July Happenings!

Happy July! Terri Reed with you today, enjoying some sun after last weeks torrential rains, thunder and lightening here in the Pacific Northwest. Can you believe it's July 1st? Where did June go? This month I'll be heading to New York City with 2,000 of my closest friends. Ha! Well, at least some of them are close friends.  The Romance Writers of America conference is set for the end of July in NYC. Every year RWA hosts a massive book signing. There will be authors of every romance genre. Several of the Ladies of Love Inspired will be present, signing one of their latest releases. And it's FREE to the public! If you're in the area, stop by we'd love to see you.  (The link below will take you to a list of all the authors) 2019 Literacy Autographing   Saturday, July 27 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. ET New York Marriott Marquis I'll be signing Buried Mountain Secrets, my March 2019 release. Nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide. Can they get off the mountain alive? Desperate to find her missing teenage brother, Maya Gallo ventures into the Colorado Rockies expecting rough terrain—not deadly treasure hunters. But when she’s caught in their crosshairs, ruggedly handsome mounted patrolman Alex Trevino comes to her aid. The deputy sheriff knows what these bandits are capable of, so getting Maya—and her brother—home safely may be his hardest mission yet Next year the conference will be held in San Francisco the last week of July.

July 3: Compliment your mirror day--my mirrors pretty plain though I'm thinking they mean the reflection? LOL July 4: Independence Day (in case you want some history behind the celebration, click here ) July 6: World Kissing Day--hubby better be prepared. ;-) July 13: Embrace Your Geekness Day--I want to be a superhero so does that make me a geek? July 17: World Emoji Day--I like emoji's. 😍 July 21: Ice Cream Day--I'm a sherbet girl on a sugar cone. What's your favorite flavor? July 30: National Cheesecake Day--plain with strawberry compote. Do you like Cheesecake?  Coming in August 2019 SEEKING THE TRUTH, book 5 of the True Blue K-9 Unit continuity series.  Her investigation could prove fatal… In this exciting True Blue K-9 Unit installment By secretly investigating the New York City K-9 Command Unit chief’s murder, reporter Rachelle Clark puts a bull’s-eye on her back. Single dad and K-9 unit officer Carter Jameson thought Rachelle was reporting on police-field-dog trials—not his brother’s death. Though he’s not happy about her true purpose, the danger is real…and he and his trusty German shepherd must save her. On pre-sale now

The Call ...The Call by Jean C. Gordon

In a land long ago and not so far away, there was a young mother who had fairly recently discovered and fallen in love with romance novels. So, what did she do? Being a writer – tax and financial news – by profession, she wrote one, finding that fiction writing is much different than news writing. I’m sure you’ve figured out that young mother was me. My romance author dream was to sell to Silhouette Romance, Harlequin’s old sweet romance line. I sent my story, Bachelor Father off to Silhouette and quickly received a form rejection letter. But a friend in my local writers group told me about another sweet romance publisher, Avalon Books, that provided hardcover books to libraries.

Sorry for the tilt and glare.
It's affixed to the wall.

I submitted Bachelor Father to them and waited and waited and waited, meanwhile starting another sweet romance, Mandy and the Mayor. I submitted the first three chapters of that book to the New Jersey Romance Writers Put Your Heart in Book Contest and finaled in the contemporary romance category.

Off I went to the NJ Romance writers conference, my first romance writers conference, with an appointment to meet with Erin Cartwright, the very new Editorial Director at Avalon Books. I wanted to find out what was going on with Bachelor Father. I won first place in the contest. At my editor appointment, Erin was very interested in Mandy and the Mayor and disappointed that I had only the first three chapters written. Then, I told her I had another submission at Avalon Books. She said she’d look at it as soon as she got back to the office on Monday.

True to her word, Erin called me at my day job Tuesday with an offer. I’d like to say I went home with my news and my family was jumping up and down excited for me. But we’re kind of low key. Their universal reaction was, “you said you were going to sell a romance novel, so we knew you would.”

Fast forward 11 years, during which I continued to try, unsuccessfully, to sell to Silhouette Romance and did sell four more books to Avalon. I had started reading Love Inspired books and had written a proposal for the contemporary line. In an echo of The Call, I had an appointment at the NJ Romance Writers Conference with Love Inspired editor Emily Rodmell where I pitched my work in progress. Not too long afterwards, I received A Call from Melissa Endlich with an offer for my first Love Inspired Romance, Small-Town Sweetheart. While my First Call was exciting, I admit to being more excited about my Echo Call from Love Inspired.

20 years and counting

Hi Terri Reed here, did you know Love Inspired was celebrating 20 years! Click on this link for more details:  http://bit.ly/2jcBi0v 
Save 20% off any Love Inspired, Love Inspired Historical or Love Inspired Suspense title with code LINSP20**.**Get 20% off any Love Inspired, Love Inspired Historical or Love Inspired Suspense title, print and ebook. One-time use only. Valid from June 1, 2016–February 28, 2017, at 11:59 p.m. ET.


I remember when I first heard about the Love Inspired line.  I was so excited. I thought this might be the perfect fit for me. The year was 1996 and Harlequin announced the new series line at an Romance Writers of America conference. My first conference!  I prayed then and there that God would allow me to one day write for them. I also knew that I had to do my part in making that dream come true. Determination is a powerful thing. I learned everything I could about Love Inspired and about writing in general, but specifically for Harlequin, over the next seven years and finally sold a book to Love Inspired in 2003 titled Love Comes Home.  My second book with Love Inspired, A Sheltering Love, was a Romance Writers of America RITA finalist.
Both books were released in a special classic edition in 2009.

Fall in love again with these uplifting stories from Terri Reed

LOVE COMES HOME

Twelve years ago, Dr. Rachel Maguire followed her faith into medicine, choosing her career over love. But time never diminished her feelings for Josh Taylor, and now God is giving Rachel another chance--if she can overcome the pain of the past.

A SHELTERING LOVE

With her faith as strong as her shoulders, Claire Wilcox opens a shelter for runaways. But it's her mysterious handyman who causes her sleepless nights. As their attraction grows, Nick Andrews must decide if he can trust in God's power to heal.

http://www.harlequin.com/storeitem.html?iid=41079


Since that first sale to Love Inspired I've written over forty books.  In 2007 I began writing mainly for the Love Inspired Suspense line.  It's crazy to me that so much time has passed since that first conference but it has been a joy-filled journey of doing what I love.  I thank God every day for his blessing and I pray that readers of the Love Inspired lines are blessed by our stories.
Happy New Year and may 2017 be filled with good books and many blessings.

My Life

Pamela Tracy here.

I've belonged to the greater Phoenix chapter of the Desert Rose Romance Writers of America for 20 years now.

Twenty.

As a romance writer, there's no stronger organization.

I found out about the chapter thanks to a creative writing class I was taking at the community college when I was 12 (that, by the way, is a lie.  I was much older).

It wasn't even me who found the article in the newspaper hawking an upcoming conference.

Four ladies from the creative writing class attended the conference.  By the way, one of them found the article on Tuesday.  We late registered on Wednesday.  Showed up to attend on Friday.  The conference was that last minute, and my three friends and I knew nothing.

I carried my manuscript with me (pre-laptop days) from workshop to workshop.  I'm not sure how I knew NOT to scoot it under the bathroom stall, but I managed to not make that mistake.

I was sold.  I joined RWA the next time they had a monthly meeting.  I remember the president's name was Pat.  I remember I was most impressed by a Harlequin author named Pat Warren.  She was worlds ahead of me both in ability and savvy and self-esteem.

For the first five or six years, only funerals and sickness kept me from the meetings.  I was that hungry.

I made wonderful friends thanks to RWA and Desert Rose.  They were in my wedding some years later (see before lie about being 12).

Cathy McDavid, Harlequin American; Stacy Connelly, Harlequin Special Edition; Alison Hentges, Kensington; Patti Osback, finishing book now; my sister Roxanne who could be the next Erma Bombeck  

This past Tuesday, they had a membership appreciation banquet, and I attended.  In some ways, I'm sad.  See, in 20 years, you do see a revolving door of membership.  The people I sat with, laughed with, danced with (it was an Hawaiian theme) were not the same people as five, ten, fifteen years earlier.  Some of those writers I long to see again.

On the other hand, there was a Desert Rose Award winner, and up-and-coming writer who always makes me laugh.  And tons of new friends.

This is our Desert Rose Winner, Virginia Nelson.

My husband came along.  When we were first dating, he was amazed by the writing world and often found himself amidst gaggles of female writers.

Now this is entertainment and I'm already thinking about using it in my next story.  Will Love Inspired let me?

All I can say, if I've enjoyed this writing life immensely.  
 

See the lady in pink?  Not me.  See the arm belonging to the body she's blocking.
That's me.

This year's service award.  My fifteenth.  When I join an organization, I raise my hand and volunteer.

I won the RITA entry drawing!  yeah.  I have three books to enter this year. 

Here's one of them.
Second Chance Christmas is available
in December.

So what meetings do you attend?  And some of your greatest memories?

Have You Met Rita

The RITA, an award presented by Romance Writers of America, is the Oscar of romance writers-and this year’s presentation is coming up very soon! Most authors would love to have one of these golden girls perched on her/his desk. Just finaling in this contest is a huge honor. 

 During the next two weeks, you'll meet the ladies who finaled this year.

But, in the meantime, here's our Craftie Ladie roll call.

2013 - Missy Tippens finaled with A House Full of Hope.  

2008 - Pamela Tracy finaled with her Love Inspired Suspense Pursuit of Justice. Pamela says, "I knew when I started this book that it was different. The story had been hammering at me for years, begging me to give it a turn. From the first page, it felt right. When it finaled in the RITA, I felt like someone had just whispered in my ear, 'Hey, you really can write.' I felt like Cinderella the entire conference.

2007 - Allie Pleiter finaled with My So-Called Love Life

2006 - Terri Reed finaled  with her second Love Inspired Romance A Sheltering Love.

1993 - Carolyn Greene finaled with a Silhouette Romance A Lovin' Spoonful 

1992 - Carolyn Greene finalized with a Silhouette Romance Kiss of Bliss 

Linda Goodnight has finaled 5 times, including a win in 2008. The books are:

2012 – The Christmas Child

2011 - Finding Her Way Home

2011 – The Wedding Garden
2010 – The Snow-kissed Bride
2008 – A Touch of Grace – RITA winner

I'm Signing!!! RWA 2012

Hi everyone, Terri Reed here.  In just two short weeks I, along with 2000 other romance authors, will be descending on Anaheim for the Romance Writers of America national conference.

For several days I'll get to talk writing, listen to writing workshops, meet with my editors and catch up with old friends and make new friends.  I'm also carving out time to spend at the happiest place on earth, AKA, Disneyland!

One of the events of the conference that is open to the public is the annual literacy signing.

I'll be there signing my Love Inspired Suspense June 2012 release The Deputy's Duty.

   

I'm know there will be other Craftie Ladies there as well as many of my fellow Love Inspired authors.

If you're in the area please stop in and say HI!

  

Here's all the details about the event:

2012 “Readers for Life” Literacy Autographing

Wednesday, July 25, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Anaheim Convention Center, Ballroom (third floor)

http://www.rwa.org/cs/literacy_autographing

Proceeds from book sales go to ProLiteracy Worldwide, Read Orange County, and Literacy Volunteers—Huntington Valley. 

No outside books are allowed in the event.

Psst!  Here a sneak peak at my upcoming October release The Doctor's Defender--book 3 of The Protection Specialists: Guarding the Innocent.

Do No Harm

As a trauma surgeon, Dr. Brenda Storm saves lives every day. But someone wants her dead.  It starts with the anonymous delivery of poisoned cupcakes.  Now the hospital has hired a bodyguard to protect her 24/7.  At first, Brenda doesn’t think too-handsome Kyle Martin is the right for the job.  Then she discovers his harrowing background—and that Kyle will do anything to keep her safe.  With every attempt on her life, she’s more drawn to the strong and silent man who risks his life for hers.  But their growing feelings could put them both in harm’s way.

RWA and The RITA Contest

Terri Reed here talking today about something near and dear to my heart.  In 1993 I joined a writers organization called Romance Writers of America®  

I was pregnant with my daughter at the time and needed something to distract me from the constant morning sickness (I had it from the moment I conceived until the moment she was born-Ick).  I took a class at the local community college on How to Write a Romance.  During the class the instructor gave us information about RWA.  I went to my first local RWA chapter meeting a week later and joined that night.  Through RWA I have learned the craft of story structure as well as the business side of writing, made some of my best friends, networked with agents and editors, and have served on the national board of directors for four years. 

Romance Writers of America®  (RWA) was chartered in 1981 to serve as a nonprofit trade association for romance writers.

The mission of Romance Writers of America is to advance the professional interests of career-focused romance writers through networking and advocacy. RWA works to support the efforts of its members to earn a living, to make a full-time career out of writing romance—or a part-time one that generously supplements his/her main income. To learn more about this organization visit http://www.rwa.org/cs/home

Every writer hopes their work will be recognized and appreciated by readers and peers alike.  In the romance world there are many contests open to authors but the contest that tops them all is Romance Writers of America’s RITA®.   In 2004 I was a RITA finalist with my second Love Inspired Romance novel titled A Sheltering Love.   Finalists receive a silver pin in the shape of the RITA®, which I proudly wear every year to the national conference. 

We have had several Craftie Ladies final and win in the RITA contest over the years.  Our 2012 finalist is Linda Goodnight.  (see sidebar)

Winners receive a gold pin and a gold statuette in the shape of a woman sitting on a stool with an open book in her lap. The statuette is named after RWA’s first president, Rita Clay Estrada.

From the RWA National website:  The purpose of the RITA® contest is to promote excellence in the romance
 genre by recognizing outstanding published romance novels and novellas.

About the Contest

Up to 1,200 romance novels from 12 different categories are entered in the RITA competition each year. A novel may be entered either by the author or by the book's publisher in one of the 12 categories. After the first round of judging by published romance authors, the competition narrows to approximately 100 finalists.

Once RWA announces the RITA finalists, a final round of judges evaluates and ranks these novels to determine the 12 RITA Award winners. 

Romance Writers of America will announce the winners of the 2012 RITA Awards during its Award Ceremony at its 32nd Annual Conference in Anaheim.

Back from Orlando/RWA conference

Terri Reed here, exhausted after ten days away in sunny, HOT, Orlando for Romance Writers of America's 30th annual national conference. I had a wonderful time on so many levels. I visited Disney's Animal Kingdom, danced with Donald Duck and chatted with Safari Mickey. The conference was at the beautiful Swan Dolphin hotel.

I signed my May release Covert Pursuit at the Literacy signing with 500 of the genre's favorite authors. I atteneded workshops and actually gave a workshop. I can to spend some time with my editors.

Here I am with my Senior Editor after the Prestigious RITA and Golden Heart award ceremony.

Here I am with my editor, Emily Rodmell, at the Harlequin Party where we danced the night away. A fun time was had by all!

Do You Know What a RITA is?

Lyn Cote here--The RITA Award is the most prominent award given throughout the genre of romance novel and some other romantic fiction. It is presented by Romance Writers of America (RWA). It is named for the RWA's first president, Rita Clay Estrada.(and also her mother Rita Gallagher.) It signifies excellence in one of 13 categories of romantic fiction.

Authors and editors submit manuscripts for consideration in the fall. In mid-spring, 100 finalists are announced. The winners are presented with a statuette in a ceremony held on the last day of the RWA National Conference each July.

Categories

The categories are:

• Best First Book
• Best Contemporary Series Romance
• Best Contemporary Series Romance: Suspense/Adventure
• Best Contemporary Single Title Romance
• Best Historical Romance
• Best Inspirational Romance
• Best Novel with Strong Romantic Elements
• Best Paranormal Romance
• Best Regency Historical Romance
• Best Romance Novella
• Best Romantic Suspense
• Best Young Adult Romance

The novels are picked from among the novels published the previous year.

I am going to be featuring the eight 2010 RITA nominees, one a day, on my blog starting a week from today. Drop by and read about the best in inspirational romance!

BTW, among our own Craftie Ladies of Romance, I was a RITA nominee in 2006 for my book Chloe. And our own Linda Goodnight won a RITA in 2008. (I remember that because I was sitting next to her when they called her name and she leaped up and began crying. GRIN.)

Did I miss any of our other craftie ladies who have been nominees or winners?

And readers, did any of you hear about the RITAs before now?