You quickly learn that you’d better learn to love meetings or you’re going to hate your job. I’m fortunate to work from home, so my participation in meetings I might otherwise have to attend is limited or not required, but I still have a lovely routine schedule of phone meetings (anyone who knows me will laugh at this, as they know the phone is not my favorite). But those people up there in the office? Some days I wonder how they manage to get desk work done, they’re at so many meetings. I feel for them.

Which is why I cringed and felt some guilt when I sent an email today suggesting we set up a meeting…talk about being dragged to the dark side!

I’ve let my blog go neglected for so long, that every time I think about blogging, I then think…but it’s been so long since I’ve posted, I don’t really want to post THAT. But I come to the realization that if I don’t just go ahead and post something, I may never post again, because it will be that much longer in between posts, that much longer that I let my blog just sit here, doing nothing. And that’s kind of depressing, because even the spammers have given up on my blog.

So I’m starting small, first with a reminder that hey! Carina Press launched! And actually, our week two books are up and for sale. I hope you’ll check out the thing that’s been keeping me away from my blog all these months. And, you know, maybe buy a few books so I have a job going forward. Otherwise I might have a LOT of time for blogging

The other thing I can share is that we scheduled a family vacation to Disney World. We’ve planned it to occur the week before RWA, to take advantage of the RWA hotel rates. Plane ticket prices dropped yesterday and that was our final determination (we had been thinking of driving). I’m excited to do this, despite the fact that we’re going to be in Orlando in JULY because Brianna still remembers our trip to Disney just before her third birthday and she’s been asking to go back ever since. We’re not going to tell her we’re going quite yet, we’re going to wait (until at least the week before). I’m not sure when exactly we’ll tell her. Possibly on the plane ride there? No need in creating an agony of suspense for a 5 y/o any sooner than we have to. Of course, it does make a wonderful threat for good behavior, doesn’t it? As in “you’d better listen or you’re not going to Disney World”?

Last, I’m kind of excited because I only have two more work trips planned for this summer–one to Birmingham, Alabama (if you’re near there, you can come hear me speak on June 26th!) and one to RWA. Other than that, I have all of my weekends free to enjoy the summer and the beach. That kind of rocks, and I plan to enjoy it since I don’t expect to have many summers like this.

Oh, and I got a new lens for my camera. Now I just need to learn how to use it (both the lens and the camera)

From the Cinco de Mayo DC United soccer game. We had a fabulous time. DC United scored a goal and in celebration, B tossed up the confetti she’d made from shredding a game program. Unfortunately, confetti and cotton candy don’t mix. But she didn’t care…

I’m stealing this post that I wrote for the Carina Press blog yesterday. If you’re going to be at RT, make sure you pay special attention to the bit about Club RT and the Carina Press luncheon (for a chance to win a nook) and take note of my Friday workshop on digital readers with Jane Litte and Sarah Wendell, and think about attending (for a chance to win a Sony).

I’ll be attending the Romantic Times Convention in Columbus, Ohio next week as will Aideen O’Leary-Chung, who will be there on behalf of both Carina Press and Harlequin. Below is a list of places you’ll be able to catch up with us. Even if you don’t attend any of the workshops I’m giving, I hope you’ll attend the Carina luncheon on Friday (there will be goodies!) where I’ll be giving an introduction speech. And please do find me and say hello!

Wednesday April 26th 10am-12:15pm, Everything Digital Publishing(that’s not actually the title but I don’t remember what RT thought sounded like a good idea for a title), presenting with author Lauren Dane. During this workshop, Lauren and I will present you with information about publishing in both the traditional and digital-first world. We’ll have a candid conversation with you about the pros and cons of digital publishing, and we’ll give you honest answers to your questions. Come prepared to have us talk with you, not to you!

Thursday April 27th 2:45-3:45pm Editor Panel

Moderated by author Judi McCoy, I join a long list of other editors on a panel to answer questions about our presses and what we’re looking for

Friday April 28th

10am: Carina Press Spotlight. Join Aideen and I in a conversation about Carina Press, our upcoming launch, our acquisitions, submissions process and any questions you might have!

11:15-12:15pm: Reading Digital (pay special attention to this one)

Along with Jane Litte of Dear Author and Sarah Wendell of SmartBitches, we’ll present a large variety of digital reading devices, discuss with you how to choose which device to buy, what online retailers are available for you to shop at, how DRM can impact your shopping and what formats you should look for. Basically, we’re going to talk everything necessary to read digitally and give you the opportunity to see the devices up close and personal. Not only that, but I’ve heard a rumor that there’s going to be a device for giveaway AND a coupon code to an online bookstore. This might be one you don’t want to miss!

12:30 Carina Press luncheon

Join us for martini mashed potatoes, cupcakes and a celebration of the Carina Press launch. There will be goodies and cover art and Carina Press authors! And there will be a giveaway of a nook!

Sometime Friday afternoon…editor appointments. I’m taking pitches Friday afternoon. Are you signed up?

Club RT Thursday 9am – 12 & 2-4pm; Friday 9am – 12 & 2-4pm

In addition to all of that, we’ll also have a table at Club RT. Aideen will have a variety of devices for you to handle (nook, a couple of Sonys, Kindle, etc) and there will be a sign up for a drawing for a nook, to be given away during the Carina Press luncheon on Friday (must be present to win!) as well as sign up for 2 winners to receive all of our launch titles (and that might just be more books than you suspect!). Visit Aideen at Club RT Thursday and Friday for your chance to win, check out the devices and get some Carina promo goodness!

So, who’s going to be at RT?

Today was a Mother’s Day program at B’s daycare. The 2-year-old class did some nursery rhymes (and were so adorable doing it) and the 3-5 year olds sang a variety of songs including “You are My Sunshine” and “Doe-Ray-Mi”. The first song, though was an animal song I’ve never heard before and each child was supposed to dress as an animal. Supposedly, Brianna chose to be a pig, though this morning, in a fit of dramatics that would do Elizabeth Taylor proud, she sobbed uncontrollably that she didn’t want to be a pig and that the teacher had said she had to be a pig. Regardless, we moved past the dramatics and B went on to be a very cute little piglet.

As generally happens, I got a lot of great shots of other people’s children, but most of the ones of B didn’t turn out that great. Except this one, which I adore, because it shows her singing her little American Idol heart out. Most of the kids were incredibly shy and either sang quietly or not at all. Not my diva. She belted out those tunes like she was born to the stage. This picture? Makes me laugh out loud every time I see it. She looks so earnest, doesn’t she?

(seriously, how do people do Wordless Wednesday without saying stuff. I want to SAY stuff about this picture, dammit. So I’ll at least say that I took this picture at the beach a few weeks ago.)

Once upon a time…

I pulled a book from the slush pile. Okay, if we’re being really accurate, it was targeted for an anthology I’d put out a call for, but it was an author I’d never heard of and it was sent to the slush pile. So my story stands. Anyway! The book and the author captured me with its paranormal/urban fantasy tone, with the fun story, spunky heroine and imminently readable author’s voice. I knew immediately that I was going to acquire Kaye Chamber’s Tiger by the Tail and publish this debut author’s first story. That was two years ago and, as with all of my previous authors, it was hard to say goodbye to working with such a talented author whose voice I find delightful and fun to both edit and read.

So when Kaye contacted me to give me an opportunity to read her newest release, Blood and Destiny, I jumped at the chance. And I’m delighted to give her book a bit of space on the blog, to tell you a little about it, encourage you to buy it (it’s a fun read, I promise!) and to encourage you to enter her contest. In fact, when I learned of the contest, I told her not to bother sending me a copy of the book, I’d buy my own so I could enter the contest and win!

First, the book:

When the past bites, bite back.

Ladies of St. George, Book 1

For Destiny St. George, shapeshifting lioness and private investigator, her best friend’s looming wedding is little more than a reminder of her failed relationship with vampire king Marcus Smythe. Tired of being only one of many mistresses—and dinner entrees—she’s stayed away from the vampire scene altogether. Until a missing-person case forces her to seek his help.

Knowing that pressing Destiny is not the way to convince her to give their relationship another try, Marcus has been waiting her out—and his patience is rewarded when she steps into his nightclub. Now is his chance to lure her back into his arms. This time, he plans to keep her there.

Destiny’s not sure which is worse: working with Marcus, or trying to remember all the reasons she called it off with him. And when it becomes clear the case is an elaborate trap to avenge a millennia-old grudge, she finds herself caught between love and instinct—while the clock ticks down on an innocent victim’s life…

Product Warnings

Vampires determined to take more than a bite out of the heroine. A lioness sure that she’s going to have the last word.

You can buy Blood and Destiny at a number of places including: My Bookstore and More, Books on Board, and Amazon Kindle.

Now, for the contest from Kaye’s site:

Do you have an ereader?

Full details are on Kaye’s site. I’m led to understand that right now, the odds of winning look good. Heck, let’s be honest, this will probably be one contest where your odds are better than many, many (most) others and the prize is awesome. You don’t even have to buy the book to enter, but I think you should!

Let’s do a lightning round of things I’ve been meaning to post about the past week:

In the past two weeks I’ve been in New York City, had my parents visit, been to Toronto and the Harlequin offices and been laid out by a cold. I think my body is formally protesting.

Have you visited the <a href=“http://www.carinapress.com/blog”>Carina Press blog</a>? We’ve been posting covers over there.

I hate Facebook Pages. That’s all.

Brianna’s mind is quick as hell. I can’t keep up. Earlier in the week she was firing off questions at me faster than I could keep up, including some deep theology questions (“where did God come from?”). My favorite: “Who borned the first person if there was no one to borne them?” (I had no warning leading up to this question). Second favorite: “Why don’t babies get borned from our mouths?”

She also caught me saying someone’s child was homely (and now all of you are wondering if it was your child. I assure you, it wasn’t) and she said “what’s homely?” I feel like a walking dictionary lately because she asks for the definition of everything. I wasn’t expecting to have to tell her what homely is when I’d just used it about someone’s child, though (shame on me). Thankfully, while I was looking up the most innocuous definition of homely I could find, she decided I must have said “lonely” and came up with THAT definition all on her own (“oooh, you mean she’s all alone”). Whew. Note to self: watch what you say!

My travel schedule is picking up. I hope I have time to visit the beach this summer. Is it summer yet? I’m happy to report that most of the snow has melted, though we do still have a giant pile in the front yard.

Last, while my parents were in town, I snapped a bunch of pictures. We went to the beach to collect shells (yes it was cold and yes we are crazy) and I got some great pictures of family, the wild ponies, other wildlife and a random seagull. Below is one of my favorites: my dad and Brianna. It makes me smile because it’s a perfect moment captured.

I know I already complained about this once on the blog, but I am DONE with the snow. It’s not just the fact that it’s snowed more where we live than it did the previous five years. Or the fact that it’s snowing again. No, it’s the fact that these snow storms are also managing to coincide with my travel. Because, you know, hanging out in the airport and figuring out how to get to/from conferences via plane, train and automobile is JUST how I want to spend my time. You?

So yep, as I type this, I’ve made it from NYC to Philly and I’m in the Philly airport. Right now my flight home is just delayed, not canceled yet. Yet. I’ve been here for an hour and it was so tempting to just assume the flight would be canceled and to go ahead and rent a car. I could be home in just a few hours. But I’m waiting and we’re under a 45 minute delay right now. I expect more to come. Whee!

On the other hand, I did have a fantastic trip to NYC where I was attending and presenting at the Tools of Change conference. I gave two presentations at the conference, and also got a chance to go to the Harlequin NY offices and meet with some of the editorial staff there, and talk about Carina. My favorite thing! Tools of Change is a conference that I love, because I get to meet up with and talk to people from all areas of publishing. Three days of talking about publishing and listening to how others are innovating? Fascinating and energizing.

I’m hoping to share a bit more about what I did there (including more about my presentations) when I’m more fully rested and not stuck in an airport wondering if I’ll ever get home!

The Olympics, I mean. I’m a self-admitted sports fan. I love watching a variety of different sports, from US football to Nascar. I’ll even watch bowling on occasion (oddly, I don’t like baseball and it’s the one thing I won’t watch). So even aside from country pride, the Olympics are right up my alley, watching the world’s talented athletes show their stuff and compete for public glory. I love it. Love it! I even turn the TV on mute during the day to watch sports like hockey and curling. And it’s not just the US athletes, I’m happy to cheer for athletes from other countries who compete well. I just love something about the excitement of the moment at the Olympics. Maybe someday I’ll get to see them in person, as some of my Canadian friends have been doing this week.

But if you’re not watching, you’ve missed some amazing moments for the US team. The men’s 1500m short track speed skating. Ohno was not going to medal, it was going to be a Korean sweep and then…two of the Korean skaters took each other out in the last turn and allowed Ohno and a US teammate to skate to silver and bronze.

Yesterday’s events were also exciting. Lindsey Vonn skied to gold on an injured leg. Shani Davis became the first man to get back to back gold medals in the 1000m. And Shaun White wowed the world with his snowboarding prowess. Seriously, if you watch nothing else from the Olympics, watch the clip here, of Shaun White’s first and second run (second run is at 3:40 on the video so you can fast forward). Even if you don’t know anything about snowboarding, you can see his talent and feel his joy as he wins. It’s a perfect representation of an Olympic moment.

For photos and videos of other “Golden Olympic Moments” you should visit the NBC Olympic site. Take a moment to celebrate for the athletes whose hard work paid off!