Eloisa James
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Edition # 225 February 2012 Hearts Talk The official journal of Romance Writers of Australia Helen Katsinis introduces our Conference Keynote Speaker, Eloisa James A New York Times bestseller many times over, Eloisa James writes historical romance for Harper Collins. People Magazine raved of Eloisa’s writing that “romance writing does not get much better than this.” Eloisa is also a Shakespeare professor at Fordham University in New York City. In addition to publishing academic work she has written a memoir, Paris in Love, about her family’s experience of living in France for a year. Eloisa James will be our Keynote Speaker at the Diamonds Are Forever conference on the Gold Coast in 2012. Hi Eloisa. Welcome to Hearts Talk. Not only are you an author, but you are also a Shakespeare professor (and let’s not forget wife and mother). How do you juggle all your hats? And what is it like leading a ‘double life’? I get a lot of sleep! In fact, sometimes I think that is the only secret I have to share: I nap. As for how I get things done… I figured out People always think that there are two me’s— quite a while ago, that it’s OK not to be perfect. but the truth is that I spend my days in front of When I publish something, it’s the very best a classroom analysing the way Shakespeare that I could write at that moment. I think giving put together words, sentences, a plot. When I up perfectionism is the key to getting a lot sit down to write, I’m not so far away from the done—and that goes for parenting, household same sort of analysis. work, and writing. Continued on Page 4 Romance Writers of Australia Inc Romance Writers of Australia Inc INDIVIDUAL WRITERS SUPPORT SCHEME PO Box 1236, Neutral Bay NSW 2089 Sharon Archer [email protected] phone: 0429 233 764 For unpublished members. Priority given to those challenged by www.romanceaustralia.com distance or unable to access creative support by other means. Register for a one-off critique of either 1 or 3 chapters by a published author/ Romance Writers of Australia Inc ABN 30 075 409 728 is registered advanced unpublished writer. in NSW as an Incorporated Association the liability of whose RWA SOCIAL MEDIA members is limited. BLOG http://romanceaustralia.wordpress.com/ RWA COMMITTEE TWITTER www.twitter.com/RWAus PRESIDENT Rachel Bailey [email protected] FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=53338877477 SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT MY SPACE www.myspace.com/rwaustralia Jennifer St George [email protected] Please note that RWA is run by volunteers. Currently, the best JUNIOR VICE PRESIDENT way to make an enquiry is via email, but if you call the phone Claire Baxter [email protected] number please leave a message and someone will contact MEMBER SECRETARY you as soon as possible. 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For contest entry forms via mail, send request with a stamped, self- Hearts Talk Cover Photo: inspired by Anita Joy addressed envelope to: RWA Contests, 20 Waller Crescent, Campbell ACT 2612. To join Contest Alert, RWA’s email alert for contest entrants, go to au.groups.yahoo.com/group/RWAContestAlert/ click on the “join this group” in the right hand corner and follow the instructions. JUDGE COORDINATOR HEARTS TALK RIGHTS INFORMATION Margaret Midwood [email protected] Hearts Talk is the official publication of RWA Inc. and no part may be reproduced or used without prior written permission from the Editor. ROMAUS e-List Moderator Reproduction rights may be arranged between agreed parties only on Jenn J McLeod [email protected] the condition that appropriate credit is given to RWA, Hearts Talk and To join ROMAUS, our online email group, go to http://au.groups.yahoo. the author of the article. com/group/romanceaustralia click on the “join this group” button and All material appearing in Hearts Talk may be reproduced by RWA in any follow the instructions. form for any purpose. Copyright remains with the author. FACE-TO-FACE GROUPS exist throughout Australia, and for The views expressed in Hearts Talk do not necessarily reflect the official queries on how to join an existing group or start one yourself: policy of RWA. All care is taken to verify details included in these pages [email protected] but no responsibility is taken for any inaccuracies or actions arising from the information. If notified of errors a correction will be published CRITIQUE PARTNER SCHEME in a subsequent issue. Bec Sampson [email protected] © Copyright 2012 Romance Writers of Australia Inc. Hearts Talk ~ February 2012 2 www.romanceaustralia.com Our RWA Welcome to February! Despite being the shortest month of the year, for enter another one? We have members with children going back to school, or an two coming up, the First Kiss, empty house after family and friends staying over the closing on 17 February and the holidays, February is a month of getting back into the Valerie Parv Award, closing 4 rhythm of writing. Becoming serious about 2012 writing May (or until filled; see page goals. Whatever your writing time will be used for in 17). They’re a great way to get February, good luck! some objective feedback on your writing and maybe even RWA Committee Changes land your work on an editor’s desk! This month, we say goodbye to AJ Macpherson from the RWA committee. AJ joined the committee in 2008 Members’ Assistance Fund and has served as the Registrar, Hearts Talk Editor and Vice President, and has always been willing to become Want to attend an RWA event, such as the Gold Coast involved in sub-committees and on projects. We’ll miss conference, but money is too tight? Have you considered her attention to detail and ability to cut through to the applying for a Members’ Assistance Fund (MAF) grant? heart of an issue. AJ, we wish you all the best. Now in its third year, the MAF pool of money comes from both RWA and donations from members. If you’d like to Helene Young has stepped into the vacancy, and we apply or to donate, details are on the website—you can couldn’t be more thrilled. With her publishing career with even do it via Paypal. More info on page 5. Australian publishers, she brings a fresh perspective to committee discussions and her logical thinking Group Grants processes have already been invaluable. She’s taken on the Member Services portfolio, where she’s currently Are you part of an RWA writing group? If so, you can finding her feet. Thank you, Helene, and welcome. apply for an RWA grant for your group. You can use it to pay a workshop speaker, to assist in funding a retreat, As AJ was the senior vice-president, we’ve also had a to buy craft books for your group to use like a library, or minor internal reshuffle. Jennifer St George, who was anything else creative your group can think up. See page junior vice-president, has stepped up to senior VP and 5 for more details. Claire Baxter has stepped into the junior VP role. Thank you, Jen and Claire. May February bring you many words and much happiness, Contests Have you entered a contest this season? Keen to Rachel VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH Congratulations! February’s winner is contest judge... Laney Cairo Laney has won a SuperRomance double of Her Surprise Hero by Abby Gaines and The Father for Her Son by Cindi Myers. In this issue... Author Interviews cont. _________________ 4 A Writer’s Life ________________________ 14 RWA Notices _________________________ 5 Your Questions Answered _____________ 15 The Write Craft ________________________ 6 Interview with an Editor ________________ 16 Vale Leonie Knight _____________________ 8 Contests ____________________________ 17 How Do I...? __________________________ 9 Market Watch________________________ 18 Conference Information _______________ 10 Member News _______________________ 19 Events ______________________________ 12 Online Events ________________________ 19 Member Spotlight ____________________ 13 New Releases _______________________ 20 www.romanceaustralia.com 3 Hearts Talk ~ February 2012 Author Interviews continued from page 1 You have a very interesting call story. Can you briefly What made you decide to take a year off and move tell us what that was? to Paris with your family? Well, I really started writing romance so that I could pay (Eloisa has the book Paris In Love: A Memoir coming out off my student loans.