Kate Duffy Icon

So I have a clear choice here. I can say lovely positive things or I can be me.

I pick… me. I think blogs are pretty interesting little vehicles of self expression. The posts I read from the Brava authors are fun and informative and upbeat. They share anecdotes, recommend books and authors, cheer each other on and the like. None of which you will get from me. I sit on the other side of the desk and most of the time I am in a fairly bad mood. Not a prime candidate for a blogger but you are stuck.

I am going to go to far fewer conferences next year. I can answer the most popular question out there without having to take my shoes off to get through airport security. And that question is, of course, “How long do I have to wait to hear back from you on my manuscript?”

Most of the time, I have a very good experience at conferences. I meet new and old friends, I see some of our authors and some agents I am cordial to, I hear great gossip and get terrific book recommendations (I love word of mouth). But then something not so nice frequently happens. And so I think in the interest of my blood pressure, I had better cut down.

This is not a rant about authors or anyone behaving badly. It’s more like a rationale for not doing my part. Like contests. I used to judge lots. Now, not so much. I saw the same material entered in many contests. I guess that’s the author’s way of saying, “I like it just the way it is.” Fine by me.

The Brava Novella Contest is the absolute exception to this. This contest has paid off so handsomely for Kensington, it is quite amazing. So I thank you most profusely, all you who entered. And to all you who are judging, I owe you. Big time.

I know you all juggle demands on your free time and that something’s got to give. So, for me, a little less travel is probably good for the romance cosmos.