It will only be a slight commercial interruption before I plunge head-long into the amped-up book 3 of the Damaged series, tentatively titled “Deliberate Choices”. In this one, Zeke will have her hands full, her weapon loaded, and a Kevlar vest handy. Lots of pots will be boiling and Anne’s frustration will be one of them. Stay tuned.

Back to the current topic. I want to share the love with some prizes. So, I’m planning a little contest where the winners will receive a copy of their favorite book. In order to make it fun and challenging, there’s a pre-contest.

For the top three people who submit an interesting “question” I can use for the contest, I        will send a signed copy of my table card used for my booksigning. (which is an 11×17 poster). The questions should relate to the series or to my writing.

The winners question will be chosen on the basis of cleverness, interest, and difficulty.

When I’ve got three good ones, I’ll post Phase II of Project Give-away. Need I say, if your question is chosen…you can’t submit the answer in the next phase.

Come on, folks help me get this Give-away moving!

Meantime, I gearing up for the SW Book Fiesta which will open next weekend at the ABQ convention center May 10-12, 2013.

“The Southwest Book Fiesta is all about the past, present and future of books and publishing. We’re bringing together authors, publishers and the public for a family-friendly weekend, focusing on nationally recognized as well as local authors, literacy, learning, and most of all – fun!”

I’m part of a panel discussion with my LERA sisters on Saturday and signing on Sunday.

Happy Mother’s Day to all those brave souls–for every Mother.

Okay, the new promo piece is large, but still quite beauteous.  My thanks to the artistry of the Tree house Studio for a sensational new promo card.

 And now… Why, you ask,  the big promo? Because, your creative-type friends have surprises on the horizon. 

What happens when you combine your favorite authors, great fiction, and great food in the great outdoors? 

Join the Petroglyph Guild of New Mexico

 and the Western Women Writers:

Andi Marquette

Lynn Ames

Nat Burns

Karen Badger

Bett Reece Johnson

Barrett

You will have the unique opportunity to enjoy a casual afternoon in the cool woods of the Manzanitas talking with some award winning authors of  Lesbian Fiction.

Hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers will be available or bring your own lunch. 

Details will be found at http://facebook.com/groups/WesternWomenWriters/

 More news will be posted as it happens, including maps and local attraction info.

Save the date:

*Saturday, September 14, 2013, 2-4 P.M.

 *Pine Flat Picnic Area, 6 miles south of Tijeras, NM

All right I know, 750 words will not break records in the Daily Word Count Books. It’s okay. Everything is OK and this is why: I’m not going to apologize for anything. I have somehow lost my ritual/habit routine for writing… And for many other things, like vacuuming. But you know what? It doesn’t matter. Life is short, every minute precious, and I don’t want to waste it on regret. I looked back over my recent blog entries and realized how erratic I’ve been, so what? No one asked me to publish a blog, let alone update it every week. That was my decision and now things have changed, so I do what I can.

Next tangent. See the picture I posted? That is a green Chile cheeseburger, something that is renowned in New Mexico.  I posted the above picture because  it’s been lurking in the back of my mind for nearly five months. I’ve been on a self-imposed diet with a very limited calorie count. As a general rule, I don’t eat anything that I like very much, which means I avoid: sugar, fat, alcohol, simple carbohydrates, and calorie laden foods which taste good. The only reason I have been successful in this draconian effort, is that it’s working. Were it not, well…

And it’s better not talk about food too much. Trust me.

Another thing, at the beginning of the year I set up a six-month travel schedule primarily for promotion of my second book (Defying Gravity released at the end of March.) Two down and the next will be middle of May. I’m very proud of both second editions and pleased by their success. Maintaining a presence is important in promoting books. (This is not something they tell new authors when we’re hoping for publication.) However, for an introvert who craves quiet it can be challenging. I enjoy every minute until I get home and need to get back to writing and the tank is empty. It’s a double-edged sword on which we all balance. I am only explaining this because I’m walking that tight rope as I try to wrap up the first draft of Balefire. After couple of hours of writing, I begin to flag and become easily distracted. Hence, the blog.

It’s more than that. This week has been difficult for many people on many levels and I can’t legitimately complain, except to say that I am profoundly impacted by tragedy, pain, hatred, and negativity.

I am only buoyed up by the resilience, determination, selflessness, and cooperation of my fellow Americans when tragedy struck this week. The people of Boston and the people of West, Texas put everything aside in order to help one another. I’m only sorry that it takes great tragedy to bring us together. In spite of the recalcitrance of a handful, the citizens of our country understand the basic precepts on which it was established. These United States were designed “of the people, by the people, and for the people.” And in times of trouble, like any family, we pull together.

As I prepare to post this, the intense drama surrounding the bombing in Boston is winding down and the citizens of the commonwealth are putting their lives back together. Like other tragedies of the past, like 9/11, Oklahoma City, Virginia Tech, Sandy Hook elementary—we add The Boston marathon and the explosion in West Texas. The families of all affected will remain in my thoughts and remind me of my fortune.

 I believe that spring will come and better days are ahead of us.

Smile with your heart!

R.E. Bradshaw

I’ve returned from my whirlwind trip to Austin for the Lone Star Book Festival. Everything went smoothly and I had a chance to visit with friends old and new. There were 20+ authors from across the country and from several different publishers. It was great to put faces with the names that have become familiar.

I read a brief excerpt from Defying Gravity in the morning and participated on a panel with Mavis Applewater, Carsen Taite, and VK Powell to discuss “Villains”–which out to be a great topic.

A film crew from PBS was there to film for an upcoming documentary on LGBT literature and they were featuring Radclyffe along with some other interviews.

Very quickly it was six o’clock–the vendors closed up and the room was transformed for a lovely BBQ dinner especially for the authors and their guests. After a long day of yakking and schmoozing, that combination of BBQ, potato salad, coleslaw, and “sweet tea” really hit the spot. A big thanks to all who made the event possible.

I left shortly after dinner because my 4:30 am wake-up was drawing closer.

In less than a month, I’ll be revving up for another appearance in Albuquerque at the SW Book Fiesta, May 10-12 at the convention center. LERA, my local RWA chapter will have a booth and I will be signing books as well as appearing on a main-stage panel discussion on romance.

In June, back to Dallas for the Golden Crown Literary Society Annual Convention which promises to be a great meeting. I will be participating on a panel entitled ”the truth in fiction”.

In September I’m collaborating with some other folks for a fun “to be announced” event…

Until next time, enjoy Spring!

* I am a published author and I can make up words now…except for a few my editor deems inappropriate.

okay, you’re right. Shoddy practices do not a blog make.

BUT……. I promise to make up for it with ribald stories from the front lines in Austin. Lone Star Lesfic Book Festival begins in approximately 24 hours. And I will be there , books in hand, pen at the ready!

If, I can finish packing, laundry, get the pups to camp and get a haircut.

Yup. I procrastinate: to put off till another day or time; defer; delay.