2008 Convention Updates

Dear Friends,

We are very excited to announce that our RT Convention website, complete with updated information for Pittsburgh and online registration, will soon be up and running.  For those who have tried to visit the website and found it unavailable, we appreciate your patience as we complete the updating process.  A notification bulletin will go out here on MySpace once the site is up and running. 

Also, if you have sent an e-mail message to our convention director, Jo Carol Jones, and have not received a response, she has asked that you please send your message again.  Due to an e-mail crash, all of her contacts and messages were lost.  She apologizes for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Finally, we are very excited about a new event scheduled for the 2008 Pittsburgh convention.  For our reader attendees, Jo Carol has planned several thirty minute sessions where you will have the opportunity to meet and talk with some of your favorite authors, including Mary Jo Putney and Susan Elizabeth Phillips.  Additional authors will be announced in the coming months. 

In the meantime, we want your input on this event.  If you could meet with one author, who would you most like to meet?  Are there any topics of discussion that are of particular interest to you?  Do you have any other suggestions about the format of this event?  Please post your suggestions and requests here as replies to this blog. 

Cheers!

The RT Convention Staff

P.S.  Authors will be happy to know that the blue badges have been retired in favor of a color that is easier to read :)

11:31 AM - 8 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

Editor/Agent appointments now available!
Category: Writing and Poetry

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Editor and Agent Appointment Schedule Not all editors or agents are taking appointments. If you have sent a request, we will be contacting you by April 1st. Editors Attending
Aspen Mountain Press Sandra Hicks Changeling Press LLC Sheri Ross Fogarty Dorchester Publishing Christopher Keeslar Leah Hultenschmidt Ellora's Cave Jaynie Ritchie Raelene Gorolinsky eXtasy Books Carol MacLeod Harlequin Randall Toye - Harlequin/Silhouette Susan Pezzack - MIRA Books and Spice Tara Parsons - HQN Books Melissa Endlich - Steeple Hill Kensington Kate Duffy Hilary Sares Megan Records Liquid Silver Raven Moore Tina Burns Loose ID Maryam Salim Lotus Circle Marilyn Campbell LoveYouDivine Greg Causey Claudia Regenos Mardi Gras Publishing Teresa Jacobs Wendi R. Felter Pollyanna Williamson		Medallion Press Ali DeGray Helen Rosburg New Concepts Publishing Andrea DePasture Madris Gutierrez Phaze Press   Kathy Lively Red Sage Publishing Faith Smith Theresa Stevens Resplendence Publishing Leigh Collett Samhain Publishing LTD Jessica Bimberg Angela James Silk's Vault Publishing Camille Anthony Siren Publishing, Inc. Diana DeBalko St. Martin's Press Monique Patterson Torquere Press Shawn Clements Lorna Hinson Triskelion Publishing Gail Delaney Gail Northman Under The Moon Terri Pray Warner Books Melanie Murray
Agents Attending
Laura Bradford Bradford Literary Agency Scott C. Eagan Greyhaus Literary Agency Representing Romance Writers Caren Johnson CJLA		Natasha Kern Natasha Kern Literary Agency Miriam Kriss Irene Goodman Literary Agency Maura Kye-Caselia Denise Marcil Literary Agency, Inc. Phyllis (Fanta) Camara Sheba Media Group
Editor Agent Etiquette

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Tha Dark Castle Lords Movie

Our good friends at The Dark Castle Lords are pleased to announce that filming for the very first Dark Castle Lords movie trailer is complete.  Filming the trailer in England generated positive attention from the local press, (see http://www.lep.co.uk/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleID=2009078&SectionID=4011) and filming will begin for the full movie this summer.  We would like to extend our congratulations to Pam Seres and the rest of her team on their accomplishment and wish them much success in their movie-making endeavour this summer.  For additional information, visit www.thedarkcastlelords.com. 

Cheers!

The RT Convention Staff

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A message from Kathryn Falk
Category: Writing and Poetry

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Immortals Extravaganza Ball: Costume Ideas

To all 2007 Romantic Times Convention attendees:

On Saturday April 28 in Houston , the Immortals Extravaganza Ball will launch Dorchester 's hot contemporary paranormal series, IMMORTALS. In the world of Immortals, death magic is rapidly overtaking life magic and desperate human witches search for the only champions who can turn the tide: big, bad, sexy ancient Immortal warriors! www.immortals- series.com

Wondering what to wear to the Immortals Extravaganza? Here are some costume suggestions. ..

Immortal Warriors:

Adrian & Darius: Black leather and urban attitude

Kalen: Scottish tartan kilt

Hunter: Well-worn blue jeans and not much else!

Coven of Light Witches:

Amber: New Age cool

Lexi: Kick-ass urban bounty hunter

Christine: Celtic and artsy

Leda: Tropical and sexy

Male and female Demons: dark and silkily evil

Celtic Sidhe: Tall, lithe and regal (think LOTR elves)  or come as a leannan-sidhe, a beautiful, evil, soul-sucking muse

Vampires: Crime-boss cool, with dark suits and sunglasses.

Other costume ideas: werewolf, faerie, selkie, halfling, brownie, mermaid, dragon, lion, leprechaun, unseelie goblin, undine water spirit, zombie, or phooka

Please forward to anyone you know going to RT!

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Judi McCoy's Aspiring Author's Workshop
Category: Writing and Poetry

Do you have a story idea, but no clue how to put it on paper? Have you always wanted to write, but felt you needed guidance, inspiration, or a push in the right direction?  Is the next Gone With the Wind, DaVinci Code, or Knight in Shining Armor there in your mind, just waiting to be written, only you don't know how to begin?  If so, come to the RT convention in Houston and take the Aspiring Author's course I'll be giving on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 24-25.

Thirteen years ago, I was a novie exactly like you.  I attended my first writing course at the Romantic Times convention in Nashville, Tennessee, and the rest is history.  I went on to publish 11 novels, and numbers 12 and 13 will be out within the next year. And I owe it all to my great start from RT.

You'll learn the business from top to bottom, inside out, forward and backward.  I'll share writing tips, secrets of successful authors, and even talk about the most tabu of subjects, the dreaded M word.  We'll go over plotting, conflict, dialogue, taxes, rejection, how to find an agent, and every other situation you can think of to aid in the success of your new career. No question will be ignored and no subject will be too delicate to discuss. 

Sign up for the course through Romantic Times magazine at www.rtconvention.com. I promise you two days of fun and information you will not receive anywhere else.

Judi McCoy

www.judimccoy.com

Almost a Goddess June, 2006

One Night With a Goddess May, 2007

Goddess Confidential Spring, 2008

*****************************************************************

Read course feedback from Judi's RT Daytona students:

Recipe for the Judi McCoy Aspiring Authors Course.

Start with learning from Judi before the class even begins. Take one part publishing business, add a dash of spice with guest authors, fold in the basics of
writing. Bake with laughter. I couldn't have found a better recipe for success anywhere. Thanks Judi

Teannette Major

Judi, 

I know I was a presenter and not a student, but since I'm a long term veteran of a lot of workshops and courses, I can say with all truthfulness that you put together an excellent, comprehensive program for aspiring authors -- from total beginners to those on the very edge of publication. Beth and I look forward to presenting again in 2007.

Mary Stella

All Keyed Up Medallion Press, July 2004

Key of Sea Medallion Press, August 2005

www.mary-stella.com

What amazes me about Judi McCoy is her dedication to keep new writers writing!

Aleka Nakis

Sempre, Holiday in the Heart Anthology

Highland Press December, 2006

Slavemistress Judi "When American Idol Starts, I'm Outa Here" McCoy should be commended for her work with the aspiring authors workshop. I have never been bullied with such love and tenderness. Her desire to share the frightening truth about the writing business is evident in every snippet of info she shares. I have never seen anyone convey so much affection with a single eye-roll.

In closing, I would like to add the nightmares have almost stopped.

Sincerely,

Kristen Painter

Judi is more than just a gifted instructor.  She is a mentor and friend, one who is always willing to help her students as they journey toward publication. Even now, nearly a year after her Daytona class, she is never too busy to answer a question for a former student or give us her honest opinion (whether it's what we want to hear or not).  From our Daytona class alone, we now have four published authors, two print journalists, and four students who have started their own businesses within the publishing industry.  Judi's Aspiring Author's Workshop is an absolute must-attend for all who are serious about writing.

Jess Berry

RT Convention Staff

Co-founder, Resplendence Publishing

I attended RT last year just for Judi's class.  The parties and author signings were icing on the cake for me.  I wanted to learn from Judi and her course did not disappoint.  I gained insight into my writing, learned to plot, and received a peek into what to expect when I am ready to submit my work for publication. Judi's class helped me to feel like a real writer.  I met friends I will cherish forever.  Oh, and I got my very own cheerleader in Judi.  She wants us all to succeed.

Kendra Egert

Co-founder, Scrap Fairy Designs

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The course helped me to improve my manuscript to the point it was sold to a publisher.  Judi is an excellent teacher and brought several published authors to guest lecture.  Kathy Love, Christine Feehan, Beth Ciotta to name a few.

Patricia Kemp aka Veronica Towers

Naked Visions Silver Blue Dreams

The Dark Castle Lords

Many thanks to you Judy. Before RT I had only written a few pages and couldn't seem to figure out what to do. Thanks to your class and all the wonderful people I met in Daytona I have been riding a wave ofdetermination since then.

Julie Cummings, aka Eliza Gayle

Taken by Tarot Phaze, February 2008

Co-founder, Scrap Fairy Designs

www.elizagayle.com 

9:44 AM - 2 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Announcement from the Faery Court
Category: Writing and Poetry

RT FAERY COURT SCAVENGER HUNT BEGINS! 

7:43 AM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Guest Blogger Joy Nash
Category: Writing and Poetry

You all *cannot* believe how psyched I am for RT in Houston! I had to miss the party last year in Florida, but the year before in St. Louis was a complete blast. The Mr. Romance Competition was my favorite event. I never laughed so hard in my life as during those posedowns J

This year the Immortals Rock and Roll Extravaganza promises to be my high point of the convention. I can't wait to see everyone dressed up as the characters from Immortals, the hot contemporary paranormal series from Dorchester featuring books by Jennifer Ashley, Robin T. Popp, and myself. Witches, Demons, Vampires, Sidhe, and Werewolves--oh my! And that's just for starters.

For a peek into the series, including the lowdown on Immortal heroes Adrian, Darius, Kalen and Hunter, check out www.immortals-series.com. There's even a way cool book trailer. I'll be posting the inside scoop on the Immortals world, including costume ideas for the Extravaganza, on www.joynash.com in February. And don't miss my article in an upcoming issue of RT "What to Wear to the Immortals Extravaganza!"

Hope to see all of you there!

Joy Nash

www.joynash.com

7:27 AM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Guest Blogger Brit Blaise

RT bound!

Last year was my first year and I had an absolutely wonderful time!  Not only did I make new friends, I discovered new authors to read.  There was so much to do, in so little time.  I had the privilege of being on the faery court last year and we hosted the Faery Court Ball.  If I could do things differently, maybe I would choose smaller wings.  People were ducking all around me.  Someone did a video tape of my spurs, but I didn't get to preview it. Darn!  I also had other faeries warning me not to tangle their dresses in my spurs.  So if I have advice to give someone attending the fabulous convention for the first time, watch out for the crazy faery with the big wings and fancy spurs!  Better yet, let's have fun together at the Medieval Faery Ball this year!

Brit Blaise

www.britblaise.com

www.butterscotchmartinigirls.com

Wild and Wanton â€" Amber Quill Press â€" bestseller, now available- EPPIE Nominee

Knights of the Magical Realm:  Warriors Gone Wild â€" Triskelion, now available in ebook & print â€" EPPIE Nominee

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Mr. Romance Competition

David Alan Johnson, 1993	Romantic Times BOOKreviews's Mr. Romance 2007 Cover Model Competition 5-7pm  Sponsored by Dorchester Publishing   Hyatt Regency Downtown Houston, Texas The winner of the Mr. Romance Competition will appear on the cover of a Dorchester Publishing Novel. The 13th annual Mr. Romance Cover Model pageant is a fan favorite that inspired the Oxygen Network to broadcast their own version last year. A dozen gorgeous men will compete in Houston for the 2007 Mr. Romance title. They will be judged on personality, romance IQ and charm. Readers will meet the handsome contestants at parties, costume balls and in Club RT throughout the convention. Don't miss the experience of dancing and chatting with all the contestants so you can vote for your favorite. Readers' Choice ballots will be available all week long in Club RT. The winners will be selected by a panel of judges and readers. The grand prize is an appearance on the cover of a Dorchester Publishing novel and travel to the "shoot." DO YOU KNOW THE NEXT FABIO? NOMINATE HIM FOR A PLACE IN THE PAGEANT.   Twelve Candidates Will Compete for the Title of Mr. Romance   To register for the competition, contact our coordinator, Cindy Walker		Troy Sutter, 2000
John DeSalvo, 1994			Tony Ranaudo, 2001
Rob Ashton, 1995			Charlie Meadows, 2002
Mark Johnson, 1996			Lenell Dunbar, 2003
Ryan Storm, 1998	Harvey Stables, 1999		Andrei Claude, 2004

For complete details and additional information, please visit www.rtconvention.com 

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