LaConnie Taylor-Jones

In the spring of 2003, I accepted a dare from my late husband to write a romance novel. I soon discovered the challenge was easier said than done. Before then, I knew the romance industry from a reader’s perspective. If I was to be successful at this venture, I needed to understand the industry from a writer’s perspective and research was the only way to do it. For the next three months, I probed every source I could and the acronym RWA popped up over and over and over.

Curious to know more, I dug a little deeper and discovered that an impressive African-American influence had been woven into the fiber of RWA from the beginning. Since 1981, this association has advanced the professional interests of career-focused romance writers through networking and advocacy. However, the existence of an organization with over 10,000 members today would not have been possible without the vision and of its Founder, Vivian Stephens.

As the editor for Harlequin, Dell (Candlelight Romances) and Bantam, Ms. Stephens launched the careers of authors such as Sandra Brown and Jayne Ann Krentz, but didn’t stop there. Recognizing the importance of getting African-American romance published, Ms. Stephens established Women Writers of Color with the goal of assisting African-Americans who wrote commercial fiction with people of color as the major characters and guiding them to ultimate publication.

Multi-published author, Shirley Hailstock walked through the doors opened twenty-years earlier as the first African-American board member for RWA. In 2002 she became the first African-American president of the largest genre writer’s organization in the world.

The year 2010 ushered in another milestone for RWA. My author colleague and friend, Michelle Monkou was elected President. My only regret is that I wasn’t able to attend the convention in Orlando when Michelle assumed the reins. Congratulations, Michelle!

Thank you is such a simplistic phrase, but it’s the only one I can find to express my heartfelt gratitude for the courage, wisdom and leadership these three pioneers have given to the largest consumer market that’s 1.37 billion dollars strong.

Until next time – stay well and be blessed!

SO, WHEN WILL YOU WRITE SO-IN-SO’S STORY?

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What the heck is Dear Author Friday? Thanks for asking. Shortly after I became published, fans would shoot me an e-mail with a particular question and I’d respond back. A few weeks ago, I realized how many questions and answers had accumulated over the past three years and decided it might be fun to share them. So beginning today, l’ll post some of those questions and answers every other Friday.

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Now that you’re in a wonderfully, blissful relationship with that special person, sit back and remember. Can you remember your first intimate connection—the first kiss?

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Long before I became a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc., I was an avid romance reader. I would curl up with a romance novel and immerse myself in the relationship between the hero and heroine. The love between Laney Houston and Raphael Baptiste, characters in my latest release, If I Were Your Woman, reminds me much of Edna Brown Coleman and Frank Coleman, the creators of ‘Coleman Love’.

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All right readers and friends, join me over at Shades Of Romance Mag where LaShaunda and friends there join me in the celebration of my new release, IF I WERE YOUR WOMAN.

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From Monday, March 15th through Friday, March 19th — visit -Red Rose Publishing to purchase a copy of IF I WERE YOUR WOMAN.

Then stop by my promotional page to enter in your details, your Red Rose receipt/transaction number, and promotional code – WEEKEND – to enter a drawing for a visit to the San Francisco Bay Area.

Your purchase and download guarantees you an entry in a drawing for a FREE weekend visit (hotel and airline) as my guest on March 27th at the Colors of Coffee Book Club discussion of IF I WERE YOUR WOMAN. The more purchases you make, the more chances you have to win!

Winners will be announced on Saturday, March 20, 2010 right here at my blog.

My relationship with Anna began three years ago when she ordered a copy of my debut novel, When I’m With You. Since then, we’ve kept in touch. She’s been a faithful cheerleader throughout my writing career. Let me publically say thank you Anna for your love and support!!

Here is what Anna shared with me about reading romance . . . .

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All right readers and friends, get “Fresh With Me” today and head on over to FreshFiction.com to see:

I’m a “Fresh New Author” to Watch

I’ve released a “Fresh Book” for March

FreshFiction.com provides book lovers easy, accessible, and informative data on current authors and their books. They specialize in genre fiction: romance, mystery, suspense, thrillers, horror, science fiction, fantasy, contemporary, graphic and action novels. The entire site consists of author pages, book pages, reviews, columns, blog, book reviews, news, and contests.

So join the celebration of IF I WERE YOUR WOMAN at FreshFiction.com today!

If there’s ever a person I can claim as a staunch fan, it’s Marie. For twelve long months, she faithfully contacted me to inquire about the status of If I Were Your Woman. Marie let me publically thank you for your love and support. Smooches!!

Here is what Marie Simmons, aka Romance Fan in Baton Rouge, shared with me about reading romance . . . .

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