Jun 10, 2010

Two R*BY Cats!! Party and Giveaway!


The LoveCats are thrilled that two of our pride have finalled in the prestigious Romance Writers of Australia’s R*BY Award (Romantic Book of the Year)! This Award is judged by readers, which makes it even more special.

And even better than that – between them they’ve finalled with *three* books!

Sharon Archer is up on the shortlist of Short Sweet Book of the Year twice, and one of them is her debut book. Marriage Reunited: Baby On The Way and Single Father: Wife And Mother Wanted are both finalists! Yay!

And Tracey O’Hara’s (the alter ego of Tracie Sommers) debut, Night’s Cold Kiss has finalled in the Romantic Elements category! Woohoo!

The Award was coordinated by the gorgeous Louise Reynolds, who did a stellar job – three cheers for Louise!

When I spoke to Sharon about her final, she said, “I re-read lovely Louise’s notification email about the R*BY so many times to check it was real that the words were in danger of being permanently etched into my computer screen! It’s an honour and the most incredible thrill to be one of this year’s finalists. And I think so much credit goes to others, my fabulous writing friends and critique partners and my husband, because without that support and encouragement and wisdom, it would have been so easy to give up at times.”

Tracey was excited too! She said, "In 2007 Night’s Cold Kiss was a finalist in the Emerald and I am so excited to have rounded this off with a R*BY nomination three years later. To me, writing has become everything I want to do for the rest of my life. It is not an easy job, and at times, it’s downright frustrating. But I don’t think I could ever not do it.

I’ve been watching Masterchef on TV recently and the parallels to writing are amazing. I see the Masterchef contestants tearing their hair out in a stress test – struggling to stay in the competition, knowing it is only going to get more difficult and they’ll have to work even harder to stay there. Some people might think it’s crazy, and in a way it is. I mean why would you put yourself through that much pressure? But I totally get it. That struggle to learn as much as possible, striving to be the best you can. Never giving up.

My favourite part of the show is the invention test where they really get to test their skills and creativity to come up with a dish they can be proud of and hope the judges will love too. I totally understand that swelling of pride when the judge, Gary says - I Looove it - . I totally get that euphoric, surreal feeling, that enormous sense of achievement that is written all over the contestant’s face. I know what that feels like. Being a R*BY finalist feels like that.

I also understand the absolute frustration when the final dish is not what the contestant imagined, when they can’t quite translate that dream dish onto the plate exactly how had it in their mind.

That is what writing is like. Hard work, frustration, rejection – it definitely isn’t for the faint hearted. But when it works, the sense of absolute fulfilment and pride is amazing. It’s the best job in the world.

Finally, I would like to say a very big thank you to Louise for the fantastic job she does coordinating this massive award. And I would especially love to say thanks to all the R*BY reader judges for giving up their time to read the books. It’s extremely generous of you to take the time to read and score these books. And thanks also to RWA for the support. Without all of you I would not be where I am today.”

To celebrate, we’re throwing a party in the comments section, and Sharon and Tracey are offering up a copy of their finalling books. To win, just leave a comment. And to make the party even more fun, let us know if you’ve ever won or finalled in something. The Grade 5 Spelling Bee? The Junior Tap Dancer’s Dance-off? We’d love to celebrate for you too!

59 comments:

  1. Hey, hey, HEEEEEEYYYYYYY! Me and the Fonz (for some reason he seems to have taken over my blogging persona today!) wish both Sharon and Tracey huge luck in the final placings and we both say a massive congratulations to you both! Sharon, I'm so excited for you with your two books. That's absolutely fantastic! I can't wait for the awards dinner in Sydney! Love Cats rule!

    ReplyDelete
  2. A huge MEGA congrats to Sharon and Tracey, what an honour, and what an achievement!! I can't wait to cheer you girls on at the awards dinner too! =)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Congrats to Sharon and Tracey - brilliant! You must be so thrilled to have the recognition for your hard work!!

    While we're celebrating i did win the 'most improved swimmer' (not best, just improved) for the under 10s at my surf lifesaving club more than twenty years ago and missed the awards persentation cos I thought I wouldn't win anything so we can celebrate that too? LOL.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anna, we don't have a golden rooster like the Romance Bandits do for the first post, perhaps you'd like some of our Catnip Punch?

    I'm totally with you about not being able to wait for the Awards night in Sydney!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Mel - isn't it cool? Especially since both of them have finalled with a DEBUT book!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Becca, yay for your most improved swimmer in the under 10s at the surf lifesaving club! That definitely deserves some special Kitty Nibbles [rachel passes the plate around].

    ReplyDelete
  7. Rachel, have you ever known me to turn down a drink? And does catnip punch help me (if only briefly!) to be a fabulous love cat?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Congratulations to two of my fav people/writers!! It'll be a great night and I'll be cheering for you both =)

    Robbie
    PS what's in the catnip punch?? =)

    ReplyDelete
  9. [rachel passes the catnip punch to Anna]

    I think, in the spirit of celebration, we should throw open the doors and make all the commenters a lovecat for the day - great idea, Anna!

    Or perhaps the ones who accept a glass of catnip punch... that will separate the keen from the lurkers. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  10. ROBBIE!!!

    Another R*BY Finalist for the fabulous, *fabulous* book Bedded By Blackmail! (Can you tell I loved that story?)

    I'm so excited that friends of lovecats finalled too - the Awards Dinner is going to be nail biting this year!

    Thanks for dropping by, R*BY Girl!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Robbie, forgot to reply to your question: What's in the catnip punch?

    It's kinda magical in that the recipe is different for each person. The main criteria is that it has the same effect on Friends of Lovecats as catnip has on feline cats - it's irresistible!

    Mine has a definite chocolatey flavour...

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love parties. :)

    Congratulations Sharon and Tracey, it must be an exhilarating feeling. Way to go!

    I won the best husband and I'm going to keep this one. lol

    Good Luck, I'll be cheering you at the conference.

    Suzanne :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hello gorgeous Suz! Thanks for dropping by. [rachel hands over the plate of kitty nibbles and wrestles the catnip punch from Anna to pour some for Suz]

    Hey, that's a pretty fabulous prize you have for yourself! And I don't blame you for keeping him. =)

    See you in Sydney for all the cheering!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Firstly - Sharon - sqeeeeeee. I am so thrilled to be on this ride with you- and you don't do things by halves do you? I mean TWO nominations just goes to show how awesome you are.

    Rach - thank you for posting our exciting news. Mwah.

    Anna - thanks.

    Mel - mega kisses - thank you my sweet.

    Becca - raises a glass of that catnip punch in your honour.

    ROBBIE- squeeeeee- hey ruby girl - congrats to you.

    And Suz- what a prize - one to really celebrate :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hey, one of our R*BY Cats has sneaked in!

    Tracey, I'm *so* thrilled for you and for Night's Cold Kiss. You're awesome, babe!

    Here, have some kitty nibbles to go with the catnip punch. [rachel scores one of the plates] This one is cheese and crackers.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Rachel! Thank you for posting and hosting the R*BY party! And you've catered and everything! Catnip Punch (mine's definitely chocolatey) and Kitty Nibbles - I hope these are tasty, tooth-cleaning sort that are good for gums as well! Mmmm, probably chocolate flavoured too! I don't want much, do I!

    ;)
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anna! Honorary LoveCat! Nope, hang on... you're TWO Honorary LoveCats - you and the Fonz! Thank you for your lovely congrats! I hope the Catnip Punch and Kitty Nibbles have got you purrrrrrring!

    :)
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  18. Mel! Fellow LoveCat! Mwah!
    :)
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  19. Great party - thanks for giving us an excuse Sharon and Tracey. Very cool and best of luck with the judges.
    As to winning - I believe I came first in a skipping race one year in primary school. Skipping was for the ones who were hopeless at running!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hey, Becca - it is a HUGE thrill! Thank you!
    And yes, let's celebrate that Most Improved Swimmer award of yours! It's never too late for the good things!
    :)
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  21. ROBBIE! Congratulations back to you, Fellow R*BY Girl! Looking forward to cheering you in August! So cool that we're all in different categories!

    As for the Catnip Punch, Rachel's definitely got the best idea - it's magically whatever you want!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Suzanne, your "Best Husband" is a real winner! I've got one of those myself - something to be treasured!
    :)
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  23. TRACEY!!!!!! Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee back at you! It's going to be a Hawt August Night --- and a noisy one!!! LOL

    Here's clinking your Catnip Punch glass, my fellow LoveCat!

    hugs
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  24. Zana! I think I can safely speak for Tracey when I say it's OUR PLEASURE to be an excuse for a party! LOL Seriously, utterly thrilled to bits here!

    Hey, skipping requires much more coordination that plain old running! Be proud, skipper!
    ;)
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi, LoveCats! You guys throw a great party. Sharon and Tracey, I'm so excited for you both. Congratulations on your nominations in the R*BY! All the best with the final judge.

    Does winning the grand prize at my primary school's Easter Bonnet Parade count? I can't actually remember the prize, but I do recall parts of the outfit--a giant crepe paper carrot and a crown with fake grass and eggs.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Sharon, yelling and grinning and cheering all over again for you at the party!

    Yep, the Kitty Nibbles are cheesy but magically are good for your teeth, gums and kidneys. Not sure why the kidneys...

    Happy R*BY Final Day, Tracey & Sharon!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Welcome, Vanessa, and thank you for stopping in to celebrate with us! Have a glass of this lovely Catnip Punch!

    Ooooo, a hat with a giant crepe paper carrot! No wonder you won the Grand Easter Bonnet Parade Prize! How cool is that! I bet the Easter Bunnies were all after you!

    LOL
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  28. Zana, you won a skipping contest? Mucho coolness in that title. Do you mean the jump rope kind, or the skipping around in a circle kind? I was in remedial skipping class for the going round in a cirlce / barn dancing version, so I'm even more impressed with the title.

    Here, have a glass of cat nip in celebration of your win!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Vanessa - the only thing that could top your story about the Grand Easter Bonnet Parade is if you had a photo! (Don't suppose your parents have one? I'd pay good catnip for that... =))

    Thanks for dropping in, and here, have a cheesy Kitty Nibble in honour of your Easter Bonnet!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Rachel! I arrived late but I'm making up for it by making a lot of noise... er, you might have noticed! LOL

    Cheesy Nibbles - very tasty... and so nice to know it's good for gums, teeth and kidneys! We'll be sending all our Honorary LoveCats home in good shape!

    ;)
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  31. I had to come back and Meoooowwwww at the comments. Such a laugh, it's fun and exciting at the same time. Cool :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. Suz, have an extra Kitty Nibble or two while you're here! Curl up on that comfy cushion in the corner for a Catnap if you've had a touch too much Catnip Punch!
    ;)
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hmmm, Yes I do feel somewhat half asleep already. lol.. Love those Kitty Nibbles. I'm just starting on the touch too much. :)

    ReplyDelete
  34. Congratulations Louise (on the marvellous coordination job), Tracey and Sharon. I've read both Sharon's nominated titles and they're marvellous and I'm looking forward to Tracey's. Well done all of you. And congratulations to the other marvellous writers who've finalled in this big contest. It's great to see.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Annie, thanks for dropping in! Did you get any of the catnip punch? Hang on... [rachel prepares another bowl and puts it on the table]

    And yes, didn't Louise do a fabulous job? This Award is a huuuuuge task to organise but she does it with such smarts and organisational skill.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Joining the party late, but with a glass of wine in my hand. Must try the catnip punch that I see over there on the table...

    Huge congratulations, Sharon and Tracey! (And Robbie, too. Hello Robbie!) I am SO looking forward to the awards dinner. I'll be the one screaming with excitement when you guys win!

    Great catering, Rachel! Must hire you the next time I throw a party!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hey, sorry I'm late to the party!! And what a party you guys are having.

    CONGRATULATIONS Sharon and Tracey and Sharon. This is such an awesome achievement anytime, but more especially with your first book(s).

    Cath (saluting you both with the catnip punch)

    ReplyDelete
  38. Huge congratulations Sharon and Tracey... ooh, just stopping to grab a glass of bubbly catnip punch from a passing LoveCat waiter (nice tail!)... and am lifting it to you in a toast on your wonderful achievement. Can't wait to cheer you on at the awards dinner!

    And Rachel, I'll second what Emily said -- great catering :-)

    ReplyDelete
  39. Emily, you're not late at all! It's a two-day party because we have TWO R*BY cats. Yay!

    Thanks for the compliments re: the CATering. I think the key is knowing your market / clients. I had a feeling that this particular group might like the catnip... ;)

    ReplyDelete
  40. Annie, you're absolutely right about Louise doing an amazing job! She must have felt under siege by books there for a while! She deserves congratulations!

    Thanks you for joining us for the party!

    :)
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  41. Thanks, Emily! Fellow LoveCat! Rachel's dab hand with the party hostessing, isn't she... we'll know who to "volunteer" for this from now on, won't we!
    ;)
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  42. Catherine, welcome! Plenty of room, pull up a cushion, have a plate of Nibbles and let's clink glasses! Thanks for dropping in!
    :)
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  43. Catherine, yes, wasn't it a fabulous achievement with their debuts? I'm feeling pretty honoured to be a Lovecat alongside them right now. =)

    ReplyDelete
  44. Michelle, your catnip punch is all bubbly? Wow. The magic of this recipe is amazing, yes?

    Oh, and we have waiters now? Keeeeewl. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  45. Michelle! LOL on the LoveCats waiters having nice tails! You are wicked! I can see you're not going to be a good influence at all! How cool!
    ;)
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  46. LOL - I get home from work an find a bunch of pished and passed out cats lying everywhere :) This was sucha a great idea Rachel - have to catch up and see what's been happening while I've been away.

    ReplyDelete
  47. What a fabulous party!! Huge congratulations Sharon (twice!) and Tracey (and also Robbie!!) on finalling in the R*BY!! I'm so glad I'll be at the conference in August to cheer you all on at the Awards dinner!

    *takes quick sip of capnip* yum! Different!!!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Tracey, you're back again! I wondered where you went, but then Michelle mentioned we had waiters with tails...

    Hope you're having a lovely time!

    ReplyDelete
  49. lol lol lol Must be cat....chy madness. lol lol

    Capnip is very different Christina. I think the ladies have had a touch too much. :) lol

    Oh the smiles.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Christina! Glad you made it all the way from Roman-occupied Brittan to our party!

    Glad you like the catnip punch - I wonder if it has any special herbs from your heroine's time...

    ReplyDelete
  51. Suz, I'm beginning to worry about your attachment to the catnip punch! =)

    But very glad you popped back in - you always add a touch of glamour to an event!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Tracey, I'm not pished... and I'm not chasing those LoveCat waiters either... I'm helping them passh around the Catnip Punch and the Nibblesh.
    I think Suz is doing the same thing!
    ;)
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  53. Thank you for coming to help us celebrate, Christina!
    What flavour is your Catnip punch - I like Rachel's idea that it might have special herbs form Roman-occupied Brittan!
    :)
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  54. Congrats Sharon and Tracey on finalling for the R*BY award!

    Good luck on the awards night, ladies!

    ReplyDelete
  55. Hi Amanda - thanks for dropping in! Grab a glass of catnip punch and, since it a bit cold here this morning, I'll get the other nibbles out from the oven... [rachel passes nibbles plate].

    ReplyDelete
  56. Welcome, Amanda, and thank you for dropping in to the party!

    Mmmm, Rachel, it is chilly this morning perhaps we could try the Catnip Punch warmed up... like a Catnip Toddy! LOL

    We've got something else to celebrate on the LoveCats - this is our 100th blog! How cool is that!
    :)
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  57. Thank you for the Catnip drink and nibbles. It's been nice and sunny here in Florida where I live with some heavy rain in the last couple days. Right now it's about 26° C (79° F) @ 11:10 p.m. on June 10 in Florida.

    Congrats on the 100th blog, ladies!

    ReplyDelete
  58. whoa, Amanda, you don't need a Catnip Toddy, do you! ;) It's ice-cubes for you and perhaps a nice sprig of mint on the side of the glass! It was 9°C here yesterday so nothing with condensation on the glass for us, please! LOL

    Thank you for popping in from so far away to celebrate with us!
    :)
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete