RWA! And the Winners are....

So many exciting things to report!

Each year PASIC (Published Author Special Interest Chapter) recognizes one editor with an award. This year there were 23 nominations, 8 of which were Harlequin or Silhouette editors:
Birgit Davis-Todd; Susan Litman; Kathryn Lye; Johanna Raisanen; Kathleen Schiebling; Tessa Shapcott; Patience Smith; Natashya Wilson

PASIC Editor of the Year Award Winner:
Patience Smith, Senior Editor, Silhouette Intimate Moments.

Not an RWA award, but a recent major honor I wanted to share was Vanessa Del Fabro receiving the prestigious Christy Award (2006 Contemporary Category) for her Steeple Hill title The Road To Home. She's working on the third book in the series, A Family in Full, with Sandpiper Drift the sequel.

2006 National Reader's Choice Award: Best Regency Romance: The Mysterious Miss M by Diane Gaston, editor Linda Fildew, Harlequin Historical

Greater Detroit 2006 RWA Booksellers Best Award: The Italian's Rightful Bride by Lucy Gordon, Harlequin Romance

Daphne Du Maurier Awards: The RWA Mystery/Suspense Chapter recognizes the best mystery/suspense books of the year:

- Best Single Title: Sex and The Serial Killer by Jennifer Skully, Editor: Ann Leslie Tuttle

- Best Inspirational: Love the Sinner by Lynn Bulock, Steeple Hill, Editor: Diane Dietz

- Best Series Book: Camouflage Heart by Dana Marton, Harlequin Intrigue Editor: Allison Lyons

Borders Books honored Debbie Macomber’s 50 Harbor Street in their Borders Bestselling Contemporary category, Editor: Paula Eykelhof

RITA Winners that I can toot about—and I'm counting primary, secondary and tertiary connections within my scope of tootability.

For a complete list of RITA and Golden Heart winners go to the
Romance Writers of America official website.

BEST TRADITIONAL
Princess of Convenience by Marion Lennox, Harlequin Romance (Marion...send that nice photo you sent to the RWA to PR for your author page!), Editor: Sheila Hodgson

BEST SHORT CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
The Marriage Miracle by Liz Fielding, Harlequin Romance (Mills & Boon Tender), Editor: Emma Dunford

BEST LONG CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Worth Every Risk by Dianna Love Snell, Silhouette Intimate Moments, Editor: Allison Lyons

BEST FIRST BOOK
Show Her the Money by Stephanie Feagan, Silhouette Bombshell, Editor: Natashya Wilson

BEST REGENCY
A Reputable Rake by Diane Gaston, Harlequin Mills & Boon Historical, Editor: Linda Fildew

BEST NOVEL WITH STRONG ROMANTIC ELEMENTS
Lady Luck's Map of Vegas by Barbara Samuel (aka Ruth Wind at Harlequin) Ballantine Books, Editor: Linda Marrow

BEST ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
Survivor in Death by J.D. Robb(aka Nora Roberts at Harlequin...and elsewhere!), Penguin Putnam, Editor: Lesie Gelbman

BEST CONTEMPORARY SINGLE TITLE ROMANCE
Lakeside Cottage by Susan Wiggs, MIRA Books, Editors: Dianne Moggy & Margaret Marbury

Golden Heart Inspirational Romance Manuscript
WHEN ANGELS FALL by Lora Bale, acquired by Melissa Endlich for the Love Inspired line

Well, I can't think of any way to establish even a tertiary link with this year's lifetime achievement award winner, except that I'm a big fan, but I can say the skit that Gayle Wilson and Nora did prior to the award had the room ROTFL.

2006 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD to Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Congratulations Susan!

Congratulations ALL Rita and Golden Heart winners (not just the ones I can toot about!)

Congratulations to all the Finalists, who made the experience so exciting with their wonderful stories

Congratulations to everyone who had the courage to enter and compete!

Congratulations to all of you who finished their manuscripts and proposals.

As we all heard throughout the RWA, it is a watershed event for so many of us, a life-changing, mind-altering challenge and opportunity.

It is the journey, not the destination that counts, and that journey starts with a step, and is made up of a thousand steps—from completing a query, to a attending a conference, to finding a critique partner, to making a first pitch, to finishing a manuscript to winning a prize, to selling—and the years that can pass between those achievements.

I am always touched, humbled and motivated to hear of the vision, humor, grace, pragmatism, flexibility and all around stubborn determination and force of will this group has, individually and collectively.

It is a yearly inspiration.