Emerald City Update!

I'm here, in Seattle at the Emerald City conference, networking my timid self all around. I did my pitches...and got requests from both Berkley & Avon, so I am quite excited. I already sent the query/syno/1st 3 chapters to my agent to get off to them. I've done some great workshops too.

Up last night was Pitchfest to get me ready to present my books today. I did a few pitches, and they helped me select the strongest pitch - Little White Lies/If You Say So...my virgin hero story. It was helpfup to get a dry run from such a supportive audience.

Then came The Fragrant Mind; using your sense of smell to add depth to your writing. We did a smell test of different essential oils...oh my! Some things are stinky!

Today started with Cycles in the Romance Market. It was interesting to see how generational charactaristics flow...but I am not sure how to incorporate the information.

Wanted: Dead or Alive - Romantic Comedy was fun...watching TV is the best way to find out what is hot in the comedy market...NEXT has gone to 2 books a month....and Desire is open to comedic voices. Who knew?

Now that the pitch pressure is off...I can really enjoy my workshops tomorrow. If only I can decide which ones to take...there are so many good options!

It's Kismet!

My short story, Kismet is FREE on Romance Central.

Emma Riley hasn't seen Colin Davis since he gave her her first kiss, and walked out of her life. But since they were o­nly fourteen and his family moved across the country, he can't really be blamed. Can fate, first love, and a warm hand convince her kismet does exist?

Off to the Emerald City

I do feel a bit like Dorothy, out of my element and heading into the unknown...heck I could call my Diva friends also going to the Emerald City conference my scarecrow, lion and tin-woman. But I better not. Lisa is driving, Shelli knows people, and Shawn...well, I need her to make me laugh. So it's Jenna and the Divas.

Why am I so frazzled. Well, lets look at my to-do list:

• Find enough clothes that fit to cover my body for the weekend.
• Pack (clothes & computer)
• Research the editors attending - ok. So there are only 2. But, I do not know which one I'll meet with.
• Work up a pitch for each editor.

May not seem like a lot, but Lisa will be here in 24-hours!

READ, WRITE, LOVE, HELP, SHOP

READ, WRITE, LOVE, HELP, SHOP
CHARITY FUNDRAISER, OCTOBER 4-14
HTTP://WWW.JULIEKENNER.COM

National Bestselling Author Julie Kenner (Carpe Demon) organizing a fundraiser for Love Without Boundaries (http://www.lovewithoutboundaries.com), which provides medical care to orphans in China.

• Julie Kenner, Author(Carpe Demon CD audiobooks, signed)
• JoAnn Rock, Author (signed complete seven book set of her hard to find "Single in South Beach" books)
• Karen Kendall, Author(signed copies of entire backlist plus bath goodies!)
• Cindi Myers, Author (twelve signed books and tote bag)
• Julie Leto, Author (Complete signed set of Julie's seven 2006 releases!)
• Leah Hultenschmidt, Editor(Critique of query letter, synopsis and first 3 chapters)
• Lauren McKenna, Editor(Critique of first chapter and synop)
• Jenny Bent, Agent(Critique of first 15 pages)
• Writerspace, promotion services

From Julie: The idea for this fundraiser came to me only days after my husband and I submitted our Letter of Intent to adopt a little girl waiting for us in the Chuzhou Social Welfare Institute in the Anhui Province of China. I'm excited that the fundraiser will go live just a few short weeks before we travel to China to bring our daughter home.

The huge need for medical care for the millions of orphans in China hit home for us as we started our adoption journey and found our daughter on our agencies waiting child list. We investigated not only her particular need (cleft lip and palate), but also learned so much about so many challenges faced by these precious children. So many whose lives can be changed by just a few thousand dollars, some even just a few hundred! Five hundred dollars can repair a cleft palate. Five thousand can save a heart baby.

When I put the call out to friends and colleagues, I was humbled -- though not surprised -- by the generosity of all who are donating. We have a range of great items to bid on, from signed books, to Hollywood memorabilia, to critiques of your book or screenplay by editors, agents, and managers.

The auction will go live next week on October 4, 2006 and remain active for 10 days.
For more information, go to http://www.juliekenner.com/ -- and please, bid generously!
With love,
Julie Kenner-- http://www.juliekenner.com
National Bestselling Author of

Put a smile on your face...for free

A handful of my writer friends have free reads up on Coffee Time Romance. That's 4 short, free stories. Check it out!

• Swept Off Her Feet by Amanda Brice
• Dublin Dreaming by Sela Carson
• Puppy Love by Zinnia Hope
• The Eyes of Have It by Debbie Mumford

eHarlequin Q&A's...notice anything exciting?

"The Care & Feeding Of Alpha Males" with Kate Walker October 2-6
• Plotters vs. Pantsers -- The Face Off! with Julie Cohen and Jenna Bayley-Burke October 9-13

Carpal Tunnel

A'ight. Fess up. What's the carpal tunnel relief secret? I've had issues with it before, but it was pregnancy related and went away after. This...is just plain old carpal tunnel. Anyone else with aching forarms and tingling fingers?