Seressia June 16th, 2008
Here’s the new cover for the mass market release of my third book, Three Wishes, which will be out the first week of October:
Other than the fact that the guy doesn’t look like he’s old enough to have a seven year-old daughter or be a surgeon, I like the cover well enough.
Seressia June 1st, 2008
I’m propped up on pillows in Jackie Hamilton’s room, after soaking my poor tired pups in a whirlpool footbath for the past half hour. There is a margarita flavored wine cooler in the very near future, but I wanted to share a few tidbits with you:
Day 2:
Passed within touching distance of Slash. So wanted to go up and part his hair or steal his hat, but I’m a (mostly) good girl. Still very cool to see him though. Also spotted in the South Hall with the big dogs was Stephen Baldwin signing his Christian fiction book.
Passed out s many free books and gabbed with so many readers, librarians and booksellers. Fell asleep in the car ride back from BEA, but perked right up when we pulled into Gyu-Kaku, a Japanese BBQ place in Rancho Cucamonga (I just like saying that name) in the Victoria Gardens outdoor shopping mall.
It was my first time having kobe beef, and let me tell you, it lives up to the hype. It’s the most tender beef I’ve ever had. I wish they’d put one of these in Buckhead or Alpharetta, but alas they are only in CA right now. I was so tired when we finally got home that I tried to get five pages done but fell asleep at my keyboard.
Day 3:
I was in depserate need of coffee by the time we rolled into the convention center. The Starbuck’s gate was still down (and this after they closed at 3 yesterday even though the convention ran until 5 pm.) Luckily Stephanie Meyer bought coffee–all I had to do was walk around with a Twilight cup in my hand. Hey, give me a mocha and you’re on!
Was pretty much in the Parker Publishing booth all day, with occasional forays to the outside world. Clinton Kelly of What Not to Wear did walk by our booth on the way to his signing, so that was my celebrity spottage for the day. Talked to several more people and got to hang with fellow writers Lena Matthews, Kelley Nyrae, JM Jeffries, Javan Shepard. Tonight was mainly about recapping the day and soaking my tootsies while getting my five pages done. Guess which one was the hardest?
Tomorrow is only a half-day for me, as I need to get to the airport by 2 PM. This has been an overwhelming experience, but I sure do miss my bed.
Seressia May 22nd, 2008
In case you missed it, Dear Author had a post on Reviewing Black romances. They want them. They prefer you email them with a blurb and a link to an excerpt. And, if your publisher doesn’t do ebooks, they’ll be more than happy to take an ARC or a PDF of your Word doc. Ladies, start your engines!
I have had a very productive week, I’m proud to say. I sent in an anthology proposal to an editor I met at Slam Jam on Tuesday, and today I sent a proposal for a single title to an agent, whom I also met at Romance Slam Jam.
I’m hoping both of these projects will give me some New York loving because hey, I’ve talked about the importance of diversifying the writing portfolio. And frankly, I think I’m ready and these story ideas are viable (read: marketable) concepts for New York.
When I hear something, I’ll let you know.
The “next thing” is always out there for authors. Selling a story isn’t an ending–it’s a whole new beginning. The next thing is to sell another one. The next thing after that is to show a profit. THe next thing after that may mean going into print or mass market. The next thing after that may mean selling to New York or getting out of midlist. The next thing after that is hitting one of the extended best seller lists. The next thing after that is actually making a living, and staying in the business as a relevant contributor.
I’m sure if you asked Nora Roberts or Beverly Jenkins, they’d both say there’s a next thing for both of them.
My next thing is enjoying the Memorial Day holiday with a few friends coming to town. Next week, I’m off to my very first Book Expo America and my first flight into LAX. I’ll appreciate your general good wishes being sent my way!
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.”
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.
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.
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!
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.
Seressia March 26th, 2008
From Publisher’s Weekly (or, as I call it, the W-T-F department):
The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE) has blasted a new Indiana law that requires bookstores to register with the government if they sell what is considered “sexually explicit materials.” The new law, H.B. 1042, was signed by Governor Mitch Daniels on March 13, and calls for any bookseller that sells sexually explicit materials to register with the Secretary of State and provide a statement detailing the types of books to be sold. The Secretary of State must then identify those stores to local government officials and zoning boards. “Sexually explicit material” is defined as any product that is “harmful to minors” under existing law. There is a $250 registration fee. Failure to register is a misdemeanor.
Given the current heat level of everything but inspirational romance, even the local drugstore will have to register on the sex offender bookseller list. (After all, it isn’t fair for the Borders to have to register and not Bob’s Drugstore.) Or perhaps the store buyer will offer a questionnaire to publisher reps and distributors asking if a title has teh sex in it and having them sign a declaration stating that it doesn’t so that it could be sold.
Hhm, maybe this will finally get all those clinches off the covers.
Seressia March 26th, 2008
Rita finalists were finally posted to Romance Writers of America’s website. Once again, no black authors submitted black books to the contest. Here are the finalists:
2008 RITA for Best First Book Finalists
Dead Girls Are Easy by Terri Garey
HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books - (978-0-06-113615-3)
Erika Tsang, editor
Graffiti Girl by Kelly Parra
Simon & Schuster, MTV Books/Pocket - (141653461X)
Jennifer Heddle, editor
Prime Time by Hank Phillippi Ryan
Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin NEXT - (9780373881352)
Ann Leslie Tuttle, editor
Prom Dates From Hell by Rosemary Clement-Moore
Random House Publishing, Delacorte Press - (978-0-385-73412-7)
Krista Marino, editor
Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn
Harlequin Enterprises, MIRA - (978-0-7783-2410-2)
Valerie Gray, editor
Snow Angel by Jamie Carie
B&H Publishing Group, B&H Fiction - (978-0-8054-4533-6)
Thomas Walters, David Webb, editor
Thief With No Shadow by Emily Gee
BL Publishing, Solaris - (978 1 84416 469 1)
Mark Newton, editor
Treasure by Helen Brenna
Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Superromance - (0373714033)
Johanna Raisanen, editor
2008 RITA for Contemporary Series Romance Finalists
Always a Bridesmaid by Kristin Hardy
Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Special Edition - (0-373-24832-6)
Gail Chasan, editor
Fall From Grace by Kristi Gold
Harlequin Enterprises, Everlasting Love - (0-373-65404-9)
Beverley Sotolov, editor
Make-Believe Mom by Elaine Grant
Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Superromance - (0373714459)
Victoria Curran, editor
Night Mischief by Nina Bruhns
Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Nocturne - (0373617720)
Natahsya Wilson and Tara Parsons, editor
Sleeping Partner by Kelly Hunter
Harlequin Enterprises, Sexy Sensation - (978 0 733 58182 3)
Joanne Carr, editor
Snowbound by Janice Johnson
Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Superromance - (0-373-71454-8)
Laura Shin, editor
The Mile High Club by Heidi Rice
Harlequin Enterprises, Mills and Boon Modern Extra - (9780263854008)
Bryony Green, editor
The Tycoon’s Princess Bride by Natasha Oakley
Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Presents - (978-0-373-12667-5)
Jenny Hutton, editor
2008 RITA for Contemporary Series Romance: Suspense/Adventure Finalists
High-Risk Affair by RaeAnne Thayne
Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Romantic Suspense - (0-373-27518-8)
Gail Chasan, editor
Midnight Prince by Dani Sinclair
Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Intrigue - (13:978-0-373-69270-5)
Natashya Wilson, editor
Sara’s Son by Tara Taylor Quinn
Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Superromance - (0373714289)
Paula Eykelhof, editor
Stranded With A Spy by Merline Lovelace
Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Romantic Suspense - (978-0-373-27553-3)
Gail Chasan, editor
The Medusa Affair by Cindy Dees
Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Romantic Suspense - (978-0-373-27547-2)
Patience Smith, editor
The Medusa Seduction by Cindy Dees
Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Romantic Suspense - (978-0-373-27564-9)
Patience Smith, editor
Treasure by Helen Brenna
Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Superromance - (0373714033)
Johanna Raisanen, editor
Untouched by Samantha Hunter
Harlequin Enterprises, Blaze Extreme - (978-0373793037)
Birgit Davis Todd, editor
2008 RITA for Contemporary Single Title Romance Finalists
Blame It On Cupid by Jennifer Greene
Harlequin Enterprises, HQN - (0373771770)
Melissa Jeglinski, editor
Catch of the Day by Kristan Higgins
Harlequin Enterprises, HQN - (0-373-7724-6)
Tracy Farrell and Keyren Gerlach, editors
Coming Undone by Susan Andersen
Harlequin Enterprises, HQN - (0-373-77213-0)
Margo Lipschultz, editor
Sexiest Man Alive by Diana Holquist
Grand Central Publishing, Forever - (0-044-61798-9)
Michele Bidelspach, editor
She’s No Angel by Leslie Kelly
Harlequin Enterprises, HQN - (0373772157)
Brenda Chin, editor
Tangled Up In You by Rachel Gibson
HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books - (978-0-06-117803-0)
Lucia Macro, editor
Tempt Me Tonight by Toni Blake
HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books, Red - (978-0-06-113609-2)
Lucia Macro, editor
The Sleeping Beauty Proposal by Sarah Strohmeyer
Penguin Group USA, Dutton - (9780525950189)
Julie Doughty, editor
2008 RITA for Historical Romance Finalists
And Then He Kissed Her by Laura Lee Guhrke
HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books - (978-0-06-114360-1)
Erika Tsang, editor
Beloved Warrior by Patricia Potter
Penguin Group USA, Berkley Sensation - (9780425215739)
Wendy McCurdy and Christine Zika, editors
Lessons of Desire by Madeline Hunter
Bantam Dell Publishing Group, - (9780440243946)
Shauna Summers, editor
Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas
St. Martin’s Press, - (0-312-94980-4)
Jennifer Enderlin, editor
Surrender to a Scoundrel by Julianne MacLean
HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books - (0-06-081936-7)
Erika Tsang, editor
Tempted Tigress by Jade Lee
Dorchester Publishing, Leisure Books - (0-8439-5690-9)
Chris Keeslar, editor
The Leopard Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt
Grand Central Publishing, Forever - (0446618489)
Melanie Murray, editor
The Perfect Kiss by Anne Gracie
Penguin Group USA, Berkley Sensation - (9780425213452)
Wendy McCurdy and Christine Zika, editors
2008 RITA for Inspirational Romance Finalists
A Touch of Grace by Linda Goodnight
Harlequin Enterprises, Steeple Hill Love Inspired - (978-0-373-87426-2)
Allison Lyons, editor
Autumn Blue by Karen Harter
Center Street, - (1-931722-61-7)
Christina Boys, editor
Pursuit of Justice by Pamela Tracy
Harlequin Enterprises, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense - (978 0 373 44236)
Krista Stroever, editor
Rainbow’s End by Irene Hannon
Harlequin Enterprises, Steeple Hill Love Inspired - (0-373-87415-4)
Melissa Endlich, editor
Ransomed Dreams by Amy Wallace
Random House Publishing, WaterBrook Multnomah - (9781590527474)
Julee Schwarzburg, editor
Splitting Harriet by Tamara Leigh
Random House Publishing, WaterBrook Multnomah - (1590529286)
Julee Schwarzburg, editor
Taming Rafe by Susan May Warren
Tyndale House Publishers, - (1414310188)
Karen Watson, editor
When the Morning Comes by Cindy Woodsmall
Random House Publishing, WaterBrook Multnomah - (9781400072934)
Shannon Hill, editor
2008 RITA for Novel with Strong Romantic Elements Finalists
A Gentle Rain by Deborah Smith
BelleBooks, - (978-0-9768760-7-6)
Debra Dixon, editor
High Noon by Nora Roberts
Penguin Group USA, Putnam - (978-0-399-15434-8)
Leslie Gelbman, editor
Learning to Breathe by Karen White
Penguin Group USA, NAL Accent - (978-0-451-22034-9)
Cindy Hwang, editor
Odd Mom Out by Jane Porter
Grand Central Publishing, 5 Spot - (0446699233)
Karen Kosztolnyik, editor
See No Evil by Allison Brennan
Ballantine - (9780345495037)
Charlotte Herscher, editor
Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn
Harlequin Enterprises, MIRA - (978-0-7783-2410-2)
Valerie Gray, editor
Sugar Daddy by Lisa Kleypas
St. Martin’s Press, - (0-312-35162-3)
Jennifer Enderlin, editor
Thief With No Shadow by Emily Gee
BL Publishing, Solaris - (978 1 84416 469 1)
Mark Newton, editor
2008 RITA for Paranormal Romance Finalists
Dead Girls Are Easy by Terri Garey
HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books - (978-0-06-113615-3)
Erika Tsang, editor
Demon’s Kiss by Maggie Shayne
Harlequin Enterprises, MIRA - (0-77832497-4)
Leslie Wainger, editor
Games of Command by Linnea Sinclair
Bantam Dell Publishing Group, Spectra - (978-0-553-58963-4)
Anne Groell, editor
He Loves Me, He Loves Me Hot by Stephanie Rowe
Grand Central Publishing, Forever - (0446619019)
Melanie Murray, editor
Lover Revealed by J.R. Ward
Penguin Group USA, Signet, Onyx - (978-0-451-41235-5)
Kara Ceseare, editor
Prince of Magic by Linda Winstead Jones
Penguin Group USA, Berkley Sensation - (978-0-425-21448-0)
Christine Zika/ Wendy McCurdy, editor
Raintree: Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones
Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Nocturne - (0-373-61764-X)
Leslie Wainger, editor
Touch of Darkness by Christina Dodd
Penguin Group USA, NAL - (0451221842)
Kara Cesare, editor
2008 RITA for Regency Historical Romance Finalists
Blackthorne’s Bride by Shana Galen
HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books - (978-0-06-112497-6)
May Chen, editor
Claiming the Courtesan by Anna Campbell
HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books - (978-0-06-123491-0)
Lucia Macro, editor
Lord of Scandal by Nicola Cornick
Harlequin Enterprises, HQN - (9780373772117)
Kimberley Young, editor
The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn
HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books - (0061230839)
Lyssa Keusch, editor
Untouched by Anna Campbell
HarperCollins Publishers, Avon Books - (978-0-06-123492-7)
Lucia Macro, editor
2008 RITA for Romance Novella Finalists
“Angel and the Hellraiser” in Demon’s Delight by Vickie Taylor
Penguin Group USA, Berkley Sensation - (978-0-425-21381-0)
Cindy Hwang, editor
“Born in My Heart” in Like Mother, Like Daughter by Jennifer Greene
Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin NEXT - (0-373-88134)
Melissa Jeglinski, editor
“Christmas Cravings” in Holiday with a Vampire by Maureen Child
Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Nocturne - (0-373-61776-3)
Melissa Jeglinski, editor
“Christmas Day Family” in A Western Winter Wonderland by Cheryl St. John
Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Historical - (0373294670)
Ann Leslie Tuttle, editor
“Eternity in Death” in Dead of Night by Nora Roberts
Penguin Group USA, Putnam - (978-0515-14367-6)
Leslie Gelbman, editor
“Fallen Angel” in A Western Winter Wonderland by Jenna Kernan
Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Historical - (0-373-29467-1)
Ann Leslie Tuttle, editor
“Mischief and the Marquess” in Perfect Kisses by Sylvia Day
Kensington Publishing Corp., Brava - (075820941X)
Kate Duffy, editor
“On the Fringe” in Dead of Night by Mary Kay McComas
Penguin Group USA, Berkley Jove - (978-0-515-14367-6)
Cindy Hwang, editor
2008 RITA for Romantic Suspense Finalists
Die for Me by Karen Rose
Grand Central Publishing, Vision - (0446616915)
Karen Kosztolnyik, editor
Ice Blue by Anne Stuart
Harlequin Enterprises, MIRA - (0778324788)
Margaret O’Neil Marbury, editor
Ice Storm by Anne Stuart
Harlequin Enterprises, MIRA - (0778325008)
Margaret O’Neil Marbury, editor
Prime Time by Hank Phillippi Ryan
Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin NEXT - (9780373881352)
Ann Leslie Tuttle, editor
Speak No Evil by Allison Brennan
Ballantine - (9780345495020)
Charlotte Herscher, editor
Traceless by Debra Webb
St. Martin’s Press, - (0312942222)
Jennifer Weis, editor
White Heat by Cherry Adair
Ballantine/Ivy, - (978-0-345-47644-9)
Charlotte Herscher, editor
2008 RITA for Young Adult Romance
Girl at Sea by Maureen Johnson
HarperCollins Publishers, HarperTeen - (978-0-06-054144-6)
Graffiti Girl by Kelly Parra
Simon & Schuster, MTV Books/Pocket - (141653461X)
Jennifer Heddle, editor
Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles
Llewellyn Worldwide, Flux - (978-0-7387-1018-1)
Andrew Karre, editor
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
HarperCollins Publishers, HarperTeen - (978-0-06-121465-3)
Anne Hoppe and Nick Lake, editors
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