Category: Writing Life
Back from RT!
I’m just back from the RT BOOK Lovers Convention in Columbus, OH, exhausted but still beaming with conference goodness. Personal highlights include Heather Graham’s Vampire Ball where costume peeps from Victorian widows to dagger-stabbed ghouls strutted their stuff; the Saturday afternoon book fair where I got to meet fabulous readers as well as literally hundreds of other authors; and of course our Special Lady Jane’s Salon Event with guest authors Sabrina Jeffries, Linnea Sinclair and Delilah Marvelle. Bonus: an impromptu shout-out for donations for local no-kill cat rescue group, Purr Babies, brought in more than $150 for this labor of love and all-around good cause.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the romance community rocks!
Thanks to our guest author, Delilah Marvelle, who got the giving rolling by donating ten copies of her fabulous release, Lord of Pleasure to the first ten givers. Ditto to the RT staff, especially web wizard, Morgan Doremus, for scaring up not one but two more bags of books so that every attendee who donated to Purr Babies could receive a book as our thank you. Also, thanks to former Lady Jane guest author, Louisa Edwards, for the donation of the lovely take away champagne flutes in celebration of her latest release, On The Steamy Side.
Special sloppy cyber hugs and yes, kisses go out to conference coordinator, Jo Carol Jones, who personally supervised the putting out of shimmery red table clothes, the lighting of candles, and yes the pouring of champagne, all of which transformed the Hyatt’s Peppercorn Lounge from hotel event room to a very Lady Jane-like boudoir.
I could go on (and on) but I’ll stop there with a reminder that the goodness didn’t end with my plane trip home to Big Apple Landia. Tonight, Monday, May 3rd is our regular monthly Lady Jane’s Salon here in Manhattan at Madame X, 7-9 PM. As always, admission is $5 or one gently used paperback romance novel to be donated to New York City groups serving women in need. We have the usual great lineup of guest authors: YA urban fantasy author, Jeri Smith-Ready (Shade); Christina Britton Conroy (One Man’s Music); and Lady Jane Salon Co-Founder, Victorian paranormal author, Leanna Renee Hieber (The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker, Book #2 in “The Strangely Beautiful†Series).
Giving back–it’s a good thing!
Hope
May Lady Jane’s Salon: Two Salons, Double the Fun!
We at Lady Jane’s are taking our show, or rather our Salon, on the road to The Romantic Times BOOK Lovers Convention held this year in Columbus, OH. The Special Lady Jane’s Salon at RT will take place at the convention hotel, the Hyatt Regency Columbus, on Saturday, May 1st, 7-9 PM directly following the Mr. Romance Pageant. Guest authors will be Sabrina Jeffries, Linnea Sincair, and Delilah Marvelle. Squee!
Admittedly, capturing the Lady Jane’s boudoir vibe within the four white walls of a hotel meeting room presents something of a challenge, but with the help of RT’s wonderful Jo Carol and Company, we’re feeling more than up to meeting it. Think red scarves, candles, comfy seating and yes, champagne!
For those not going to Columbus, don’t despair. We’re still holding our regular monthly Lady Jane’s Salon here in Manhattan on Monday, May 3rd at Madame X, 7-9 PM. As always, admission is $5 or one gently used paperback romance novel to be donated to New York City groups serving women in need. And yes, we have another great lineup of guest authors: YA urban fantasy author, Jeri Smith-Ready (Shade); Christina Britton Conroy (One Man’s Music); and Lady Jane Salon Co-Founder, Victorian paranormal author, Leanna Renee Hieber (The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker, Book #2 in “The Strangely Beautiful” Series).
Behind the Scenes with…Biz Urban
Last August, I had the pleasure of spending the day posing for new publicity photos with photographer, Biz Urban. Whether shooting outside in the sticky August heat or in the air-conditioned indoors, Biz was creative, professional and unflappable. I was so impressed, both with Biz and the final result–gorgeous publicity photos that still look like me–that I ran a trio of blog posts (“The Nekkid Truth”) detailing my transformation from author girl to glammed up goddess…or something like that.
Recently I caught up with Biz, who kindly consented to answer my interview questions.
In publishing we say, “the writing is in the rewriting.†Similarly, the â€art†of photo editing/refinishing seems every bit as essential to a great final product as capturing that winning shot. Without giving up any “trade secrets,” how do you go about steering clear of overly plasticized perfection while conveying a polished yet natural look?
I pride myself in getting photos that still look exactly like the person that walked into the room. As an actor, myself, I understand how important it is to have a photo that is a true representation of yourself. The client wants to know that the picture they see if the person they are going to meet. So when I approach photo retouching (which I totally agree, Hope, is 99.9% vital to making a good picture great) I stick with the bare minimum. Do I see hair out of place? Is there some laugh lines that can be softened? Not, wow, that dude’s nose could stand to be a little smaller. The retouch should only enhance what already makes you you. When you see someone in person, you don’t notice the lines at their mouth, or a hair that is stuck to the side of their face, those things become much clearer on a still photograph. So I remove only what is standing in the way of making the best you come through.
One of the things that struck me during our photo shoot–and folks, we shot for like five hours both indoors and outdoors in the August heat–is how patient, dare I say unflappable you are. And as I’ve confessed several times now, I am most definitely a blinker. For every keeper shot we got, we easily tossed out 3 or 4 bloopers. Without naming names, of course, would you be willing to share one of your more difficult client moments?
Thanks Hope, but when it’s what I love to do and I get to work with one of my favorite creative people, that day was easy and so much fun!! I do have a story that to this day I still cringe… When I was just starting out as a photographer, I met up with a client, a young woman, who had been a referral. We had never met before. She arrived and was blinking in one eye, apologized and explained that while curling her eyelashes with a eyelash curler, she accidently pulled out most of the eyelashes on her left eye. Needless to say I told her we should reschedule. But she insisted, she was FINE. Oh lord, she wasn’t. It was a long 1 hour. And a few weeks later, she called me up and said that her friends said she looked funny. Ummmm… yep. I learned my lesson. If I feel like there is a dynamic that is going to throw the shoot off, I insist on a reschedule. I want you to look and more importantly, feel your best.
What makes a successful shoot for you?
The most important part of any shoot for me is someone who is up to have a good time. I like to make my clients feel comfortable and I want the shoot to be as painless as possible. If you are open and know that I’m there to help you and not murder you with my camera, we’ll be okay. I adore shooting outdoors, which, when I shoot in NYC as opposed to LA can be tricky. So a beautiful, slightly overcast day with some clouds in the sky, I’m a happy gal.
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In looking at my photos, both the original and retouched versions, I really felt like you “got” me, not just my image but my spirit. When photographing human subjects, be it for a publicity or family photo, what are your goals? What do you strive to convey?
My goal is to give you a shot that is a great representation of you. Sometimes your photo is the only thing people see and so it is so important to make sure it is you, in a way, telling the story of you. In your case, we were able to get so many great sides of you. As a writer, with your cats, in your neighborhood. Your spirit just radiated through. I love chatting with my clients, I find that the more I learn about them, they are more relacx
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Do you have any mantras? It sounds a tad woo-woo, I know, but sometimes writers have pat phrases we invoke when we need to work through writer’s block, a difficult scene or plot point etc.
Well, when I want to get someone a little loosened up, or if I’m feeling a little low energy… sometimes I’ll surprise us both with a little “F— yeah” (feel free not to print that but it helps). 🙂
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What should someone look for in a photographer, be it for a publicity photo or say, a family portrait or wedding? Can you share some tips as well as red flags?
When you’re looking for a photographer, it’s cliche but a picture can tell 1,000 words. In this case, literally. Go to their sites, see what they’ve been doing. Most photographers has a few specialties- if you see shots that you’d like, be if for your wedding, a birthday party or product shots, does the photographer have pics like what you need on their site? If their headshots are still in black and white, move on. If they only have 1 client and that client is posed with sexy clothes, that photographer might not be the person to shoot your childrens back-to-school shots!
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In addition to photography, you have a background in theater arts and have worked professionally as an actor in LA doing sketch comedy, improv as well as commercials. You just finished stage managing a play here in New York City, I hear. Tell us a bit about your “other” life.
Theater has always been a passion of mine and I was very lucky to work for 8 years in LA working as an actor, in addition to starting my photography business. I am looking forward to getting back to the improv world here in New York. If you want to see some of my acting work, you can check out my reel at www.youtube.com/bizurban08. Right before I left LA I shot a fun Dominos commercial that took place in Gotham City, a webisode series called Road to Altar starring Jaleel White (oh yes, Urkel) and a indie comedy The Burbank Playas Present: Manipede! It was fun! But I’m so happy to be in this incredible city and work with so many people through my photography… especially brilliant writers like Hope Tarr!!
Thanks so much for taking time out to chat on my blog, Biz, and best of luck with your exciting projects and ventures.
Thank you, Hope, it was my pleasure!!!
Back from the Empire State Book Festival
I’m back from Albany, NY and the first annual Empire State Book Festival. Sponsored by the New York Library Association, the festival brought together librarians, book lovers, and writers to celebrate our favorite things–books. The kickoff was the cocktail and dinner gala on Friday night where literary legends James Baldwin, Edna St. Vincent Millay, and Edith Wharton among others were inducted into the First Annual Writers Hall of Fame. Noshing on appetizers, I got to hear Baldwin’s niece recount poignant childhood memories of “Uncle Jimmy” as well as meet lots of lovely new-to-me writers, including fellow New Yorker, memoirist Alice Eve Cohen, author of What I Thought I Knew. (Note–a gorgeous book, darkly humorous and yes, wrenching).
Saturday’s day long program at the Empire State Convention Center was back-to-back busy.  In addition to attending the workshop events and browsing the exhibits, I sat on a panel, “Under the Covers: Modern Romance.” Dissecting the genre and the market with fellow panelists Lisa Dale, Kellyann Zuzulo, and Jackie Kessler was way cool and, bonus, our moderator was my buddy and Lady Jane Salon co-founder, Ron Hogan.
I wrapped the day with an author meet-and-greet where I signed copies of my “Men of Roxbury House” trilogy books and Twelve Nights. Then it was back to the hotel for a glass o’ vino and dinner before tucking into bed.
As for the “Second” annual Empire State Book Festival, count me in!
PW Daily Goodness…
Uber cool author chick, Sarah MacLean has been quite the woman about town of late. Last night she was one of four great guest authors at Lady Jane’s Salon where she read from her Regency-set romance, Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake. The week prior she launched the book at a sexy soiree in the Lower East Side’s best known “secret” bar, The Back Room. The photo of attending authors, including Yours Truly, made the April 5th Picture of the Day in PW Daily. Huzzah!
As per PW Daily: “Recently, at the Back Room in Manhattan, a group of authors got together to celebrate the launch of Sarah MacLean’s new romance, Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake (Avon). Pictured (l. to r.) are: Lisa Ann Sandell, Ray Sawhill, Lauren Willig, Polly Frost, MacLean, Hope Tarr, and Leanna Renee Hieber.”
Happy Birthday, Lady Jane!
Lady Jane’s Salon, New York City’s first and so far only monthly romance reading series, turns one-year-old this February 1st and oh, my how our Girl has grown!
Helping us blow out the birthday candle are three fabulous guests: bestseller, Lauren Willig (The Betrayal of the Blood Lily), debut author, Sara Lindsey (Promise Me Tonight), and guest emcee, historical nonfiction author Leslie Carroll (Notorious Royal Marriages). Three very lovely ladies reading from three very different books, all of which will be available for purchase on Salon night. I’m just saying…
Now that we’ve come up on the one year mark, it seems a fitting time to both reflect on the past year and look forward to the new year ahead. When Maya, Leanna, Ron and I came up with the concept for Lady Jane’s, we anticipated having ten or so attendees each month. In a very short time, we found ourselves filling up the house to the point where many Salon nights are now standing room only. Feature articles in TIME OUT NEW YORK and THE NEW YORK POST swiftly followed along with tremendous support from the romance fiction community. RT BOOK Reviews, Barbara Vey at Publishers Weekly, Romance Novel TV, the chapter members of Romance Writers of America/NYC, and “Smart Bitch” Sarah Wendell are just a few of our wonderful friends who’ve given us both early and consistent loyalty and support. To them and all the individuals too numerous to name in a mere blog post, thank you!
A big sloppy birthday buss to Amy McCloskey, owner of our wonderful host venue, Madame X, and also to her manager, Karen and bartender, Alex. Without your support, the Salon couldn’t happen. It just couldn’t.
We started the series to provide a home for the books we love to both read and write. The four of us also felt strongly that in addition to the fun and frolic, it was important to broaden our mission to include a service component. Share the Love, Maya’s charitable organization co-founded with Ann Bleakley, has been the recipient of Salon proceeds for the past year, and we look forward to continuing our outreach to groups serving women in need in 2010.
As a Co-Founder, the time and energy I’ve expended have been returned to me tenfold–in the friendships both old and new, the collegiality with publishing professionals representing all aspects of the industry, and the opportunity to build, sustain and now grow something needed and yes, beautiful with three other amazing and creative individuals. Leanna, Maya and Ron, I heart you.
It’s both heartening and humbling to hear how the love we feel for our Brain Child/Baby is reciprocated by the romance community. Salon regular and February guest, Lauren Willig will teach a class on romance fiction this spring at Yale–yes, Y-A-L-E–along with fellow bestseller and Salon regular, Andrea Pickens also W/A Cara Elliott. A recent New Hampshire Register article covering the upcoming class had this to say:
Part of the impetus for the course also came from Willig’s membership in Lady Jane’s Salon, a Manhattan group of writers and readers which meets monthly for readings “and to hang out and drink. It’s become in a very short time an institution and a way for various people from various parts of the industry to share their love of romance novels,” says Willig.
Thank you, Lauren, and thanks to all of you whose unswerving commitment and enthusiasm, loyalty and yes, love have made Lady Jane’s Salon a rousing success.
Hope
Happy Birthday, Lady Jane
Monday, February 1st, 7-9 PM
Madame X (94 W Houston St)
Admission: $5 or one ppb romance novel
Lady Jane’s Winter Holiday Open House
Happy holidays and happy birthday, Harlequin!
The December 7th Lady Jane’s Salon heralds the winter holiday season and celebrates the final month of Harlequin Enterprises 60th anniversary year with a very special salon event.
I’ll be reading from Twelve Nights, my Christmas Scottish Medieval for Harlequin Blaze as well as my twelfth published book. Twelve Nights is the sequel to Bound to Please, the novel that launched the super popular Historical Blaze Miniseries. To win a signed copy of Bound to Please, check out my current Contest.
Joining me will be romance fiction reviewer, bookseller, and author, Stacey Agdern reading from her Hanukkah novella, Rededication, and Senior Editor for Harlequin Blaze, Brenda Chin recapping highlights from Harlequin’s 60th Anniversary year.
The Salon meets on Monday, December 7th from 7-9 PM at Madame X (94 West Houston) in Manhattan’s Soho district. (Subsequent salon nights are the first Monday of each month). Admission is $5 or one gently used paperback romance novel to benefit Share-the-Love.
I hope to see you there.
Christmas Comes Early…
It’s not even Turkey Day yet, but early copies of Twelve Nights have already been sighted in selected bookstores. My…elves tell me Posman Books in Manhattan’s Grand Central Station (9 Grand Central Terminal, Vanderbilt & 42nd Streets) have five copies in stock and available for sale in the store’s Romance Section.
Even better, they’re signed and stickered!
I knew I loved Posman’s for a reason, and not just because my buddy, romance novel reviewer and author, Stacey Agdern works as a bookseller there. Definitely check out this great, romance-friendly bookstore, preferably in time to see the station’s winter holiday decorations.
Lady Jane’s Salon, Monday, November 2nd
November’s Lady Jane’s Salon promises to be full o’ treats. Our guest readers are New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Caridad Pineiro (“Sins of the Flesh”) and local author and Huffington Post contributor, Joanne Rendell (“Crossing Washington Square.”).
Special guest emcee will be blogger and author, Elizabeth Kerri Mahon. Elizabeth will be reading from her upcoming nonfiction book, “Scandalous Women,” based on her award-winning blog of like name.
Otherwise, details remain the same: 7-9 PM chez Madame X. Admission is $5 at the door or one gently-used paperback romance novel with proceeds to benefit Share-the-Love.