RWA 2016 San Diego

Sandra here in lovely San Diego at the fabulous Marriott Marquis San Diego to celebrate and participate in the National RWA 2016 conference. 

And it is gorgeous here in Southern California. There is cool fog hugging the coast, but by mid-morning it has burned off and we are enjoying sunny days in the seventies.  Inland you might reach the eighties, but the hotel is right on the bay. 

This is the view from my room at the Mariott Marquis San Diego Marina

I have already met Seeker friends.  Most of them attended Faith, Hope and Love's General meeting and Awards Assembly yesterday.  Faith, Hope and Love is an online chapter celebrating Christian authors. We are the light shining here at the national conference.  

The first Seeker friend I met was Rose Zedicker.  We sat together at the meeting.

Rita finalist Marta Perry

It's so funny when I have to travel to San Diego to see my fellow Arizona authors. Hi Pamela Tracy

Susie Dietze, Sandra, Rose Zedicker

Renee Ryan discussing the new name for Inspirational Category.  

During the business meeting, Renee Ryan who is on the Board thanked FHL for their prompt compliance with the new RWA guidelines for websites.  To go along with this, she announced the new name for the Inspirational Category. They needed to rename it because they were getting so many entries into categories that weren't the intended category.  The new title is more descriptive. 

Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements

Novels in which religious or spiritual beliefs are an inherent part of the love story, character growth and relationship development and could not be removed without damaging the storyline. These novels may be set in the context of any religious or spiritual belief system of any culture.

After the business meeting, we had refreshments and a time to visit with each other. Then we had a praise and worship time when we sang songs praising the Lord.  So nice and peaceful. 

Praise and Worship after the meeting

At the General Meeting, the chapter presents the winners of the Inspirational Reader's Choice Awards for published authors and the Touched By Love Awards for unpublished manuscripts. 

The Awards will be announced on the FHL website on Thursday.  Congrats to some of our Seeker friends.

Lynette Eason receiving her IRCA award of second place for entry in Romantic Suspense.
Congratulations Lynette!!

2016 Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award Winners

Long Contemporary

1^st – Together With You by Victoria Bylin (Baker Publishing)

2^nd – Isle of Hope by Julie Lessman (Julie Lessman LLC)

3^rd – Married ‘Till Monday by Denise Hunter (Harper Collins)

Long Historical

1^st – To Win Her Favor by Tamera Alexander (Harper Collins)

2^nd – Mist of Midnight by Sandra Byrd (Howard)

3^rd – Luther and Katharina by Jody Hedlund (Multnomah)

Short Contemporary

1^st - Second Chance Reunion by Merrillee Whren (Harlequin LI)

2^nd – Anna’s Courage by Kristin Noel Fischer (Indie?)

3^rd – Nursing the Soldier’s Heart by Merrillee Whren (Harlequin LI)

Short Historical

1^st – Out of the Ashes by Sandi Rog (Tulpen Publishing)

2^nd – Cowboy Seeks a Bride by Louise M. Gouge (Harlequin LIH)

3^rd – A Home for His Family by Jan Drexler (Harlequin LIH)

Romantic Suspense

1^st – Gone Without a Trace by Patricia Bradley (Revell)

2^nd – No Place to Hide by Lynette Eason (Revell)

3^rd – Forgotten Memories By Laura Scott (Harlequin LIS)

Women’s Fiction

1^st – Ties That Bind by Cindy Woodsmall (Waterbrook)

2^nd – The Art of Losing Yourself by Katie Ganshert (Waterbrook)

2^nd – As Waters Gone By by Cynthia Ruchti (Worthy Publishing)

3^rd – Two Roads Home by Deborah Raney (Abingdon)

Novella

1^st – Daughters of the Wind by DiAnn Mills (Barbour)

2^nd – A Love for Irma Rose by Beth Wiseman (Thomas Nelson)

3^rd – Christmas at Tiffany’s by Marianne Evans (Pelican)

Touched By Love Contest Winners Are:

Overall Winner is Patricia Riddell Gaddis

Historical Category:

First Place:  Patricia Riddell Gaddis

Second Place: Joanna Davidson Politano

Third Place: Lori Bates Wright

Long Contemporary Category:

First Place: Jackie Layton

Second Place: Lorri Dudley

Third Place: Janette Foreman

Short Contemporary Category:

First Place: Laura Stephens

Second Place: Megan Besing

Third Place: Teresa Tysinger

Panel of industry professionals

After the FHL meeting and worship service, a panel of industry professionals talked to us about the trends and answered questions. From left to right is Robyn Burwell, Acquisitions Editor from Harper Collins, Michelle Grajkowski, Literary Agent from 3 Seas Literary Agency, Danielle Egan-Miller, President of Browne & Miller Literary Associates, and Amanda Leuck, Agent from Spencerhill Associates.

Basically, they told us they are all looking for Christian fiction, especially historical. Ms. Grajkowski especially loves the civil war era. Ms. Egan-Miller enjoys all eras of history. And all of them are looking for crossover fiction. There is a growing demand in the ABA market for emotional well-written romance that is clean and wholesome.

Carrie Padgett moderated the program. 

Andrea Simonne and Pattie Frampton are first timers who attended the Literacy Event.  I met Pattie at the FHL Meeting.

Cara and and Pam do you recognize him? He knows you.
Patrick Haggarty, President, Gulf Coast Chapter RWA

Keep checking in because I will add more photos. 

Seeker friend Jeri Hoag found me.  Thanks Jeri.

Sandra signing books at the Montlake Spotlight.

If you go to the RWA conference, you need to bring boxes or extra suitcases because each of the major publishers has a spotlight and they give away cases of books.  Their authors are there to autograph them. It is so special.  My poor hand is tired from signing all those books.  But it is so fun. 

So Amazon posted a treasure hunt for attendees. You take selfies with different requuirements. This one is with a speaker. Or you can take one with an editor.  Or at one of the events.  So LeAnne Bristow is working on hers. You tweet your selfie and when you have four your name is entered into a drawing.  Prizes are Kindle Fires, keyboards, writer's mugs, etc. 

LeAnne Bristow and her editor Victoria Curran from Heartwarming

Tanya Stowe signing at the Literacy Event

At the Heartwarming Open House we met many authors we know and love. Here is Pamela Tracy and  LeAnne Bristow.

Seeker friends we are sitting together for Saturday breakfast. Enter the doors and turn right and go to the corner.  We will save a couple tables for FHL and Seeker authors.  

So if you're at the conference, please comment and share something exciting that is happening.  Or share a fun experience you've had at another conference. 

Or maybe you're doing like Ruthy mentioned last weekend and are having your own staycation conference at home. If so, share some of the things you are set to accomplish. What goals did you make? 

To celebrate our latest and new Seeker novella written by Cara Lynn James, Myra Johnson and (drum roll please)  myself, Sandra Leesmith, I will be offering to three lucky commenters  copies of  LOVE WILL FIND A WAY. It is loaded with summer romance and outdoor adventure. 

Seekers are also having Christmas in July.  Our Christmas Novellas are on sale for only $.99.  Yippee!!!  

And you all are winners today because the ebook version of LOVE'S PROMISES is free the rest of this week in honor of the RWA convention. Enjoy!

Happy writing.

Happy reading.

Sandra Leesmith writes sweet romances to warm the heart. Sandra loves to play pickleball, hike, read, bicycle and write. She lives in Arizona with her husband and during the hot summers, she and her husband travel throughout the United States in their motor home where she enjoys the outdoors and finds wonderful ideas for her next writing project. You can find Sandra's books here on Amazon. Two of Sandra's most popular books are also audiobooks at Audible.  Love's Promises will be available on audio in April.

You can read more posts by Sandra here.