Lincoln Book Festival

They've arrived!

Yesterday my copies of The 12 Point Guide to Writing Romance were finally delivered so I finally had the book in my hands. Such a thrill

And now I can send out the copies I have had as prizes and that I've been waiting to send on to the winners from other sites.

And I can send the copies to the lovely authors who helped me by making a contribution to the From The Readers' Desks section - those authors who have been joining in the Launch Party with me.

The Post Office is going to love me! The last time I looked there were 30 parcels packed up and ready to go!

Today I get to visit one of my favourite cities - Lincoln. This is work though. I have an interview with Radio Lincolnshire . Officially I'm on the Afternoon Show with Sue Taylor, but as I will be interviews at 1.30 that's more like lunch time really!

Even if you're not in the area and you want to hear the interview, you can listen to it on the Radio Lincolnshire site. They have a listen-again facility too if you miss the actual broadcast.

The reason for this interview is to talk about the upcoming event I have, with several other great authors, at the Lincoln Book Festival in May.

Several people have asked about this, so to give you all the details here's the Press Release:

The Lincoln Book Festival passionately presents…100 Years of Romancing Readers

Celebrate 100 years of Mills & Boon with top romance authors Kate Walker, Trish Wylie, Natasha Oakley and Kate Hardy

Saturday 17th May 2008, 6.00pm,

Lincoln Drill Hall, Lincoln

On Saturday 17th May, award-winning Mills & Boon authors, Kate Walker, Trish Wylie, Natasha Oakley and Kate Hardy discuss the world of romantic fiction and what it takes to write for Mills & Boon. From first glances until happily ever after, this lively discussion, commemorating the Mills & Boon Centenary, offers participants the chance to hear from four of today’s leading romance writers…

About the 100 Years of Romancing Readers celebration:

As part of the Mills & Boon Centenary celebrations, the Lincoln Book Festival presents four influential romance authors for a unique opportunity to take part in a spirited conversation that celebrates the world of romantic fiction.

The evening will also include an audience Question & Answer session, along with a book signing. The event will take place from 6pm - 7.30pm on Saturday 17th May at Lincoln Drill Hall.

Tickets are £5, concessions £3.

The panel will feature bestselling romantic novelists:

KATE WALKER – Spanish Billionaire, Innocent Wife; The Duke’s Secret Wife

TRISH WYLIE – His Mistress, His Terms; Her One and Only Valentine

NATASHA OAKLEY – Crowned: An Ordinary Girl; Wanted: White Wedding

KATE HARDY – Sold to the Highest Bidder; The Doctor’s Royal Love Child

AND

SUZY CLARKE – Mills & Boon editor

Come and join Mills & Boon for a glass of bubbly and have your say…

About the panellists:

KATE WALKER published her first novel with Mills & Boon in 1984 and hasn’t looked back. She writes for the Mills & Boon Modern line and has had over 50 books published. The second edition of her award-winning The 12 Point Guide to Writing Romance is being re-issued on 8th April 2008. For more information, visit her website and online blog at http://www.kate-walker.com/

Kate will be leading a workshop on writing romance on Saturday 17th May, 2 - 4pm in the Ruston Room at Lincoln Drill Hall.

TRISH WYLIE has always been a keen writer. Now on her 16th title, writing for the Romance and Modern Heat lines of Mills & Boon, Trish’s creative passion looks set to continue unabated. Her latest book, Claimed by the Billionaire Bad Boy, is published in May. To find out more, visit her website and online blog at http://www.trishwylie.com/

NATASHA OAKLEY began her career in the world of theatre, before turning to writing. Her first book was published by Mills & Boon in 2004 and she writes for the Romance series. Natasha’s 2007 book, The Tycoon’s Princess Bride, is short-listed for the Romance Writers of America Prize (The RITA). For more information, visit http://www.natashaoakley.com/

KATE HARDY has been writing romantic fiction since 2002 and has so far produced over 25 books for the Mills & Boon’s Medical Romance and Modern Heat lines. With a passion for writing, and also for cooking, Kate often combines the two, including recipes in her stories and creating heroes and heroines with gastronomic flair. Kate’s book, Breakfast at Giovanni’s, won the Romantic Novelists’ Association Prize for Romance in February 2008. For more information, visit http://www.katehardy.com/

About the Mills & Boon Centenary:

In 2008, Mills & Boon celebrates one hundred years of publishing history. This iconic imprint has grown to become the UK's undisputed market leader in romantic fiction publishing; a household name entrenched in the hearts and minds of its global readership.·

A Mills & Boon book is sold every 3 seconds·

10 million Mills & Boon titles were sold in the UK last year·

130 million Mills & Boon books are sold worldwide each year·

In 2007, 1200 unsolicited manuscripts were submitted, of which only 27 went on to be published·

Mills & Boon books are sold in 109 countries and have been translated into 26 different languages

Lincoln Book Festival:

From Friday 9th May to Sunday 18th May, Lincoln turns literary as the Lincoln Book Festival brings together authors, fans and book-lovers of all ages for 9 days of discussions, workshops, signings and chances to meet your favourite literary idols. Featured authors include Colin Dexter, Iain Banks and Steven Berkoff.For further information, visit http://www.lincolnbookfestival.co.uk/

You can find details of my workshop here