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A little this, that and the other thing
February 18, 2008
Now you guys are getting the hang of This, that and the other thing Mondays. I have lots of news and kudos to pass on. If you have news, info or high fives, email me and I'll get in what I can.
First up is author Brenda Novak on her charity auction for Juvenile Diabetes: Just to give you a little background, I have five children, the youngest of which is an insulin-dependent diabetic. In just three events, I've managed to raise more than $250,000 (thanks to the generosity of my donors and shoppers).
The auction is an annual event that runs May 1 – May 31st at my website, and it's an on-line auction very much like E-Bay. This is my fourth year. PW, RT and Writer's Digest have all been very generous by donating ad space to help me promote it, so it's really turning into a "coming together," if you will, of a large portion of the romance industry (and is bleeding over into other genres). Many, many Big Name authors donate mentoring packages, meet & greets, autographed books, gift baskets, trips & stays, etc. And a great deal of agents and editors, some the best in publishing, donate manuscript evaluations (or lunch at National, etc.). We've actually had one gal get published through an auction read, and another get a very enthusiastic agent.
There will probably be close to 1,000 items in this next auction (it nearly doubles every year!). Over 500 are already up for preview at my website (just click on the auction link in the menu bar at the top and in the pull-down menu select "View Items up for Auction.") Nora Roberts has donated a stay at her new inn, Susan Wiggs has donated a stay at her guest house on Bainbridge Island, Jane Porter has donated an all-expense paid trip to Hawaii. Lots and lots of really great stuff! (I checked it out and I want to bid on everything!)
And speaking of worthy fund raisers...a high five to my nieces for hosting an event to raise money for the Avon Breast Cancer walk (a 2 day, 39 mile walk) they will be participating in. They held a pizza party at a local restaurant and sold raffle tickets for baskets of donated goodies. Even though I didn't win a basket, it was a great time for a great cause. Well done!! Check out The Pink Ladies webpage, Jenny, Kelly and Sarah.
From author Gena Showalter: We just sold the TV rights to Red Handed!!! Here's what the announcement looks like at Publishers Lunch:
TELEVISION RIGHTS: NYT bestselling author Gena Showalter's RED HANDED, to Sony Pictures Television (Stargate SG-1), with Dan Wigutow Productions, by Sean Daily at Hotchkiss & Associates, on behalf of Deidre Knight at The Knight Agency. (I just blurbed about a couple of Gena's books on Friday and now I'll have to pick up this one. Congrats Gena!)
From author CJ West: 22 West Books and LR Productions announced today an agreement to option film rights to CJ West's 2005 novel Sin and Vengeance. West has been retained to consult on the screenplay in an advisory capacity.
"I'm excited to see the story take this step toward the big screen," West says adding that since he began visiting book groups to promote the book, "Someone at every meeting suggests making the book into a movie and invariably Johnny Depp's name comes up connected to Randy Black." Mr. West agrees that Randy Black's insidious nature and unpredictable antics would be well portrayed by Mr. Depp. (I know I'd go see it. High five to you CJ!)
From author Sherrilyn Kenyon's blog: We just got word that the LOA (Lords of Avalon) comic sold completely out in less than a week. THANK YOU ALL!! YOU GUYS ROCK! I had surgery yesterday and I have to say that this was worth crawling out of bed for. Now back to bed before I keel over. But I had to thank you personally. THANK YOU!! (I just saw that this book is going in for it's second printing and this week Dream Chaser hit #1 on the NYT list, double Congrats Sherri!)
From author Michelle Styles: I thought I'd let you know that the Romantic Novelists Association (the British equivalent of the RWA) has awarded its annual prizes. Romantic Novel of the year has gone to Freya North for Pillow Talk. And Kate Hardy has won the Romance Prize for her Modern Extra Novel Breakfast at Giovanni's which will be published in the US market as In Bed with Her Italian Boss in April as part of the Harlequin Promotional Presents programme. It is a book with a lot of heart. (I think I'm going to have to ask PW to send me to this conference next year. I've never been to England.)
Now our other Monday feature, getting everyone into a healthy new year. Once a month I'll be drawing a name for a Subway gift card and all you have to do is post a comment to enter.
Author Gerri Russell on Dining out:
-Order off the appetizer menu for smaller portions
-Think half-portions by sharing a meal or taking half home
-Look for lighter fare or heat healthy meals
-Order off the children’s menu
-Don't go hungry and have a plan for success by knowing what you want to order before you get to the restaurant
And my tip of the week is another easy recipe. On box spice cake mix and 1 large can pumpkin. Mix together, put in muffin pan and bake about 35-45 minutes. If you want, you can add raisins...yum.
BTW, I now have 592 friends on MySpace (I know, I can't believe it either), so if you'd like to befriend me, come on down. My next goal is 700. What do you think...doable?? Is there anyone left??
Bottom Line: The cardiologist's diet: If it tastes good, spit it out. ~Author Unknown
Posted by Barbara Vey on February 18, 2008 | Comments (53)
