October Book in a Month

In October, Tracey is leading some of the Bootcampers in a "Book in a Month" Challenge. We've spent today limbering up, setting our goals and organising the rest of our lives to make sure we're focused and ready to write.

Good luck to all our BIAM participants. Here's hoping we all get some regular one-on-one time with our muse and our writing flows.

   

Eleni-fest coming in October

What we are reading....Annie and Neely

Annie

Research

  

Reward book

Neely

Latest reads

   

    

last manuscript finished off by her niece

RWA Hot August Nights Roundup

In August the Romance Writers of Australia conference rolled into Brisbane for three days of fun and laughter. It was my first hometown conference so I put my hand up to help with raffle and lucky door prizes, and to present a workshop.

“Dealing Drugs and Peddling Poisons” gave workshop participants the opportunity to brainstorm a fictional poisoning and the notes provided useful resources for their work in process. The delegates had obviously done their homework and had me on my toes answering curly questions.

One of the benefits of volunteering was getting to work closely with fellow Bootcamper Roseanne to source raffle prizes. We talked and laughed as we pounded the pavements in the city, trying to source donations.

Then there are all my friends (new and old) from the day we prepared the conference satchels, and from helping out with the raffles during the conference. There was never a dull moment and I enjoyed every second of “Hot August Nights”. Here's a photo of the Bootcampers enjoying the Friday Night Cocktail Party.

Revealing our website!!

We are proud to announce the launch of our

Bootcampers 101 website!!

Bootcampers 101 website - Bootcampers Rock!

Please come along and have a visit.

What we are reading....Fiona and Jacqueline

Fiona

  



Jacqueline


                                                     very good at show, don't tell

       

    Also titled 'The Shifting Fog'                                

What we are reading....Dana and Alison

Dana

       

                  Highly recommended

               very sensual with original

               & well rounded characters

 

Alison

Book 3 of the King Raven Series (re-telling of Robin Hood tale)

Rachel blogging...

Rachel has been blogging over at the Silhouette Desire blog about flowers. I'm late with this post, but I'm sure you can still make comments.

Clayton's Conference

Wow!  And let me say again, Wow!  Ether-attending the 2009 Claytons Conference was an amazing experience!

When I signed up for the Claytons, I hadn’t thought I’d get the same pre-conference jitters that I had attending my first face-to-face conference, but I did.  So many questions raced through my anxious mind…

’Would I know anyone or would I be the silent odd man out?’

‘Would I say the wrong thing and embarrass myself?’

‘Would I learn what I needed to lift my writing to the next level?’

But my fears were for naught!  Sandie, Rhianne, and Diane had it all covered!  I can’t say enough about the organizers!  These women planned, coordinated and ran a successful on-line conference!  Well done, ladies!

The pre-conference eloop helped ease my first fear…’would I know anyone’.  Turns out, I did know a few people—including Bootcamp’s own Neely.  The participants met on-line before the start of the conference and got to know one another.  The coordinators started discussions that pulled us all together, so by the time of the actual conference we felt like old friends! This went a long way to alleviating my second fear…’would I say the wrong thing and embarrass myself.’  With these ladies—and one gentleman—I felt comfortable exploring topics and even making mistakes!

When it came time for the conference to begin, I was astounded at the quality of presenters!  Wow!  My fear that I wouldn’t learn anything to lift my writing was simply nonsensical!  I’ve learned heaps!  I’m still trying to process it all!  Thank you presenters and participants!

But the conference highlights didn’t end there…a few days after the Claytons I was surprised to find in my mailbox a huge parcel of Claytons Conference goodies!!!  And goodies they were!!!    Wow!  And double Wow!

So, next year for those who can’t make the face-to-face conference…sign up for the Claytons!  You’ll meet lots of fabulous romance writers in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere and learn heaps!!!
 

~ Bootcamper Dana

Successful Mission Report - Conference & Alison Leake

Bootcampers 101 What a group we are. In August we attended the RWA conference in Brisbane. It wasn't all play. We applied ourselves to honing our skills by attending workshops and tutorials. And for a few of us who could stay a bit longer at camp booty, there was an afternoon of brainstorming.

At the conference some of our group put themselves out there and pitched to Agents and Editors from publishing houses. It was a fantastic experience for them. And a successful one.

Annie pitched to Knight Agency's Melissa Jeglinski and Clare Forster from Curtis Brown. Both ladies were impressed, the result being Annie was asked to send a synopsis and first three chapters to both.

Alison wowed Melissa from the Knight Agency who quickly snapped up Alison's synopsis and first three chapters.

Jacqueline also pitched to Melissa and was thrilled when asked for her synopsis and first three chapters to be sent.

Eleni pitched to Allen & Unwin, Annette Barlow and Harlequin's Mary-Theresa Hussey. Now, she's busy polishing a long synopsis and her first three chapters.

Nikki Logan, well her story is a tad different. She pitched herself to Mellissa Jeglinski with positive vibes being the result.

So, all the bootcampers who pitched received a request. Brilliant result for all their hard work. Now we wait. I'll keep you posted.

More news. The fabulous Alison who, earlier this year, won the FFS category of Windy City Four Seasons comp, and finaled in the FFS Golden Claddagh well, she was awarded 2nd Place for her entry. 2nd in the Golden Claddagh is a fabulous achievement. Yoohoo Alison, you are on your way to publication.

There's more news, but it's shhhh at the moment, so as soon as I get the go ahead, I’ll shout it from this blog.

Remember, Bootcampers Rock.

On a break...

Hopefully we will resume our regular postings shortly.