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The CALL!

Oh my sweet stars! I got The Call! The one that began with my agent saying, “I’ve got some fun news…” advanced to me burbling something like, “ohmygodthisisbeyondmywildestdreamsI’mgoingtocry,” and ended with, “Great! I’m calling them right now to tell them we accept!”

I’m so giddy and thrilled to tell you that my Golden Heart winning manuscript, Charlene and the Duchess Factory, and two other books, sold to Carrie Feron and Amanda Bergeron at Harper Collins/Avon books!

Avon is my dream house for so many reasons -- Eloisa James, Sarah MacLean, Tessa Dare, hello! Plus they have the most delicious, tactile covers in the business and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve held one of their books and trailed my fingers over the sensual matte finish and fantasized that it was my cover.

I have so much to celebrate and a HUGE list of people to thank. I will write a longer post and thank absolutely everyone very soon. For now I just want to say thank you to my sweet, long-suffering husband who cooked me dinners, built me wood fires, and went out to play in the music studio when I needed space…you have bewitched me, body and soul.

Also a big shoutout to Tessa Dare and Courtney Milan for sticking with me since Avon FanLit and showing me the path to greatness. And to Eloisa James for inspiring me to write romance in the first place. Oh, and of course an enormous thank you to my amazing literary agent, Alexandra Machinist, for taking a chance on a debut author.

That's the short version. More to come!

  

There’s a subplot in Charlene and the Duchess Factory about rescuing girls in the Covent Garden neighborhood of Regency-era London who have been forced into prostitution. I promised myself that if I sold, I would donate a percentage to a local Bolivian shelter for girls that have been trafficked. Some of them are only twelve, and none of them can ever leave the grounds of the shelter. This month, we will hold a “prom” at the shelter so they can wear pretty dresses, open presents, dance, and be young. So this is perfect timing. 

Thank you to RWA, Avon Books, and a big hug and lots of gratitude to you for reading. Remember, even your wildest dreams can come true!

The Romance Dish: Today's Special - - Lenora Bell

I'm blogging today at The Romance Dish about my Golden Heart journey, and the romance authors who inspire me. What a thrill to tell my story and maybe even inspire others to keep writing and follow their dreams! Also giving away a Bolivian gift basket to a randomly chosen commenter.

The Romance Dish: Today's Special - - Lenora Bell: PJ here.  Remember how I mentioned in a recent RWA blog about how you meet the nicest people in the hotel bar at romance conferences? Tod...

Big Bubbly News!

I am beyond thrilled to tell you that I am now represented by Alexandra Machinist of ICM Partners!

Everyone told me that finding the right agent was like falling in love. When you found The One, you would just know. And that's exactly how it happened. I had multiple offers, and spent over a week researching, weighing options, seeking advice from friends and pros, and obsessing over contracts. But when I talked to Alexandra, I just knew. She was The One.

Alexandra, besides having the most adorable no-nonsense yet hip glasses ever, represents an amazing list of authors including a host of New York Times bestsellers including Darynda Jones, Kat Martin,  Lauren Willig (who's eleventh book in the delicious Pink Carnation series debuted yesterday), and my new conference crush, the lovely Jennifer McGowan!

And now...me. CRAZY! WOW! SQUEEE!

I'm so excited right now I can't even think straight. Today is a Bolivian holiday so I can pop that champagne cork with impunity and celebrate Marilyn style.

Raising my glass to you!

xoxo

Lenora

Top 20 Reasons the RWA 2014 National Conference Was Awesome!

I feel like I'm in The Lego Movie because everything is awesome. So here are my Top 20 Reasons the RWA Conference Was Awesome. Because ten just wouldn't be enough.

1. My fellow GH nominees, the Dreamweavers. What an amazing, talented group of writers. And so much fun!

2. THE Eloisa James hugged me after I accepted the Golden Heart^® award for unpubbed historical romance authors. What a thrill!

3. Reconnecting with my pals from Avon FanLit, the amazing Courtney Milan and Tessa Dare. I had that dazed, deer-in-the-headlights expression on my face the whole night. But don't Courtney and Tessa look gorgeous?

 

 

 

4. The excitement in the air was palpable. There were clusters of writers everywhere, talking at warp speed, sharing stories, laughs, and margaritas.

 

5. One of my best friends got married the week before the conference so I was totally able to justify the expense of traveling to the U.S. Thanks guys!

 

 

6. Drinks in the bar with new friends @WriteAsRain_, @southerntart,  @JeanettelGrey, and @LauraTrentham. Although the hangover the next day? Not awesome.

7. The Spotlight on @AvonBooks. One of the editors said that maybe some of us in the room would become their authors. I got chills.

 

8. Squealing over the cover of Elle Daniel's debut novel, HE'S NO PRINCE CHARMING. Elle was the sweetest roommate ever. She gave me a sneak peak at the book and it's exuberant, witty, and utterly charming! Also, she gave me a twitter lesson because I needed some serious help.

 

 

9. Attending inspiring workshops. I especially loved "Suffragettes and Alpha Males: Exploring Feminism in Romance" with Tessa Dare, Zoe Archer, Lorelie Brown, Julie Leto and Carrie Lofty. If you weren't able to attend, you should download the audio from RWA.

10. Hanging on the famous San Antonio Riverwalk.

11. Wearing my lucky Golden Heart shoes that I bought in Bolivia. They totally worked! And they were a great conversation starter in the elevators.

12. PJ from The Romance Dish gave me some of her delicious homemade truffles. Check out her "What Happens in San Antonio" RWA conference recap posts.

13. When I called my husband to tell him I won, he was at a Mötley Crüe concert. He was like, "What? I can't hear you. Vince Neil is singing too loud." 

14. Enjoying some special time with my BFF's before the conference. I miss you Nonfiction Vixens!

15. Receiving my first ever email from someone who wanted to know where she could buy my book. That is the most incredible feeling in the world. Would be even better if I could direct her to a link. Hopefully someday!

16. All the gorgeous, glittery dresses at the @RitaGH awards ceremony. Especially Denny Bryce and Ellen Lindseth!

17.  Eloisa's moving tribute to Bertrice Small, winner of the RWA Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award. We hope you make it to New York next year, Bertrice!

18. There was a Goodwill within walking distance of the Marriott. I'm a thrift store junkie. I didn't have much time, but I ran in for a few minutes and scored some black leather cowboy/motorcycle boots.

19. Going home and finding that my twenty-one-year old cat was safe and happy. I cherish every moment I have with her because you never know when they get to be that age.

 

20. I can now say I'm an award winning romance author. Thanks, RWA!

 

Hugs!
Lenora

Confessions of a 2014 RWA Golden Heart Finalist

I am loving the RWA National Conference in San Antonio! My fellow Golden Heart nominees and I have been kicking butt and taking names. We all have multiple requests and several of us have already sold. I'm so proud to part of this group of classy, talented ladies!

I've met so many fabulous authors and I've downloaded tons of books already. Some new favorite historical romance authors include: Jennifer McGowan, Erica Monroe, Elizabeth Michels, and my roomie and new friend Elle Daniels.

Yeah, I'm here to sell my book. But I have to confess that I'm also a giggling, star struck fangirl and I've stuttered and fluttered my way through breathless meetings with Eloisa James, Elizabeth Hoyt, Tessa Dare, Cathy Maxwell, and Sarah MacLean, to name a few.

Here are a few pics. I'll blog more later about what the conference meant to me and my top takeaways.

Hugs!

    Me with romantic suspense author Carey Baldwin.

    Me fan-girling out with NYT bestselling author Tessa Dare. She's so lovely!

    The inimitable Eloisa James. My hands were shaking too badly to focus the camera.

    OMG. Elizabeth Hoyt. Love her!

    Fellow Golden Heart nominees Laura Trentham, Charis Calhoon, and Jillian Lark.

Golden Heart Shoes!

I couldn't resist these red sparkly golden heart shoes. Hopefully they'll bring me luck at the national conference of the Romance Writers of America^®

Highlights so far include bar time with favorite authors Tessa Dare and Carey Baldwin (the men from the fertilizer convention happening at the same hotel kept buying us fishbowl-sized drinks), an inspiring talk by the lovely and gracious romantic grand dame Cathy Maxwell, fantastic pitching advice from Jennifer McGowan, Robin Perini, and Liz Bemis-Hittinger. Thanks ladies!

Having a blast!