But that post - and a lot of the week - got highjacked by other events so instead of that I thought I'd just mention some of the things that I am looking forward in the rest of this year.
Starting with Thursdday this week when the BM and I will be heading for London for the annual Association of Mills & Boon Authors lunch on Friday. This will be followed by a reception give by HMB for their authors. I will have a chance to meet up with lots of friends - Michelle Reid and I always stay in the same hotel and we start talking the moment we meet and are still talking when we have to go to catch our separate trains. Luckily our husbands get on well too!
And this time I'll be meeting a new author I've 'met' on the internet but never seen in person. Donna Alward will be coming from Alberta, Canada and after some time chatting with her on the eHarlequin message boards I'll actually get to see her face to face. Along with so many other friends - can't wait!
When I get back I will be guesting on the Pink Heart Society loop for the last weekend of the month. At the moment I haven't thought of a specific topic to chat about - maybe I'll just do a Q&A. But if there are any PHS members here who'd like to suggest a topic then I'll be glad to see your ideas. And I'll be playing my part in the PHS Birthday celebration Treasure Hunt by announcing the gift I'm giving the Little Pink Dancing Guy.
Then there are a couple of books coming out - one of which is a joint project between myself and my husband. Being a Professional Writer was originally planned for July but is in fact coming out in October. This is takes the reader from the foundation of all varieties of creative writing through to finding publishers and promoting their own works. It combines a handbook concerned with the everyday realities of writing and a workbook with practical exercises.
Then there are a couple of books coming out - one of which is a joint project between myself and my husband. Being a Professional Writer was originally planned for July but is in fact coming out in October. This is takes the reader from the foundation of all varieties of creative writing through to finding publishers and promoting their own works. It combines a handbook concerned with the everyday realities of writing and a workbook with practical exercises.In October too, the BM has to do research in Dublin for one of his new Grim and Gruesome books in the Foul Deeds and Suspicious Deaths series so I hope to go with him and this time the Offspring and his Lovely Girlfriend plan to come with us so I'll get a chance to show them one of my favourite cities - and hopefully meet up with my two favourite Irish romance writers Abby Green and Trish Wylie.
The next month of course is when my next novel is out. The Greek Tycoon's Unwilling Wife will be published in both M&B Modern and Harlequin Presents in November. So I expect that the means it will be out in Australia in December. I love the cover on this one so I can't wait to see it on the bookshop shelves. And I expect I'll run a contest to celebrate its publication as well.
Also in November I'll also be heading for Pembrokeshire in Wales and the Fishguard Novel Writing Weekend. Anyone who's read the blogs I posted about the wonderful time I had in Caerleon this summer will know just how much I'll be looking forward to meeting up with Anne and Gerry again, and my fabulous fellow tutor Jane Jackson who runs the Historical Novel course. There's also a Crime Writing workshop with Lesley Horton. The weekend courses are intensive 
and concentrated but they are always a lot of fun as well. Like last year I plan on doing some one to one discussions with the students about their work - and I expect that, also like last year, we'll end up having extra sessions in the evening - either in the classroom or the bar!
and concentrated but they are always a lot of fun as well. Like last year I plan on doing some one to one discussions with the students about their work - and I expect that, also like last year, we'll end up having extra sessions in the evening - either in the classroom or the bar!If you're interested in joining us, you can find all the details here.
Which brings us to December and that C word - Christmas. As I do every year I'll be running the Christmas Stocking Stuffed With Books contest, and I'm sure that, as in past years, there will be lots of wonderful books donated as part of the prize. I had no sooner mentioned this contest in passing than a couple of wonderful writer friends emailed me and offered their Christmas books as well. (Bless you Kate Hardy and Margaret McDonagh). I haven't yet finalised just which books will be in the prize bundles this time but I already have romance titles by Holly Jacobs, Heidi Rice, Tessa Radley. Amanda Ashby's fabulous You Had Me At Halo is in there too along with books by past guest bloggers Elizabeth Oldfield and Jane Wenham-Jones.
Oh yes, and that M&B Annual with Wife For Real in print.
What else - Oh yes - writing! (Did you hear my editor come up behind me and crack her whip then?)
The other thing I have to do is to finish the current book with Angelos (The Black Angel) my sexy Greek hero - and then write another! After all, that's really what it's all about - I have to write the books to get them out onto the bookshelves otherwise no one's going to come and visit this blog or attend any courses I teach . . . I'll admit that this latest one hasn't been the easiest of books to write. Which may be some consolation - or a cause of astonishment to those who think that after 50+ titles it's all plain sailing. But I'm wrestling Angelos to the ground now (I hope!) and I have an idea for the next one that excites me so that is somethng I'm looking forward to writing. Plus I can go hunting for a brand-new hero . . . Actually, I think I've found him - but he's going to have to wait his turn until The Black Angel has his HEA ending
And then as 2008 dawns there will be all the excitement of Mills &Boon's Centenary year and the celebrations they have planned.
So that's what I'm looking forward to - what about you?
And finally, if you'll indulge me - I couldn't find this photo when I was blogging about Bob last week - but it really is my absolute favourite of him when he was a very small cat. And I did want to share it with you. Anne McAllister says that it should have the caption :
If I hold real still, maybe no one will notice I'm breathing
Bob Redford 1989 - 2007 A very fine cat indeed
8 comments:
What asweet picture of Bob - I'm not surprised that it is a favourite of yours. I loved the fact that it took me two looks to realise he was not a statuette too :D
Kate,
What a fabulous picture. Bob really fit in with the statues -- i can see why it is your favorite.
Lidia
Wow you are one busy lady Kate. I think the picture is so cool.
Kate, that pic is just BRILLIANT. And what a lovely, lovely memory to have.
What an adorable picture of Bob!
And can I say how wiggly I am knowing I'm going to see you???? FINALLY??????
I'm almost tempted to ask, "Which one is Bob?" He really does fit in. That was his way, though. Low-key all the way. Didn't make him any less of a force, though.
word verification: xmwtscth
sounds like the noise I'd make sneezing when in close contact with Bobfur for long periods.
That's such a lovely picture of Bob. It's really something to treasure!
What a cutie...you must miss him so much...can't wait to see you and give you a hug in memory of Bob on Thurs...safe journey...
x Abby
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