So I'm back from ten days in Washington, D.C. I am now officially the mother of a teenage boy (hold me) and had one of the best RWA National conferences ever. Caught up with many old friends and made many new. Had a first when the panel I was on with SB Sarah, Jane from Dear Author, Carrie Lofty and Ann Aguirre was interrupted by a fire alarm. Eight flights of steps in four inch heels later, and we discovered it was a false alarm. Of course it was. My thighs still hurt. However, if you were there and even if you weren't and you have any questions about it, feel free to ask. After all, it was a panel on online promotion.

Got to spend wonderful amounts of time with some localistas, including a memorable cocktail hour (or four) with sowilo and mfnlaw. I think they've forgiven me for not mentioning until hour 3.5 that some flavor of the Italian Soccer Team was on the eighth floor. I think. But for them, a bevy of Italian Soccer Team Boys:



Lessee, what else? Oh, I found myself at a Barnes and Noble, because I am just that sad, and lo and behold, featured on a top shelf of the New Release display on the first floor, our own sartorias's latest!



Oh, and if you were at the Literacy Signing on Wednesday and heard a window-rattling shriek, that would be my dear friend Alyssa Day who hit the NY Times Bestseller list for the second month in a row with her July 7th release, Altantis Unmasked. As she put it, she's sandwiched between some pretty impressive company, numbers-wise, although she doubts they spent their Sunday night unpacking and doing conference laundry. Ah, the glamorous life of a bestseller, right?

27 ANGELS AND DEMONS, by Dan Brown. (Pocket)

28 ATLANTIS UNMASKED, by Alyssa Day. (Berkley)

29 THE BOURNE SANCTION, by Eric Van Lustbader. (Grand Central)

The RITAs were fairly low-key this year, surprisingly enough, but with a couple of thrilling moments for me with Rosemary Clement-Moore taking the YA RITA with Hell Week and in a wonderful, wonderful moment, Tera Lynn Childs winning Best First Book with her adorable YA, Oh. My. Gods.

When she won, I believe I shrieked something along the lines of "Tell me again how YA doesn't belong in RWA!!" *preens a bit*

Oh, and I kinda looked like an eggplant this year, but such is life. I refused to stress over the weight gain because I had legitimate health-oriented reasons for a great deal of it. It's inspiration for next year, right?

Right.

And on the upside, the Girls were, erm... rather lush. (At least for me.) I was advised to sit with Very Good Posture, lest they make a break for it. So not used to this.



Now back to the glamorous life of the published author. Laundry, groceries, and picking the dogs up from boarding. Not so different from the life of the NY Times Bestseller. I'm sure there's a lesson there.

We clean up okay.

Me and carrielofty at the RITAs.




I've also been adding to the Flickr Photostream. If you have pics, please, share!

If I want to wear this in July to present at the RITAs. Simple, because really, can't top last year, but still elegant as all get out with a nice touch of unique.

Quickie flyby post—lovely four star review for Accent on Teens Read Too.

Nice thing to find in my inbox when I'm feeling crummy and the last place I want to be is at a conference.


Oh—as it turns out, I'll have to be shlepping an evening gown cross country. They asked me to present the RITA for Best Contemporary Single Title. That'll be cool. *g*

*blows kisses from safe distance*

The full list of the 2008 RITA finalists is up at the RWA National website.

Yay!- Young Adult made it as a category and there's a great range among the four finalists. There are also two YA novels among the Best First Book finalists and one of them, Kelly Parra's Graffiti Girl, is an MTV Books release that also finaled in YA, so go Kelly.

Bummer- I, alas, am not on that list.

Yay!- I have some friends who finaled and a long time buddy, Terri Garey who double finaled. So I'll be cheering big time from my seat.

Bummer- Part of the reason I wished I'd finaled is because I won't be able to enter next year, since I won't have a 2008 release.

Yay!- I don't have to shlep a full out evening gown cross country unless I really want to. So if a Cute Cocktail Dress catches my eye, I may just wear that with a spectacular pair of shoes.

Bummer- However, if I do so, does this mean I need to spray tan my impossibly white legs?

Yay!- I can relax and have a blast during RWA week without the stress and buildup to Saturday night.

Bummer- You know, I'm having trouble thinking of another one. Just felt like I should try if only for balance's sake. (Why yes, I'm being a Virgo, Libra rising. What's your point?)

Anyhow, best of luck to everyone and onward to San Francisco!

So, in the interests of procrastinating, I was over reading Carrie Lofty's blog. And she mentioned that she had a RomanceWiki page. (Her page looks lovely.)

Being a curious sort, I searched for my name.

Yeah, I'm there. There's an author page. A page for Adiós. A page for last year's RITA finalists and winners.

Then there was this one.

It's the first time I've ever seen a comprehensive list, in one place, of all the winners in my category.

I... I... I'm kind of speechless, actually.

Okay, honestly? More lightheaded and sort of queasy. I mean, do you see who all is on that list? Seriously, talk about a surreal experience, seeing a list like that with my name on it.

Selah says the Hub should print it out, laminate it, and wrap it around Bertha to use in chasing me around the house when the self-doubt bunnies get to me.

That's my CP—full of the milk of human kindness.

Thanks to jonquil for the head's up.

Why the Stars Offer the Clothes Off Their Backs

Barbara Ferrer, who writes novels for young adults, wanted a gown to wear to a Romance Writers of America awards show and jumped at the chance to snap up Maggie Gyllenhaal’s Proenza Schouler dress, worn to this year’s Oscars, for $2,400. “I’m one of those geeks that watches the award shows for the fashions,” Ms. Ferrer said in a telephone interview.

“That gown was definitely a leap of faith for me,” she said. The celebrity history of the dress was less the draw than the design. “I just really, really liked the gown. The fact that it was Maggie’s gown was kind of secondary.”

(For more details on the organization and the gown's provenance, check out this entry from July.)

Of course they had to mention what I paid for the gown (not that it was a big secret for anyone who wanted to find out, via the Clothes Off Our Back site), as opposed to the fact that I actually, you know, was a FINALIST in the RITA and won one of my categories. That was the whole reason that Clothes Off Our Backs gave the Times reporter my name, because they were looking for a story of something special that had happened with a winning bidder and they immediately thought of me. Ah well. *good-natured roll of the eyes*

But it's the freakin' TIMES!! Meep!

Not just for shopping (okay, holidays notwithstanding, we all know that every season is the season for shopping for me).

No, 'tis the season to get the contest entries out. I've never been much of a contest slut-- for one reason, as an unpubbed, I sucked hard at them. The problem with unpublished contests, especially within RWA chapters, is that first round of readers is often plucked from within the ranks of the chapter-- there's just no other way around it. But it makes the entry process a bit of a crap shoot. You may get someone in that first round who is completely wedded to the "rules" of writing and if'n you don't follow those rules, then you're more or less doomed. Or they aren't familiar with the conventions of the genre within which you might write. Or (this was always one of my favorites) are extremely, extremely literal in how they interpret your work-- can't tell you how many times my Spanish was "corrected" within these contest entries. And because the judges generally have the option of remaining anonymous, they often got carried away (and cruel) with the commentary.

Right.

So after maybe a half dozen unpublished contests, I gave up that particular ghost with no real regret. As a published author, I'm still not big on contests, only entering ones that I feel offer something special. The RITA of course-- and this year, it's even more important to enter, since I really, really want the Young Adult category to make it. (*glares at other YA authors*-- we have until NOVEMBER 30 TO GET THE ENTRIES IN.)

*ahem*

There are a handful of others. I just finished filling out the entry form and assembling the mailing packet for the Florida Book Awards. Again, important to me because it's supporting my alma mater and writing/writers in the State of Florida.

Yes, jenniferechols, I've put together the entry packet for the Gayle Wison Award of Excellence. This one I do beause I might get in trouble otherwise. Besides, it's a great award honoring a great lady.

The one I was most reluctant to enter was the Oklahoma RWA's National Reader's Choice Awards. Adiós didn't play too well in Oklahoma last year, but Lovely Agent Caren loves this award, so I entered Accent at her behest.

And I've been nominated again for the Cybils, thanks to the lovely CP, who is my rock. This one I love because I adore the YA/Children's Lit book bloggers and I admire and support what they aspire to with this award.

I'll admit it, while I'm not much of a contest 'ho, there are awards I wish I could be nominated for-- but those require the support of librarians and/or the books' publisher, which I haven't gotten so much. But I'll admit, I hunger for the legitimacy that comes with any of the ALA/YALSA lists. I'm just that ambitious, I guess-- it's not something I admit to a lot, but I can't deny, it runs with some intriguing parallels to how I feel about my women's fiction, that there's a place for work that straddles lines.

I guess we'll see how it all works itself out.

FYI: The Romance Writers of America are accepting entries for the 2008 RITA Awards

This is a great opportunity to enter your book into a YA-specific category and I'd really, really, REALLY like for us to make the twenty-five book minimum this year so we can have a category.

You don't have to be a member of RWA to enter (although it helps with the entry fee). The contest is open to entries until November 30, but with a caveat-- the contest caps out at 1200 entries total, which could happen before November 30 and any books that come in after #1200 won't count, so if we don't have our twenty-five entries, then the category doesn't fly. *POUT*

And don't make the assumption that twenty-five entries is all that easy to get and wait until the last minute. Despite what seemed like a gajillion great YA books out there last year, we didn't hit twenty-five and the category was cancelled. The whole category was very nearly knocked out of future RITAs, but we got an eleventh hour reprieve, so again, I'd really like to see us make it this year.

Oh, and it also doesn't have to be straight up romance, provided it has a strong romantic theme. I know there are a lot of YA books out there that can claim that, so I'd love to see them entered.

Any questions, feel free to fire away.

Well, RITA's in her new home with new friends to keep her company and if you enlarge the photo, you'll see that yes, it does have the title of my lovely book and my name on it! They even got the accent on the "o" (which has totally been my bizarre, irrational litmus test).

Keeping her company are Lilo and Stitch in the background, doing a celebratory hula, of course and next to RITA is Pablo, the Pamplona Peep. (It's a long story...)



But that's not all, Don...

I have a book trailer for my August release, It's Not About the Accent

I think it just captures the feeling of the book so beautifully-- I couldn't be any happier.

Nice, reasoned discussion/debate going on over at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books.

Some mention of "big girl panties on aisle 4" that had me snorting Diet Coke up my nose.

Still randomly giggling like a loon.

Must get back to work very soon-- have Sept. 1 deadline but for now, still randomly giggling like a loon.

We all know how I am with respect to rules as applied to writing- *twitches just writing that out*

Not my favorite thing in the world. However, I have a deep respect for chain of command and following of rules, especially in a large organization where the rules are in place in order to provide a fair baseline for the majority.

Which is why I find myself both bemused and amused by the fact that there is apparently some... erm, issue with the fact that I won the RITA. Oh, wait, excuse me-- that I won the Best Contemporary Single Title Romance RITA.

( Warning, mild rant ahead )

I'm good with that.

Come on, boys, line up 'cause I gots me some celebratin' to do!

Ian, start things off for us, will you, love?



( I kinda went nuts, so the rest behind the cut )

Cabana Boys all AROUND!!!

First off, a big, ginormous, exceedingly exhausted THANK YOU to everyone who congratulated me on this blog, on other sites, or in person last night.

Last night... what can I say? It was a blur of nerves and "good luck" and "You wrote such a great book" and "you look great."

The dress, as many of you know by now, was Maggie Gyllenhaal's 2007 Oscar dress. It was part of the Clothes Off Our Backs charity auction.

The Clothes Off Our Back Foundation is a 501c3 organization that hosts charity auctions showcasing today's hottest celebrity attire. Items are put up for bid to the public with proceeds going to benefit children's charities. Clothes Off Our Back was founded by actors and philanthropists Jane Kaczmarek ("Malcolm In The Middle") and Bradley Whitford (“The West Wing,” “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip”) whose efforts, along with their celebrity and designer friends have helped improve the lives of children across the globe.

And about this specific auction:

Proceeds from the auction benefit the emergency relief efforts in Darfur (specifically Friends of the World Food Program, Save the Children and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF).

It's a thing I've done ever since I've sold-- every time something good has happened with respect to my writing, I try to be good in return.

Bidding on that gown was the only leap of faith I made with respect to the RITA, since the auction happened before the calls went out to the finalists. I saw that gown and thought to myself, "Wow, that would make a great RITA gown someday," having no real clue that someday would happen so soon. *g*




So that's the gown-- as far as the category, that's where things get fun. As you might recall from my earlier squee-fests, I was a named a finalist in two categories: Best First Book and Best Contemporary Single Title Romance. ST was the shocker, since of course, Adiós is a Young Adult novel. However, we didn't make the minimum entry requirement of 25, so I had to pick a backup category and because of word count restrictions (that have thankfully been eliminated), ST it was.

After Tracy Warren's The Husband Trap won for Best First Book, I actually relaxed-- a little disappointed, of course, because, hey, I'm human, right? But all in all, it was the first time I'd relaxed all day, pretty much. I almost took my shoes off, because seriously, the idea that I might win ST just wasn't even a factor. I was positive my best shot had been in First Book and additionally, ST is a such a hot category and there are so many great authors/books in there-- I know I've said it here before and I certainly know the danger of sounding smarmy saying it, but I was just happy to have finaled.

So yeah, when I heard the book title and my name, I was just a leetle surprised. (As in lightheaded, crazy/happy suprised.) And happy I'd kept my shoes on.



I had some notes on a card that I'd made my husband hold because I didn't want to even think about it. But I'd been threatened with severe bitchslapping if I didn't at least jot some notes on a card. Again, glad I did it, because it kept me from babbling too much, I hope. I'm kind of fuzzy on the details, but I've been told I didn't sound like an idiot, so I'm glad.

After that, it was off to the dessert reception and then the bar and there was just so much good will being flung around. I was genuinely surprised and touched by how many people were happy for me and riding my high along with me about this amazing accomplishment. And for once, I kicked my usual reticence and self-deprecation in the ass and allowed myself to really, truly wallow in the happy and enjoy my little gold lady.

Me and the very talented American Title III Winner, Jenny Gardiner:



Another pic of the fabulous Cherries in Attendance:





Congratulations to all of them and all the finalists and to all the Golden Heart winners and finalists as well. It was an unforgettable evening all around.

Truly, the Little Book That Could

RITA Award Winners

ETA: If you come across or have any pics of me where I don't look like a total troglodyte, please shoot me a copy or let me know where they're at! *g*

I have in my possession a bee-yoo-ti-ful gold girl!

And I couldn't be prouder.

More later when I get home, but for now...

Okay, so RWA has released their proposed recommendations for changes to the Golden Heart and RITA categories. The lovely Smart Bitches are hosting a more thorough discussion of the pros and cons over on their site, (and there are plenty, trust me) but I'm going to focus on my little corner of the sandbox-- the Young Adult category.

The good:

They're recommending keeping the category, thank all the gods, goddesses, and little fishes.

They've altered the wording of the category definition so that romance is a strong theme, but no longer the central element. Seeing as the GH & RITA are contests for the Romance Writers of America, I'm down with keeping romance as a strong theme and extremely pleased that it's no longer the central, driving element for the book, because I think that's more realistic and apropos for the category.

However (you knew there had to be one) their choice of language for the reworked definition constitutes the bad.

BEST YOUNG ADULT ROMANCE - Novels with a strong romantic theme geared toward young adult readers and in which the level of sexuality may range from sweet to extremely hot.

Judging guidelines: In this category, the love story is an important element of the
novel, and the end of the book is emotionally satisfying. The minimum word count for YA
novels is 40,000 words. These novels may or may not contain a high level of sexuality.

Rationale for changing Young Adult category: The Young Adult novel is our best way to
guide young readers toward adult romance. Most novels are geared more to the teenager’s
journey and the story is not exclusively focused on the romance. However, these novels are still
required to contain a significant romance in order to enter this category.

Okay, here's the thing, that bolded section of the definition-- the "sweet to extremely hot" was something they tagged onto most, if not all, of the definitions-- probably to allow the more erotic romances an opportunity to compete within appropriate categories, again, something I'm completely down with.

But it's also had the unfortunate side effect of some people taking that to mean, "There are erotic romance Young Adult novels? Ewwwwwwwww That's not right!"

To which I want to respond with a slap upside the head and say, "No, you noodge, that's not what it means. It just means that RWA is acknowledging that there are Young Adult novels out there that depict romantic relationships between teenagers in realistic, non-gratuitous fashion and thank goodness for that."

And because the people who go EWWWWWWWW are the ones who tend to protest loudest and most often, they're firing up their torches and prepping their outraged letters to send to the Board protesting that particular definition.

Being me, I'm doing my best to head them off at the pass. This is what I sent to the Board:

First off, thanks to the Board for recommending that the Young Adult category remain within both the Golden Heart and the RITA— I can assure you that there are several of us who are going to try our best (again) to make sure the category makes it next year. There are so many great Young Adult novels out there that deserve recognition and I think that opening the definition a bit more, in the manner that was recommended might encourage authors who might not otherwise enter, to take a chance on the RITA, in particular.

However, I am bothered at the assumption I’m seeing from many RWA members that allowing for sexuality in a YA, sends it straight to erotic romance/erotica—and I’m concerned that you’re going to get letters recommending that the “and in which the level of sexuality may range from sweet to extremely hot,” portion of the definition be removed. But before that step is taken, I’d ask the board this: would anyone consider Judy Blume’s FOREVER an erotic romance? I sure wouldn’t. Yet the sexuality in that book was fairly graphic and the language was frank and the romance very true to a first love scenario. And that’s considering it was written in 1974. To use a more current example, Daria Snadowsky’s ANATOMY OF A BOYFRIEND also describes a first romance and all of the attendant sexual explorations and experiences—again, in very frank language and pulling no punches— and it’s a young adult novel (albeit geared at older teens) and would certainly fit within the proposed parameters.

With respect to the definition itself, what I’m personally not crazy about is the use of “extremely hot,” because I think this is where the “YA EROTICA??” screams are coming from. Perhaps it might work better if it were worded more along the lines of “...where the depiction of any sexual/emotional relationship may range from sweet to graphic.”

Thanks for all the time the board and the committee put into this.

Best,

Barbara Ferrer

I hope it does some good, seeing as it's coming from an actual, you know, YA writer.

ETA: If you have an email to send to the Board regarding any aspect of the proposed changes to the Golden Heart or RITA, the email to send it to is: gh_ritacomments@rwanational.org