. On some days, chocolate alone just won’t cut it.
3. Buying books is tax-deductible research. My career requires thorough knowledge of the genre. And maybe a couple other genres to broaden my horizons. Oh, and Harry Potter of course. Would the box set count as a deduction if you already owned the previous prints? All this requires further in-depth research, and I’m willing to throw myself on the grenade in the interest of professionalism.
4. Rent is overrated. And I don’t need to eat. I figure I’ve got enough excess weight to survive a few weeks on ramen and peanut butter. Maybe I’ll even lose weight so, really, going to the bookstore could potentially be good for my health.
5. Of all my vices, I figure my book addiction’s the healthiest. Besides, it’s not really an addiction because I can stop any time I want. I swear. Just not today. Or tomorrow. Actually, the next few decades don’t look too good either. I should be able to give it serious consideration around the year 2040 or so…
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Nicole Jordan (no, not that Nicole Jordan) writes under the pseudonym Nicole Reillan. She currently has two completed manuscripts and is hoping to snag an agent.
Harlequin “Spice” looking for short stories
Spice, Harlequin’s imprint for erotic romance, is looking for shorter stories to be sold online as Spice Briefs. Unfortunately, right now the link to the guidelines on the Harlequin website is broken, but here’s the scoop: Stories should be 5,000 – 15,000 words. They will be sold as eBooks only (at least for now). They’re looking for “bold, pushing-the-envelope, sexually explicit editorial … These are highly erotic short stories; although brief, these stories should still strive to establish context for the erotic content through an interesting and engaging premise (a great hook), a well constructed plot and believable characters. Quality editorial is paramount.” The editors are looking for all types of stories: contemporary, ethnic, literary, mystery/suspense, historical and paranormal stories told in first or third person point-of-view (female only) or, if it works for the story, multiple points of view. Submit the complete story to Editor Susan Pezzack Swinwood at spicebriefs@harlequin.ca
[Information gathered from Cindi Myers enewsletter]