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August 2015 Newsletter

8/2/2015

 
That video should give you an idea why I lost my voice the first night of RWA and still sounded like a four pack a day smoker by the end of the conference. Those literacy signings are LOUD! And crazy. Definitely crazy.

My apologies (I always seem to be apologizing, don't I?) for missing July altogether, but I wanted to be able to do my annual swag bag give-away, and it's taken me this long to get my bags unpacked and the laundry done. Not to mention writing like a madwoman because I've still not finished AWAKENED. I'm really glad I packed an extra suitcase, because it took every empty spot I had to get all the stuff home this time. I've got lots of books, some swag and the usual goodies from the "Goody Room."


I flew into JFK around 3:30 on July 21, but it was almost six before I got to the hotel. President Obama was in town to film Jon Stewart's Daily Show, and traffic was a mess. It gets a bit crazy when the boss is in town! I got into my room, unpacked and then met the wonderful Stella Cameron for dinner. It was so good to see her and we had a lot of catching up to do. Jayne Ann Krentz joined us in time for a glass of really wonderful port--I'm a huge port fan. Almost as big as I am a JAK fan! I definitely still suffer from a serious case of "fangirl-itis" when I get around Jayne and Stella. They both occupy a large section of my keeper shelves, and they've been wonderful about helping me maneuver my way through this author business. I try really hard not to get all giggly...

Of course, I didn't manage to get decent pictures of either Jayne or Stella. Typical! I did, however, get this one of the buildings surrounding the 9/11 Memorial. The pool is in the foreground, but the reflections on the building across from it are just as amazing.

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The actual conference doesn't begin until Wednesday afternoon, so author Ann Roth and I had made plans to see the 9/11 Memorial Wednesday morning. We took the subway and actually managed to get to the right place. The memorial is awe-inspiring. It's very somber, beautifully done, and so difficult to look at and realize how many lives were lost on that one morning. I remember the horror of sitting there in our living room out on Dry Creek Road, surrounded by beautiful vineyards, and watching the entire event unfold. It didn't feel real at the time, but standing there at Ground Zero where those huge skyscrapers once stood makes the attack very personal. 

We had decided in advance not to go inside the museum. I don't know that I could have handled that without falling apart. As it was, I saw a young man standing in front of the wall that surrounds one of the pools. The names of those who died are carved into the stone, and he had his hand on one of the names and stood there quietly with tears on his face. I had to look away because I had such a powerful need to go up to this perfect stranger and give him a hug. It might have been welcome, just as it might not have, and it was obviously a very personal moment for him. It's a tough place to visit, but I'm so glad we did. I've needed to see where it happened ever since watching the buildings come down.

We left the memorial and walked south to the Staten Island Ferry and took that across to Staten Island. it was a beautiful day and a perfect segue from the memorial to the rest of the conference. 
This was the first time I've ever seen the Statue of Liberty. It's so beautiful standing out there in the harbor, and the view from the ferry is perfect. It was time for lunch when we got to Staten Island, so we had a quick lunch and then headed back to the conference hotel. The Literacy Signing was at 5:30, but I was hoping to meet up with a couple of readers who live in NY. I only had time for a short visit, but it 
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was such fun to meet Lori Thillet for the first time, along with her friend Ronnie (And I do wonder if the poor guy had any idea what she was dragging him to!) and a lovely woman I've met before, Terri McCormick, who showed up with macaroons. She's also a truly evil woman for sabotaging the diet, but they were absolutely wonderful. I wasn't much of a hostess--offered to get everyone a glass of wine, but as it turned out I was the only one who literally slugged one down before racing to the signing. But many thanks, Lori, Ronnie, and Terri, for coming to see me. It's really special when I get a chance to personally meet people at a conference and actually have a few minutes to sit and visit.
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Many thanks to Lori for getting this photo! I was horrible at this conference--so busy talking I forgot to take pictures...

The week was busy--I did a panel with author Shiloh Walker, who is an absolute hoot--damn but she's got a sense of humor! There was a pizza party with the BookEnds Literary Agency where my agent, Jessica Faust, sat me across from James, the new intern. I may have scarred the poor young man forever. 

On Thursday night I had two cocktail
parties to attend at opposite ends of
Manhattan. The cabdriver who took us to the first one (Angie Fox, Lutishia Lovely, Mingmei Yip, and me) was amazing. I was in the front seat and felt like I was inside a video game, but Lutishia gets the prize for hailing the cab. Our hotel was right in the middle of Times Square, and finding a cab was not a simple thing, so we hiked down to 7th where I think she threw her body in front of one of the suckers. Whatever, it worked! Angie and I both write for Kensington and St. Martin's Press, so we were on our own getting a cab back to the SMP party on Madison Ave. I used my newly awakened cab-hailing skills and I think I was as shocked as Angie when one actually stopped for us!

Each of the publishers holds separate signings for their authors, open only to those who attend the conference. All the books are free (hence the need for the extra suitcase...) and I signed for both Kensington and St. Martin's Press. I also attended a couple of signings and did manage to see some of my favorites. Again, though, I got very few pictures. I really blew it this year!
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Clockwise from top left, me with my agent, Jessica Faust of BookEnds LLC, Maisey Yates, who's an absolute hoot, long time buddy Angela Knight with her husband Mike Woodcock, and the amazing Nalini Singh.
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I had dinner Wednesday night with Elizabeth Hoyt and Victoria Alexander, among others, including long time Harlequin author Carole Mortimer and the incomparable Jade Lee, Thursday night's dinner was munchies at the cocktail parties, Friday night it was Greek with my Kensington editor Martin Biro, his partner Nick Laspina, and good friend Susan Lyons who was negotiating the conference with a slowly healing broken shoulder. She's a lot tougher than I am! Saturday night was a different Greek restaurant with author Jessica Scott--Jess was so much help with my second romantic suspense from St. Martin's (out Dec. 29) because the book has a military hero, and Captain Jess was exactly the person I needed to give me advice. She's also hell on wheels negotiating the crowds in Times Square. All in all, it was a crazy-busy conference, a chance to reconnect with old friends, to make new ones, and to surround myself with people who know exactly how it feels to hear voices in your head!

This will give you an idea of what Jess was dragging me through! It was nuts.
That's me with author Jessica Scott at the Ritas. And that really cool crocheted scarf I'm wearing was a gift to me from reader Courtney Watts--It was perfect with my outfit for the evening. (You'll notice I wear a hat even with the grownup clothes...at least it was my fancy one!)


I've rambled enough. Please use the contest entry form that's to the right on your computer screen, and down at the bottom on your mobile device. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR INFORMATION in the comments section. I will delete it--it's too dangerous to post addresses online in public comments. The contest entry form SAYS "Contest Entry Form." I'm giving 
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away books and swag, and I think there's enough for three winners, maybe more. Before I go, one quick recommendation--I've just finished the second book of Lori Handeland's new series called SISTERS OF THE CRAFT. If you like action adventure, dark magic, witches and the spirit world, and some of the sexiest heroes ever, read these books. First one is IN THE AIR TONIGHT, second book is HEAT OF THE MOMENT, and the third one, releasing on Tuesday, is SMOKE IN THE WATER. You can read all about them on Lori's site at http://www.lorihandeland.com/ Reading keeps me focused when I'm on a tight deadline, and Lori's books are always wonderful. These are some of her best yet.

Take care, be well and don't forget to find time to read a good book! There are so many out there.


Kate

Robin Shafer
8/2/2015 03:22:04 pm

Sounds like you have a wonderful, though busy, time in the Big Apple.

Kate Douglas
8/3/2015 01:26:52 am

It was definitely nuts, but always a good time. Love going, love coming home!

Maria Entenman
8/3/2015 11:22:00 am

It was so great to finally meet you at the conference! I love my fangirl moment and picture.

Kate Douglas
8/3/2015 02:54:54 pm

You were there and gone so fast, we hardly had a chance to talk! Can you send me the picture? I love having photos from the signing and never get any unless they're from readers. katedouglas13@gmail.com works best. I'd love to see!

Janice Hougland
8/4/2015 06:47:30 am

I don't like crowds and reunions myself, but it sounds as if it's necessary when it's part of your way to make a living. It's great you had a good time and made some good memories while you were in that nerve-wracking city!

Kate Douglas
8/4/2015 08:29:49 am

LOL...you nailed it! NY is always fun to see, and getting out and actually going to Staten Island and seeing the 9/11 Memorial, and even the walk in Central Park made this one more fun. I was disappointed because my husband couldn't come with me--I'd really hoped he could make it this time, but it just didn't work out. I'm so used to being home in my quiet office, that it's a huge shock to the system!

Sharon Beauchemin link
8/4/2015 07:02:30 am

I like the picture of you and Jessica Scott. You looked like you had fun. Now time to rest up.

Kate Douglas
8/4/2015 08:30:33 am

I wish--staying off line most of the day to write. Need to finish the book! But thank you!

Nancy Gilliland
8/4/2015 08:52:09 am

I have read all three of Lori's new series, loved them all. Kept me busy and occupied while having tests at the hospital. Book three is especially good.

Kate Douglas
8/4/2015 03:02:54 pm

Ick on the tests, but a good book is the best thing ever when waiting on stuff at hospitals. Have had my share of that sort of stuff! I'm reading the third one now in bits and pieces. May have to go back and reread them when I'm able to just sit and enjoy.

Trina
8/4/2015 10:06:32 am

Sounds like you had a wonderful time....cheers

Kate Douglas
8/4/2015 03:03:53 pm

Thanks, Trina. It's definitely a good time, but exhausting, too. I always know I'll be absolute toast by the time I get home.

erinf1
8/4/2015 11:06:00 am

wow... sounds like this was an awesome event :) thanks for sharing!

Kate Douglas
8/4/2015 03:05:02 pm

It's pretty special, Erin--when you write for a living, you're essentially spending most of your time alone, so a big social event like the conference where you can interact with other authors is amazing.

Diane Sallans
8/4/2015 12:12:18 pm

Wow! You were hanging out with many of my favorite authors - conversation must have been fabulous! Looks like a great time was had by all!

Kate Douglas
8/4/2015 03:08:16 pm

It's so cool, Diane--I didn't even mention half of the authors I saw and chatted with. Kept running into Andrew Grey, who is one of my favorites for M/M romance, and Damon Suede chased me down because he'd promised me a book a year ago and hadn't sent it. His memory is a lot better than mine. What's fun is stuff like getting into an elevator and realizing Nora Roberts is there, too, or Lisa Kleypas, or any of a number of other true icons in this business. I really have to corral my inner-fangirl, who could easily gush all over those poor women!

Catherine C
8/4/2015 01:52:58 pm

Isn't Times Sq a sight?!? If you ever get back to NY, I highly encourage you to tour the 9/11 museum.
I firmly believe all Americans should see it. Yes, they provide tissues.

Kate Douglas
8/4/2015 03:11:34 pm

I will at some point, Catherine, but knew better than to do it on this trip. Something like that will haunt me to the point where I can't write, and I'm so buried in deadlines right now I can't risk it. The problem with a writer's imagination is that it doesn't shut off, and sometimes it can be as much a curse as a blessing. Something like that I'll need to do when I'm in the right frame of mind to relive that day. We watched it unfold on TV from beginning to end. I don't think I'll ever get past that horrible feeling when we realized it wasn't just a horrible mistake, that all of those people had been murdered.

Cheryl Lemon
8/4/2015 02:22:06 pm

You sure had a great time. I hope we have a great time in Hawaii too. My reservations are complete. I can't wait.

Kate Douglas
8/4/2015 03:13:35 pm

That's going to be such a hoot! I'll get all the details to you as soon as I know them.

Cheryl Lemon
8/4/2015 04:27:41 pm

That is great

miki
8/4/2015 05:38:55 pm

i think i would have been terrified but i so want to attend something like that one day
Thank you for sharing a little bit of such an adventure with us

Kate Douglas
8/5/2015 06:00:04 am

It's too exciting to be scary! Times Square is Disneyland times ten...nuts. Absolutely nuts!

Suzanne Vitti
8/4/2015 09:58:16 pm

By the looks of it, you certainly did have a blast. NYC truly is wild and crazy, even for a native like me! If I didn't have to prepare and pack for the family summer vacation, I would have loved to meet up with you again. I bet you're glad to be home once more!

Kate Douglas
8/5/2015 06:02:19 am

LOL...you have no idea. I had a badly pinched nerve in my neck, so I was keeping up the pace and feeling miserable the entire time. The plane ride home about killed me--usually I sleep the whole way, but not this time. Got home, saw the doctor, got drugs and got back into running immediately. That always pumps me up with endorphins...sure helps! Hope you had a wonderful vacation!

Kesha link
8/5/2015 01:22:18 pm

I love that you enjoyed yourself. I finally can breathe its been a busy wedding season and when I saw your newsletter I told my husband oh goody Kate has a newsletter out and I knew you were going to give us details on your trip :)Nice

Kate Douglas
8/5/2015 02:01:26 pm

Isn't the fall a busy time for weddings, too? It is here, with the grape harvest and all the leaves turning color.Enjoy the break while you've got it--doubt it's going to last too long!

Thanks for that--I always feel sort of silly writing about the conferences, sort of like inviting people over to show them a gazillion slides of the family vacation, so I'm glad you enjoyed reading it. I appreciate the feedback!

Now forget work and enjoy the husband a bit... :-)

Kesha
8/5/2015 11:37:21 pm

Yessssss We definitely need that and yes Fall is busy but I dont have another wedding until September... so a small break that I will enjoy my family and catching up on my reading :)

Kate Douglas
8/6/2015 03:31:46 am

Wonderful! Enjoy a break for me, would you? LOL...I could use one!


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