On Writing

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    Parties, parties, parties …

    If you’re a romance writer, you know that the annual RWA conference is less than a month away. I’ll be one of about 2,000 folks attending.

    There are lots of workshops and book signings and events planned — includes parties. Parties, parties, and more parties. More parties than any one person has time for. I’ve been trying to figure out my conference schedule — what I am committed to going to, what I’d like to go to, and everything in between.

    I’m all set for the Literacy Autographing, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. July 11. I’m going to my agency’s annual get-together July 12. I have the Berkley book signing from 3-4:30 p.m. July 13, followed by the company’s cocktail party that night.

    I’m also going to be on a pitching panel-style workshop from 9:45-10:45 a.m. July 13.

    Then, there are the other events I want to hit, like the Chick Lit Writers of the World party and the Futuristic, Fantasy, and Paranormal chapter’s party.

    Oh yeah, I want to go to tons of workshops and actually learn stuff too.

    Too many parties, too little time … 😎

    What about you? What events are you looking forward to at RWA? Inquiring minds want to know …

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    Summer to-do list

    Book-related things I need to accomplish this summer (aka by Labor Day):

    1) Finish page proofs for Hot Mama.

    2) Finish up Bigtime 4, aka Nightingale.

    3) Write a rough draft of Bigtime 5, aka Fangirl.

    4) Finish up my paranormal spy book, aka Live and Let Spy.

    5) Write a rough draft of the second spy book, You Only Spy Twice.

    6) Update the Web site with Hot Mama extras, new contests, photos, etc.

    7) Get bookmarks made for Hot Mama.

    8) Update my pitch letters and promo materials for Karma Girl and Hot Mama.

    9) Dazzle everyone with my wit and brilliance at RWA Nationals.

    10) Get my head examined for thinking I can get all this accomplished in three months. 😎

    What about you? What’s on your summer to-do list? Inquiring minds want to know …

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    Karma Girl by the numbers …

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    karma-girl-cover.jpgI’m finally done with my first round of publicity and book signings for Karma Girl. I want to thank everyone who came to a signing and bought a book. I hope you all enjoy Karma Girl! 😎

    Here are some other fun and weird facts from my May signings:

    Number of signings: 8

    Number of books I sold at signings: 63 

    Number of miles I drove to signings: 471 (258 to one signing alone)

    Best signings: My local library and comic book store. I sold 34 of my 63 books at those two signings.

    Worst signing: A local coffee shop. It was on a Tuesday night, and no one came except two women from my critique group. I sold one book that night to the store owner, who probably felt sorry for me.

    Worst signing redux: I drove 258 miles round trip to a store and sold a grand total of two books that day.

    Nicest thing someone said to me: It (Karma Girl) was better than a Nora Roberts book! (Said by a really sweet lady who had already bought and read the book and came to a signing just to get me to autograph it for her. She totally made my day with the NR comment.)

    Strangest thing someone said to me: Are you married? (A male comic book fan after we started talking about Bruce Campbell.)

    Strangest thing someone did: After my signing, someone called the comic book store and asked the owner if I was single. I’m extremely flattered, but seriously guys, I’m not that hot. And, for the record, I have a terrific fella in my life.

    Most annoying thing someone did: A guy talked to me on and off for an hour, asking me questions about writing, getting published, etc. Then, he didn’t even buy a book. I thought that was a little rude.

    Best location: The front corner of the comic book store. You had to walk by me to get or out of the store.

    Worst location: Getting put in the back of the coffee shop behind rows of books at one of my local chain stores. Nobody could see me, and I didn’t get very much walk-by traffic either, since I was in the history section. Who wants to read history in the summertime besides my significant other?

    So, I lived, I learned, and I sold some books. I’ll be doing some more events in July and updating the Appearances page and the rest of the Web site soon. Check back for details.

    What about you? What are the best and worst things that have happened at your signings? Inquiring minds want to know …