A hero without fangs or fur

If you don't know who Bryan Anderson is, you should. He's an amazing guy who hasn't let losing both legs and a hand in Iraq keep him from doing everything he wants to do. You can read more about him here, then enter the Knight Agency's Real Life Hero contest.

This just in from The Knight Agency

On Wednesday, September 30th @ 9pm ET, Louisa Edwards will be the featured guest author in The Knight Agency chat room. Formerly an editor at Penguin's Berkley imprint before turning in her editor's hat, she describes her debut novel, CAN'T STAND THE HEAT (St. Martin's, Sept. 2009) as a "culinary romance."

Louisa has an indepth knowledge of the ins and outs of the publishing industry, and she'll be sharing lots of information about her experience as a first-time author and details on her upcoming projects.

Hope to see you there! Of course, there will also be fun trivia and prizes!

Here's the 411 on CAN'T STAND THE HEAT: For sharp-tongued Miranda Wake, the chance to spend a month in Adam Temple’s kitchen to write an exposé is a journalistic dream come true. Surely Miranda can find a way to cut the hotshot chef down to size once she learns what really goes on at his trendy Manhattan restaurant. The trouble is, she never expected Adam to find out her most embarrassing secret: this critic has no idea how to cook.

As for Adam, well, he’s not about to have his reputation burned by a critic who doesn’t even know the difference between poaching and paring. He’ll just have to give the tempting redhead a few private lessons of his own—teaching Miranda what it means to cook with passion.

To learn more about Louisa, visit www.LouisaEdwards.com.

What: CHAT with Louisa Edwards
Where: TKA's Chat Room
When: Wednesday, September 30th @ 9pm ET
How to Chat: (1) Click on this link: http://client1.sigmachat.com/sc.php?id=115545
(2) Enter a username and password (any combination)
(3) Click Login

And I'll see you there!

Caturday! Celebrity Edition

Piktur fur treats. That wuz the deal. Pay up!

Today's non-cat is Claude! Claude owns super agent Elaine Spencer of the Knight Agency. Elaine just happens to be my agent and after I saw pics of her cute little pup, I just had to have him for Caturday! Say hi to Claude, y'all!

It's been a big, big week

This has been one of the craziest, but best, weeks of my life.

First I got my very awesome Samhain cover. Then I found out I was selected to be one of the people who gets to try out a Sony reader for 2 months. Then yesterday, the biggest news of all...

My agent, Elaine Spencer, sold my urban fantasy to Orbit in a three book deal!

I feel pretty blessed right now. And I want to say thanks to my friend and Romance Divas co-founder, Jax Cassidy. Jax has always believed in me, always been a strong supporter of my work, always encouraged me when I wasn't feeling so great about this business, always told me I would sell. And while there have been other people in my life who've been there for me, Jax and I have pretty much been in this together from the beginning. So not only is she a talented writer/author herself, but she's a great friend. (And my webmistress!) I hope you all have a Jax in your life.

A Fun Chat Tomorrow!

Author and Agent Online Chat Fest! Chloe Neill and Lucienne Diver will be featured guests in TKA's chat room, Thursday, April 30th @ 9pm ET

UPDATE: During the chat Chloe will give away a Cadogan House Fan Pack, which will include a signed copy of SOME GIRLS BITE, Cadogan House tote bag, Cadogan House mouse pad and "I love Cadogan" bumper sticker!

Did you know that some girls bite? Well, of course, if they're a vampire! Silly, what did you think I meant? SOME GIRLS BITE is the smart new release from talented debut author Chloe Neill that introduces the world to Merit, a new inductee into the world of the CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES. The first book is like a potato chip...you can't have just one. It's so good, you'll be itching to read Book 2, FRIDAY NIGHT BITES, due in stores October 2009.

If you love paranormal romance and urban fantasy, are an up and coming author--or hey--if you just like really good books, join Chloe and her fab agent Lucienne Diver in our chat room on Thursday, April 30th @ 9pm ET. Chloe will answer questions about the CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES series and her upcoming young adult series VARSITY MAGIC, share her experience as a first time author and offer advice on how newbies should prepare for the rollicking ride of getting their manuscript from 8 x 11 letter-sized to trade paperback. Also our own Lucienne Diver will be on hand to share how she discovered Chloe, and lend her seasoned advice to authors looking to break into the paranormal genre. To learn more about Chloe, visit: www.ChloeNeill.com! Also, be sure to check out a cool new feature on Chloe's blog, WIP (Work in Progress) Thursdays. If you've got a manuscript underway, just share a few tidbits in the comments and she might feature you on her blog!

Here are the chat deets:

What: Online Chat with Author Chloe Neill and Agent Lucienne Diver

When: Thursday, April 30th @ 9pm ET

Where: The TKA Chat Room

How Do You Chat: Visit the chat room here: http://client1.addonchat.com/sc.php?id=115545. Enter a username and password (this can be any combination). Your computer must be Java enabled to chat.

See you there!

Author chat and autographed books!

Melissa Mayhue is chatting with The Knight Agency tonight!

She'll be talking about her time-traveling series, DAUGHTERS OF THE GLEN, which is set in present day America and Medieval Scotland. Also, Melissa has generously agreed to give away an autographed set of her entire series to one lucky winner during the chat. The series includes: THIRTY NIGHTS WITH A HIGHLAND HUSBAND, HIGHLAND GUARDIAN, SOUL OF A HIGHLANDER and A HIGHLANDER OF HER OWN.

Make sure to mark your calendars for this awesome opportunity! To learn more about Melissa, visit www.MelissaMayhue.com.

WHAT: Online Chat with Melissa Mayhue

WHEN: Thursday, February 19th @ 9pm ET
WHERE: The TKA Chat Room

HOW DO YOU CHAT:

1. Click on this link: http://client1.addonchat.com/sc.php?id=115545

2. To enter the chat room, fill in a username and password (passwords are not pre-set, you can enter any name/password combination)

3. Click Login

*Computers must be Java enabled to chat.

GENA SHOWALTER Chatting Live Tuesday, May 19th 8pm EST

The super-fabulous and super-talented Gena Showalter is chatting live at the Knight Agency chat room tonight at 8pm EST.

Gena is currently celebrating 3 weeks on the NYT top 15 list for her recent release THE DARKEST NIGHT, the first in the much anticipated LORDS OF THE UNDERWORLD series. Gena will be chatting about her current block-buster release and gossiping about the writing life in general. Perhaps if we're lucky she will even provide a few teasers for the second title in the series, THE DARKEST KISS (available everywhere next week!), and who knows, maybe a few give-aways will be in store! (hint, hint, hint!)

For anyone that hasn't previously chatted with Ms. Showalter, I can guarantee this is an event you don't want to miss. Not only is she an absolute doll with tons of advice on the business, but she is an absolute riot and this chat is sure to have lots of laugh out loud moments.We can't wait to see everyone there!

If you aren't yet familiar with this new series be sure to check out Gena's new Lords Of the Underworld website. Here you can find out all about the series and its' sexy tortured heroes, there are even excerpts available for each of the yet unreleased titles!

WHO: GENA SHOWALTER
WHAT: CHATTING LIVE!
WHEN: 8pm EST, Tuesday May 20, 2008
WHERE: TKA CHATROOM

To Enter the chat room: Follow this link TKA CHATROOM, enter a screen name and simply select "login."

*Rules of Play: To keep things organized, the chats are all moderated. The moderator will begin by posting the following rules of play: when you have a question, simply type a "?" and the moderator will keep a list and call on you when it is your turn.

*Chat tips:When waiting on your turn, type your question in Word or another application so when it is your turn you only have to copy and paste. (Keeps the chat running smoothly) Click on any screen name in the list to open a Private Message conversation (a lot like AIM).

See you there! In the meantime, stop by The Fictionistas and tell me if you're a wimp or not...

Busy, Busy Day

Today, I'm off to the airport to pick up our chapter's guest speaker, author Cindy Miles. She's giving us a talk on Saturday on how to pimp your manuscript. Should be fun. What will be even more fun is the fondue party we're throwing in her honor this evening! Cheese, chocolate and a bunch of crazy writers. You know you're jealous.

But before all that frivolity, I've got to deliver the first chapter of my new, fabulous, high concept YA, The Wilding, to my agent to see if she thinks it's as fabulous and high concept as I do.

I've also got to go to the post office. Not so fabulous. Can you believe stamps are going up again? Email is great, but you can't email a package. Someone really needs to invent a transporter beam for this stuff.

What's on your Friday To Do list?

Holiday Party Online - With Presents!

Hey y'all, stop by the Knight Agency chat room at 12:30 today for an awesome holiday party with tons of giveaways! It's going to be a blast! There's sure to be lots of authors, readers and general holiday cheer.

Click HERE for all the details.

Happy Friday!

For all of you cat owners (or those of you owned by cats), wouldn't this be a handy sign to have? Just drop it over the offending mess until a more convenient time for clean-up arrives. Sweet! Add that to my Christmas list.

Thanks to everyone who commented on my blog post at the Knight Agency blog yesterday! Much appreciated.

I'm off to my chapter's retreat this weekend, so y'all will have to amuse yourselves. One of the ways you can do that is entering my caption contest a few posts below. Go ahead, it's fun!

Have a great weekend!

Shout Out!

I'm blogging at the Knight Agency blog today - stop by and say hi, would ya? I wouldn't my agent to think I'm a loser. *wink*