|
|
Filed in: blog | contests | giveaway | promotion Tags: books giveaway | harlequin historical | kindle fire giveaway
|
|
|
Happy holidays and welcome to the second to last day of the Harlequin Historical Advent Calendar!
Like my nifty slide show? I made it all by myself after several failed attempts to get some fancier @!@#$ widgets working. It’s part of my Holiday Giveaway which is easier than pie to enter.
Note: Some of the titles are shorter length novellas (but still full of romance and drama, I assure you). The description of each title includes the length and available versions. For excerpts and more information, see the Books section.
Instructions
Today’s prize: I’ll be randomly selecting three visitors to receive their choice of any one of my Tang Dynasty romances. The drawing will be open until 9am CST Friday, December 23rd. To be entered, simply watch the slideshow and comment with which title you’d like to receive and which version if both print and digital are available. Include a valid e-mail address in the comment form so I can contact you if you’ve won. One entry allowed per person. (Digital versions will be gifted through Kindle or Barnes & Noble. If a digital version is not available for the region, a print copy of the same title or another title may be substituted.)
Example of a valid entry: I’d love to read The Dragon and the Pearl! Digital copy please.
Grand prize: All valid entries for the daily prize will also automatically be entered for the Grand Prize. On Friday, December 23rd, the Harlequin Historical authors will randomly select a day from the advent calendar. Then another random number will be chosen to select the grand prize winner of a Kindle Fire or equivalent Kindle product if the winner lives in a region where the Kindle Fire is not available.
Invalid entries without a good e-mail address or without a selected title will be disqualified from both the daily drawing as well as the Grand Prize drawing.
***
Intrigued by my exotic settings and killer graphics skills? Sign-up for my newsletter for updates on upcoming releases and other special events. You can also follow me on Twitter or add my RSS feed. I like to chit-chat about interesting historical research, reflect upon writerly things, and occasionally rave about great books I’ve read. Oh yes, I’ve also just given birth to twins exactly one week ago so there may be the occasional mention about them.
  
(None of these things are required to enter the contest. In fact, I’d prefer you don’t follow or subscribe unless you want to occasionally hear from me. So as I used to say as a teacher, there’s no extra credit!)
Comment and enjoy the rest of your day!
188 Comments
|
|
Filed in: Announcements | blog | giveaway | promotion Tags: giveaways | launch celebration | the dragon and the pearl
|
|
|
First, I must apologize for being so late posting the winners. I didn’t realize my ability to multi-task would be seriously impacted this year and between my online workshop, my workshop in San Diego, and my BFF’s wedding, I fell behind on blog duties.
Round 1 Launch Celebration Winners
Thank you for spreading the word about The Dragon and the Pearl on Facebook, blogs and Twitter! The winners were randomly chosen by random.org.
THE LADY’S SCANDALOUS NIGHT: digital download goes to:
Desere
The international version of RED CLIFF goes to:
PRationality
The hardcover copy of FURY OF THE PHOENIX goes to:
hafelina
AND the newsletter winner for an autographed copy of THE DRAGON AND THE PEARL is:
Michelle Wilson
Congratulations and thank you everyone! I have moved the deadline for Round 2 of the Launch Celebration to Oct. 15 as I haven’t had any time to promote the celebration. So for an opportunity for the GRAND PRIZES (Two book set of Stephanie Dray’s LILY OF THE NILE and SONG OF THE NILE or a wooden customized dragon chop or an annotated copy of THE DRAGON AND THE PEARL) , spread the word about THE DRAGON AND THE PEARL which is in bookstores for the month of October.
4 Comments
|
|
Filed in: blog | conferences | promotion | rwa | signings Tags: chinese clothing online | dragoncon 2011 | romance trading cards | rwa 2011 | the dragon and the pearl
|
|
|
I’ve been so busy, I haven’t even had time to wax sentimental this time around. Oh time, he waits for no one.
I’m coming off of a workshop and impromptu book signing this week and running headlong into last minute preparations for RWA. This year will be my first signing at the annual RWA literacy autographing and I’m definitely excited about it. There are 500 authors signing so I’m sure it will be fabulous. Hopefully a few people will come by to see me and say hello.
I’ve also designed a new series of RTCs for THE DRAGON AND THE PEARL for RWA and Dragon*Con:
I am SO in love with the new cover as well as the cards. *googly eyes* The images on the back sides are used with permission from www.chineseclothingonline.com in return for the free advertising so if you’re dying to get your own suit of ancient Chinese armor or a beautiful flowing hanfu, check them out. I’ve ordered two outfits from them and they’re absolutely gorgeous.
I’ll be giving details on how to get these cards in my newsletter coming out this Wednesday in case you’re not going to either conference. If you are going to RWA, keep an eye out in the goody room or you can also look for me Tuesday night at the signing.
5 Comments
|
|
Filed in: blog | promotion | slice of life Tags: promotion | rambling
|
|
|
I was attending a Warrior Writer workshop presented by Bob Mayer last weekend and at one point he asked, “Who here actually likes to promote?” I raised my hand and since I was sitting near the front, I didn’t realize that all the chuckling was aimed at me. The odd ball.
I don’t hate promoting. I actually kind of like it. I like this whole author thing, really. (Stopping myself before I start sounding too Pollyanna.)
I know I’m supposed to hate promoting and networking and love the introverted writing part. Well, I do love the introverted writing part. I’m sometimes afraid that since I don’t babble enough about the angst of writing that people might think I don’t write, but who wants to hear about my day at the office? Well, maybe other writerly types might find it interesting, just like me and the techies like to go on sometimes about integration issues and data elements and message formats that only we understand–a day job aside there. Were you bored? I thought so. And writing about the introverted writing part makes me more angsty and introverted, and I can only take so much of that even from myself.
Maybe I like promoting because I’m too clueless to realize I’m supposed to hate it? Or too self-absorbed to really realize that it’s a scary and confusing thing?
(more…)
4 Comments
|
|
Filed in: blog | pitching | promotion | workshop | writing Tags: handouts | workshops
|
|
|
I’ve updated my workshop section with handouts from the recent workshops I did. I was actually quite pleased with being able to do the one hour Selling the Hard Sell on Saturday (I only got 50 minutes) and then expanding the Keeping Them Hooked workshop on Sunday to a three hour class. We got to cover a lot more than just me barreling through the list of things to think about–plus maybe I just like to talk. 
Workshop Handouts
I do like speaking and don’t charge any fee other than travel expenses, so if you happen to have an open chapter meeting you’d like to fill, don’t hesitate to drop me a line. I’m what you call a cheap date. *wink*
No Comments
|
|
Filed in: blog | conferences | events | promotion Tags: mwg conference 2011 | rt convention 2011
|
|
|
Cause I’m hearing all this buzz
Please excuse the poor joke. Tee hee.
One of the things I said in my workshop with Stephanie Dray on “How to Promote Like a Big Name Author” is that you know there’s buzz when people start picking up your banner and they start coming to you. So I’m jumping up and down this morning because Romance Trading Cards received a huge shout out in the L.A. Times article on the Romantic Times Book Convention: first in the picture and then with a great quote from Joanna Bourne.
Bodice-Rippers Unite
And I’ll miss all the fun at the Saturday booksigning *sniff* because I’ve whisked myself back to St. Louis for another conference and booksigning. *brightens up* I’ll be speaking today (Saturday) on Selling the Hard Sell and then I’ll be signing Butterfly Swords from 4:30-6:00pm. Tomorrow I’ve got a Master’s Class on Keeping them Hooked.
Missouri Writers Guild conference at the Sheraton Westport Plaza Hotel in St. Louis.
I think I have a few of those famous Romance Trading Cards left to hand out too…What? Did you think I was above gloating?
Buzz…buzz…
No Comments
|
|
Filed in: blog | promotion Tags: romance trading cards | rt convention
|
|
|
If you haven’t heard, Romancelandia is abuzz making romance trading cards in preparation for the the RT Booklovers Convention in Los Angeles.
Here’s my editions which I’ll be toting to the convention. I have a collectible set of four from Butterfly Swords and The Taming of Mei Lin. For Mei Lin & Shen Leung, I reveal a bit of secret history not available in the Undone short story. Enjoy!
The samples below show the front with the cover and the two versions of the back for each story. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to stay for the booksigning so I’ll be giving these away during my two CLUB RT spots.
BUTTERFLY SWORDS
 
THE TAMING OF MEI LIN
 
If you’re headed to either RT or RWA or any conferences in between, look for this symbol to find participating authors.
The full list of participants and more sample cards can be found at http://www.romancetradingcards.com. I can’t wait for the fun to begin!
Of course, newsletter subscribers will always get first dibs. I’ll be giving details about how to get these cards in the March edition of the newsletter which is out Tuesday. Sign up here.
9 Comments
|
|
Filed in: Announcements | blog | promotion Tags: romancetradingcards | RT 2011
|
|
|
Download the FAQ
Download RTC Templates
Join the Web Tutorial on Romance Trading Card Templates and GIMP: March 5, 7-9pm EST – Link will be here. DM on Twitter or e-mail for Password.
A chat on Twitter (#romancetradingcards) quickly converged into a fun promotion idea for RT 2011 and RWA 2011. It’s simple — authors print romance trading cards with their heros and heroines and readers can collect them all.
As the questions about design and standardization are beginning to gather so I figured it was time to gather everyone together.
So far, we have this quote from GotPrint if we want to standardize on size. I’ve used them before and found them quite reasonable and user-friendly, but always open for any other vendors with better pricing if you know them:
Standard size & printing: Trading Cards from GotPrint
Other ideas:
- Cover on one side
- Character stats on other – Height, age, description
- Best lines
- Similar border or logo on backside to unify cards – i.e. knotwork design
Example:
So here’s a starter for discussion. These are rough prototypes only. Do not use these files to create your cards. I can provide the layered, high resolution files for use with Photoshop, Fireworks, or another imaging program once the design is finalized.
I tried to choose a neutral border that still felt romance-y. Keeping in mind that this needs to look good with historical, paranormal, contemporary, etc. I went with a border that looked like a pewter frame. The border and the lettering for “Romance Trading Cards” below will hopefully unify the design. The back will be the book cover.
This was a quick job so cropping and other details may be asymmetical. I’ll fix in final version. Actual print size is 2.5 x 3.5.
What do you think? (I’ve finalized the design with a genre specific color scheme as suggested. Download RTC Templates)
Note: You don’t need special art for the backside. It can include part of your cover (if that’s allowed) or just stats and info like on baseball cards.
An alternative example from author Moira Rogers, independently created here.
Who’s Participating in Romance Trading Cards:
The author listing has been moved to: www.romancetradingcards.com
And the ideas are flying as well. For example, we may have a listing at RT so readers will know who to seek out for cards. Keep those ideas coming! Who else is in? (Comment below and I’ll gather names and post above)
Remember hashtag #romancetradingcards if you’re following the discussion on Twitter.
138 Comments
|
|
Filed in: Announcements | blog | giveaway | promotion Tags: advent calendar | giveaway | harlequin historical
|
|
|
Congratulations to June Munday!
The maneki neko beckons to you. I’ll be contacting you shortly to get your mailing address to send you the lucky cat in the red takeout box. You’ll also receive an autographed copy of Butterfly Swords. Enjoy!
Thank you to everyone for participating. The Grand Prize winner will be announced on the Harlequin Historical Blog today.
And as a final footnote, my scavenger hunt revolved around finding the answer to whether they celebrated Christmas in the Tang Dynasty. Would you be surprised to find that there were Christian places of worship in 7th-8th century China? The contest is closed, but you can still find the fascinating historical info here: Christmas in the Tang Dynasty
No Comments
|
|
Filed in: Announcements | blog | giveaway | guest blogs | promotion | research Tags: advent calendar | carrie lofty | Harelquin historical | holiday giveaway | ruby-slippered sisterhood | unusual historicals
|
|
|
Just a post to list some guest blogs and other interesting tidbits:
Carrie Lofty of Unusual Historicals has written a very well-thought out article about what sort of elements authors of unusual historical romances have to consider when targeting their stories for a mass market audience. She’s interviewed editors and agents as well as authors (myself included!) and put together a succinct and comprehensive look into the balancing act of writing unusual settings.Walking the Tightrope by Carrie Lofty
I’m blogging today at the Ruby-Slippered Sisterhood about “Writing with a Cinematic Eye” where I try to describe how I re-think scenes and translate them from a cinematic view to words on the page.
And last, but not least. December is here! It’s the first day of the Harlequin Historical Advent Calendar celebration! Visit Lynna Banning to kick off the event. Each day you participate will enter you in a mini-giveaway for that author as well as the Grand Prize giveaway – a Kindle 3G. (I loves my Kindle. I really, really do.) Come back here on Dec. 4 (Saturday) for my contribution.
Miss a day? Don’t worry. You can go back and still complete the activity for an extra chance to win. 22 days — 22 authors.
No Comments
|
