Saturday, July 2, 2016

Romance Writers Report - International Fandom, Romance Documentary, and Speaking Out About Depression

 

Yesterday I received the July issue of RWA's monthly magazine, Romance Writers' Report, including the following articles:

- Bobbi Dumas (founder of Read A Romance Month, link) authored The Growing Global Romance Celebration, reporting on her recent trips to Paris and Berlin for international romance events.  She wrote, 

Romance fandom is alive and well in Europe, no matter the language.

- Myretta Robens (historical romance author, link) offered an insider's look at the filming of a documentary about romance writing in Behind the Scenes - Love Between the Covers. She quoted the filmmaker Laura Kahn, 

I wanted to capture the community's pay-it-forward spirit, its entrepreneurial energy, its global reach, its tech savvy, and the way it nurtures long-lasting meaningful friendships.

- Alyssa Day (paranormal romance author, link), combines advice from writers who experience depression (including herself) On Writers and Depression: You're Not Alone.  She noted, 

Luckily, we're members of Romance Writers of America. We've got an entire international tribe of fellow creatives who have our backs. With that in mind, I contacted some of the people in my tribe, fellow writers who've shared their own struggles with depression with me, so that we could present a panel on what depression looks like, how we manage, and what advice we'd give you if you're in that leaky boat with us.  I also talked to my agentabout her experiences with clients with depression.  Our first and best advice? Remember that you are not alone, and that depression lies.


Wounded warrior Greg Gadson (3rd from left)
starred in BATTLESHIP (my favorite movie) 

I thank Alyssa - an Air Force brat and a Navy spouse - for speaking out about a mental health issue that impacts both civilians and military. Its an epidemic that we need to address. Cosmopolitan Magazine posted a video on Social Media with a candid look at a female veteran who lost her leg and contemplated suicide - link.

I want to let my readers know that you can always contact me via email, sos.aloha@yahoo.com, if you need to talk.  I have your back.


For me, romance books offer an escape from the factors that can contribute to depression. I often finish a romance book feeling a little better about my life. So let's giveaway a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about what you have planned for this weekend.  For Americans, it is Independence Day Holiday Weekend. I'll be packing for my trip next week to San Diego. But I will pause to appreciate the freedom I enjoy every day.

2. Comments are open through Saturday, July 9, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, July 10.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City







27 comments:

  1. We are going by a friend's house for a BBQ and fireworks!

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  2. Visiting friends in a nearby State Park!!

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  3. I'll be lighting fireworks for my son! Thank you for sharing the article about mental health issues! I follow Alyssa on Facebook and she also posts a weekly "mental health check-in" post there for herself and her readers! Anyone is welcome to comment, not just readers. I love her so much! Happy 4th everyone!

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    1. Alyssa's FB link: https://www.facebook.com/authoralyssaday/?fref=ts

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  4. My husband works on the 4th so I'll be grilling on the 3rd for my family - Happy 4th!!!

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  5. WE have a friend from Fla staying with us for a few days; then on Sun or the 4th may go out to lunch with friends.

    Happy 4th to one and all.

    ladbookfan

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  6. No plans for this weekend other than reading and watching some TV. We are under a flood watch all weekend, so weather isn't supposed to be very good.

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  7. Heading to Manhattan and doing bbq

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  8. Cooking some new recipes. I'm making a beetroot and sweet potatoe salad tomorrow.

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  9. Sounds fun?
    N
    BBQ and. Baseball
    Thanks
    Kimh

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  10. We are planning to watch the local parade and have a cookout with family and friends. Happy 4th of July!

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  11. today I went with friends for lunch and a wander around Grounds for Sculpture (just south of Princeton NJ) - fabulous weather today and a wonderful place. May try to get to some fireworks too.

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  12. Nothing special,reading and enjoying :)
    Happy 4th of July!

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  13. I worked today and have to go in for awhile tomorrow. We're going to visit our son and take him out to lunch for his birthday (4 hours drive time total). On Monday we plan on going to a barbecue and watching fireworks with friends.

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  14. We are going to a pool party/BBQ and visiting with family and friends this weekend. Happy 4th of July weekend!

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  15. Thanks for the info, Kim! Enjoy your trip to RWA! I went last year, in NYC. We will be going to fireworks on Monday, for the first time in about 6 yrs.

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  16. Happy 4th of July. We'll probably head over to watch the fireworks.

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  17. This weekend we will be doing things with our Honor Flight Hub. We were in our towns parade this morning on an Honor Flight float. Tomorrow we will go to church and work around the yard and cook out. On the 4th, we will be heading into the city for their large fireworks display. Pepsi is hosting it and has invited Honor Flight to share the main tent. We will be there from late in the afternoon until after the fireworks. They are giving us the opportunity to get the word out about Honor Flight and collect donations. There will also be a ceremony honoring the veterans.

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  18. I'm hoping to just have a quiet weekend enjoying the sunshine.

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  19. I'm hoping to just have a quiet weekend enjoying the sunshine.

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  20. We just celebrated Canada Day so no more big plans, just back to the grind of a new week!

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  21. The usual celebration. Fireworks and BBQ's with family. So grateful for the freedom we have to celebrate. Happy 4th.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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  22. The usual celebration. Fireworks and BBQ's with family. So grateful for the freedom we have to celebrate. Happy 4th.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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  23. I'll be house sitting while everyone is at the beach!
    That is a nice picture there, I couldn't believe Rihanna was in it. She's unbelievably beautiful. I commend you for speaking out about tough topics like mental health. There is so much to learn and your honesty is refreshing.
    Baltimore is a beautiful city by the way. My favorite place is the aquarium. I'm fascinated by the natural world.

    I'm a little shocked when people tell me they still have an AOL account.But it's cool to be old school sometimes.

    zkmoon14 at yahoo .com

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  24. just cooking at home and watch fireworks on tv.

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  25. This weekend is my first weekend to relax and have time off

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