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Make a date with a cover model

Okay, you can’t really make a date with a cover model, but you can enjoy some delicious male eye candy at the 2016 Passport to Romance. This reader appreciation event, held in conjunction with the Emerald City Writers’ Conference, will be held Saturday, October 15, 2016, from 6-8 p.m. at the Bellevue Westin Hotel. Admission is free.

The cover model line-up includes Scott Nova, Derek Hutchins, Wayne Adams and Jacob Rodney.

You can also meet and mingle with more than 40 romance authors, including me. I hope to see you there!

• Courtney Milan
• Roxanne St. Claire
• Cherry Adair
• Allie K Adams
• Anna Alexander
• Diana Ballew
• Beth Barany
• Pam Binder
• Jennifer Blackwood
• Julie Brannagh
• Kristine Cayne
• Wendy Lynn Clark
• Carmen Cook
• Malena Crockett
• Kate Curran
• Jami Davenport
• Jillian David
• Dana Delamar
• Jacki Delecki
• Tammy Dennings Maggy/Stephanie Ryan
• Saranna DeWylde
• LC Giroux
• KP Haigh
• JC Hay
• Joanne Jaytanie
• Joleen James
• Darynda Jones
• Shannon Kennedy
• Jennifer Kohout
• Athena Lawson/Anthea Sharp
• Eva Leigh
• Lori Lyn
• Jerica MacMillan
• Margaret Mallory
• Lauren Marie
• Clare Mckay
• Danielle Monsch
• Moxie North
• Shirley Penick
• Nico Rosso
• EL Roux
• Gerri Russell
• Samantha Saxon
• Deborah Schneider
• Alex Strong
• Marie Tuhart
• Olivia Waite
• LE Wilson
• Danica Winters

A Code of Love named SELF-e Selection

Now you can find A Code of Love in Seattle libraries!

There are times when being a self-published author can be challenging. One of those challenges is gaining access to platforms automatically (or so it seems) available to traditionally published authors.

If you aren’t savvy as to publishing terminology like self-pubbed vs. trad-pubbed, let me help. Traditionally published authors are those whose books are delivered to the marketplace via a publisher, such as Harlequin or HarperCollins. Self-published authors, also called indie (independently) published authors, coordinate all aspects of book production (cover design, writing, editing, distribution) themselves.

Access to platforms like libraries and retailers is much easier for traditionally published authors as publishers have already negotiated these partnerships. With the increase in self-published books, platform gatekeepers (like librarians and store managers) are starting to recognize the need for some kind of entry point for indie authors.

SELF-e is one such program. Founded by BiblioBoard and administered by Library Journal, SELF-e provides an opportunity for self-published authors to introduce local libraries to their books. Books must be submitted for consideration and are evaluated for quality and professionalism.

A Code of Love, book 1 in the Code Breakers series, was recently named a SELF-e Selection. I’m proud of this endorsement, but more importantly, I’m grateful for the chance to share my book with local Seattle librarians and readers.

Connecting with libraries is an important means of discoverability for all authors, but especially self-pubbed authors. According to Library Journal, “Over 50 percent of all library users go on to purchase ebooks by an author they were introduced to in the library.”

The next time you visit your library, ask about the SELF-e program. You might discover a new favorite!

Preorder The Grayce Walters Romantic Suspense Series

iBooks | Apple

THE GRAYCE WALTERS SERIES: Grayce Walters, intuitive animal acupuncturist, finds herself drawn into danger in the name of protecting her animal clients. One extraordinary woman reluctantly battling evil on the streets of Seattle with an unconventional collection of crime-fighting accomplices: Her heart throb, alpha-macho hunk, Fire Investigator Captain Ewan Davis; her best friend James, a gay cross-dressing, karate master who can take bad guys down as long as he doesn’t ruin his hair; her office assistant Hollie, a street wise girl gamer; and Mitzi, a black standard poodle who’s anything but standard.

This four-book anthology from bestselling romantic suspense author Jacki Delecki includes:

An Inner Fire
Women Under Fire
Men Under Fire
Marriage Under Fire

Getting ready for springtime in Seattle

Yesterday I attended the Northwest Flower & Garden Show, and now I have spring fever. This brilliant burst of color and inspiration has been held at the start of spring every year since 1989. The exhibits and displays are incredibly imaginative and inspiring enough to motivate even “armchair gardeners.” Although springtime is still a few weeks away, I’m ready for sunshine, warm breezes and afternoons spent in a garden sanctuary.

If you’re in the Seattle area, the Northwest Flower & Garden Show runs through Feb. 21 and is held at the Washington State Convention Center. It’s a wonderful way to get ready for springtime!

'Love Between the Covers' starring romance readers

On Saturday, January 23, the Greater Seattle Romance Writers of America hosted a screening of Love Between the Covers, a “feature-length documentary film about the little-known, surprisingly powerful community of women who read and write romance novels.” A panel including Cherry Adair, Christina Dodd, Julia Quinn and Jayne Anne Krentz led a discussion following the viewing.

Produced by Laurie Kahn, screenings of Love Between the Covers have become an effective means of educating those not familiar with romantic fiction about the genre, authors and publishers, and readers. The film is also a celebration and validation of what romance authors and readers already know: There is nothing trivial, trite or shameful about this multi-billion dollar industry–which is actually more of a community.

Thanks to social media, as well as the variety of reader/author events such as RomCon, The Novel Experience Event, RT Booklovers Convention & Bookfair and Barbara Vey’s Reader Appreciation Weekend, opportunity abounds for readers and writers to connect. It is not uncommon for these casual encounters to evolve into mentorships for readers who want to write, close personal friendships and/or strong professional collaborations.

While I savor every sale, every review, and every award, it is the personal connection with readers that affirms my decision to write romantic suspense. I love hearing that some readers look forward to each new release because it’s a favorite indulgence or that escaping into my stories helped someone cope during a personal crisis. Or that reading Grayce Walters was like returning to their favorite city, Seattle. Or that they learned something new about political intrigue during the Napoleonic war in my Code Breakers series. It’s so much fun to start recognizing names on Facebook and discover a shared passion like high heels, theater or dogs.

Love Between the Covers showcases the unique relationships (readers and readers, authors and authors, authors and readers) that do not exist in other fiction genres. This film reminded me how lucky I am, and how much I value, the friends I’ve made in this community!

I’d love to hear about your special connections with other authors and readers. Feel free to comment on this post or send me a message on Facebook.