Happy Saint Patrick's Day

Just back from a wonderful enjoyable and productive Focus on Writing Romance retreat at Weetwood  Hall with Relax and Write.  Such a great weekend  - I enjoyed every minute and  I had a fabulous group of students. It was fabulous to see everyone working together, discussing writing,

problems and sharing possible answers and ideas.  We had so much fun and I'm still aching from laughing.

Thanks so much to everyone who was there!  I had a fabulous productive and stimulating time - so much so that I'm planning on another Writing Retreat at The Hayes in October.

Wishing everyone - especially my Irish friends  - a really happy St Patrick's Day. This is when |I really remember my Irish roots. When I was a child,  aunt always used to send us some shamrock from Dublin for March 17th and I remember going to school with a bit of wilting greenery attached to my uniform dress.

It seems that St Pat has  brought me the luck of the Irish because  I was just checking out the M&B website and discovered that Olivero's Outrageous Proposal is at #1 on  the Mills & Boon  page  there.  Huge thanks to everyone who bought a copy to put it there.

The official publication day isn't until  April 1st but I did see  copies on sale in Tesco yesterday in their 2 in 1 editions  - in the company of the lovely Annie West's great book   ^The Sheikh's Princess Bride - so it is out in some places.

Hope your St Patrick's Day is happy too.

Back to blogging

 . . . Well, sort of
That was a busy week. I knew it was going to be  but there was a lot to get through!
A lovely visit with my sister - catching up on things and taking her out to see the lovely Lincolnshire town of Beverly

Finishing the book (Yipee!) and getting it to my editor - now waiting for revisions to land but as the saying goes you can always edit a bad page you can't edit an empty one./

Then to Harrogate for an overnight stay and afternoon tea at Bettys  - followed by a trip to the theatre to watch a  spooky production - Edith In The Dark.  I have mentioned before that I do love a good spooky story - and this a good one - with great performances by the small (only 3 ) cast. Really good performances by all of them.

Back home to get sorted out  - away again this weekend, running a Focus on Writing Romantic Fiction writing retreat at Weetwood Hall.  So looking forward to this.  This one is sold out now but there will be more Relax and Write courses coming up later in the year -  next one is in June.

And today is my blogging over on the Tote Bags N Blogs site - so there's a post there as well.

February publication date

I was so busy thinking about red-headed heroes yesterday that I forgot that it was February 1st.

And Feb 1st is the publication date for this  3 in 1 By Request title.

His Revenge Seduction  contains my book The Konstantos Marriage Demand  - which won  the Romantic Times  Best Presents Extra 2010 - back when there were such things as 'Presents Extras'.

We have  more snow.  Ruby is intrigued  but hates the feel of it on her paws. Charlie has such huge furry paws that they act like snow shoes  until he comes back inside and leaves giant paw puddles everywhere.

Ruby has solved the cold paw problem by sitting on top of the radiators and staring out at the world, watching the strange white flakes falling down from the sky. When she gets bored she demands to be let go outside again - and is disgusted to find that the white stuff is still there!

I'm actually quite grateful for the snow - it keeps me inside to finish of my sheikh book and get Nabil and Aziza to their happy ending. And when that's done I have a course to finalise for the Fishguard Writers and  Artists Weekend.    Because this is the Advanced Writing Romance course, it's not a one-size-fits-all course, so I work on what the students most need (gathered from their chapter submissions etc.) Meanwhile the chapters and synopses are arriving for the Writing Retreat in Weetwood Hall in  March.

No peace for the wicked!( I must have been very bad!)

More courses for 2015

So I've talked about the courses I run for Writers' Holidays  - but perhaps Fishguard  in Pembrokeshire isn't easy for you  to get to.   I love  being there  and the courses are  such fun - but  there are others at different times of the year and different venues - also perhaps a different approach might suit you.

So  for those courses, there's Relax and Write  -  short courses ( covering a weekend)  with again lots of fun  - and lots of learning!

MARCH 2015

For Relax and Write I run a different sort of event - a Writing Retreat. I just started this  approach for the first time last year  and it was so popular I've been asked to run another one soon. I was happy to say yes as I enjoyed the first retreat experience I had.  So here's the first one - possibly the first of two for this year.

Focus on Writing Romantic Fiction — a Retreat with Kate Walker

• Date: 13 - 15 March 2015
• Course & Venue: A Retreat at Weetwood Hall Leeds.
• Cost: £240 all in

This is for people who are already embarked on writing a romantic novel and would like a weekend of concentrated focus, writing, discussions and one to one advice.

Focus on Writing Romantic Fiction is a guided writing retreat for people who have been on a course before or who need to do exactly as it says on the tin – Focus on their writing. Where you’ll have time and space away from the real world to write and reflect on your novel. You’ll also have the opportunity to work with me to discuss the novel, work through problems, brainstorm new ideas, and get it ready for submission. There will be some relaxed group sessions designed to make you think deeply about your writing, and during the weekend there will be scheduled for one-to-one time where you can ask all the questions that have been bothering you. This retreat is designed for people who have already started work on a novel and who want time to focus on that - and not have to worry about anything else.

On a Focus retreat, all rooms booked are single rooms which gives you comfort and privacy and the time to yourself, with all food provided. To get away from family and home chores – to concentrate on writing – and have professional advice/input/discussion. Meeting like-minded people who love writing/popular fiction/romantic novels is always something my students say they value. So there will be plenty of opportunity to do that.

Places on this retreat are strictly limited – and many are already booked up – so if you’d like a place or further information contact:

Email: Lois Bird-Maddox, ‘Relax & Write’ Course Organiser  
Website: http://www.malagaworkshops.co.uk/

Also on this weekend:

• 'Write the Past' with Stephen Wade
• 'Write a Mini-Memoir in a Weekend' with Alison Chisholm
• 'How to Self-Publish Your Writing' with Malcolm Chisholm

JUNE 2015

In June there's a new course in a new venue. I haven't actually been to this venue, but it looks lovely and I can't wait to  enjoy a weekend there.

The course  in June will be :

Beginning, Middle and End — Planning your Novel

• Date: 19 - 21 June 2015
• Location: Royal Agricultural University Cirencester
• Website: http://www.rau.ac.uk/conferences-events
• Cost : only £240

   

Beginning Middle and End – How to plan your novel for success.
Was your New Year resolution to ‘write that novel’? Did you start out hopefully, wanting to write the story that was burning in your head. . . only to find that now you’ve slowed down, lost the plot, lost your way, become bogged down in a ‘sagging middle’ Could you do with a route map – some guidelines to help you find your way?

This course will teach you how to plan out your novel so that you have a much better idea of where you’re going and how to create the best read possible. It will show you how to:

• Start well
• Use opening hooks
• Use a synopsis to keep yourself - and your characters - on track
• Avoid the ‘sagging middle’
• Maintain pace to keep the reader turning pages
• Create a satisfying end – making the reader want more from you

Also available on this weekend:
Getting into Print - for all Writers. Working Towards Success as a Freelance Writer with Stephen Wade (http://www.stephen-wade.com/)
For further information Contact Lois Bird-Maddox ‘Relax & Write’ Course Organizer at http://www.malagaworkshops.co.uk/ 

There will also be another course one weekend in October 2015 - details to be finalized. At  the moment,  the suggestion is that I run  another retreat at the beautiful Gladstone's Library near Chester. 

As soon as I have the full details I'll let you know.  I'm so looking forward to these great weekends - I get a lot out of them and I've made so many friends among my students.  I always come home buzzing and looking forward to writing myself.    It's also been wonderful to see so many of my students go on to be published authors. The latest of course was Rachael Thomas who has her 2nd book  Claimed By The Sheikh coming in February.

To book any course, or for or more details check out the web sites Writers’ Holiday and Relax and Write  and of course the details on the Events page on my web site.


PS And don't forget that if you can't make it to any of my courses so I can meet you in person -   there is always  Kate Walker's 12 Point Guide to Writing Romance which is on sale on Kindle for just   $4.38  - or   £2,86

Courses for 2015

I've been getting enquiries about possible courses I have coming  up  for 2015. I haven't been able to get round to updating my Events page on my web site yet as all the dates haven't been finalised but  I thought  I'd post what I do know and then if you're interested you can start to plan ahead - maybe save up. Or perhaps you can ask Father Christmas for the cost of a course  as a present?

Also - courses are booking up fast so  I'd better let you know what's still available and what isn't.

OK -

With Writers' Holiday.

Writers' and Artists Winter Workshop Weekend
13th - 15th February 2015

My Advanced Romance Writing Course is FULLY BOOKED
You can ask to be put on a waiting list in case anyone backs out.

There are other courses running  that weekend
Poetry
Short Stories
Novel Writing
Painting and Drawing

The Writers' Holiday site says there are just ten places for the whole weekend still available  at a price of £299


For the Summer Writers' Holiday
There are also only 10 places left  - but you can still get on my Complete Contemporary  Romance course
Dates: July 27th - 1st August 2015
Cost: £499  all inclusive  (accommodation/tuition/meals)
For details of all the courses and events, check out the Writers' Holiday web site.

With Relax and Write

13-15 March at Weetwood Hall Leeds all inclusive fee £249
This is my Focus on Writing Romantic Fiction Retreat 

'Write Romantic Fiction' Retreat with Kate Walker
An ideal course to get your writing moving ahead. This course will help you edit and polish your synopsis and first three chapters.  For those of you who have been working on your novel, your work in hand will receive constructive feedback. There are a limited number of places on this Retreat, so it is essential you book early, in order to send Kate your work in advance for comment and arrange a one-to-one.
Places on this retreat are already limited - with  half the places booked already  so let Relax and Write know if you are interested.  You need to be able to provide three chapters and a synopsis for me to read and discuss with you.,
 Other courses available that weekend:
 'Self-Publishing' with Malcolm Chisholm

'Create a Mini-Memoir' with Alison Chisholm

'Writing the Past' with Stephen Wade

We are still at the stage of planning and organising further courses with Relax and Write - and need to finalise dates and venues but plan to have coming up :
Beginning, Middle and End - Planning Your Novel
and
Writing Romantic Fiction.

More news when I have it myself.
. 
You can find details of courses and other events on my Events page on my web site  and you will also find comments and reviews from students who have been on my courses  in the past here .

Maybe I'll see you somewhere in 2015.

Catching Up

I made  a mistake this week - I decided to tidy up and sort out my office . . . . That will leave me ready to focus totally on the book I'm writing - once I've organised my teaching notes (and  prepared the hand-outs for the Relax and Write course on  Before You Submit Your Novel - The Practicalities  at Weetwood Hall next weekend. )  But organising my teaching notes led to organising every  last file of hand-outs, course notes, writing exercises . . .

OK, it was a great excuse to buy some new stationary and lovely coloured files   . . . but it still took up too much time and - well, do you know that time when things get worse before they get better? That's the way things look this morning! The Babe Magnet is also preparing for a course on Writing  About Your Life - so he has hand-outs to organise as well.

But there's one thing about being busy in a practical sense - it leaves my mind free to think and plan the new story (working title currently  The Wrong Bride ) so I'm also scribbling down notes and making plans as I put papers in  files and plan work on synopsis, first chapters, opening lines  . .etc for the 24th- 26th.  And the story is growing as a result.

Other book news -  I was looking on Amazon  last week and discovered this cover. It's for a 3 in 1 By Request collection of past titles reprinted in one volume. This one - Secret Love-Child  - is coming out at the end of October. The title of mine that's in it is Kept For Her Baby.  Not exactly a 'secret love-child' story.  But definitely a novel in which the love of a baby is very important!
The other two novels in this volume are by Catherine Spencer and Tina Duncan

I also spotted another 3 in 1 volume coming out in January: His Revenge Seduction -   this time my novel The Konstantos Marriage Demand (the book that was awarded Best Presents Extra by Romantic Times in 2010) is I  the collection with books by Melanie Milburne  and Elizabeth Power.  I don't have a cover to share with you yet  -0 but I'll post it when I see it.

If you haven't already noticed, there is now a brand new Facebook page for all the Harlequin  Presents Authors. Lots of news,messages, and interest for anyone who loves reading Harlequin  Presents (Mills and  Boon Modern)

. Why not come along and 'like'  it - and join in all the fun.

Last Course of the year

Just finalising the details of my next course at Weetwood Hall in Leeds at the end of this month, and Lois Maddox tells me there are still some  places available on this course if anyone is interested - if so contact Relax and Write  for details 


The course is this:
Before you submit your Novel - The Practicalities with Kate Walker
Get your novel ready to send to a publisher.
This course will cover the preparation needed before  submitting your novel to a publisher:  
• Writing a synopsis that sells your story.
• Polishing those first three chapters. 
• What to include in your covering letter – introducing yourself to the Editor (or Agent). 
• Pitching the unique selling point of your story 
• Pinpointing the type of reader and the market you’re aiming at.


or you could try  this one - running at the same time:

Write About your Life - build your anecdotes into memoirs/short stories with Stephen Wade
 
After this, the next course coming up in Leeds will be March 2015.
There will be the Advanced Course in Fishguard in February but I believe this is already fully booked.

Weetwood Hall Leeds 13- 15 March 2015'Write a Mini-Memoir in a Weekend' with Alison Chisholm

'How to Self-Publish Your Writing' with Malcolm Chisholm

'Write Romantic Fiction' with Kate Walker

'Write the Past' with Stephen Wade

Further details of all courses are on my web site Events Page.
 

Cats and Computers and Pink Hearts

I had a wonderful, fabulous time at the Writing Retreat  Focus on  Romantic Fiction  and enjoyed every minute of it. I had a great group, the surroundings were lovely, the weather great. It was wonderful to talk to students about their own writing in the one-to-ones, see light bulbs go on in their eyes,  and then watch them go to different corners of  Weetwood Hall - to their own single rooms, or other spots - at a table in the lounge, a settee in a quiet corner, or a table out in the sunshine . . . and write.

Me too - because I do all the writing exercises I set people to show that they work - or try them out to make sure they work.   So I came back with pages of notes and ideas for the next book, made while I was sitting waiting for   anyone who needed help to seek me out.

There was wonderful food, wine, and company. So thank you so much to Lois from Relax and Write (the  focus is in the name) for all her organisation and efficiency, and to Jo, Claire, Marie, Linda, Penny, Sallyann, Melissa, Emma  for being in my group. I hope I'll see you again soon.

I know some of these students have signed up for the  next course - The Practicalities of writing - so  I'll see you then.   Meanwhile, we're planning courses for next year - March first. . . then others
. Watch this space.

I'm lucky to be back blogging here as  when I got home it was to find that Charlie the Maine Coon had ripped open his neck and had had to have stitches and now  needs to wear a plastic collar/cone/to protect his wound. Luckily The Offspring and his lovely fiancée were on hand to make sure he got to the vets.

Then I switched on my computer - or, tried to - nothing! It was dead!  Totally . Several expensive days later - new computer, the work of the computer technician to save as much as he could - I'm back up and running. But I'm still finding things have gone missing - including my whole address book. So if you were expecting an email from me and haven't heard - that's why.
So it's a good thing that I was prepared ahead of things and I wrote a blog for the Pink Hearts Society before I went to Leeds. Because today is the day for my Date With Kate over on the PHS today. It's   Time Out Thursday so I'm talking about what I do to relax - with talk of some of the wonderful theatre treats I've enjoyed recently..

Retreating

No I'm not retreating from life or writing  - but I'm busy finalising the details of the event I'm running this weekend.

It's not  exactly a course but a retreat - or as I've called it, a Focus. I'll not be running teaching sessions as such  but I'll  be helping my students focus on their  work - the novels they have written already - and showing them what works, and what doesn't. And then I'll be helping them to do more of the first, and less of the latter. And making them write more! There'll be plenty of time for one-to-one sessions, as well as group discussions.

It's the first time I've run this sort of an event and I'm really looking forward  to it. I know many of the students who will be there and the thought of spending a weekend with them discussing writing, and talking about their work in the comfort of a 4* hotel, with all meals provided is just heaven.  I might even  get some of my own writing done - if there's ever a break in the talk!

This weekend is fully booked, but I'm hoping to plan more like this in 2015.  So if you'd be interested, check out my Events Page  - or write to Relax and Write Courses to ask to be  let know what I'm doing.

I do have some more Relax and Write courses coming up -  there's one on the Practicalities of writing:

• Writing a synopsis that sells your story.
• Polishing those first three chapters.
• What to include in your covering letter – introducing yourself to the Editor (or Agent).
• Pitching the unique selling point of your story.
• Pinpointing the type of reader and the market you’re aiming at.

That's coming up at the end of October

• Dates: 24th-26th Oct. 2014
• Place: Weetwood Hall LEEDS   http://www.weetwood.co.uk/
• Cost: £240

There are still some places on that course if you're interested.

And some courses have already been booked for next year:

By popular demand I’ll be back in Fishguard  again in 2015 to run the Advanced Romance Writing Course  again -

• Date:  Friday 13^th  February – Sunday 15^th February  2015
• Location: Fishguard Bay Hotel, Fishguard Pembrokeshire
• Course: ADVANCED Contemporary Romance Workshop

Though the last time I checked, this was either already full  - or had just one place left on it. This course does sell out  very quickly, so if you're interested, contact Writers' Holiday   asap.

The very popular Writing Romantic Fiction   will be back at Weetwood Hall in March next year 

• Date: 13- 15 March 2015
• Location: Weetwood Hall Leeds   

Again that's with Relax and Write    

And of course there's the fabulous Writers' Holiday at Fishguard in July  2015  (27th July - 1st August)

So maybe there's something here that might interest you?

And if you want to know what past students have thought about my courses - their comments are here:

Anyway, back to the course preparation  . . . and if you'll be there at Weetwod Hall  from tomorrow - I'm so looking forward to seeing everyone!

Back from Wales

I'm back - but only for a little while!  I just have time to unpack, do the laundry, repack and head out again.
This time I'm heading for London and meeting  up  with some of my author friends and editors for the annual AMBA (Association of Mills & Boon Authors) lunch.

This time will have an extra special delight for me as I'll  be helping to introduce lovely Rachael Thomas to everyone. Rachael was one of my students at the Fishguard Writers and Artists' weekends and her very first book - A Deal Before the Altar - is  out now. I haven't seen it in the shops yet, but I'm so looking forward to seeing it in print and getting my hands on it.

To mark this special occasions,. Rachael will be visiting here blog at the end of the week and she'll be talking about her book - and my course!

We had such a wonderful time in Wales at the Penfro Book Festival. The Babe Magnet gave a great talk and signed copies of The Girl Who Lived on Air. (Incidentally Rachael helped with this book - she took some of the photographs  - Sarah Jacobs' grave for example)

And what a beautiful venue  - Rhosygilwen Manor in Pembrokeshire - it was glorious. We slept in one

 of their courtyard rooms and had a wonderful time. It was so incredibly peaceful, and the gardens were glorious.  We were only there for two nights, but we felt as if we'd been on a full week's holiday.

The owners did ask me if I wanted to consider running a course - or maybe a writing  retreat there some time. I was so tempted! The only snag is that it is a long way from Lincolnshire . . .  but believe me I'm thinking - dreaming - about it.  What do you think? Take a look at some of these pictures  . . . wouldn't it be the perfect place to hide away and write?

I might not be running a retreat in Wales right now, but I do have some planned for the Relax and Write weekends I have coming up. These are at Weetwood Hall - rather closer to home!   The first retreat there is at the end of this month. This one is  fully booked now but I'm hoping to plan some ,more retreats in the future - keep your eye on my Events Page for these and other writing courses I'm running.

And come back later in the week to meet Rachael ands read about her book.

Catching up again

It's hard to believe that this time last week I was starting the first workshop of my Writing Romantic Fiction course at Weetwood Hall in Leeds. . . .and it was a day of  wonderful warm sunshine.

Now I'm back home, catching up with everything  (or trying to), all on my own in my office  - well apart from a very sleepy ginger Maine Coon cat - and it's raining  - and raining - and raining . .

Oh well, I have great memories of the Relax and Write course  at Weetwood. What a great group of writers joined me in the very comfortable hotel  to learn about writing romantic fiction.  It was great to see how well everyone got on from the start. It always helps a  course go really well if everyone jells  from the start  - and this time people did just that.  So my thanks to Helen, Kim, Penny, Andrea, Luzanne,  Marie, Vasiliki, Ingrid and April for  a great weekend. And thanks  too to Lois Maddox of Relax and Write who organised everything. The food was great too!  I didn't get much sleep - but that didn't matter.

Back home, I had a box of international  editions of various books - and on Kindle there is a cool  English Manga version of The Return of The Stranger.  I've had Japanese Mangas before now but this one  I could actually read and enjoy  - it was fascinating seeing the  illustrations created from my characters, though the hero, Heath, is nothing like the guy on the cover of the UK edition!

 I focused on getting my book  to my editor   so that kept me occupied  - and now it's on the ed's desk  aA Question of Honor  which is out - officially 1st June but in USA  is available from this weekend.  So I need to write some blogs for that!
nd I can .  . . relax - no, not  if the number of things on my to do list is anything to go by!  I have a mini blog tour (thank you Nas Dean!) to mark the publication of the new book -

And thanks to Romance Book Haven  - and Desere , Nas and Janie for the great reviews of A Questiuon of Honor on your Contemporary Romance pages:


The heroine in this book was remarkable, one of those woman you know is strong and no matter what comes her way she will face it, because let's be honest no woman really wants to marry some man she has been "engaged" to since the age of 13. We all deserve to meet and fall in love with someone we chose and not whom our parents think we do, but unfortunately this practice does happen in some countries and I have always felt so sad for these woman that is breaks my heart, but thankfully the author took it to the next level and let's fate intervene, giving us a heroine that stands up for what her heart believes in.

The hero in this book was superb! I loved him from start to finish, his upholding honor personality was terrific especially because he has been through so much and here comes the woman of his dreams and tempts him into very sexy thoughts and he has to sit there and force himself to remember she belongs to another, that shows some serious levels of willpower.

Through both characters the author showed that there is a will and a way to find what you seek,

but you have to be willing to go with the flow so to speak, because fate can always have a different plan lurking in the background ready to unfold when you least expect it. Don't give up hope, keep believing that it will all work out and never ever keep your feelings in your heart, stand up and shout it out to the world you never know by making your feelings known you might just save yourself from heartache.

I recommend this read for all Kate Walker fans, the author has taken a unique 'give us a story with a bang combined with emotional and heartwarming passion' trait and created a stunning romance of love finally found when no one was looking. 

Desere

A Question of Honor by Kate Walker 4 out of 5 stars. This is a quick and easy read if you're looking for something to take with you on Summer vacation. 

Clemmentine was promised into marriage by her father. She knows that she must do her duty for the family honor but runs away to have one last chance for freedom and to spend time with someone who is very close to her heart. She knows that once she is bound by her marriage that she may never see this person again. Karim has promised to bring Clemmentine "Clemmie" to her fiance. It is a sense of honor to his family that he is doing this for her betrothed Nabil. She would be Queen but she doesn't want the title. 

A freak storm strands them together overnight before they are able to make their way to her new home. The sexual tension between Clemmie and Karim becomes apparent to them both. Bound by honor Karim doesn't allow himself but a brief moment and vows to take her safely to Nabil. When Nabil finds out that she spent time alone with Karim he doesn't believe that nothing happened between them and he sends her away.

Karim follows her back home and knows that he can now, and with a clear conscience pursue her. Does their story have a happy ending? You'll need to find out for yourself. You'll also find out why she ran away in the first place and just who this person is that is close to her heart.


Janie

A QUESTION OF HONOR is a spellbinding romance. It is a story that will stay with a reader long time after she closes the book. It has that momentous impact by all the emotion depicted in this romance. Another shimmering and mesmerizing romance full of breathtaking sensuality from author Kate Walker.

Highly recommended for all readers of romance.

Nas Dean


Thank you all, ladies!

Busy . . . .

Busy day today -

Last words  added to latest book so Alyse and Dario can have their happy ending.

Organised cat sitters for Charlie and Ruby

Last minute preparations for  the weekend course I'm teaching for Relax and Write  at Weetwood Hall  this weekend.

Just got out the Ideas Box to see if there's anything I can take along to make things extra interesting  and fun..
. .  Hmm, it seems to be full of post-it notes! They tend  to get used for the Advanced Course in  Fishguard - but you never know . . .

I've been asked to make sure that everyone
a   Relaxes
b Writes
c Eats the food provided
d. Discusses writing
e Has a good time

and one or two   people have mentioned
f.  a little wine!

I think I'm prepared for everything
SO looking forward to meeting up with everyone .

It's great to know that this course is full - the courses are kept small deliberately to make sure they're relaxed and  informal - but there are other courses and a Focus Retreat coming up in September and October.  Check out my Events Page  ( the Retreat still isn't up there - my apologies  but it will be just as soon as I get back from this one!) and Relax and Write's web site  for more details.

Oh - and I forgot to mention that if you missed the original publication of  A Good Greek Wife? it's now republished in the   Eligible Greeks - Sizzling Affairs  3 in 1 Collection .

I also realised that I haven't yet  put up the details about the Kindle edition of the 12 Point Guide  on the Writers Page of my site either . . . something else to go on the  To Do List. .  .

But first I'm going to enjoy myself  with Relax and Write.   Hope everyone else has a great weekend.

New courses

OK - so here are the new courses coming up later  this year.

Just a reminder that the basic course at Weetwood Hall (16-18 May) can still take an extra student or two if you book now.  And Writers' Holiday (21st -26th July)  may have a cancellation - not sure if those have been filled or not. But you can always enquire!

Those are the courses that prepare you to join the Advance Romance Writing Course at Fishguard in February' I know that's booking up well - but it's ages away!

So these are two new courses -  both at Weetwood Hall Leeds.  The first one is a new concept - for people who are already embarked on writing a romantic novel and would like a weekend of concentrated  focus,

 writing, discussions and one to one advice. That' why it's called:

Focus on Writing Romantic Fiction

A Retreat at Weetwood Hall   Leeds

Dates:  26-28 September 2014

Focus on Writing Romantic Fiction is a guided writing retreat for people who have been on a course before  or who need to do exactly as it says on the tin – Focus  on their writing. Where you’ll have time and space away from the real world to write and reflect on your novel. You’ll also  have the opportunity to work with me to discuss the novel, work through problems,  brainstorm new ideas, and get it ready for submission. There will be some relaxed group sessions designed to make you think deeply about your writing, and during the weekend there will be scheduled for one-to-one time where you can ask all the questions that have been bothering you.  This retreat is designed for people who have already started work on a novel and who want time to focus on that  - and not have to worry about anything else.

On a Focus retreat,   all rooms booked are single rooms which gives you comfort  and privacy and the time to yourself,  with all food provided. To get away from family and home chores – to concentrate on writing – and  have  professional advice/input/discussion.  Meeting like-minded people who love writing/popular fiction/romantic novels is always something my students say they value. So there will be plenty of opportunity to do that.

Then the following month there's a very practical course dealing with all those bits and pieces you need to know  to make sure you get your novel ready to submit.

Before You Submit your Novel – The Practicalities

Weetwood Hall Leeds

Dates:  24 – 26 October 2014

Attend as a Day Visitor or Residential Member

Get your novel ready to send to a publisher.

This course will cover the preparation needed before  submitting your novel to a publisher: 

•             Writing a synopsis that sells your story.

•             Polishing those first three chapters.

•             What to include in your covering letter – introducing yourself to the Editor (or Agent).

•             Pitching the unique selling point of your story

•             Pinpointing the type of reader and the market you’re aiming at.

Full details and application forms for these courses can be found on the Relax and Write web site

And  as I've been asked to run a couple more courses next year  -including one at the lovely Gladstone's Library in   March 2015 - keep your eye on the Events page of my web site  which I'll be updating soon. 

Oh yes - and it's not a course but I'm doing a library talk as part of the Doncaster Libraries   Turn The Page Literary Festival   :

Wednesday 4 June, 3p.m. - 4.30p.m.
Authors Kate Walker and Stephanie Cage – Central Lending Library, Waterdale
Behind the Hearts and Flowers. Popular Mills & Boon author Kate Walker will be talking about being a romantic novelist and her latest book, which is released on the 30th anniversary of the publication of her very first book! Joining her will be new author Stephanie Cage who is a Doncaster-based romance writer and author of Perfect Partners (Crimson Romance).
Ticket Price £3

Further details on the Doncaster Library  web site.

Now where was I . . .?

Sorry for the delay in updating this blog - one of the things about being a published author is that in order to keep that title you have  to write - and that takes time and focus. Life has been hectic anyway, and I've needed to carve out time to spend with a sexy Italian and his wife of convenience, to get their story told.  

So that's where I've been and what I've been doing  - on the writing front anyway.

On the teaching front, I've been thrilled by the response to the new Kindle edition of the 12 Point Guide To Writing Romance  - and want to send many thanks to everyone who  bought a copy  at the special promo price |(and to the wonderful friends and fellow authors who spread the word that it was available.)  The ebook is now on sale at it's proper price - but as that is only $3.99 - or  £2.45 in the UK., I still reckon this is a bargain compared to the  price of the paperback. Plus,   the Kindle edition is easily available to more countries  - copies have sold in Germany, France, Australia and Canada - all with just one click! I love ebooks.

I'll admit I never thought I'd say that but I do love ebooks. I love the ease with which I can buy them, the way that I can store hundreds on my reader and not clutter up my room. I'm never without something to read, travelling is easy - just throw the reader in my bag and I  will never run out of  reading matter or if I should do, then  it's easy to get hold of something new.

Not that I'm ever likely to need to do that  . . . the problem is that my Kindle sits on my desk beside me as I

write this - and if during the day I spot an interesting title, then  the temptation is very strong . . . and I was never good at resisting temptation - at least not where books are concerned!

And as a writer, the great thing about ebooks is the way that old titles  get a  whole new lease of life as people discover them. When I was first published , Harlequin romances were in the shops for one month and that was it.  They sold, or they didn't and there was little chance of getting  a copy once the month was over. Sometimes, a book might be reprinted as a 'Bestseller'  - but that would be years later.  I often used to get letters/emails from readers looking for a replacement copy of an old book - or to catch up on one

they'd missed  and  it was difficult to help them.

Now I have old titles out in ebook  form - and it's great to see  - as I did this morning - that older titles like  Kept For Her Baby, At The Sheikh's Command,  The Italian's Forced Bride and Cordero's Forced Bride are out there in the list of bestseller for Modern Romances on Amazon UK.

Oh - and btw -  if you buy  your ebooks from the Mills & Boon web site - they've now introduced a brand new app  which is the best way to read Adobe® Content Server protected eBooks on your iOS device.

What else? Oh yes - courses - I need to update the info on the courses coming up   including one special

retreat style event called Focus on Writing Romantic Fiction - but there's an Italian calling to me so I'll post about that tomorrow.

If you're still looking for a basic course - check out the details  on the upcoming course at Weetwood Hall -   below -  it has filled up but if you're interested I can find another space for you.  Details are also on the Events page of  my web site and on the Relax and Write website here. 

More details on the other course(s) and the Focus retreat as soon as I get some more words added to my total for Dario and Alyse! 

More on Courses - what's coming up?

So, to answer those questions about what courses are coming up  - and what they'll   contain -

I have two 'basic' courses coming up in 2014. These are the courses for someone who has never been on a course on writing romantic fiction before.  They cover the essentials of writing  romantic fiction - well, really any sort of fiction.

They take the information  given in the 12 Point Guide To Writing Romance and  add in extra depth, writing exercises, time for Q&A s and discussion.  There's also plenty of time to relax and talk with your fellow students, discuss the topics in the workshops - and to work on your own novels.    That's why they are Relax and Write or  Writers' Holidays. You get a break as well as learning.

Dates - 16th - 18th May 2014  _arrival from 3pm on the Friday afternoon

These courses are informal and fun.

The first one coming up is the Relax and Write course which is being held at Weetwood Hall  in Leeds.  

Cost: £240

Every student who books on this course will be able to have their own single room for privacy and relaxation - and of course to write!

All meals - from Friday Dinner to Sunday Breakfast - are provided as are tea and coffee. 

There are 9 teaching sessions ( 45 mins - 1 hour)  and time to relax/write/dream is built into the course

.

TOPICS TO BE COVERED IN THE PROGRAMME:

·         Creating realistic characters

·         Sustaining pace and conflict

·         Packing emotional punch

·         Writing sex scenes

·         Crafting a satisfactory ending.

If you’re just starting out writing romance, or you’ve written a manuscript or two but are not yet published and are interested in honing your skills, this course is for you.

Because the numbers on this course are kept small to keep it relaxed and informal,  spaces are limited & demand has been high.  But we have recently added a couple of extra places so if you want to join us, there are still spaces. To book contact   Write and Relax    organiser Lois Bird Maddox  through her web site - or  further details on my Events page.

Also on this weekend is the course  

Creative Writing & the Art of Self-Discovery - with Stephen Wade  and introduction to journalling and  the ways it can help you in your writing.

Non-participating partners welcome.

The other basic course I run has always been  at one my favourite events and places of the year - when the Babe Magnet  and I head for Wales  - again  - and join the wonderful Anne & Gerry Hobbs and all the  other tutors and students at - well,  up until now it has been at  Caerleon but this year the venue has changed  - and as a result, the format of the event has changed slightly too.  It may be held at Fishguard now, with slightly different time schedule and dates - But this is still Writers' Holiday and I'm so looking forward to it again this year.

Writers' Holiday 

Monday 21st July -  Saturday 26th July 2014

Cost £499

So  this Writers' Holiday will mean a week in the Fishguard Bay Hotel,  with wonderful views of the sea - inspiration is bound to strike!   Delegates will choose two courses from a selection of eight. Each course will

consist of eight, one hour lectures or workshops and will run during the mornings and afternoons, Tuesday - Friday.

All meals are provided - together with tea and coffee -  so as always, all you'll need is the cash to spend in the bookroom - or the bar!

The format of the course will be very much as above - but this time there will be the rest of the week to either choose and take another course if you want. There are After Tea sessions and of course the annual visit of the Cwmbach Male Voice Choir
Again, non writing partners are welcome and  information is provided of activities and places to visit in  the area for anyone who is not doing a course.

This years' Writers' Holiday was booked up but there have been a  couple of unexpected cancellations  so if you're interested  contact Gerry  on the web site  and you might just get a place.   Again, there are  details on my Events Page.

These two courses mean that you'll be well prepared to attend the Advance Romance Writing Course in Fishguard in February 2015 if you want to.

So those are the two basic courses - I'll post some more details of other events coming up - including special writing retreat weekends  as soon as I can.

More on courses

Since I posted the blog on Fishguard, I've heard from several people who would be interested in the Advance Romance Writing Course  running there next year and wanting to know  2 things

1. Are there places available
and
2.  This course says that to attend it, you need to have been on one of  my basic courses  first

So to answer
1. Fishguard Advanced Romance Writing Course  2015 - currently there are plenty of spaces on this one  and there's plenty of time before it runs - so yes, you can book now.  This weekend course will also provide you with one to one time with your tutor  (ie Me!)

2. If you need the basic course first  well, this next bit is for you.
After I posted about Fishguard Writers' Holiday last time, the organisers got in touch to let me know that unexpectedly there are two cancellation places available for this summer - July 2015. 
The details are:

July  this year has one (two if sharing a sea-view twin room!)  cancellation place(s) available if you book by end of March with a place guaranteed on my course if wanted.

So if you have a partner or a friend who'd like to come to Writers' Holiday, have a week by the sea, enjoy good food, good company  plus your choice of the courses  b ook now - Still only £499 for the week 


But if you can't manage a whole week - here's the only  other basic course I'm running this year - 
Last week this course was totally filled up but I have agreed to offer a couple of extra places  if needed - so  why not book now ?

For £240 you'll get
 a weekend in  4 star hotel  
a single en suite room - comfortable and  lots of privacy for you to write! 
 Meals are provided
 - and of course there are workshops, writing exercises, time to relax . . .   The aim is to do exactly what it says on the tin - Relax and Write!

Writing Romantic Fiction with Kate Walker

• Dates: 16 - 18 May 2014
• Place: Weetwood Hall LEEDS 
• Cost: £240

Romantic Fiction is big business. This course is intended to provide information and advice for anyone who wants to learn how to write romantic fiction. It gives an introduction to all the skills needed for success, from initial research to the final submission of the typescript. The courses are informal and fun.

TOPICS TO BE COVERED IN THE PROGRAMME

• Creating realistic characters
• Sustaining pace and conflict
• Packing emotional punch
• Writing sex scenes
• Crafting a satisfactory ending.

If you’re just starting out writing romance, or you’ve written a manuscript or two but are not yet published and are interested in honing your skills, this course is for you.

Also running on the same weekend :

CreativeWriting & the Art of Self-Discovery - with Stephen Wade
An introduction to journalling and  the way it can help  writers by looking at yourself and your life,  sparking off ideas and revitalising your creativity

For further information contact: Lois Bird-Maddox ‘Relax &  Write’ Course Organiser

E-mail LOISBM@aol.com

http://www.malagaworkshops.co.uk

Details of all these events can be found on the Events Page of my web site.
And if you keep an eye on that page you'll find out anything else I have coming up - I'm working with Relax and Write to offer more  Writing Events  coming up soon.

Busy week

Well, I can't quite believe it's been a week since I updated this blog. But then it has been a busy week.
A very busy week. And, well, to be honest, the lovely news about  Rachael Thomas's first book was worth leaving up on its own for a while.

I've been working on a new  project - well, a couple of new projects.  And some new approaches to old ones.
First of all, there has been the working out of the plot of the  latest novel.. And that has involved a fight between two heroes. One, a Spaniard with a severe chip on his shoulder and a brooding resentment about the way that his  father's family have treated him - and the second a Sheikh who first appeared in my new book  A Question  of Honour  but has had a lot of growing up to do since then. They both wanted me to tell their stories and it hasn't been easy to decide which one to work on first. So I've made notes on  one - and started the story of the other . . .  Which one? Well that would be telling. Because I don't know whether I'll be able to continue  with the one I've chosen as the other is still demanding that I find him his heroine and give him his happy ever after . .  . watch this space.

What else? Well, I have the Advanced Romance Writing Course at the end of this month so I've been planning things for that - and looking at new ways of getting ideas across.  Of course, what I find works for this course will probably be used again in one of the other courses I'm teaching - like the ones in Weeton Hall in Leeds. That hasn't yet made it on to my Events page  but it should be detailed there very soon.
Actually, I thought I was going to have to say that the course  in May was already sold out as it filled up fast - almost as soon as it was announced. But I've talked with the organisers and we've decided we can add a few extra places if  anyone wants them.  We're trying to keep the classes small and informal so that people can do exactly as it says on the tine - Relax and Write -  but we can manage that and give a few more people the chance to join us. So booking is still open. Contact Malaga Workshops - Relax and Write  if you're interested.

Oh - and I need to add the details of the second course at Weetwood - coming up in October.  My web site designer is working on the updates right now so hopefully they should be up very soon.

Meanwhile I've  also been busy revising and updating  the 12 Point Guide to Writing Romance - this is going to be republished in a new updated format, easily available in EBook form - I'll be announcing all the details soon so watch this space for this too.

Finally - for everyone who's been asking how  Ruby is settling in - well, the truth is that she's been rather unsettling things.  She came  into season  unexpectedly early  and created merry hell as a result. She kept throwing herself at Charlie who really didn't understand what all this fuss and excitement was about and he gave me rather panicked looks as if to say 'Get her off me! I don't know what she' wants!'.  Luckily things have all settled down again now  and the little madam is fast asleep in front of the fire. And you'd never know that she'd  been going round the house yelling at the top of her voice and molesting poor Charlie if he came anywhere near her!  She will have an appointment with the vet just as soon as we can arrange it.

But this is what peace and quiet looks like