West Houston RWA

Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs
May 2008
Dutton Juvenile
ISBN: 978-0525479420
www.teralynnchilds.com
If Phoebe Castro can keep her grades up and have another stellar cross-country season, her dream of attending USC with her best friends is only a track scholarship away. She’s made all her plans, so it’s a complete shock when her mom announces she’s marrying a mysterious stranger and moving them half-way around the world – to Greece. Phoebe’s stuck on a secret island in the Aegean attending the super-exclusive Academy, where her new stepfather is the headmaster and the kids are anything but your average students – they are descendents of the Greek gods, super powers included. That’s right, Greek gods are no myth! If Phoebe thought high school was hard, she knows this is going to be mortal misery. Securing that scholarship seems like Phoebe’s only ticket out of Greece, but training and maintaining her grades will be grueling, even without a sabotaging stepsister from Hades and a gorgeous guy – what a god! – who just might be her Achilles heel. One thing is for sure – summoning the will to win and find her place among the gods could be Phoebe’s toughest course yet.

This was my first dip into the Young Adult market, and I couldn’t think of a better book with which to get my feet wet. Tera deals with acceptance, finding your place, friends and family with humor and a sharp teen wit and voice. I enjoyed it. However, the true test came when I handed the book to my daughter, who is 11- going-on-35, and said, “Read this and tell me if you like it.” She took it from me, scanned the back, and settled in to read. She read it in between all the other reading she has to do for school. After a few days, I noticed she wasn’t picking it up anymore.

“So, are you finished reading it?” I asked.
“Yep,” she answered, looking up from her homework.
“Well? Did you like it?” I prompted her.
“Yep. It was really great. I told the librarian at school all about it and suggested she get it for the school library.”

Well, I think that just about says it all. I certainly can’t add to that review, no matter how many “Gotta get this book’s” and “I loved the characters” I say. Especially when it comes straight from the teen horse’s mouth.

-Reviewed by Laura Gompertz (and Hayley)

Hard in the Saddle (Only With a Cowboy anthology)
by PJ Mellor
May 2008
Kensington Aphrodisia
ISBN: 978-0758220271
www.pjmellor.com

Poor Madison St. Claire awakens in small town Texas to find her fiance has absconded with her credit cards, emptied her bank account, and left her to settle up with the hotel clerk and the entire town he’d fleeced. Her cell phone on the fritz, left with only a gas credit card, Madison sneaks out of town with hopes of returning to Michigan to pay off ex fiance, Alan-the-rat’s bills. Gorgeous cowboy Sam Austin comes to her rescue when she skids into a tree while attempting to escape, but her city-slicker attitude has him determined to bring her down a notch. Madison not only learns a thing or two about attack chickens and frisky stallions, but that the most exciting and fulfilling intimacy can be found Only with a Cowboy in P.J. Mellor’s Hard in the Saddle contribution to Kensington’s Aphrodesia anthology. P.J.’s light comedic touch is evident in the situations cooked up for poor Maddie (or actually not cooked up because she can’t get the old stove to work and is almost asphixiated). While poking fun at those of us who can’t tell a carrot from a weed or haven’t had to prime a pump, the reader finds a heartfelt, feel-good steaming hot story that proves opposites attract and can find happiness ever after. Like Madison, I can’t say that cowboys were at the top of my alpha male hero list, but P.J.’s sexy Sam may just have me paying a little more attention to who’s busting broncos come rodeo time.

Reviewed by Robin Haseltine

WHRWA Welcomes Bestselling Author and Entertainment Journalist Candace Havens for an all day workshop

In the morning:

FAST DRAFT is a way to get that first draft down in two weeks or less. Using writing exercises and a hardcore set of rules, writers can tap into the creative well and finish their manuscripts. This is a system that makes writers accountable and teaches them to send that internal editor on vacation.

In the afternoon:

REVISION HELL is a process for getting through revisions without going insane. By focusing on various style, grammar and story-telling elements writers can revise their manuscripts at a faster pace improving continuity, transitions and the overall feel of the book.

Bestselling author Candace Havens has written five novels, “Charmed & Dangerous,” “Charmed & Ready” (mass market release Aug. 2008), “Charmed & Deadly” and the upcoming releases “Like A Charm” (Feb. 2008) and “The Demon King and I” (Nov. 2008). Her books have received nominations for the RITA’s, Holt Medallion and Write Touch Reader Awards. She is the author of the biography “Joss Whedon: The Genius Behind Buffy” and a contributor to several anthologies. She is also one of the nation’s leading entertainment journalists and has interviewed countless celebrities including Tom Hanks, Nicolas Cage, Tom Cruise, George Clooney and many more. Her entertainment columns can be read in more than 300 newspapers across the country. Candace also runs a free online writing workshop for more than 900 writers. She does film reviews with the Dorsey Gang on The Big 96.3, and serves as a mentor for young writers.

Registration is Closed.

Q:How long have you been writing?

I joined RWA in 2002, but didn’t really get serious until I entered the Golden Heart the following year.

Q:How long did it take you to publish?

Just under four years.

Q:How many manuscripts do you have hidden away/under the bed/in storage?

OH. MY. GODS. was my fourth complete manuscript, so there are three others tucked away until the day Chick Lit resurrects or my historical voice returns or I
get tired of writing young adult (aka never).

Q: Do you have a writing schedule and if so, what is it?

That depends on how close I am to deadline. On an average day, I’ll get up, check email for an hour or so, and then head to Starbucks for 3-4 hours (I so cannot write at home). If deadline is looming, I might be at Starbucks for 6-8 hours. Yeah, they know me by name.

Q: Do you have a critique group? If yes, how many are in the group?

I have a few casual critique partners I can send stuff to when I need a quick read or a fresh pair of eyes. What I use more is my brainstorm buddy, West Houston’s own Sharie Kohler/Sophie Jordan. If I’m stuck or uncertain or just trying to work things out in my head, I’ll give her a rundown of the situation. Her fresh perspective almost always pinpoints a missing element or the right direction.

Q: When developing an idea for a new story, which comes first – the plot or the title or the characters?

It’s different for every story. For my debut novel, I came up with the working title (GROWING UP GODLY) and had to come up with a story to fit. For the sequel, e story built from the existing characters. Of the three YA proposals I’m currently working on right now, one began with a title, one with a character, and one with a plot premise.

Q: How do you handle new story ideas that pop up when you’re in the middle of a project? (ex: notebook by the bed/separate word file, etc?)

I live and die by the spiral-bound notebook–the pretty, smallish ones with flowers or frogs or candy hearts on the covers–and use a different one for each book. If I come up with an idea while working on a book–which always happens, by the way, and it’s always a way better and more interesting idea, too!–I jot down a few notes in a new notebook and move on until I’m done with the current project.

Q: Have you ever gotten to the middle of a project and got bored or lost your momentum? If so, how did you handle it?

Not bored, really, but I’ve definitely gotten stuck. That’s a danger with pantsing. Usually it’s at a point where I need a twist, a new conflict, or a scene dealing with the subplot. Once I figure out what’s missing, I can move on.

Q: Finish this sentence: If I could write anything I wanted and knew it would sell, it would be…

Exactly what I’m writing. I love writing young adult
and I love mythology, so putting the two together
is my perfect book.

Q: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received in regards to your writing career?

Get the agent first. Without my agent I would never have sold my first book and I would have had a nervous breakdown long before I ever got to contract.

Q: What is the worst?

Anything that starts with "Never…" or "Always…." There is no such thing as an unbreakable rule–as long as you know the rule and why you’re breaking it, then everything is fair game.

Q: What is your favorite part of the writing process?

The beginning–where everything is still new and fresh and exciting–and the end–where it all comes together.

Q: What is your least favorite?

Everything in between

Q: Which came first for you – the editor or the agent?

The agent. I never submitted to editors because I wanted to keep the slate clean for my future agent.

Q: How many contests did you enter before you sold? How many did you final in?

Oh, thousands. I finaled in probably a dozen (including the Golden Heart). I won two (I think). I got one request … after I sold.

Q: How do your promote your books?

Since my main readership is teens, I put a lot of time and effort into MySpace–there are tons of librarians and booksellers on there, too. I’m part of a YA group author blog at BooksBoysBuzz.com and I have a pretty extensive website with bonus resources for students, teachers, librarians, and more.

Q: Free form – your chance to tell us anything you’d like – tidbits, advice, funny stories, pet peeves, hopes, dreams, etc.

While there is no formula for getting published, I firmly believe that anyone who keeps writing, keeps learning, and keeps growing as an author will wind up holding the umbrella in a thunderstorm–getting struck by lighting is only a matter of time.

Spectacular news from Sarah Andre! Agent Michelle Grajkowsy of 3 Seas has requested a full of her romantic suspense manuscript, LOCKED, LOADED AND LYING, which Sarah pitched to her at the Desert Dreams conference. This is the second request for a full she’s received on this story (Patience Smith also requested after Sarah finaled in the Lone Star last year.) We’re looking forward
to hearing more good news from you, Sarah!

Gerry Bartlett announces that REAL VAMPIRES LIVE LARGE just went small. At least it came out in the mass market edition this week for a mere $7.99. It should be at a book store or WalMart near you. So if you got hooked on REAL VAMPIRES HAVE CURVES and never picked up LIVE LARGE, here’s your chance to grab it at a bargain price. Or maybe you have friends who haven’t
started the series at all. CURVES came out in the mass market size in February. Get them on the Glory train and then you can all wait eagerly for book 3, REAL VAMPIRES GET LUCKY, which will be out in June.

TJ Bennett has been traveling to promote her April release, THE LEGACY. She presented, "Finding the Dark
Side of Your Knight in Shining Armor," in Los Angeles in mid-April. The feedback from participants was good, and the handouts were very popular. She’ll be giving the same presentation for Bay Area Houston Chapter in June, so if you’re interested, put the date on your calendars.

Here’s news with a good cause! Cheryl Bolen would like to remind everyone that during the month of May is Brenda Novak’s fabulous auction to benefit Juvenile Diabetes. Just go to her site and bid on tons of stuff, including reads by top agents and editors. Cheryl has donated a stars-and-stripes tote bag stuffed with some of
her out of print books (new and autographed) and hopes someone will bid on it. She expects it will go cheap.

Gladys Clifton reports that she pitched to Megan Records while in attendance at the Romantic Times Conference in Pittsburg, and received a request for a full. Go, Gladys, go! Let us know how things turn out!

Tera Lynn Childs is happy to announce a series of upcoming events for May. Blue Willow Bookshop will be hosting her debut party for the release of OH. MY. GODS. on the 8th at 7:00pm. In addition to signing at the May WHRWA meeting on the 10th, she will be speaking on writing for a teen market at the early workshop. Her first school visit will be at The Rice School/La Escuela Rice on the 16th. She’ll also be guest blogging at Killer Fiction on the 17th and the Jaunty Quills on the 19th. All events subject to cancellation should she not survive the release of her debut novel, OH. MY. GODS., on the May 1st. If you’d like to know more about Tera and OMG, Tera gave an interview to the online review website, Darque Reviews. They’ve also posted a review for the book! (http://darquereviews.blogspot.com)!

Christie Craig is in the news! WEDDINGS CAN BE MURDER received a great review in Library Journal! http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6547833.html?industryid=47120 The book also rated a 4 ½ star review from Romantic Times Magazine! The Houston Chronicle also featured Christie in a online video feature: chron.com/mm/devotion But wait, there’s more! On the eve of her second book’s release, Christie
has agreed to a new three-book deal with Dorchester. Christie, we can’t wait to see what the rest of 2008 holds for you! CHEERS!

Contest maven Vicky Dreiling won first place in the historical category of the Great Expectations Contest with her entry, THE DUCHESS COMPETITION. The entry was judged by Tessa Woodward – - who had already requested the manuscript at the NOLA confernence. Vicky, we hope it’s just a brief matter of time!

KUDOS to one our out-of-state members!! Michele Dunaway announces a new 2 book contract with Harlequin American. We’re looking forward to hearing Michele share some of her secrets to success when she visits us as our meeting speaker in July!

Laura Gompertz, writing as Lynn Lorenz, is amassing a collection! A collection of great reviews! She announces that her February Loose Id release, THE MERCENARY’S TALE received 5 Nymphs and a Golden Blush Recommended Read designation from Literary Nymphs Reviews! Review site, Sensual Romance, awarded the book 5 stars and Sizzling said it was a ‘truly masterful piece’ and a ‘must read novel’. Fallen Angel Reviews gave it 5 Angels and made it a Recommended Read. The sequel to this book, JACKSON’S PRIDE, comes out April 15.

Sharie Kohler a/k/a Sophie Jordan announces that the foreign rights for ONCE UPON A WEDDING NIGHT have sold to Spain and that her August Avon historical release, SURRENDER TO ME, has been selected as a featured alternate in the Rhapsody and Doubleday Bookclubs.

Publisher’s Weekly blogger, Barbara Vey, featured PJ Mellor’s upcoming anthology piece, HARD IN THE SADDLE (from ONLY WITH A COWBOY). http://www.publishersweekly.com/blog/880000288/
post/420025442.html

Chicago North has announced the finalists in their 10th annual Fire and Ice Contest. Winner’s will be announced later this month in Chicago. Congratulations to our two WHRWA members: Patricia O’Dea-Rosen for her Series Romance final with A PLACE AT THE TABLE, and Jody Payne with STALKED in Single Title!!

Great news from Georgia Ward (writing as Georgia Tribell)! She announces the release of her newest book,WINDHANDLER, published with Cobblestone Press. Check out an excerpt here: http://www.georgiatribell.com/wind

And finally — Ellen Watkins, Emily Contest Chair, announces that judging by the booksellers is now complete and WHRWA is proud to announce the winner of Best of the Best! The winner will receive a detailed critique of the first three chapters and synopsis of her manuscript by Patience Smith of Silhouette Books. Placements are
as follows:
1. An Early Frost by Tanya Holmes
2. The Devil’s Virtue by Laura Williams
3. Breaking Daylight by Mary Fechter
4. Project Honeymoon by Becke Turner
Congratulations to all of our finalists, and congratulations to Tanya Holmes for winning the Best of the Best!