New Contest: featuring Hope Tarr's TEMPTING and more...

New Contest! Victorian Goodness Galore!
Please visit one of my favourite authors and dear friend and Lady Jane's Salon co-founder Hope Tarr and join in the incredible giveaway she's hosting not only for her own work, but for a copy of DARKER STILL! Hope is celebrating the re-release of her incredible and award-winning novel TEMPTING so don't miss this opportunity to learn more about Hope's work and you may just get a copy of DARKER STILL too! :) 


Cheers!

Newsy Bits

As we come into my favourite season; Autumn, I'll be busy with events, releases and new work. I've a new Strangely Beautiful series release in A Midwinter Fantasy, huzzah, and I'm very excited to be working with some of the crew of Unhallowed Metropolis on upcoming ventures.
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Around and About, or, My Writer Friends are Awesome:
1. Congratulations to my friend, colleague and Lady Jane's Salon co-founder Hope Tarr who launched Beer Gardens NYC, an awesome App that gives you the rundown on all the Beer Gardens in the Big Apple, so very useful for tourists and natives alike, be sure to check it out, the upgrades they have planned are as great as the App itself already is. Having had such a wonderful experience with tasty beers while visiting Germany, I'm so excited to have a way to find those brews here in my city! They've gotten a mention on The Gothamist already, yay! For their latest news, fan them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter. (And the App is a $1.99 well-spent)
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2. Congratulations to my friend and colleague Stella Price who, in the midst of the superhuman feat of organizing Authors After Dark Paranormal Weekend has managed to release the latest in Stella and Audra Price's American Satyr series, and since she hasn't had time to promote her really fun work as best she'd like to- considering she's so incredibly trying to make all of us Authors After Dark authors look good- the least we can do in return is tell everyone about it, so check out her latest!
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3. I'm very excited about the signed ARC of Skyler White's IN DREAMS BEGIN that I picked up from Skyler herself at DragonCon. We were on the Angels in Fantasy Literature panel together and she's so lovely, and the subject mattter of this book deals with one of my favourite authors, the poet Yeats, so I'm very excited to read the rest of it AND very excited to be hosting a giveaway of this lovely work via Twitter. Join me there to be sure you don't miss it, as this is a book not to be missed.
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4. And a huge THANKS to photographer and woman-of-many-talents Jessica M. Coen for her amazing photos of DragonCon, several of which include me (like this one), and all of which I love. Her Flickr account is full of delightful things, especially for those of you interested in STEAMPUNK...

(And for those of you who missed my gushing DragonCon ode to Doctor Who fangirl love, please see my previous post, "Being Romana")
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5. Katiebabs of Babbling About Books (mega-congrats to Kate on her many book contracts this year!!) knows the coolest people. She introduced me to Brian Solomon and thusly to his blog, The Vault of Horror. It is so full of awesome win. Visit it and enjoy!
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6. And lastly, while I wish I could call author Caleb Carr my friend, I just have to say that I finished The Alienist and it may be one of my favourite books of all time. Dr. Kreizler has nestled himself into my personal canon of literary loves.

Newsy Bits on Leanna in particular:

I am VERY thrilled an honoured to be named the 2010 RWA NYC Author of the Year on Thursday! Thank you RWA NYC and to all the people who made this amazing year possible for me in so many ways.
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Regarding A Midwinter Fantasy:
Please note that due to changes at Dorchester Publishing, this anthology will release digitally (eBook) ONLY. I am sad about this change, as I like having my work in every format possible, because I have readers who like all the different formats and this limits my ability to do signings for this particular work. Moving forward with Dorchester, the rest of the series should be available in Trade Paperback Format but that transition isn't coming in time for this release. If you were one of the wonderful fans who pre-ordered this title, I thank you for your support, your accounts shouldn't be charged as the item scheduled to ship actually won't exist. Double check and if you have any concerns, I'd try and contact customer service and any other questions to Dorchester directly.
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I do hope you'll be willing to join Rebecca, Michael and the whole Guard coterie in "A Christmas Carroll" on September 28th, Midwinter Fantasy's release day, in digital format. I'll have a small "Christmas Carroll" blog tour right around release day so stay tuned for that, and also, on release day I'll be posting an excerpt from the novella. It picks up directly between where the last chapter of The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker ends, and the Epilogue. It is the "Christmas miracle" to which Percy refers. - As for the rest of the Strangely Beautiful series, it's scheduled to be both in print and in digital simultaneously, so we won't have this problem going forward, it's just that A Midwinter Fantasy got caught amidst the transition. (Ohioans: Please note: I will be in Ohio October 9th to teach my Direct Your Book! Workshop for the wonderful OVRWA Chapter in Cincinnati.)
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Other works:
1. Thrilled to report that my "Marketing Smackdown" column that I write for RWA NYC Keynotes newsletter has now been picked up by many regional RWA newsletters, even in Canada! Very glad all my in-the-trenches and trial-by-fire marketing knowledge has been taken as useful by many RWA Chapters.
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2. I'm very excited to be joining the team of Unhallowed Metropolis for some fun fiction involving their incredibly awesome RPG game of "Neo-Victorian Horror" - stay tuned this fall for more details!

Happy September!

It's December already? How about some contests?

I cannot believe it is December already. I was told by other writer friends that a debut year would fly by. They weren't kidding. The fact that I haven't really slept much since, oh... I dunno, 2008, that might be part of it too. :) But I love this time of year, Halloween-into-Christmas tends to be a giddy time that always flys by too quickly, but it's also when I tend to get a lot of writing done, inspired by Autumn and sustained by the deep, spiritual meaning of the Holiday Season.

In the realm of books, fluffy animals, the undead and such, here goes the latest:

As always, a wonderful time was had at Lady Jane's Salon, where my fellow co-founder Hope Tarr beautifully led us in a celebration of Harlequin Enterprises' 60th Birthday and read from her charming Twelve Nights. Stacey Agdern shared her Hannukah novel Rededication with us, and Madame X was, as always, a gracious hostess of a venue! Check out Kwana Writes for a lovely rundown, thanks Kwana!

CONTEST NEWS:
I've contest news galore!
Firstly:
1.
Congratulations to Sharla who won the Dark Nest goody box via my website's Dark Nest contest! (Pictured here: Leanna's random selection process via fluffy animal named Persebunny. After winner has been selected, Leanna rushes to read name before consumption - very scientific randomization method)

2. And now, I've got a NEW CONTEST!

In celebration of the very wonderful news that my bestselling debut, The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker is now in audio format, I'm giving away a copy, it's an 8 CD set! Along with some Mt. Meru Coffee, this is a great holiday gift for yourself or others. :) It's easy to enter, just tell me your favourite holiday song via the Contact Form of my website and you're entered to win! Winner drawn December 20th. Visit the Contest page and check it out!

3. I'm thrilled to be a part of The SFR Holiday Blitz! My 2009 Prism Award winning novella Dark Nest (a futuristic fantasy novella) is only one of the many Sci-Fi-Romance books you can win by participating! You can enter to win a copy of Dark Nest, given to Take it to the Stars to run the giveaway - You have until December 11th - and visit The Galaxy Express (this is definately a blog to follow) to get the rundown on the many blogs and authors participating in this great SFR event!!

4. I'm close to 500 followers on Twitter, once I hit that magic 500, I'll be giving away 2 signed copies of The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker to two of my loyal tweeps. So join me there to participate. If you already have a signed Miss Percy, well, here's your chance to win one for a gift and help spread Strangely Beautiful cheer!

-- While we're in the holiday spirit, take a Facebook moment and see if your favourite Not For Profits are in the Chase Community Giving program. You can vote for 20 organizations, for several chances to win funds, might I suggest you vote for my beloved friend Danny's exciting new theatre company in Chicago, The New Colony? It's a new and up-and-coming theatre devoted to new work and new talent! (Listed as New Colony nfp when you type it into the search bar).
IN STRANGELY BEAUTIFUL NEWS:

1. I turned in the revisions to the Strangely Beautiful sequel, The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker, (April 27, 2010). I'm really, really excited about it. I can't wait to share it with all of you. Now I'm hard at work on a novella which continues the Strangely Beautiful series, to be published in a Fantasy Christmas anthology headlined by one of my idols, NYT Bestseller C. L. Wilson! (October 2010) Fans of Headmistress Thompson and Vicar Carroll will be pleased.

2. The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker made Waiting For Fairies' Holiday Gift Guide! Thanks Melissa, and Waiting For Fairies!

Do stay tuned, The Darkly Luminous Fight For Persephone Parker will have its book trailer going live in January, along with some first peek excerpts!

Be sure to enter the contest and have a BEAUTIFUL, GORGEOUS, BLESSED DECEMBER with your family, friends and loved ones! I'll be back to announce the winner of the contest and to wish everyone happy holidays.

Blessings!

A Strangely Beautiful Release Party!

Right on the heels of DragonCon...

A Strangely Beautiful Release Party at Lady Jane's Salon!

The night was, frankly, pure joy. I had some of my very, very best friends in all the world in one room. That's something that doesn't happen every day. I had friends come in from out of state, fellow writers, bloggers, friends, industry professionals (C.H. Admirand -who took this photo - and Tara Nina brought me flowers, champagne and a Tiara!!!!!! - I DID feel like a princess!! I was excited to see Tara win the Phoenix pendant we raffled off for Share The Love!) - it was such an honour and delight to share 9 years of labour with a crowd full of friends, friends who knew the hard work and tears shed along the way. Plus, getting the chance to thank the people on my acknowledgement page in person, in public, let me again express how none of us gets anywhere on our own, and how grateful I am for the village that made the "book of my heart" possible.

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Dressed in my Victorian Regalia, I listened to my dearest Isabo Kelly read from one of my favourite of her many wonderful books, Thief's Desire. We indulged in Strangely Beautiful cocktails (blue-coloured, of course) and signed a lot of books!

And then I took the stage to read two of my own very favourite scenes from The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker. Thanks to Morgan of Miss Media Productions for these great photos!

I confess, I've missed being on stage, so the chance to read from my work (accents included and in appropriate attire) was SUCH a treat.

Thanks so much to everyone who was able to come out on a holiday weekend and support me, and all those who were there in spirit - it was one of the best nights of my life. 9 years. 9 years after my dear Miss Parker introduced herself to me, sweetly and kindly, it's now her month. I hope she's as excited as I am. (She's a little more scared and overwhelmed than me, surely.)

Super-BF:

And a special thank you to my sweetheart for sharing his Birthday with this very special Salon night and being a Prince about it.

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Oh, and the latest in REVIEWS!

1. I discovered my lovely August Fresh Fiction review!

2. The latest commendation from Bitten by Books!

3. And top ratings at A Romance Review!

4. Love from No More Grumpy Bookseller!

Lady Jane's July Edition! August preview!

Lady Jane's Salon. As always, THE place to be.

So (Right to Left below) Anthea Lawson, Dee Davis and Dianna Love Snell rocked the house. Susie Felber gave an amazing tribute to her mother, the late Edith Layton.

Thank you Scandalous Women Blogger extraordinaire Elizabeth Kerri Mahon for providing a fantabulous rundown on our very own Lady Jane's Site.

Thanks Salon co-founder Maya Rodale for the photos!

Here's Dee and good friend and fellow Salon co-founder Hope Tarr!

The incomparable Barbara Vey of Publisher's Weekly was again with us, visit her to see her always-wonderful Drive By Videos- we're so blessed!

Looking lovely with Dianna:

And one of my fave moments of the night: here's me with King Mho Fo. For more on King Mho Fo and his galpal blogger queen Katiebabs, get the whole story...

Now. August. Hot stuffs.

Delilah Marvelle and Anna DePalo

Here's what you need to know about Delilah Marvelle and Anna DePalo. They both rock.

Now Delilah is trying to save her series.

Do your part:

See you at Lady Jane's Salon, August 1st where you can help save the School of Gallantry and hear some great work of Anna's, and Share the Love.

The NY Post gives Lady Jane some love!

UPDATE! THE NEW YORK POST and LADY JANE'S SALON!

Click above to see the rundown AND video!

Thanks Mandy! Thanks NY Post!

(Pictured: New York Times Bestseller Lauren Willig reads from The Temptation of the Night Jasmine, (I'm listening at left)

Lady Jane's #2! Success despite all nature to the contrary!

Oh, what a night!

Despite a blizzard, the second of our unique monthly romance reading series benefiting Maya Rodale's Share the Love charity for women in need, Lady Jane's Salon, founded by myself, Maya, Hope Tarr and Ron Hogan of Beatrice.com went smashingly well. Our only regret was the sad fact that our dear Jenna Petersen got stuck in an airport rather than being able to make it in for our reading. But she was with us in spirit, and her work was most certainly in attendance.

So was the NEW YORK POST! Thanks to reporter Mandy Stadtmiller and Zandy the photographer (who posed us in fun spots with armfuls of dontated books), for deeming our humble operation story-worthy! Can't wait to see the story!

So was Rob of RT Bookreviews, thanks Rob and RT for being there to document our evening and continue RT's loving and loyal support of our venture from day one!

So was SB Sarah of Smart Bitches Trashy Books who we have the GREAT pleasure of announcing as next months GUEST HOST! She live-twittered about us and everything! She's even got video of Lauren's fabulous reading! Check it out!!

The rundown:



New York Times bestseller, historical maven, quick-witted author and a sparkling entertainer as well as all-around lovely gal Lauren Willig started us off with hysterical selections from her latest release Temptation of the Night Jasmine. Her fan club was out IN FORCE to support her! Go Lauren and friends!

After a quick break, Maya's English BF Tony read a side-splitting few pages of his own romance novel to add to our festivities.

And then, to wrap up an evening of great fun and storytelling, I managed to present the beginning of Jenna Petersen's Lessons from a Courtesan. So even though Jenna couldn't make it, her work did and we hope we can have her with us in person sometime in the future.

Next month! April 6th! Alisa Kwitney / Sheckley will present some of her yummy The Better to Hold You and our very own co-founder Maya Rodale will share some of her deeeelightful The Rogue and the Rival! GUEST HOSTED by Sarah Wendell - who we hope will give us a tease of her and Candy Tan's Beyond Heaving Bosoms guide to Romance!

Don't miss it!

What is Lady Jane's Salon and why should I care?

It started, as many great things do, over a drink with good company.

Regency romance author Maya Rodale, romance author Hope Tarr, Beatrice.com's Ron Hogan and I were discussing the state of the New York City reading series scene and the fact that there wasn't a space for romance fiction and areas of women's fiction.

"Let's start one." Maya said.
She may have used slightly more elaborate language but you get the idea.

Maya happens, also, to be co-founder of the charity Share the Love, which donates gently used books to women in transition and need. Hope has a long history of philanthropy, as you can check out from her website. Ron Hogan, in his involvement with MediaBistro, GalleyCat and Beatrice.com has championed all kinds of literature for well over a decade. I'm involved with service projects at my church and environmental and animal rights causes. So you've got four people with two things in common: a love of books and philanthropy. Hence, in the span of just a few short months and somewhat of a "Yes We Can" philosophy, Lady Jane's Salon was born.

Why "Lady Jane"? We knew we wanted Salon in the name, because it's just one of those words one wants to use. I dubbed it "Lady Jane's" because Jane makes us think of our beloved Austen, and tea, but it's also an everywoman name. Jane Doe. There's a bit of everywoman in romance, in the way that the genre, no matter the sub-category, seeks to lift up the core value of loving, dynamic, committed and familial relationships.

Lady Jane's launches on February 2nd with award winning and multi-published authors. Andrea Pickens and Hope Tarr will kick off what will be a monthly offering of rich storytelling and great community. Some invaluable friends of romance, such as Barbara Vey and RomanceNovel.tv will be there to help us celebrate, and the generous and vital RomanticTimes, who have been incredibly supportive so far. Not to mention our respective current publishers, Berkley, Harlequin and Dorchester, who have been incredibly supportive too!

Mark your calendars! Every first Monday of the month, from 7-9 at the fab Tribeca venue Madame X. Admission is $5.00 or a gently used women's fiction novel - all admissions benefit Share the Love!

Madame X is located at 94 West Houston Street, on the north side between LaGuardia Place and Thompson Street. You must be 21 and have a valid photo I.D. to enter.

We hope you'll join us not only on Feb. 2nd, but every first Monday!

Stop by RomanceNovel.tv tomorrow the 25th, we'll be talking all about it!