In the TKA office, many of us are gearing up for a trip to the RT BookLOVERS Convention. That means coffee appointments, drinks, dinners and the like are filling up fast (or full up!) as we scramble to touch as many clients, editors and industry friends as possible. Though attending a big conference can be a bit like running a marathon, we love to be able to spend face time with so many great people. If you're planning to hit RT next week in Columbus, Ohio, be sure to check out some of the panels featuring Knight Agency agents and clients. You can view the full schedule here, and a breakdown of panels featuring TKA agents in the news section.

This month, we were very excited to learn that nine TKA clients were awarded PEARL honors, including top TKA winner Nalini Singh who received four awards and one honorable mention. Big congratulations to Nalini and all the winning authors! The full awards listing is included in the news section.

On Thursday, we have an exciting chat planned with Rhyannon Byrd, author of the Primal Instincts series at 9pm ET. Rhyannon lives in England, so she's braving a time difference that will have her conversing at 2am in the morning! Now that's dedication to her fans. Be sure to come out and support her, as well as help keep her awake. If you've ever been to a TKA chat event before, you know we always have a great time -- lots of laughs, a great opportunity to converse with a seasoned author and prizes to boot.

Paranormal romance diva Rhyannon Byrd is the author the Primal Instincts and Bloodrunners series. Though born in Alabama, the Deep South native spent most of her life on the West Coast. For the past two years, she has called merry old England her home.

TKA: How did you conceive the Primal Instinct series?

RHYANNON: When I first began to brainstorm ideas for a new paranormal series, I knew that I wanted to create a world that was a step beyond anything I’d ever written before. I still wanted the main focus of the books to be the romantic relationship between the hero and heroine, since that’s what I’m truly passionate about, but I also wanted to create a supernatural world for these characters that was rich in action and suspense. In many ways, this was new ground for me, but it’s been a challenge that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. As I thought about what this new world would be like, I began with a familiar paranormal concept, saying that shape-shifters, witches and vampires do live hidden among us…and then took it a step further,

TKA: Would you want to be a shape-shifter like the characters in your series? If so, what type of shifter would you want to be?

RHYANNON: Oh, definitely! Of all the characters in my books, it’s the shifters who hold the closest place to my heart—and although the wolves are my personal favorites, I think I would choose to be a panther. I’ve always thought they were beautiful animals, and while wolves are ideal for dark, dangerous heroes, I think a sleek, mysterious panther could be the perfect inner beast for a female.

Of course, that’s not to say that cat-shifters can’t make some deliciously wicked heroes. In my April release, TOUCH OF SEDUCTION, Aiden Shrader is a tiger-shifter, and I think his catlike qualities are one of the things that helped make him so devastatingly sensual. I had never written about a cat-shifter before Aiden, but I absolutely love him, so who knows what the future will hold? Before long, there just might be a mysterious panther hero prowling his way into one of my stories. ;)

TKA: Why did you decide to write paranormal romance, and why do you think so many other writers and readers are drawn to this genre?

RHYANNON: I think I’m drawn to the paranormal genre for the same reason it’s

become such a favorite for so many others: the dark, irresistible alpha heroes. Whatever their primal species, what I love most about paranormal heroes is the complexity of their characters and the fierce intensity of their devotion. An author can take one of these fascinating males to the darkest edge of physical craving—and yet, what makes them so wonderfully seductive is when you temper that visceral sexuality with powerful, heart-wrenching emotion. I love to create heroes who are hard and dark and bigger than life on the outside, while being just that little bit damaged and vulnerable on the inside, which fits this brand of alpha male to perfection. And when the right woman comes along, turning their world on its head, magic can happen. Though they’re still dark and dangerous, when it comes to their mates, these paranormal heroes are the most loyal, devoted and romantic of men, which I believe accounts for a great deal of their popularity.

TKA: What was your first “big break” in publishing?

RHYANNON: I was extremely fortunate to find a home at Ellora’s Cave not long after I started writing, and it was such a wonderful, supportive environment to be a part of. Then, when I was lucky enough to be signed by the incredible Deidre Knight, she made it possible for me to find a home at Harlequin. My Bloodrunners series was published as a part of Harlequin’s Nocturne line in 2008, and later, my Primal Instinct series came out with HQN...and will soon branch off into a provocative new vampire series. I’ve been amazingly blessed to write for Harlequin, where I’m able to work with so many wonderful people, including the amazing Ann Leslie Tuttle, and I couldn’t be happier!

TKA: Are there any authors (living or dead) that you would say had a direct influence on your writing style or inspired you to become a writer?

RHYANNON: It’s impossible for me to pick just one, because there are so many wonderful authors whose work inspired me to pursue a career in writing, from Kerouac and Salinger, to Dean Koontz and Anne Rice. In fact, it was Rice’s Mayfair Witches series that first sparked my obsession with paranormals. I read the series when I was in college, and completely fell in love with its dark, sensual world. But when I think of which author inspired me to write romance, the answer would have to be the incomparable Linda Howard. I think she writes the sexiest, most wonderful alpha males that I’ve ever read, and her books are always at the top of my keeper shelf!

TKA: What can we expect from your next release, TOUCH OF TEMPTATION (November 2010)?

RHYANNON: TOUCH OF TEMPTATION is Kellan Scott’s story, and I’m thrilled to say that I consider it the most intense, seductive book in the series so far. In many ways, Kellan is unlike any other character I’ve ever written. Known as the self-centered “bad boy” who has a certain knack for landing himself in trouble, Kellan surprises everyone, including himself, when he finally evolves into the kind of hero that we’ve always hoped he could be. Though the wicked Lycan knows he should keep his hands off Chloe Harcourt, the Merrick witch he’s determined to protect from their enemies, she’s impossible for him to resist. And the closer he gets to her, the more this sexy shifter comes to realize that Chloe is what he’s been searching for all along...and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to protect her—even if at the cost of his own life. Theirs is a story full of intense passion and breathtaking danger, and one that I hope will leave readers hungering for more from the Primal Instinct world!

This month we are hosting Rhyannon Byrd in the TKA chat room on Thursday, April 22nd at 9pm ET. We hope you will join us for an amazing chat . If you haven't attended one of our online events yet, now is the time to start! Besides getting the inside scoop on an author's latest projects, it's also a great opportunity to get publishing advice. Prizes will include autographed copies of Rhyannon's latest releases, as well as a set of the first three books in the series. See you there!

When: Thursday, April 22nd @ 9pm ET
Where: TKA's chat room**: http://client1.sigmachat.com/sc.php?id=115545
How To Chat: Enter any combination of username and password. Login.
**Your computer must be Java enabled to chat.

Focus on the NOW!

If you’re actively writing and submitting fiction, especially romantic fiction, you’ve probably heard something along the lines of “editors are looking for something that’s the same but different.” And if you’re anything like me, you’ve wondered how the heck you were supposed to manage that.

Well, one of the ways I do recognizable-but-different is by coloring the world of my paranormal thrillers with details from an unusual mythology: that of the ancient Maya. But although this adds a definite cool factor to the books, there’s a catch…it’s really easy to go overboard on the details and distract your reader from the “now” of the story.

Much like Lucius, the hero of my newest release, DEMONKEEPERS, I’m a nerd at heart. I glom onto details, and I get jazzed when I come away from a book or movie having learned a thing or two while being thoroughly entertained. For example, Jurassic Park brought velociraptors into the mainstream, and DaVinci Code—questions of accuracy aside—introduced me to a can of worms I hadn’t known about before … But at the same time, neither made me feel like there was going to be a quiz once the credits rolled.

I’m a scientist by training: Back in my lab-rat days and during my PhD studies, I worked on cloning genes for inherited eye diseases. Although these days my only remaining foothold in science is

editing journal articles for foreign researchers, my research skills have helped me track down the information I’ve needed to bring the novels of the Nightkeepers to life.

I love the history of the ancient Maya, and I’m fascinated by the science surrounding the 2012 end date. For example, the Maya set their calendar to end on the day—far in their future—that their astronomers precisely calculated that the earth, sun and moon would align as they passed through the dark hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy (which the Maya believed was the entrance to the underworld). It’s just a coincidence that this day corresponds to the symmetrical date of 12/21/12 in the Gregorian calendar…or is it?

In each book, I try to bring in a different piece of the Mayan culture: SKYKEEPERS touched on the use of chocolate in Mayan rituals, and this month’s release, DEMONKEEPERS, includes the Mesoamerican ball game, which was the first to use a bouncing rubber game ball.

However, as I’m writing, I have to work on containing my inner geek. I’m constantly tempted to include all the stuff that has gotten a ‘ding ding’ on my internal wow-that’s-cool-ometer …

Best Anthology -- MUST LOVE HELLHOUNDS by Nalini Singh (TKA), as well as Illona Andrews, Charlaine Harris and Meljean Brooks
Anthology Honorable Mention -- STRANGE BREW edited by P.N. Elrod (TKA), including stories by Rachel Caine (TKA), Charlaine Harris, Jim Butcher, Patricia Briggs and Karen Chance

Futuristic Romance -- BLAZE OF MEMORY by Nalini Singh
Futuristic Romance Honorable Mention -- HEART CHANGE by Robin Owens

Fantasy/Magical Romance -- ANGELS' BLOOD by Nalini Singh

Shapeshifters -- BRANDED BY FIRE by Nalini Singh

Time Travel Honorable Mention -- What Would Jane Austen Do? by Laurie Brown

New Author Honorable Mention -- Chloe Neill

Overall Best Paranormal Honorable Mention -- BLAZE OF MEMORY by Nalini Singh

Five TKA clients are finalist in the National Readers Choice Awards, sponsored by the Oklahoma Romance Writers of America. The winners will be announced at the 2010 RWA convention in Nashville this summer.

Young Adult: THE ABC'S OF KISSING BOYS by Tina Ferraro

Paranormal: A HIGHLANDER'S DESTINY by Melissa Mayhue and THE EDGE OF DAWN by Patti O'Shea

Best Novella: "Naughty and Nice" in UNDER THE COVERS by Crystal Jordan

Long Contemporary: THE CHRISTMAS STRANGER by Beth Cornelison

Beth Cornelison's HEALING LUKE won the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence for a Single Title, while TALL DARK DEFENDER garnered first place in the Series Romantic Suspense category. THE CHRISTMAS BRIDE also finaled. 

THE CHRISTMAS STRANGER and HEALING LUKE are both finalists in the Colorado Award of Excellence.

Deidre Knight @ RT:

Thursday, 11:15am - 12:15pm -- MOVE OVER VAMPIRES AND WEREWOLVES, THERE ARE NEW CREATURES STALKING THE NIGHT
Learn how to create one-of-a-kind heroes and heroines from a panel of authors who do it effortlessly.

Friday, 11:15am - 12:15pm -- AGENT EXPOSÉ: HOW TO SIGN WITH THE BEST AND SIDESTEP THE REST
This workshop pulls back the curtain to reveal how agents select authors to represent, what agents expect from clients (both new and established) and what authors have a right to expect from agents, before and after signing on the dotted line. The panel includes Knight Agency clients Jessica Andersen, Shannon K. Butcher, and Louisa Edwards.

Fri, 1:30pm - 2:30pm -- WELCOME TO THE DIGITAL AGE
Where has e-publishing been and where is it going? Join editors and authors as they examine the radical changes taking place in the publishing industry thanks to e-books.

Saturday, 3:30pm - 4:00pm -- KNIGHT LIGHT ON E-READERS
Demonstration on how a variety of e-readers (Nook, Kindle, Sony) work. Don't be surprised if at least one is given away at the close of this session. S

Lucienne Diver @ RT:

Wednesday, 2:30pm - 3:30pm -- SF FOR FEMMES: WRITING CHARACTER-DRIVEN STORIES WOMEN WILL DEVOUR
To attract female readers you must have captivating characters, not blind them with science. Our panel of experts will teach you how.

Thursday, 1:30pm - 2:30pm -- MEET THE AGENTS
The Agents panel is always very well attended and for that reason we have scheduled few workshops in this time slot to avoid any schedule conflicts. Join our panels of experts as they discuss the state of the book industry and what it will take to get published and have a successful career in today’s competitive market.

What advice would you give to an author contemplating self publishing their work?

PAMELA HARTY: Authors who find success via self publishing are a rare exception. The industry has built a specific system of checks and balances to vet submissions, negotiate contracts, polish manuscripts, and finally distribute and promote books. I'm not saying it's perfect. Sometimes worthwhile titles have difficulty finding a home, but that doesn't mean an author should give up. I encourage them to go back to the drawing board. Tighten up the query. Do more research to make sure you are pitching to agencies that have tastes in line with your specific genre. Once the book has been self pubbed, it loses value to the agent and publisher because the author has handicapped the book's sales and marketability, and usually, the self pubbed author finds themselves lost in a vast sea of house-less titles facing an uphill distribution battle.

Now, back to the rare cases. Tommy Newberry's SUCCESS IS NOT AN ACCIDENT was picked up by a house after the author had self published the title. Now, I am not saying this just because Tommy is my client, but he is a truly exceptional guy. In fact, I am issuing a "Do not try this at home" warning. Tommy moved 100,000 copies of his debut title on his own before signing with TKA. The vast majority of writers simply do not have the technical ability nor support network in place to make a mark.

LUCIENNE DIVER: I don’t advise it.  The difference between self and professional publishing is the difference between someone paying you to produce your work—a company with a good reputation, an editorial staff, art department, sales, marketing, distribution, etc.—versus having to do everything yourself and then convince bookstores to carry your book, reviewers to give it a read, consumers to pay the money, which for print-on-demand or vanity press productions is going to be substantially more than they’d pay for a book published by a known writer with a professional house.  In other words, you can spend your own money or become your own publishing and production team, taking time and monetary resources away from the creative side of things, from the actual writing, or sell your work to a company that will do all that for you and offer you an advance against royalties on top of it.  I’ve heard writers speculate on the internet that by cutting out the middle-man (the publisher), they earn all the profit for themselves, but the truth is that those profits don’t really materialize.  In other words, publishing really does take a village.

ELAINE SPENCER: Don’t let your impatience get in the way of your publishing goals. If after evaluating your options you have decided that self publishing is the route that makes the most sense for what you want to do, that’s fine, but don’t jump at a self publishing opportunity because you are tired of waiting on the dog and pony show that is finding and agent and getting a traditional book contract. We’ve all heard the legends of people who have self published and after gaining grassroots attention, gone on to be major bestsellers, but let’s be realistic. This is the exception, not the rule, in 99.9% of cases, once a books been self-published, its avenues are depleted.

MELISSA JEGLINSKI: I am not a proponent of self-publishing unless it's for a project that would not find a publisher otherwise; a family history or cookbook perhaps that would mean a great deal to the family's descendents but would otherwise not be of real interest to the general public. If a writer does choose to self publish, than I would caution them only to do so after exhausting all other options.  They should do their research and choose a non-vanity press.