Seekerville Blog Posts Photos of RWA Conference & The RITA Winner Is....

Seekerville: RWA NATIONALS UPDATE

And the winner of the RITA in the inspirational category is

TAMERA ALEXANDER'S
THE INHERITANCE!!!

Many warm congratulations, Tamera!

Jan Cline-- jancline (at) ymail (dot) com is the winner of an autographed copy of Tamera's RITA award-winning book.

Thanks to all of you who read about the RITA and commented. The next big award on the calendar is The Carol.

Have you heard of that one?

2010 RITA Nominee-Author Irene Hannon

Lyn:What does it mean to you to have a book nominated for a RITA?

Author Irene Hannon: It means I’m absolutely thrilled! Even though I’ve won the RITA once and this is my fourth nomination, the thrill never diminishes. For a romance writer, there is no higher honor than a RITA. It’s the Oscar of this genre. So in a very real sense, it’s a validation that all of the hard work of mastering the craft, the longs hours at the computer, and the painful rejections along the way to publication have been worth it.

What makes the RITA especially valuable to me is the judging process. Only published authors judge—five in the first round, five in the second. In other words, a finalist book goes through two complete judging process and is read by 10 published novelists. So the credibility of the contest is very high. For that reason, to me being a RITA finalist is as good as a win in almost any other contest.

I also feel honored to be in the company of so many wonderful authors. The competition is always stiff for this coveted award, but I can honestly say that in the years I’ve been a finalist, I’ve never had an issue with a book that won over mine. In one case in particular, if I’d been a judge I would have picked the book that won! So no matter who wins this year, I still feel like a winner just to be included in such an amazing group of authors.

www.irenehannon.com

Irene's book is An Eye for An Eye, out by Revell. Drop by a past blog using this link to read about this book.

http://strongwomenbravestories.blogspot.com/2009/09/author-irene-hannon-her-unmarried.html

2010 RITA Nominee-Author Julie Klassen

Lyn: What does it mean to you to be a finalist for a RITA award?

Julie Klassen: "I have never been a RITA finalist before, so when I learned my book, The Silent Governess, was among this year’s finalists, I was thrilled. I have been involved in publishing for fifteen years—long enough to know that the RITA awards are well regarded within the industry. Being a finalist is a true honor. For me, being a finalist means I can justify going to my first Romance Writers of America National Conference. I am very much looking forward to attending. I will have the opportunity to meet and spend time with other authors who write books set in Regency England, learn more about the clothes, servants, history, and etiquette of the time period. Better yet, I will attend my first ball and learn some 19th-century dances. I have a Regency dress and everything!

I am also looking forward to attending the RITA and Golden Heart awards ceremony during the conference. Whether The Silent Governess takes home the coveted RITA statuette or not, I am looking forward to a night to celebrate romance with my other sister-authors."

To find out more about Julie Klassen and her books, drop by
http://www.julieklassen.com/
http://noveljourney.blogspot.com/2008/01/julie-klassen-author-interview.html

2010 RITA Nominee-Author Tamera Alexander

Today's guest nominee Author Tamera Alexander has offered a free copy of her nominated book, The Inheritance. The giveaway will continue for the rest of the week through Saturday. If you'd like a chance to win it, please leave a comment with your email address written with the (at) and (dot) so the spammers don't harvest yours! Now for Tamera's reply to
Lyn: What does being a RITA finalist mean to you?

Tamera: "I'm honored to be a RITA finalist this year for The Inheritance (Thomas Nelson, Women of Faith Fiction), and to be counted among the other writers listed in your post below, Lyn. I've read almost every book in our category and these ladies are exceptionally talented! They push me to try harder and to give my very best, while they also teach me a ton.

Being a finalist in the RITAs is exciting, and the award ceremony at the conference is something special too. Romance Writers of America really goes all out to make the evening a memorable experience. Getting dressed up, sitting with your fellow nominees, cheering each other on, having that girl time with other writers you respect and admire...well, it's a kick, to say the least, and a real blessing. One that, unfortunately (sad face), I won't be able to take part in this year, but I'll be cheering everyone on from Nashville." Tamera Alexander

For more about Tamera and her books, drop by
www.tameraalexander.com
www.tameraalexander.blogspot.com
www.writespassage.blogspot.com

2010 RITA Nominee-Author Judy Duarte

Ever since attending my first RWA national conference in 1997 and watching the awesome award ceremony in Orlando, I've dreamed of being a Rita finalist. A year later, I had an opportunity to touch a Rita statuette. As I did so, I wondered what it would be like to win one of my own.

Last year, the book of my heart, MULBERRY PARK, was a Rita Finalist, and I walked several inches above ground for months. I couldn't help wondering if it was a fluke, though. Had I somehow lucked out when I'd gotten the nod?

When the winner's name was called in Washington D.C., I wasn't the least bit disappointed that it wasn't mine. Well, maybe just a wee bit. But from the end of March until the last Saturday night in July, I felt honored beyond belief.

This year, when I got the call that ENTERTAINING ANGELS also finaled in the Rita, I was thrilled. And I began to realize that it might not be a fluke. That maybe I really could create stories that touched both readers and my peers.

Being a Rita finalist is one of the best things that ever happened to me as a writer. And I have no doubt that, no matter who gets to take the statuette home on July 31, I'll still feel like a winner. Judy Duarte
http://www.judyduarte.com/

2010 RITA Nominee -Author DiAnn Mills

Lyn:What does it mean to you to be a RITA finalist?

DiAnn Mills: Years ago, I met Rita Gallagher and her daughter Rita Clay Estrada. (These two women a mother and daughter were some of the founders of Romance Writers of America.) In fact Rita Gallagher gave me my first writing lessons--tools for the craft that I have never forgotten. It was years later before I put these tools into practice, but the writing basics came from the Rita's. I never forgot the structure and the means of deepening characterization.

To be nominated for a Rita award is a way to thank these dynamic women for their contributions to the writing and publishing industry. They expressed and taught excellence, and I believe that is a motto for all writers and those who teach writing. We writers are all students. The learning never ceases for then we fail. What we write today is not the quality we will write tomorrow. Not every writer is able to accept this challenge, but those who do will see their writing and publishing goals attained and reach for greater heights.

This is what being nominated for a Rita means to me. And I am proud to be on the list of other dynamic writers who aspire and encourage others to write well and pursue excellence.

www.diannmills.com

BREACH OF TRUST – Tyndale House Publishers – March 2009 A WOMAN CALLED SAGE – Zondervan – March 2010 SWORN TO PROTECT – Tyndale House Publishers – April 2010

PURSUIT OF JUSTICE – Tyndale House Publishers – October 2010

2010 CHRISTY AWARD WINNER

2010 RITA Nominee-Author Kathleen Y'Barbo

Lyn: What does being a RITA nominee mean to you?

Kathleen Y'Barbo: Having a book nominated for a RITA is beyond my wildest dreams! I was thrilled when my editor Shannon Marchese told me Waterbrook would entering THE CONFIDENTIAL LIFE OF EUGENIA COOPER in the contest. So when I got the call, I was shocked....stunned! I was packing for a trip to London and Paris that my kids had given me for Christmas when the call came in. God is just so very, very good. That He allows me to write these books is a blessing beyond measure. Being mentioned in the same category with these other ladies...priceless!!

Kathleen Y'Barbo
www.kathleenybarbo.com
http://twitter.com/KathleenYBarbo

IN STORES NOW:
The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper -recipient of 4.5 Stars from Romantic Times Magazine!-2010 RITA FINALIST!
Anna Finch and the Hired Gun - June 2010-recipient of 4 Stars from Romantic Times Magazine!
I Know I'm Not Alone, Lord! - Surviving Divorce - June 2010
Beloved Counterfeit - -recipient of 4 Stars from Romantic Times Magazine!
Cajun Hearts - August 2009
The House is Quiet - Now What? Surviving the Empty Nest- November 2009
Riverwalk Christmas - Coming in September 2010