10 Years Published

On Tuesday, I celebrated ten years published as an author. 

Plus One is a Lucky Number, my debut novel, was published on the 29th August 2013.

Can you believe that's ten years and how they've flown! 

I can remember the day the email dropped into my inbox by HarperCollins' imprint One More Chapter (HarperImpulse back then) and offered me a two book deal. It was a good job I was sitting down! 

I now have six books traditionally published, 3 of which are in Audible.

I'm a bit slower than some of my author colleagues but as we say in UW and the personal development that I do, don't compare your journey to others.

Rachel Brimble & Jane Lark

We are all in our own race - if you want to call it that.

Anyway, a massive thank you to all the lovely ladies who could join me on Tuesday. And to those that sent messages. I knew not everyone could come as it was a work day. 

Unfortunately we couldn't go out in the garden as hoped, due to the great British weather. 

It's glorious sunshine today and over 23 degrees.... Of course, the schools go back tomorrow. 

Anyway, here are a couple of photos from the day! But if you head over to my Facebook page, you'll see more. 

How To Be A Writer

After a fantastic evening with Weston Writer's Nights on Thursday (6th February), where Jenny Kane, Jan Ellis, Fay Keenan and myself were on a panel answering questions about How To Be A Writer, I thought I would create a blog post.

(Photo taken by Weston Writer's Nights)

I'm concerned that although we've shared the reality of being a writer, which might mean holding down another job too, I didn't want to discourage the fact that if you want to write, you must write. But do not be disillusioned that you may make money from it. You might make some, but not necessarily enough to give up the day job.

Anyway, the evening was fantastic and so much fun, so I hope the audience did enjoy the event as much as we did.

And on that note, I thought I would give a quick summary on How To Be A Writer:

1. Write! (You can't edit a blank page - so write!)
2. No ideas are stupid ideas. If you want to write them, then write them! Inspiration can come from anything.
3. Make time to write, too. Do you work best in the mornings, afternoons or evenings? Write when it's best for you. And without interruptions if possible. 
4. Find a writing space that suits you and use it. Everybody is different: Some need complete silence (me!) and some can work in a coffee shop (Jenny!)
5. Find a critique partner or small group of writing friends. It's great to bounce ideas off one another. Writing can be a lonely place, so it's good to get out and be social with likeminded people - those who appreciate and understand you have voices in your head that sometimes won't shut up. 
6. You must have a thick skin. Sometimes you might have to kill your darlings (as they say). But never delete a book. Put it in a drawer for a while. A change of market might mean it becomes suitable for publishing.   
7. Do your research. Check who publishes your genre. Don't send your book out to just any publisher as you'll get a bad name for yourself. It's not professional. The same applies for agents, too. Writers and Artists Yearbook is the best place to look, or in a book shop. (Check the books you enjoy reading in the genre you write).
8. Don't give up the day job, even if you get a contract.
9. Imprint Publishers don't need you to submit via an agent.
10. Most importantly make sure you're having fun! 

And if you want the Mars Bar Scones recipe Jenny talked about, you can find it here. 

If you still have any burning questions about writing then please don't hesitate to contact us via any of our social media platforms. We'd be more than happy to help. 

Remember: if you write, then you are a writer. 

To find out more about Weston Writer's Nights click here!

Thank you to everyone who attended the event. You were a wonderful audience.

Opening Lines On Jenny Kane's blog

I'm on Jenny Kane's blog with my opening lines to Meet Me At Wisteria Cottage

Follow the link! CLICK HERE

Meet Me At Wisteria Cottage is still only 99p on Amazon UK! So grab your copy fast!

Photos From The Weston Literary Festival

This Is What A Romance Writer Looks Like! 

It's been a week since Fay Keenan, Jan Ellis, Alison Knight and myself sat in front of an audience and discussed our writing methods, our inspirations and how we deal with negative reviews etc.

Sadly, the snow started falling quite heavily around 5pm and so this put some off attending the event. But we had approximately twenty people listening intently, and asking great questions! It was a fabulous night!




These sorts of events really help me recognise to myself that I am a writer, I have had books published. What I do is real!

This event was great for our own self-esteem and confidence about our writing experiences. The evening gave all four of us a real buzz! It was interesting to listen to Alison, Fay and Jan about their methods and preparations for creating a book.




Hopefully the Weston-super-Mare Literary Festival will take place yearly and we'll be on board again! Brilliant fun!

Thank you Zoe Scott for your amazing organisational skills in putting this event together and making it such a success!


Anyway, I've shared some photos of the event.


Sadly, Jenny Kane couldn't make it due to illness. She was missed dreadfully, but hopefully she'll make it next year!

Talking Weston Literary Festival on Breeze Radio

With the launch party for the Weston-super-Mare Literary Festival, we held an interview for Breeze Radio to discuss what Jenny Kane, Alison Knight, Jan Ellis, Fay Keenan and myself will be chatting about on Tuesday 27th February!

If you want to hear the interview, click on the link below!

Radio interview on Breeze! 

Next Tuesday is going to be soooo exciting.

Tickets are still available here!

Weston-super-Mare's First Literary Festival - Not Long Now!

February is here, and you know what that means?

It's the Weston-super-Mare Literary Festival!

I will be on the panel with some fellow romantic novelists on the "This Is What A Romance Writer Looks Like" event. It's Tuesday 27th February, 7pm, at the Blakehay Theatre!

Come say hello to Fay Keenan, Jenny Kane, Alison Knight, Jan Ellis and me! We are all part of the Bath and Wiltshire Romantic Novelist Association's chapter.

I'm so excited about this. I think I've decided what to wear...

The literary festival is running from the 22nd February to the 1st March (World Book Day) with lots of fabulous events. To find out more visit their Facebook page - Weston-super-Mare Literary Festival. 

Two Weeks Being A Full-Time Writer

Me, Rachel Brimble & Jane Lark

This weekend is the RNA Conference and I'm not attending! I'm going to miss the buzz of putting faces to names, catching up with old friends, the pink lanyards, the goodiebags, the late evenings drinking wine and the fantastic writing sessions and talks, and the parties in the kitchens...

I first attended back in 2011, which was the start of my RNA journey, introducing me to the New Writers Scheme, which definitely helped to aid my journey to publication. I then attended back in 2014, as a full member of the RNA and I long to attend again, but sadly, working Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays it buggers up going away weekends generally.

Me, Sue Fortin & Mandy Baggot

However, in hindsight, I could have gone to the RNA Conference this year after all. (I am kicking myself just a little bit). Initially, I didn't have enough holiday to cover taking the time off work and this was my main reason for not committing to attend.

The store where I work is now closed for two weeks for a refit and I'm taking the time off unpaid. It closed Monday, so I don't have to work at all this weekend. In fact I don't go back until Friday 28th July... *rolls eyes*

Our RNA Chapter (Bath & Wiltshire)

Admittedly, my eldest is going on his school trip Sunday - his first time abroad, yet not on a plane. It is also my weekend to have the boys, before they go off for two weeks the following weekend with their dad for the summer holidays, so I still can't drop everything and go now.

Never mind. There's always next year... And I did get to attend the Harper Collins 200th Anniversary Summer Party - so it's not like I've not had a party! (Really need to blog about that one too).

Mary Cross (who sadly passed away this year) & Lizzie Lane

But yes, you read right. I do have two and a bit weeks, off! What am I doing with this time you may ask... Well, I am living the life of a full-time writer! I am making sure I get writing in every day of the week (except weekends - a girl's got to live a little).

Five days a week of writing! Plus the boys will be off the first two weeks of the holidays (although I have to go back to work)... this gives me four weeks to crack on and finish my first draft. So exciting!

For all those attending the RNA Conference this weekend, travel safe, enjoy the experience, and make sure you take plenty of wine... Say hello to everyone from me! x x x



n.b. all photos were taken from the RNA Summer Conference 2014. 

Guest Post: Jenny Kane

Introducing Abi

By Jenny Kane

Many thanks for letting me nip by to talk about my Cornish romance, Abi’s House.

Let me introduce you to Abi Carter.

Thirty-two years old, short, petite, and almost fragile to look at, children’s illustrator Abi Carter is much stronger than she looks. She has to be. For only six months ago her husband, Luke, who’d been twelve years her senior, suffered a totally unexpected fatal heart attack.

Although she misses the Luke she had first known, the Luke that Abi had been living with for the past few years had no longer been that man. With each promotion in the city, he’d become more money and status obsessed. Abi hadn’t been able to keep up- she hadn’t even wanted to.

Now, guilt ridden because she can’t miss Luke as much as she think she ought to, Abi decides it’s time to walk away from the city life that was making her so unhappy and follow a childhood dream. A move that is going to take a hell of a lot of guts and determination...

Blurb

Newly widowed at barely thirty, Abi Carter is desperate to escape the Stepford Wives-style life that Luke, her late husband, had been so keen for her to live.

Abi decides to fulfil a lifelong dream. As a child on holiday in a Cornwall as a child she fell in love with a cottage – the prophetically named Abbey’s House. Now she is going to see if she can find the place again, relive the happy memories … maybe even buy a place of her own nearby?

On impulse Abi sets off to Cornwall, where a chance meeting in a village pub brings new friends Beth and Max into her life. Beth, like Abi, has a life-changing decision to make. Max, Beth’s best mate, is new to the village. He soon helps Abi track down the house of her dreams … but things aren’t quite that simple. There’s the complicated life Abi left behind, including her late husband’s brother, Simon – a man with more than friendship on his mind … Will Abi’s house remain a dream, or will the bricks and mortar become a reality?


Here’s an extract to whet your appetite...

...Nerves and an inconveniently accompanying wave of guilt hit Abi as she pulled into Taunton Deane services. With the border that divided Devon and Somerset a few miles away, Abi could feel the enormity of the step she was contemplating starting to disturb her concentration.

Making a beeline for a desperately needed cup of coffee, preferably with a side order of something unhealthy and smothered in chocolate. ‘Although not a bloody muffin,’ she muttered under her breath.

Abi couldn’t stop thinking about what her brother-in-law had said when she’d finally given in an answered one of his calls. Had Simon been right? He’d talked to her as if she’d flipped, and had suggested rather forcefully that the trauma of Luke’s untimely death must have had more of an effect on her mental health than they’d all initially thought.

Abi hadn’t been able to stop herself from laughing at the time, assuring Simon that she was very sane, thank you very much, and that if she didn’t like Cornwall, she’d be trying other locations, but that was her business and not his, or his parents. To both humour him and shut him up, and because ultimately it really would be useful, after much consideration, Abi had decided to tell Simon she’d accept his help with ensuring a seamless and tidy sale of the house if he was still willing.

Abi had been quite proud of herself, as Simon had given her his fervent promise that he’d keep an eye on the house sale while she was away, with no expectations or agenda. Now however, as she queued for her overpriced drink, Abi couldn’t help listening to a treacherous voice at the back of her head telling her Simon might be right. Perhaps her leaving was just a delayed knee-jerk reaction to Luke’s unexpected death.

Luke may not have been the best husband in the world, and she didn’t miss being put down in public for one minute, but at the same time she’d never once doubted that he’d loved her. It was more that he always acted as if he wished he didn’t.

Every day since his death it was becoming harder to remember how she’d let herself be changed from a successful businesswoman (who had admittedly been acting her socks off to portray a strong image and hide the true shy persona beneath) to the mousy wife who’d do anything to avoid the look of disappointment in her husband’s eyes when she failed yet again to live up to his expectations. I did love him, and I do miss him, but …

Abi looked out of the window, trying not to let another stab of emotion get the better of her as she watched a happy family of four, all holding hands, cross the car park. Had she been so naive to dream that she and Luke could have a family like that one day?

Despite their age difference, Luke had always given Abi the impression that he wanted children – until about a month after their honeymoon. They’d been eating in a restaurant, and a family had come in with a baby that wouldn’t stop crying. Luke hadn’t been just indignant, he’d been plain rude to the parents about their inability to keep the infant quiet. All the way home he’d ranted about how families shouldn’t be allowed in restaurants with babies, and preferably with no one under sixteen. When Abi had stuck up for them, saying that there was no way anyone could predict when a baby would cry, and that having children in restaurants from a young age helped teach them good manners and social interaction, she had been cut short with a cold look, a look she would become all too familiar with over the next few years.

A look that was followed by Luke informing her that there was no way they were ever having a creature that behaved like that! And that had been that. All conversations about having a family were closed, and every attempt Abi made to resurrect the discussion met a brick wall of silence.

Was she really striking out for a better life on her own terms, or was she running away from the hurt Luke had brought her when he was alive, and again now he was dead? Could she even do this? Determined to remain calm, Abi found a semi-clean table and sat by the window, staring out blankly across the sea of parked travellers’ vehicles.

She looked down at her drink ruefully. Luke certainly wouldn’t approve of her drinking coffee from a paper cup. After his mega-promotion at work, even drinking from a mug rather than a bone china cup and saucer was only something to be done when circumstances allowed no superior alternative.

Continuing to watch the chatting couples, groups of friends, and families move about the car park, tears started to gather at the corners of Abi’s eyes. By allowing Luke to take over every aspect of her life, she’d missed out on so much. She hadn’t meant to be so feeble – but with Luke …

With a sustaining sip of caffeine, Abi knew she’d been miraculously given another chance. She wished it had come about in another way, but nonetheless, it was a chance, and she was not going to waste it.

Abi suddenly had a strong desire to do all the things Luke would never have approved of. She wanted to mess up her salon-perfect hair, maybe get a tattoo, go out of the house without make-up, make friends …

...she wanted a house she could wear shoes in without anyone having apoplexy about dirty footprints on the carpet. She wanted a home that felt like a home, not a place that was on the verge of expecting royalty, or an impromptu visit from Homes and Gardens magazine.

Daydreams of long costal walks and lazy cliff top meanderings, maybe with a dog (one with long hair that would get all over the furnishings!) filled Abi’s head as she knocked back the remains of her coffee...

I hope you enjoyed that. If you’d like to read on, then you can buy Abi’s House in either paperback or as an e-book from all good retailers, including-

Accent Press- http://www.accentpress.co.uk/Book/12915/Abis-House

Amazon-Kindle-

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Abis-House-Jenny-Kane-ebook/dp/B00UVPPWO8/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1426711175&sr=1-1&keywords=Abi%27s+House+Jenny+Kane



http://www.amazon.com/Abis-House-Jenny-Kane-ebook/dp/B00UVPPWO8/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426711253&sr=1-2&keywords=Abi%27s+House+Jenny+Kane


Amazon Paperback

http://www.amazon.com/Abis-House-Jenny-Kane/dp/1783753285/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426711253&sr=1-1&keywords=Abi%27s+House+Jenny+Kane



http://www.amazon.co.uk/Abis-House-Jenny-Kane/dp/1783753285/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426711343&sr=1-1&keywords=Abi%27s+House+Jenny+Kane

And from 4th May you can buy the brand new sequel- Abi’s Neighbour!!

(Pre-order available now!)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Abis-Neighbour-Jenny-Kane/dp/178615028X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1487006698&sr=1-1&keywords=abi%27s+neighbour





https://www.amazon.com/Abis-Neighbour-Jenny-Kane/dp/178615028X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1487006868&sr=1-1&keywords=Abi%27s+Neighbour+by+Jenny+Kane

***

Many thanks for letting me pop by to chat, Teresa,

Happy reading,

Jenny.

Bio

Jenny Kane is the author of the full length romance novels Another Glass of Champagne (Accent Press, 2015), Abi’s House (Accent Press, 2015), the contemporary romance/medieval crime time slip novel Romancing Robin Hood (Accent Press, 2014), the best selling contemporary romance novel Another Cup of Coffee (Accent Press, 2013), and its novella length sequels Another Cup of Christmas (Accent Press, 2013), and Christmas in the Cotswolds (Accent, 2014).

Jenny’s sixth full length romance novel, Abi’s Neighbour , will be published in May 2017.

Keep your eye on Jenny’s blog at www.jennykane.co.uk for more details.

Twitter- @JennyKaneAuthor

Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/JennyKaneRomance?ref=hl

Jenny also writes erotica as Kay Jaybee and historical crime as Jennifer Ash.

10 Years Writing

Did you know this year marks that I've been writing for ten years? Yes, that's come round fast... I thought I better blog about it! 

Writing is not something I've known I wanted to do all my life either. I sort of stumbled into it. Maybe it was always there, I just didn't realise it. 

I couldn't really tell you exactly when I started writing Fan-fiction in 2006, or when my first piece went *out there* but 2006 was the start of my writing journey... 

After writing a few pieces, and getting bigger story ideas, in the October of 2006, Becky Black convinced me to do NaNoWriMo with her. And I completed it! I wrote a fan-fiction story which was over 50,000 words.

I was pregnant with Kieran at the time and I would snatch an hour here and there in the day when Ben took his naps. Although I've never 'won' another since, this gave me good grounding for how to get a novel out there. To keep writing, no matter what, and not to look back. Do not edit as you go, just bash that thing out! Write now, edit later. And to this day, that's how I work. Some times I plan... sometimes I work a bit seats of pants style.

If you're new to writing, I very much recommend NaNoWriMo!

So by 2009 I was tinkering with the idea of writing professionally, something to work around my young family, and joined the Writers' Bureau Comprehensive Writing Course. This really helped with all sorts of areas of writing, down to presentation and writing to editors. I got bits and pieces, letters mainly published in magazines, and a big piece in the local paper, but nothing that paid.

Sue Moorcroft - RNA Conf. 2011

In 2010, I entered the first chapter of The Wedding Favour (which is now Plus One is a Lucky Number) into the Mills and Boon New Voice competition and made many online writer friends through this.

Then, through the powers of social media, talking to Sue Moorcroft, I attended the RNA's (Romantic Novelists Association) Conference in Caerleon, Wales in 2011, as a non-member. (I was thrilled to be sat beside Sue at the Gala dinner on the Saturday night - I tried not to have a fangirl moment - I absolutely love her books!). I made even more writer friends - published and non-published (like me). Here I was made aware of the New Writer's Scheme, which I joined in January 2012.

In a ten minutes slot with an editor at the RNA conference, I received feedback about The Wedding Favour on how to improve it, and after more editing of this novel, I started sending it out to publishers in 2012.

HarperImpulse party Oct 2013

For the RNA NWS, I wrote Perfect Isn't An Option (now One Fine Day) and sent that off to the New Writers' Scheme. (All while tackling separating from my husband - I look back now and wonder how I achieved it.)

Being an RNA Member in the NWS, I was able to join the Bath and Wiltshire chapter meetingin Lacock. I already knew two of the members because I'd met Rachel Brimble and Alison Knight at the conference. I tried not to have another fan girl moment when Liz Fielding, my favourite Mills and Boon author turned up as part of our chapter. Although I wasn't published, I was starting to feel more like a writer.

Then, in 2013, I put The Wedding Favour through the NWS as, although I'd received some good feedback about it, it had been unsuccessful with the publishers I'd sent it out to. However, while awaiting this feedback, through my RNA Chapter I learnt that HarperCollins were launching a new imprint, HarperImpulse, and decided to send off my manuscript.

It was a good job I was sitting down. In June 2013 I was offered a TWO book contract.

Plus One is a Lucky Number (was The Wedding Favour) was published in eBook 29th August 2013. (It was release in paperback 8th May 2014).

As it had gone through the NWS, this book also allowed me to be a contender for the RNA's Joan Hessayon award - so I attended the RNA Summer Party in 2014. I love talking to fellow writers. Although I didn't win, it was great fun, and I got to spend the evening with my delightful editor, Charlotte Ledger, who'd treated Sue Fortin and myself to cocktails at the Ritz.

Joan Hessayon Award - May 2014

January 2015 saw the release of my second novel, One Fine Day in eBook, and in paperback 12th March.

And there you are, my writing journey over the past ten years! And it's still going. I now have an agent, and I've sent my third novel off to my publisher.  So watch this space!

To all the new budding writers, keep writing. If it can happen to me, then it can happen to you, too. Sometimes it will happen quickly, sometimes it takes a little longer, but just keep writing, keep learning, improving your skill, keep reading too... and it will come.

The RNA Conference Buzz

Me, Rachel Brimble and Jane Lark selfie.

I am probably, like every other writer who attended the RNA Conference at the weekend, now blogging about it.

And why not!? It makes good blogging fodder!

Everyone who attended will agree with me here. The conference gives you such a buzz, and you meet so many lovely authors, and aspiring writers, you just can't help get a high from it all.

My good friend Mary Cross with Lizzie Lane

In fact, I'm feeling rather deflated today... missing the lovely people, the delicious food and the scrumptious wine... I ate so much good food! (And drank too much wine.)

This year felt particularly good for me actually.

1) I met up with lots of authors I hadn't seen in three years, since the last (and my very first conference) I attended.

2) I was no longer a conference virgin. I knew what I was doing :-)

Me, Sue Fortin and Mandy Baggot

And 3) I had fellow writers to hang around with. It was really fab, because a good majority of my RNA chapter group made it to the conference, and so we all hung out together :) It was like an extended RNA chapter meeting.

The Romaniacs :-) 

It's a good reflection for me also. In 2011, I attended the RNA conference as an aspiring romance writer, not even a member of the RNA. But that conference encouraged me to join the RNA New Writers' Scheme, and here I am returning, three years later, now a full member of the RNA with a novel published.

Nikki Moore, Linn B Halton, Mandy B and
Jane Lark
Harper Impulse authors :)

It also enabled me to meet up with my fellow Harper Impulse authors too!

Anyway, with this blog post I'm going to share some of my favourite photos - however I have plastered the lot over on my website :)

Nikki Moore and Sue Moorcroft
(Not sure who the lady in pink is)

Morton Gray :-) Who I Love!

As you can see, I've managed to get some great photos of great authors :-) And you can see how smiley we are... or is that the free wine?

Our RNA Bath and Wiltshire Chapter group.

Gosh, there were so many more photos I wanted to add on this blog post...

Fake Friday - The Rachel Brimble Take Over

Today, Rachel Brimble has taken over my blog! 

Writers Block – it arrived and bit me in the butt!!

So happy to be here with fellow Romantic Novelist Association member, Teresa F Morgan! Thanks for having me visit, lovely lady.

I can’t help feeling my inability to move on with my current work in progress has been brought on by karma. I have always said that ‘writer’s block’ doesn’t exist. Just write! Anything…everything…it can always be edited, changed or cut, just write. Well, I’ve tried and tried and still I keep looking at what I’ve written and say to myself, “What in the world is that supposed to mean? Do? Say? It’s complete rubbish.”

The answer, of course, is that something is wrong with the book itself, whether that be the plot or characters…but lord in heaven knows what! Thankfully, I have an amazing editor and an amazing trio of critique partners who are stalwartly trying to pull me through this mire that is my next contracted book with Harlequin Superromance. Thanks to their feedback, I think the problem lies with my hero and his motivation. It’s flimsier than a pair of seven denier tights! No doubt, the mist will clear eventually… L

So what happens next? Back to the drawing board, I think. My editor has a lot more belief in me than I do right now but that’s what writing is, it’s a hard, dirty job that a huge amount of aspiring writers give up on. Teem the hard work, with the lack of ideas, with the time constraints, with the rejection and you’ve got to ask yourself, “WHY am I doing this?”

The answer is clear to anyone who feels, like me, they’ve found their calling…we HAVE to do this or be less than half the person we were meant to be. So onwards and upwards…watch this space for the result, which should be published during the summer 2015 J

As for other writers out there? I sincerely hope I’ve inspired, rather than depressed you, lol! You can do this and having written fourteen novels and two novellas to date, I wanted to share that it isn’t just you who suffers these days/weeks or months of inactivity, it happens to us all. Keep writing!

Rachel’s latest release is the third book in her ongoing Templeton Cove series with Harlequin Superromance. What Belongs To Her is available right now! Here’s the blurb and buy links:

She's ready to take back what's hers 

Since the moment a local crime boss claimed ownership of her family's fairground, Sasha Todd has dreamed of righting the wrong. Now it's time to act, and backing down from the man's estranged son is definitely not an option. After all, giving up her legacy to hot-blooded John Jordon means losing the chance to finally heal the wounds in her past. 

Stopping John in his tracks—and resisting the sizzle between them—is Sasha's best defense. But there's more to him than she thought, which changes everything. With what matters most at stake, she'll have to risk a brand-new future with John, or walk away from the man whose heart belongs to her.

Buy Links:

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Barnes & Noble

Bio:

Rachel lives with her husband and two young daughters in a small town near Bath in the UK.  After having several novels published by small US presses, she secured agent representation in 2011. In 2012, she sold two books to Harlequin Superromance, followed by a further three book contract in 2013. She also writes Victorian romance for Kensington—The Seduction of Emily and The Temptation of Laura are available with a further two books coming soon.

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family and beloved black Lab, Max. Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England…although she hopes a dream visit to Canada might just change her mind!

She likes nothing more than connecting and chatting with her readers and fellow romance writers. Rachel would love to hear from you!

Links:

Website

Blog

Twitter

Facebook

 Thank you, Rachel, for taking over my blog today :-) Some good advice and you really have inspired me! Look forward to meeting up with you again soon. Teresa x 

Exciting News! RNA Joan Hessayon Award Contender!

Finally, I can share my secret!

I've known way before Christmas. I've known before my book was actually published way back in August that I would be a contender for the RNA's Joan Hessayon Award.

It's been really hard not to shout about this exciting bit of news!

Basically, Plus One is a Lucky Number went through the New Writers' Scheme, (as The Wedding Favour) and was my first book to get published, so it makes me eligible for the award. I found this all out when I transferred my membership from New Writers' scheme to full RNA member.

The winner will be announced at the RNA Summer Party. At first I wasn't sure if I could afford to attend, then a complimentary ticket dropped through my door, and I had no excuses. I booked my train yesterday!

Now I just need to think about a dress - ideally one that won't crinkle on the train! - and sensibly but sexy shoes (I've seen the photos at the RNA parties... there are lots of pictures of shoes!).

Fellow Harper Impulse author, Sue Fortin is also a contender, so it's going to be exciting for both of us! It will mean I get to meet my editor, Charlotte Ledger and the rest of the fabulous Harper Impulse team again.

There are seventeen in all... a record number...  some names and faces I recognise from the RNA conference in 2011. Here is the list:

Celia J Anderson, Sweet Proposal, Piakus

Elaine Everest, Grace's War, Pulse

Helena Fairfax, The Silk Romance, MuseItUp

Sue Fortin, United States of Love, Harper Impulse

Kathryn Freeman, Too Charming, Choc Lit

Jessica Gilmore, The Return of Mrs Jones, Harlequin Mills & Boon

Laura E James, Truth or Dare? Choc Lit

Jennie Jones, The House on Burra Burra Lane, Harlequin Australia

Alison May, Sweet Nothing, Choc Lit

Teresa F. Morgan, Plus One is a Lucky Number, Harper Impulse

Jane O'Reilly, Once a Bad Girl, Escape

Helen Phifer, The Ghost House, Carina UK

Jill Steeples, Desperately Seeking Heaven, Carina UK

Jo Thomas, The Oyster Catcher, Accent Press

Lin Treadgold, Goodbye Henrietta Street, Safkhet Publishing

Susan Willis, Yes Chef, No Chef, Endeavour

Jennifer Young, Thank You For The Music, Tirgearr 

Author photos and their books can be found here. 

We're all winners as we have all had our first book published by fabulous publishers. This just is a lovely boost to our career and writing. 

HarperImpulse Party - 24th October 2013

Carmel, Brigid & me! And the cabinet.

I thought I best share my fun time at the HarperImpulse party! Thursday was a great adventure, getting on the train and reading for two hours :) So glad I didn't decide to drive.

Arriving at Paddington (a bit late for the Gromit unfortunately) I then caught a tube to Hammersmith, where I found Aimee Duffy waiting for me, and we walked to our hotel.

At the hotel we met Carmel Harrington and the three of us got a taxi to HarperCollins Publishers! Will NEVER tire of saying that, and had to pinch myself as I walked into reception. I did have a wobbly moment.

Sue Moorcroft

Unfortunately our taxi had been running late, and with the traffic too, we arrived late to the meeting at 5pm.

In our fluster in reception, we suddenly noticed our books in paper on the big bookshelf! And then in the cabinet too. We tried not to squeal like teenagers - honest. Act cool, Rodney, act cool.

Chick-lit girls: Sue Fortin, Sarah Lefebve and me!

So we had a talk, then we had coffee and tea and biscuits until we were ready to go down to the party, where endless amounts of Prosecco and winter Pimms were available. I met bloggers, my fellow HarperImpulse authors, other writing acquaintances like Sue Moorcroft and Christina Courtney (Pia Fenton). I actually don't think I took enough pictures.

Me and my editor, Charlotte Ledger looking sparkly.

I don't have room to put all the pictures on my blog, so they can be found on my Facebook Page or Website. The evening was great fun. I met some really lovely people, and felt hugely proud and lucky to be part of a fantastic team of writers. I have a wonderful publisher. I met my most lovely and very busy editor, Charlotte Ledger. Long live HarperImpulse! When's the next party? (I so wish I was going to the Festival of Romance...)

Hump Day Hot Seat: Lorraine Wilson

Today I have Lorraine Wilson in the Hump Day Hot Seat. Lorraine and I attend the same RNA Chapter meeting in Lacock, and we are both Harper Impulse authors. She is one of my writing friends who I do meet on a regular basis, which is really nice. 

So let's get on with the questions! 

Lorraine, have you always wanted to be a writer?

Yes, I used to create fictional worlds in exercise books and used my savings to buy a typewriter.

Did you manage to get the first book you wrote published, or is it tucked in a drawer somewhere?

My first book wasn’t good enough to be published but I submitted it to the RNA’S new writers’ scheme and got such encouraging advice and learnt from my mistakes. I think that writing is like any other skill, the more you write, the better at it you get.

Why do you like writing romance?

I used to write quite depressing stories in my teens but I like to listen to feel -good fiction and I have discovered how much fun it is to write. I like to write books that will put a smile on peoples’ faces, the world can be quite depressing enough without adding to it!

What’s the best bit of writing advice you’ve ever received or read?

Keep writing- it sound very obvious but seriously you need a bit of stickabililty if you want to get published and stay published.

What things inspire you to write? Location, music, film or even in a book?

I’ve set my Chalet Girl books in my favourite part of Switzerland but I also find inspiration from magazines and news stories and draw from my own experiences.

What is next on your agenda after publishing your book?

Secrets of a Chalet Girl’ is published tomorrow (24^th October) and then ‘Revenge of a Chalet Girl’ is out 19^th December. I’m currently working on Secret Valentine of a Chalet Girl.

Are you nervous about friends reading your book?

No, having an editor critique your sex scenes gets you over your nerves but the big worry is family reading my books. When I went to the hairdressers the other day I was asked about the sex content of my book and replied that my mother-in-law is forbidden to read past page sixty of ‘Confessions of a Chalet Girl’. The hairdresser replied that he was going to buy the book and start at page sixty! I’m not sure I will be able to look him in the eye next time I get my haircut!

Do you love or hate Facebook?

I avoided Facebook for a long time and have only started using it properly this year. I have to say I love it - it’s enabled me to make contact with readers and writers I wouldn’t have met otherwise and there’s nothing nicer than a lovely Facebook message from a reader when you’re having a bad day.

Thank you so much, Lorraine, for being in the hot seat. I thoroughly enjoyed Confessions of a Chalet Girl (here's my review if you're interested). I remember what happens on page sixty! Hot stuff - phew! And I'm loving the covers of your books. Good luck with Secrets of a Chalet Girl and the rest of the series.  

You can read the first chapter of 'Secrets of a Chalet Girl' for free here.

Buy links: http://smarturl.it/secretchalet & http://smarturl.it/chaletrevenge

Keep up to date with news about the Chalet Girl series here:

https://www.facebook.com/LorraineWilsonWriter & https://twitter.com/Romanceminx

Lorraine Wilson's places: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Blog

About Lorraine Wilson: 

I live in Wiltshire with my husband but love to travel and have lived in four continents. From playing amidst Roman ruins in Africa as a child to riding a Sultan’s racehorse in the Middle East as a teen, I’ve many experiences to draw on for the stories. I’ve been writing ever since I can remember. When I’m not writing you’ll find me listening to audiobooks while I sew or design handbags, usually with a rescue terrier or two curled up on my feet!