Sourcebooks Casablanca Romance Authors

Or, The Magic Luncheon at the Barbara Vey Reader Appreciation Weekend . Author Sally Kilpatrick engaging in Viking Duck shenanigans. :-) Last month, I attended my very first #BVW and it was a crazy fun time with so many super romance fans. We played games, we had unusual Q&A sessions, we celebrated with a pizza party, we laughed ourselves silly during dirty mad libs, we signed books--so, so, many books. And in the middle of it all, was the beautiful extraordinary out-of-this world author luncheon. If you've never been, here's the deal: readers buy tickets to a specific author's table at the luncheon and the authors outdo themselves (and each other--in a totally friendly way) by decorating their tables in themes. Sounds like fun? It was! The tables of this year's luncheon were a true testament to how creative authors (and their assistants are). Here's an overview of the chaos that is authors socializing while decorating tables. And an...

A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to go to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and attend the Barbara Vey Reader Appreciation Weekend. I was thrilled to be asked to attend and also excited because I’d never been to Wisconsin, although I’ve spent a lot of time in western Michigan on the other side of Lake Michigan. Anytime I have the chance to spend time with readers, I grab it. Especially if it means I get out of cooking dinner. I have to say this was one of the best events I’ve been to. The readers were so much fun and everyone was really nice. I wish I’d been able to see some of the city, but the weekend was packed. The highlight of the weekend was a luncheon on Saturday. All 60 authors decorate their tables with a theme. I chose the French Revolution since I have a book set during the French revolution coming out this summer. Here are a few pictures. It was purely by luck I got that guillotine. A friend of mine teaches history, and a couple of her students d...

RT seems to get better every year, and this year was off the charts. New Orleans has the BEST FOOD (Oysters Rockefeller anyone?) and then I got to work it off every morning at Sara Humphreys’ 7 am (yes, you read that right) fitness extravaganza. There was a core group of us working our core. Sara promises to do it again next year, don’t miss it—25 minutes of the T25 workout, easily adaptable. I bought the DVDs as soon as I got home because after only 3 days I felt thinner (is that a figment of a fevered imagination? Or are my jeans really more comfortable?). Huge shout-out to Julie Ann Walker, who hit the NYT and USA Today lists right smack in the middle of RT for the 6 th time, with her 6 th book in the Black Knights, Inc. series HELL FOR LEATHER. You’re a rock star, Julie Ann! So here’s what I love most about RT, RWA, and all the local conferences—it’s the place where we who love romance fiction can go public about our enthusiasm. Back at home, things ha...

By Danielle Dresser  It’s that time of year when romance authors take flight and gather together over the next few months to meet with readers, industry professionals, and other authors… yes, it’s conference season! There are so many different ways for authors to interact and meet readers and others, and Sourcebooks will be at a bunch this season: Public Library Association Conference; Indianapolis, IN Wednesday, March 12-Friday, March 14 (yes, I’m here RIGHT NOW) I’m attending my first PLA conference this year, and couldn’t be more excited. Public Librarians do a great job of getting the word out about all books, but they are also among the most romance-friendly librarians in the business. Along with some fabulous marketing and sales colleagues, we’re going to have a busy booth with signings each day, book giveaways, and a lot of fun. Chicago-North Spring Fling Conference; Hoffman Estates, IL Friday, April 25-Saturday, April 26 This is one of my f...

New beginnings? Wow, I think this whole year is going to be one new beginning after the other. My debut novel, A LADY'S REVENGE , steps onto the ballroom floor in April--six years after agent Cora deBeau made a mental appearance and then decided to stay in my life for a while. In addition to all the wonderful things I must do to prepare for ALR's debut, I'll be attending several functions as an author , rather than a pre-pub. An incredibly exciting realization. I'll be taking part in several book signings, too. Here are the highlights of my schedule: Barbara Vey's Reader Appreciation Luncheon April 10, 10:30 am - 4:00 pm, Oak Creek, WI RT Booklovers Convention April 11 - 14, Rosemont, IL Spring Fling Conference April 27-28, Hoffman Estates, IL Romance Writers of America July 24-28, Anaheim, CA Put Your Heart in a Book Conference October 12-13, New Jersey My critique partner, Adrienne Giordano , and I are excited to open a satellite Lady Jane's...

Time to have a howling good party!!! So pass out the word--it's the big day! We've been running around the world participating in Barbara Vey's 3rd Anniversary Publishers Weekly's Birthday Bash , and today is the romance blow out! And we're contributing recipes for those special dates, but also Sourcebooks is contributing books as gifts! Thanks so much to everyone for helping to put this together. It did have pictures of our giveaway books, but, the post wouldn't save! So it's time to party! Mary Margret Daughtridge --Sealed with a Ring Linda Wisdom --Hex in High Heels Judi Fennell --Catch of a Lifetime Cheryl Brooks —Fugitive Sharon Lathan --Mr & Mrs Fitzwilliam Darcy Joanne Kennedy --Cowboy Trouble Amanda Forester --The Highlander's Sword Ashlyn Chase -- An ARC of Strange Neighbors Shana Galen --An ARC of The Making of a Duchess Robin Kaye --Breakfast in Bed Marie Force --Love at First Flight Terry Spear --Legend of the White Wolf Kathryne Kenned...