June has been a pretty intense time for us over in Bettie Bootcamp - both personally and professionally (writing wise).

We ended our month with a quote that should be shared with the entire 109 Bootcamp. It is an Ethiopian proverb that says so much about the strength, the benefit and the value of support groups like ours. (If indeed one can put a value on what Bootcamp has done.)

"When spider webs unite they can tie up a lion."

With six months of the year behind us, the Betties wish all of Bootcamp 109 (and our followers) ROAR-ing success for the remainder of the year.

(image courtesy of www.insideafricanart.com)

More Bootcamper Success!

We received the news yesterday that THREE of our Bootcampers achieved brilliant results in the RWA's Valerie Parv Award for 2009.

Jennifer McLeod achieved a score of 95%, Fiona Gregory a score of 92%, and Anita Joy a score of 91% - all amazing results in a highly contested competition (from what I understand, the Award received an unprecedented number of entries).

On behalf of the other Bootcampers, I'd like to congratulate the girls and say I'm not surprised they did so well. You did us proud, ladies!

A Chance to Win!

Valerie Parv along with the help from some of Australia’s and New Zealand’s best romance authors have a new How-To-Book coming out in June 29th 2009. Hearts and Crafts takes you inside the world of these fantastic authors and explains how go about writing and editing as well as marketing their novels.

For a chance to win a copy of this great book, go to the delightful Elizabeth Roll’s website here:
http://www.elizabethrolls.com/Heart&Craft.html and follow the links to get the answers to ten easy questions.

Check out Elizabeth’s latest release while you’re there.





Sandie

Is this a good thing for aspiring writers?

Harper Collins say they are on a mission to flush out the brightest, freshest new writing talent around with their online community. http://www.authonomy.com/
This is the second such site I've come across (there may be more - I don't know). I'm not sure what to make of this. Is it a growing trend, is it good, bad or worse?

I read the FAQs and it seems the more people who read your story, the more chance you have of rising to what they call 'The Editor's Desk.'


Reminds me of a slush pile quote I saw today:

THE SLUSH PILE: Looking for a needle in a field of haystacks, and having to tell each stalk that it's not the needle you're looking for. (Source unknown.)

Anyway, thought you might be interested. Take a look. http://www.authonomy.com/

Our Very Own Bootcamp Conference Presenter....

There are less then 10 weeks to go until the highlight of the RWAustralia calender is here, the 2009 conference.

3 days, 240 Romance Writers - I can only imagine what it is going to be like. And I have to say I can't wait!

One brave Bootcamper put her hand up to present at the conference, Fiona Gregory (who masquerades as a pharmacist during the day).

Fiona is running the workshop Peddling Poisons & Dealing Drugs:

Explore the fascinating world of drugs and poisons with a practicing pharmacist. Learn about the history of drugs and experience real life examples of pharmaceutical misadventure suited to the pages of a novel. Discover the best resources.

Wishing you the best on the day Fi

Like cats on a hot tin roof

While Tennessee William's play - Cat on a Hot Tin Roof - examines the complicated rules of social conduct in southern (USA) culture in the 1950s, some of our Bootcamp Cats (along with other RWA members) are frantically examining the complicated rules of conduct for pitching to Harlequin.

In honour of all you cats (category writers) the rest of us are thinking of you and wishing you all the best. Now here is some rather pertinent Tennessee Williams dialogue. (If you don't know - Brick (the cat) and Maggie are central characters.)

Here you go:

Maggie says, "I'll win, alright."

Brick says, "Win what? What is the victory of a cat on a hot tin roof?"

Maggie says, "Just staying on it, I guess. As long as she can. "

Maggie then says, "And nothing's more determined than a cat on a hot tin roof. Is there? Is there, baby?"

You go Cats.