http://www.youtube.com/user/ktualla/videos

The “REALIZING THE DREAM” contest is open through January 31, 2012 for REGISTERED attendees (published and unpublished) of Desert Dreams Writers’ Conference in Scottsdale, AZ, which is April 27-29, 2012.

This is a unique contest: you are GUARANTEED to have your manuscript entry read by an editor/agent attending the conference. BUT there is only room for 50 entries in the contest!

You submit 10 pages plus a 3-page synopsis and everything is electronic. The cost is only $30 to get your manuscript in the hands of an editor or agent. Don’t let your chance slip away!

http://desertroserwa.org/contests/Phoenix-Romance-Writers-Realizing-The-Dream.php for all the details and to enter your manuscript.

Questions? Email Linda Style, our Realizing the Dream contest coordinator, at LindaStyle@cox.net or email Susan Lanier-Graham, Desert Dreams Conference coordinator, at desertdreams@desertroserwa.org.

GOOD LUCK!

Susan Lanier

2012 Desert Dreams Conference Coordinator

April 27 – 29, 2012

www.desertroserwa.org

PLUS: EVERYONE WHO REGISTERS FOR DESERT DREAMS WRITERS CONFERENCE 2012 BY MIDNIGHT ON DECEMBER 31, 2011 WILL BE ENTERED INTO A DRAWING FOR ONE OF TWO SECOND SCHEDULED EDITOR OR AGENT APPOINTMENTS!

***This conference is amazing & suited to ALL levels of fiction writers!***

Desert Dreams Writers Conference 2012

April 27-19, 2012

Presented by the Desert Rose RWA Chapter

Chaparral Suites, 5001 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale AZ 85250

RWA Members: $215 through Dec 31, 2011 / $235 after

Non-RWA Members: $235 through Dec 31, 2011 / $255 after

Speakers: NY Times Best Selling Author Allison Brennan / Martha Alderson, AKA The Plot Whisperer / NY Times Best Selling Author Bob Mayer

Publishers: St. Martins Press, Harlequin, 5-Star, Sapphire Blue

Agencies: 3 Seas Literary, Waxman Literary, Spencerhill Associates, McIntosh & Otis, Cherry Weiner Literary

Conference Features: Desert Dreams Writers’ Conference provides authors of all skill levels – from beginner to multi-published – with the tools necessary to take their writing to the next level. Sessions will include general writing, career development, genre-specific, agent/publisher spotlights, as well as an agent/editor panel. There will also be one-on-one appointments with editors or agents, a book signing, and keynote addresses.

For more information: desertdreams@desertroserwa.org

http://www.desertroserwa.org/conferences/Phoenix-Romance-Writers-Conferences.php

All I ask is that you post a review on Amazon.

Merry Christmas & Happy Hanukkah, everyone!

My mother thought my father was an idiot when they first met. They were married 50+ years when she died. My husband and I had our third date before I stopped thinking of him as a jerk. You wonder why I would have three dates with such a person? Because we worked together, had so much fun, and would go out at the end of our shift for a drink. Loved his company, thought he was so funny. But the dates were disasters.

The theme of most romance stories is conflict in the beginning between the hero and heroine. A good story keeps the conflict going for a while, the tension up, the sexual tension strong.

Why do so many lovers clash in the beginning? Is it the strength of the attraction that’s frightening? Or is it truly that opposites attract?  Or maybe there really are that many jerks out there.

In my book, A Wife By Christmas, Max Colbert is the new principal of the high school in 1906 Guthrie, Oklahoma. He is stiff-necked, rigid and definitely a life planner. His nemesis, Ellie Henderson, is a teacher under his supervision who is scatter-brained, a rebel for her time, and a (gulp) Suffragette.

She has her life plan, and he has his. Neither one is prepared for the attraction that has them questioning their decisions.

How about you and your significant other? Clashes at the beginning? Or love at first sight? I’d love to know. One commenter will receive a free download of A Wife By Christmas. I’d love to hear from you.

******

A Wife by Christmas

From Soul Mate Publishing. Available now. www.soulmatepublishing.com

Author:  Callie Hutton.  www.calliehutton.com

*******

PLEASE ENJOY THIS EXCERPT:

Guthrie, OK

November, 1906

        Max Colbert glared at the woman perched on the edge of the chair across from him.  History teacher Ellie Henderson had been a thorn in his side the size of the Oklahoma sky ever since he’d been appointed principal of Logan County High School three months ago.

She sat there, humming. Humming! His gut twisted and he clenched his jaw.  Drat the woman for being so unconcerned while he fumed.  It was important to get his emotions under control, needed his years of experience to kick in.  He took a deep breath and leaned forward.  “Miss Henderson, your unapproved activities have gone too far. I am going to have to fire you.”

        Ellie’s right eyebrow rose, meeting him glare for glare. “No. You can’t.”

        “Yes I can, and I am.” Blood rushed to his face.

        She stood and placed both palms on his desk, and leaned in. “I will tell my Uncle Jesse.”

        Max pushed his chair back and got to his feet. He moved close enough to see the light dusting of freckles across her nose. “It won’t make any difference.”

        “It will if you plan to be Territorial Superintendent of Schools.” They were now almost nose-to-nose.

        Beads of sweat broke out on his forehead. “I will get that job on my own merit.”

        “Not without Senator Jesse Cochran’s endorsement.”  Her hazel eyes narrowed.

        His jaw tightened, his mouth working as if to say something. Then like a rag doll, he collapsed into his seat and leaned back, eyes closed. “Miss Henderson, you are a pebble in my shoe.”

        “And you, Mr. Colbert, are a horse’s behind.”

        He opened one eye. She again sat primly on the edge of her seat, adjusting her skirts.  The two red dots on her cheeks the only indication of her anger.

        “You may leave now,” he said through gritted teeth.

        Ellie bowed her head slightly. “As you wish.” She stood, smoothed back the hair always loose from her bun.  With head held high, she sailed from the room, closing the door softly. Her skirt stuck in the door. She re-opened it, yanked the skirt and banged the door shut.

        Max winced at the sound, his left eye twitched. 

No spam – I promise. Only info about new releases: Loving the Norseman and Loving the Knight in September.

In 2012, my deaf private investigator in 1700′s Christiania (Oslo) Norway: A Discreet Gentleman of Discovery, A Discreet Gentleman of Matrimony, and A Discreet Gentleman of Consequence.

“It’s always sad when an earnest author spends years working on something that absolutely no one is interested in, except a few geeks and hobbyists. Let’s say you want to write historical fiction…you must pick a marquee name. If you fall madly in love with the story of some obscure Norwegian king, please don’t think you’re going to convince the world to love it, too… Even if the Norwegian king had some kind of interesting hook or quality, readers are more likely to be interested in the queen. Learn (KRIS SAYS: and by this she means “write”) what is commercial (KRIS SAYS: and by this she means “already popular”).”

I am going to make the startling observation that engaging stories are always about people – of both genders, duh – and plot. It’s their settings that make them stand out in a crowded market. Based on Ms. Goodman’s viewpoint, how many fascinating historical stories are being passed over because they aren’t about kilted Scottish warriors or English Regency dukes?

The Good News for Readers: with independent publishing on the rise, you WILL be allowed to choose these unique stories. And then, you may fall in love with ANY king you wish!

Kris <–apparently a geek/hobbyist

Kindle & Paperback coming soon!

Official release date: September 8

An author who creates a written product, participates in creating their own brand, and actively promotes that brand through a variety of outlets.

An authorpreneur makes use of outlets such as: websites, blogs and social media, promotional materials both in print and online, opportunities to speak, generating media coverage, teaching other authors in person or online, creating unique business models to facilitate their product, offering support through those business models to other authors.

Welcome to my next blog series; coming Monday, August 16.

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I plan to be back to blogging on Monday, August 16. The independent publishing market continues to simmer – are there any particular questions you want me to research? I’m here to serve!

Kris