Month: June 2011

The kindness of strangers (an RWA story–sort of)

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Thought I’d share this quick story…

So I’m in New York right now, at the RWA conference. (Having a great time, and yesterday I learned some very awesome news from my Berkley publicist that I hope to share soon!)  Anyhoo… yesterday also happened to be the premiere of Transformers 3, and the premiere was literally across the street from the conference hotel.

Now, my four year-old son is obsessed with Transformers.  Last night at the Literacy signing, I heard a rumor that there was a life-sized replica of Bumblebee in the middle of Times Square.  Unfortunately, I was so busy that I didn’t get the chance to get outside and take a photo.  So, intrepid mother of a four year-old boy that I am, I stole away from the conference for a half-hour this afternoon to sneak a quick picture and–

Bumblebee was gone.

I asked one of the Times Square safety officers if I was in the right location, and he told me they’d taken everything down after the premiere last night. While we were talking–and after he teased me about getting all dressed up to see Shia LeBoeuf (ha)–I explained I’d been hoping to get a photo of Bumblebee for my son.

Hearing that, Safety Officer Lamar promptly took out his cell phone and offered to text me the photos he had taken the day before.  And after I show these pictures to my son, and tell him that there was an “actual” Transformer outside of my hotel, I will officially be the Coolest Mom in the World.

So thank you, Safety Officer Lamar, you saved the day.  Who says New Yorkers aren’t friendly?

Here are the photos, in case anyone is curious (or also has a four year-old son obsessed with Transformers).

Off to the ALA and RWA conferences!

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So this week is going to be a busy one… First, I’m off to the American Library Association conference in New Orleans on Monday.  While there, I’ll be speaking at the “Isn’t it Romantic” panel discussion, with a book signing to follow.  Details are:

Mon., June 27
8-10 a.m.
Morial Convention Center, Room 339

More information, including the list of the authors who will be on the panel, can be found here.

After that panel discussion, I’ll be heading by the Penguin booth to sign copies of A Lot Like Love. Details:

Penguin Booth Signing
11:15a.m. – 12:15p.m.
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
900 Convention Center Boulevard
Booth #1422
New Orleans, LA

From there, it’s off to New York for the Romance Writers of America Conference.  First, you can find me (and hundreds of other authors) at the Literacy for Life signing:
Tuesday, June 28, from 5:30–7:30 p.m.
New York Marriott Marquis, Broadway Ballroom
Times Square
This event is open to the public; there is no admittance fee.
Details, including the list of authors attending the signing, can be found here.
On Thursday, June 30th, from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m., fellow Chicago author Beth Kery/Bethany Kane and myself will be teaching a workshop on writing contemporary romance:
The Contemporary Challenge: How to Write 300 Pages of Romance without Demons, Death, or World Destruction (CRAFT).  What happens after boy meets girl in real-world settings? Two best-selling authors discuss how to tackle the challenges of writing contemporary romance.
Location: Belasco/Broadhurst room
Finally, on Friday, July 1st from 9:00 – 10:30a.m., I’ll be at the Berkley signing. (Open to all conference attendees, books available on a first-come, first-served basis.)
Hope to see some of you this week!

Summer Reads

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Hi everyone!

See?  I haven’t fallen off the face of the earth. I’ve just been busy, working away on About That Night.  So far, I’m very pleased with it.  I hope to share more about the book soon.

Speaking of books… in the spirit of summer, my book club decided that we wanted to read something “fun and light” for our next meeting.  I wanted to thank all of you who gave me great suggestions on Twitter and Facebook!  The book club has voted and this month we’ll be reading Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters.

Has anyone read it?  If so, what did you think?  (No spoilers, please.)

Anyone have other recommendations for light and fun summer reads?  Please feel free to share!

Hope you are all enjoying the sunshine!