Break out those Jammies! OCC/RWA Birthday Bash

We all know that writers stay home in their pajamas all day long, right? And, if you happen to write erotic romance, those nighties turn silky and sexy! Well, break out your cute & comfys because the OCC/RWA Birthday Bash on Saturday, Oct. 13 is bringing back the pajama parties.

Here’s the line-up:

Track One (starting at 7 p.m.):

Jane Porter & Megan Crane: Writing Category Romance in Pajamas

Lou Nelson:  Hooking in Pajamas: Writing Dynamic Opening Lines and First Paragraphs

Jenn Wyatt: Music in Pajamas: Using Music for Inspiration

Beth Yarnall:  The Blackest Black in Pajamas: What’s THE WORST That Could Happen? Is your black moment black enough?

Track Two (starting at 8:30 p.m.):

Debra Mullins: Conflict and Incorrect Core Beliefs in Pajamas

Louisa Bacio: Passion in Pajamas

Debra Holland: Self-Publishing in Pajamas

Erin Pryor: Plotting in Pajamas

** Parties are included with registration with for the Birthday Bash. You must make a reservation for this meeting, a “do not miss” event. The price is $35 for all attendees, includes lunch, and the deadline for the event reservations is Oct. 5, 2012

http://www.occrwa.org/birthday-bash.html

Highlights of the Day

10:30 a.m.            Special Guest Speakers:  Jane Porter & Megan Crane

              “Writing Bestselling Fiction: Using Emotion to Power Up the Story”

An award-winning novelist with more than 5 million books in print, Jane Porter is still a small town girl at heart, never feeling too far away from her roots in central California's golden foothills, oak trees, and miles of farmland.             

After sixteen years in Greater Seattle, Jane has returned to California, and is now making her home in a historic Ole Hanson home in San Clemente, with her surfer husband and three active sons. When she's not on the beach or speaking to writers, she's at her desk working on her next novel. In September 2012, Berkley Trade released her new book, The Good Woman.

* * *

USA Today bestselling author Megan Crane writes women’s fiction, chick lit, work-for-hire YA, and a lot of Harlequin Presents as Caitlin Crews.  She also teaches creative writing classes both online at mediabistro.com and at UCLA Extension's prestigious Writers' Program, where she finally utilizes the MA and PhD in English Literature she received from the University of York in York, England. She currently lives in California, with her animator/comic-book artist husband and their menagerie of ridiculous animals.  For more info visit her at　www.megancrane.com or www.caitlincrews.com.   

2:00 p.m. Afternoon Speaker: Courtney Miller-Callihan 
Sanford J. Greenburger Associates, Inc., Literary Agent

 “The Author/Agent Relationship in Today’s Changing Literary World”

Courtney began her career in publishing at Random House, where she spent a number of years in subsidiary rights sales and in contracts before joining Sanford J. Greenburger Associates in 2005. A member of the Romance Writers of America, she is seeking new voices in women’s fiction, romance, historical novels, and literary fiction. Courtney also looks for non-fiction projects on unusual topics, science, personal finance, business, pop culture, lifestyle books, and craft books.

Just added: Heather Bennett, Executive Editor, Decadent Publishing

OPPORTUNITY RAFFLE: $500 gift card to Apple, Toshiba Excite 10 Tablet, SoCal RWA Conference registration, view the various baskets, critiques, lunches and other prizes. Buy your tickets and enter for the items that you want to win.

3 Pitch Appointments with Courtney Miller-Callihan & Heather Bennett

For more information, visit http://www.occrwa.org/birthday-bash.html

Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012
Embassy Suites

900 East Birch Street

Brea, CA  92821

Doors open 9 a.m.

Hope to see you there!

A hero with a “rough edge.” Debut author Erin Pryor shares Pillars in Time

Today, I’m hosting a special friend and fellow OCC/RWA member, debut author Erin Pryor with her sweet paranormal romance Pillars in Time. Not only did I read some of Erin’s book in its early stages – and I wanted so much more, I also invited Heather Bennett from Decadent Publishing to the 30^th OCC Birthday Bash, where Erin eventually pitched and sold the novel. In other words, I so have a vested interest. Please give Erin some love … she’s here today introducing the hero from Pillars, Nicholas 
Kincaid.


Erin will be giving away one electronic copy of Pillars in Time to a commenter. So remember to leave your email address!

Nicholas Kincaid. How to sum him up in just a few short paragraphs? It’s like trying to draw a perfectly straight line without a ruler. He isn’t a man that could fit in any stereotypical box. He is perfect in all the right places, with a slight rough edge. Simply put, he is every woman’s dream.

As corny as it may sound, I drew my inspiration from my husband, added a Scottish brogue, and discovered Nicholas. He’s a man’s man, but not one to ignore the needs of women, especially his woman. When he loves, he loves with all his heart.

When developing him as a character, I took traits that I believe every woman looks for in a man. Someone who is strong, who is a great leader, and is attentive to the needs of others in a way that doesn’t diminish his masculinity, but enhances it. I searched high and low throughout the internet, sifting through pictures of men, trying to “find” Nicholas.

It didn’t take long before I stumbled upon a photo of Henry Cavill. I envisioned him with slightly longer hair and knew he was my Nicholas. Sure, he is a handsome face to look upon, but it’s his eyes that made me decide that he was the one. Add to it that there are two of them (Nicholas has a twin brother), and things only get better.

So, if you’re looking for a handsome, strong, passionate man, you need to look no further. Nicholas is the man of every woman’s fantasies. Pick up a copy of Pillars in Time and discover Nicholas for yourself.

Pillars in Time

Determination is Cadence Hamilton’s middle name. She sets her sights on a lofty goal in a man’s profession: to be the most sought after architect on the West Coast. When she hears of the chance to draft the renovation of a 14th Century Scottish castle, she jumps at her dream job…never expecting to be whisked away to the century itself.



Nicholas Kincaid, sole heir to Dunmaben castle, is in a horrible predicament: marry or forfeit his lands. But the woman who visits his dreams keeps him from falling into wedded bliss. With the clock ticking, he follows duty to marry to avoid losing his beloved home and will do whatever it takes to ensure the security and safety for all, both in and outside of his walls. Except the woman, who beholds secrets he seeks, becomes his distraction….



Neither Nicholas nor Cadence anticipates the threats close to home, or the lives that will be lost in the process. As their relationship is tested and unknown enemies revealed, will their love conquer all? Even the boundary of time?

Available via Decadent Publishing and other Online retailers.

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