Orlando was hot and wet- RWA Nationals with Anna Alexander

Happy August Gals and Pals!

It's Thursday and I'm still recovering from an amazing trip to Orlando for the Romance Writers of America national conference. I was able to combine some vacation time with the Chicklets with the business side of the publishing industry. You better believe it was non-stop action for a busy twelve days!

This has been an interesting year with life competing with writing and production time. That is why immersing myself in the writing community was so important. I was reminded of the joy of bring the story to the masses while I reconnected with my writing friends. It's always a good time when Danielle Monsch, Carmen Cook, Gina Fluharty, Cheryl Kennedy, Heather Long, and Saranna DeWylde (to name a few) are around.

But you know me. I love pictures! Here's a few of my favorite memories.

The adorable Cheryl Kennedy

Those famous 2pm thunderstorms

Cocktail hour!

Who am I kidding, it was cocktail week!

I was at Hogwarts!

Book Fair Time

Heather Long

Cheering Sabrina York on at the RITA Awards

Beverly Jenkins is the shit!

Ready to strike a superhero pose?

Damn straight!

Cap!

And that was only a smidgen of the fun!! The video is in the works, so check out my YouTube channel for updates.

AND!!! because I was having fun in the sun, the sale on the Sprawling A Ranch series is still going on. But not for long. Today is the last day to join in on the fun and get the first two books in the series for free. Do not delay!

Free! The Cowboy Way https://www.books2read.com/TheCowboyWay

Free! The Marlboro Man https://www.books2read.com/TheMarlboroMan

$0.99! To Have Faith https://www.books2read.com/ToHaveFaith

$0.99! Sweetest Kisses https://www.books2read.com/SweetestKisses

Oh my gosh, guys. Jet lag is catching up with me.

Until next time!

Free! The Cowboy Way https://www.books2read.com/TheCowboyWay

Free! The Marlboro Man https://www.books2read.com/TheMarlboroMan

$0.99! To Have Faith https://www.books2read.com/ToHaveFaith

$0.99! Sweetest Kisses https://www.books2read.com/SweetestKisses

Anna- The Super Diva

Get your copy today

books2read.com/u/me0GDg

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What I did during my summer vacation...

I feel as if I say this every month, but holy heck. It’s September already?!?!?

If you were like me, you had a busy summer. All of my favorite festivals happen in July and August and you’ll often find me out in the sun on the weekend.

First off was the Pacific Northwest Writers Association Conference where I was a speaker on their romance panel. I always get a kick out of attending cross genre conferences. For some reason the non-fiction and mystery/sci-fi authors make me giggle.

It was a pleasure to be on the panel with Gerri Russell, Pam Binder, and Meghan Farrell. You learn so much from your fellow industry professionals. Although I think I might have scared Meghan a little when I showed up for our workshop with wine glass in hand. I’ve been told I was brilliant.

Squirt couldn't get enough
of the Hawaiian Shaved Ice.

Next was the Pacific Northwest Scottish Highland Games and Clan Gathering. I know. It’s not as grand as the Military Tattoo in Scotland, but it’s the closest we can get in the Northwest. Three days of food, games, and pipers. Oh, the pipers. I love a good Celtic tune.

The next weekend we moved from Scotland to Renaissance England to the Midsummer Renaissance Faire. Jousting, corsets, and more snow cones that are as big as your head. And jewelry! I buy all of my jewelry at the faire.

You run into everyone
at the Ren Faire.

The small town where I grew up has an annual festival, and this year they added a book fair. During Augustfest, I met not only some of my community, but also some fantastic authors.

Another annual pilgrimage is the Waterfront Book Festival. Being out on the pier with some of my favorite author friends is always a treat.

It was party time for my friend Kelly at Havana Nights. Dancing, drinking, and cigars!

My first and last cigar.
It wasn't bad, just not for me.

Rounding out August was the Enumclaw Rodeo. But I’ll save that trip for another time. J

So long summer. I’ll miss you. 

Until next time!

Anna - the Super Diva

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Readers and Writers- Head to Portland February 20-21st

We are book people in the Pacific Northwest. I have heard that this area has the highest concentration of writers, and I believe it. But it's not just the Seattle area that is in love with the written word. My friends in Portland are also book lovers, and whether you are a reader or a writer, they have you covered February 20-21st
 
For writers:

February 20th – Full-day Workshop beginning 9:00am

Join Rose City Romance Writers for a day-long workshop at the University Place Hotel, beginning at 9am, followed by a cocktail reception with our instructors, Damon Suede and Geoff Symon.

• $60 for RCRW members (full day)
• $75 for non-RCRW members (full day)
• $20 for Cocktail Reception (5-8pm)
• Lunch, snacks and cocktail hour ticket are included in the Full-day Writing Workshop registration

Forensics for Fiction: make your crime pay with Geoff Symon

When writing crime scenes, what is the balance between accuracy and overkill?  Geoff Symon shares his experience as a 20-year Forensic Investigator with authors of every popular genre.  We’ll visit the most common forensic flubs and fallacies while discussing true primary forensic methods and fundamental terminology to bring authenticity to the scene of your crime.

Geoff Symon is a 20-year Federal Forensic Investigator and Polygraph Examiner.  His participation in high-profile cases includes the attacks on September 11, 2001, the War in Iraq, the Space Shuttle Columbia explosion, the 2002 bombings in Bali and the Chandra Levy investigation, among countless other cases. He has specified and certified training in the collection and preservation of evidence, blood-spatter analysis, autopsies and laboratory techniques.
Agent Symon has direct, first-hand experience investigating cases including murder (of all types), suicide, arson, kidnapping, bombings, sexual assault, child exploitation, theft and financial crimes, and is highly skilled in the psychophysiological detection of deception. He has taught undergraduate and graduate-level college courses in forensics at the George Washington University (DC) and Marymount University (MD).

 

Half-day Brand Plan with Damon Suede

 Branding is the cornerstone of all promo and marketing plans and is necessary to building a career and setting long range goals. During this workshop, author Damon Suede will assist attendees in identifying, honing, and crafting their personal author brand. Participants will also leave with a platform for effectively wielding their unique brand.
Damon Suede grew up out-n-proud deep in the anus of right-wing America, and escaped as soon as it was legal. Though new to romance fiction, Damon has been writing for print, stage, and screen for two decades. He’s won some awards, but counts his blessings more often: his amazing friends, his demented family, his beautiful husband, his loyal fans, and his silly, stern, seductive Muse who keeps whispering in his ear, year after year. Get in touch with him at DamonSuede.com.

For readers:

Love Between the Covers Showing – Feb. 21, 3pm

Venetian Theatre & Bistro, 253 E. Main St., Hillsboro, Oregon 97123

$7 per person online

$10 at the door

The first 100 attendees to arrive at the theatre will receive a special event goodie bag.

 

Love stories are universal. Love stories are powerful. And so are the women who write them. For three years, we follow the lives of five published romance authors and one unpublished newbie as they build their businesses, find and lose loved ones, cope with a tsunami of change in publishing, and earn a living doing what they love—while empowering others to do the same. Romance is the behemoth of the publishing industry; it outsells mystery, sci-fi, and fantasy combined. Yet no filmmaker has ever taken an honest look at the amazing global community that romance writers and readers have built. Until now.

 

 

 

 

 



Pick it up today for
$0.99!

 

 

Until next time!

 

Anna- The Super Diva

Website- http://annaalexander.net/
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Let the Countdown Begin

I don't go to many conferences. Don't get me wrong, I love going to them. They are tons of fun. But it's hard for me to get away for a weekend. This year, however, I am going to spend the last weekend of February in San Antonio at one of the best conferences ever (in my humble opinion). I'm going to be at Wild Wicked Weekend.

I've been to this conference once before and it was a blast. I get to see a lot of my friends. It's close to home so I don't have to fly. I don't mind flying but it can get expensive. And they always have very good looking male hosts in attendance.

The whole weekend is just about having fun. There aren't any writerly seminars. Or panels on the publishing industry. At least, there weren't any that I can remember. Instead we have lap dance lessons, play Sex Position Gumby, there's a book signing, and there is even going to be a BDSM demo. That's just to name a few of the fun things going on this year. It's a great time. And, I believe, a lot of the Decadent Divas will be in attendance this year! Yay!

Let me know if you're going to be there. I'd love to say hi. That's me at the top of the blog. And, if you'd like more information, here's the link to Wild Wicked Weekend's website. It's a yearly thing so if you aren't going this year, keep it in mind for next year. It really is a blast.

http://wildwickedweekend.com/schedule/

Anna's Adventure's in Fictionland

Happy Friday!

As you read this I will be having quite the interesting day.

First, I'll be helping out my youngest child at Junior Achievement Biztown, where school children get to act like adults for a day and open businesses, balance their personal finances, and attempt to make a city function. I think there are a lot of adults who could benefit from an simulation just like this themselves. ;)

Then I'll be heading across the bridge into Gig Harbor for the Write on the Harbor writers conference. This will be my first time attending a conference that is not romance-centric. And yes, I'm nervous.

Why? Because it's something different, and I'll be surrounded by people who'll probably look at me funny when I start talking about cocks. And I will be talking about naughty things, because I am teaching a workshop on how to write steamy sex scenes, so the word "cock" will probably be the cleanest thing I say. Just kidding. Mostly.

I will also be talking about the business of writing, be on a panel to discuss commercial fiction, and another on marketing. Yep, they will be keeping me very busy.

But with the nerves comes the excitement of meeting new people and spreading the word of the awesomeness of romance writers and the romance writing community. But most of all, I love proving stereotypes wrong.

So wish me luck, and I wish you all a fantastic weekend!

Until next time y'all,

Anna - The Super Diva

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Your Passport to Romance

Hey, everyone in the Puget Sound area! You are invited to the Passport to Romance, a reader appreciation event sponsored by the Greater Seattle Romance Writers of America.

Join over forty authors for an evening of free books, conversation, and cover models. That's right, pretty boys will be present for photo opportunities.

We'll be at the Bellevue Westin, Saturday, October 17th.

And special thanks to Night Owl Book Reviews for hosting the cover contest on their website, and Jenn LeBlanc with Studio Smexxy for being our onsite photographer.

For more information, check out the GSRWA website at http://gsrwa.org/ecwc/passport-to-romance-reader-event/

Come on down and say hi!

Anna - The Super Diva

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Let's Get It On...

It's October. The chill is setting in. It's getting gray outside, and if you are in the Seattle area, it will be wet. Really wet.

If I'm going to be wet, I might at least be wet everywhere. Yeah. That's right. I went there.

On November 7th I'll be teaching workshops at the Write in the Harbor conference sponsored by Tacoma Community College. One of the many workshops I will be teaching is how to write a sex scene at any heat level. Garth Stein is the keynote speaker, y'all, and several speakers are from the more literary fiction-side of publishing. I will be wearing a corset. I'm guessing it's going to be an interesting day. :)

In preparation for my workshop, I've been looking up some of my favorite sexy scenes from movies. There are so many, I won't be able to share all of them. Boo. But I'll share a few of my favorites here with you now. Help get you toasty after a cold autumn day.

I was but a wee babe when Body Heat first came out, but I've seen this scene many times. Busting through the door! Pulling down panties! And when he goes down on her on the stairs...awesome!




Ghost. What can I say. It's a classic.




Like Water for Chocolate. I cried so much during this movie. I remember sitting on my couch. In the dark. Sick as a dog and making it worse by bawling my head off. I hate this movie. I love this movie and I hate this movie.



Hugh Jackman in Australia. Seriously, all you have to do is fast forward to minute 15:01. You'll thank me.



And Don Juan DeMarco. If that was me, I would have melted into a puddle there and then. Why can't I find a man with a tenth of the game that man had?


Do you have a favorite sexy scene? Top Gun? Brad Pitt in Troy? Any of the dance scenes from Magic Mike? When Darcy chases Elizabeth at the end of Pride and Prejudice? Ooo... there are so many good ones.

Here's wishing you a sexy day!

Anna - The Super Diva

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Anna is in New York- RWA 2015

Welcome to New York! For eight days I explored the island of Manhattan for the Romance Writers of America National Conference. The trip was extra special because I was able to spend some time with my sister and brother before conference ramped up. I visited The Woman in Gold at the Neue Galerie, scoured the shelves at Midtown Comics and the Drama Book store, looked at all the pretty fabrics at Mood, saw Ant-Man at the movie theater in Times Square, went to the top of Rockefeller Plaza, and sampled cuisines ranging from Japanese to the hole in the wall Ramen shop where I watched the progression of a cockroach as it crossed the ceiling and the horrified face of the woman who sat directly under said cockroach. As I said, welcome to New York. I also got to see some excellent theater such as The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time and Finding Neverland. Both were fantastic! The conference itself was interesting as always. Talked to some of my favorite authors, networked like crazy, and made plans with my friends to take over the world. But I have to say that the highlight of the week was watching my friend Anna Richland win the Rita award for best novella for His Road Home. A book that has been featured on this blog. And I'm not just saying that because she thanked me personally in her speech. I am so proud of her! But what's a conference with a video? Below are some of the highlights of my trip. Thanks for the memories y'all. Anna- The Super Diva

Get your copy today as we count down
to the next Sprawling A book!

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Registration for the Emerald City Writers Conference is on!

Now is the time, y'all. Registration for the 26th annual Emerald City Writers Conference is open and ready to welcome you.

What is ECWC? Sponsored by the Greater Seattle Romance Writers of America, it's one of the largest and longest running writer's conferences on the west coast. For three days you can sit in on workshops on craft, business, writer's life, and research topics. There are also opportunities to pitch to editors and agents, network with you favorite authors, and have an all around kick ass good time.

The conference will be held at the fabulous Bellevue Westin in Bellevue, Washington on October 16-18th, 2015.

Our keynote speakers are the lovely

Sabrina Jeffries

Elizabeth Hoyt

Margaret Mallory

Not a writer but you still want to check out what we're up to? This year we are hosting a Passport to Romance event on Saturday evening.

Come meet our authors for a festive party featuring books, swag, raffle baskets, and photos with dreamy cover models. And it's all free!!! Well, everything but the raffle baskets. They're also be a cover contest hosted by Night Owl Book Reviews, so check them out in the fall and vote on your favorite cover.

For more information on the conference and the reader event, check out the website at http://gsrwa.org/ecwc/conference/

Hope to see you all there!

Anna- The Super Diva

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Anna Dishes on the Emerald City Writers Conference

October is the month when I feel like a rock star with back to back conferences. On Tuesday I shared my time at Romanticon and today it's the Emerald City Writers' Conference!

Me and Diva Sabrina

ECWC is geared more toward writers, and offers workshops on all aspects of the romance publishing industry. We have our fun too, but believe me when I say this conference is when I get some serious work done. I had the pleasure of presenting a workshop on writing sexy scenes with Gail Bridges and fellow Decadent Diva Sabrina York, and I had the privilege of handing out the awards for the Emerald City Opener winners.

Thor had my post-conference whiskey waiting. Good boy.

Kim Killion presented some workshops on book covers, and even brought along cover model Harvey Stables for some photo fun. This was a conference first and a big hit. Of course it might have helped that I was front and center with a camera egging people on and showing them how it's done. Spending some time with the EC Cavemen has given me some experience. Thor, Bradley Cooper, Capt Jack, Ryan Gosling and Starlord also made an appearance.



Here are some pics of the fantastic weekend, and of course a little video. If you have the chance to attend next year, I'd love to see you!

Until next time!
Anna- The Super Diva
Website- http://annaalexander.net/
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Reader Conferences Are Always The Best

Writing can be a solitary life. Most of my colleagues are hundreds if not thousands of miles away. Our water cooler talks take place on Facebook, Twitter, and email. Which is why conferences are always the highlight of my year. It's the one time I get to see so many of my on-line friends face to face. And writers have tons of conventions to choose from.

There are the mega industry conferences, publishing house conferences, smaller more local industry conference, special interest conferences, author sponsored conferences... The list goes on and on. And I've been to enough of them to know which ones are my favorite.

So which is it? I know, the title of this blog is one huge spoiler. But...

The reader focused conferences!

Authors love readers. And maybe not for the reason most people think. We love readers because we are readers. They're our type of people. They get us. All of my royalties (and then a little extra) go to my book addiction. I've gone days without showering because I couldn't tear myself away from a book long enough to shampoo and rinse. Don't judge me. Sometimes you just have to know how the story ends. I've sobbed hysterically in public places because a book I'm reading has captured me so completely that I forget I'm in the doctor's office. And I've laughed so hard that my kids have actually expressed concern. So when we get into a room with other readers, we know we're going to get to talk about our favorite subject: books!

That's the reason I'm so excited to let you all know about a brand new reader focused convention coming to my neck of the woods. This coming May, An Austin Author Experience kicks off for the first time ever! And some of my favorite authors are going to be there. I'm probably going to have a couple fan girl moments and I don't even care who notices.

If you're over eighteen years old and are going to be in the Austin area from May 22-24th, I encourage you to check this event out. The signing is free. But a VIP pass includes a VIP reader book bag, and access to the AAA Karaoke Party and open bar. Food, drinks, and music are all included. And there is a Friday night Meet and Mingle with attending authors which is open to attendees and readers.

Want to know more? I've got you covered. Here's a link to the event's website http://austinauthoraffair.blogspot.com

And a list of the authors who are going to be there: http://austinauthoraffair.blogspot.com/p/authors-list.html

And a link to the hotel if you wanted to book a room: Hotel!

Books, Cowboys and Margaritas- Anna Visits San Antonio

On July 22nd, me and 2000 of my fellow writers descended on San Antonio, Texas for the Romance Writers of America National Conference. The focus of the conference is how to succeed in the romance novel writing industry, but of course us authors like to mix a whole lot of fun with our business. My favorite part of conference is reconnecting with writers I only see once or twice a year. Conversation and cocktails flow like water, and you pretty much resign yourself to little or no sleep for the week. I made some new friends, attended fantastic workshops and had a great time. Here are some of the highlights of my trip.

Alyss and I at the book fair.

The book fair featured 500 authors. Lynda Aicher was my book fair neighbor again, and we were joined by one of my “cousins,” Alyssa Alexander.  She’s so sweet.

Amazon hosted a party and featured a photo op with some local fellows. Cowboy Wes and I bonded over a love of comic books. He’s a Green Lantern fan.

Best Novella!

Cameron was so cute. And so young!

Across the street was the Passionate Ink party where I was a double finalist in the Passionate Plume awards. Hero Unmasked won third place in the paranormal category and A Night at The Cavern WON FIRST PLACE for best novella. Cowboy Cameron was there to give me a hug after I received my plume necklace. That’s me behind his flexing biceps. Yes, Thursday was the night for man-candy. :)

 
I got to cheer when my friend and roomie, Danielle Monsch, picked up her certificate for being a finalist in the Daphne’s for Stone Guardian. And yes, she promised the next Entwined Realms book will be out this fall.

Heather likes to hide.

I enjoyed many restaurants along the Riverwalk, including the British pub where karaoke blared unexpectedly, and Saltgrass, home of the Man-gria. That drink was huge! Seriously, everything is bigger in Texas. Shelli Stevens introduced me to the Menger Hotel’s haunted bar, and Jenna Bayley-Burke and I tried to teach Heather Greye how to take a selfie in front of the Alamo. We’re still working on that.

Jennie Lin hosted a gathering and shared her spectacular view. Deanna Chase, Roxie Rivera, Minx Malone, Angie Fox and Viv Arend shared some kick-ass indie publishing knowledge with me, and I discovered Violet Vaughn has a very deviant mind, as well as cute shoes. I also got to chat with Alyssa Day at the chapter leadership luncheon. Don’t be surprised if you see me run for RWA national office in a few years.

Thanks for sharing the view Jennie!

Dani and I with the lovely Karen Rose

At the RITA/Golden Heart awards I cheered on my fellow chapter members Asa Maria Bradley and Anthea Lawson for their nominations, and finished compiling photo for my mini-movie, Peep-Toes and Cocktails. You know how I love shoes.

Yep, the clock says 3am and
 my taxi arrives in 30 minutes. No
sleep for Anna.

There was so much more, but this post is getting long as it is. Find me sometime and I’ll fill you in on the rest. Hopefully at the next conference, you’ll be there having fun with me.

Until next time!
Anna- The Super Diva

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