Aloha to Tracey Livesay, Romancing the Rosetta Stone, and the Maryland Romance Writers

The Maryland Romance Writers (MRW) recently hosted Inter-racial Contemporary Romance author Tracey Livesay.  I love her tag line,  True Love ... in Black and White. From her bio (link),

A former criminal defense attorney, Tracey Livesay finds crafting believable happily ever afters slightly more challenging than protecting our constitutional rights, but she’s never regretted following her heart instead of her law degree. She has been featured in Entertainment Weekly, The Washington Post and on CBS This Morning. Tracey lives in Virginia with her husband–who she met on the very first day of law school–and their three children. When not answering the call of wife, mother or author, she runs marathons and daydreams about designer purses.

Tracey shared her workshop featured on Romance University - ROMANCING THE ROSETTA STONE:

Have you ever found yourself frowning during a workshop as the presenter used terms you were unfamiliar with? Nervous to raise your hand out of fear that others may jeer at your confusion? Worry no longer. Learn the basics of romance writing terminology: POV. Turning points. Black moments. We’ll discuss them all, and you’ll find yourself fluent in the craft of romance writing faster than the presenter can say, “And by using deep third person POV, your reader will experience each turning point more fully, leading to a more satisfying reader experience.”

Rosetta Stone in the British Museum (link)

Tracey was a fabulous speaker ... and we had several new authors in the audience to learn from Tracey's own experience.  Thank you, Tracey, for sharing your knowledge!  Following the meeting, we conveyed at the Ram's Head Tavern in Savage Mill for lunch.  I enjoyed the tidbits of conversations with various members.  It was a refreshing break to enjoy the company of writers!

Spring is here ... what are your plans?  One randomly selected commenter wins swag from Avon Romance who published Tracey's Shades of Love series.  Comments are open through Sunday, April 1, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Monday, April 2.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to the Maryland Romance Writers (MRW) Fourth Annual Online Auction

The Maryland Romance Writers (MRW) are hosting the Fourth Annual Online Auction:

This auction benefits the Maryland Romance Writers (MRW) chapter of the Romance Writers of America (RWA) and its programs which promote excellence in romantic fiction and advance the professional interests of career-focused romance writers. To learn more about MRW, visit marylandromancewriters.com.

Check out what I donated:

Social Media Review from Popular Romance Bloggers (link):

Three bloggers, Kim Lowe (SOS Aloha Book Blog), Danielle Gorman (Ramblings from the Chick), and Kimberly Rocha (Book Obsessed Chicks) will independently review the winner's digital imprint - author website, social media, and author pages - to offer their feedback to the author's branding, reader appeal, and overall cohesiveness. Kim Lowe will compile their feedback and offer a one hour consultation.

Military Appreciation Gift Set (link):

US Flag flown over the Air Force Memorial (Arlington, VA), Air Force lanyard, Army Magnet and Pin, Coast Guard Tote Bag, Navy SEALs DVD, NSA Ballcap, NSA logo golf balls, Pearl Harbor Map, Pentagon Magnet, and Military Ducks

Pacific Rim Gift Set (link):

Hawaiian souvenirs (Aloha Pencils, Flower Hair Clip, Silk Lei, Slippahs magnet), Mount Fuji Magnets, Pearl Harbor Map, Jake Shimabukuro coozie, South Korean Magnet, USS Missouri "Mighty Mo" Golf Balls, and Military Ducks

Always Alba - A Sample of Scotland (link):

Albannach CD and bottle coozie,Brass "buck" decoration, Doune Castle leather bookmark (film location for OUTLANDER and MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL), Historic Scotland coffee mug, and vintage photographs from Victorian Scotland.

The auction ends on Monday, October 23 ... check out all the items available at this link.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Next week ... the Baltimore Book Festival!

Monday in Maryland - There's something about Barbara Vey

United States Naval Academy

Last week, the Maryland Romance Writers (MRW) hosted Barbara Vey as their guest speaker.  From her website (link),

As Contributing Editor for Publishers Weekly for 7 years, Barbara Vey left to start her own website with the goal of bringing readers and writers together. She is the recipient of the 2012 RWA Vivian Stephens Industry Award and 2013 RT Melinda Helfer Award. Barbara has created the ultimate reader experience with the Barbara Vey Reader Appreciation Luncheon held in Milwaukee, WI every April. An avid reader, Barbara consumed a book a day before taking on the glamorous life of a roving reporting. Traveling all over the world to conferences from Romance to Thrillers, Mysteries to Horror, Historicals to Comic Con, her love of Romance and the Happily Ever After keeps her grounded while she offers readers a place to step away from life's daily trials to take a positive journey through the world of books.

Barbara shared her journey from author cruise to Publishers Weekly to the reader luncheon. She entertained the audience with her own "Lucy" moments while finding readers along the way. Barbara's enthusiasm for life in general, but reading in particular, was infectious to the entire audience. She offered examples of author branding and reader connections. Check out the tweets from the meeting at this link.

I invited Barbara to stay with me over the weekend so I could share the sights of Washington, DC. After our tour of the Pentagon, we joined Diana Belchase (link) for a driving tour of the Marine Corps Memorial, Fort Myer, and the Air Force Memorial. We ended the day at the Chart House in Old Town Alexandria. On Saturday, we visited the United States Naval Academy in search of a few good men and women serving our country.  We found John Paul Jones, "father of the American Navy".

Midshipman in front of the
US Navy Submarine Centennial Monument

Before this weekend, I had a casual acquaintance with Barbara. Back in 2008, Mary Gramlich (link) recommended I check out Barbara's blog on Publishers Weekly - it was a refreshing change to the snarky blogs dominating Romanceland. I attended Barbara's reader luncheons in 2014 and 2015 at this link, link, link, link, link, link, and link. I advocated for more luncheons like Barbara's at this link.

After this weekend, I have found a kindred spirit in this reader advocate. During the meeting, Barbara explained the importance of always carrying a business card and even a book. She shared several examples of how she gave away books to others in restaurants. As we left the meeting, Barbara noticed MRW members left books they received from conferences on a table for other members to take. Since we were the last to walk out of the conference room, Barbara grabbed the leftover books and gave them to the receptionist at the community center. She discovered the receptionist's daughter worked at a local library where books were always welcome. Barbara demonstrated there is always pockets of readers to discover.

I recommend any writer's group to invite Barbara as a guest speaker to a meeting or conference. I also encourage authors to request an individual consultation from Barbara - she is attending RWA in San Diego. Connect with Barbara at this link.

Mahalo, Maryland Romance Writers, for inviting Barbara to Baltimore!

Annapolis Book Store

I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash. To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about "author event" you have attended - book signing, luncheon, convention, or passing by on the street. What made it special?

2. Comments are open through Saturday, March 26, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 27.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Navy personnel patrol Annapolis Harbor

Romance is coming to Washington, DC, ... and Baltimore, too!

Romance is coming to Washington, DC ... and Baltimore, too! 

15th Annual Library of Congress' National Book Festival - Saturday, September 5, 2015 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center:

Romance Fiction
7:15 pm-7:40 pm Sarah MacLean
7:40 pm-8:05 pm Beverly Jenkins
8:05 pm-8:30 pm Paige Tyler 

Baltimore Book Festival - Friday, September 25 - Sunday, September 27, featuring the Maryland Romance Writers' Stage (link).  Panels include: 

September 26, 2015, 2pm - 3pm, Historicals: Hot or Not?

Denny S. Bryce
Stephanie Dray
Alma Katsu
Eliza Knight
Janet Mullany
Kate Quinn
Deanna Raybourn

It’s pistols at dawn (well, 3pm) when these historical authors duel over the best time period to read and write about and whether historicals have become too hot, hunky or high brow.

Washington Romance Writers (WRW) Readers, Authors, and Bloggers Luncheon, Saturday, October 10, at the Positano Ristorante Italiano, Bethesda, Maryland.   Stay tuned to this link for more details. 

Check out my pictures from last year's luncheon at this link.

Do you have any "romance" events coming to your area?   One randomly selected commenter wins a book choice from my convention stash.  Comments are open through Saturday, August 8, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, August 9.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Weekly Winners

 

You can be a winner with the Maryland Romance Writers (MRW) author at this link - books, critiques, jewelry, and even a weekend getaway!

We have winners at SOS Aloha:

Jill Marie Landis' TOO HOT FOUR HULA
- Shannon wins a print copy from me.

Vanessa Riley's SWEPT AWAY

- Dani wins a print copy from me.

Heather Heyford's A TASTE OF CHARDONNAY

- Cathy P.  wins a digital copy from Heather.

Cathy Maxwell's THE GROOM SAYS YES

- LSU wins a book choice from my convetion stash.

FIT TO BE TIED by Kelsey Browning and Nancy Naigle

- Catslady wins a print copy from Kelsey and Nancy.

Nana Malone's STROLLERS AND STILETTOS

- Debby wins a digital copy from Nana.

Winners, please claim your prizes by sending your mailing address to sos.aloha@yahoo.com.   

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Celebrate Little Victories - Baltimore Book Festival

Last weekend, I attended the Baltimore Book Festival (link) in the Inner Harbor.  The Maryland Romance Writers (link) hosted in its own stage and invited me to participate in Blogging About Books:

Book bloggers talk about running a successful book blog, working with authors and publishers, how to keep their fans engaged, and offer authors tips for building successful relationships with book bloggers.

Panelists: Andye Eppes, ReadingTeen.net; Jen Fisher, Jenuine Cupcakes/Young Adult Book Central; Hannah McBride, The Irish Banana Review; Stephanie Sinclair, Cuddlebuggery; Jillian Stein, Read-Love-Blog; Kim Lowe, SOS Aloha Blog

During the panel, I stated, "If I post it, they will read it," which was later tweeted by the audience!  I acknowledged my faithful followers - you! - make it worth the effort.

I caught up with Damon Suede (link) and D. Renee Bagby (link).  Damon proved to be an amazing dancer at the RT Booklovers Convention ... and Renee is one of my travel buddies from Hawaii. 

Have you attended a book festival?  One randomly selected commenter wins a book choice from my convention stash.  Comments are open through Saturday, October 11, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, October 12.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City