Harlequin Launching a Teen Panel

I just received this email from Harlequin if anyone has a teen and is interested.

Harlequin will be launching a new line of Teen fiction books in the future. These books will be different from the books that Harlequin publishes for women today.

In addition to our new line of books, Harlequin has also just launched a Teen Research Panel for young readers ages 13 to17 who are U.S residents..

This panel will be similar to Tell Harlequin research panel in that it is strictly for research purposes and we will not try to sell your teen anything or sell their information to third parties. Teens will be asked to fill out fun quizzes; they’ll participate in discussions and will also receive FREE books (approximate retail value of $10-$15 per book?) and have a chance to enter into sweepstakes (with your permission).

If you have a teen who would be interested in joining our fun new panel please click below to find out more about Harlequin™ Teen Panel, and how your teen may qualify and register to be a part of it and how you may provide your consent to your teen’s participation

https://www.harlequinambassadors.com/R.aspx?r=_ibKcn5SRk66y.HvtcIz3w&m=600000111

Once you have given consent as well as your teen’s email address, name, age and country of residence we will email your teen and ask them to complete our first quiz to see if they qualify for our panel. If your teen qualifies, another email will be sent to you with a link to our Panel Consent Form.

Thank You,
Tell Harlequin Team and The Harlequin Teen Panel Team

EHARLEQUIN IS A FINALIST IN THE 2008 Weblog Awards


Here is a complete list of the finalists for The 2008 Weblog Awards. Finalists badges (hosted by Imageshack) will be available Wednesday. Voting is scheduled to begin on January 5, 2009.

To Vote on January 5th: http://2008.weblogawards.org/site-news/2008-weblog-awards-finalists/
EHarlequin has been nominated for The Best Online Community

Meet Roger Sanderson Romance Author

CAN A MAN REALLY WRITE A MILLS AND BOON?



By Peter Jackson

BBC News

As Mills & Boon marks the end of its centenary year, the romance publisher is still selling millions of copies. Its 200 staff writers have something in common - they're all women, except for one. So how does a gruff former rugby player Yorkshireman writing under the pseudonym Gill get away with it?



When it comes to blushing heroines and dashing heroes, Roger Sanderson is well versed in the art of seductive prose.



The Mills & Boon author has had 48 books published over 12 years and seen his work sold in 26 countries around the world.



But unlike the subjects of his fiction, Roger the romantic writer does not conform to the stereotype.



The broad-shouldered Yorkshireman goes weight training three times a week, mountain climbing at the weekends and enjoys a drink with friends at his rugby club in Waterloo, Merseyside.



Now an active member of the Romantic Novelists' Association, he believes he would probably be a soldier if he was not a writer. His father was in the Royal Air Force for 35 years, his grandfather won a gallantry medal in World War I and one of his four sons is a Royal Navy captain.



But life chose a very different path for Mr Sanderson, the path of breathy romantic fiction.



"I'm happily married and I have been in love, therefore I have the basic qualification," he suggests. "I know what it feels like and from there everything will develop."



But there was plenty to learn along the way.



"Women's feelings are just a little different from men's. I have to try to put myself in a woman's frame of mind," he says.



"They're far more interested in relationships and talking about them.



"Talking to women helps give me inspiration. Sometimes I'm told that no woman would say or do a certain thing, it's not always obvious.



"Over the last 12 years I think I've improved my understanding of women. For example, on the subject of abortion, you have to deal with that very carefully indeed and reactions to it.



"I used to have the male attitude that in certain circumstances it was the reasonable, proper thing to do - the other side of that is what does it feel like?



"The emotion is all. Women tend to be more emotional probably."





Whatever the provenance of Mr Sanderson's insight into the psyche of the female romantic fiction aficionado, he has clearly achieved a high level of empathy, churning out four books a year.

Mills & Boon is quick to dispel any suggestion it is a relic of a bygone age. It says it sells a book every three seconds in the UK and 130 million a year worldwide.



The economic downturn has even triggered a rise in sales as people look for escapism and a happy ending.



Editorial director Karin Stoecker believes healthy sales will continue.



"Generally speaking, we have been quite successful in gloomier economic times... it's a value-priced entertaining escape from otherwise harsh realities."



So, how did it all begin for the man of Mills & Boon?



He used to write scripts for Commando war comics until one day he picked up his daughter's Mills & Boon on the sofa and promptly read another four.



At first he co-wrote with his wife Gill, but was soon sufficiently interested to take her name and go solo.



Today, he specialises in medical romances, setting many of his stories in the Lake District around chisel-jawed doctors, with hearts either beating or melting.



His latest book has the working title A Nurse At Christmas Time and is about a doctor who returns to the Lakes from London and bumps into a girl he met 15 years ago.



It is not likely to shy away from the odd sex scene or two.



"We're much more open now about the physical aspect of love making, we're through the bedroom door now," Mr Sanderson explains.



"It must be, above all, emotionally driven. The physical must be subservient to feelings."



Ms Stoecker agrees that emotions are key and describes what she looks for in a Mills & Boon author.



"The first quality to have is an empathy with the genre and an understanding. You really need to be able to write emotion.



"It doesn't necessarily help to be a woman, but if you were telling a story from a female's point of view, it will help to have some insight into that point of view."



Academic and author Jay Dixon, who wrote an analytical study of the publisher in her book The Romantic Fiction of Mills & Boon, has read around 3,000 titles.



Some of the unsolicited manuscripts written by men stood out from those written by women for the way their female characters viewed themselves.



"The heroine, at some point in the story, always looked in a mirror and admired herself, something a woman would never do as she would only see her flaws," she suggests.





She also believes male authors tend to go into more details about how something works than women.



But would she be able to find clues in Roger's text that his books were written by a man?



"I can find nothing in Roger's romances that would alert even an experienced reader to the fact that he is a man... Roger is one of the few men who does have the knack."



Perhaps it helps to be, as Roger admits, an old romantic himself.



"Every now and again you look at a woman and for a moment there's that little flare of remembrance of what it was like those years ago when you weren't married - and I think that's rather nice."

January 12, 2008: Here is another article about Mr. Romance.





Mr. Romance from the Daily Mail – Roger Sanderson

Futuristic, Fantasy and Paranormal RWA Announce 2008 Prism Awards

PRISM Contest Winners
Sponsored by the FF&P Chapter

Light Paranormal
1. Dead Girls are Easy by Terri Garey
2. More Than Fiends by Maureen Child
3. Highland Guardian by Melissa Mayhue

Time Travel
1. Wired by Liz Maverick
2. Thirty Nights with a Highland Husband by Melissa Mayhue
3. Forgiveness by JL Wilson

Erotica
1. Mona Lisa Blossoming by Sunny
2. Pleasures of the Night by Sylvia Day
3. Double Dating with the Dead by Karen Kelly

Futuristic
1. My Favorite Earthling by Susan Grant
2. How to Lose an Extraterrestrial in 10 days by Susan Grant
3. Insufficient Mating Material by Rowena Cherry

Novella
1. Over the Moon by Sunny
2. Street Corners and Halos by Catherine Spangler
3. Wild Hearts in Atlantis by Alyssa Day

Dark Paranormal
1. Immortals: The Awakening by Joy Nash
2. Betrayed: A House of Night Novel by PC Cast
3. Touched by Darkness by Catherine Spangler

Fantasy
1. The Eternal Rose by Gail Dayton
2. Lucinda, Darkly by Sunny
3. Voice of Crow by Jeri Smith-Ready

Best of the Best
Wired by Liz Maverick

Best First Book
1. Grave Illusions by Lina Gardiner
2. She Wolf by Teresa D'Amario
3. Thirty Nights with a Highland Husband by Melissa Mayhue

GEORGIA ROMANCE WRITERS ANNOUNCE 2008 MAGGIE AWARDS

2008 Maggie Awards – Georgia Romance Writers

Historical Published Maggie Finalists
Maggie Award - Kathrynn Dennis, Dark Rider
Jacquie D’Alessandro, Sleepless At Midnight
Jenna Petersen, Desire Never Dies
Janet Mullany, The Rules of Gentility
Donna MacMeans, The Education Of Mrs. Brimley


Historical Unpublished Maggie Finalists
Maggie Award - Anne Barton, The Kissable Companion
Second Place - Lecia Cornwall, The Devil to Pay
Third Place - Joan Kayse, The Patrician’s Fortune
HM - Yvonne Harris, Montana Stage
HM - Laura Williams, The Devil’s Virtue


Inspirational Published Maggie Finalists
Maggie Award - Rachel Hauck, Diva Nash Vegas
Valerie Hansen, A Treasure Of The Heart
Valerie Hansen, Shadow Of Turning
Trish Perry, Too Good To Be True
Debby Giusti, Scared To Death


Inspirational Unpublished Maggie Finalists
Maggie Award - Pat Trainum, Shadows From the Past
Second Place - Gina Welborn, Highland Peace
Third Place - Dianna Shuford, Fear Not
HM - Debra Marvin, Knowing Grace


Long Contemporary Published Maggie Finalists
Maggie Award - Linda Cardillo, Dancing On Sunday Afternoons
Kathleen O’Brien, Everything But The Baby
Rita Herron, Anything For His Son
Cynthia Thomason, Her Sister’s Child
Tracy Montoya, Finding His Child


Long Contemporary Unpublished Maggie Finalists
Maggie Award - Donna L. Meier, Long Shadows
Second Place - Amy Atwell, Lying Eyes
Third Place - Carla Swafford, A Sheriff to Call Her Own
HM - Kate Weichelt, Until I Found You
HM - Terri L. Backhus, Getting Even


Paranormal Published Maggie Finalists
Maggie Award - Melissa Mayhue, Highland Guardian
C.L. Wilson, Lord of the Fading Lands
Robin D. Owens, Protector Of The Flight
Alyssa Day, Atlantis Rising
Toni Andrews, Beg For Mercy


Paranormal Unpublished Maggie Finalists
Maggie Award - Clarissa Ellison, Touch of Twilight
Second Place - Tracy W. Truman, Shadowspace
Third Place - Heather McCollum, Prophecy
HM - Regan Loyd, Desire Can Kill
HM - Nancy Litzau, Just in Time


Short Contemporary Published Maggie Finalists
Maggie Award - Heidi Betts, Blackmailed Into Bed
Mary J. Forbes, His Brother's Gift
Linda Warren, Once A Cowboy
Linda Conrad, Shadow Whispers
Mary J. Forbes, Red Wolf's Return


Short Contemporary Unpublished Maggie Finalists
Maggie Award - Anastasia Huff, The Greek’s Mistress Revenge
Second Place - Danniele Worsham, Return to Mill Town
Third Place - Diana Garner, Hawaiian Heat
HM - Mary Oldham, Laura Takes a Lover
HM - Linnea Newsome, Another Man’s Baby


Single Title Published Maggie Finalists
Maggie Award - Cherry Adair, White Heat
Catherine Mann, On Target
Susan Lyons, Touch Me
Lori Wilde, There Goes The Bride
Penny McCall, All Jacked Up


Single Title Unpublished Maggie Finalists
Maggie Award - Nancy Northcott, Deathbrew Affair
Second Place - Amy Atwell, Public Relations
Third Place - Sharon Wray, Guardian’s Angel
HM - Donna L. Meier, Dangerous Choices
HM - Misty Barrere, Molding Mercy

Sandra Marton TV Interview

Sandra Marton Interview

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MChzU_guYzw
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EmG9hBzsIE
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOzxGlmOPRU

Amazon Launches Author Stores

Amazon Launches Author Stores

by Craig Morgan Teicher -- Publishers Weekly, 12/30/2008 9:34:00 AM

Amazon has added a new way of finding books to its site, which the company is calling Author Stores, single pages that feature all books from a particular author, plus, in many cases, an author photo and some related content, such as a biography, message board and streaming video.

When the feature launched on December 29, Amazon went live with 2,500 Author Stores featuring many popular authors, such as Stephen King, J.K. Rowling and James Patterson. Customers access the stores through the normal search box—when a shopper searches for an author who has a store, a link appears at the top of the search results next to Amazon’s Author Store logo.

According to Amazon publicity manager Andrew Herdener, Author Stores represent “ somewhat of a watershed moment for our store in that, up until this point, it's always been organized around individual items. Author Stores adds a whole new dimension to the way the store is organized (around authors) and one that is both good for customers and for authors.” Herdener added that it is clear from the way customers shop on Amazon--using search terms--that the new Authors Stores will be something shoppers will like. Apple uses a similar feature in its iTunes store for popular artists.

Herdener also said that it’s Amazon’s long-term goal to eventually have an Author Store for every author whose books are available through Amazon.

Amazon

From Amazon's Author Store:

Author Stores FAQ

Question: What are Amazon Author Stores?
Answer: Amazon Author Stores (beta) are new corners of our bookstore dedicated to offering customers a new way to browse and shop favorite authors, discover new books, and more. Today each Author Store includes a bibliography, and can include a biography, author photo, and discussion board. But stay tuned--we'll be adding more features in the months to come.


Question: How do I locate an Amazon Author Store?
Answer: Please view our Author Stores Directory for an A-Z lineup of featured authors.


Question: Why doesn't my favorite author have an Amazon Author Store?
Answer: A select number of Amazon Author Stores will be viewable during our beta launch. We currently have thousands of Amazon Author Stores now and will be adding many more in the months to come.


Question: I am an author and want to update my Amazon Author Store (e.g. add a new photo, update my biography, add a title to my bibliography). How do I do that?
Answer: Please use Author Central to alert us to any issues with your Author Store. If you are not an author, please use our general feedback form to request these changes.


Question: What if I'm an author who doesn't have an Amazon Author Store?
Answer: Please submit your e-mail address via our Author Stores Sign-up form if you are interested in receiving updates on our progress launching even more Amazon Author Stores.


Question: What can I do if I see an error on an Amazon Author Store?
Answer: Please use our Author Stores Feedback form to alert us to any Author Store issues or suggestions on how to improve these pages.

Win a Kindle, Create a Video - Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

Beyond Heaving Bosoms: The Smart Bitches' Guide to Romance Novels by Sarah Wendell (Author), Candy Tan (Author)


Congratulations to Sarah and Candy from Smart Bitches, Trashy Novels on their book to be released in April 2009.





Check out their blog and possibly enter yourself?

Final Plea!

We are reaching out to our readers to please help us get this writer’s blog in the top 101 writer’s Websites for next year by sending the following to Writer’s Digest online. Just copy and paste the following into an e-mail and send to writersdig@fwpubs.com with “101 Best Websites” as the subject

“I nominate A Book Inside at http://abookinside.blogspot.com/ for the top 101 site list.”

The deadline for nominations is January 1 so we're almost out of time. If you haven't voted yet, please take a moment to do so. Thank you all!

Thanks to all who so kindly have voted for us already! Your support is VERY appreciated!

'True' woman = modern feminist?

In fact I wrote the previous article was because I was moved by an article in one local newspaper (published on Sunday December 21) where the journalist narrow-mindedly stated that women who choose to work in public sphere are outdated since they follow the ‘obsolete’ women movement; while women who choose to stay home, either to work at home or be a full housewife are applauded as ‘modern feminists’. Moreover, the journalist cited that a ‘true’ woman was a mother who realized that her noble and respected roles were to deliver a baby, breastfeed him/her, raise him/her by themselves, without involving anybody else.
In Indonesia where people still easily ‘mislead’ with the word ‘true’ (e.g. what is a true woman like? What is a true man like?), applause to women who choose to be a full housewife as modern feminists as well as ‘true’ women, will easily force women only to have one ‘voice’. This eventually will lead women back home only because they covet to be labeled ‘modern’ and ‘true’ women.
Indeed there are several reasons why women work outside. In this era where the soaring prices of everything are getting crazier and crazier every year, many families need two breadwinners—both husband and wife. Besides this economic reason, the article stated two others: to make use of the diploma certificate women get and social acceptance.
Referring to Abraham Maslow’s theory, there are five hierarchical needs someone needs to fulfill. They are safety, security, social acceptance, self-esteem and self-actualization. People can refer the economic reason to work to the first and second needs. People need to fulfill their basic needs: food, clothes, and shelter. People need to feel secure that the following months they have pay to cover the first need; by having an established job. Social acceptance the article mentioned refers to the third need Maslow proposed. People need to be accepted by the environment—both by the family members and society. To make use of the diploma certificate belongs to the fourth need: self-esteem. After struggling in college, women feel esteemed to use the diploma as well as the knowledge for their own advantage or society’s. The need to fulfill self-actualization apparently was forgotten by the journalist. Not all women are destined to actualize themselves as domestic creatures—as cook, breeder, breastfeeder, raiser—if I may use harsh words. Many women think that they can actualize themselves in public spheres too. It depends on their call.
As someone who loves writing, I opine that to actualize myself, I need to write.
As someone who loves cooking, a woman absolutely will actualize herself by being an awesome cook.
As someone who loves gardening, a woman will actualize herself by making her garden full of beautiful flowers.
As someone who loves working behind desk, a woman perhaps will actualize herself by working in a company.
As someone who enjoys field job, a woman perhaps will be able to actualize herself by working as a miner, a civil engineer, etc.
As someone who enjoys challenging job, a woman will probably be able to actualize herself by being a pilot, astronaut, naval engineer, etc.
And so on.
As long as women have full command on their own way of thinking and body.
As long as women make their own choice what to do in their life.
Without being labeled as obsolete or modern feminists.
A woman is a true woman without being limited as someone who has delivered a baby (isn’t it God’s secret why some women cannot get pregnant to have their own babies? Obviously a woman has full right to choose not to adopt a baby only to be called ‘mother’ and get ‘true woman’ label.)
A woman is a true woman when after delivering a baby, she chooses not to breastfeed the baby with her full consciousness. (Some cases do happen when the babies refuse the mother’s milk, or the mother’s breasts cannot produce milk so that the mother has to give ‘factory’ or cow milk to the baby.)
A woman is a true woman when deciding to go on working outside the house because that can make her achieve her self-actualization, without being burdened guilt when assigning a nanny or a babysitter to take care of the babies.
A woman is a true woman when choosing to write instead of to cook during her valuable spare limited time.
The same ‘true’ as women who have been applauded as modern feminists as well as true women by the article.
And I have been fussy. As usual. LOL.
PT56 23.33 122208

(I wrote this exactly on the mothers’ day. I am optimistic that I am a true woman as well as a great mom for Angie although I don’t cook for her everyday; although I am not always available whenever she needs me; although oftentimes I choose to go biking/swimming on Sunday morning instead of accompanying her watching CONAN or making her special breakfast.)

Feminism

I am of opinion that people who classify feminism ideology into several categories and narrow-mindedly think that feminists MUST fall into one of those categories do not know a lot about feminism itself. Or, they are still learning what feminism is. They still know the ‘outer’ part and then talk about feminism as if they know all the contents. As if there were no feminists who were ‘free’ from any of those classification. As if people who claimed themselves as feminists must then ‘follow’ the teachings of feminism category they embrace rigidly. They cannot mix one feminism category with another. For example: a radical feminist cannot embrace what a liberal feminist says.
Indeed there are some ‘waves’ in feminism history: the first—that referred to the struggle of early feminists starting in the middle of the eighteenth century America whose main, or perhaps the solely goal was to give women suffrage; the second—that referred to Betty Friedan’s contemporaries in 1960s whose struggle was to give women rights to work in public sphere; and the third, that recently has been also popularly known as post-feminism starting in the beginning of 1990s. There must be a very clear reason why this process took place and there must be a very strong tie among the first, the second, and the third ‘waves’ of women movement.
In this article, I will write the process as well as the tie in a nutshell. And, since my educational background is American Studies so that I read the history from books written by American authors, I will specifically refer to the history of women movement in America.
America declared its independence in 1776 and started having its own government ever since. From the very first general election, women were not included in the general election. American pious society thought that general election that would select president was considered as men’s affair. Before the industrial revolution really changed the life of American people, this means women were also considered as breadwinner in the agrarian lifestyle, not having right to vote in the general election was the main ‘scapegoat’ that women were considered weaker than men. It is understandable then if entering the eighteenth century, women thought that they would be equal with men when they got suffrage. The first women convention officially held in 1848 in Seneca Falls was the first formal appeal for women suffrage. The women involved in this movement—led by Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton—worked hand in hand with the abolitionists.
American women eventually got their right to vote in the general election in 1920, after struggling for more than seven decades.
Getting the goal they had been struggling for a quite long period in fact ‘weakened’ women’s struggle. They thought that they had been ‘equal’ with men merely because they could join the general election.
The ‘boom’ of the industrial revolution resulted more and more factories that made more and more men leave their dwelling places to work. (Before, they had home industry besides relied their life on the agriculture. This made both men and women stayed home, to earn money together.) The ‘guilty’ feeling of being money-oriented creature due to the industrial revolution, selfish American men, working together with ‘the church’ bodies, created ‘the cult of True Womanhood’ that trapped women to be domestic creatures. When men could leave home to earn money, they insisted that their wife stay home.
The second world war—where many men had to go to war—needed women to leave their home to work in big industries. However, when the war was over, men resumed their position, they forced women to go back home. American society still embraced the cult of true womanhood with its four tenets: piety, purity, submissiveness, and domesticity.
This force made articulate and intellectual women like Betty Friedan question: “then what?” after being a good wife. Women did not have freedom to choose public sphere job. To be a ‘true’ woman, a woman had to give up her public life. While in fact, during the second world war, women had ‘obligation’ to continue American industrial life by leaving their home. This showed that women were as capable as men in public sphere.
It is then understandable if Friedan and her contemporaries in the beginning of 1960s struggled for women to get right to pursue job outside home, because they believed that women were as good as men. Since men did not easily believe in women’s skills and capabilities, they thought that to be ‘similar’ to men, women also had to get dressed as men, to behave as men, women had to be masculine to ‘equalize’ themselves to men, etc.
Domestic chores were just as boring and made women left behind men.
As time went by, women started to realize that the core of equality between men and women lied on the control of our own bodies and mind, and not let other people control ourselves. Society could not force women to work in public spheres or to appear feminine/masculine. This was the main tenet in postfeminism, where in the beginning people mistakenly labeled it as anti-feminism. Working in public sphere or being feminine/masculine is fully women’s choice, and not right of the father, brother, or husband. There is no right or wrong in this matter. Women have full right to rule their own life.
There is nothing that does not change in this world, wise people say. This is natural law. People have to wisely recognize the history, though, how the changes happen.
I belong to the feminist who refuses to classify myself as a liberal, radical, Marxian, or any other feminists.
PT56 22.29 221208

Help Me Donate My Books!

As many of you are aware, the last half of 2008 I have been donating one book for each book I sell to a library affected by natural disaster or some other organization in desperate need of books.

You have been so wonderful in response to this that I have 2 more cases of books to donate. The problem is, I’m running out of ideas on where to send them. So…, I’m going to let you decide for me! That’s right; tell me about the non-profit organization you feel is deserving of these books. At the first of the New Year I will choose two from your suggestions and send them each a case of new books. Please use the comment section below to offer your suggestion.

By the way, I’m not done yet! So if you still would like to purchase a book so one more will be donated, all my books are still on sale at Author’s Box until Christmas!

After you leave your comment, can you also please help me get this writer’s blog in the top 101 writer’s Websites for next year by sending the following to Writer’s Digest online? Just copy and paste the following into an e-mail and send to writersdig@fwpubs.com with “101 Best Websites” as the subject

“I nominate A Book Inside at http://abookinside.blogspot.com/ for the top 101 site list.” Deadline is Jan 1.

Thanks to all who so kindly have voted for us!

Say it with colors 2

I hate to see
a guy that has a yellow streak
hiding his lust
behind the verses
in the so-called holy book
makes me so browned-off

15.46 120108

NOTE:
* have a yellow streak = a coward
*browned-off = upset

Mills and Boon Author, Amy Andrews Radio Interview

Nice radio interview with Mills and Boon author Amy Andrews

St Luke's to seduce younger audience for Mills & Boon

Marketing Week
Date:18-Dec-08

St Luke's has won the advertising account for steamy publisher Mills & Boon. It follows a two-way pitch against an undisclosed agency.
A new campaign, which is due to break next summer, will aim to capture younger female readers aged between 35 and 40, while also consolidating its core consumers aged 40-plus.

It will be the first UK-specific, above-the-line activity in the brand's modern history. The last campaign - "Feel the Emotion" - was created in the US six years ago.

The agency aims to persuade younger women who "already read romantic fiction" to reconsider Mills & Boon.

The agency says the campaign aims to create an active community of readers who will be encouraged to engage with Mills & Boon content online. It will be supported by press work.

The media planning and buying will be handled by incumbent Total Media.

Another article on same subject:

Daniel Farey-Jones, Brand Republic 17-Dec-08, 11:45

LONDON - Famed romantic novels publisher Mills & Boon has appointed St Luke's to redesign its book covers and produce an advertising campaign for next summer.

St Luke's won the brief to help the publisher reach a new target audience of younger readers in a pitch against another undisclosed agency.
Mills & Boon sells more than 7m books in the UK, but has not run any advertising for six years.

This year it has been celebrating its 100th anniversary, for which it designed centenary covers in-house.

Liz Little, business development director at St Luke's, said: "It is not every day that you get to work with a client listed in the Oxford English Dictionary.

"We look forward to working with Mills & Boon to set a new agenda for the brand and activate their growing community of readers."

Indian Operations M&B

Posted: Dec 18, 2008 at 0249 hrs IST

The undisputed leaders of women’s fiction, Mills and Boon completed its centenary in publishing in 2008. Andrew J. Go, Director, Indian Operations, Harlequin Mills & Boon spoke to Leher Kala about the company’s plans for India


•Mills & Boon opened an office in Mumbai in February 2008. How is the Indian market for romantic fiction?

Our titles have been retailing here for over 50 years through book agents but in our global strategy, India is an important, emerging market. The brand is already hugely popular here. Wherever I go, people exclaim, and tell me they grew up with a sister or girlfriend hooked to our books. We have authors of Italian, French and Greek descent who appeal to nationalities all over the world, since the language of love is universal. Now we’re looking for Indian writers. We’ve launched the Passions Writing Contest for aspiring authors across the country. In keeping with our philosophy, all stories should be page turners, with happy endings.

The Best Romance Reads of 2008 - Michelle Buonfiglio Lifetime TV

BOOK OF THE YEAR
"Spymaster's Lady," by Joanna Bourne

YEAR'S BEST HISTORICAL -- TIE
"Like No Other Lover," by Julie Anne Long
"Private Arrangements," by Sherry Thomas

YEAR'S BEST CONTEMPORARY - TIE
"Trial By Fire," by Jo Davis
"Blue Eyed Devil," by Lisa Kleypas*

YEAR'S BEST PARANORMAL
"Slave," by Cheryl Brooks

YEAR'S BEST BEACH READ
"Tan Lines," by J.J. Salem

RBTB GOOD KARMA AWARDS - Presented to individuals or groups within the romance industry and community who demonstrate professional and personal excellence, leadership and humanitarianism. Awardees nurture peers, promote positively the romance genre and use their influence to raise awareness of causes and community-service organizations about which they're passionate.
Lori Foster
Laurie D., Holiday for Troops
Brenda Novak
Romance Unleashed authors

RBTB COMMUNITY SPIRIT AWARD -- Presented to an individual or group whose romance blog embodies the spirit nurtured by the RBTB community: love of romance, respect for the individual and positive support of the genre.
Stacy, Stacy's Place On Earth

EROTIC ROMANCE

YEAR'S BEST EROTIC ROMANCE - SENSUAL EXPLORATION
"Chilli Heat," by Carrie Williams

YEAR'S BEST EROTIC ROMANCE - HEA CENTERED -- TIE
"Seven Nights of Sin," by Lacey Alexander
"Flat Out Sexy," by Erin McCarthy

YEAR'S BEST EROTIC HISTORICAL
"Master," by Colette Gale

YEAR'S BEST EROTIC PARANORMAL
"Unleashing the Storm," by Sydney Croft

YEAR'S BEST EROTIC ANTHOLOGY
"Unlaced," Jaci Burton*, Jasmine Haynes, Joey Hill and Denise Rosetti

RBTB VANGUARD AWARD - This erotic romance presents with empathy and intelligence fluidity of sexuality and sensuality within the central love story
"Raine: The Lords of Satyr," by Elizabeth Amber

DEBUT

DEBUT OF THE YEAR
"Trial By Fire," by Jo Davis

YEAR'S BEST HISTORICAL DEBUT
"Private Arrangements," by Sherry Thomas

YEAR'S BEST PARANORMAL DEBUT
"Slave," by Cheryl Wilson

YEAR'S BEST SERIES ROMANCE
"Peak Performance," by Helen Brenna
"Tender Secrets," by Ann Christopher
"Housekeeper to the Millionaire," by Lucy Monroe

HOLIDAY FARE

YEAR'S BEST HOLIDAY CONTEMPORARY
"Virgin River Christmas," by Robyn Carr

YEAR'S BEST HOLIDAY HISTORICAL
"Wallflower Christmas," by Lisa Kleypas*

YEAR'S BEST HOLIDAY ANTHOLOGY
"And To All A Good Night," by Donna Kauffman, Jill Shalvis and HelenKay Dimon

ItROM - These selections celebrate everything Italianate in theme and actuality by positively - or in a positively fantastic way - highlighting the fabulousness of Italian culture. More's the better if they capture the explosive, passionate, mildly-to-wildly arrogant nature that is synonymous with the Italian romantic ideal.

YEAR'S BEST PARANORMAL ItROM
"One With the Darkness," by Susan Squires

YEAR'S BEST HISTORICAL ItROM
"Your Scandalous Ways," by Loretta Chase

YEAR'S BEST EROM ItROM
"Italian Stallions," by Karin Tabke and Jami Alden

YEAR'S BEST CONTEMPORARY ItROM
"Romeo, Romeo," by Robin Kaye

Sandra Marton Blogging December 17th Lifetime TV

Stop over at Lifetime TV's Blog to see Sandra Marton's posts about her Sheikh Tycoon series.

Freebies for Writers and Authors

Even Santa loves to read!

During this joyous season of giving, buying, over-spending, and going broke, I thought you would appreciate some freebies! So I’ve listed below some great free stuff for writers, authors, and book lovers. If you know of some other great freebies for writers, feel free to use the comment section to add them to this list.

Happy Holidays!

Win a Free Book at http://abookinside.blogspot.com/2008/11/win-free-book.html

Free bumper sticker ‘fear of writing’ at http://www.fearofwriting.com/fun-stuff-for-writers.htm#FreeBumperSticker

Free online calendar to help you keep track! http://www.organizedwriter.com/calendar.htm

Free e-book to inspire you to write at http://abookinside.blogspot.com/2008/11/new-e-book-writer-in-you.html

Free business cards at http://www.vistaprint.com/vp/ns/default.aspx?xnav=welcomeback&GP=12%2f13%2f2008+12%3a49%3a29+PM

Free ebooks at http://www.fictionwise.com/eBooks/freeBooks.htm?cache

Goodreads has a HUGE list of free book giveaways at http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway and while you’re there, add me to your friends list. I’m at http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/885518.Carol_Denbow

Free greeting cards so you can send your best wishes to those on your “friend’s lists” as well as publishers, editors, and whoever helps you with your books. Visit http://www.marlo.com/card.htm

Free new site for authors and book lovers at http://bookeventcenter.ning.com

Sandra Brown and Texas Lucky

If you were a fan of Texas Lucky, Chase and Sage, Lucky will go on sale in January in a hardcover collection series followed by the other. I loved Lucky!


From Sandra's blog:

I’m pleased that a reprint of Texas! Lucky will go on sale December 30 in a new, hardcover edition. It will be followed by new editions of Texas! Chase and Texas! Sage. If you’re a collector, I hope you’ll eventually buy all three. These books have been published around the world in numerous languages, and readers everywhere have found these characters as endearing, interesting, and fun as I found them to be when I initially told their stories.

Editor Unleashed and Susan Mallery

Stop over at Editor Unleashed and see the post by Susan Mallery. It's excellent about What's Hot in Popular Fiction.

2009 Harlequin Celebrates 60 years - Free Books for North American Readers

I just received my Harlequin quarterly newsletter and it's fabulous.



On Valentines Day, they are giving women in North America free books! Yes free!



Per the newsletter:



"To mark our 60th Anniversary we're giving every woman in America a free book. This Valentines Day, visit www.HarlequinCelebrates.com to choose from a variety of great series romance books that are absolutely free! We invite you to share the gifts with friends, family and fellow romance readers. Thank you for being a part of our reader community."



The news letter mentions visiting HarlequinCelebrates.com on January 29th which is Harlequin's birthday and choose from 16 different free books. Also mentions to watch the site for great prizes, special offers and free books all year long.



The above calendar was sent to Harlequin authors per Brenda Coulter's blog today,





In honor of 60 years Harlequin is bringing back Silhouette Desire's Man of the Month in January with Maureen Child's An Officer and a Millionaire.



New York Times author Diana Palmer will have a brand new miniseries called Diamond in the Rough. Per Harlequin, diamonds signify 60 years so readers will find diamonds integrated into many stories in 2009.



In February, there will be a Diamond Brides Contest where you can take a chance on having your proposal in one of Harlequin's Diamond Grooms books in 2010. The most romantic entry will win a diamond necklace!



There will be a Diamonds and Daddies series from Harlequin Intrigue available in February '09.



In January Sarah Morgan Harlequin Presents author has the first book in the International Billionaires series, The Prince's Waitress Wife.



Silhouette Desire has a new series.....The Hudson's of Beverly Hills with Leanne Banks Blackmailed into a Fake Engagement being the first book in January. Following Leanne will be Emily McKay, Barbara Dunlop, Emilie Rose, Catherine Mann and Maureen Child.



Also from Desire, Jennifer Lewis in February writes the first book in The Hardcastle Project with Millionaire's Secret Seduction.





The Fortunes of Texas are returning with Marie Ferrarella’s Plain Jane and the Playboy available from Special Edition in December.



The Crenshaw’s of Texas return with Annette Broadricks Man from Stallion Country in January.



Men, men and more men with Men Made in America from American Romance and Tina Leonard’s The Texas Ranger’s Twins in January.



All year long there will be new hot heroes in Uniformly Hot series with Tori Carrington’s a Few Good Men available in December.



Harlequin Romance will have The Texas Brotherhood with two new Randell brothers in March with Patricia Thayer and Luke: The Cowboy Heir.



Harlequin Intrigue has a new Kenner County Crime Unit which takes place in Colorado. Debra Webb starts out the series with Secrets in Four Corners in January. Other authors will be Carla Cassidy, Jessica Andersen, Cassie Miles, Rita Herron, Julie Miller, Delores Fossen and Elle James.



In February Harlequin Romance will have From the Heart, For the Heart series. Margaret Way, Raye Morgan, Rebecca Winters, Caroline Anderson, Trish Wylie and Shirley Jump will bring readers stories about beautiful brides and gorgeous grooms.



In January, top romance authors will be in the line-up like Julie Leto, Maureen Child, Denise Lynn, Jade Lee and Kimberly Raye.



Also in February Return to Indigo Springs with Darlene Gardner.



NASCAR returns with the first two books authored by Keri Casper and Jean Brashear. Visit www.getyourheartracing.com for more info.



Blaze ha a new mini series called 0-60 with the first book available in February by Alison Kent followed by Julie Miller and Jennifer LaBrecque.



LoveInspired in January begins with Without a Trace and a book by Margaret Daley a suspense, followed by six others.



They are also introducing a new miniseries Weddings by Woodwards with Lois Richer's Rocky Mountain Legacy available in December.



In March LoveInspired Historical, The Hand-Me-Down Family by Winnier Griggs.



In her Shoes coming in March with Jessica Hart's Cinderella's Wedding Wish.....a modern day Cinderella series. Followed by Susan Meier, Trish Wylie and Fiona Harper.



A baby theme series called Bundles of Joy available in March with Tara Taylor Quinn's Sophie's Secret. Additional authors will be Tanya Michaels, Cindi Myers, Sarah Mayberry, Kay Stockham and Stella MacLean.



Hopefully, I've covered everything especially for those of you who do NOT live in the US and didn't get the mailed newsletter. Happy reading!

Harlequin Holiday Open House - December 11th

Harlequin's Holiday Open House

SAVE THE DATE!

Are you ready for the Annual Holiday Open House? Roughly 100 of your favorite authors will be meeting with you, LIVE, December 11th, 2008 on our Chat Page! We'll also have Post Parties on our Message Boards that run through every time zone so that our overseas authors and members can meet on their own time zones! Then, in the evening, Eastern Daylight Time, we'll have three full hours of live chat! Don't forget, there'll be oodles of door prizes and wild fun!



So, check Harlequins website for your favorite authors---and we'll be updating as more come on board!---and don't miss the party!



IMPRINT, OVERSEAS & ALTERNATIVE LINE POST PARTIES (12 AM-10PM ET)

Sexual Harassment

What is sexual harassment? It is a kind of harassment related to sexual activities done by one person or a group of people to someone else where the latter feels uneasy, upset, disgusted and humiliated. It is not called harassment when both parties enjoy doing those activities; moreover get satisfaction by doing them.
Last Saturday 6 December 2008 I invited my class to watch NORTH COUNTRY, a movie inspired by a true story, about a woman who worked for a mining company and got terrible sexual harassment. To read my review, you can click the following link http://afemaleguest.multiply.com/reviews/item/32 .
My class itself contains eight female students, six of them study in Engineering Faculty, one studies in Economics, while the other one studies in Medical Faculty. The issue of the movie becomes very intriguing since it tells about a woman’s struggle to get justice after getting sexually harassed when working in a so-called job traditionally held by male, and all of my students are female. In addition, six of them study in majors where women become minority, just like the place where Josey Aimes, the main character in the movie worked.
“Since you study in majors where women are minority, will you tell me whether you experience similar things like what Josey got in the movie?” I asked them.
Indonesia is absolutely a country where women do not need to feel threatened to get terrible and shameful sexual harassment, like in the movie of course. (Therefore, I am against the anti pornography law! Moreover in the practice women even vulnerably and easily become accused as criminals, such as by breastfeeding the baby in public while the baby needs milk badly.) I was not surprised when my students told me that such sexual harassment did not happen to them. The boys in my students’ classes were even helpful and a bit protective, for example when they did assignments together until quite late at nights, they would take the girls home instead of just letting them go home by themselves. However, as time went by, and their relationship was getting closer, no barrier anymore between boys and girls, the boys sometimes treated the girls just like they were boys. My students did not give me any examples of such treatment though.
I compared it with my own experience to get involved in a community where women were minority—b2w Semarang community. Since it was established by the end of June 2005, there have been more or less 50 members with four female members who were quite active to join its activities. My male friends absolutely did not do sexual harassment to us. I barely got their protective treatment though, except one or two members whose ‘nature’ was like that, perhaps. Maybe because so far I seldom join any ‘challenging’ journey (such as off road trips with hilly and stony roads). So far, I have felt ‘safe’ though in the community.
Going back to the discussion in my class …
The two students who study at Medical faculty and Economics faculty said that there were more girls than boys in their majors, although it did not necessarily mean that boys were the minority there.
“How about girls doing sexual harassment back to boys?” I jokingly proposed that idea.
Spontaneously I saw disgusted expression in their face. LOL.
“They would not feel harassed, Ma’am!!! They would even enjoy it!” one of them shouted. LOL.
Then I told them one experience I had on my journey from Jogja to Semarang several years ago. I was sitting next to a guy, perhaps at his late twenties or early thirties. I did not really remember what we talked about, but I remember suddenly he said, “Because of feminism ideology, many women forget their nature as women.”
“Can you clarify what you meant with women forgetting their nature as women? Can you give me examples?
He did not come up with satisfactory answer, but said something else. “When the time comes that women want to rape men, I want to volunteer myself,” said he confidently. LOL.
That made me turn my head and looked at him at a glance. I talked to myself, “When my time comes to want to rape men, you are not included into one of them.” LOL. LOL. To him I said, “Well, when you are willing with that action, it is not a rape then. It is just a usual sex where both of them do it willingly.”
My students laughed hearing this story.
“That’s it, Ma’am. We don’t want to harass men sexually because it even would make them happy, instead of making them feel threatened.”
Apparently they never heard or watched a movie entitled “Indecent Proposal” where a woman did sexual harassment to a man and the man hated it. I also told them one ‘accident’ of an online friend of mine who got sexually harassed by one boss’ niece. The accident made him resign from his job. This showed that men could also feel threatened by sexual harassment done by women.
Sexual harassment can happen to anybody, done by any men/women, usually to the ones whose social status is lower than the doer: men to women where the patriarchal culture is still very strong (read è women are considered the weaker sex), women to men where the women’s social class is higher than the victim, men to male-to-female transsexuals in an unequal relationship or on the way around, especially when the men are straight.
PT56 13.50 081208

Check Out The NEW Book Trailer For "A Book Inside!"

Beacon Winners - First Coast Romance Writers

Congratulations to all!

Beacon Winners
First Coast Romance Writers
Announced the final placements for

THE BEACON
2008 Published Division
An Award for Excellence in Romance

Inspirational

First - Darcy's Inheritance by Linda Ford
Second - So Dark the Night by Margaret Daley
Third - Hard Evidence by Roxanne Rustand

Honorable Mention - Secrets of Zarahemla by Sariah S Wilson
Honorable Mention - Once Upon a Family by Margaret Daley

Novella

First - Wild Hearts in Atlantis by Alyssa Day
Second - Secret Santa by Lisa Childs
Third - The Preacher's Daughter by Marin Thomas

Romantic Suspense

First - Love Leaves No One Behind by Claudia Pemberton
Second - Love, Lies and a Double Shot of Deception by Lois Winston
Third - Phoenix Unrisen by Kathleen Nance

Short Contemporary

First - Star-Crossed Parents by C J Carmichael
Second - The Other Sister by Lynda Sandoval
Third - One Cool Lawman by Diane Pershing

Historical / Traditional Regency

First - Wild and Wicked in Scotland by Melody Thomas
Second - Seduction is Forever by Jenna Petersen
Third - The Harlot's Daughter by Blythe Gifford

Paranormal / Fantasy / Sci Fi

First - Lady of Light and Shadows by C L Wilson
Second - Lord of the Fading Lands by C L Wilson
Third - Do You Believe in Magic? by Ann Macela

Single Title / Long Contemporary

First - Riding the Thunder by Deborah MacGillivray
Second - A Rendezvous to Remember by Geri Krotow
Third - Arms of a Stranger by Giselle Carmichael

Women's Fiction / Chick Lit / Mainstream

First - Knock Off by Rhonda Pollero
Second - Heaving Bosoms by Ashlyn Chase
Third - First, There is a River by Kathy Steffen

Erotic Romance

First - Nicholas, The Lords of Satyr by Elizabeth Amber
Second - Touch Me by Susan Lyons
Third - Hands On by Amie Stuart

Back to Writing and Publishing Books

The holidays have really got me off track and I must apologize! Most visitors to A Book Inside come here to learn how to write a book—or publish one. With all the new stuff going on, the new Website, the holidays, and book giveaways, I’ve strayed away from what most of you want—writing and publishing help! So please accept my apologies and I promise we will get back to the book writing and publishing tips right after the first of the year. Until then, I have listed below some of the blog viewers past favorites for you. Enjoy!

One more “brag” moment; A Book Inside is now rated in the top 2.29% of all Websites on the WWW. This is all thanks to you and your support! Google has recognized that we are not going away and are here for the long haul! Writers, published authors, send us your “wants” and I will target those subjects in 2009.

Volume 1 / Welcome! Who Can Write A Book?
Volume 2 / Choosing The Right Book Title for Your Book
Volume 3 / Ducks In a Row – Creating an Outline for Your Book
Volume 4 / 16 Book Components and Special Sections for Authors
Volume 5 / Book Length - Where Do I Go From Here?
Volume 6 / Research and Permission
Volume 7 / Should I Copyright My Work?
Volume 8 / The Importance of a Great Book Cover
Volume 9 / A Quick Guide to ISBNs for Self-Publishers
Volume 10 / Testimonials from Experts
Volume 13 /How to Develop a Customer Base with a Website

Robert Buckley and Heather Locklear - Movie Premier December 6, 7 and 8 on Lifetime TV - Jane Porter's Flirting with Forty

Jane's book will debut in a Lifetime TV movie, beginning December 6th at 9:00 PM.

The book has received excellent reviews, more than 50 on Amazon.

As for the movie, it's been discussed on the New York Times, Variety and today on Hollywood Today both the movie and book.
To see Garbrielle Pantera's reviews, Hollywood Today.

2008 Santa Baby Book Tour

Stop over at All The Buzz Reviews for the 2008 Santa Baby Book Tour featuring romance writers through December 12th.


AllTheBuzzReviews.com

50% Off EHarlequin EBooks - Coupon good ONLY Dec 3

As part of the 12 deals of Christmas, Harlequin is offering a half off sale for all eBooks. Just use the coupon code "HALFOFF" at the Checkout. It's a coupon good for only today.

Get a fabulous deal every day from December 1 to 12—you'll find gifts, FREE books and amazing savings! And be sure to come back every day for a brand-new deal.

Mills and Boon and the Economy

Well I agree with reading a romance and what it does for one's spirit! ms

From Booktrade.info:

One thing you can be sure of, though: as the news gets worse, the need for some kind of escape gets all the more pressing and where there are losers there are always, always, winners.

The victor in this case is romance. There, doesn't it make you feel better just reading that? Or perhaps it would if I'd written it more breathily, full of sensual glances, smouldering eyes and unbridled passion. The real winner in our economic meltdown, you see, is the book publisher Mills & Boon.

Win a Kindle!

This is absolutely unbelieveable. Found this on Dear Author.com.
http://nicemommy-evileditor.com/blog/?p=1636

Good luck everyone if you enter!

December Contest

For December I'll be giving away Sandra Marton's THE SHEIKH'S DEFIANT BRIDE. To win all you need to do is post your favorite holiday "treat". Good luck and happy holidays to you and yours.

If you're interested, the review of this book is on Marilyn's Romance Reviews.
http://marilyns-romance-reviews.blogspot.com

November Contest Winner

Congratulations Raven99, you're the winner. Please email seattlesnoops@aol.com with your address details. Please watch for my December contest. Congratulations and thanks to all for your posts.

2008 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence Winners

2008 Gayle Wilson Award of ExcellenceThe Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, sponsored by RWA chapter Southern Magic, was conceived in honor of multi-RITA Winner Gayle Wilson to award excellence in published romance fiction. The contest is judged by avid readers of romance, booksellers, and librarians. The winners of each category are awarded a bookmark engraved with the author’s name and the book’s title. Winners will also be included in a full-page RWR advertisement.


Short Contemporary
Heidi Betts - Blackmailed into Bed

Long Contemporary
Deborah MacGillivray - Riding the Thunder

Contemporary Single Title
Karen White - Learning to Breathe

Inspirational
Molly Noble Bull - Sanctuary

Historican
Catherine Kean - My Lady's Treasure

Single Title Romantic Suspense
Karen Rose - Die for Me

Series Romantic Suspense
Diane Pershing - One Cool Lawman

Series Romantic Suspense
Jenna Mills - The Perfect Stranger

Young Adult
Rosemary Clement-Moore - Prom Dates from Hell

Novella
Leigh Wyndfield - Two for the Money

P/F/F-TT
C.L. Wilson - Lady of Light and Shadows