New Year . . . New Adult

 

I finally finagled my way back into my own website after a frustrating fight against the ‘user name error’ nitwits. I won 🙂

 

So anyway, for those of you who haven’t heard the great news, the release date for FORBIDDEN has, once again, changed. Only this time it’s an earlier date, APRIL 15,  instead of June. Anywhere you might see the June date just means I haven’t gotten around to changing it. APRIL 15th is the lucky day *crossing fingers*  For presale click here.

 

More great news: my editor SUE GRIMSHAW has an amazing list of authors between LOVESWEPT and FLIRT, and I am especially thrilled to be included. Check out this to find your new favorite.

NEW ADULT

 

THE NEW ADULT JOURNEY

There is a narrow space in time in which we all set sail and cross treacherous waters. We leave the grassy bank of our teen years and head toward the rocky mountains of adulthood. But between here and there is a vast unknown river we must navigate—the New Adult years.

It is an unavoidable journey plagued with doubt, insecurity, fear, spontaneous joy, unexplainable bliss, failure, a solidifying of goals, and accomplishment, etc.  Sometimes the best we can do is keep both oars in the water, follow the current toward our dreams (even if it means paddling up-stream), watch for low branches that will knock us for a loop, and hang on for dear life.

 

 

UNCHARTED WATERS OF NEW ADULT

Nothing exemplifies this ride better than New Adult literature. Roughly between the ages of 18 and 25, this category highlights those challenges we all have faced or are preparing to face when setting off in uncharted waters. The moment we climb aboard, whether we christen our journey Cross Over, Mature Young Adult, or Upper YA, we are all in the same boat—the New Adult category.

Common squalls (themes) we may encounter but are not limited to: the loss of innocence, our first ‘real’ job, sudden independence or a close facsimile thereof, sexuality, military deployment, first serious relationships, internships, marriage etc.

 

OLD DOG, NEW CATEGORY

Of course, this is not a new journey. If we turn and look back, we’ll see that the undercurrent is ripe with the classics; we will realize that teens have been reading mature books all along. It is not a new idea, just recently labeled as a new category and promoted as such.

Half of the novels listed in Modern Library’s 100 Best Books of the 20^th Century fall under the definition of New Adult. So much of what adults have read in their teen years were listed as “Adult Books For Teens” and teens are still reading them in high schools and colleges today. Remember Catcher in the Rye, The Great Gatsby, Lord of the Flies, Call of the Wild, To Kill A Mocking Bird, Clockwork Orange. And recently: Love in the Time of Cholera, Trainspotting, The Time Traveler’s Wife, My Sister’s Keeper . . .

 

There is no shame in snapping on a life vest, especially with popular trends and subgenres that could have us taking college courses on a futuristic space station, being chased across campus by zombies, dodging vampires in our first apartment, or wielding spiritually enhanced weapons against demonic bosses with wandering hands.     

 

There is no bridge long enough to lift us up and over the white water of those crucial years, so why should literature skip like a rock from teen into adulthood? Like other phases in life, the journey through those treacherous waters of New Adult is worth experiencing and worth reading about . . .

 

So this is what comes to mind when I think of the New Adult Journey but I am interested to know what you guys think when you remember those years, or what expectations you might have if you are just embarking on the journey.

 

Please feel free to share your wackiest adventures (mine was almost dying, sort of, on a ridiculous canoeing trip with mass amounts of fellow students) or your most poignant moment, tipping point, hilarious encounter, or maybe any analogy that seems fitting.

 

 

New cover for FORBIDDEN: The Soukeepers

 

Also, new publication dates for the Soulkeepers series.

 

APRIL 15, 2014 for FORBIDDEN

 

JUNE, 2014 for AWAKEN

 

TBA 2014 for UNFORGIVEN

Tales From RWA

 

My first experience at the Romance Writers Association conference in Atlanta was amazing!

 

 

 

Me and Barb

 

I was overwhelmed by the positive energy and excitement throughout the entire event. The first day kicked off the “Readers for Life” Literacy Autographing event. 450 romance authors and thousands of fans spent the evening chatting and signing for charity. In one night we raised $52,309 for literacy organizations! The 2013 beneficiaries are: ProLiteracy Worldwide, Literary Action Inc. and Literary Volunteers of Atlanta.

 

Conference highlights for me: meeting my fabulous editor Sue Grimshaw and part of the Random House team; Gina Wachtel, VP Associate Publisher Mass Market and Editorial Director, Digital; and Kim Cowser, Marketing Manager. I am so blessed to be in their very capable hands!!

Throughout the week, I met some wonderful writers and enjoyed two very special speakers. The Keynote Luncheon featured author Cathy Maxwell who gave an inspirational talk about overcoming fears and doubts as a writer. All writers have been there, and it’s so encouraging to hear personal stories from successful writers, their struggles and determination to keep reaching for their dreams. I’ve been writing for a long time myself and certainly recognize the innate and unrelenting drive it takes to break into the business. There is a lot to overcome; fear and doubt are just a few. Later in the conference, Cathy was kind enough to write a personal note to my friend Barbara, an aspiring writer who was so touched by Cathy’s speech. Thanks again Cathy.

 

The Awards Luncheon offered up a unique and riveting speaker, author Kristan Higgins. Kristan entertained us with tales of her married life with her husband firefighter, McIrish. Kristan was incredibly inspirational, but also hysterical. As diverse as her books, she had us laughing at times and crying at others. Kristan read a letter from a fan who was so inspired by her novels that she gathered the courage to escape an abusive relationship. There was not a dry eye in the house. Kristan confirmed what we’ve all suspected; the connection between authors and readers can be very powerful.

 

 

I have my own ‘connection’ with an author I was thrilled to meet at the conference. Jude Deveraux! I grew up reading her books because my mother was a huge romance fan back in the eighties. Living in a quiet country town in Oklahoma, I spent countless hours lost in Jude’s exciting historical romances and still have a passion for those mysterious and sometimes exotic places.

All the workshops were awesome but I particularly loved Norah Roberts. She didn’t lecture but had a question-answer set up. Norah was riveting, hard boiled, no nonsense, often appropriately vulgar, and very funny. Most amazing thing she shared . . . she does not write outlines for her novels!! That’s impressive! Second most amazing thing . . . every time she mentioned Stephen King, the lights in the room flickered or dimmed. Freakin’ spooky!

 

Okay, now for my favorite workshop—the New Adult workshop—of course. And the room was packed! Certainly a good sign for NA authors and fans! Looks like things are heating up, and I’m so excited to be a part of it with the Soulkeepers Series at Random House!!

 

For more details about the NA workshop at RWA, check out my guest blog at www.romanceatrandom.com. 

RWA Conference        

Hey all, just a note to let you know that I’m headed to sultry Atlanta Georgia for the RWA (Romance Writers Association) Conference. Looking forward to some informative workshops and meeting some amazing writers. But mostly, I am excited to finally meet my editor, Sue Grimshaw!

 

I will update on all the fabulous goings-on next week.

 

Cheers!

 

Lori

Romance at Random

 

Introducing my introduction to the Romance at Random blog!!

 

On the 9th of each month, I’ll be chatting up the blog on Romance at Random. Today is my official debut! I’ll be discussing my debut series, Soulkeepers, and this wonderful new category New Adult that has everyone talking.

 

Stop here and check out all the amazing writers and new releases headed your way!

The Discussion Is Heating Up

 

It’s all the talk . . . what is this new category called New Adult and where can I find it in bookstores? 

 

It may not have it’s own shelf in bookstores–yet–but New Adult books are spreading like wildfire. Many publishers are finding the need to expand to include this hot new topic, which may have been around longer than most people realize. The phrase, New Adult, was coined by St. Martin’s Press but many believe it is an extenuation of a YA crossover with slightly older characters, that 20-something crowd. Random House is launching a new imprint, FLIRT, just to accommodate this booming market.

 

New Adult explores that tender age where teens leave behind the angst of high school and step firmly, or wobbly depending, across the threshold into adulthood. So what’s it mean? Proms and pimples are chucked aside and more challenging dilemmas spring to life: how to survive in college, where to live, what career to choose, who am I-really, and who do I want to be? Who do I date, should I date, how do I decorate my first apartment? How do I survive out here? How, exactly, does my generation define adulthood anyway? And what does it all mean to me?

 

Many New Adult titles like Losing It by Cora Carmack have found a home under the romance sub-genre but a wide range of titles will expand to include paranormal, historical, mystery, thriller etc. They are all coming and in a big way. Agents and editors are on the lookout!

 

If you are addicted to New Adult or just want to learn more, join the discussion at confessionsofawanderingheart.blogspot.com/ with Suzie Townsend, agent at New Leaf Literary.

 

 

I do love a good QUOTE so here is one for today:

 

“If people did not sometimes do silly things, nothing intellectual would ever get done”–Ludwig Wittenstein

 

And now an update on what’s been happening with my writing career.

 

My wonderful editor at Random House, Sue Grimshaw, has offered a three-book-deal instead of the standalone of Soulkeepers!! So to my wattpad followers who have been begging for the sequel, I can now say that it will be arriving–soon–like next year soon. Also, the launch date for Soulkeepers has been reworked, no longer Dec 31 2013. I will update this as I learn more definite dates for each book.

 

I have also finished my next series, Speakeasy! Finally! It was a lot of work because I wrote the first draft back in 2006-2007 and then put it away for a while. In the meantime, I honed my craft by writing a MG fantasy, sold my debut series, and discovered an amazing book to help with editing (I’ll get to that later). Speakeasy–a roaring twenties mystery/romance–has gone through four drafts and I think it is finally ready.

 

So now I am looking for a New Agent for Speakeasy! Yeah! It’s an exciting time and I am eager to begin.  First things first, I needed to craft an amazing query letter to capture the essence of Speakeasy. There are lots of blogs to help with queries and hopefully they did. I went through several drafts and have sent out a few select queries to some of my favorite agents. I will update any news as it comes in. Since my top choices are very successful agents, they are very busy; it could take a while.

 

 

 

 

The best thing about writing a Roaring Twenties novel set in Hollywood and Los Angeles is the research!! I’ve had so much fun delving into flappper fashion, dashing motorcars, stylish bobs, and spiffy swells with million dollar smiles.

 

I recently strolled around Los Angeles and tracked the moves of my characters: trooping through Bunker Hill, riding down Angels Flight, meandering through Grand Central Market, and snooping around Pershing Square where my husband and I accidentally walked onto a movie set and were chased off by a very agitated security guard. Oh well, that’s L.A.

 

And today we’re off again, this time traipsing through the Hollywood Museum, formerly the famous studio of Max Factor. I hope to see plenty of movie paraphernalia and get the lay of the land. I have a crucial scene set at that location so it should be an interesting trip. We’re also visiting the L.A.P.D. Museum to verify some uniform and information details. And no trip would be complete without gawking at Grauman’s Chinese Theater (yes I still call it Grauman’s even though it was purchased by TCL) Anyhoo, we’ll be there stepping into some mighty big concrete shoe prints.

 

I began writing Speakeasy, a romance/murder/mystery for young adults, back in 2007. I put it aside when my daughter became ill, wrote two more novels, and then decided to pick it up again. I’m now in my third or maybe fourth revision. Whew! It’s been a lot of work but hopefully worth it in the end. With the release of the new, re-imagined GATSBY hitting theaters, I hope the time-period will be something readers (not to mention editors) will be eager to find.

 

For my wattpad followers, I will post the first chapter of Speakeasy next week! Finally! As promised. For anyone not familiar with wattpad, I invite you to come over and poke around. There’s lots of trouble to be had 😉 Not as much as being chased off a movie set in Los Angeles but still . . .

 

 

 

 

April 21-27 was National Volunteer Week.

 

Volunteer Week is always an amazing opportunity to encourage family and friends to give of their time and skills, and to help individuals or whole communities. It’s a wonderful way to  join together, meet new people, and inspire creative ideas to accomplish our goals.

 

Over the years, my family has been fortunate enough to help others. At the close of this years’ Volunteer Week, I thought it would be fun to share a few of our ‘adventures in volunteering’.

 

PNOLA– The Phoenix of New Orleans

 

 

 

 

 

PNOLA is an outstanding non-profit organization dedicated to helping Katrina victims in the New Orleans area. They partner with Americorp, The New Orleans Saints, Gardener Realtors, Broad Community Connections, Louisianna Housing Finance Authority, and United Way.

 

My husband, Ed, and I joined our daughter, Sierra, and some pretty cool volunteers from Rancho Santa Margarita Catholic High School to spend Christmas break working on damaged homes in New Orleans. Our dynamic duo leaders were Margaret Dzida and Margie Diorio from the SMCHS Campus Ministry Office.

We stayed in a fabulous old Victorian home in the Garden district and met up every morning at our designated work house.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My crew and I were lucky enough to work with site manager, Kathy Randall.

 

 

 

 

 

Kathy was in charge of rebuilding the home of Betty Longo on Baudin Street. By the time my crew arrived in New Orleans, Betty was the last resident still living in a FEMA trailer. Needless to say, she was eager to have her home restored. Once filled with three feet of water, Betty’s house was painstakingly rebuilt by PNOLA and volunteers like the girls from SMCHS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The girls worked hard every day, some learning new skills and discovering talents they didn’t know they had. Not to mention some funky dance moves. Yes, music was alway blaring on Baudin Street! (like Bourbon Street but without the booze).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was very proud of these girls; they worked methodically, demanded perfection, and always remembered that they were in someone else’s home–all the while having a great time! Check out the lovely art work below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The crew and house on Baudin Street.

 

Ed and Sierra were hard at work with another crew.

Their project was to rebuild an abandon home for another

family.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course, it was not all work and no play.

As exhausted as we were at the end of the day,

we couldn’t help but traipse around town and enjoy some of New Orleans favorite ‘haunts’.

 

 

 

 

We went on a Vampire and Ghost tour through the French Quarter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Took a ride on a trolly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trooped through an above ground cemetery . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

and danced Zydeco at the Famous Rock N’ Bowl

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The SMCHS CREW OF 2011

 

 

 

 

MORE ADVENTURES IN VOLUNTEERING

 

 

Habitat For Humanity is another wonderful organization that has helped

countless Americans turn houses into homes.

Last year, we were privileged to be a part of their efforts in Hollywood.

My daughter, Danielle, worked alongside my husband and a crew on the Sony Pictures lot. Their job was

to frame up walls that would be delivered to the work house sight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I encourage everyone to volunteer! It’s an awesome way to have fun while doing good, wether you

rebuild a home, deliver food to the elderly, clean roadsides and beaches, read to cancer patients, or collect

much needed goods for the underprivileged. People really do make a difference! No matter your

situation or cause, remember to Rise Up, Rebuild, and Repeat!!