Where to start...where to start.  So much NEWS!  

Shall we start with the beverage and the TimTam (always a first-rate place to start)?  I'll wait...

Mmm, Double coat.  Excellent choice.  :)

Okey doke, hold onto your hat--here comes the news!


*First up, big congrats to Bec Sampson (aka Becca J Heath) who currently has a new finals award in her clever fingers.  She has taken out third place (Contemporary Series Romance) in the Toronto Romance Writer's Catherine Award for 2011, with A FUTURE FOR ABBY.  Nice one, Bec!  

Check out Bec's blog, too.  She's got a cool conference wrap-up there.  While you're hitting the keys, take a look at the RWA blog on the Awards Night.

*In other contest news, Virginia Taylor has been scooping the pool over in the west.  Take a look at these excellent results for her books STARLING, ELLA & BREE:
STARLING, historical finalist in the New Jersey Romance Writers Put Your Heart in a Book.
STARLING, historical finalist in Heart of the West.
ELLA, historical finalist in Heart of the West.
BREE, mystery/suspense finalist in Heart of the West.

Wow, awesome results Virginia!  Best of luck, and we look forward to hearing the final outcomes on those.  

*The Bestseller Lists for July are out, here are the SARAs:

Amazon US
Romance Top 100
His Lady Mistress – Elizabeth Rolls
Regency Romance Top 100 
His Lady Mistress – Elizabeth Rolls 
Anthology Top 100 
To Sin with Scandal – Tamara Gill
A Captain’s Order – A Duke’s Command – Tamara Gill

Congratulations to Elizabeth and Tamara.  Nice job on those lists, too, Tam!  :)

*Speaking of Tamara Gill, her Amazon bestseller A Captain’s Order – A Duke’s Command tied in first place (Historical) in the RWA's 20 Years of Cover Contest.   Congrats again, Tam!  

*In more conference news, the Clayton's Conference (obviously, the conference you're having when you're not having THE Conference) was marvellously co-hosted by our own Eleni Konstantine.  Check out Eleni's 
Clayton's Conference Wrap-Up.

*Fancy a look at the Conference Round up on the RWA blog?  Here it is.  
Scroll down for selected amusing tweets...

...But wait, there's more!

*At the recent Conference, there were more awards for SARAs!  This time, it was for BEST DRESSED at the RWA Roaring Twenties Cocktail Party!  

Third prize went to Sharon (as a Ziegfeld Girl)
Second Prize went to Lynn (as Amelia Earhart)
aaaaaaand First Prize went to Maggie Mundy:

Congrats, ladies.  What a superb effort!