Closer to My Dream...

Hey, Y'all,
So, since I last blogged, a lot of things have happened in my little corner of the world. Some have been on the mundane and annoying side- like the long days I've been spending trying to juggle my books with my freelance writing, keeping the house, and keeping my kids alive. Argh.
But, some of it has been pretty awesome. From July 17-21, I was in Atlanta for the RWA national conference. I've been very active in my local chapter for the past 5 or six years (barring my time in Alaska, during which I was active in their chapter), but this was my first national conference. I gotta say,  I had a great time. I think it was because of several factors:

1. The attitude about self-publishing among RWA members has improved greatly over the last few years. Very little snark, and a whole lot of excitement about it.

2. I got to spend a lot of face time with authors I admire, but don't see very often. Had coffee with Wayne Jordan, ate lunch with Farrah Rochon, Seressia Glass and Vanessa Miller, and also chatted with Valerie Wilson Wesley, who is a mystery author now dabbling in romance. It's the first time I've met her and she's a real sweetheart. :)

3. Saw some friends of mine who I also don't see often, like Kaia Alderson-Tyson, my crazy ass crit partner who lives in the ATL area, and Claritta Stinson, my awesome buddy from Little Rock.

4. Great workshops. I came home with a legal pad full of notes.

5. Great networking. I also came home with about 40 business cards. ( I marked on the back when and where I met the person, so my post- conference brain could get it together later. Some cards had a photo on them, which I find very convenient.)

But probably the best part of RWA for me was getting time with my idol, Beverly Jenkins, and the equally illustrious Brenda Jackson. OMG- I can't even describe how much I admire these ladies. I got to sign books with them and eat dinner with them, and partake of their wisdom in a workshop, all on the same day. My po' heart was just pounding, I'm sure my pressure was up. But to have people you look up to take you under their wing is a very awesome feeling. I suppose you could say I felt special, even validated as a writer.

After I got home from the conference, it took more than a week before I fully recovered from the excitement. And about time I started to feel normal- ish again, around came release day for Freedom's Embrace. Let me tell you, the pressure went up again!

Then, last Sunday, I discovered via a tweet from Kaia that my little novella had a mention in USA Today. Yes, the national newspaper.

Know what I did? Cried like a big 'ol baby. I was just overjoyed that the writer (Joyce Lamb) at USA Today thought enough of my book to mention it. I don't know what it will mean for sales, but I'm certainly honored- I was in impressive company in that article! You can see it here: http://www.usatoday.com/story/happyeverafter/2013/07/30/historical-romance-new-releases-august-2013/2597295/

So, now I'm just starting to come down from that- I wonder what's around the next bend? I have been working so hard at this writing thing for so long, and I'm finally starting to see some of my efforts be validated in a big way.

Hopefully this is a continuing trend of bigger and better things for me. And just in case the excitement gets to be too much, I'll have my inhaler nearby. :)

Until Next Time,
Kianna

Summer reading and writing

This summer, I'm determined to catch up on my reading and of course keep up with my writing. A lot of my favorite authors have released books this summer that are page turners to say the least.
Here's what I've read so far:

Decadence by Eric Jerome Dickey.

Four years have passed since the events of Pleasure, and Nia’s success as a writer has grown, bringing her from Atlanta to Los Angeles. But she remains on a quest to quiet her inner storm, to draw on her well of emotions and explore them fully before leaving this season of her life and moving on to what could be the next stage: marriage and motherhood.

Drawn to an exclusive pleasure palace, where patrons try on roles as they actively shun their respective realities, Nia’s ability to balance truth and fantasy becomes increasingly blurred. What has happened to the compartments she has so carefully created for the different aspects of her life? Will her relationship with the mysterious, often unavailable Prada survive the countless temptations? Will her successful literary career be given over to impulse indulgence? Does decadence know any bounds?

When Nia’s past comes back to mingle with her present, and when her staid public persona clashes with her fantasy life of decadence, readers will be stunned by the outcome. Eric Jerome Dickey’s newest tale of excess—and its sky-high costs—is a thrilling portrait of a glittering world.

Never Say Never by Victoria Christopher Murray

When Miriam’s fireman husband, Chauncey,
dies while rescuing students from a school fire, Miriam feels like her life is
over. How is she going to raise her three children all by herself? How will she
survive without the love of her life? Luckily, Miriam’s sister-friend Emily and
Emily’s husband, Jamal, are there to comfort her. Jamal and Chauncey grew up
together and were best friends; Jamal and Emily know they will do all they can
to support Miriam through her grief. Jamal steps in and helps Miriam with the
funeral arrangements and with her children, plus he gives her hope that she has
a future. But all the time that they spend together—grieving, sharing, and
reminiscing—brings the two closer in ways they never planned. . . .

Graye by Deborah Fletcher Mello

Disrupting what should have been a joyous family celebration, Graye McAdams celebrates his mother’s birthday by shooting his best friend Tate Butler. Killing his wife Angelette had been next on his list, but fate had other plans for Angelette McAdams, a desperate young woman searching for her own worth and value.

Graye’s mother, Miss Jen Pearl has lived Angelette’s desperation, having walked in the girl’s shoes with Graye’s father, Otis McAdams. Miss Jen Pearl has answers learned from her own mistakes and as she reflects on what she didn’t do, she’s able to guide Angelette in a better direction. But intent on retribution for Angelette’s sins, Graye has plans of his own for his adoring wife, ignoring his own transgressions in the process.

Hot Mamas AlTonya Washington and Loretta R. Walls have me about to miss deadlines as well.
Taboo Tree by AlTonya Washington

Rivalries, secret romances and scandals fed the feud between the Gwaltneys and Augustines for decades. The two families shared an uneasy co-existence, until terrible tragedy touched the Gwaltneys. Years later, the two eldest Augustine children, chose to chart their family history. In doing so, they made a devastating discovery. Their family shared more than hatred with the Gwaltneys. They shared blood. The kids decided to cover the explosive revelation. The decision would have consequences none of them could have foreseen. Many years later, tragedy struck again. History would repeat itself as new romances bloomed amidst the pain of the loss and vows for revenge. The truth would have to be revealed. Whether the secret would ruin the families forever or finally unite them, was a chance they would have to take.
Sagacity by Embue (Loretta R. Walls)

Ferndell Payne is a "PK" also known as a "Preacher's Kid," which carries a weight most couldn't understand. Pastor Calvin and First Lady Londa-Jean Payne are looked upon as pillars in the City of Richmond, Virginia, yet their daughter has a sexual habit that could rock their community. Upon twisted fate, Fern encounters a man that could change everything. Pressure, finger-pointing and a chance at love...can it justify...Sagacity.







Zane by Brenda Jackson

No woman walks away from Zane Westmoreland. But when Channing Hastings does just that, it leaves the rancher reeling—and then she returns to town, engaged! Zane will do whatever it takes to show her that there is no man for her but him.










And I'm still writing a thousand words a day. I'm trying my hand at woman's fiction because I have this character, Mimi Collins, who is not going to find a happily ever after. Last night, she found musty balls. I'm still laughing at that scene.
 Happy summer and happy reading.