Sasha White

THE CAPTURE!

View THE CAPTURE on Megan Hart’s Blog !!

While I did help brainstorm the idea for the mockumentry, Megan and Lauren did all the work. They are the best…go watch it,a and tell them that!

My flight landed safely, and I managed to find my car buried under a couple feet of snow in the airport parking lot. The highway into the city is one with a 110 speed limit (Kilometers per hour people, remember, I live in in Canada) but I swear I never went faster on the drive home than 50. Me! I love to drive fast…but the roads were pure ice and the car has wheels, not skates…so it was slow and easy, as I counted the cars in the ditch on my way into the city. Apparently it’s been snowing and blowing for several days.

Anyway, I’m home, the cats are pissed at me for going away again, but at least they only knocked over a glass jar and destroyed my Bamboo plant to show their displeasure. They continued to use the litter box, and not my bed as I’d heard several people say happens, so I am thankful.

The conference was great. It was my second time at RT, and it was better- for me - than the first. This year I only went to 2 panels (and only spoke at one). The majority of my time was spent with writer friends who I only get to see once a year, and chatting with readers. I got to meet several readers this year that I’d never met before…Like Debbie (Who said she’d stalk me if I didn’t live in Canada. LOL ) and Jaynie Ritchie (who came all the way from Singapore tot he conference!) . And The Smut Sluts! I got to meet a couple of these playful and fun loving women in person. And LAURIE!! I was thrilled to have this pretty blonde woman walk up and shake my hand at the bookfair on Sat. Then she told me who she was and it was all I could do not to jump over the table and tackle hug her. I’ve ’spoken’ with Laurie for a couple years now, all online, and meeting in person was great.

There were way more wonderful people than I can mention here. Living in Northern Alberta I don’t get to meet many readers. There’s only one bookstore in my city who likes to have me in for readings and signings, the others are part of a chain and don’t want me to sign because of the “content” of my books. Yeah, like the sex in my books is so much more offensive than the violence in so may others. Whatever. Anyway, the point, meeting readers at RT is a high that I need to keep doing what I do. Hearing from readers who love my characters and stories motivates me to keep writing like nothing else can. Thank you to everyone who has ever spoken up and said hi to me, in person or by email. I love you for it!

I finally met Brava editor Kate Duffy in person this year. I’ve been at several conferences where she’s been, but she’s not my editor, and I’ve never made it a point to meet her. However, this year Kensington held a cocktail party, offsite of the conference, for it’s authors, and I attended. It was one of my top three highlights of the week. Being not shy I just plopped myself down in a booth and started chatting, and Kate was wonderful. I spent several hours chatting with her, and popular Brava authors Helen Kay Dimon, Karen Kelly (I love this woman..such a wonderfully wicked sense of humor)Diane Whiteside, Sylvia Day, and Smart Bitch Sarah! It was a great time, and I loved it all, even the fact that the Red Bulls I was drinking had me wandering the hotel lobby from 4 AM - 6 AM.

Okay, Maybe I can’t blame the Red Bull, since I didn’t drink any of the energy drink the next night yet I was once again up and about from 4- 6:30 in the AM. Maggie the night desk clerk and Rob the night manager were wonderful company. *smile* I guess I’ll just always be a night owl.

Myself and my Allure sisters had our Safari Party on Friday and it was huge success. I signed every book I had, and handed them out to people who knew who I was, and had specific books they wanted as well as some readers who had no clue what I wrote but wanted a free book. *grin* It was great! I have faith that any and all who got a book will enjoy it and hopefully decide they want more time in Sasha-Land and track down my backlist.

I developed a fan girl crush on thriller writer Barry Eisler after attending a panel where he spoke. I’m a big mystery/thriller reader, and this guy is one dynamic speaker. I loved what he had to say about writing and his upcoming stand alone book. I’ve never read any of his books yet, but after listening to him, and surfing his website I know I’ll love them. They seem to be in a similar vein to Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series, and I’m a die hard fan of those.

Another surprise for me was cover model John DeSalvo. I can remember years ago when Sylvia wanted him on her blog skin, and she showed me his website. I wasn’t really hot for the guy. He was your typical cover model. Sure he looked good, but whatever. Well, he was at the conference for the cover model reunion dinner, and I saw him down at the bar after. The man is beautiful in person. He wore a very nice suit and tie, and was utterly gorgeous. A real MAN. Not a boy, or an arrogant peacock, but a man. I got the chance to talk to him a bit and he was a true gentleman, too. A nice treat, and now I can say I’m a girly fan of his too. LOL

At our Safari Party Sylvia decided to tell everyone to come to our Paradise theme party in Orlando next year because I would wear a bikini!!! Did she check with me before spreading this rumor? Nope, not at all. At first I thought it was funny. No way in hell would I wear a bikini….but y’know what? It’s just the challenge I need. I’m always up for a challenge, and I thrive under pressure, so sure, I’ll wear a bikini next year. After all, I’ve been moaning about how I gain twenty pounds every time I write a book, and I want to get back into shape…now’s the time. My cousin has been trying to join a martial arts club here in town, but he didn’t want to go alone. I told him I’d get back to it in the summer, and now I have an additional reason to do so. I love working out, but I lose interest way too fast in just going to the gym. I need to learn and be challenged or I lose interest and slack off. So, back to the dojo it is. After I meet this deadline. LOL

OKay, RT rocked, I had a great time. I’ll post pictures all this week from the writing cave as I work to meet my end of month deadline.

Okay Folks, I’m going to Pittsburgh for a week for the Romantic Times Convention. I admit it, it’s a big party. *grin*

I get to see some writer friends, some editors and plenty of readers! Oh, and did I forget to mention the cover models?

I’m thinking Pittsburgh is going to be in a very hockey state of mind, what with their team kicking Ottowa’s ass. It should be fun, I love a city full of energy!

I’m not planning on blogging while I’m gone… (but you never know) so here’s a rough itinerary for anyone in the PIttsburgh area who might want to come say hi!

Safari Happy Hour
Friday, 5 - 6 pm

Free MARGARITAS, Free APPETIZERS, and Free BOOKS !!

Spend a Happy Hour chatting with these popular authors who know how to make reading an adventure! Vivi Anna, Sylvia Day, Delilah Devlin, Myla Jackson and Sasha White invite all comers to take a walk on the wildside with them. Do you have questions about their books? Their characters? Their lives? Have a couple drinks and ask them anything in an informal and social environment!

Be on the lookout for additional goody bags to the first 50 adventurers and possible sightings of rare wildlife.

Hosted by: Vivi Anna, Sylvia Day, Delilah Devlin, Myla Jackson and Sasha White.

I’ll also be signing books at the RT convention Book Fair at the Hilton Hotel in Pittsburg, on Saturday, April 19th from 11AM-2PM. This Book Fair is open to the public, so even if you are not attending the RT convention you can come and see us on Saturday! If you’re in town or nearby, I hope you’ll come by and see me!

There’s bound to be plenty of great authors there, free chocolate, and even a few cover models wandering around. After all, the MR. ROMANCE competition is that afternoon.
WHERE?
Hilton Pittsburgh
600 Commonwealth Place
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222

I met Megan Hart at the RT conference last year, but didn’t get to spend much time with her because it was so hectic. When I saw her in NY, I made a point of spending more time witht his talented lady. Let me tell you, she’s awesome.

Sylvia Day was my roommate for the week. I’ve known Sylvia for just over 4 years now, and she still makes me laugh. She says she’s shy, but I don’t believe it. I never have. Look at this picture…do you believe it?

Myla Jackson/Elle James is actually who I would term the ‘quiet one’ of our group. The lady is a lady with a stealth sense of humor that I thoroughly enjoyed. ANd she can barter with street vendors pretty damn good too!

I wasn’t going to post this picture, and I really hope Delilah doesn’t mind. I have to. It’s funny.
Instead of the ever-popular NYPD of NYFD shirts and stuff that are available to purchse. D and I chose to buy New York City Mental Institution t-shirts. We figured they suited us crazy writer chiks who talk to ourselves an live in our own worlds.

Now for some city shots…

I’m Back!

My 5 day trip to New York was Fantastic. I got to meet up with Cindy and her lovely assistant Leis from Berkley. We had lunch and I think I had the best salad ever. (Yes, for that one meal I managed to stick with my Slim Camp goals…if you don’t count the glass of beer. *blush*)
Then they took me back to the Penguin building and showed me a bit of the offices. Let me just say they have a lot of paper around at all times. LOL

And I got to meet John Scognamiglio, my editor at Kensington, for the first time ever!! (I’ve met Cindy briefly at conferences before. ) I almost brought my camera to snap pictures but I worried I would really look too much like a geek. Instead, I just sat across form him and talked his ear off. *blush* I met his charming assistant, Peter and we had a few laughs. John gave me the tour and I got to meet a bunch of people. The Kensington offices had a wonderful vibe. Warm and welcoming, and I’m so very glad I got a chance to visit them.

More on the business side of things, I went to a couple of workshops and panels, but sadly didn’t learn anything I didn’t really already know. Okay, so I learned somethings I might not want to admit to myself, but I did know them! I’m not gonna bore y’all with those details. Instead, I’m going to talk about NEW YORK.

Yep, I loved the city. I felt very at home. I took the subway a few times, (and only got on the wrong train once!) Our hotel was directly across the street from Madison Square Garden so that was super cool. There were afew pubs, restaurants, and pletny of cafe’s and such around us. Even a Borders bookstore. *grin*. Walking down the street, you could spot the Empire State Building amongst the other skyscrapers. We ate diner out a few times, but some of the best fun I had was when a few of us gathered back in our hotel room and ordered pizza for delivery. There was a deli next to the hotel that had a beer sales, so we had some drinks and pizza, and good company.

I spent some time in Times Square with Delilah Devlin and Myla Jackson. We ate hotdogs from the vendor, and got cheesecake from Juniors. They bought tickets for a show, (But I didn’t really have any interest in it.) We did a bit of purse hunting, also with the street guys. Delilah and Myla found some nice ones. I, of course, found some tacky ones for my mom. LOL We then had hotdogs from Nathan’s, cuz I was told I had to try them…and it was good. So were the cheese and bacon fires. Yum!

Myla, Delilah and Sylvia went to the afternoon show and I sat in the room and did some writing. Yep, I’m still working on Primal Male. I love Drake.

I can’t retell specifics, cuz honestly, it’s all sort of blending. But I had a great time, and when Reader Shawna showed up to have dinner with us on our last night in town, it capped the week of in an amazing way.

To sum it up ~ I ate a lot, I drank a bit… I saw the Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden, Times Square, and The Statue of Liberty! Yes, seeing it from the plane does count! People think I’m weird when I say I have no urge what-so-ever to see it any closer than that, but honestly, I’m more interested in the vibe of the city, and just being there than the things I see on TV all the time. *shrug*

I do have some pictures, and I’ll post them soon. :)

In the meantime, tell me…How was your weekend?

PS: If you want to see a pic, and read a bit about the conference, check out Barbara Vey’s Publisher’s Weekly Blog!