Liz Fielding’s Little Book of Writing Romance
One of my favourite Harlequin Romance authors has written a how-to book. I wish this book had been around when I was starting out. If you’re an aspiring romance writer, do yourself a favour and read Liz’s book.
Go to the Harlequin Romance Authors site to find out more.
Claire
Harlequin Romance Authors Massive Giveaway
The Harlequin Romance Authors are pleased to relaunch our website with a massive giveaway of books. There are holiday-themed recipes too! To join in the fun, visit:
http://www.harlequinromanceauthors.com
Claire
Avid Romance Readers Wanted!
Romance Writers of Australia is looking for more judges for its major contest, The Emerald Award.
The Emerald is a contest for unpublished writers, and is the only one of its kind in Australia, designed to mirror the submission process. Initially, a writer enters 18 pages to be judged by romance readers. If the entry makes it to the second round, the writer is asked to submit the full novel. Three finalists in each category go to the final judge for placings.
RWA needs more first round judges who must be avid romance readers, but NOT romance writers. Judges need to have ready access to email.
If you love to read romance and would like to offer to judge The Emerald, please send an email to:
contests @ romanceaustralia.com
Claire
Claire Baxter Books at iTunes
If you have iTunes and you’re looking for one of my books, here’s a link to two books in English and two in German, to make your search a little easier:
Happy reading!
Claire
Bring Back Fiction to Women’s Magazines!
I write short stories as well as novels, and I’m unhappy about the trend in women’s magazines to drop the regular fiction slot in favour of more celebrity or real-life news. As a writer, of course I’m concerned to see the available markets dwindling, but as a reader too I’m disappointed. I well remember the days before I began writing: I would flick through all the celebrity stuff which has never appealed to me except in the most cursory way, to find the fiction, then I’d settle down to enjoy a few minutes escape. I loved it. My concern is that many women’s magazine readers will never have this option.
I wonder, do magazines really know what their readers want, or do they just assume that what they want is more and more celeb pages?
Here in Australia, Woman’s Day is the latest magazine to drop fiction, and this is such a shame as they always published high quality short stories. Over in the UK, Woman is the most recent revamp and, you guessed it, there in no place for fiction in the magazine. The same thing has happened at Best.
This is a really disturbing trend for writers and readers alike. Please, if you’re a writer or reader of short stories, especially if you’re a reader, please go to the Facebook pages of the above magazines and others that you read, and leave a comment to let them know that fiction is important and we want it to stay.
I’ve joined a Facebook group which aims to get the word out that women want fiction in their magazines. If you’d like to join, message me and I’ll add you to the group, or search for the group yourself – its name is the title of this post.
We need to be heard before it’s too late!
Claire
Brenda Novak’s Auction 2011
Bid for a fully loaded Kindle!
This is one of the best-known and most popular charity auctions around. Every year, Brenda raises money for research into juvenile diabetes research thanks to many donations from authors, agents and editors. The amount raised has now exceeded $1,000,000.
This year, HARLEQUIN ROMANCE authors, have donated a Kindle loaded with more than a dozen books. So if you want a Kindle and you love Harlequin Romance, why not bid for this lot and be happy to know that your money is going to this great cause?
These are the books you’ll be able to read on your new Kindle:
Phew!
We’ve had a mini heatwave – a few days over 40 degrees C.
So, where have I been?
Here:
This is the pool in our back garden. Bliss!
Claire
Do you like short stories?
If you like short stories, you might be interested to know that I have several romantic stories for sale as ebooks on kalahari.net (Africa’s equivalent of amazon.com), with more to come in the near future.
If you’re in Australia, I hope you had a good Australia Day! We had a lovely family bbq by the pool, and I reflected on how lucky I am to be living here.
Claire
Queensland Floods
Romance Writers of Australia
Flooded Communities Book Appeal
But…
We also know how valuable books can be in providing time out when reality gets tough.
So…
With the aid of some wonderful volunteers, we’ve put together a Romance Writers of Australia Flooded Communities Book Appeal.
What we need?
FICTION BOOKS! Romance books, children’s books, young adult books, genre books, whatever – either new or in sparkling condition.
Please send them to:
RWA Flooded Communities Book Appeal
PO Box 1717
Noosaville Post Office
Noosaville BC
Queensland 4566
When to send them?
Now! And any time over the next few months. The books will be boxed and delivered to the appropriate libraries/schools/neighbourhood centres/community centres in batches as soon as the communities are ready to receive them. We’ll be liaising with councils, libraries and schools to ensure this is done appropriately. Feel free to pop a note inside, or if you’re an author, sign it.
Questions:
If you have a question about donations, email Jess Anastasi: Jess@jessanastasi.com
If you work in a library / council / community centre / school in a flood affected area, email Rachel Bailey: rachel@rachelbailey.com.au
Mills and Boon in Oxford Street, London
Mills and Boon has launched its exciting new line, Riva, in London, with a pop-up shop in the Selfridges store in Oxford Street. The Riva books are on sale alongside labels such as Agent Provocateur.
Riva books are “sparky, sassy stories of life and love…from first flicker to burning flame. Delightfully, tempting, these books are must-haves for passionistas everywhere.”
Sounds interesting? Click here to find out more about the books. And here to see a photo of the pop-up shop in Selfridges, London.
Claire
