Mark Your Calendars for the Dec 2 Author Chat on Facebook!

Several Sourcebooks authors are banding together for a chat with the chance to win lots of prizes. Just Click on the Chat Now app on the Sourcebooks Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sourcebooks. Here's more info:

 

Besides the chance to win lots of books, authors will be giving away prizes as well. I'm giving away a replica of Gareth's sword, accented with a moonstone jewel, the magical gem in Everlasting Enchantment.

So mark your calendars, and I'll see you there!

EVERLASTING ENCHANTMENT is nominated for RT Reviewers Choice Award!

I'm in wonderful company, with several other Sourcebooks authors, in the Historical Fantasy category. Congratulations to all who were nominated! You can view a complete list of the nominees for every category here: http://www.rtbookreviews.com/rt-awards/nominees-and-winners


Historical Fantasy/Paranormal

IF HE'S TEMPTED
 Hannah Howell, ZEBRA, (April 2013) 

THE MAGIC OF "I DO"
Tammy Falkner, SOURCEBOOKS, (June 2013)

EVERLASTING ENCHANTMENT
Kathryne Kennedy, , (December 2013) 

SHADOWDANCE
Kristen Callihan, FOREVER, (December 2013)

LEGEND OF THE HIGHLAND DRAGON
Isabel Cooper, SOURCEBOOKS, (December 2013)

Meet my new little puppy, Pikachu!

I have to start with the bad news first, and I hate posting anything negative on any blog, so I'll make it quick. I lost my dear Chihuahua, Precious, last month, due to a breathing condition pretty much brought about by old age. She died in my arms, and it about broke my heart. I loved that little dog.

 

I knew no other dog could replace her, but I began to look at rescue dogs, cause it somehow felt as if her death would be more meaningful if it brought about a loving home for another dog who really needed one. And so we found Pikachu, a Chihuahua mix, (and I keep guessing as to the other part. She has soft fluffy hair, so I'm thinking Pomeranian?) Anyway, she had a rough start, barely escaping euthanasia. Her rescue name was Fergie, and if you have the stomach for it, you can read about her journey here: http://www.homeanimalrescue.com/litter1.html#top

I found her on the following website, and it was such a thrill to see the words ADOPTED, and know that I was the one they referred to:

http://www.adoptapet.com/pet/9725112-buckeye-arizona-chihuahua-mix

And now for the best part. PUPPY PICTURES!! Below are pictures of what our happy, energetic adorable mutt looks like now.

 

 

And not to forget my dear, old sweet Baggins, who was bewildered by the absence of Precious, the dog she grew up with, and horrified by the wiggling, biting, (I'm working on it, it's play-biting, but Pikachu has sharp little teeth) rambunctious critter we brought home. Here she is, looking at Pikachu (you read the expression in her eyes):

I'm happy to say that last night, the two dogs actually played together. I think Baggins will be much happier in the long run with another dog in the house. She just doesn't know it yet.

Can you guess what these photos all have in common?

Well, unless you've read my Casablanca Group blog post from a few weeks ago, I think you might have a hard time believing what these photos have in common. I took them at the Phoenix Art Museum, hoping to have some royalty-free pictures to use for marketing (you are welcome to copy these and use them as well).

Got it? Well, I was surprised myself when I saw the photos and realized you couldn't tell they were all...miniatures. That's right. Even the chandelier and painting...both are about the size of my thumb. The Phoenix Art Museum has a miniatures exhibit, where each room is a replica of what you would see in that particular era/country. The pictures above are all around the 1800's, a few are French, but most are American/English (whose drawing rooms did not display a whole lot of difference, since Americans tried very hard to copy the English.) Since every item in the rooms are accurate to the Victorian era, you're welcome to use these to decorate your blog or whatever (I'm thinking I may use a few for my next video.)
Hope you enjoyed them as much as I did!

Support the Romance Genre: Sign up for B. Vey's Publisher's Weekly Webcast

The following is a letter I received from one of the greatest ladies in support of the romance genre. Please read on, and register for the webcast! It took me only a couple of seconds to do so...and I'll be there on the 17th with bells on, as my own publisher is part of the line-up.

Dear Friends in Publishing,

Over the past 6 1/2 years, I have listened carefully to what you've had to say. The one thing I heard over and over again was how romance never received any respect.  Many of you were thrilled when I started writing my blog because it seemed to make your genre more credible in PW's eyes.

Well, I finally have managed to get a PW Romance Webcast off the ground.  In the past, PW has done every other genre and even webcasts on Faith and Yarn that were highly successful. 

The time has come for everyone to help support the romance genre.  I really need everybody to sign up for the webcast (Sept. 17th Noon EST).  Signing up does not obligate you to listen to the webcast.  You can either listen live or later on iTunes if you'd like.  It is absolutely free and listeners have a chance to win giveaways (because Romance is best at that!).

As you all know, everything is a numbers game, so we need the numbers.  I'm attaching the logo with all the information in case anyone wants to use it on their websites, blogs or social media.

Here's the link:  http://bit.ly/13M3XeT

Please help me show everyone why romance is number one by registering for webcast and feel free to forward this email.  It's kind of like an election.  Every single registration counts.

Thanks so much for your support over the years and please let me know if you have any questions.

Barbara

Barbara Vey
Contributing Editor, Publishers Weekly 
Beyond Her Book blog
PO Box 438, South Milwaukee, WI 53172
Twitter 
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Barbara Vey Reader Appreciation Luncheon

Barbara Vey Website

Get your entry into the Hot Prospects contest TODAY!

If you've got a manuscript you're working on and need some editing, this is the contest for you! The grand prize will get it polished, and take a look at the list of editors (one of which is mine) below who will read your work! The deadline is soon, so get your entry fee in today!


2013 Hot Prospects Contest
Sponsor: Valley of the Sun Romance Writers

****Permission to forward****

Looking to sign your first book contract, switch from a small press to a large
publisher or simply explore another genre of romantic fiction? Turn up the heat
on your writing career with the Hot Prospects Contest.

GRAND PRIZE: The grand prize winner of the contest will have their entire manuscript (400 pages, Courier, 12pt, Double spaced) reviewed by two professional editors at The Author's Red Room. TheAuthorsRedRoom.com

Announcement by a former winner:

I entered the Hot Prospects contest in 2011 and placed first in the Contemporary Single Title category and won the Grand Prize overall with my erotic legal thriller, Legally Mastered (now Legal Heat by Sarah Castille). The feedback I got from the contest judges was invaluable in helping me polish my book and that year I landed an agent, and a publishing contract with Samhain Publishing and then a second publishing contract with Sourcebooks Casablanca the following year. The Hot Prospects contest was very well run and I recommend it to all my romance writer friends.

Fee: $25 for Valley of the Sun RWA chapter members
$30 for non-chapter members
Chapter website has PayPal capability. www.valleyofthesunrw.com

Postmark Deadline: September 1st, 2013
E-Submit Deadline: September 1st, 2013

Eligibility: The Hot Prospects Contest is open to any work uncontracted and
unpublished at the time of entry.

Enter: 3-5-page synopsis and up to the first 25 pages of story (30 pages max). Entry or
synopsis may be shorter, but neither may be longer than specified.

Categories/Judges: Trained judges for preliminary round

Final round judges

1) Historical/Regency

Editor - Holly Blanck, St. Martins
Senior Editor - Esi Sogah, Kensington

2) Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal

Assistant Editor - Kelly Quinn, Tor
Editor –Kristine Swartz, Assistant Editor, The Berkley Publishing Group 


3) Romantic Suspense

Editorial Assistant- Lauren Plude, Grand Central Publishing
Editor Samhain -Tera Kleinfelter

4) Contemporary Long/Single Title

Editor –Deborah Werksman, Sourcebooks, Inc
Editor at large, Sue Grimshaw, Random House

5) Series Contemporary
Associate Editor – Johanna Raisanen, Harlequin
Senior Editor Sweetheart Rose – Leanne Morgena, The Wild Rose Press

For More Information, entry form, and rules, see website at
www.valleyofthesunrw.com For questions please email Voshotprospects@yahoo.com

Those entries that do not final will be returned approximately October 30th,
2013 to help those who plan to enter RWA's Golden Heart.

Linda Andrews
Valley of the Sun Hot Prospects Chair

Happy Release Day to Erin Quinn with THE FIVE DEATHS OF ROXANNE LOVE!

Err, well, actually it was yesterday, but I had another post I had to put up, so sharing this with you all today. We consult on our books together, so if you like my stories, you'll probably like hers, although she's just a touch darker than I am. Here's the ad she did with all the info about her book, and trust me, this is a book (and series) that will go on your keeper shelf. Mesmerizing, fascinating, can't-put-it-down story...