::August 2008

August has been an exciting month. We've just had our 17th Romance Writers of Australia National Conference. "Spellbound on Southbank" was held in Melbourne's beautiful Langham Hotel with our own Trish Morey doing a wonderful job as MC. Guest speakers including Margie Lawson and Barbara Samuel from the US and local romance authors inspired us with their writing wisdom. Harlequin editor, Jenny Hutton spoke about what Harlequin is looking for in their authors. Harlequin treated their authors to a wonderful meal on the Thursday night. Friday's workshops were great value, followed by the cocktail party, "One Enchanted Century", celebrating Mills & Boon's centenary. The ballroom sparkled with witches, fairies and fairytale characters. Saturday night was the Awards Dinner, a glittering affair where authors were recognised for their achievements, including the Emerald Award for the best unpublished manuscript and the Romantic Book of the Year (or R*BY) Award, Australia's premier award for romantic fiction. I was thrilled to win the Ruby for short category series for the second time in a row with my second manuscript, One Night before Marriage (Marriage at the Millionaire's Command in the US). Check out the photos.

My short story, Sea Change, appeared in the Woman's Day, dated September 1st.

My 6th book, Hot Boss, Wicked Nights, will be a Modern Heat February 09 release (Sexy Sensation, TBA). I have book seven's characters in my head and I can't wait to begin working in depth with them in the upcoming school holidays.

Haven't read a Modern Heat/Sexy Sensation before? Why not give them a try! Every month they're out in the US as Presents. Visit us at our "Sensational Romance" blog to see what's happening

with Modern Heat.

I grew up with a love of fairy tales: my favorite was The Little Mermaid. I was entranced with the idea that love could be such a powerful motivator that the heroine would give up her life for it. Then there’s Tennyson’s Lady of Shalott, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, and in the music and movie world there’s Carousel, Phantom of the Opera and Titanic. Okay, there are some heroes too - (Who couldn’t be moved by Leonardo?)

Are you noticing a trend here? I love nothing better than a good weepie.

Being accepted by Mills & Boon is a long held ambition and has opened up a new career for me. It took me six full novels and eight years to get it right. To find out who I am and how I got there click on About Anne.

The Links page has some of my favorite author’s and writing websites.

I love to hear from readers and other writers. If you’d like to send an email click on the Contact page.

Happy reading and I hope you’ll come back and visit again soon.