Thanks to hotel internet service that tends to work for about 60 seconds before freezing, posting about Thursday’s events was not a possibility. Really, nothing that exciting happened on a conference level anyway. So, let’s skip Thursday for a second and start with Friday. I like to call Friday How To Drive The Hubby Crazy Without Even Trying Day. It all started with a simple luncheon. Passionate Ink threw its first ever lunch. My hubby came to the conference but spends most of his days hovering by the pool or working out in the gym. I thought he might like an opportunity to see the Georgia Aquarium, partake in a meal catered by Wolfgang Puck and enjoy a few hours of gawking at the pretty Passionate Ink ladies. That was the theory.
One speaker talked about the popularity of menage in erotica. The hubby was all for it so long as the participants were women and, you know, he could watch. Upon learning that the Man/Man/Woman grouping was most prevalent, he lost all interest in the subject. Then came a speaker who talked about the popularity of Man/Man romance written by women. Honestly, no one at my table admitted to a great love for these allegedly popular works. The hubby looked horrified and whispered to me: “You don’t write that, do you?” More than likely he was remembering that I had sent copies of my newest release to his aunts right before we left for Atlanta. I’m sure he had visions of these women, all of whom I would estimate to be in their seventies, paging through that. I assured the hubby I wrote one man/one woman romance. Just as he started to relax again, a speaker mentioned pushing the boundaries and cited fisting as an example (if you don’t know, look it up because I’m not explaining).
So, after depositing my hubby at the pool, I attended the Spotlight on Pocket session. The basic idea is that Pocket doesn’t accept unsolicited manuscripts, wants agented work and all editors appear to buy everything. Pocket has teamed up with MTV for a YA line (60,000-70,000 words). Pocket also is venturing into urban fiction. Think gritty and graphic and young. Also think about rapper 50 Cent since releasing his autobiography led Pocket down this road. Submit to Lauren McKenna for those and for angsty romance because she said she likes angst. Submit to Micki Nuding with funny because she doesn’t like the angst.
I also attended the Kensington Spotlight – you know, in case Kate Duffy decided to announce that I was no longer an author there and forgot to tell me first. Kensington’s guidelines remain the same – there are no guidelines. Audrey takes email queries. Kate and Hillary aren’t impressed with queries, so just send as much as you have and they’ll take it from there. For those waiting, Kate said she is running about 8 months on submissions but is hoping to tackle her pile when she gets back to the office and cut the wait down to 6 months. Kate also does not buy for Aphrodisia and freely admits it’s not her thing.
Sulay Hernandez (now an Assistant editor) is looking for AA and latina works. And, a new AA editor should be announced in August (now that Karen Thomas has gone to Warner). Bottom line: don’t worry too much about word counts; multiple submissions are fine; all books are coming out as ebooks too; and books are always 30% off on the Kensington website if you’re in the mood to buy. Also, Stacy Barney is working on YA books for Kensington. She has two series starting soon. No sex – described as Gossip Girls without sex.
In the never-ending Aphrodisia v. Brava debate, the editors say: Aphrodisia is about sex and Brava is about romance. Hillary Sares (the main Aphrodisia editor) says the term “erotic romance” with the imprint is a misnomer. The books are not really romance and don’t have to be. Use of the title is for marketing – Kensington wants the books in the romance section and wants to reach romance readers. That’s it. And, the only legal on the sex is that it be legal.
Friday morning started with a wonderful breakfast with Kensington authors and editors. Really, really lovely. I’m not sure if Shirley Jump has forgiven me for posting the link to the Mrs. Giggles’ review of her book, but Shirley was gracious and did not throw food at me, so I consider the morning a success.
Some general thoughts on Thursday’s workshop line-up – snore. The highlight PAN speaker didn’t do anything for me, so I spent some time chatting with my editor, met Sulay (see above, who is beautiful and young but very likable anyway), intruded on Walt and Alison’s break and refused to leave them for about an hour, hunted down Booksquare then challenged her to review a book at PBR that I’m dying to know something about but don’t want to read, and met some wonderful authors including Ann Christopher (speaking of beautiful…) and others.
And, I forgot to mention that I met Lori of AAR at the Literary Signing. She was nice enough to track down authors of books she recently read and liked. She somehow ended up at my table. So, yes, we love Lori and AAR.
For those who have read this far without falling asleep – Viva Las Bad Boys! is officially out. Go buy it.
More tomorrow…internet service depending.
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I am rotfl. Your poor husband – can just imagine.
Please keep your books to one man/one woman.
Fisting – huh – I can only imagine what that is.
Sounds like still having a fun time (except for your hubby).
One day I must get myself to one of these conferences; they sound like so much fun and would love to meet these great authors. When are you coming to NY??????? The Long Island area of course.
by Pat L. July 29th, 2006 at 6:59 amHi Helen,
your decription of your husband’s reaction on the discussion made me laugh out loud. Your poor dh.
Thanks for the report of the events.
Have a lot of more fun there.
@ Pat L. The conference was not so long ago in NY. Or at least the RT was, which I heard is even more fun than the RWA. This year’s RT was a lot of fun
by Danny July 29th, 2006 at 7:10 am[...] From HelenKay Dimon’s blog, where she writes about RWA and more specifically, the Kensington presentation. The emphasis in bold is mine. In the never-ending Aphrodisia v. Brava debate, the editors say: Aphrodisia is about sex and Brava is about romance. Hillary Sares (the main Aphrodisia editor) says the term “erotic romance” with the imprint is a misnomer. The books are not really romance and don’t have to be. Use of the title is for marketing – Kensington wants the books in the romance section and wants to reach romance readers. That’s it. And, the only legal on the sex is that it be legal. [...]
by Brianna’s Mommy » HEA optional… July 29th, 2006 at 7:38 amThanks for the updates.
by Amy S. July 29th, 2006 at 9:32 amFunny story re your hubby. I am still laughing.
Glad you had a great time.
by Helen Mac July 29th, 2006 at 11:02 amSounds like the conference is interesting. Thanks for sharing the story about your husband at the Passionate Ink talk. Funny stuff…
by Jennifer K. July 29th, 2006 at 11:58 amLOL your poor hubby…. I bet he was worried.
by Judy F July 29th, 2006 at 12:20 pmFunny about your husband. Mine would feel exactly the same way.
by KimW July 29th, 2006 at 12:31 pmI think MOST men would react that way. And he asked you if YOU wrote stories like that? LOL.
by Karen T. July 29th, 2006 at 12:53 pmThanks for the roundup, HelenKay! Greatly appreciated by those of us who couldn’t attend this year.
BTW, I just finished HARDHATS & SILK STOCKINGS and just LOL’ed when the two secondary male characters came in while the hero was hanging there naked in chains.
Can’t wait to read more of your work.
by Cindy Procter-King July 29th, 2006 at 1:35 pmCindy
My DH would have been horrified too.
by Estella Kissell July 29th, 2006 at 2:03 pmPoor guy.
Or not. Thanks for the laugh, HelenKay’s hubby!
by May July 29th, 2006 at 2:41 pmKeep up the good work. And would have loved to seen your husband’s face. Probably the same face mine would have made.
by Helen Livermore July 29th, 2006 at 7:38 pmThanks for sharing your story about your experiences at RWA! I was laughing at the parts about your DH
by Kathleen July 29th, 2006 at 7:41 pmMy DH would not have even sat through that…he would have snuck out and found the nearest Bass Pro..LOL LOL
by Patricia J July 29th, 2006 at 7:55 pmWow I think I would have had to leave hubby hanging on that question. He should be reading your books and giving you support. Mine walked in on a chat last night and they were talking about castrating hubbys and punching them so hard their balls were stuck to the top of their mouths. He had to pick up one of my books just to be sure you guys weren’t coaching us on how to follow through with that. LOL! I’m glad you had fun though even if it was at his expense. I wish I could have been there to meet you.
by Billie L July 29th, 2006 at 8:24 pmLove your adventures at the conference.
by Joanne V. July 29th, 2006 at 9:31 pmI am laughing at your hubby, is that bad? I think you should write a m/m/f or at least tell him you are
.
by sybil July 30th, 2006 at 2:41 pmI agree with Sybil; give you husband a fright!
by Lori D. July 30th, 2006 at 4:34 pmThe description of your poor hubby made me crack up. It sounds like exactly the way my hubby would act. Wow! You have been busy. You got so much done.
by Cherie Japp July 30th, 2006 at 5:08 pmwow a busy day!! The time must go so fast at these conferences.
by Cathie July 30th, 2006 at 6:54 pmYeah many have different preferences of what they like to read so they can pick out whatever line the publisher has. Alot of variety out there now.
Thanks for sharing your day with us!
LOL, HelenKay! All forgiven for you posting the link — never an issue to begin with. I figure Mrs. Giggles at least read the book And hey, I get my change on the sale, too
It was so great to meet you and all the other K authors. What a great time!
Shirley
by Shirley Jump July 31st, 2006 at 9:51 amWhat a funny story. Would have loved to have been there.
by Brenda R. July 31st, 2006 at 7:57 pmToo funny! Thanks for all the updates. I so hope I can go next year!
by Zara August 2nd, 2006 at 12:13 amSounds like you had a great time!
I got a chuckle at the responses from your hubby. Sounds just like mine! The aunties would probably handle it better than him. LOL!
by Lynn K August 13th, 2006 at 1:52 pm[...] Hey, they say third time’s the charm. But really, I wouldn’t have brought it up again, except Hilary Sares, Kensington Aphrodisia editor, emailed me in regards to my July 29th post in which I stole a quote from HelenKay Dimon’s blog that she snagged at Nationals this year. Ms. Sares (looking at my stats, it appears she Googled herself and found my blog. Google is a wonderous thing, eh?) felt she was quoted out of context. If you’ll all recall, this conversation started on my blog with a post about an interview Kensington editorial director Audrey LaFehr did with Paraphenelia back in May, in which she discussed the marketing of Aphrodisia and HEA optional. Dear Author picked up the thread of the conversation and it went on to other blogs from there. [...]
by Brianna’s Mommy » That HEA thing revisited again… August 31st, 2006 at 7:05 am[...] From HelenKay’s blog: In the never-ending Aphrodisia v. Brava debate, the editors say: Aphrodisia is about sex and Brava is about romance. Hillary Sares (the main Aphrodisia editor) says the term “erotic romance” with the imprint is a misnomer. The books are not really romance and don’t have to be. Use of the title is for marketing – Kensington wants the books in the romance section and wants to reach romance readers. That’s it. And, the only limit on the sex is that it be legal. [...]
by The Good, The Bad and The Unread » Guess that answers that question June 11th, 2007 at 3:26 am