Fun Times at My First Book Signing!

I had my first book signing in New Jersey last weekend at the New Jersey Romance Writer’s Book Fair.

To be honest, I hadn’t expected to enjoy the book fair as much as I did.

I loved talking to people and meeting readers. I can’t wait for the next one, which will probably be in March.

I’ll keep you posted!

Me at the New Jersey Romance Writers Book Fair in Iselin.
Me at the New Jersey Romance Writers Book Fair in Iselin.
This is me with two readers who were visiting from Belgium and happened to stop by the book fair. They picked up a copy of TEMPTING BELLA.
This is me with two readers who were visiting from Belgium and happened to stop by the book fair. They picked up a copy of TEMPTING BELLA.
I gave away some "swag", including custom matches, candy and postcards for SPY FALL, my newest release.
I gave away some “swag”, including custom matches, candy and postcards for SPY FALL, my newest release.
That's me obviously enjoying myself at the New Jersey Romance Writers book signing in New Jersey.
That’s me obviously enjoying myself at the New Jersey Romance Writers book signing in New Jersey.
Having too much fun with fellow writer Michele Mannon who writes hot contemporary sports romance.
Having too much fun with fellow writer Michele Mannon who writes hot contemporary sports romance.
RoseAnn
My pal RoseAnn DeFranco, who writes heartfelt, sexy contemporaries that also make you laugh, sat across from me at the book fair.

2012 PYHIAB Finalists Announced

The New Jersey chapter of the Romance Writers of America has announced the finalists in the 2012 Put Your Heart in a Book contest. The full list is below. Congratulations to all of the finalists!
 
Paranormal
Katrina Snow – Bewitched by a Kiss
Laurel Wanrow – Passages
Leisl Leighton – Seer’s Blood

Romantic Suspense

Keith Zwingelberg – Medicine Woman
Jenna Blue – The Runaway
Michelle Sharp – The Dreamer

Single Title
Michele Mahon – Octagon Girl
Susan J Bickford – Synchrony’s Call
Claudia Handel – Lost in You

Young Adult
McCall Hoyle – Twice Shy
Laurel Wanrow – Seaside Sorcery
Karen Schwartz – Extra Ordinary Guy

Historical
Eileen Lloyd – Embracing the Unloved Earl
Mary Jane Esber w/a Miranda Liasson – The Spy Who Loved Me
Jodi Rotondo w/a Joanna Shupe – Drawn to the Earl

1st Place 'Put Your Heart in a Book' Contest

Yours truly with the one and only Madeline Hunter!

What an amazing weekend!

Not only did my manuscript, Seducing Charlotte, take first place in the New Jersey Romance Writers’ Put Your Heart in a Book contest, but my other Regency romance, Compromising Willa, came in second.

It was my first writer’s conference and I don’t think I could have picked a better one.

Of course, winning helped!

Truthfully though, the workshops were run by big names in romance and each one I attended had real value. I’ll blog about what I learned in the individual workshops in the coming days.

Me with the lovely Jessica Dickstein,
who ran the NJ RWA’s
2010 PYHIAB contest. 

A major highlight of the weekend was meeting one of my favorite authors, Madeline Hunter, who served as a final judge in the competition.

 After attending her workshop, I ran into Madeline in the hotel lobby the following morning. She was incredibly generous, spending a good amount of time chatting with me about my work – especially the use of conflict and the value of strong, original openings in my manuscripts.

It was also a treat to speak to her about her books.

How often does a reader get to talk directly to the author about a book? I also had a chance to do so with Meredith Duran and Sherry Thomas, both of whom gave workshops at the conference.

With my DC chapter mate
Marta Bliese, who won in
 the paranormal category.

There were plenty of editors and agents there. They were not so fearsome in the flesh! The industry professionals shared their pet peeves which I’ll write more about soon.

The only downside to the weekend was learning far too late that my husband had set the GPS to avoid toll roads (from a previous trip). No problem – at first – since the directions I had googled were simple enough.

That is, until we overshot the exit on the New Jersey Turnpike.

Let’s just say we took a scenic drive of New Jersey back roads while trying to find our way back to the conference!