Liberty States Fiction Writers Book Fair

Adam Bruno Light HunterIf you are in the NJ Tri-State area, mark your calendars for March 19th from 5:30 to 7 pm. Come by and meet me and lots of other authors! I’ll have Romance Trading Cards and other goodies for those who stop by the Liberty States Fiction Writers’ signing.

Without further ado, here is the official press release!

Liberty States Fiction Writers Create Something Magical Conference and Book Fair

The Liberty States Fiction Writers will be holding its second annual multi-author book fair with over 30 authors signing their latest releases as part of their Create Something Magical Conference. The book fair is open to the general public.

Featured at this event is New York Times bestselling author MaryJanice Davidson, author of the the Betsy: Queen of the Vampires series. The book fair will also feature the premiere of The King of Plagues by New York Times bestseller Jonathan Maberry.

Get your signed copy at the book fair before it’s available in bookstores. Other signing authors include bestselling and award-winning authors Virginia Kantra, Debra Mullins, Caridad Pineiro, and Judi McCoy, as well as a host of local New Jersey authors. For a complete list of signing authors and more information please visit:

http://www.libertystatesfictionwriters.com/lsf-writers-conference/

Mark your calendar for this exciting event. Barnes & Noble will be handling sales at the book fair. Your membership rewards card will be accepted for B&N sales.

When: March 19, 2011, 5:30-7:00 P.M.
Where: Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel
515 Route 1 South & Gill Lane
Iselin, New Jersey 08830
Phone: 732-634-3600
Fax: 732-634-0258

Additional Authors Attending the Book Fair:

Mary Janice Davidson
Jonathan Maberry
Virginia Kantra
C.H.Admirand
Tina Gabrielle
KA. Mitchell
Melina Morel
Chris Redding
Tere Michaels
Shelley Freydont
J. Hali Steele
Cris Anson
Debra Mullins
Lois Winston
E.F. Watkins
Judi McCoy
Sarah Wendell
M. Kate Quinn
Judi Fennell
Caridad Pineiro
Karen Bostrom
Adele Dubois
Stephanie Julian
Trudy Doyle
Lisa Verge Higgins
Jenna Kernan
Jennifer Hubbard
Alison Formento
Keri Mikulski
Veronica Lynch
Erika Sands
Linda J. Parisi
Donna Bolk
John Richard Thompson
M. Flagg
R.A. Vaughn

Not So Fun Battle of the Bulge!

Well, yesterday you read about one of those changes I want to make for the New Year and some of you may possibly have the same goal – to lose weight.

My friends and I at the Liberty States Fiction Writers have even set up a loop for members to share ideas on how to lose weight and also, to encourage each other so we will feel fabulous for our March 19th conference! That’s one of the things I love about this group – that everyone is willing to be supportive of one another, whether with respect to writing, losing weight, sharing sorrow or savoring success. They are there for each other. LSF Writers, you rock!

But back to the weight loss. Here are some free sites that you can use to help you keep track of your goals, plan menus, etc.

Lose It!
Livestrong The Daily Plate

Here’s a good resource for recipes and other suggestions:

Kraft Healthy Living

Hope you find these sites helpful as well! Have a great weekend.

Fun Friday – Arts, Crafts & News

This weekend will be hopping for me! First there is the Liberty States Fiction Writers Mayke It Happen get together! Can’t wait to go and hang out with all of my buds and talking about our writing projects.

I’ll be down the shore and hoping to see some sun! But just in case it’s rainy, I’m sharing a fun project with you from my friend Kathy Cano-Murilla, the Crafty Chica aka the Goddess of Glitter! As writers and readers, we always seem to have a vast collection of pens and I thought this crazy pencil cup would be fun to share with you!

If it is sunny, I hope to get some time in along the boardwalk, researching some more spots for . . .

BOOKS 3 and 4 IN THE SINS SERIES!


Yes, you heard it here first! I’ve accepted an offer from Grand Central Publishing for two more books in the SINS series. Not only that, you won’t have to wait that long to read about the continuing adventures of the Carrera clan as well as some new and very dangerous people that will enter their lives (can we say some non-human people with very unusual and deadly powers?)

As you know, STRONGER THAN SIN will be out in November 2010 and you’ll be able to read both Books 3 and 4 in 2011 if all goes as planned! I can’t wait to share these exciting paranormal romance stories with you and I know you’ll all like to see what’s up with Mick, Caterina and Liliana as well as find out more about the dark creatures who will threaten the Carrera clan. As for who will be the hero and heroine in book 3 — here’s a hint: You’ve read about them already in one of the SINS-related books/prequels and you’ll see more of them in STRONGER THAN SIN!

That’s all the beans I’m spilling for now! Hope you all have a great weekend!

Fun Friday – Contest Winner!

I want to thank all of you who dropped by on Wednesday to wish Rene Colato good luck with his wonderful children’s book! It was much appreciated.

Also – many many thanks for all the b’day wishes! I had a great day that weekend as well as last weekend when we had our first ever Liberty States Fiction Writers conference. I had a wonderful time and met so many nice people.

As for the b’day wishes, I’d like to announce the winner of my b’day contest!

Sherry is the lucky winner of a $25 Godiva Gift Card, copy of FURY CALLS and a SINS OF THE FLESH lunch bag. Congratulations, Sherry. Please e-mail your postal address to cpsromance at att dot net .

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Here in the NY/NJ Metro area we are getting a glimpse of our first taste of Spring! Bulbs are coming up, crocuses are in bloom and we’re supposed to have weather in the 60s. I so can’t wait!!

Networking – The Day After the Conference Tips

Having just come back from a fabulous conference with the Liberty States Fiction Writers, I wanted to offer up some tips on what to do after the conference!

First, if you enjoyed the conference, take a moment to write to the Conference Chair or President of the organization and let them know that you enjoyed it. If you liked something a lot, let them know so they can consider including it in future conferences and if you have any suggestions for what you would like to see, offer those up as well. It’s tough to run a conference and new ideas are always welcome.

If you’ve had an editor/agent appointment, make sure to make a list of who asked to see what while it’s fresh in your mind. Editors and agents don’t expect to have the material waiting for them the next morning, but they also don’t expect to get it months later. Send in any requested material within a reasonable time (a week or two) and in the format specified. If you’re not sure of the format, check the publisher’s guidelines at their website. Be sure to mention to the editor/agent that the material was requested at XX (conference name) and thank them for taking the time to consider your proposal.

Did you listen to an interesting workshop? Likewise, drop the presenter a quick note.

Finally, ask yourself – What did I do right at the conference? Did I meet at least one new person? Was my pitch solid or did I notice something that needed work? What goal do I have for the next conference I attend?

I hope these quick little tips helped!

Fun Friday – Conference this weekend!

I don’t know about you, but I love going to writing conferences (and also my monthly meetings!) There is so much creative energy in the air and whether I’m doing a workshop or listening to one, I always come away re-energized and inspired.

This weekend I’m going to the first ever Liberty States Fiction Writers Create Something Magical Conference. As a founding member, it’s so exciting to see such an amazing response to the conference as well as the group. 150 plus members in our second year and still growing. A diverse, amazingly talented, and totally upbeat collection of individuals!

We’ve got a similarly diverse and talented group of speakers coming to the conference as well 16 editors and agents. Such fun. It’s too late to register, but if you’re in the area, we’ll be having a book fair on Saturday from 5 to 6. Here’s the address for the hotel where the Create Something Magical Conference is being held:

Location and Directions

When: March 13, 2010
Where: Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel
515 Route 1 South & Gill Lane
Iselin, New Jersey 08830
Phone: 732-634-3600 Fax: 732-634-0258
Click here for more info on the hotel.
Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel
Click Here to Get More Directions Using Mapquest

Map Copyright Mapquest

I hope you’ve got some fun plans for the weekend! Wish me luck during the conference. I’ll be meeting with some editors and also presenting two workshops.

Things for Which I am Thankful

I know it’s Wicked Wednesday, which usually means an excerpt, but I wanted to get a headstart on the Thanksgiving holiday and share those things for which I am thankful. I hope you’ll forgive me this indulgence. Here are those things for which I am thankful:

  • My Family: To my hubby who always makes me laugh and my beautiful daughter who is the light of my heart, I am thankful. I am also thankful for my sister, brother, in-laws and all my nieces, nephews and cousins who bring such joy into my life.
  • Our Military and their families: Thank you for the sacrifices you make so that we can continue to be safe and enjoy the many freedoms which we enjoy.
  • My Friends: Where would you be without friends? I want to thank all of them for always being supportive and I want to thank all of you, my cyber friends, for always visiting and writing.
  • The Liberty States Fiction Writers: After a year of darkness, a bright light emerged. You are that bright light, filled with optimism, good will, diversity and innovation. I thank you for our first wonderful year together and give a big WOO HOO that we’ve reached 150 members in our inaugural year.

Last, but never ever least . . .

  • The United States of America: You opened your doors to me and provided me the opportunity to live the American Dream. You gave me Liberty and allowed me to pursue through hard work those things that have made me happy and which I hope have contributed to the overall good of this Nation. I am forever indebted and thankful.

What about you? What are the things for which you are thankful this Thanksgiving season?