Shelli Stevens

The Hunk-A-Hunk-A Burning Love Chapel smelled like stale beer and B.O.

This is the first line in one of my books. And this line just helped me final in the Romance Divas ‘Best First Line’ contest. It’s from a book I’m writing, have been writing, that I just love. It’s a contemporary, romantic comedyish, still hot sex, just less of it, book. It keeps getting set aside for erotic romances, but is halfway done. After Nationals I plan to finish it so it’s ready to pitch at the Emerald City Writers Conference (which by the way just opened for registration.)

Yaaaay! I’m so happy, I finished and turned in my futuristic/shifter book to Deanna at Cobblestone Press today. I love finishing a book. Because it means tomorrow I start with a clean page. Wide open pages…(singing Dixie Chicks.) I had fun with this book, but I have to say, after two sci fi/futuristic/shifter type books in a row, I need a break. I need to do the Shelli lighthearted, funny, but still sizzling hot sex books. In fact I have an appointment to pitch to an editor from Virgin at Nationals, I’m just wondering what to write. Something along those lines, I think.

So on that conference note, I’m going to encourage you all to come to the ECWC. I can’t say enough how great smaller, local conferences are. At Nationals, unless you’re a Golden Heart Winner/Finalist/past finalist, you don’t get to register for agent/editor appointments until later. By then the picking’s are slim. I tried to book an agent appointment, and every agent was booked. But if you come to a local conference, your chances at getting an appointment with the someone you want are hugely improved!

Here’s a peek at the speakers and agents/editors.

Agents

Kim Lionetti, BookEnds
Nadia Cornier, Firebrand Literary Agency
Laura Bradford, Bradford Literary Agency
Emmanuelle Alspagh, Wendy Sherman Assoicates, Inc

Editors

Allison Lyons, Harlequin
Michele Bidelspach, Warner
Leah Hultenschmidt, Dorchester

Speakers

Welcome Speaker Jane Porter

Saturday Keynote New York Times Bestselling Author Jayne Ann Krentz

Farewell Speaker New York Times Bestselling Author Christina Dodd

Featured Speaker New York Times Bestselling Author Cherry Adair

Featured Guests New York Times Bestselling Author Stella Cameron & Megan Chance