Golden Heart Deadlines

The 2008 GH Deadlines are now on the RWA site. Entries will start being accepted on Sept. 22. That's less than one month away. Yikes!

Good luck to everyone who enters.

BKB :-)

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Golden Heart Contest Deadlines

November 17, 2008
Entry forms and fees must be received by the RWA Office.
Note: Once the contest reaches its 1,200 entry maximum, it will close to new entries, even if it is prior to the November 17th deadline.

December 2, 2008
Entered works must be received in the RWA Office. Failure to meet this deadline shall result in disqualification and forfeiture of the entry fee.

December 22, 2008
In case of dispute as to whether the entry form and fee were received, the entrant must produce proof of receipt via copy of canceled check, front and back, or evidence of a credit card charge.

December 31, 2008
Preliminary round judging begins.

March 2, 2009
Golden Heart preliminary round score sheets due to RWA Office.

March 25, 2009
Notification will be sent to finalists by two-day guaranteed, registered delivery. Phone calls to notify finalists shall also commence. Release of official finalist list on RWA Web site by 2:00 p.m. Central Time.

April 14, 2009
Final-round judging begins.

June 1, 2009
RWA Office to receive all final round score sheets.

The Rodney McKay Fan Club

I have been a fan of Stargate: Atlantis since my husband introduced me to the show during Season 3. And I have always said that this show has great characterization. The banter between characters is awesome. (I know, I'm a writer and I can't be very descriptive today. I have been alone with my two boys for a week. The boys survived. The creative side of my brain didn't.)

Anyway, I know there are people who are not fans of Rodney McKay. For those people, I hope they have taken the chance to watch The Last Man (Last episode of Season 4) and The Shrine (most recent episode of season 5). You will definitely have a different view of Dr. McKay.



Kudos to David Hewlett and the cast of Atlantis for another awesome episode.

I can't believe they aren't renewing Atlantis for a sixth season.

BKB :-)

So Close . . .

Just found out today that even though I didn't make the finals, I came in 4th in COFW's Ignite the Flame contest with my series contemporary entry. They pick the top three.

A year ago, when I entered contests, I didn't even come close to making the finals, so I feel like I am making progress . . .


BKB :-)

Why I Loved This Year's RWA Conference, Part V

Highlight #5: The Goody Room

I've been to all kinds of conferences. When I was a nurse, I attended conferences for the pediatric specialty. When I was an editor, I attended those related to editing and science editing. I have even been a speaker at a conference or two.

But, I have to say, in all of my experience I have never seen anything like The Goody Room. Talk about Manna from Heaven. Can you say loads of free books? Including some hardbacks?

And there isn't just books. The room serves as the holding area for all author promotional materials. And some of the authors were very creative. Some had fans with their book cover imprinted on them; a few gave out lip gloss. My favorite: Chalk courtesy of The Writing Playground. The kids in my cul de sac loved it.

And what impressed me the most: Very little candy. Health care professionals always get and give candy. I know, ironic.

It is also a great place to volunteer. I worked in the room on Thursday and chatted with many friends and authors. I will be volunteering in the Goody Room again next year.

BKB :-)

Why I Loved This Year's RWA Conference, Part IV

Highlight #4: Learning from Pros

While I couldn't attend all of the educational sessions I wanted (and, literally, because some were packed and fire marshalls limited the number of people in each room), the sessions I did attend were excellent.

One in particular that I alluded to before was "Emotion, Emotion, Emotion: Writing Romance with Global Appeal. After the packed session for "Instant Seduction," I expected this room to be full as well -- but it wasn't.

The session was taught by Harlequin Romance authors Barbara Hannay, Jessica Hart and Barbara McMahon as well as M&B editor Lucy (Brown) Gilmour.

I think one of the most important things I have learned over the past year while studying M&B romances is the importance of packing emotion into the stories. This session really solidified that point for me.

More later . . .

BKB :-)

Why I Loved This Year's RWA Conference, Part III

Highlight #3: Meeting Up with Long-time E-mail Colleagues and Friends

When I decided I wanted to write romance, I joined RWA. The first chapter of RWA I joined was HeartBeat RWA, the chapter for those who write and support medical romance. For over a year, I have been chatting online with several members and it felt like a family reunion when I finally got to meet everyone.

It was nice to finally meet Dianne Despain, Julie Rowe, Mona Risk, Lynne Marshall, Molly Evans, Janice Lynn, Robin Haseltine, Laura Iding . . . I know I missed someone. So sorry about that.

You know, now that I think about it, the whole conference felt like a family reunion. I can't wait for next year.

BKB :-)

Why I Loved This Year's RWA Conference, Part Deux

Highlight #2: Meeting Mills&Boon Editors

More than a year ago, I decided that I wanted to write for Harlequin Romance. I have spent my time reading and studying the lines . . . and writing.

I wanted to meet the editors so they could put a face to my name when I submitted. "Hey, here's that crazy American's submission."


Through a bid on Brenda Novak's auction for Diabetes, I was fortunate enough to sit with Suzanne Clarke during a lunch on Wednesday. I also met editors Lucy Gilmour and Sally Williamson (pictured below).



(The above picture was taken from the Pink Heart Society blog.)

All three were very knowledgeable and fun to meet. It was also nice to see the camaraderie among editors and authors.

I think the one thing I carry away from my conversations is the word E-M-O-T-I-O-N. If you want to write for Mills&Boon, emotion is what they want to see and feel. More on this in my next post.

BKB :-)

In Progress . . .

Something's up with my computer, so I can't post the graphics on my word counts for today. Oh, well.

Wife for a Candidate (Series Contemp.)

600/50,000

A Capitol Compromise (Series Contemp.)

36,000/50,000

Guillermo's List (3rd Rewrite)

78,250/100,000


BKB :-)

One Degree of Separation (aka Why I Loved This Year's RWA Conference, Part I)

Okay, so, lots and lots and lots of fun things happened at this year's conference for me, but I only have time to add tidbits each day.

Highlight #1: Meeting M&B Author Trish Wylie

Trish Wylie writes for both Harlequin Romance and Modern Heat and, of course, I wanted to meet her because I adore both lines. But, I had an ulterior motive, what I call the one degree of separation.





Before going to the conference, Trish took a trip to ComicCon in San Diego. And who did she meet?



Well, I don't know if she actually met him, but she was close enough to take the above picture. Check out her blog, she has other pictures from the conference. And great writing tips as well.


Trish was very nice and it was a joy to meet her. Thanks for humoring me, Trish.


BKB :-)