Donna Grant

Thank you to all who answered last week’s question. I always love hearing from readers, so I appreciate the time you take out of your day to answer my blog.

Now, the winner to last week’s question is…Linda! Congrats, Linda! Send me an Email with your choice of a title from my backlist as your free download!

My questions usually are thought up while talking to readers or friends. It was while I was talking to a reader about the upcoming Romance Writers of America conference in San Francisco at the end of this month that this week’s question came to be. She started asking me if I had met some of her favorite authors like Nora Roberts, Shana Abe and Lisa Kleypas. In fact, I’ve been fortunate enough to have met all three, and many more authors. I think I forget what it was like before I started writing and attending the conferences were some of my favorite authors soon become very good friends.

Every year RWA hosts a massive author signing where the proceeds go to help literacy. When I’m at the signing, I love to watch readers find their favorite authors. Its such a joy to see that connection. I’ve met some wonderful readers who have traveled from all over the US - and even South Africa - to be able to meet me. It’s humbling - and exciting!

I remember how scared I was the first time I walked up to an author to have a book signed. Now I look back and smile at that moment. I’ve seen authors sitting in bookstores by themselves because people were afraid to walk up to them. As an author, I wonder why, but as a reader, I remember that tremor in my hands and the wild beating of my heart.

Just remember the next time you see an author sitting by themselves to go over and chat with them. We really hate to sit there alone. Pick up a bookmark or some other promo material. They’ll appreciate it more than you know!

Who is an author(s) that you would like to meet if give the chance? By replying you could win your chance at a free book from my backlist. You have until next Wednesday when I’ll do another question.

Some may remember I asked a question around Valentine’s Day about who liked to read themed books. I was taken aback at the response I got. I also promised that if I ever got the chance, I would write a themed book. Well, I did.

PRIMAL HEAT is a contemporary werewolf story set in Cardiff, Wales that will be a part of Total-E-Bound’s Bite Me! Halloween anthology. The novella will release seperately as an ebook first, then go into print.

I’m very excited about this novella. Not only is it my first themed book, its the first I’ve ever included a werewolf in. The release date is set for October 27, 2008!

I have four books between now and the end of the year that will be releasing. To keep up to day, check out my Coming Soon pages.

Back to work on Aimery’s story!

Well, the All Author Bash is now open!!

Please, everyone, drop by and check out all the great stuff!! There are freebies, discussions, excerpts, questions, polls… a lot of everything! So, drop by and leave your comments! With over 50 authors signed up it is bound to be a blast!

http://www.allauthorbash.proboards80.com

It is an event that’s happening ALL day long and into the weekend! The first round in the cover polls ends tonight at 7PM PST.

My cover for SHADOW MAGIC is up for an award!

Mark your calendars. I’ll be at the Two Lips Reviews Yahoo loop Talking Two Lips tonight.

I’ll be on the loop from 8-11 pm EST talking about my books, posting excerts…and giving away prizes!!

I’m over at Michelle Monkou’s Blog today. She asked me some VERY interesting questions. Hop on by and take a look!

While you’re there, be sure to read over some of Michelle’s excerpts. She’s an amazing writer, and I can’t get enough of her stories!!

Congratulations to PamK, last week’s winner! Send me an Email, Pam, and let me know which book from my backlist you’d like as your free download.

Many authors nowadays spend a lot of time on the internet. We’re apart of hundreds of loops, ready to take part in chats, we do countless contests, blog, post free reads and excerpts and new releases, myspace, facebook…the list goes on and on. Not to mention the time we spend on our publishers sites. It could almost be said that some authors spend as much time interacting with readers as they do writing.

We authors are always trying to see if what we do makes a difference in attracting new readers as well as keeping readers coming back to our site for more. Most readers I’ve spoken with will say a good book. I understand that. If I fall in love with an author, I’m always at her site seeing when her next book comes out. Or, if I’m lucky enough to know her, I’ll be writing her.

What are some of the things an author does that will get you to his/her site, and what will keep you coming back for more? By replying you could win your chance at a free book from my backlist. You have until next Wednesday when I’ll do another question.

The bookmarks are in! Also, if you subscribe to Romantic Times, look for the ad in the September issue! I’ve got plenty of bookmarks to give away.

Last week was pretty quiet. I got to do some work on the synopsis for Aimery’s book as well as doing some edits for my upcoming book, Shadow Magic that will release soon. The last of the edits are done, and I haven’t been able to stop looking at the awesome cover.

I’ve got a chat coming up this week. On June 26th from 8-11 pm EST I’ll be on the Two Lips Reviews yahoo loop posting excerpts, giving away prizes and talking about my books. I hope you’ll stop by and chat with me.

Also, on June 27th I’m taking part with over 50 other authors and publishers on AJ Hampton’s All Author Bash day. There will tons of excerpts, introductions, games, prizes and chatting. The Bash will last an entire week, so be sure to drop by.

Thanks for the wonderful list of books from last week’s question. My TBB list is huge. :)

The winner of last week’s question is…Jennifer! Congratulations, Jennifer. Email Me and let me know which book from my backlist you’d like as your free download.

I get so many ideas for books when I go on my shopping spree every couple of months. I wish I could buy them all, but I can’t. Not to mention I have my favorites that I pick up immediately. I recently had a friend tell me about an author that she wants to read but hasn’t picked up yet. After some discussion, I found that several of us had done the same thing, myself included.

For me, I’m sad to say is Laurel K. Hamilton. She’s always on my list, but I haven’t gotten to her yet. This time, however, I intend to rectify that.

I want to know one author you’ve heard about but haven’t read yet and why.
Respond to the blog as many times as you’d like and you could win a FREE book when I draw a winner next Wednesday!!

Just got back from our family vacation. I always love going places, but its so great to be home again. Not sure if Tinkerbell (my long haired Chihuahua) will forgive me for leaving her at my parents and their Chihuahua to watch. She’s slowly coming around though. I got her favorite treats, so that’s helping.

In book news, I’m finishing up the last touches on my synopsis for a proposal I’m sending off to my Kensington editor. I’m very excited about this new series. Now, I just hope he is as well. :)

The great news is I start Aimery’s book today. I need a title though, so if anyone has ideas, post them here. If you don’t know who Aimery is, here’s a little background:

He’s the commander of the Fae army and all around bad ass. He’s the go-to guy for the king of the Fae and has an affinity for helping out us measely humans quite often. He’s first seen in the Druid’s Glen series, then has a major roll in the entire Shield series, and because the Fae are involved with the Sinclairs, he’s also in the Royal Chronicles series.

Now, its time for him to find his happily ever after. His heroine will be Fae, and they’re going to take us on a wild ride through various realms with loads of magic and the beautiful dragons that inhabit the Realm of the Fae.

The winner from last week’s question is…Tamsyn! Congratulations, Tamsyn. Send me an Email and let me know which book from my backlist you would like as your free download.

My reading pile is diminishing drastically, so I’ll be heading to the bookstore soon to restock. Some of the books I’ve read are:

What are some of the wonderful romances you’ve read that you would recommend? By replying you could win your chance at a free book from my backlist. You have until next Wednesday when I’ll do another question.