Happy Birthday to Us!!!

Five years ago, a small group of writers stepped out in faith. We wanted to share a few things with the world – hope, encouragement, our journey, and the little bits of wisdom that work for us as we navigate the waters of writing, publication, and life. Along the way, I hope we’ve done those few things, but we’ve done one other very important thing – created some wonderful, lasting memories between ourselves and with our readers. This year, we wanted to share some of our favorite memories of the past 5 years with you.




PLAYGROUND MONITOR:

Two months into our blogging experience, the Playfriends took our first road trip. It wasn’t far – just seventy miles. But we were free of husbands and children and the rest of the world for overnight. Angel’s Suburban had not yet been dubbed “The Playmobile,” complete with an airbrushed tag on the front. Instigator was still a Krispy Kreme virgin (though we solved that on the trip). Problem Child had to sleep on the floor on Amazing Child’s inflatable mattress designed for a small (in other words, short) child. I still remember AC’s tear-stained face as Darling Geek held her in his arms and she called out and waved, “Bye-bye, inflatable mattress.” Smarty Pants was our computer guru who got us hooked to the internet at the motel room (she had a cat5 cable since this was before the days of widespread wifi). And I was still trying to figure out this whole writing business. Still am, actually. We blogged that first night and called it “Playfriends Gone Wild, Volume 1.”
http://writingplayground.blogspot.com/2006/01/playfriends-gone-wild-volume-1.html


Day and night #1 went smoothly (see reference to Instigator’s initiation to Krispy Kreme) and we all tried to settle in for a good night’s sleep (well, all except PC on the inflatable mattress but she was a trooper to take one for the team). The following morning we were surprised by a call from one of the Mavens who’d been called by another Maven who’d seen on TV that the police department in our get-away town had busted a meth lab in operation in a motel that was part of the same chain where we were staying. A quick view of the morning news revealed not only had the meth lab been operating in the same motel where we were, it was in THE ROOM RIGHT BEHIND US! We shared a bathroom wall.

Had we known this might portend a general disposition toward Playfriend travel disasters, we’d never have given PC that Leatherman tool in Atlanta.

We did have a bit of plotting fun with the incident though. Here’s what Angel wrote in our follow-up blog titled “But Not That Wild!”
http://writingplayground.blogspot.com/2006/01/but-not-that-wild.html


“But in true creative fashion (after getting over the shock), we began to brainstorm how this could work in a book. We entertained ourselves throwing together a hokey plot with a single female alone in her hotel room, the undercover DEA agent next door whose scraggly appearance weirds her out when she meets him, and the meth lab that explodes one night, taking out the wall of her room and forcing them on the run.”

And here’s our scraggly DEA agent after the explosion. ::grin::




INSTIGATOR:
What’s my favorite Playground memory? Without a doubt, it’s any one of the conferences we’ve all gone to together. Four or five of us sharing one bathroom must be hilarious to anyone from the outside looking in. Honestly, you don’t really know someone until you’ve watched them put on Spanx. And you just have to be friends with anyone who will hook your strapless bra for you.



Sharing rooms. Staying up until two o’clock in the morning talking about writing, family, kids and life. Eating peanut butter-covered brownie bites because someone was smart enough to pack the important things. Working on pitches because someone *cough* didn’t come prepared. Sharing jewelry. Sharing clothes.

Blown knees and cut fingers, we’ve been through it all. You’d think that after five days of forced togetherness we’d get tired of each other. We don’t. You’d think we might fight. We don’t. In fact, most of the time I should be concentrating more on the conference and less on having a good time with my friends...but I know I won’t. Part of what I love about conferences is spending it with Angel, PC, SP & PM. It wouldn’t be the same without them.




PROBLEM CHILD:

My favorite memories aren't really specific, but they always involve the five of us, sitting around, just talking. Those nights sometimes run together - maybe we're on a porch, or in a hotel room somewhere, or in someone's hot tub or living room, but we're laughing and talking. The subjects will vary greatly from moment to moment - we'll be discussing a point one minute, something one of us read on the internet a minute later, and shortly thereafter, our kids or our parents or our weight loss.

Lather, rinse, repeat - and pay attention, because the conversation can hang a sharp left with no warning whatsoever. (Like the time we were plotting Kira's book, and the conversation meandered away from the plot for a moment, so I left the room. A couple of minutes later, I come back, and the book that used to be set at a nudist resort is now set on a peach farm and there's dead people in it.)

So I guess my favorite Playfriend memories involve laughing until we cry and crying until we laugh.




Or, on a less sentimental note, the look on SP's face when she realized I brought silverware to the Dixie Stampede. ~grin~


SMARTY PANTS:

Like PC, there have been a lot of great moments over the last five years, but my favorites usually involve us sitting around and talking about anything and everything. There's usually food, occasionally screaming at children is also involved, but always fabulous conversation and laughter. To me, it’s really not a Playground gathering if I don't get the chance to make PC's mascara run. Earlier this year, we got a chance to take our gathering to a whole new level - to the hot tub. When we go to the mountains, rarely does a night go by that we don't climb into the Jacuzzi. We even went out in the snow. There's no stopping us.




It’s the one time I can put on a swimsuit without feeling fat, grab a bottle of hard lemonade or a glass of wine and spend time with my peeps until we turn all pruney. A lot of time we plot and brainstorm. Instigator gets very inspired by steamy water, so that works for her. When we're on a roll, we can do two books a night (although note taking is difficult with water and alcohol, so the morning after usually includes some re-caps). Sometimes we lament our personal drama and tell funny stories about our lives pre-Playground. It's just nice to sit around and relax for once.

You know how much excitement can usually result from one of our trips, so given that no one has injured themselves or had a wardrobe malfunction in the hot tub makes it a banner event on its own. We actually like it so much that when PC sent us the link to a house she was thinking of buying and it had a Jacuzzi, I was sold, sight unseen. :) This is a Playground tradition in the making and one of my favorite memories.




ANGEL:

I had promised I would pick one memory, and I had: dancing at the Harlequin Party at every conference. I chose this memory because its fun, out of the ordinary, and a fabulous bonding experience. I also chose it because it is unique for me. You see, I’ve never danced in public before. In high school and college, I never went to dances or clubs. My husband has never taken me dancing. So when we were invited to this party, I have to admit I freaked. I mean, me, dancing in public? I’m not slim, smooth, or sexy. I was sure I’d be the person talked about the next morning by everyone there… and not for a good reason.



But let me tell you, there is nothing like boogeying with your best friends in the midst of pounding music, belting out your favorite lyrics, and smiling until your face hurts. If anyone talked about me the next morning, well, at least I didn’t know it. But I’ll never forget these moments of freedom and fun with my favorite friends.

Unfortunately, when trying to choose the pictures that went with this post, I had a difficult time limiting myself to just one memory. Each photo was accompanied by a smile and an “ah, I remember…”. Our first group pictures. First sale celebrations. Lunch with our Mavens. Sightseeing. My Golden Heart final. Phone calls. Late night talks. Tears. Hugs. Squees.



We’ve done it all. In the past 5 years, these women have gone from being my best friends to being my sisters. We can be as different as night and day, but we all have a similar drive, similar work ethic, passion for our writing, our families, our lives. You, our readers, have been there with us to celebrate, commiserate, brainstorm, and dream. We’ve gotten to know far too few of you through your comments, precious in-person meetings, and email exchanges. Today, we hope you will once again celebrate with us.

And in joyful birthday tradition, we’ll be giving away birthday gifties! Our appreciation of lovely alcoholic beverages (and their rightful role in all celebrations) has led us to put together a proper present including 2 martini glasses, a mini-shaker, Cocktails for Dummies, two mini-mixer bottles, and books, including ones from our own Kimberly Lang and Kira Sinclair.



And who knows what other prizes might be given away today?!?! To enter, simply comment about your own favorite memories – what’s the best thing that’s happened in your life over the last 5 years?

Thank you so very much for your comments, advice, humor, and encouragement here on the Playground. It wouldn’t be nearly as fun a ride without our dear friends!

Angel

Conference memories and SQUEEs!!!!

I’m back from the RWA conference and, dear dog, I am tired. But it was a FABULOUS conference!! So fabulous I don’t know where to begin.

I loved having our annual Playground breakfast with Barbara Vey of Publisher’s Weekly. I spent a little time with Faygie Levy from RT Bookreviews and she’s just a doll! I also got to have coffee with editor Whitney Ross from TOR (no, I’m not switching genres; she’s someone I’ve been corresponding with online and wanted to meet face to face), and spent some quality time with my fellow Presents authors (they’re all really lovely people!). I got the honor of introducing two of my favorite authors to each other (Carole Mortimer and Beverly Barton), and bonding with my fabu CP. It was an action-packed few days, and I’m totally beat, yet completely energized as well. But, of all the wonderful, wonderful moments at Conference, two stand out, and those are the ones I want to share.

Wednesday night, Readers for Life Literacy Signing: Being in a room full of the biggest names in Romancelandia can be a little soul-destroying. Folks don’t like to make eye contact (lest they feel obligated to buy your book), and seeing the line for another author stretch past your table into the hall can drive home your place on the food chain in no uncertain terms. But it was an amazing time! I sold a few books, sure, but this was the first time folks came to find *me* because they were fans. They’d read my books and enjoyed them. They wanted to meet me and tell me. Wanted to take pictures and talk about the characters. WOW! Let me tell you, NOTHING makes me love my job more than that. I wanted to hug them, buy them drinks and bring them home with me, but didn’t want to scare them. Hearing from a reader is the high point of my day – any day – but meeting them in person? Knowing that out of the 500 other authors they could be talking to right now they chose to come see me? I was floored, thrilled and honored. At that moment, I didn’t think the conference could get any better.

But I was wrong…

Thursday night, OKRWA’s National Readers’ Choice Award reception/ceremony. I was totally and completely thrilled to simply final in this contest – much less double final – and had no expectation of winning. I was really just there to support Rhonda Nelson, who also finaled in the Short Contemporary category and enjoy the fact I was a finalist. When Rhonda took home the award for Best Short Contemporary I was THRILLED, honestly, thrilled. Not even a moment of disappointment for myself.

But the night got even better when they announced The Secret Mistress Arrangement had won Best First Book! OMG!!!! OMG!!!!! There aren’t enough exclamation points to describe the excitement! I was so excited, I have no conscious memory of my acceptance speech.

This is my lovely trophy, which will now grace my bookshelf.

I also got lovely bling:But all stories have a Problem Child twist, and here’s the embarrassing story to go with my wonderful moment in the sun…

As soon as they had everyone sit down for the awards bit to start, I realized I should have visited the Ladies' Room first. I really needed to pee. But, I couldn’t leave. First, I didn’t know what order they’d be doing the awards in and didn’t want to miss my categories, and second, it would be rude to walk out during someone else’s big moment. They had to be just as excited as I was, and they deserved to have my attention.

But it wasn’t easy. You know what it’s like when you have to pee and that’s all you can really think about and thinking about it only makes it worse. It didn’t help that Rhonda and Smarty Pants found my condition amusing. By the time they got to Best First Book – the last category – I thought I was going to die. Or embarrass myself.

This may also explain why I have little memory of my speech.

I accepted, left the stage, almost threw my trophy at SP, and ran from the room. I can’t imagine what people thought during my immediate flight. Thankfully, the bathroom was close by.

So, the realization I was a NRCA winner – that lovely, blissful, yay me moment – came while I was sitting on the toilet.

There’s a memory I’ll cherish.

But I will also cherish this moment.
Upon my return from my dash to the Ladies’ Room, I got to accept everyone’s good wishes and get this photo. Rhonda Nelson and I with our lovely trophies as we prove – again – that Southern girls ROCK. Because if you can’t share a moment like this with a good friend, then it’s a lonely moment indeed.

So thank you OKRWA, the judges, the readers, and my editors for making that moment possible. I’m still just tickled and honored in ways you don’t know.

So, we can party in the comments. Or you can tease me. Or you can tell me about a moment in the sun for you that was a little twisted. But tell me if you haven’t read TSMA, because to celebrate this awesome thing, I’ll be giving away a copy of this Award-Winning book. (Oh, that was so cool to type…)

PC

A dual purpose post...

First, I’m going to interrupt the advice we are dishing at the moment and brag. And Squee. And lead the Happy Dance Conga Line around the swingset.

I’M A MAGGIE FINALIST!!!!!

If the Ritas are the Oscars of the Romance world, then the Maggies are up there with the Golden Globes. It’s a big deal to final. And I’m just tickled pink to be able to say that The Secret Mistress Arrangement is a finalist in the Short Contemporary category.

TSMA was my first book, and therefore it will always be very special to me. The fact it’s now a finalist in the NCRA and the Maggie just makes me love it all the more.

And, again, Anonymous Blogger Who Called It Lame: pppppbbbbbbbbtttttt.


So I’ll be headed to Georgia in October for the award ceremony.
I’ve never been to the GRW Moonlight and Magnolia conference before, but this seems like an awesome year to attend.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Now, for those of you who tuned in for nuggets of conference wisdom, I’ll get on with it.

1) Realize that you cannot do it all. You can’t attend every interesting workshop, hit every book signing or party, or meet every online friend for a drink. There simply aren’t enough hours in the day for that. Accept it, do the best you can with your schedule, and then give yourself a break about it. Not only will you burn yourself out, you’ll ruin your overall conference experience. And remember, things are going to pop up and your carefully constructed schedule might need to go out the window. That’s okay too. Enjoy it.

2) When you’re in the elevator (or anywhere) with someone you recognize – a favorite author, a blogger you read, a reviewer for a site you trust – speak up. No author I can think of ever gets tired of hearing someone liked their book. Bloggers and reviewers like to know someone is reading what they put out there. I’m still constantly amazed that anyone has heard of me – much less likes my books – so in my case, you’ll make my day (and possibly be my new best friend).

And for our Honorary Playfriends who will be attending --- please come say Hi. We love to meet you. Kira and I will be at the big book signing and Kira, SP, and I are also doing workshops (our workshops are also a great place to find the other Playfriends, too, as they show up for moral support). Don’t be shy – even if you are. We’re safe and friendly.

Now, back to the Conga Line...

PC

Sometimes, the SQUEE just sneaks up on you...

The one good thing about moving is that it consumes your life to the extent you’re able to forget about a lot of things you’d obsess over otherwise.

Like when contest finalists are announced. ~g~

I was up on a ladder Thursday morning, stripping wallpaper from my kitchen, cursing my fate and the people who hung it on unprimed walls with way too much glue, when the phone rang. I debated climbing down the ladder (as you all know, there’s a good chance I’d fall off the ladder at some point anyway, so climbing up and down would just be tempting Fate a little too much), then decided I needed a break anyway.

I didn’t recognize the number, but I’m glad I answered. It was one of the Coordinators for the National Readers’ Choice Awards , sponsored by the Oklahoma RWA, calling to tell me that The Secret Mistress Arrangement was a finalist for Best First Book!

SQUEE!!!!

Many phone calls and emails had to be made, and I didn’t make my way back up the ladder for a good while. But when I did go back to the wallpaper stripping, my attitude was much improved.
Imagine my shock when several hours later, I got another call from NRCA, telling me that The Secret Mistress Arrangement was a finalist in the Short Contemporary category as well!

SQUEEE!!!

(Note to Lynn and others – no, it never occurred to me that BFB would mean a SC final, too. It was a massive shock.)

This is my first year entering contests with published books instead of manuscripts, so to final – much less double final – is exciting and provides much-needed ego stroking. (Take that, anonymous reviewer who called my book “lame.”)

My Secret Mistress Arrangement is up against some very impressive – and intimidating – competition, including my friend Rhonda Nelson’s Letters From Home. However, it is an honor to final, especially when the competition is so tough.

Winners will be announced at the NRCA reception at the RWA conference in Nashville in July. Very exciting stuff, y’all.

SQUEE!!!

Release Party for THE TIMESTONE KEY by Pamela Hearon

Finally!!!!

The Timestone Key is available today!

The Playfriends are thrilled to host Pamela Hearon’s first release party! I realize I’m a bit biased because Pamela is my Fabu CP, but I’m so excited that her first book is now available from Lyrical Press.

This was the first manuscript Pam sent me when we started critting back in the Dark Ages. I knew right then, this book was something really special. It had everything – including the Arthur legend – and it’s written in Pamela’s flowing, lyrical, evocative style (that even after all these years I still fall short of emulating…).

Here’s the blurb…

Can a modern heart entwined with an ancient mystery prevail against a terrifying future?

When she was three, Halley Winsted was given a mysterious family legacy and told to follow her heart. But now that she’s thirty-three, love and commitment don’t come easy, even in the arms of sexy Tom Rutledge. A trip to England seems the perfect chance to sort out her feelings, and to indulge her obsession with the Arthurian legends.

But the legends are true. Arthur is alive in Avalon, teetering on the brink of madness, unable to fulfill his role in mankind’s terrifying future. Can the legacy Halley bears heal Arthur’s mind in time? Can she trust her heart to lead her to her destiny?

Tell me that doesn’t sound awesome. You can’t. Plus, you can take my word for it that this book ROCKS in all kinds of fantabulous ways.

And now, I cede the floor to the author herself...

First of all, I want to thank the Playfriends for throwing the launch party for my debut novel The Timestone Key, released today by Lyrical Press. I’m not sure what I did to deserve finding Kimberly Lang as a critique partner, but as Rogers and Hammerstein so aptly wrote: “I must have done something good!”

When I was 22, I was in my first “real” interview for my first “real” job, an English teacher position at the local high school. The superintendent asked, “What do you see yourself doing when you’re forty?” I realize now that the definitive answer would have been something that mentioned still being a teacher at that school. Instead, in my naiveté, I answered, “I hope to have written the great American novel.”

Well, it isn’t exactly THE great American novel, and I didn’t make it by the time I reached 40, but today is certainly the fulfillment of a life-long dream for me. And I’m thrilled to be here, celebrating with the Playfriends and YOU!

The Timestone Key is the story of my heart—a romantic Arthurian fantasy conceived while on vacation. Stonehenge. Camelford. Tintagel. Glastonbury Tor. The places themselves conjured a story in my mind. I couldn’t rest until I had written it down.

What is it that drives us to tell our stories? Where does the compulsion come from? In her famous diary, Anne Frank wrote: “I want to go on living even after I die.” Poignant words from a writer lost to us well before her time should have even begun. But I get what Anne was saying, and I think her reason is part of this compulsion for me. I want my children and my grandchildren and my great-grandchildren to know who I was and what made me tick. It’s a way to touch immortality at some level.

So, today, we’re celebrating life and dreams that come true! Bring on the cabana boys and teeter-totters!

Share with us what compels you to write—or read.:-) I’ll be giving away a free download of The Timestone Key to someone who comments.

Now, who’s pouring the drinks? My glass is only half-full!

P.S. I got the teaching job :-)

Many congrats to Pamela! This is just the first of many great books!

The Launch of Tasteful Tuesdays -- and a book!

As part of our themed week, the first Tuesday of the month will be “Tasteful Tuesday.” I’ve got a bit of leeway with what’s “tasteful”—it could be recipes, it could be jewelry.


Today I’m defining “tasteful” in the best possible way – with a party for my new release! After all, the heroine of The Millionaire’s Misbehaving Mistress is an etiquette expert. She should know what’s tasteful and what’s tacky. And good manners are always tasteful. This book came out in the UK in April, and I’ve been waiting impatiently for its US release. Now it’s finally here! Here’s the blurb:

Perfect, polite… and passionate!

As Dallas’s most eligible bachelor and heir to his family’s fortune, billionaire Will Harrison knows how to handle the paparazzi – but his little sister Evie is a worry…

Miss Behavior, etiquette expert Gwen Sawyer, has only three weeks to work her magic on Evie before a society ball, and so moves into Will’s luxurious penthouse. However she discovers too late that etiquette is the last thing on devilishly handsome Will’s mind…

Coffee Time Romance gave MMM 5 cups, Blue Moon called it "fresh and charming," and CataRomance said it "entertains with witty repartee and sizzling passion." (They also called me talented -- squee!)

When I say I love this book, I’m not kidding. I know I should love all my book children equally, but there’s something about these characters that makes me smile every time I think about them. I hope you fall in love with these characters too, because I’m currently working on Evie’s story (tentatively scheduled for a late 2010 release)!

So to appease my etiquette-expert heroine and stick with the Tasteful Tuesday theme, we’ll have a very polite and tasteful party today. Break out the good china, tell Capt’n Jack to behave himself, and hold your pinkies up while you sip that Teeter-Totter.

I’ll give away a copy of the book to a commenter today, so party on!

With decorum, of course. ~grin~

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Being the Author, part 2

You know, there are certain phrases you practice in front of your mirror, so that when the time comes to use them, you’ll be ready to say them with style, panache, and just the right amount of calm collectedness. Like:
“I’m ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille”

“I’d like to thank the Academy…”

“My fellow Americans…”

“I, Kimberly, take you, Jon Bon Jovi…”

And

“I’m off to London to have lunch with my editor.”

Well, I still haven’t had the chance to use any of the first four, but practicing that last one really came in handy recently. Because I did go to London and have lunch with my editor. Squee!

Okay, so I got on the wrong train (totally not my fault and I wasn’t the only one on the wrong train. It had been announced incorrectly), and then I got a little bit lost in Richmond and went the long way around to the Mills and Boon office, but those mishaps aside didn’t take the glam out of the event. Other than showing up at the office a little sweaty from my trek.

Sadly, I have no pictures (sorry, Angel, but you weren’t there to remind me).

I presented myself to the receptionist and told her who I was. She had to call up for someone to come get me. (Boy, security is tight. I was wondering if aspiring authors wander in off the streets occasionally trying to find an editor.) There’s a M&B rack in the lobby, so I perused the books while I waited. Happy of happiness, I found one of my books on the rack! I’m on a lobby display rack! How cool!

Then Lucy (Gilmour – my lovely editor) and Bryony (Green – Senior Ed of Modern Heat) came down to get me from the lobby and took me upstairs into the M&B sanctum. Just the thought of all the creative energy and book-making gave me the shivers. Alas, it looked a bit like any other office (I’m not sure what I was expecting). But then, editors came out of their cubicles to say hello: Tessa Shapcott (head of the Modern/Presents line), Jenny Hutton, Sally Williamson (Lynn Raye Harris’s editor), Joanne Grant, Kimberley Young (who let me interview her for the Playground a couple of years ago) – if anyone from the M&B office is reading this and I’ve left you off the list, my apologies. A newbie author can only absorb so much fabulous editorial at one time. Talk about feeling special – after so many years of stalking editors at conferences, having so many actually want to say hello is just surreal.

Then it was off to lunch. Lucy and Bryony led me to a wonderfully hidden-down-a-back-street French restaurant where we sat in a walled-in courtyard. A bottle of wine, a menu of things I didn’t quite recognize, everyone around me with either a British or French accent – I felt like the punch line to every Alabama Redneck joke ever invented.

And then I began to babble. Hmm, seems I should have spent less time practicing accepting my Oscar and more working on making small talk with my editors. I don’t know why I was nervous. Bryony and Lucy are both wonderfully friendly people, and I know this wasn’t a job interview, but still… Babble city. Ugh. Did I mention the Alabama Redneck part?

But all good news from my editors. My books seem to be doing all right. They seem happy with what I’m writing and want me to write more books. Lucy has confidence I’ll be able to get the revisions on the current book done (glad one of us does!). And I was told that I could come back for lunch again when I bring AC over to see her grandparents next year. (Annual lunch with my editor in London? Really? Man, I love this job!)

Then I was back on the train headed back to central London with a couple of M&B books in my bag for the ride home. (Okay, so I asked for books. Tacky, but I’d read my entire magazine on the wrong train earlier.)

Back in London, I met up with the fabu Heidi Rice, fellow Modern Heat author, who continued my day of author glamor by taking me to the National Gallery Café for drinks. Drinks overlooking Trafalgar Square while talking about editors and books and royalty statements made me feel very Author-like indeed. I didn’t miss the surreptitious glances of “Are they famous people?” from the folks at the next table as we tossed around publishing terms. Good for the ego -- if not great for my liver or waistline.

The most horrible train ride ever followed as I made my way back to where I was staying with some friends. However, in the midst of my misery (and trust me, crowded commuter trains out of London when there’s been an accident on the tracks and mucked up the entire schedule is misery indeed), I came up with an idea for book number five. Yep, I felt like an author.

Now I’m home in Alabama and there’s absolutely no glamor to be found as I dig through the post-vacation mess of laundry/mail/empty fridge – oh, and let’s not forget the optimistic deadline I gave Lucy about my revisions looming on the horizon.

But I had lunch with my editor in London. Squee!

Launch Party!

Oooh, I’ve been waiting for this day, and now the giddiness is practically paralyzing me as all I can do is squee at the oddest moments.

THE SECRET MISTRESS ARRANGEMENT is finally on a bookstore shelf near you!

While it’s been exciting to know the book was out in the UK and Australia, NOTHING beats going to your local bookstore and seeing your name on a real book.

I love this book, of course. It’s my first-born. But it seems a few other folks liked it as well, and that is really exciting! Romantic Times gave it 4-stars and said, “This enjoyable tale … treats readers to all the emotions, and all the highs and lows, that love entails." The fab Marilyn Shoemaker of Marilyn’s Romance Reviews made my day when she called it “magnificent” and said I crafted a “beautiful and romantic love story” (and gave me five stars on Amazon!). Then, when I debuted at #9 on the Waldenbooks Bestseller list for my first week, the giddiness knew no bounds at all. (Now it's #8! Squee!)

So let’s launch this baby properly!

And, my overseas friends, we’re launching my second book, THE MILLIONAIRE’S MISBEHAVING MISTRESS, today as well! I’m out in two countries at once.If I were any more excited, I’d have to split into two pieces to hold it. (TMMM will be an October release in the US.)

Cue the cabana boys! Rev up the chocolate fountain and jump right in!I’m giving away copies of both books today (although the winner of THE MILLIONAIRE’S MISBEHAVING MISTRESS will have to wait for a copy until I get my author copies in.)

Grab a drink and cut a rug, then be sure to head over to the Soapbox Queens where I’m reigning as Queen For A Day (and get another chance to win)! (Edited to add -- I'm also up on the I (Heart) Presents blog today. Please stop by!)

SQUEEE!!!

PC

**And in case you haven't ordered your copy already (grin), here are the links: THE SECRET MISTRESS ARRANGEMENT and THE MILLIONAIRE'S MISBEHAVING MISTRESS.

Oh, goodness...

Oh, wow, it's finally January.

Don't ask me about my resolutions or goals or anything like that. I'm too focused on one thing...

The Secret Mistress Arrangement IS ON THE SHELVES!!!

Squee!!

Alas, my book is only on the shelves in the UK – which is very exciting to think about and contemplate, but lacks the joy of being able to go to the bookstore and see it myself (and I just can't justify a trip over right now, even if my book is on the shelves...).

Still, though, the thought of people wandering into a bookstore and picking up my book sends little giddy shivers down my spine. People are actually reading it! Paying money for it! Possibly recommending it to their friends! Okay, so the reading part does make me worry... what if they hate it?

Nope, not going there. I'm sticking with the SQUEEE-ness of it.

Because I can't be there in person to see my ink-and-paper baby, I need our overseas Honorary Playfriends to help me out. And I'm not above bribing people to do so.

I'm running a Spot the Book contest all through January – just go to your local bookstore, snap a picture of my book on the shelf (you holding my book is optional :-)) and send the photo to me at kimberly@booksbykimberly.com. Be sure you tell me where you found it. On February 2, I'll randomly draw a name from all the photos submitted to receive an Amazon gift certificate. (Check my website for full details/rules.)

I've already received a couple of photos:

Spotted at Eason's bookstore in Ballymena, N. Ireland.

And at WH Smith in Norwich

This is just too cool....

Pardon me while I go squee!

PC

P.S. I'm guest blogging today at The Wedding Belles. Please come by and say hi!

Happy Birthday!!!!

This week holds a special place in the Playfriend’s hearts—it marks the 3rd anniversary of our website and blog. That’s right! For 3 years we’ve been sharing our tales of writing, disappointments, celebrations, and our lives. To our amazement, you continue to tune in to talk with us and our special guests.

This week we’ll be celebrating with lots of blog giveaways and a big birthday party on Friday. We enjoy giving back to our readers. We’ll also spend time each day talking about what we’ve learned since we started this endeavor and our most memorable moments along the way.

For me, it has to be the first time someone came up to me and said, “Aren’t you Angel from the Writing Playground?” To be recognized is such an awesome experience. That it happened in front of my sister—priceless! Thank you, Liza.

One beautiful thing that I’ve gained, especially through the blogging, is confidence. Over the past 3 years, I’ve been encouraged (read: pushed) to approach authors and publishing professionals to appear on the website and blog. A few said no, even more said yes. Also, tending to be a shy person, I used to limit myself to sharing only with those closest to me. On the blog, I’ve discussed just about every emotion and experience that’s come my way through this crazy thing called writing, only to find out… I’m not alone. To talk about issues and problems with the Playfriends and our Readers, share ideas, tips, and ogle cute guys… That’s been an eye-opening and endearing experience.

Thank you for that!

What has been the biggest confidence booster in your life?

Angel

P.S. One commenter will be selected for an Angel prize pack! And don’t forget to keep an eye on our NaNo progress meters.

SQUEEE Moment of My Own

As Problem Child mentioned last Tuesday, the mojo seems to be hopping here at the Playground. I know it was flowing freely at conference and has seemed to overflow since the Children returned home.

Though I didn’t attend conference, I had a lovely SQUEE moment of my own last week. I found out that one of my manuscripts, Return to Mill Town, finaled in the Maggies Contest, short contemporary category. It will go on to a final judge at Harlequin. *Fingers crossed!* This contest is one of the longest running RWA chapter contests (held by Georgia Romance Writers) and carries a bit of prestige for finaling, so that little tidbit will look good on future query letters.

Yay, me!

Quite frankly, I needed this encouragement. I’ve been working really hard to get my writing “out there”, submitting to contests and editors with my Circle of 5 plan. I’m down to 4 at the moment, having gotten back a rejection week before last, but I’m submitting to a carefully chosen contest this week and have a novella going out to a publisher as well. Here’s hoping the Circle of 5 will continue to bear prosperous fruit. The Plan Is Working!!!!

Add to that my euphoria at being able to stay at home and write while the kids are in school, and I’m feeling pretty good about my writing right now. I wrote a record number of pages this week, and plan to savor the chance to do this while it lasts.

So, let’s talk accomplishments. What’s your current plan of action (for writing or any important project of the moment)? Or are you one of those "fly by the seat of your pants" people, who take each day as it comes?

Let’s have a round of teeter totters to celebrate today!

Angel

Get your hot mojo here

I’m not a big Austin Powers fan, but the man did have some crazy mojo. And we love us some mojo on the Playground.

Mojo is about appeal—and the Playground crowd is pretty appealing right now (and that includes all you Honorary Playfriends as well!). The mojo is as hot as that metal playground slide on a sunny July afternoon.

And the good mojo seems to just beget more good mojo! Kira’s first book is out and getting great reviews. My editor gave me some pretty happy news at conference. Andrea is getting pitch requests in hotel elevators. Manuscripts are being requested right and left. People are winning contests, finaling in contests, selling stuff…the squeees are flying fast and furious and every dog for miles is hiding under the bed from the noise.

Oh, yeah, bay-bee.

We love it when the mojo is hot. Every day brings something to celebrate. And we’re all about the celebrating.

So I’m opening up the comment tail for you to share your squeee-worthy news of whatever kind. Let’s hear more about that hot mojo goin’ around!

PC

***Here's a squee--Kate Hardy guest blogs tomorrow!

It Really Does Happen - UPDATED

Conference was great. The best one I've had so far, I think. Sadly, if I don't count the workshop I gave, I only went to one and a half sessions, but there was so many other wonderful things to fill my schedule. Book signings, meet and greets, chatting with friends in the bar. Nevermind all the wonderful touristy things to do. I can't imagine how different it is for someone who also has publisher events, meetings with their editor, etc. Heck, we hardly saw Lynn for all the Golden Heart events she had to go to.

This year, I deliberately didn't pitch. Last year I did and was mightily disappointed by the way the agent I pitched to handled my proposal over the last year. I had plenty going on my own, thanks to the Circle of Five, so I was just going to relax and enjoy it.

My college roommate, Dr. Brilliant, lives just outside of SFO. You might remember her from these previous posts. Anyway, she took the train into town and we went to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory Thursday night. Afterward, I brought her up to our room to pick out a historical romance from the pile I'd collected. As we waited for the elevator with another lady, Dr. Brilliant asked me about my badge, which said "PRO" across the bottom. I told her it meant that I had finished a book, and well, been rejected. About six times. The woman waiting with us offered that it was a badge of honor and something to be proud of.

So we get on the elevator and the other woman asks me what I write. I tell her I write quirky paranormals. She asks if I'm pitching this year. I said no, by the time I got around to it, there wasn't much available. Then it happened. The thing that everyone says happens, but I've yet to hear or experience an actual instance of it.

She told me she was taking appointments Saturday morning at 9. If I could meet her down there at 8:45, she'd fit me in. At this point, I hadn't a clue who she was or who she worked for. She gave me her card. She was an agent. I was nearly stunned speechless. I gave her my card and told her that was fine. I wasn't really sure what to say or do. I walked Dr. Brilliant to her subway stop, then returned to the room, sort of bewildered and numb. Of course, I dashed off to meet the other Playfriends at the eHQ PJ party and share my news. We had a little squeee and immediately googled the agent. Everything checked out.

Saturday morning I showed up and we had a nice chat. She told the lady checking in appointments that she should expect a tall, thin woman with lovely long blonde hair and light eyes. She had me at "thin." Anyway, it all went by pretty quickly. I was completely unprepared, so it was all very casual. She asked for a partial. I'll be sending it shortly.

I don't know how this will all work out in the end. We'll see. Either way, I wanted to share my story so the next time you go to conference, you'll have that elevator pitch all prepared. You might, in fact, actually need it! If you went to conference this year (or in the past) what was your craziest or best moment? If you've never attended something like this, have you ever had something great drop into your lap when you least expected it?

SP

The Circle of Five Rides Again!
1 full MS with an editor
1 partial soon to be with an agent
5 short stories and features with the Trues

The winner of an autographed copy of Whispers in the Dark is Ellen! Email Instigator with your information to collect your awesome prize! Thanks to everyone who came out and made Kira's launch party a success. If you didn't win, remember you can pick up your copy at Amazon or Books a Million.

Today is a good day...

Hmm, whatever shall I blog about today? Gas prices? The book I’m reading? Oh, wait, I know—I’ll blog about MY CALL!!!

I SOLD!!!!!

Happy Snoopy Dance, Everyone!!

SQUEEEE!!!!!!

(I’m using far too many exclamation points, but I just can’t help it.)

You may remember my earlier posts about revisions, but I can now say that the Beautiful Editor is Bryony Green of Harlequin Mills and Boon (who is now my Most Favorite Person because she saw the promise in this book and challenged me to meet it.). Friday morning, at 10.15 a.m., she called to buy BEST LAID PLANS for the Modern Heat line (thereby solidifying her place as Most. Favorite. Person. Ever.).

(Of course, this is me we are talking about, so there’s a story behind the story: At 8.45 that morning, I was on the phone with Rhonda Nelson, obsessing over my revisions and parsing out the meaning of the work “tweak”—just in case it meant something else in Editor-Land. I’m on my cell phone with her when the house phone rings. I glanced at the number, but didn’t recognize it, so I figured it was a telemarketer. But then the “Telemarketer” left a message. Thinking that odd, I googled the number—still on the phone to Rhonda, mind you. I have no idea what she was saying because the next words out of my mouth aren’t appropriate for the blog. I go storming down the stairs to listen to the message—yep, still on the phone with Rhonda—only to hear that I’d missed a call from Harlequin Mills and Boon. The message said she’d call back in an hour or so, which meant I spent the next 84 minutes staring at the phone, WILLING it to ring with my amazing mental powers. Le sigh.)

The rest of the day is a blur of happy dances, phone calls with much Squeeing going on, and champagne. Congratulatory emails came pouring in (and I’ve saved them all). Flowers arrived. AC made me a pink ribbon to wear to dinner that night (because July is just too far away to wait for the pink “First Sale” ribbon). It was a good day.

And now we get to Par-Tay!! But first, I need to make a small speech (feel free to visit the bar while I do), and send out big thank you’s to the following people:

My Wonderful Playfriends: You ladies are my support, my inspiration, and my compass. I wouldn’t be here without y’all. Your faith and determination bolstered mine when I needed it.

The Marvelous Mavens: For believing in me. (And a special thanks to Beverly for nagging me to finish this book in the first place!)

My fabu CP: For telling me what I needed to hear—even when I didn’t want to hear it. I’m a much stronger writer thanks to you.

Rhonda and Jen: For cheering me up (and on) when things got tough.

Counselor Shelley: For talking me off the ledge more than once.

My Mom: For being my head cheerleader.

My Amazing Child: For understanding “Mommy’s writing” and asking me every night at dinner how many pages I wrote that day (and applauding regardless of the amount).

And, finally, my Darling Geek: Thank you for believing I could do this and all of your support while I did. I’m so lucky to have you in my corner. I love you. (Now get to work on my website!)

~fans eyes~

Crank up the music, cue the nearly-naked dancing men, call Captain Jack, and let’s get this party started. Teeter-totters all around! (And, the lovely Soapbox Queens are also hosting a party at their castle today to celebrate! More men and booze over there!)

Thank you everyone for being here today to celebrate with me!

Kimberly

The Best Week Ever

If any of you watch VH-1, you'll know they have a show called The Best Week Ever. They go over all the events (and non-events, like what Britney Spears ate for lunch) of the past week, poke fun at it, and talk about why this past week was the best week ever. Well, around here, this week - at least for Lynn Raye Harris and Maven Linda Winstead Jones -WAS the Best Week Ever.

Lynn won the Harlequin Presents Instant Seduction contest last Friday with her entry for THE SPANISH MAGNATE'S REVENGE. She beat out 599 other entries to take the prize. Then, she found out Tuesday that she is a Golden Heart Finalist in the Adventure/Suspense category with her book HOT PURSUIT.

Maven Linda was named the 2008 recipient of the Emma Merritt Service Award to be presented at Nationals this year. She also got the call Tuesday to find she is a double RITA finalist in the paranormal category with PRINCE OF MAGIC and RAINTREE: HAUNTED!
Congratulations to them both! Also, special congrats go out to Playground friends who've picked up RITA nominations - Kristi Gold, Allison Brennan, Maureen Child, Cheryl St. John and fellow HOD Member Debra Webb. Also, a big SQUEEE for all the RT nominees, including Maven Linda Howard and Maven Beverly Barton!

So much good news around here. Of course, this means we're having a party. If there's one thing we do well on the Playground - its celebrating. We'll take all the positive energy we can get. The margarita machine is buzzing (lime = fruit, perfectly acceptable for breakfast). The chocolate fountain is flowing, the petit-fours are plated. The shirtless hunks will be here any second to cater to our every whim. Grab a Teeter Totter at the bar and celebrate with us.

One well-wisher today will receive a prize pack that includes chocolate and books by RITA and Emma Merritt winning or nominated authors. Put the phrase "SQUUEEEE" in your comments to win. (UPDATE - The prize just got sweeter! Kristi Gold has graciously offered a copy of her Rita nominated book - Fall from Grace. Thanks, Kristi!)

SP

The Next Best Thing

For aspiring writers, nothing is better than The Call from an editor wanting to buy your book. However, a letter containing this comes close:

“We love your voice—it’s sparky, sexy, lively and contemporary and therefore perfect for the series. […] Overall, your manuscript showed huge potential and we feel you do have a voice that would suit the series.”

Join me in the Happy Dance! SQUEEEE!!!

Now, the three pages that follow the next sentence, “However, we also have a number of revision suggestions to make to help bring out the best in this manuscript and help it reach publication standard,” are kind of daunting, but, hey, four nice adjectives about my voice go a long way toward my attitude about revisions.

I’m not adverse to revisions. In fact, I knew something needed to be done to this manuscript; I just didn’t know what. I’ve learned a lot since writing this one, and I could see some of the problems, but the solutions were still beyond me. I now have three pages of what’s not working and why, and this beautiful editor even gave me some ideas how to fix it.

I love this editor. She’s my new favorite person. I think it’s too early in our relationship for me to send her flowers and chocolate without coming across as stalkerish, but I would if I could.

Ideas are sparking. Possibilities are swirling. At the workshop on Saturday, things kept popping in my head and I’d scramble to write them down. The major difference between this revision request and the last one is that this time, I’m excited about what I think I can do with it. The idea of gutting at least a third (and possibly half) of my book doesn’t bother me at all. I think I understand what this editor is saying in her letter, and, most importantly, I think I just might be able to do it.

I don’t suck. This book isn’t right, but at least it’s not totally wrong. It’s fixable. Beautiful Editor likes my voice and thinks the book has enough potential to take the time to type out a long letter. Wow. I have a voice. This doesn’t suck at all, people.

Happy, happy, joy, joy. In celebration of my non-suckiness and my “sparky, sexy, lively and contemporary” voice, I’m giving out prizes today. I don’t know what or how many yet, but let’s just say I’m feeling good and that bodes well for the prize patrol. Say something nice about yourself or others in the comment tail to enter.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a happy Snoopy dance to do around my living room.

PC

Numb3rs

No, we're not talking about the television show.

We're talking about the hits on our blog.

We passed the 75,000 mark today and want to thank all our wonderful readers for helping us hit it.

Next goal: 100,000!