The deadline for getting in RITA® scores is March 9th. I’m happy to report that I’m done. Read all the books in my panel, submitted the scores on-line. Good for me.

RITA judges are instructed to “hold all judging and/or scoring data confidential” (from the Judging Guidelines), so I can’t talk about my panel of books in any way that might identify them. What I will say is that judging the RITA this year was a pleasure compared to last year. Last year was my first time judging, and I don’t know how or why it happened, but I wound up with 9 books to judge, 8 from the same category and one from a second category (judges select a minimum three categories that they’re willing to judge, and it can’t be a category in which you’re currently entered). This year I had 6 books, from three categories. I liked that much better! Judging 9 books within a short time frame last year was tough. Especially because most of the 8 books that were from the same category last year were also published under the same line/imprint, and, oddly enough, several were even set in the same city. It was an odd judging experience, to say the least. As a judge, I want some variety. I didn’t get that last year, and I had to keep reminding myself that the authors of the books in my panel had no idea that I’d wind up with several books all set in the same city and with fairly similar story lines. In other words, I had to work extra hard last year to ensure I was being fair to all the entrants.

I can’t remember which three categories I selected to judge last year, because I only received entries from two. This year, though, I dropped at least one of the categories from last year in favor of a different category. I might have done this with two categories, actually. And it paid off. I had a great time this year with my entries. I was introduced to authors I might not otherwise have bought, and I discovered a couple of authors I want to buy again (that’s what I love about the RITAs). I don’t know if I lucked out, but the vast majority of books in my panel were above par.

I don’t have a 2010 release as Penny, so next year I can ask to judge the category Penny usually enters (Romance Novella). I’m looking forward to that.

It’s odd, when I used to judge the Golden Heart, it didn’t bother me if I received entries from just one category. But you only have to judge three chapters and a synopsis in the Golden Heart. For the RITA, you have to read the entirety of each and every book in your panel. That’s a lot of words.

How is your RITA or Golden Heart reading going? Have you finished? Are you lagging behind? Are you judging another contest this year? I’m not. Maybe next year I’ll take on another contest or two. For now, though, I need to step back.

Agent Nephele Tempest of The Knight Agency is hosting the I’M IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE Submissions Festival on her blog until February 14th. Here are some deets:

In honor of Valentine’s Day, I am currently accepting pitches here on the blog for any novel that falls within one of the genres I am presently seeking (list below), as long as there is some sort of romantic relationship in the book. It does not have to be the focus of the book; this does not have to be a romance novel. But most novels have a little flirting or romance in them, even if it’s not the primary subject, so this is going to include plenty of projects.

Accepted genres: Literary fiction, contemporary/mainstream fiction, women’s fiction, historical fiction, romance (including contemporary, historical, paranormal, and romantic suspense), young adult fiction (no children’s or middle grade please), steampunk, and urban fantasy.

Your book needs to be completed and ready to be sent out. This means revised and edited and in a state that makes you proud.

Note, when Nephele says “here on this blog,” she means over THERE on HER blog—not on my blog! I’m just being cordial and passing along the information.

More information can be found on Nephele’s blog, including exactly what is required and how to pitch your project.

I received my RITA books to judge today, and I’m a happy camper. Last year was my first year to judge, and I was sent 9 books. This year I was only sent 6 books. That’s much more manageable. Last year, even though I signed up to judge 3 categories, I received 8 books from one category. Not an ideal situation. This year, I have books from 3 categories, and some are different categories than I judged last year, so I’m greatly looking forward to it. 

I’ll dig in this weekend. I’ve ordered my new computer, but it won’t be here for two weeks. I also ordered a netbook as a belated birthday present from My Liege. He wanted to take me to an electronics store and help me pick one out, but I already knew what I wanted and it was just so easy to buy the netbook while ordering the new tower. I got a better deal by ordering both from the same supplier, too.

Now M.L. has to go out and buy me a little something extra, because it’s just not right that I should buy a birthday present for myself. Aren’t I clever?  

I’m back to editing the requested full manuscript. Today I’m on Youngest Son’s laptop. Yesterday, I was on M.L.’s. Y.S. has Word 2007, so I’m experiencing a learning curve, that’s for sure.

My group blog, Nobody Writes It Better, is holding The Super Secret Santa Give-Away from now until Christmas Eve, with the winner announced on Christmas Day. Several authors are participating, with some of us donating copies of our books and some of us donating gifts. Each author will mail her book/gift to the winner independently, so every time you visit your mailbox, you might find another present therein. Sounds like fun, no? For my part, I’m donating a copy of BORROWING ALEX.

Visit The Super Secret Santa Give-Away for details on how to enter. (Note: comments to this post, while appreciated, do not enter you in the contest. Visit the blog and follow the directions there).

I’m releasing a big, long sigh……of relief!

Yesterday I received my books from Penny’s publisher for this year’s RITA contest (if you’re interested in knowing what I entered, just, um, scroll down). (I’m so mysterious). I think this is the latest I’ve received the books. I consider myself very lucky that Penny’s publisher supplies my RITA copies. The volumes release in mid-December, which makes it tough to meet the January 4th receipt deadline because I can’t GET copies in Canada until AFTER the deadline. So, thank you, Red Sage.

But I was worried I wouldn’t make the deadline. Now, thanks to Express Post (which cost a pretty penny, let me tell you), I believe I will. I’ve been biting my fingernails over the RITA books making it to the RWA office in time for weeks now, so I’m very content. But it was a frantic process. Basically, I went to the post office with my “pick up your parcel” notice in hand, grabbed a massive bubble-wrap envelope off the wall, paid, then went to the car, opened the box, transferred the RITA books from the box to the envelope, and returned to the P.O. to mail off the package. I barely had time to admire the books!

At any rate, mission accomplished. Author anxiety appeased. Of course I won’t be really appeased until I can track the package and know it made it. But I’m halfway there. For me, that’s a boon.

Thank you to everyone who entered my 2009 BOX ‘O BOOKS HOLIDAY GIVE-AWAY. Between entries in the comment trail, Facebook, and emailed entries, I had 28 names this year and numbered them as they reached me. Random draw announced #20 as the winner—Karen from the comment trail. Congratulations, Karen! You’ve won the box of contemporary romances plus a copy of my romantic comedy, HEAD OVER HEELS. Please look for an email from me in your in-box, and I’ll send the books off to you early next week.

If you didn’t win and would like to learn more about my books, please visit my website pages for HEAD OVER HEELS and BORROWING ALEX. E-Books are available from Amber Quill Press, and trade paperbacks and Kindle editions are available from Amazon. I also have a Buy from Author page for Canadians (Canadian Amazon doesn’t carry the books, but you may order from American Amazon or from myself) or if someone wants an autographed copy.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to one and all! If my TBR pile gets out of control again in 2010, I’ll hold another Box ‘O Books contest next December.

Yes, you heard it here – probably last. The Kindle is finally available in Canada. Well, we have to buy it from the U.S. Kindle store, but the point is, we can finally buy it. And, depending on where you live in the Great White North, we can use the wireless technology to download books, too.

I checked the service area for my town, and the wireless technology IS available. You know what this means, don’t you? Anyone who wants to buy me a Kindle and ship it to me for Christmas can now do so. Feel free!

In other news, only two days remain in my 2009 BOX ‘O BOOKS HOLIDAY GIVE-AWAY. For details on how to enter, click here.

Author Kylie Brant (who guest-blogged here not too long ago) is hosting a cool contest on her website this month. Here are the deets, peeps (in Kylie’s words, hence the quote block…)

For the November contest we’re doing something a bit different. Have you ever wanted to have an in-depth conversation with a multi-published author about your manuscript, plot idea, getting an agent, publishing houses, etc? MENTORING MANIA with Kylie Brant offers multiple chances to win an intensive mentoring opportunity of your choice—a thirty minute phone conversation or a 24 hour email exchange.

The contest runs from November 2–November 27. The grand prize winner will be announced on my website by Tuesday, December 1. You can be entered multiple times, according to the number of points you earn. Here’s how you earn points:

1 point for sending me a short paragraph on why you need a mentoring opportunity. What writing hurdle to you need help with?

1 point for subscribing to my newsletter.

1 point for mentioning the contest with url on any social network (Facebook, Twitter, MySpace etc. One point per site.)

1 point for becoming a Facebook fan of Kylie Brant

5 points for posting a paragraph about my current series, The Mindhunters and the contest in a blog post.

Visit Kylie’s website for more information.