Last Chance and Coming Up . . .

I'm not quite sure how it got to be the end of May but here it is heading for June - so I need to let everyone know about things that are coming to an end and coming up

First of all, there are just a couple of days left to bid on my lot in Brenda Novak's Auction to benefit Diabetes Research. The Writers' and readers' Basket can be found here.


Then coming up in June I have two appearences (in the UK) that you might want to look out for.

THE BRONTE SOCIETY

The Brontes and Romance: The Brontes' novels are often described as being amongst the greatest love stories in English literature. This discussion, chaired by Justine Picardie, brings together a panel of writers to discuss the influence of the Brontes on the romance genre.
Panelists include Joanne Harris, Amanda Craig, Jude Morgan and Mills & Boon author Kate Walker - 8pm

Date: Saturday 6 June 2009, 8pmVenue: West Lane Baptist Centre, HaworthTickets: £10 in advance, bookings 01535 640188 / peter.morrison@bronte.org.uk

You can read more about it here on the Bronte Society Blog

Then on June 17th I will be at Derby Central Library for an evening event with a talk and Q& A.

Refreshments will be provided.

Meet romance writer Kate Walker 17 June, 7-9pm, Central Library Kate Walker
has been writing for Harlequin Mills & Boon Modern romance since 1984 and
has sold over 12 million copies of her books worldwide. She is also the author
of the 12 Point Guide to Writing Romance. This is sure to be a fascinating
evening for both readers and writers alike.

Cost: Free, complimentary refreshments

Booking is essential due to limited places. Please call Central Library on 01332
641702 for more information

Looking a little further ahead, I will be running a 2 hour workshop on Writing Romance in Hebden Bride on July 5th as part of the

CALDERDALE WRITING DAYS

In the morning, I will be holding one-to-one sessions in the morning to discuss writers’ work

Date: Sunday 5 July

Workshop: Romantic Fiction Writing Workshop 1-3pm

Venue:Hebden Bridge Library Cheetham Street Hebden Bridge HX7 8EP

E-mail: hebden_bridge.library@calderdale.gov.uk

Telephone: 01422 288040

But this evening it's the Babe Magnet's turn to do a public appearence when he's reading some of his poetry at Borders Birstall. I'm going along as back-up - and this great because it means that I get a chance to meet up with my special friend fellow Presents author Susan Stephens and chat with her over a meal. Can't wait.


Talking of Susan reminds me of another thing that's coming up - and that's the return of the great Tote Bag Full of Books Contest for the summer.

This year is a very special year for Harlequin and becaue of that I'm planning an extra special Tote Bag Contest - so watch out for that around July.

Another sold out and an upcoming event

I had a great thrill yesterday when a reader wrote to let me know that my November book The Greek Tycoon's Unwilling Wife has a big Sold Out sticker across it over on eHarlequin.com. I went to check and it's true. It's an amazing feeling to know that a book had sold out. So with that and the first edition of the 12 Point Guide to Writing Romance being sold out too, I'm feeling pretty happy right now.


I understand that Amazon and Barnes and Noble on line still have some copies of TGTUW so if you missed out on a copy, you can still find it there.

This weekend is totally devoted to Santos and hopefully getting him to his happy ever after (you didn't think writing was an 'office hours' job did you?) but before I roll my sleeves up and get down to sorting him out, I thought I'd give those of you who are in the UK advance warning of a couple of events that are coming up if you live anywhere near Lincoln.


The Lincoln Book Festival is getting together with Mills & Boon to help them celebrate their 100th birthday and I've been helping them organise the two events for this that are part of the Festival which runs from May 9th - 18th this year.

Both of these events are on Saturday May 17th, one in the afternoon and one in the evening.

The first of these is a workshop that I'm giving to launch the second edition of the 12 Point Guide.
Start time: 2pm - 4pm
Location: Lincoln Drill Hall
Admission cost: £6/£4

The second is an evening event and for this I will be joined by several of my friends who also write romance for a Question and Answer, discussion and book signing. Here's what the official Book Festival programme says about this:



100 Years of Romancing Readers
Start time: 6pm - 7.30pm
Join in the festival's celebration of 100 years of Mills and Boon and meet romance authors Kate Walker, Trish Wylie, Natasha Oakley and Kate Hardy.

Location: Lincoln Drill Hall
Admission cost: £5/£3


Full details of both these events can be found here and if you want further details about the Lincoln Book Festival itself then al the details are here.

Maybe I'll see some of you there?