Tempting the Devil AND Anna Campbell

This week our guest is ANNA CAMPBELL, down-under author of hugely popular and always-desirable historical romances for Avon. Her first two novels, Claiming the Courtesan and Untouched won plaudits from reviewers, readers and contest judges–both were RITA finalists, amongst numerous other awards–and with her much anticipated Tempt the Devil now available (run, don’t walk, to grab your copy!) we invited Anna in for a quick chat over a glass or two of bubbly.

Welcome, Anna. Let’s start with a quick introduction. Who is Anna Campbell?

AC:  What can I say about Anna Campbell? International woman of mystery. Black belt in karate. Danced with the Bolshoi. Modeled for Picasso. Fought off Japanese whalers on the coast of Greenland. Worked for the CIA… Oh, you mean me? THAT Anna Campbell! Sigh. She’s much less interesting! Book nut. Always wanted to be a writer. Completed her first novel after finishing high school and then it took her 27 years to get a publishing contract (during which time she COULD have done all that other stuff!). First book came out in 2007, CLAIMING THE COURTESAN. Second book UNTOUCHED. Third book TEMPT THE DEVIL has just hit the stands in America. I live on the Sunshine Coast in subtropical Queensland in Australia.

Have you always written historical/regency era romance or have you dabbled in other genres as well?

AC: The nice thing about having 27 years to play around and experiment is that I got to try an awful lot of genres! The book I finished after high school was a medieval romance (the romance element has stayed pretty constant). I tried to write Harlequin Presents and completed eight manuscripts that will never see the light of day, a fact for which the world ought to be grateful! I tried family sagas, both contemporary and historical. I tried romantic suspense – believe me, not my strength! I tried historical romance set in a variety of periods and places including Elizabethan England, Renaissance Italy, late 19th-century Australia, 18th-century Hungary. Anything but the Regency in fact! Then one day, I sat down and wrote a comedy set in the Regency and felt like I’d come home. The period suits the way I use language and the larger than life stories I want to tell.

What is it that makes the Regency era so popular with readers?

AC: I think the Regency period is so popular largely because Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer set stories during that time! Since then, because those two writers were so influential, thousands of books have been set in the Regency and I think readers love the familiarity of it now. The Regency is popular because of the clothes (especially the men’s!), the elegance, the wit, the style. Not to mention that anyone who married in the Regency in the British Isles had a long period of peace and prosperity to look forward to. So the happy ending could be just that! The Regency is long enough ago to still have that fairytale flavour that historical romance readers love. But it’s also modern in many ways – there was a proto feminism, for example, the rise of companionate marriage as the ideal, the industrial revolution, people speaking in a way that’s generally intelligible to a modern reader.

Your books have been described as “regency noir”; how would you describe your style?

AC:  I love that phrase ‘Regency noir’. Stephanie Laurens coined it when she gave me a quote for CLAIMING THE COURTESAN. It makes me smile to realize it’s since become the name for a whole genre of darker historicals. I think the books I’m writing now are dark and tackle powerful themes. Regency noir for some reason also makes me think of dark, delicious chocolate – and I hope my books are a luscious, sensual experience too!

Tell us about your new book, Tempt the Devil? What will tempt us inside that cover (which is gorgeously tempting, BTW)?

AC: I’m billing TEMPT THE DEVIL as a Regency noir AFFAIR TO REMEMBER. It tells the love story of Olivia Raines, London’s most notorious courtesan, and the infamous rake, the Earl of Erith. Falling in love is the greatest risk these two jaded, sophisticated people can take. Hey, thanks for saying that about the cover – it’s pretty delicious, isn’t it? I’m hoping that aside from the cover, the rich sensuality and deep emotions of this story will tempt you! Not to mention that I actually got to write some banter between my hero and heroine. That was fun and took me back to when I used to write comedy!

Courtesans: are they the new black? (And did you start the new fashion?)

AC:  LOL. I’m not sure if I started it. I’ve certainly noticed more courtesans gracing the pages of historical romance. I do think modern readers like a more sexually experienced heroine. Mind you, I’ve just handed in my fourth book and it features my first virginal heroine so I’m hoping readers like the younger, sweeter ones too!

What temptations can’t you resist?

AC:  Sadly, far too many! A good book. Smith’s barbecue chips. My email inbox! Etc. Etc.

We know you read widely and often; what do you look for/get from a good book?

AC:  Oh, I’m still a voracious reader but sadly, since I’ve been published, I don’t seem to have nearly as much time to lose myself in a great story. I look for something that sweeps me away to another world. I love a writer whose words sing to me – Shana Abe comes to mind! I like something that engages my brain and my heart. I want to believe in those characters so strongly, it’s like they’re flesh and blood, and I want to be sorry when I close the cover on the last page because I’m leaving a place where life was vivid and engrossing.

What was your best read of 2008?

AC:  What a great question! I love to talk about great books. I re-read Laura Kinsale’s FLOWERS FROM THE STORM for a review and rediscovered what a masterpiece it is. I hadn’t read it since I bought it in the mid-90s and it was a revelation just how much depth and intelligence and emotion that book contains. Otherwise I’ve read great books by Annie West, Christine Wells, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Tawny Weber, Nicola Cornick and Madeline Hunter. New authors I’ve discovered and now love are Elizabeth George, C.S. Harris, J.D. Robb and Kathleen O’Reilly.

What are you looking forward to in 2009?

AC:  The first thing is the release of TEMPT THE DEVIL. I didn’t have a book out in 2008 so it’s been a while between drinks! I’m looking forward to getting to grips with the new story. I’m looking forward to visiting Washington for the RWA National Conference in July. In Australia, I’m looking forward to the Australian Romance Readers Convention in Melbourne in February and the Romance Writers of Australia Conference in Brisbane in August. I love to catch up with readers and my romance-writing friends.

What can we expect next from Anna Campbell?

AC:  My next release is in November 2009 and it’s another Regency noir (the virginal heroine story). As yet, it hasn’t got an official title but the book’s all approved and at Avon. It’s about a runaway heiress who finds shelter with a man suffering from PTSD after being tortured in India. A lot of this book is set in Cornwall and I had great fun writing the house which is like Manderley in REBECCA. The book I’m currently working on is, like TEMPT THE DEVIL, set in London and it’s one of those “oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practise to deceive” stories.

Thank you, Anna. As always it’s been a delight to sit and chat. We’re all looking forward to reading about Olivia and Erith, and wishing we were eligible for this week’s giveaway. :-/ That would be an autographed copy of TEMPT THE DEVIL, awarded a TOP PICK! by Romantic Times and described as “an unforgettable powerhouse romance.” Read more at Anna’s fabulous website.

Talk to us about your greatest temptation at the moment — have you discovered a new favourite author you can’t get enough of, a new TV fascination, a new shop, chocolate, wine? — and you’ll be in the draw to win. (One entry per IP address; winner drawn Jan. 10.)

Looking Forward To 2009

As 2008 draws to a close, some of the Desirabelles have cast their eyes forward to answer the question: What are you looking forward to in 2009? Here is what they had to say.

Sandra:  The July release of my very first book, Having the Billionaire’s Baby, and seeing what I’ve worked towards for so many years actually result in a book I can hold in my hands.

Robyn:  Other than my 18yo dd meeting a nice boy (no more out of work drummers with secret pregnant girlfriends, please!) I’m looking forward to the NA release of my fifth Desire, “Bedded by Blackmail” in June.  The story has some of my favourite hooks – Rags to Riches, Housekeeper to a Multi-millionaire, plus there’s a nasty villain who thinks he has a good reason for extorting the poor heroine, Ella Jacob (that’s Ella in the picture.)  Tristan Barkley is more than your typical hero and has his reality tipped on its head when black turns to white and Ella’s past entangles them both in a web of deceit that could prove fatal.

Yvonne:  I’m really excited about my upcoming  Rogue Diamonds mini-series (releases in Feb/Mar/Apr). The series follows three old school buddies journey to love-and of course, each journey has some very bumpy patches. Starting 5 January, on eHarlequin.com I’ll be hosting a discussion on the first book, “Convenient Marriage, Inconvenient Husband,” and the series in general-please pop on by so I’m not just talking to myself! As soon as I have the link for the discussion I’ll post it up on my blog. Also, as part of their 60th anniversary celebrations, Harlequin are doing a special year long spotlight with a “My Favorite Hero” blog feature. A discussion between my Rogues, about the first hero’s predicament, will be featured on 7 January! All this before I’ve even received my author copies. Looks like January is going to kick start a busy year for me.

Bron: In 09 I look forward to my youngest starting university, my eldest returning safely from a trip to India, and the first foal from my mare (fingers crossed.) I also have a new series to look forward to, both in release and in writing. The first two books feature the wash-up from an innocent sister swap, with an extra twist on the mistaken identity theme. To solve the mess of misunderstandings, Isabelle and Chessie Browne are swept off to England and into a world of private jets and chauffeured limos, London townhouses and country estates, polo and opera and weekends in Paris. And shopping. There is a strong Cinderella theme, plenty of blue blood, a few wicked relatives, and at least two delicious men. Cristiano Veron is all hot sexy charm, Justin Harrington intriguingly aloof, and I had enormous fun playing out the attraction of opposites (guess which man gets the quiet sensible sister and which the funloving firebrand?) Magnate’s Make-Believe Mistress is a July release and Billionaire’s Inconvenient Bride will follow in September. And this year I’ll be working on two more books featuring siblings of Cristo and Justin. (The picture is my collage for Make-Believe Mistress.)

Paula: I always love the idea of a brand-spanking new year, before it loses it’s shiny new-car smell and everyone drags their muddy footprints all over the new carpet For me, 2009 is the year I turn the big 4-0 in June, and apart from the “hey, has it been that long since I went to school/MC Hammer was the coolest/I went into labour?” moments, I don’t stress about getting another year older. So the stuff I’m really looking forward to this year is catching up with friends at Australia’s first Romance Reader Convention in February and RWAustralia’s National Conference in August. We always have a ball at these things: I’m so lucky I get to call this work!

Another event I’m looking forward to is my next book, The Magnate’s Baby Promise, which will hit US shelves in August, then Australia in September (I’m hoping to have my author copies in time for conference!). It’s about Cal Prescott, Sydney’s richest software developer, who needs a wife to get control of his step-father’s company. Ava Reilly, a small business owner in rural NSW, needs his money to save her family business. It’s got a one-night stand, an unexpected pregnancy and a forced/convenient marriage, plus two wonderfully flawed characters. To get the feel of an outback country town, I used a fabulous picture of NSW’s Hunter Valley by Ken Duncan for inspiration.  I’m also reeeeeally looking forward to completing two more books by August – one is Cal’s brother’s story, and the other part of Desire’s “Babies and Billionaires” 2010 series with wonderful Aussie authors Maxine Sullivan (March 2010) and Robyn Grady (April 2010). Mine will be a May release and I’m absolutely loving writing it!

That’s a brief glimpse of what we’re looking forward to in 2009; what about you? Join the discussion for a chance to win a signed copy of Bronwyn’s Bestseller Collection, featuring her first two books In Bed With The Boss’s Daughter and Addicted To Nick.

On the 3rd day of Christmas…

The Perfect Gift, by Bronwyn Jameson

Almost as much as choosing the perfect gift, I love the wrapping. I save up the gifts for an intensive day of wrapping, with all my carefully chosen papers and ribbons and bows laid out before me, all so prettily tempting. I’m not a fan of the monotone gift wrap, not at Christmas. I adore the colours of the season, the combination of red and green and gold, the tinsel and sparkles and patterns. I love the picture they make piled beneath the decorated tree, and the anticipation of waiting for the great unwrapping.

But the perfect gift doesn’t always come prettily wrapped under the tree. It’s often not store bought but homemade, thoughtfully chosen as perfect for that one person and created with wholehearted love. Home baking,  a memory book or collection of photos, a hand stitched blanket or craft keepsake, a voucher to babysit or cook a special meal or take on another task in a busy person’s life.

What is your perfect gift, to give or receive?

Share your thoughts and go in the draw to win a signed copy of my Bestseller Collection, In Bed With the Boss’s Daughter and Addicted to Nick, plus a pretty phone jewel.

Then and Now: Bronwyn Jameson

This week sees the reissue of my first two books published by Silhouette Desire. There are many reasons why I’m jazzed about this, not the least being the stylish “Bestseller Collection” flash on the cover. “Bestseller” happens to be a favourite word of just about every author.    It’s also given me some cause to muse about such things as wow, where did those seven years go? and how lucky am I to be still writing for Desire?

In that spirit of musing, I present a teensy insight into what has changed–and not changed–since my first sale.

THEN: I could get away with a heroine named Paris (In Bed With The Boss’s Daughter)
NOW: !’m not contemplating naming any heroines Paris, Lindsey or Britney.

THEN: Desire titles painted a broader canvas. Some of my favourites from 2000-2001:
Ride A Wild Heart, Slow Waltz Across Texas, Overnight Cinderella. 
NOW: They’re less colourful but more descriptive. Like four-word storyline synopses. As much as I like the title Addicted To Nick it doesn’t give much of a hint about the storyline, does it?

THEN: A biker cover was fine…but didn’t sell well.
NOW: No bikers, no leathers, not too many heroines depicted with TC’s short haircut, either.

THEN: The guidelines specified a minimum of two “fully realised” love scenes. Had to add one during my revisions for In Bed With The Boss’s Daughter whether it needed another or not. 
NOW: One, two or ten love scenes; we write what the storyline and characters demand.

THEN: My stories were built around strong-willed, independent women (a la TC in Addicted To Nick)…or strong-willed women seeking independence (Paris Grantham in In Bed With The Boss’s Daughter.)
NOW: Same.

THEN: Character-driven stories, tick. Cowboys, tick. Blue-collar heroes, tick.
NOW: Stories driven by the external situation, tick. Tycoons, tick. Billionaires, tick.

THEN: I used brand names that I *thought* the wealthy might use.
NOW: I have (I hope) a better understanding of the terms luxury, bespoke and exclusivity.

THEN: My stories included a quest to find home, family, love.
NOW: Beneath the surface glitz…they still do.

THEN: I was the only down-under author writing for Desire.
NOW: I am one of eleven. Our spelling, unique turns of phrase, settings, and other quirks are better understood and accepted…or the readers have grown tired of writing and asking for explanations. 

What has changed in your reading and/or writing since the year 2000?  Have you discovered new genres, new authors, new lines?  Is there something you miss from “the good old days”?

Join the conversation this week for a chance to win a signed copy of my Bestseller Collection plus a surprise gift. (Prize drawn Nov 15; one entry per IP address.)

Check my website Contest Page for another chance to win.

Bronwyn Jameson chats with…

Lilian Darcy, Alison Roberts, Meredith Webber and Marion Lennox

Earlier this year, while blogging about multi-author series, I interviewed the clever brains behind the Crocodile Creek series for Harlequin Medical Romance. At that stage the first two Croc Creek series had been and gone. With the third and final series out now in America, Australia and the UK, I decided it was time for another chat with these talented down-under authors.

First, let me introduce the awesome foursome. Between them they have published 270 books (!!!), celebrated 14 RITA finals and 2 wins (!!), 23 RBY finals and 1 win (!), while still finding time to fossick for outback gold, dance in Barcelona, cook for pony-club camps, build sheds, work in (and evacuate!) information centres, raise families (and dogs!), drink wine, and swim with dolphins. Count the exclamation marks – yes, I am in awe! – but I shall attempt to pull myself together and act coolly nonchalant despite being in the company of goddesses.

Let’s start with the backstory… How did the Crocodile Creek series come about?

Alison:  It all started with the first ever writer’s retreat I went on, which was just me and Marion having a few days on South Stradbroke Island before the 2003 Romance Writers of Australia conference. We roped in Meredith once we got to the conference and got Lilian on board via telephone conferencing. We missed all the scheduled conference things and sat round bouncing ideas and making notes and getting exciting!

I think Harlequin was a bit gobsmacked at being given an author-generated idea for a series and it actually took a long time and quite a bit of modification before we got the green light, but then we started work on the first series and it was amazing. As Marion put it at one point, “It’s like having three extra brains”.

Tell us about Crocodile Creek…

Marion:  Croc Creek is its own fabulous world. Our stories revolve around Croc Creek’s Search, Rescue and Medical Base in the far north of Australia, and the C. C. doctor’s residence where young medicos live while they experience the thrills and dramas of emergency medicine in the outback.

Crocodile Creek, the series, in a nutshell is…?

Marion:  …human drama, a fabulous tropical setting, sizzle, heat and loving.

Where is this fabulous, fictional setting?

Lilian:  On the tropical coast of far north Queensland, with the Great Barrier Reef out to sea, and a couple of hours inland, beyond the rainforest and the mountains, vast tracts of beef cattle country.

Was Croc Creek always going to be a twelve-book series?

Lilian:  We did make the initial mistake of trying to put too many eggs in our basket — tons of murder and suspense and international intrigue as well as medicine and romance — way too many bells and whistles. Various editors hosed us down with blasts of cold water and cured us of all that.

Meredith:  Yes, we started with the majestic 12 book series idea, murder and mayhem set on a tourist island. The whole idea was squashed flat by editors, so we shifted the location north and finally won approval to do four books. Then a long wait until the powers-that-be decided that since they hadn’t tanked, we could do four more. So although we had a lot of the same characters between series, it really ended up as three series of four books.

Apart from that first meeting, did you get together to plan the other series or was it all done by email?

Meredith:  We planned all three series face-to-face, taking time out at conferences, but then followed up with lots of email and reading of each other’s stuff.

Alison:  Emails flew back and forth as we discussed characters, backgrounds and plots. It was so much fun, working in little bits and pieces of the other books, like snatches of conversations overheard or even just the expression on someone’s face.

Marion:  It was indeed fun. It felt a bit like a free book cos there were four plotters rather than one. I think the fact that we totally respected each other as writers and we knew each other’s characters would be treated sympathetically was the key.

Meredith:  Yes, it was like a free book because we’d plotted together but weaving the stories together so bits of one fitted seamlessly with bits of another was the best fun. We even wrote little passages for each other’s books so the stories melded.

Tell us about the series out now…

Lilian:  Series three is the tropical island holiday, in which taking time out from normal life not only gives special needs kids and their families a much-needed break, but allows our heroes and heroines to see life and love in a whole new way. In the universe of Crocodile Creek Series Three, life is a beach in the best possible way, but there’s still some trouble in paradise.

The Crocodile Creek books available now and in coming months from eHarlequin, eHarlequin Australia, and Mills & Boon UK, are:

A PROPOSAL WORTH WAITING FOR, Lilian Darcy, Sept
MARRYING THE MILLIONAIRE DOCTOR, Alison Roberts, Oct
CHILDREN’S DOCTOR, MEANT-TO-BE WIFE, Meredith Webber, Nov
A BRIDE AND CHILD WORTH WAITING FOR, Marion Lennox, Dec

A final word on writing with friends…

Alison:  This was a collaboration in more than just a professional sense and we tried to write the best books we could because we wanted them to be as good as we knew the others would be. The “x” factor that came from our friendship gave these books an edge that made them special.

If you’d like a taste of that “x” factor, join us this week in discussing the allure of medical fiction. (This week’s giveaway* is a two-book pack of medical romances set down-under.) Do you have a favourite medical/emergency character from book, TV or movie? Do you read medical romance? Do you have a question for Lilian, Alison, Meredith or Marion about Crocodile Creek or any of their 270 (!!!) books?

*Prize drawn from the comments on Oct 18, one entry per IP address.

Cover Fun

As we’re giving away a copy of a French translation this week, I thought it might be fun to share covers of some of our recent and current translations. As you can see, they’re popping up all over Europe and in many languages.

Lovely, aren’t they?

What’s On Your Desk?

This week three of the Desirabelles share a peek into their writing dens as they answer the question, “What’s on Your Desk?”

Bronwyn: Between books I do a big clean of my office space and this is how it looks for, oh, about a week. Then all the neatly filed notes and cuttings, research books and word-finders, coffee cups and water glasses, spread to cover the desktop. My favourite things: a collage of the book in progress, magazines for more visual stimulus, award plaques to remind me I can do this, keepsakes from the places my writing has taken me and gifts from my writing friends.

Each has a special significance, each its own memory, each makes me smile. When I’m working you’ll find coffee/water at my elbow–I love my “Princes of the Outback” mug–along with at least one of my word books. My current favourite is the fat red Synonym Finder in the bookshelf.

Yvonne: Disclaimer: *Usually* I tidy my office between books and *usually* this means that my office, and my desk, are in a state of relative tidiness during the process of each book. The past few months, however, I’ve been more chaotic than ever with a trilogy and an online all being written back to back. Hence this state of total *insert word of choice*. Might I add that I’m so glad Bron asked about my writing desk and not the floor or any other surfaces because I’d really hate to have to show you all mine .

Seriously though, my workspace might be a disaster zone but my treasures–being my collection of heart shaped boxes and puffy heart semi precious gemstones on top of my computer tower (the dust doesn’t show in the photo, does it?) and the articles along the top shelf of my computer desk–somehow manage to remain uncluttered.

Paula: Even though I tidy my desk, oh, about once every two weeks, it always seems to attract everything right back – from water bottles, to books, to 6 year-old Christmas decorations, drawings and scraps of paper. A tidy desk is the sign of a sick mind, I always say ! At the moment, I have a bunch of papers to file, my diary, a packet of light bulbs, my son’s ‘rasta sun’ change purse, the spreadsheet for a contest I’m co-ordinating, The Procrastinator’s Handbook, receipts, my two writing muses Meg (from Hercules) and Mike (from Monsters Inc), pens and a writing course proposal for my local community college. I managed to remove the coffee mugs and empty Subway wrappers for this photo

Anyone else like to share, what’s on YOUR desk? Enquiring minds would like to know…

This week’s draw is for a signed copy of Bronwyn Jameson’s first two books, In Bed With the Boss’s Daughter and Addicted To Nick, reissued in a Bestsellers Collection by Harlequin Australia in November 08. (Prize drawn Oct 4.) ETA: prize will also include a French translation duo by Bronwyn Jameson and Yvonne Lindsay.

Bronwyn Jameson, still Spellbound on Southbank

Last weekend six of the DU Desirabelles–myself, Yvonne Lindsay, Paula Roe, Maxine Sullivan, Rachel Robinson and Robyn Grady–attended the 17^th annual Romance Writers of Australia conference.
For the past 12 or so years the conferences have alternated between Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane or the Gold Coast. This year was Melbourne’s turn and saw a return to the Langham Hotel which had provided a stunning venue in 2005. Picture: Bron Jameson, Lilian Darcy, Yvonne Lindsay at the Awards Dinner .

The hotel boasts of blissful beds – they even sell the beds, pillows and bedding in their hotel shop, along with their signature ginger lily room spray. I wanted the pillows but they’d sold out. The scent, however, puts me right back in that special spellbound place.

The conference theme, BTW, was Spellbound on Southbank…that being the hotel site, on the south bank of the Yarra River (see picture.) And everything from the venue to the speakers to the enchanted cocktail party to the awards night supported that theme. We’ve all dug deep into our store of memories to share a favourite spellbound moment.

Mine was the keynote address by Barbara Samuel, “What Do You Believe In?” Enriching, empowering, engrossing, it challenged me to consider what is important in living, in writing, in life. Although spawned from one of my all-time favourite movie quotes (Kevin Coster’s notorious “I believe in…” speech from Bull Durham) it was delivered straight from the soul with Barbara’s trademark lyricism and insight. She held me spellbound for the entire forty minutes. I did not take one note. (Aside: I’ve linked to her blog where her insights of Melbourne illustrate this perfectly.)

Yvonne: my favourite ‘spellbound’ moment was truly when I stepped into the lobby of the hotel for the very first time. The chandeliers, the marble fountains, the majestic curving staircases—all so beautiful they just took my breath away…and will definitely be appearing in my next manuscript.

Paula: There were a few, from seeing my favorite authors and friends again, to chatting non-stop about writing and life. But I think my major moment came during Jo Beverley’s “conflict” workshop. She not only provided an excellent list but said they could also be used to avoid the dreaded sagging middle. Brilliant! Because as we know, life isn’t about solving our one major conflict, it involves varying degrees of stress and source of tension from family, friends, work, past relationships, etc.

Maxine: The Mills and Boon centenary segment entranced me from the moment they showed a picture of their very first published romance novel. As they went through the decades showing various covers, it was like looking back through a photo album that for a while left me with a lingering sense of the past. Then I realised that I’m now one of Harlequin’s authors and that I am honoured to be a share of such a wonderful kinship. It’s spellbinding!

Rachel: Being so brand new to Desire at this conference, I was spellbound by actually being a Desirabelle and joining such an incredible bunch of authors, some of whom I’d never met in the flesh before (though I was certainly acquainted with their heroines and heroes!). Their willingness to welcome me into the fold so warmly and openly really touched me.

Robyn: The official part of Awards Night was over. Everyone was celebrating and a lady I’d met at Melbourne’s last conference – Christine Darcas – came over and re-introduced herself. She’d been published this year with Hachette in women’s fiction, her dream. I stopped, looked around and recognised so many of my tenacious talented writer friends who’d been rewarded with contracts over the years. A truly magical, memorable moment. Pic: me with Anna Cleary, Kelly Hunter, Anne Oliver with Ally Blake and Nicola Marsh whose workshop I attended at the 2005 Melbourne conference.

There you have it, some special moments from our weekend conference. How about you — has anything captured you in a spellbound moment recently? Tell and you will be entered in the draw to win a three-pack of books by “Down Under” authors. Prize drawn Aug 31.

RWA Conference Highlights, by Bronwyn Jameson

Confession time: I almost pulled out of this conference trip. No matter how hard I worked at it, I couldn’t come up with enough business reasons to make the expense viable. In the end I changed my motivation. I needed the break, so looked at this as a holiday, a chance to chill with friends. Anything else would be a bonus and RWA 2008–my fifth RWA National–gifted enough bonuses to make it one of the most memorable and motivational conferences yet. I am ever so glad I went.

Here are a few of my highlights:

1. The organisational geek in me loves the Conference Journal. (New this year?) A small notebook with the abbreviated program in the front and lots of pages for notetaking. Small, convenient, and necessary for those last minute what’ll-I-go-to-next? decisions, because this year I didn’t plan everything in advance. I noted the must-see sessions and left the rest to spontaneity. The journal is also essential now, as I flick back through my notes (all in the one place, yay!) to choose my highlights.

2. The Literacy for Life Booksigning. One room, 520 authors, over $60,000 raised. This year I signed and it’s always a delight to have readers drop by, to purchase a book or to tell you how much they’ve loved one or several. That never gets old, I tell you. This year I had the privilege of meeting some of my writing idols, as I helped collect signatures for a fundraising auction for RWAustralia. Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Nora Roberts, Suzanne Brockmann — they were all so gracious and giving and nice. Major fangirl moments ahoy. Pic below: me at the signing

3. Speaking of writing idols…Linda Howard. This was a PAN (Published Author Network) Q&A session, where she was smart, wry, sharp and funny, all the while looking fabulously stylish. She shared her personal favourites from her backlist: the Blair Mallory books, Son of the Morning, Cry No More. How can you not love a woman whose answer to the Q: “Have you ever considered writing a book without a romance in it?” is “Why would I?”

4. The Harlequin Party. Goes without saying, this is always a conference highlight and it is always, with a small salute to the dessert table, about the dancing. This year more so than ever, with the dancefloor a complete crush and the chances of finding a specific person reduced to zilch. Example: I glimpsed Nalini across the room at one point and never again. It was loud, uninhibited, let your hair down fun. (I have more photos, but what happens at the Harlequin party stays at the Harlequin party )

5. Save the Cat! I’m not sure I would have picked this from the program if a friend hadn’t drawn it to my attention. (Thanks, Trish!) Blake Snyder is a screenwriter and he’s written a book of this name about screenwriting technique/process and concept. He was so enthusiastic and joyous and was possessed of a sense of irony that had me chuckling all the way through. Example: His first book is sub-titled “the last book on screenwriting you’ll ever need.” Then he wrote a sequel, LOL. As well as chuckling I made copious notes on my wip and will never watch a popular movie the same way again.

6. The people, the chats, the lunches. Whether the meetings are planned or spontaneous, nothing beats the face-to-face catchups with friends, fellow authors, editors past and present. These are people you may have only met on-line or haven’t seen in years but always, always there is plenty to talk about. We share bonds through what we do and our passion for books and romance. Then there are the new faces met, the short elevator chats, the meetings in line at book signings, and the big smiles on the faces of award winners and newly contracted and just-signed authors. Pic: A big smile from newly-contracted Down Under Desirabelle, Sandra Hyatt (right), pictured with Paula Roe and Silhouette Executive Editor, Mary Theresa Hussey.

I’m not sure when I will have the chance to attend another RWA conference, but my memories of this one will fill a happy part in my heart for as long as that takes.

ETA: I didn’t mention needing to buy an extra bag to haul home all the lovely, lovely giveaway books. Comment on any of the conference posts between now and Aug 16 and you will be in the draw to win a fab. book from this stash plus phone/bag bling.