LOL, just when things are going well...

I had a FANTASTIC time at the RWA National Conference. It was a delight, as always, to room with my critique partner and close friend who lives at the opposite end of the country, and to catch up with members of my online writing group and my many sister RWA Golden Heart(R) finalists. I also had a wonderful time every day talking to agents and editors, and then hanging out on the Awards night with two rockin' ladies I hope to see again long before next year's conference. (Hi Julie and Kate!) I wish I could go to this conference every week--well, except for the exhaustion augmented by lack of sleep, plus the inevitable cold I picked up and that slammed me into bed the first day I got back.

And no sooner had I recovered than my husband got a cold, and now both of us have excellent lung congestion. It's been a Puffs Plus household for gaining on two weeks now.

Anyway, here's a shout-out to all of you--and may your health be better than ours!

Off to National

I leave for the Romance Writers of America conference tomorrow at the ungodly hour of 4:45 a.m. (Imagine my lip curling here, since my brain will definitely be low-functioning at that time. Thank goodness for a husband willing to drive me to the airport before the sun has the decency to show up. Honey, you're awesome.)

The conference should be great fun. I haven't seen my roommate and longtime critique partner since last year's conference. (I hope we manage to get to sleep before 4 a.m. this time. Well, I at least hope that if we don't, that the chats are completely worthwhile, just like last year's.)

I have a smaller suitcase packed full and nestled in my bigger suitcase like Russian dolls, just so I'll have room for all the free books. I'm going as a Golden Heart finalist (which yes, thank you, Linda, does mean I get to be treated like a rock star! :-D ). I am still awaiting the UPS man, who might--I hope--be delivering the dress I want to wear to the Golden Heart/RITA awards. If he doesn't, I'll take a lighter suitcase and wear a black pantsuit and matching pashmina and shall look (I hope) oh-so-casually chic. Manicure done, and I'm just hoping not to nibble on it in the course of the next few days (fat chance).

I'm waving hello to everyone I'll see and meet there, and also waving hello to all those who won't be going this year (hi Kendra & Geniene!) but who will make it someday--and with luck, to the San Francisco conference in 2008.

Happy travels to all!

Nailing the Book Cover (aka, Cover Magic)

Jennie Crusie, NYT Bestseller and writing goddess, has clout with her publisher. She can push for great covers and get people to listen--which is not always the case for a mid-lister, much less new authors. But three of her recent blog posts are terrific step-by-step info guides on what makes a great cover appropriate for your book AND the market. Two of the books were "romantic adventures" co-written with Bob Mayer, and so needed to display a different "take away" message than her romances. Learn from the evolution of her covers for these three books:

Agnes and the Hitman
The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes
Don't Look Down