A Slice of Orange

Home

Drink Local – Thoughts on trends by Isabel Swift

June 24, 2011 by in category From Isabel Swift tagged as ,

Finally, I can be trendy!

When I’m at a restaurant and the waiter arrives and asks…”Would you prefer sparkling or still mineral water?” I no longer have to be branded as a plebian, one of the unwashed, uncultured and/or possibly just cheap types, as I have in the past (responding with the low-brow…”Actually, tap water is fine, thank you.”)

Now I can say, “Thank you, but I prefer local water.”

I can even give them the hairy eyeball for suggesting any right thinking human would insist on importing their water, complete with non-bio-degradable plastic or costly glass not to mention the diesel/gas costs for lugging the tonnage from whatever pure-sounding, exotic, or just plain expensively packaged product to my table.

I mean really! When fresh, local water is available (free of charge, I might add) bubbling from a tap RIGHT THERE in the restaurant. Their own private and locally grown pipe-fed spring. It doesn’t get much more local than that!

And filled with locally grown minerals and other nutrients, each local water has its own individual and unique bouquet. That’s what local is all about, isn’t it?

(Add in as much of the rest of the pro-local verbiage as you choose).

Take my word for it, you are definitely on the moral high ground here.

Drink up!

2 0 Read more

Writing for Two Publishers

June 23, 2011 by in category Archives tagged as , ,
Available now 

by Charlotte Carter

For a working author it’s often a good idea to write for two different publishers. In my case I write for Guideposts Books and Love Inspired Romance. That gives me an opportunity to write more books and earn more money per year than I might with one publisher, which is generally a good thing.
Here comes the ‘but’ —
Apparently there is some universal rule that when you’re writing for two different publishers, the two editors (who probably don’t even know each other) conspire to request revisions the same week. That’s right. All at once you’ve got two revision letters and week to revise two books. Ack!
To compound the problem, the two editors are now on the same schedule to send you the copy edited version of their respective manuscripts a couple of weeks later.
By the time you finish that double process, it’s a miracle if you haven’t accidently slipped Daniel, the hero from book A, into book B as the local pharmacist.
This phenomena closely resembles my husband’s frequent complaint that every time he starts to back the car out of the driveway, an entire parade of cars arrive to thwart his efforts.
I like writing cozy mystery continuities for Guideposts Books. (Watch for a new Secrets of Mary’s Bookshop series coming out in early 2012; I’m writing book #3, Reading the Clues.)
Writing for Love Inspired Romance gives me a chance to tell my own stories, and that’s important to me. (Big Sky Family is a November 2011 release.)
Now, if I could just manage to keep the editors on alternate schedules, I’d be all set.
Happy writing—
Charlotte Carter writes
  books that leave you smiling 
 Big Sky Reunion, Love Inspired, available now
 Big Sky Family,  Love Inspired, 11/2011
 New Beginnings,  Guideposts Books, 9/2011
0 0 Read more

Writer’s Block

June 22, 2011 by in category Archives tagged as , ,
by Bill Zeilinger

2 0 Read more

July Contest Deadlines

June 20, 2011 by in category Archives tagged as

Updated and all sites tested…Compiled by Donna Caubarreaux….May be forwarded with credits.

EA = Electronic Format Available
EA/Non US = Electronic for Foreign Entries
EO = Electronic Only
MO = Members Only
U = Unpublished
P = Published
P/3 = Not published in three years
Pnr = Published, but not by RWA standards
PC = Not published in category selected

JULY CONTEST DEADLINES

Put Your Heart In A Book
New Jersey Romance Writers
Deadline received Midnight July 1, 2011
Synopsis and First Chapter not to exceed thirty pages.

Dixie Kane Memorial Contest
South Louisiana Chapter of RWA
Deadline: July 15, 2011
First five pages plus one page single-spaced synopsis.

Heartbeat Romance Writing Contest (U – P)
Heart of Louisiana
Deadline: Snail Mail or Email – July 15, 2011
Query letter and first five pages

Heart of the West Contest
Utah RWA Chapter
EO Deadline: July 15, 2011
First twenty pages.

Indiana Golden Opportunity Contest
Indiana RWA
Received by July 15, 2011 – EO
Beginning and synopsis not to exceed thirty-five pages.

AUGUST CONTEST DEADLINES

Four Seasons Contest
Windy City RWA Chapter
Deadline: August 1, 2011
Info not detailed on website

Golden Rose Contest (EO – U – P/3 – PNR)
Rose City Romance Writers
Deadline: August 1, 2011 – Midnight PST
Up to fifty pages max.

Where the Magic Begins Contest (EO – U – P/3)
Romance Writers Ink
Deadline: August 1, 2011
Entry consists of the first 25 pages of manuscript and a one-page single-spaced synopsis (unjudged).

Golden Pen Contest (EO)
Golden Network Chapter
Received by August 15, 2011
Entry shall include a synopsis (not to exceed ten pages) plus the first consecutive pages of the manuscript in one document, together totaling not more than fifty-five pages.

Laurel Wreath Contest (P)
Volusia County Romance Writers
Received no later than August 31, 2011
Copyright of 2010

Show Me the Spark!
Heartland Romance Writers
Deadline: August 31, 2011
Information is not on website as yet.

SEPTEMBER CONTEST DEADLINES

Reveal Your Inner Vixen
Maryland Romance Writers
Received by September 1, 2011
Up to 20 pages of any scene that showcases your use of sensual tension, plus an unjudged 1-page set-up (optional).

HANDY CONTEST LINKS

Check out Contests and Contest Winners on: http://contestdivas.blogspot.com/
Check out the Award Winning Romance Books on: http://awardwinningromances.blogspot.com/
Contest Alert-All the news on upcoming contests, plus Finalist & Winner listings, questions, etc. Sign up now!  ContestAlert-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Announcement only list: ContestDeadlines-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
For Published Authors: ContestAlertPublished-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
If you’re a Contest Judge, join: ContestsJudges-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Donna Caubarreaux is a member of Coeur de Louisiane, Scriptscene Chapter, NOLA Stars, Heart of Louisiana, and EPIC. She received a RWA Service Award in 1997

0 0 Read more

Wordwide Book Launch Party for James Rollins’

June 17, 2011 by in category Archives tagged as , , , , , , , ,

by Jenny Hansen

Between now and next Tuesday, the Man of The Week over on my blog is James Rollins. Yesterday, we talked about the Worldwide Book Release Party for James’ new book, The Devil Colony.

Then, last night, my critique partners and I had a little pre-party getting ready for the launch over at Writers In The Storm later today.


In order to really play hard on The Devil’s Playground over at More Cowbell, you need ALL the details!

  • The theme for this party is Devil: devil-mania, Devil Dogs, Devil-ish. You name it, if it’s got Devil in it (in a good way) we want to know about it.
  • How do I tell people about my devilish delights, you might ask….Come party on Twitter at #DevilColony. Go set up your TweetDeck column right now! It’s fine, I’ll hold on. *whistling*
  • OK, now that you’re set up to follow the #DevilColony stream, it’s time to plan the party snacks for Tuesday’s launch.
    We’re gonna be at it for 24 hours, so you’ll want to lay in some supplies. Deviled eggs, Devil Dogs, deviled ham… On second thought, deviled ham is a little gross. Just have enough of your favorite munchies on hand to stay close to your computer…you never know who might pop in.
  • Oh, you have to work?What, you could play hooky for the #RoyalWedding and not for James’ #DevilColony Launch? Where’s the LOVE???
  • What are we gonna do at #DevilColony?
    Have a blast, of course! Socialize, hang out with James, our favorite tweeps and all the literary luminaries who happen to stop in. You know, the best-selling authors, agents, editors who want to visit with James (and gush about the book). Forget your other Tuesday plans — #DevilColony on Twitter is the social event to be seen at!
  • What else is happening on #DevilColony besides “hanging out?”Prizes! Not only are you there to meet, greet and Follow, you are encouraged to upload pictures of your party in progress. People will randomly be chosen for prizes, but the MOST CREATIVE pictures will make their way to a Wall of Fame over on James’ site, and can also win the big Mystery Prize.

Where else is the party breaking out today??

And of course, it’s all James, all the time over at my site, More Cowbell. 🙂

I’m thinking a picture of my Little Devil will be in order…something with her Elmo chair, since it’s red…. Hmmm, I DEFINITELY want to be on that wall!

What about you? Are you a James Rollins’ fan? Do you plan to come play with the rest of us on #DevilColony?

0 0 Read more
«‹478479480481482483484›»

Copyright ©2017 A Slice of Orange. All Rights Reserved. ~PROUDLY POWERED BY WORDPRESS ~ CREATED BY ISHYOBOY.COM

>