RITAs announced...

And THE BETTER PART OF DARKNESS finaled in two categories. Can't even begin to say how excited and astonished I am. Big thanks to the judges, volunteers, and RWA. Congratulations to all the finalists and my pals who finaled in both the RITA and GH. And to everyone who has sent me congratulations online and off -- you guys are amazing *sniff sniff*. Truly amazing. Thank you for all the support!

Here is the official list:

2010 RITA for Novel with Strong Romantic Elements Finalists

The Better Part of Darkness by Kelly Gay
Simon & Schuster, Pocket Books
Editor: Ed Schlesinger
ISBN: 978-1-439-10965-6

Scandal Sheet by Gemma Halliday
Dorchester Publishing
Editor Leah Hultenschmidt
ISBN: 978-0-505-52805-6

Red's Hot Honky Tonk Bar by Pamela Morsi
Harlequin Enterprises, MIRA Books
Editor: Valerie Gray
ISBN: 978-0-7783-2729-5

The Lost Recipe for Happiness by Barbara O'Neal
Bantam Dell Publishing Group, Discovery
Editor: Shauna Summers
ISBN: 978-0-553-38551-9

Silent on the Moor by Deanna Raybourn
Harlequin Enterprises, MIRA Books
Editor: Valerie Gray
ISBN: 978-0-7783-2614-4

The Accidental Bestseller by Wendy Wax
Penguin Group USA, Berkley
Editor: Wendy McCurdy
ISBN: 978-0-425-22767-1

The Virgin's Daughters: In the Court of Elizabeth I by Jeane Westin
Penguin Group, USA, NAL Trade
Editor: Ellen Edwards
ISBN: 978-0-451-22667-9

Lakeshore Christmas by Susan Wiggs
Harlequin Enterprises, MIRA Books
Editor: Margaret O'Neill Marbury
ISBN: 978-0-778-32689-2

2010 RITA for Best First Book Finalists

One Scream Away by Kate Brady
Grand Central Publishing, Forever
Editor: Celia Johnson
ISBN: 978-0-446-54152-7

He Calls Her Doc by Mary Brady
Harlequin Enterprises, Harlequin Superromance
Editor: Kathryn Lye
ISBN: 978-0-373-71561-9

The Gladiator by Carla Capshaw
Harlequin Enterprises, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Historical
Editor: Melissa Endlich
ISBN: 978-0-373-82824-1

Angel Vindicated by Viola Estrella
Ellora’s Cave, Cerridwen Press
Editor: Helen Woodall
ISBN: 978-1-419-92068-4

The Better Part of Darkness by Kelly Gay
Simon & Schuster, Pocket Books
Editor: Ed Schlesinger
ISBN: 978-1-439-10965-6

Stolen Fury by Elisabeth Naughton
Dorchester Publishing, Love Spell
Editor: Leah Hultenschmidt
ISBN: 978-0-505-52793-6

Nothing Like You by Lauren Strasnick
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Editor: Anica Rissi
ISBN: 978-1-416-98264-7

The Last Will of Moira Leahy by Therese Walsh
Random House Group, Shaye Areheart Books
Editor: Sarah Knight
ISBN: 978-0-230-746157-5

To see the full list, check out RWA's RITA and GH list.

Pretty...

My prints from Chris McGrath, aka cover artist god, came last week. Signed and numbered, too. Really excited about this because one of the things I always dreamed about doing when I became a pulished author was to have prints made of my covers, frame them, and hang them on my office (which does not exist yet) wall. No text, just the artwork. The beautiful, inspiring art.

The prints turned out beautifully and are so detailed and vibrant, and they look awesome matted and framed. Now I can glance up, and it's like an instant shot of inspiration to see Charlie, to see this artwork made specifically for my book, my stories. . . Looking at them makes me feel really proud of what I've accomplished so far, and I don't usually say that about myself, 'cus yanno, I'm my own worst critic.

Here they are, all framed up and ready for the wall. They look small in the pic, but are actually a nice size. The frame is 18" x 22". I think right now, I'll hang them in my bedroom or prop them against the wall... Once I get a dedicated office, though, these babies will have a permanent home.

Makes me want to jump right back into Charlie's world and start writing!

Regrets of the nerf sword purchase

I have been bad.

Mind out of the gutter, people. I don't mean that kind of bad. :-) Bad, neglectful Blogger. *sigh*

Finally getting over this sinus/allergy cold along with the rest of the family. Then Kid 1 (9 yrs) decides to take on Kid 2 (2 yrs) in a nerf sword fight. Kid 2 goes in swinging wildly (because, yanno, the sword is twice as long as he is). Kid 1 makes a flying leap onto the couch where she taunts Kid 2. Kid 2 advances and swings at Kid 1's ankles. Kid 1 jumps into the air to clear the swing - brilliant move -- but goes sailing off the couch and onto the floor where she sprains her foot and much screaming ensues.

Welcome to my week. + two migraines, Afrin withdrawl, doctor visits, Kid 1 BORED b/c it's track-out . . .

Did I mention that YA line edits are due Friday and Adult copy edits are due next Friday? Heh.

To sum up: Kelly's brain cannot come up with any posts of interest. So, I ask you, Dear Readers, what you'd like to read about on the blog, anything you'd like to know more about, see, discuss, etc., etc.. If so, please give me a shout... And if not, well, that's okay too. Though, it might be scarce around here and elsewhere online, but eventually (hopefully) my mind will start cranking out stuff like usual.

And now it's back to work!

My interview with Captain Jack...

This was so fun! I was interviewed by the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow over at C.J. Redwine's blog, The Last Word. And, holy cow, you guys have to check out the awesome cupcake made to resemble the Bleeding Soul flower in THE BETTER PART OF DARKNESS! I bow down to the greatness of the Redwines and their cupcake-making skillz. Big thanks to my fellow Pixie Chick (aka 2008 Golden Heart finalist extraordinaire) for having me!!

We're also giving away a signed copy of BPOD. Just sail on over to The Last Word and tell us about the most 'piratish' thing you've ever done.

See ya there, matey!

Pancake brain

That's what it feels like, like all this pressure in my head has flattened my brain. Fun. Believe this is a sinus cold. I'm very close to being addicted to my Afrin.

Anyway, been filling out tax forms for the whole foreign rights deal. See, behind all good deal-type news is the complicated business stuff that makes you go 'Huh? WTH does that mean?' a hundred times in a three page form. :-) But, think I have it all figured out now, so once I get off here and put this baby in the mail, I can return to my other task of the day:

Young Adult line edits. Due next week. But, it's progressing nicely. Mainly just fixing sentence structure, addressing my editor's queries, word echoes, and other grammar oopsies. Did 83 pages yesterday, which was way more than I expected to get done. Once I'm at the end, though, I have to go back and address some comments I made to myself...

And that's about it folks. Kelly out.

All quiet . . .

. . . here at the blog recently. Sorry for the silence. My mom came down to visit, which is always a great, great time. We shopped, went antiquing, spent time outside with the kids, and ate a lot of food.

Then, she left and the entire family became sick with what I think are sinus colds or viral colds. Who knows, but the Doc says it's nothing serious. We just have to tough it out. Joy. Toddler with a cold is so not fun. Older child thinks it's hysterical that she sounds like a frog and can blow snot bubbles.

Am I getting any work done? That would be a big ole NO. *sigh* Hoping (now that my mom is gone, and provided the young'n goes back to daycare soon), I can return to the Young Adult line edits for DARKNESS BECOMES HER. And the copyedits for DARKEST EDGE OF DAWN should be coming soon. So I need to start feeling better!!