Penny Jordan's Weblog

I don't know where to begin!
 
The Romantic Novelists Conference in Leicester was excellent.  There was a terrifice sense of purpose and unity at the conference, a really great feeling of all of us working together toward a common goal - and that goal was so aptly named RESPECT.
 
I came away feeling recharged and enthusiastic.
 
I then spent the following week working on my mainstream title for MIRA books, the plan being that Iwould have it ready to send to my editor before I left on Monday of this week to stay wth a writing friend.
 
However......The  Nantwich Bookshop launch of my second harpercollins book 'Connie's Courage' and the Writers Group I am hoping to set up in my home town of nantwich are planned for Friday 6th August.  My writing friends and colleages and others have been invited to both the launch and a small get together I am planning to hold at home the following day so that we can talk about how best we can promote the writers' group.  Needless to say organising this bit into my 'working' time.
 
Then there was the barbecue I attended last - Sunday and the unfortunate effect on my nervous system (not to mention my bank balance) of  me letting my car  run into the back of another parked vehicle whilst I was trying to park it pre party. 
 
Oh, and I almost forgot, I then managed to somehow hide the whole file on the computer and couldn't find it for over an hour!  Major trauma!   
 
So........I submitted the manuscript with the final 100 pages unchecked.
 
My stay with my friend was wonderful though.  Apart from the fact that she is a fabulous cook and I have returned home seven pounds heavier!
 
Sheba gave me her usual loving welcome, but I have returned to the depressing news, that Harlequin, - one of the two publishers for whom I write, are cutting back on and even closing down some of their lines.
 
I write for their 'Presents' line which is not affected by the planned changes, at the moment, but many of my friends will  be.  I am upset that one  friend in particular who had almost reached publication with her first book  will now have to start looking for another publisher.
We all know that this is the nature of the publishing world, but that does not stop it hurting like hell when it happens.
 
In this profession no matter how 'good' you are, luck is hugely important - or at least that is what I believe. 
 
I also returned home to find a postcard from an author I met at the Romantic Times Awards Ceremony in New York earlier this year.  This author was one of the first 'big' Mills & Boon authors - I was thrilled to meet her and I am hoping to meet up with her whilst she is over in the UK.
 
Must admit to feeling rather down and lonely this evening.  I do miss Steve so very much. When I went to the barbecue last week I was the only person on their own and I did feel self conscious and uncomfortable being there.   I try not to dwell on the fact that the reality is that I shall probably live the rest of my live as a single person - (I'm so damned fussy man-wise, and so bloody difficult to live with - I need a cross between Mr. Darcy, and a  Saint, ).