Sorry to be late with this. I got caught up in a marvelous manuscript and time just slipped away.

This is absolutely the best part of my job. I read a manuscript of a book that I just know you guys are going to love when we get it into print. The author asked if I had revisions to request and I said that I was somewhat hungover from the experience of reading her story and I would get back to her when I wasn’t quite so addled. Pure magic.

While reading, I wasn’t cold, I wasn’t tired, in fact, I wasn’t here. That’s some power, if you ask me.

There were two sections that brought tears to my eyes which is kinda embarrassing when you are on the bus.

You won’t get to see this for some time, it’s scheduled for mid 09. The book in question is a brand new historical romance by Mary Jo Putney and I am one lucky editor. It will be a Zebra not a Brava. When we get ARCs, I will make sure you guys get a chance at a couple of them.

I must go now and embrace my normal activities.

Fat chance.

For the second week, Shannon McKenna is on the extended New York Times trade paperback list, this time at #33! Delighted doesn’t even begin to describe the mood in Bravaland.

The New York Times Trade Paperback Expanded Bestseller List for the week of 2/17 includes one of our own – Shannon McKenna’s EXTREME DANGER is #35!

I have thanked both Shannon, who we called in Italy and woke up, and her editor, Hilary Sares, for gifting us with this Brava milestone. Oh happy day!

I can never remember what year it is. Never. I dated a check yesterday 12/18/09 and it looked right to me. For about 10 seconds. And then I thought, “No, it’s 08.” Brilliant.

My publishing schedule for 2008 is set and in the middle of January I present my January-April 09 trade and hardcover books and my January 09 mass markets at a sales meeting. Not that I own them all yet, but that’s another story. I have art descriptions for my January 09 books that have gone to the art department and materials for some of them that have gone to the copy department. In my world – it’s 09 time.

The lead time is necessary to get materials done in time to be included in the monthly sales kits that the reps use to solicit orders for our books. So we are already spending money on titles, some of which the authors have yet to start writing. And that lead time is yet another reason why if you are very late on delivering your work, there is not much I can do about it. If you can’t give me time to edit it, I can at least read it for libel. But that’s not much fun. Just saying.

So whatever year next year is, I hope it is the best yet for all of you. Brava has some phenomenal offerings – we continue to rely less on anthos and more on single titles. Our titles and covers, those that I have seen so far, get better and better. The content – sublime.

So many, many thanks to you who write and/or read our books.

Kate

It’s Turkey Time and blogging time. I will be able to check in with you all when I get back to the office. I am in Massachusetts with my mother, brother (who is home from Rome for his 35th high school reunion) and sister.

My brother was once a professional Pilgrim at Plymouth Plantation. Maybe as a huge surprise I will chuck a facsimile of the rock at his cranium and see if he gets the reference. Or not. My mother might object. She seems curiously fond of him.

My mom’s house is pretty old. The house was built in 1871 and has the most marvelous fireplace in the kitchen. It’s kinda perfect for what, I am sure we can all agree, is the best meal of the year.

I hope that you all realize how thankful I am for the Brava authors and all the entertainment and great storytelling they provide. At our most recent sales conference, just last week, I said beyond the books they write, our authors themselves are the best ambassadors for this imprint. So guys, have a great day and I will see you back here on Monday.

Kate

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.