Of all the photos from the GCLS con (and there are hundreds, if not thousands), I think this is my favorite, stolen from Rrrose Carbinela's Facebook page. I was very excited to receive the Goldie Award for Romantic Suspense/Intrigue from none other than Karin Kallmaker, Bella's Editorial Director. I remembered to thank Katherine Forrest, who edited Secrets So Deep and therefore made it worthy of recognition, but I failed to acknowledge in my remarks Linda Callaghan, who did a splendid cover, and the whole staff at Bella, who stand both in front of and behind every book.  Congrats also to fellow Bella author Gerri Hill (Partners) and my pal JLee Meyer of Bold Strokes Books (Hotel Liaisons), who also won awards in the category.

I was just getting warm in my seat again when Karen Badger called my name as a winner in the category of Traditional Contemporary Romance for Without Warning. With the stellar titles on the shortlist this year, I did not expect that, and I have no idea what I said at the podium. I'd like to thank my editor, Cindy Cresap, who made the book so much better than the draft I handed in. Thanks also to Stephanie Solomon-Lopez for an intriguing cover design, and to Linda Hill, for letting me bring back the Shaken story in it fullest and finest form. Thanks most of all to the fans of the Xenaverse for launching me on my way with this story. Without your early words of encouragement, I wouldn't be writing today. Special hat-tip to Tami, my beta reader so long ago. Cheers also to DS Bauden (Tomahawk'd) and Rachel Spangler (Trails Merge) for their awards.

I met some wonderful new faces at GCLS, including a brave young woman named Malia Grant, who bucked the system to start a gay-straight alliance at her high school in Florida. And I picked up my 5-year GCLS pin alongside superfan Rosa Moran, who graciously bid on me in the auction for the first dance on Saturday night.

Outgoing Executive Director Kathy Smith, the GCLS Board, and their host of volunteers did a stupendous job on this year's conference. Next year's -- which will coincide with Orlando's Gay Days -- promises to be even better. Clear your calendars for June 3 - 6, 2010.

I'll update the Events Page soon with more photos (mostly stolen).

Update: Events Page has a brief report & photos.

Comments (1)

Show/Hide comments

Show/Hide comment form

Write comment

Name (will be published)

Email (will NOT be published)

Comment

smaller | bigger

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment