Did grab some time to get together with my buds – Char Chaffin, Cyn Haydn, Nancy Lee Badger and Elena Dillon

Before the Rita and Golden Hearts awards grabbed pizza with Sarina Wilde, author of Spare Dick – you can’t make this stuff up, then listened to a true Southern Belle host the show, Christie Craig and to quote her – down here it is definitely “you ain’t gonna believe this shit” over “once upon a time”.

Marriott went all out – check out the elevator door wraps that greeted us.                                    And of course this is the up and down of the Marriott from my room –           

We cleaned up nice for the awards.  My congratulations to all the nominees and winners – it was such a privilege to be in your company! 

I met Michelle Garren Flye, author of Close Up Magic – I interviewed her on my blog not long ago, so that was major cool. Visited with Sabrina Jefferies who was up for a Rita for A Lady Never Surrenders as well as Jennifer Delamere who was also up for a Rita for her first book – An Heiress at Heart.  Cherry Adair was gracious enough to remember me – I met her the day after I signed my first contract (for Rth Rising) and when I mentioned I had signed at the dinner in her honor – very shyly because I really didn’t know anyone there – she jumped up, ran around the table and held me. That’s something I’ll never forget.  

Had lunch with several hundred of my closest friends on Thursday and Friday. Cathy Maxwell of the Scandal and Seduction novels was the keynote speaker on Thursday, and Kristan Higgins spoke on Friday.  I must say she had us rolling on the floor and in tears the next minute. Not only do they write well, they’re incredible speakers! Too far back to get good pictures even with the huge screens, but heard great.

Sylvia Day, president of RWA this year did a wonderful job and also graciously took a picture with me at her signing. Can you see what kind of fan girl time I was having? 

Okay, major fan girl conference for me.  Started off with a bang – I got to meet Heather Graham at the literacy signing and she personally autographed a copy of The Night is Watching. Got my picture made with her and got to visit just a little. Also saw Char Chaffin, author of Unsafe Haven – you’ll see that picture too. The signing was a mad house as usual, but so cool.  

After I got out, went to dinner with Elena Dillon, author of Breathe and Cyn Haydn, author of the Aurelia Series. We’re visiting, catching up, talking writing and I glance over at the next table.  Who’s there – Nora. Now I did do a double-take, but did not embarrass myself horribly, did not jump up to ask for an autograph, did not sneak a picture, but she was close enough to touch. And it just kept getting better. 

Attended the FF&P dinner and Prism Awards ceremony in costume. Don’t know if there’s a picture of that, which is probably good. Oops, found one. Probably the best meal I ate the entire conference and got to share the table with Nancy Lee Badger, author of The Highland Games Through Time series, J.C. Hay author of Sails & Sorcery: Tales of Nautical Fantasy,Book of All Flesh, Dark Faith,  as well as Christie Meierz  who won the Prism for Futuristic.

Many thanks to Nancy Lee Badger for the pictures!  More on Wednesday!

Okay, I know my stories revolve around ecology and saving the planet – even if it’s just a word or two here and there, but I can’t help being excited. Wraith’s Heart is now available in paper as well as an eBook and Wow!

I’m going to be able to hold my book in my hands, with my name on the cover. I have no doubt those of you out there with 50+ books under your belt are smiling right now. You remember your first, don’t you? Yes, I mean your first book! Stay on topic.

If I get up the nerve, I can have an actual book signing. A totally scary thought to be sure. Ebooks gave me space from my readers, a little breathing room. I knew my family read them (some of them) and my roommates and some friends but I didn’t see them do it, so I didn’t have to think about it.

What’s that quote from Robert Heinlein – “Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of, but do it in private and wash your hands afterwards.”

Now I’m going to be out there. Not famous, but known in some circles and that’s a weird feeling. I never thought about that side of it. The marketing, the social media – I just thought I could go off by myself and write. Okay, I’ve known different about that side of things for a couple of years now but in paper…on shelves…heck, in libraries!

Think I’ll go have a glass of wine to celebrate. I’ve earned the hot flash.

Wraith’s Heart

For the next 6 hours Wraith’s Heart is on discount for the paperback – http://www.amazon.com/Donna-Steele/e/B007G8V5C6