Week of Firsts

Seressia May 16th, 2008

First of all, a big congratulations to romance author Brenda Jackson for being the first black romance author to hit the New York Times extended list at #34 with her black romance novel, Irresistible Forces. It’s the highest opening rank for a series book I believe, so double congrats to her. And she does this while working a day job!

ANother big congratulations goes to Joshua Packwood, 22, for being the first white valedictorian at Morehouse College, a Historically Black College in my town, Atlanta.

Life hasn’t always been easy for Packwood. He grew up in a poor area of Kansas City, Missouri, where he says he found himself gravitating to the black community at a young age.

Adolescence was rough. His mother’s second marriage to a black man ended in divorce and family tension forced him to seek refuge with his best friend’s family - who were black and middle-class.

The experience of living with his best friend’s family had a profound effect on Packwood, who says he saw a “different side of black America.”

He got interested in African American studies and decided that the best way to understand it and learn about it was to experience it honestly, choosing Morehouse over a full scholarship to Columbia University.

“What Morehouse stands for at the end of the day, and what Dr. King epitomized, it’s not about black or white, it’s about the content of [a person’s] character,” says Packwood. “It’s about me, representing Morehouse in that light — not as a white man or a black man.”

Random Updateness

Seressia May 13th, 2008

So yeah–I did not update the other days of Romance Slam Jam. Suffice it to to say that a good time was indeed had by all, some more than others. Karaoke was fun but my goodness!–Proud Mary is a freakin’ long song! The signing was amazing and validating and seeing Beverly Jenkins win all her awards did me proud and made me want that run someday (soon). I left Chicago energized and rarin’ to go on my work.

There have been several “race in romance” discussions around the blogosphere, and there’s an article in the May Romance Writer’s Report. I think that’s a record–and it ain’t even Black History Month. I will not even offer my opinion on the photo used to illustrate the “color” or romance article, cause you know, it’s in black and white–I can’t tell what race the four women with long dark hair are.

I got my Rita scores back yesterday for Dream of Shadows. Two 9’s, two 7’s, and an 8.8 put me in the top 25%. Felt really good about that–until I opened my royalty statement from Genesis Press. Four books, no checks. Color me unsurprised. I think I may have to change my name, pretend to be white and write black secondary characters so they’ll give me a decent sized print run and shelve me in the Romance section. This reminds me of the job I had where I had been employed with the company for more than five years and had some college education. They hired a white lady to do the same job–she had a GED, no college and off the street she made $2 more an hour than I did.

And people wonder why there’s such a thing as an Angry Black Woman.

Slam Jam: Official Day One

Seressia May 6th, 2008

Thursday got off to a great start. After getting my badge and two bags of schwag, I head off to my first workshop, which is a Reader Session that I’m having with author Marcia Collette. We talked about our current and forthcoming books, the stories behind the books, our writing process (we’re both pantsers, though I can’t really afford to be one anymore). There was a video camera there, so I was on my bestest author behavior. (yeah, I know you’re disappointed.)

After that, I got to run upstairs to the suite for an intimate session. These are basically where a few readers (no more than ten) are able to hang with their favorite author and we chat about any and everything. I had a full allotment and kicked off my shoes and curled up on a chair and chatted. It was great because it’s a wonderful moment of validation for me as a writer. I mean, there was a lady who came in with a stack of books, and I realized that they were all mine, and she wanted me to sign all of them. Amazing, and I was touched and I thanked her, and she turned around and thanked me for writing the stories and that she’d been a fan since book one.

As I signed each one, I held it up and told a little story about each. Readers asked me questions, noted which story they loved, their reaction to each while we munched on grapes and strawberries and pizza from Gino’s. During the wrap-up I mentioned Dream of Shadows and it’s history and a little about the story and the family that would be written about over the course of the books. A few of them hadn’t seen that one yet. The room monitor told them that the bookstore would be opening in ten minutes–and they all got up to head down and look for my book. Awesome!

Spent some time sharing with authors Lisa G. Riley, Natalie Dunbar, Barbara Keaton, Dyanne Davis, and others before heading down to the lobby. Ran into Beverly Jenkins who is wonderful and classy and real as ever. Met a few readers/writers/friends I knew from MySpace and the IMRR group, squeed, laughed hugged, signed autographs and a few more books, and many photos taken, completely missed lunch and didn’t care one bit.

Two o’clock and my last workshop, Sleeping With Your Characters. I was only expecting maybe a dozen people. More than 30 showed up. I zoomed through the workshop–about using creative visualization and lucid dreaming techniques to get to know your characters and get them through creative jams–and spent time talking about my writing process, reference books I enjoy using.

More later

Smart Bitches, IR Books

Seressia May 5th, 2008

The Smart Bitches posted a blog today about “Race and Loving in Romance” which is generating civil discussion, though I admit to some puzzlement about the people who say they can’t find IR books but would read them if they did.

I’m going to tell you a secret: Sometimes you have to look to find them. And how do you know if they’ll be good? Well, how do you know that Regency historical will be good? Or a futuristic? Or a Indian romance? Take those answers and apply them to IR romances. Of course, if the answer changes, that should make you ask even more questions.

Slam Jam Evening One

Seressia May 2nd, 2008

Landed in O’Hare with nary a bump. Got off the plane eager for my first glimpse of world’s busiest airport. 6 pm and the place seemed a ghost town, so it’s possible that I arrive at the wrong time. Glad to avoid the crowds, moseyed to baggage claim, retrieved my bag, and called author Jackie Hamilton of JM Jeffries/Simone Harlow fame to see if her flight had arrived. She’d just landed and so had fellow author Edwinna Martin-Arnold, so we decided to converge and ride the shuttle in together.

And that’s when I discovered how freakin’ large O’Hare is. I was in Terminal 5. Edwinna’s plane landed in Terminal 3, and Jackie’s flight drew up in Terminal 1. That’s some hellified walking even with rolling bags. “There’d better be an appletini in my future,” was all I could think abot as a schlepped to Terminal 1 to meet Jackie. Edwinna wisely decided to head for the shuttle instead. So after I gathered Jackie we made our way out to the hotel shuttle area.

We got the last two seats on the shuttle. There was Wayne Jordan, Monique Lamont, some readers, and a few very scared looking salesmen. Jackie broke the ice by proclaiming that I would soon dance naked once I got a little tequila in me. (For the record, it takes a lot of tequila.) We immediately proceeded to further scare the salesmen by talking books, romance books. We had a rollicking ride–and made some new friends. Must have been that whole naked dancing thing.

Check in was smooth, ad hunger was foremost, so our illustrious group decided to head to Chili’s. Once there, I realized a Blue margarita was the way to go. Wayne abandoned us for another group of women, but that’s okay, he’d promised himself to them first. There were several groups of us there–you see a large group of black women, you go “Slam Jam/” and we nod and laugh and hug. It’s great!

Managed to not scandalize the Chili’s staff, but when the Wyndham shuttle came to pick us up, the Krispy Kreme beckoned So we had him pull up to the door and several of us jumped out to get a few dozen of the pastry crack. Back to the hotel we went, tipped the driver in Krispy Kremes and proceeded to camp out in the lobby with a large group of readers and writers. Fun times!

Got RWR?

Seressia April 29th, 2008

If you’re a member of RWA, check out your May Romance Writer’s Report. Matter of fact, just start on page 15. Then come back and discuss. I’ll probably be doing posts from Slam Jam, for those of you who’ve never been and are curious.

Look on Monday or so for my comments on the article.

News and Appearances

Seressia April 26th, 2008

In case you didn’t visit the home page, Romance Slam Jam happens next week–and the big signing will be open to the public. So if you happen to live in the Chicago area, please come to the Wyndham O’Hare on Saturday between 3-5 with some popcorn from Garrett’s and a Chicago dog, and I’ll give you an autographed book!

Oh, but the signing fun doesn’t stop there! The weekend of June 21-22, I’ll be in Norfolk, VA with Bridget Midway. She promises that take me by the Navy base if I behave! You can catch us at:

Saturday, June 21st - 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Barnes and Noble - MacArthur Mall
300 Monticello Avenue - 2nd Floor
Norfolk, Virginia 23510

Sunday, June 22nd - 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Walden Books - Greenbrier Mall
1401 Greenbrier Parkway
Chesapeake, Virginia 23320

If you’re going to be in Los Angeles the weekend after Memorial Day, I hope to see you at Book Expo America. I’ll be in the Parker Publishing booth all weekend. Hope to see you there!

And on a final note, I went to Amazon to check on something else, and discovered that Three Wishes will be released in mass market this October 7th. That’s all I know at this point–there’s not even a cover up yet. As soon as I get one, I’ll update the website, so please check back!

Savage Gate…end in sight?

Seressia April 20th, 2008

Just read over on Dear Author that Signet and Cassie Edwards have parted ways due to “irreconcilable editorial differences.”

That’s a nice way to put it. Kudos to Signet for reviewing the books (and probably the Smart Bitches Savage Gate omnibus) and making the only decision that could restore reader faith.

Still waiting to hear from Ms. Edwards’ other publishers.

BTW…I’m blogging over at Blogging in Black today, all about You, Inc., how you the author are a business and should act as such. There are actually a great series of posts about writers and the publishing world that are worth a read through and comment.

Egypt Day

Seressia April 6th, 2008

Okay I’m supposed to be writing–and I am, I am! But it’s Egypt Day on the Discovery Channel and I’m glued to the TV. ANd I just heard that we’re going to get the Tutankhamen exhibit here in November! One day, I’ll have a story that represents this fascination with ancient Egypt, but for now, it’s back to werewolves and secret organizations in Las Vegas!

Chat With Kimani Editors

Seressia April 6th, 2008

The eharlequin.com Community will be hosting a very special ASK THE EDITORS Event which will spotlight all of Kimani Press as well as introduce Kelli Martin to the writing community. All three editors, Kelli, Glenda Howard and Evette Porter will drop by during the week of April 7th-11th on the Write Stuff and the Kimani Press forums to respond to any questions.

… members of the community will be encouraged to ask questions about Kimani Press’ various lines and new directions.

A link to the discussion will be found on the Kimani Community from tomorrow evening.

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