#ThrowbackThursday – Liberty States Fiction Writers Reader and Writer Conference

Today’s throwback is to the book fair at the Liberty States Fiction Writers Reader and Writer Conference! The book fair is open to the general public and this year it will be held on Saturday, March 24, from 4:30 to 6:00 at the Renaissance Woodbridge in Iselin, NJ. Conference registration is also now open and there is a great line-up of workshops, panels, games and social events for both readers and writers. You can find out more at www.lsfwriters.com!

#WriteWed Inspiration #Amwriting #Amreading

One of the absolute best parts of the writing gig is getting to meet other authors and readers! It’s why I love going to conferences and events. These are the ones I’ll be attending so far this year and if you’re in the area, I would love to see you and get to spend some time with you! Of course, since I’m a reader as well as a writer, I can’t wait to meet other authors and find out more about their books. It’s a win-win situation.

March 18-19, 2017
Liberty States Fiction Writers Conference
Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel
Iselin, NJ

April 19, 2017
5:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Ocean County Author Fair
Lakewood Branch Library

April 22, 2017
12 pm to 5 pm
A Day of Wine and Romance
Brook Hollow Winery
594 State Route 94, Columbia, New Jersey 07832

July 26–29, 2017
RWA Annual Conference
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort
Orlando, Florida

October 13th & 14th, 2017
Fall in Love with New England Romance
Reader/Author Conference

Best Western Plus Executive Court
Inn and Conference Center
13500 S Willow Street
Manchester, New Hampshire 03103

#WriteWed Inspiration

#FridayFunday Writers and Deadlines

If there’s one thing that writers dread, besides the synopsis of course, it’s a deadline. I, for one, freak out if a deadline is approaching and I’m not where I want to be in the story I’m writing. Luckily for me, I just finished the first draft of SINCE WE WERE 18, the first book in the Jersey Girl Bridesmaid series. I have had a blast writing Maggie and Jax’s story and am already itching to write the next one, WE DANCED ALL NIGHT which features uber responsible lawyer Connie and Jax’s brother, thrill-seeker/surfer dude/bestselling author Johnson.

In a few days that draft will be off to my agent well in advance of my deadline. But for all the other times I freaked and for all my writer friends who dread that deadline, a little fun this Friday with this quote from Douglas Adams.
deadlines doug adams

P.S. For those who might be wondering why I chose a typewriter, I wrote my first book on a typewriter. Not fun.

#WriteWed When Inspiration Disappears . . .

So sorry to have missed you yesterday, but it was a hectic day since my daughter, one of her friends and I went to see Jimmy Fallon. I had to finish a lot at work before I could go, took them to lunch and then went over to 30 Rockefeller Center to line up for the show. Along the way my daughter got interviewed for one of the skits and we can’t wait to see if it made it into the show. Here’s a picture of us waiting in line!
jimmyfallontrio

But back to reality. What happens when inspiration disappears? I have to confess I’ve been struggling with what to do this year and when. I have a new proposal and just got back some comments from my new agent! Yeah. That’ll get me going, but what really got me going was attending my local writing group’s meeting last Saturday. You can check out the Liberty States Fiction Writers here along with their awesome March conference that has both readers and writers tracks.

We had a wonderful speaker – Anne Frazier Walradt – a dear friend and amazing lady. I talked with others about what they were doing and I mapped out a schedule for me for the year. That seemed to open floodgates in more than one way. Suddenly I had some ideas for a new story and then another dear friend asked me to join another box set for mid-year. It has to be new material so . . . have to think about that story as well.

Friends inspire as do fellow writers. Much like Weight Watchers or AA, there is something about being with people with common goals and ambitions and yes, problems, that makes you feel not so alone and can help you keep on moving in the right direction.

I guess the morale of the story is – When inspiration disappears, find like-minded individuals to help you keep on the path if you feel you are drifting away from your intended course.

#WriteWed Meeting You is inspiring!

I’ve just set up a meet and greet with a young lady and fan who I was lucky enough to meet on Facebook. I’m excited about getting time to chat with her.

I was recently in Kansas City for business, but was able to have breakfast with two of my buddies from the reader/writer world.

I love getting to meet you guys! It’s one of the most exciting and fun things about being a writer. I’m hoping that this year we’ll be able to meet up at one of the events I’ll be attending. Here’s a quick list of them so far:

Liberty States Fiction Writers Create Something Magical Conference – March 21 and 22, Iselin, NJ

RWA National Conference – July 22-25 New York City, NY

RomCon Conference – September 25-27, Denver, CO – You can purchase a ticket to sit at lunch with me and everyone who sits with me will be mailed a special swag gift worth at least $25 after the convention.

Midwestern Book Lovers Conference – October 22-25, Minneapolis, MN. Excited about this one since I get to stay in the Mall of America. It’s on my bucket list.

Philly Author Fest – November 14, King of Prussia, PA

If you’ll be at any of these conferences, please let me know ahead of time so we can plan some time together!

Here’s a photo of some of my dear friends at RT 2013. We got to see each other and had a lovely time just hanging out.
MelissaShellJoy

RT Book Reviews Convention Photos

As promised, I’m sharing some photos with you! It was so much fun getting to meet some of you at the conference. I really appreciate you coming by to talk with me and share some time.

To me, that’s the best thing about being a writer – getting to meet you! So here are those photos, including some with those of you who were so kind to drop by.


Created with flickr slideshow.

#Giveaways & The Care and Feeding of Authors

Wow! February 1 is almost here! That means it’s today is the last day for entering the Breakfast with Caridad contest!

I’ll be picking 5 lucky readers to have breakfast with me on March 17 as part of the Liberty States Fiction Writers Create Something Magical Conference. How can you enter? just e-mail your registration confirmation with the subject BKFST WITH CARIDAD to cpsromance at att dot net before February 1.

As for #giveaways, I’ve picked a winner for the SHAMELESS BLOG HOP! Congrats to THROUGHTHEHAZE who has won a $10 Itunes card as well as an ARC for THE CLAIMED (Book 2 in the SIN HUNTER series, coming out in May 2012).

Now it’s time for today’s Tuesday Tip, something I haven’t done in a while. Today’s Tips are actually for readers because I hear so often, “How can we help you?”

Well, I think most authors should understand that with today’s economy, a lot of people can’t run out and buy your book right away. But there are lots of ways that readers can support authors that they like and here’s how:

1. Drop them a note and let them know. I absolutely love hearing from you guys and chatting with you is one of the best things that’s happened to me.

2. If an author has a release out, let your friends know by sharing on Facebook, Twitter, etc.

3. If you have read the book, leave a review on Amazon, B&N, Goodreads or any of the other sites which permit reviews.

4. Blog tours are lots of fun, but they’re even more fun when people take a moment to leave comments. I really appreciate all of you who take the time to visit with me and do that!

5. If you get a newsletter and think you have a friend who would like it, forward it to them.

So there you go, five easy things you can do to help with the care and feeding of your friendly neighborhood author.