We Did It!!

Mari and I found out tonight that our word has been approved for admission in the Urban Dictionary. I believe they are going to let us know when it has actually been added. Mari and I were quite pleased, and I admit we laughed that they actually accepted it. Update to come as soon as more info is given...

Ouch!!

So today I walked right into a steel beam at my kid's school. I was under some stairs we use for storage trying to find our Christmas decorations. When my head hit the beam the sound was really loud. (At least it seemed that way in my head.) My first thought was I must be bleeding. (I wasn't.) Then the swearing started like the father from A Christmas Story. LOL I did get dizzy and had a bit of a headache a little later. As of now I can say the experience did not knock any sense into me but now I definitely have a fear of steel beams.

Amuck! Amuck! Amuck!

When you hear the word amuck what do you think of? This is what I think of:



The reason I am bringing up a word you don't hear that often is because Mari and I have actually come up with a word (ok... more like a phrase if you want to get technical) that we use in conversations and isn't in the "Urban Dictionary" yet... We decided we are going to add it ourselves this week. It's kind of cool I think. I've never added a word (or phrase) to a dictionary before. I can't say what it is yet until we add it but I'll be sure to post it once we submit it.

Harlequin Goes All Crazy Like

First of all let me say I had no idea any of this was even going on. I blame this on my blondeness and the PTA. Although I talk to Mari only twenty freaking times a day and this never came up in a conversation with her once. Now that I know what's going on I have to say I think RWA did the right thing by revoking their support for Harlequin and taking away their status. And for those of you who aren't into publishing, what's going on here is FUCKING HUGE. This changes everything.

Read below for posts by Mari. Apparently she knows what's going on. :) Oh... and she made the above graphic. Gotta give credit...


Originally posted @ 8:58a on 11/19/2009

What's my take on the latest developments regarding the RWA move and Harlequin?

First, I noticed on the digital only Harlequin epress, Carnia Press, no real mention was made of the connection to Harlequin. Now on the bottom of the site, there is a Harlequin Enterprises copyright notice.

Second, on the Harlequin Horizons website, you now have to dig to find the mention of Harlequin Enterprises. The "About Us" page is buried.

Third, the impact of the RWA's notice to label Harlequin a vanity/subsidy press is going to be huge. Hundreds of authors are affected. None can enter the RITAs. Heck, RITA categories will have to be redone as some were specific to the Harlequin lines.

Harlequin publishes hundreds of books a month. Think about all the lines they publish from Harlequin Blaze to Harlequin Presents to Silhouette Desire to Spice to MIRA to Luna. Many of their lines publish more than one book a month, like Blaze puts out six a month. I think Presents puts out eight and an additional four "Special" Presents, for twelve books a month.

What does it mean for someone like me wanting to break into Harlequin? I am going to continue with the goal to finish my WIP and send the full to Blaze ASAP, but also, I am considering other avenues. I am not happy at this development, not at all.

How many aspiring Harlequin (non vanity aspiring authors) are reconsidering their submissions? How many existing authors are reconsidering their future with the company?

My prediction is Harlequin Horizons will never open. Like Quartet, it will fold before opening. There are millions of dollars at stake (figure the advances for MIRA and HQN books alone). The few thousand to be made offering vanity services is just not worth all the loss.

As a side note, I fully applaud the RWA for stepping up to the plate on this.

--------------------------------------------------

Some informative posts about the web about the Harlequin shake up:

Dear Author
11/18/2009 - Malle Vallik, Harlequin’s Digital Director, Answers Questions on Harlequin Horizons
11/17/2009 - Harlequin Horizons: Shortsighted or Farseeing?

Smart Bitches, Trashy Novels
11/17/2009 - Harlequin Horizons: Want to Self Publish? How about Harlequin?

Writers Beware
11/18/2009 - Harlequin Horizons: Another Major Publisher Adds A Self-Publishing Division



Originally posted 11/18/2009

...with the news they are opening a vanity press, Harlequin Horizons. In other words, this is a self publishing venture. (Think PublishAmerica.) Read about it on the EREC site at http://www.erecsite.com/labels/HARLEQUIN.html%20

I thought it was a joke. Clearly, it is not.


Edited to Add @1:40am on 11/19/2009

RWA revokes publisher status, which ripples down to Harlequin books being ineligible for the RITAs and National conference privileges suspended (no comped expenses for editors, no editor appointments, no publisher highlights, no book signing at the National conference, etc.) That is some major stuff going on as Harlequin is a big draw for the National conference.

I have a feeling the whole Harlequin Horizons deal is going to be rethought on the company's end.

This was sent out as an Alert from the RWA:

RWA Alert: RWA Responds to Harlequin Horizons

Dear Members:

Romance Writers of America was informed of the new venture between Harlequin Enterprises and ASI Solutions to form Harlequin Horizons, a vanity/subsidy press. Many of you have asked the organization to state its position regarding this new development. As a matter of policy, we do not endorse any publisher’s business model. Our mission is the advancement of the professional interests of career-focused romance writers.

One of your member benefits is the annual National Conference. RWA allocates select conference resources to non-subsidy/non-vanity presses that meet the eligibility requirements to obtain those resources. Eligible publishers are provided free meeting space for book signings, are given the opportunity to hold editor appointments, and are allowed to offer spotlights on their programs.

With the launch of Harlequin Horizons, Harlequin Enterprises no longer meets the requirements to be eligible for RWA-provided conference resources. This does not mean that Harlequin Enterprises cannot attend the conference. Like all non-eligible publishers, they are welcome to attend. However, as a non-eligible publisher, they would fund their own conference fees and they would not be provided with conference resources by RWA to publicize or promote the company or its imprints.

Sometimes the wind of change comes swiftly and unexpectedly, leaving an unsettled feeling. RWA takes its role as advocate for its members seriously. The Board is working diligently to address the impact of recent developments on all of RWA's members.

We invite you to attend the annual conference on July 28 - 31, 2010 in Nashville, TN, as we celebrate 30 years of success with keynote speaker Nora Roberts, special luncheon speaker Jayne Ann Krentz, librarian speaker Sherrilyn Kenyon, and awards ceremony emcee Sabrina Jeffries. Please refer to the RWA Web site for conference registration information in late January 2010.

Looking forward to seeing you at the Gaylord Opryland!


Michelle Monkou
RWA President
RWA Alert is a publication of Romance Writers of America®

WTF Was I Thinking?

I can't believe I actually had the 45 for this video below and that I liked it! LOL It is so bad, and not even in a guilty pleasure sort of way. It's just bad. (shudder)

Sigh No More (video)

From Much Ado About Nothing by Shakespeare. This version is incredible starring Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh. The supporting cast includes Keanu Reeves, Denzel Washington, Michael Keaton, Kate Beckinsale, and Robert Sean Leonard. If you want to try watching a play by Shakespeare but don't want to get into something too heavy, this is perfect for you. It's beautiful to look at with it's colorful scenery and performed by a talented cast that do this lesser known play great justice. And if nothing else you get to see Kate Beckinsale in her first movie role, years before she started kicking werewolf ass in Underworld!

What Is Sexy

Writing erotica and romance I tend to think about what is sexy a lot. I have to describe a man that can be a believable hero that every reader will want to fall in love with. A lot of people have a lot of different ideas of what sexy is... Variety is the spice of life after all.

For me, sexy isn't necessarily six pack killer abs or a perfect smile that's the result of thousands of dollars of orthodontics. Sexy to me is smart and funny. If you can make me laugh and have a good conversation with me you're a keeper... LOL Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying a nice butt or muscular legs don't make me weak in the knees... because they do. Basically in my book, you have to be real and not pretend to be someone you're not. Now that to me is sexy.

Benefit in Naperville

First of all, this store is PINK. It is decorated in a retro style with clever, snarky sayings on the walls. There are a few stations for eye brow waxing (prices VERY reasonable!) lined up against one wall. Product is laid out on counters with stools for customers to sit in front of the cosmetics for makeup application. One of the fantastic services they offer is a complete make up application if you purchase $50.00 worth of product. This is an incredible deal and their make up artists are top notch.

Benefit has some really cute holiday edition make up kits now, such as the "Celebutante Kit" that contains nine items including blush, two eye shadows, two lipsticks and lip gloss for only $34.00.

Service at the store is friendly and helpful without being pushy or pretentious. This is a recommended stop if you find yourself in downtown Naperville.

Awesome day!

I had a great day today in Naperville with Kate. We ended up doing an indoor shoot and an outdoor one, which I wasn't expecting. The outdoor shoot was at a park in downtown Naperville at a wonderful spot Kate chose. We decided we liked the black sweater I'd brought with me better than the shirt I had on, so I changed shirts right in the parking lot! LOL I am posting one of the pics here now.

I'll probably post some of the others tomorrow from the indoor (lingerie) shoot. I have a few back but I'm still deciding which to post.

Regardless, I'm exhausted from a long day and I'm going to switch over to the laptop and chat with some friends online before I go to bed.

All in all an awesome day. Thanks Kate for an awesome day. U rock!! :)

Heading Out to Naperville

I'm getting ready to go to Naperville for my photo shoot. I'm really excited to be seeing my best friend Kate again. I haven't seen her in so long I still have her birthday present to give her from September. She booked me with a professional makeup artist then we are going to do the shoot. I have a couple outfits with me and she'll pick which she thinks will work the best. I have a red ruffled number I think will work well along with this shiny purple layered mini dress that might work too. Yep, I'm excited to get all dressed up and be girlie in front of the camera. LOL Am I going to share the pictures from today? Well that depends on how risque they turn out! ;)

Strike a Pose

Today I will getting my pictures taken by Kate at Capture His Heart Again Photography in Naperville. She's an awesome photographer with mad skills behind the camera. She specializes in boudoir and pin up photography. You can check out her website at www.capturehisheartagain.com.

Round Midnight Linda Ronstadt

I remember when my dad brought home this cd. He would play it and I thought it was really cool with the big band sound. My dad taught me a lot about music and it's one thing we could always talk about even if we weren't getting along. He's the one who got me to listen to Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks, Meatloaf, and the Beach Boys. My first concert was with my dad at Chicago Fest when he was working security at the main stage. We saw the Beach Boys and I remember thinking it was so awesome. (We also went as a family to see Chaka Kahn and Peaches and Herb... LOL Ah, the good ole' days.)

So click to watch "I've Got a Crush on You" and enjoy!

So Sick

My youngest was sick this past week and stayed home from school. There is this bug going around our school and I guess it was our turn to get it. It seems to be a 24 hour type thing, but during those 24 hours you seriously wish for death. when I woke up this morning I knew I had it. There were a few times today I prayed to get better or just kill me and be done with it. I can't remember feeling so miserable. My 24 hours aren't over yet, but at least now I can sit up and walk without hanging on the walls. My oldest got it this morning too, so as you can imagine it was not too fun here today. I think we'll both be fine tomorrow, but ugh, today really sucked.

So I'm going to go take a shower, put on new pj's and take it easy the rest of the night.

Is This Eva Mendes Ad Too Sexy?

A giant Calvin Klein billboard starring a sweaty and nearly naked Eva Mendes is stopping traffic in New York City. In the ad, the 'Hitch' actress is wearing a sheer bra and tugging at an equally slippery male model's briefs.

The spicy billboard spans an entire block in the trendy SoHo neighborhood, and has drawn mixed reactions from neighbors.

Last year, a Calvin Klein TV ad featuring Mendes was banned in America after it was ruled a tad obscene.

(Personally, I don't see anything wrong with this ad at all!)

 

Wednesday Night's Hump Day Video Says...

You and me we should be dancin' in the sheets... Though I have to tell you... After taking care of a sick son all day I might just be too tired.

Matthew McConaughey Supports Welcome Back Veterans

Actor Matthew McConaughey visits with veterans, service men and women, and their families, and encourages Americans to honor their service with our own. Click to watch.

CPS Magnet Schools Admission Policy

This will be the new policy for admission if approved:

For magnet schools, all siblings of existing students will be admitted providing seats are available, with 50 percent of any remaining seats going into a proximity lottery. Proximity is defined as living within a 1.5-miles of an elementary school or a 2.5-mile radius of a high school. Any additional remaining seats will be filled via a citywide socio-economic group-based lottery. Previously sibling admissions were capped at 45 percent and proximity preference was given only if the entire school had less than 30 percent proximity enrollment.

My take on this... First of all I think a lot of parents with more than one child will be relieved. Every year there are parents who have to sweat out the "will my other kid get in?" period. Knowing your other kids will automatically get in will make life a lot easier.

The proximity lottery going to 50 percent is going to make magnet schools a lot more like neighborhood schools. I can also see that this is a round about way to start to phase out bussing. (Which I predicted early this school year. Lots of money spent on buses. At my kids school something like 70% are bussed in, and we have 830 students.)

And as far as the socio-economic group, it will be interesting to see just how many kids are picked from this group. If they really want to cut down on bussing I would guess there won't be many.

Crazy Crap Writers Do (especially once a year in November)

NaNoWriMocide- The slow painful death an author brings upon oneself when trying to complete a novel in 30 days time.

Sesame Street Turns 40 Today

I always loved Sesame Street growing up. This video is a tribute to actor Michael Jeter (Mr. Noodle on Elmo's World) but it covers almost the entire run of the show. It brings back a lot of memories and made me smile a few times. It's very cool that a show I watched as a child is still on and that my own kids were able to love it just like I did.

Randomness at the Movies

Favorite Actress- Kate Winslet (Titanic, Sense and Sensibility, Heavenly Creatures)















Favorite Actor- Kenneth Branagh (Hamlet, Dead Again)












Favorite Actor based solely on looks- Ryan Renolds (Sorry Keanu!)











Favorite Comedy- Blazing Saddles (I'm tired...)














Favorite Sci Fi- Aliens (Game over man, game over!)















Favorite Action- All the Die Hards (Yipee Ki Yay!)














Favorite Zombie Movie- Night of the Living Dead (They're coming to get you Barbara!)














Favorite Horror- The Shining (Redrum!)














Favorite Drama- Titanic (I'll never let go Jack...)














Favorite Musical- Jesus Christ Superstar (What's the buzz? Tell me what's a happenin')

Least Favorite Movie You Will Never See Me Watching. Any James Bond movie. Boring. Just Boring.

One Semester Spanish Love Song

Learn how to romance a girl with one semester of spanish put to a catchy song. Then watch the next in the series featuring Eric Estrada... LOL Click to watch.