Coming up . . . (the Valentine's Edition)

As you might imagine, Valentine's Day is big holiday for romance writers, and there's lots of fun stuff coming up in the next week or so.

• Now through February 11: My good friend and critique partner, Keli Gwyn, is hosting a contest at Romance Writers on the Journey. It's easy! All you have to do is explain what love is . . . in 14 words or less. Okay, maybe that's not so easy. But she has great prizes, like gift cards for Barnes & Noble, See's Candy, Baskin Robbins and, Keli's personal favorite, Taco Bell. I'm on the esteemed panel of judges and I promise to be even nicer than Paula. (Idol just isn't the same without her. *sigh*)


• Wednesday, February 10: I'll be a guest at The Lovestruck Novice, a great blog by romance writer Sarah Simas. She asked some thought-provoking questions, like, "If you were a book, what would your blurb be?" I thought briefly about using the blurb from The Princess Bride. But then I decided to go with the truth. Or some version of it. I'll post the link for the interview here on Wednesday.


• Friday, February 12: I'm giving my first ever talk on romance writing, here in the DC area. I am very excited about this, and a tad nervous. I have attempted to compensate by (1) creating an elaborate Powerpoint presentation and (2) filling up 21 index cards with highly-detailed, completely illegible notes. If you're in the area and would like more details, please email me at anne@annebarton.com.


• Monday, February 15: I'm interviewing Keli Gwyn, epistolary-style. (Yes! I learned that word last week and was determined to find an occasion to use it.) Take a peek inside my email inbox and learn the secrets of this newly-agented, seven-time contest winner. Come back Monday and leave a comment for a chance to win a Starbucks gift card!