Countdown to Launch

My web designer, Jax, has made excellent progress on my site. I'm working on getting her the info for my works in progress page. And I'm still toying with the idea of a new picture. Anyway, once it's all done, I'll have my official launch party. I'm thinking theme party - any suggestions?

My TBR pile

I went to Barnes & Noble this evening. I bought 7 books (5 for me, 2 for hubby - although, I'll read his books, too!), and it occurred to me that while the name of my blog is Reading, Writing, and Romance, I never write about reading.

I read a lot more than I write. And I have my reasons.

1. I can read a book in about a day. I can write a book in about a year. (But, I'm really, really, really going to try to finish the NaNoWriMo this year)!
2. I can read a book, write the book review and add a publishing credit to my resume.
3. Reading is easier to multi-task than writing. For instance, I can read while walking on the treadmill at the gym where writing is just not an option.

So there you have it - What I'm currently reading:

• The Rebel Bride by Catherine Coulter (My first Regency!)
• The Laser Age by Justin Tussing (A short story in the current New Yorker).
• True to Form by Elizabeth Berg

My TBR pile:

• The Lie That Tells a Truth by John Dufresne
• The Big Love by Sarah Dunn
• Remember When by Nora Roberts & JD Robb
• All He Ever Wanted by Anita Shreve
• Dirty Little Secrets by Julie Leto (Go Tampa!)
• How I Stole Her Husband by Liz Ireland
• Plus, a shopping bag filled with books my friend Janet gave me.

- and I've finally written about reading!

Working on My Website

I've been busy writing copy for my website. Jax has the design finished, and it's way cool - it matches the blog. I'm working hard to get everything done so I can have my first-ever launch party.

I am a Writer

I attended day one of the Philadelphia Writer's Conference today. The thing that I really like about this particular conference is the diversity of the attendees. There's very little snobbery here. Published, pre-published, fiction, non-fiction and poetry writers mix, mingle and encourage each other. I chatted this morning with a Science Fiction Writer. This afternoon I met a writer who at age 50 is finally realizing her dream of writing about food. She's working on The Food Lovers Guide to Philadelphia. (And let me tell you, Philadelphia is all about the food).

I had appointments with two agents. One asked for a partial and the other wanted a query.
I also reconnected with a former writing teacher and mentor. He asked me to write some book reviews for a new magazine he is editing. I feel revitalized and validated as a writer.

I feel especially fortunate to be a Philadelphia writer today.

Happy Thoughts

Can you believe all the haters? I don't know what's going on at those RWA board meetings, but these so-called Graphical Standards has everyone in an uproar. I don't write erotica, but if I did, I'd be pissed when RWA took my money and then tried to exclude me.

It's a shame that we as women writers do not support each other.

• Curtis Sittenfeld(a woman and author of Prep), virtually bitch slapped Melissa Bank in the New York Times Book Review this past Sunday. (Thanks to my fellow Philadelphian, Jennifer Weiner for translating said review).

• And consider Word of Mouth, an Association of Women Authors, actively lobbying Oprah to include contemporary fiction in her new book club offerings. But they should call themselves an Association of Women Authors Who Write Literary Fiction Only Thank You Very Much because they failed to include commercial authors in their collective.

I always thought RWA was inclusive. Really, we Romance Writers are the bane of the literary world, but our organization respects and supports us. At least I thought they did. Hmmm.