Winter Solstice

Welcome Winter

One of a Kind

Wendell Everett Smith
June 18, 1923 - November 27, 2011

I'll miss you, Dad!

Gearing Up

It's official -- the gates are open -- it's time to submit to the RWA Golden Heart and RITA contests.
*If you are an unpublished writer of romance, have completed a manuscript, then you are eligible to enter the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart contest.
*If you are published and have a book with a 2011 copyright date, you are eligible for the RITA contest.
***You do not need to be a member of RWA to enter. Please check the RWA website for guidelines for both the RITA and Golden Heart contests.

It has been several years since I entered the Golden Heart -- I'm not published yet -- so this year I plan to submit again. I have two completed manuscripts. Now I have to decide which one to enter. Oh what the heck, I think I'll do both.... :)

The finalists are announced in March and the winners are revealed at the national Romance Writers of America conference held every summer. The summer of 2012 it will be in Anaheim, California. Hope to see you there!

For all the specific rules and regulations, categories offered, prices, etc., please check out the RWA website.

Good luck to all my published and unpublished writer friends!

Welcome Fall

Late Summer
Dresden, Maine

I never thought I'd say this.... but I miss Fall in New England. The vibrant colors from the changing leaves, the brisk air, the whiff of smoke fires, along with pumpkin and corn husk displays everywhere.

Down here in central Florida we have what I consider the fake version of Fall . They actually sell plastic pumpkins and gourds, and other various harvest displays for transplanted northerners to set out in their southern homes. There are real pumpkins to buy and enjoy but they have a tendency to rot very quickly.

Enjoy the colorful leaves and cooler temps.

Embrace Autumn! :)

Happy 4th!

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!

Looking for a Fabulous Romantic Suspense?

Look no further...

Congratulations to authors Karen Rose and Roxanne St. Claire

Silent Scream by Karen Rose

Edge of Sight by Roxanne St. Claire


Both are finalists in the Romance Writers of America RITA contest for best romantic suspense. The stories are filled with passion, mystery, and gripping suspense. They are wonderful books and the recognition is well deserved! :)

Contests and More

On Friday March 25th, Romance Writers of America -- over 10,000 members strong -- will announce the finalists in their annual RITA and Golden Heart contests. Every year the national RWA organization hosts the contest for published (RITA) and unpublished (Golden Heart) authors.

This year the RITA award is for outstanding books published in 2010 in 12 different romance categories: Young Adult, Inspirational, Novel with Strong Romantic Elements, Novella, Contemporary Series, Contemporary Series Suspense/Adventure, Historical, Regency Historical, Paranormal, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Single Title, and Best First Book.

The Golden Heart includes the same categories except for the Novella and Best First Book. Once the finalists have been contacted, RWA makes the announcement on their website.

Come the end of June, at the national RWA conference which this year will be held in New York City, there is a formal awards ceremony where the winners are announced.

It is a prestigious honor and recognition of the hardworking writer to be a finalist. At the conference awards ceremony the recipients of each award -- along with their book editors for the RITA's -- head to the stage to accept their award and give a speech. :)

Last summer I was thrilled to be able to attend the RWA conference held in Orlando, Florida. Not only were there dozens of amazing workshops to attend, and fellow writers to meet, publishers and booksellers in attendance, agent and editor appointments, best selling keynote speakers, a literacy signing featuring hundreds of authors -- the finale was the fabulous awards dinner and ceremony.

Walt Disney World's Dolphin Hotel where the 2010 RWA conference was held.

I'm not published yet and would have entered the Golden Heart but life interrupted and didn't make it this year. Good luck to all my writer friends who have entered the contests!!

Keep writing!

Go Irish

The last thing I remember we were celebrating the holidays and suddenly I woke up and it's now March 17th! How did that happen??
I haven't even made my New Years resolutions or posted my yearly goals. Crikey.

This photo is a recent picture of one of the houses I lived in growing up. This house has some amazing history, including some mischievous ghosts, and dates back to the early 1800's. I think it was built around 1830. It is located in Massachusetts and it brings me a lovely measure of peace to see it. :)

It also has some pretty green landscaping to celebrate the Irish in all of us.

HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY

Ring in the New Year

Happy New Year!

Welcome 2011.
What are your goals, desires, dreams for the brand new year?