One of the things that continuously amazes me about the romance writing community is the support and encouragement the writers give other writers. Meganame bestselling authors take the time to mentor wanna-be-newbies. Peers congratulate the competition when they receive an award or win a contest. This is not what I experience when I go to non-romance writing conferences. Sure, I see established writers encourage new writers there too, but the ego-less, unselfish, genuine support romance writers give each other is unique. I couldn’t write without the help I receive from friends and family. And it would be a drudgery, uphill, …

The Romance Writers of America sponsors two incredibly prestigious writing awards: the RITA® for published writers and the Golden Heart® for unpublished writers. This year I was one of the lucky finalists who got “the call,” letting me know that my VALHALLA’S KING manuscript was a finalist in the paranormal category of the Golden Heart. Around 1,200 romance manuscripts are entered in the Golden Heart each year. The project has to be completed and longer than 20 000 words. The preliminary judging is done by RWA members and those entries who earn a 90% or more advance to the final …

(x-posted on Bark) Back in the late 90s, I worked in a software company that hired  full development teams to other technology companies. We provided expertise that our clients might not have in-house, which meant we usually worked with new technology on cutting-edge projects. When the internet opened up to e-commerce, the company signed up new clients at record speed. One of the marketing managers explained to my coworker Angela and me that the internet was finally useful now that people could use the web to make a profit. After that meeting, Angela created a secret slogan that we would sometimes whisper to each other …

The Janes picked research as our theme for the month of May and today it’s my turn on the blog. Hope on over to See Jane Publish and read about my visit to the amazing Viking Museum in Roskilde, Denmark during last summer. The museum houses five original Viking ships from the 11th century. These ships were used in a blockade in a sea channel close to Skuldelev, which is 20 km north of Roskilde (the capital of Denmark during the Viking age). During the scrimmage, the ships were purposely sunk and not excavated until 1962, when they’d disintegrated into thousands of …

Last week, I was on Bark talking about how I had to learn to say no to others in order to say yes to myself, and to writing. My friend Sarah set me on the right path when she sent me Justine Musk‘s list of 25 Badass Ways to Say No. People have contributed wonderful comments, obviously I wasn’t the only creative person struggling with making time for my art without feeling guilty. The conversation is still going on. If you’d like to join us, head on over to Bark, or comment below and it will be like we’re talking …

April is my favorite time of year in Spokane. Not just because spring arrives, but because it’s time for Get Lit! During this amazing literary festival, authors and readers worship the written word. The festival began in 1998 as one full day of readings and was sponsored by Eastern Washington University. Now, more than ten thousand people come to the yearly event to enjoy a week of poetry, fiction, and non-fiction literary events. I’ve been a festival volunteer every year, since I moved to Spokane. This year, I’m moderating a panel featuring three amazing authors: Rebecca Zanetti, Danica Winters, and …

I’m extremely honored to be included in a lineup of amazing writers who are kicking off the Get Lit! 2014 Festival during the Eastern Washington University Alumni Association’s Young Professionals event. Here are my fellow performers: Shawn Vestal Author of Godforsaken Idaho and writer for the Spokesman-Review Liz Rognes Singer/Song writer, musician and EWU lecturer in English Composition, Literature and Creative Writing Aimee Cervenka Poet and STEM Retention Specialist at the EWU Academic Success Center This mastercard generic viagra absolute wonder creation of Eli Lilly &Company and by ICOS Corporation. The 100mg viagra cost common issue is stress and relationship problems. …

The March theme over on See Jane Publish is marketing. Today I talk about how clueless I am in that particular area. Stop by and join the conversation. Also, check out the other posts from this month to pick up great tips on how to successfully market your work. Marketing, Schmarketing…A One Reader (Me) Case Study Whenever I try to promote myself or anything I’ve written, I feel like the guy with the bullhorn in the image to the left. I obviously don’t have a clue how to do this correctly. Considering how much more expertise the other Janes have …