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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!

Castles and Factories

Life is beautiful right now.

My husband and I are moving to Switzerland! Started dreaming about castles and cheese factories right away.

Then, speaking of factories, today I found out that my latest manuscript, Charlene and the Duchess Factory, is a finalist in the Romance Writers of America^®Golden Heart® Contest!  I still remember the vicarious thrill I felt when my good friend the lovely Maire Claremont finaled and then won the 2011 GH. 

And the RITA finalists include so many of my absolute favorite authors: Courtney Milan, Tessa Dare, Elizabeth Hoyt, Nicola Cornick, Sherry Thomas, Sarah MacLean, and Anna Campbell. Exalted company, indeed!

Life is beautiful right now.

Bell de Journey

Where I live.

I'm writing again. Every day. Characters wake me up in the middle of the night to give me advice about what they want to do in the next chapter. When I'm at work, part of my brain is obsessing about carriage upholstery and Regency profanity. This is why I write. To be possessed by my characters. To eat and sleep and dream their lives. Charlene was raised in a bawdy house. That's what she told me last night. I had no idea. Liam learned how to play spanish guitar in Argentina. Strange but apparently true.

I took a long break from the internet because in the past I've spent too much time blog-hopping instead of writing. Also I disappeared because writing had become a chore instead of a passion.

While I was away, so many of the lovely ladies I met through FanLit have hit the big time. Tessa Dare is a superstar now. Of course. Courtney Milan keeps publishing brilliant stories. Both of them push the boundaries of romance. Tessa's writing is so achingly funny and passionate that we absolutely believe a tavern serving girl could marry a duke. And my friend Maire Claremont took us on a dark and drug-fevered journey into redemption. Can't wait for Lady in Red!

I'm living in Bolivia right now. No RWA chapters here. So I'm looking for new critique partners and I'm ready to finish a book and put myself out there again. RWA San Antonio 2014 here I come!

Rilke

Variation on a Theme by Rilke
A certain day became a presence to me;
there it was, confronting me--a sky, air, light:
a being. And before it started to descend
from the height of noon, it leaned over
and struck my shoulder as if with
the flat of a sword, granting me
honor and a task. The day's blow
rang out, metallic--or it was I, a bell awakened,
and what I heard was my whole self
saying and singing what it knew: I can.
- Denise Levertov

Sassy!

The lovely and talented Delilah Marvelle just won a prize for being sassy at the Romantic Times Faery Costume Ball. Isn't that just so perfect? She is sassy and so are her books. I cannot wait for her Scandal series to come out from HQN in January-March, 2011!

I'll post pictures of sassy Delilah in her gorgeous costume soon. Forgot my upload cord.

Dear Sir or Madam, Will You Read My Book?

When I arrived at the Romantic Times convention this morning the Beatles' Paperback Writer was playing over the speakers in the Hyatt Regency lobby. This song is such a fixture on oldies radio that it's been relegated to the Muzak section of my brain where it sloshes around with Circle Game and The Sound of Silence ensuring that I never really hear the lyrics. But it was such an appropriate song for the occasion. Thank you, Hyatt Regency, for unconsciously serenading the large trampling herd of aspiring paperback writers here to graze on the hope that we will meet the agent of our dreams and be rescued from the slaughterhouse of unpublished obscurity.


Paperback writer

Dear Sir or Madam, will you read my book?
It took me years to write, will you take a look?
Based on a novel by a man named Lear
And I need a job, so I want to be a paperback writer,
Paperback writer.

It's the dirty story of a dirty man
And his clinging wife doesn't understand.
His son is working for the Daily Mail,
It's a steady job but he wants to be a paperback writer,
Paperback writer.

Paperback writer

It's a thousand pages, give or take a few,
I'll be writing more in a week or two.
I can make it longer if you like the style,
I can change it round and I want to be a paperback writer,
Paperback writer.

If you really like it you can have the rights,
It could make a million for you overnight.
If you must return it, you can send it here
But I need a break and I want to be a paperback writer,
Paperback writer.

Paperback writer

Ladies, tonight we are going to talk about the biggest baddest alpha male in all of historical romancedom. Yes I'm talking about Lord Beelzebub himself, the Bane and Blight of the Ballisters, that bad ass Victorian scoundrel Sebastian Leslie Guy de Ath Ballister, Earl of Blackmoor, Viscount Launcells, Baron Ballister and Luancells, and fourth Marquiss of Dain (um, yeah, those are all his titles).

When our intrepid heroine first meets Lord Dain she describes him thus:
Dain was heavy artillery, she thought...Coal black hair and bold, black eyes and a great, conquering Caesar of a nose and a sullen sensuality of a mouth--the face alone entitled him to direct lineage with Lucifer...As to the body...She had half expected a hulking gorilla. She had not been prepared for a stallion: big and splendidly proportioned--and powerfully muscled, if what his snug trousers outlined was any indication.
Oh my! *Lenora fans her rosy cheeks.*
The man on the cover looks nothing like Dain. For one thing he's way more 1980's than 1880's with that feathered hair and those high waisted pants. Come to think of it he looks remarkably like Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing.


Here's my Dain recipe:

Two parts Adrien Brody (that nose! those brooding eyes!)

One part Clive Owen (that sensual mouth! the manly swagger!)

And a dash (just a dash mind you!) of Hugh Jackman (um, pecs, hello!)

OK that's all the alpha male I'm dishing up this evening.

Have you read Lord of Scoundrels? If you haven't get thee to a bookstore unholy wench!

Lenore/Lenora

Lenore

Lenora

LENORE

LENORA

Congrats to Tessa Dare and Courtney Milan!

Courtney Milan's "This Wicked Gift" and Tessa Dare's Surrender of a Siren are finalists in the Romance Writers of America's RITA® contest! See all the finalists here.

Homeward Bound!

I'm going home to Alaska on Tuesday. The funny thing is that it's supposed to be 85 degrees the whole time I'm there! Those poor little polar bears. Here's a picture my sister snapped earlier this summer.




Congrats to Tessa! Goddess of the Hunt debuts on the 28th--the same day as Eloisa James's A Duke of Her Own. Exalted company indeed!

Delicious things

I've decided to ignore the fact that I haven't posted on this blog in ten months. No big deal! I had my reasons (break-up and MFA, hello!). I'm sitting in my yard listening to Astrud Gilberto, sipping a delicate rosé, working on my new romance novel, and trying to catch up on all the romance news I missed during my hiatus. Whoah! July, August, and September will be the best months ever because Tessa Dare's much lauded debut series hits shelves. I've pre-ordered mine--how about you? And what's this? Debuts from so many other amazing writers: Courtney Milan's Proof by Seduction from HQN in January 2010, Sarah Lindsey's Promise Me Tonight from Signet in February 2010, Maggie Robinson's Tempting Eden from Berkley in summer 2010!

There is so much to be thankful for right now. Sun filtering through the bamboo above my head; plump raspberries and rainier cherries to pick for breakfast; my friends who are achieving the success they deserve; the drive, passion, and time to write romance again; frilly gingham sundresses; mojitos with lavender-infused simple syrup.




Are you feeling as summery and full of love as I am? I hope so!

Yay Courtney!!!

Golden Heart Nominee for Breath of Honor Courtney Milan's PROOF BY SEDUCTION, about a rigidly logical marquis who uses the scientific method to save his heir from the clutches of a fraudulent fortune teller, only to fall for her and discover that the one hypothesis not susceptible to proof is love, to Ann Leslie Tuttle at HQN, in a good deal, at auction, in a two-book deal, by Kristin Nelson at Nelson Literary Agency (World).

Once Upon a Bed...

I will be eating dinner tonight with my lovely writing friends Delilah and Moira...on a bed. Delilah is taking us to Supperclub where we will recline roman style and feast our eyes on a cabaret show.

The conference is going very well. I placed second in the Hearts Through History contest and I'm thrilled because my friend and critique partner, Courtney Milan, took first. Yay, Courtney! I've received quite a few requests for Filigree and Shadow from agents and editors and that's really the whole point of the conference so Lenora is a happy girl.

Tonight we're off to karaoke at The Mint (one of my old stomping grounds) with a bunch of ladies including the lovely vixens Lacey, Eden, and Shelli. Bliss!

I'll try to remember to bring my camera this time.

Hugs,

Lenora

I Left My Heart In...

Every time I go back to the city by the bay I contract a severe case of nostalgia. The rows of candy-colored Victorians; the salt-tang in the air; the beckoning racks of polyester prom dresses at Thrift Town; the sea bass, mango, and butter appetizer baked in a large mussel shell at Sushi Zone. But this trip I won't have time for thrifting or sea bass and I won't even get to see my friends who still live there. Every second will be spent at the RWA National Conference. Because my life is so insane right now I haven't spent much time preparing for the conference. Maybe that's a good thing. I also haven't had time to feel nervous.

Courtney was blogging about pitching the other day and I realized that I haven't practiced my pitch for Filigree and Shadow and I started to get a bit panicky. I don't have a problem talking to strangers since I'm accustomed to being on stage and I actually like schmoozing. But none of that will help me if I haven't memorized the salient details of a succinct pitch. So that's my goal for today.

I hope your conference preparations are going more smoothly than mine. I can't wait to meet all my internet writing friends in SF! See you in a few days...

Lenora