Monday, December 17, 2007

Launch Day

3...2...1...We have liftoff! Welcome to our brand new group blog, Title Magic. Who are we? We are the 10 finalists in 2007's American Title contest sponsored by Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine and Dorchester Publishing. The American Title is like American Idol but for authors and their books instead of singers. Each year, the contest has a different sub-genre of romance in the spotlight, and this year it was paranormal. Hey, what's not to love about vampires and fairies and sexy otherworldlies? :)

Voting for American Title takes place online during five rounds of competition. After each round, unfortunately the two contestants with the least amount of votes are eliminated. But they aren't eliminated here! Even though we're down to six contestants in the competition as of today, all of us are staking our claim in the blogosphere. We'll be bringing you daily (M-F) posts on writing-related topics of all kinds and some wonderful guest bloggers from time to time. Our first guest blogger will be the fabulous Anna Campbell this Friday. Anna is the author of the much-talked-about Claiming the Courtesan and this month's Untouched. She always has wisdom, and often a good bit of humor, to share with blog readers.

Since the contest is still under way, the six of us who are still in the running would very much appreciate you checking out the latest round starting today (the information is typically up in the late morning) and cast your vote. Round 3 lasts from Dec. 17 through Dec. 30. I know it's an incredibly busy time of year, but it only takes a moment to vote. And the stakes are high. The winner of the competition will have her book published by Dorchester.

Regular blog topics will start tomorrow, so we hope you'll bookmark Title Magic and make a point of visiting and commenting every day. We're excited about the group's endeavor. And now some questions for you:

1. What would you like to see on writing-related blogs that you haven't?
2. What types of things do you think are covered too much or are just not of interest?
3. What keeps you coming back to a blog day after day?

We want to make Title Magic a blog destination, a place where you can learn something and have fun at the same time.

18 comments:

Mel Hiers said...

Woo hoo! Great first post, Trish. :-)

Nancy said...

Hi, Trish! That's an interesting post. I think I come back to blogs because the people who post write interesting comments that seem to have some personality shining through. I don't think anything is covered too much because the things I've seen approach similar topics from different angles. As for what I'd like to see more, I always enjoy people's approaches to their writing. I wish you all success with your new blog.

Anna Campbell said...

Trish and the other ATIVs, huge congratulations on finalling in this tough, tough contest! And good luck to the girls still in the swim! There's a great selection of entries there - wow, you gals have SOME imaginations!

Trish, thanks for the plug. Hmm, clearly it's a while since we met - last time we encountered one another, I remember the wicked Bandita Caren was plying me with champagne and I remember being rather giggly. I'm really looking forward to my visit on Friday. I'm going to be talking about contests although in the case of the ATIVers, I'm going to be teaching my (very sexy) grandmothers to suck eggs, methinks!

One of the things I love to see in a blog is interaction between the bloggers - whether they're the hosts or the commenters. It was something Squawk Radio did superbly and I think we've got happening at Banditas. I love to feel like I'm at the coolest party on the block when I visit a blog.

Anitra Lynn McLeod said...

Thanks for getting us started, Trish!

Amanda Ashby said...

Hooray to all the finalists and best of luck!!!! (btw, I am lured to blogs by the promise of naked David Boreanaz photos. Just saying!!)

Trish Milburn said...

I see my Banditas are swinging by. Hey, did any of you bring Orlando Bloom with you perchance? :)

LOL, Amanda! I LOVE David Boreanaz. Bones is one of my absolute favorite shows, and I loved him as Angel in Buffy and his own show.

Savanna Kougar said...

Oh my goodness! I already feel the Title Magic heat. Yes, yes, I say, a naked, or naked as we can get David Boreanaz, luved him as Angelis. And if we're tipping up champagne, I'll have a glass of the bubbly and salute us all. Btw, inserting Pat's maniacal laughter, I'm on way to peruse the exciting ATIV entries, and vote for my fave.
Thanks, Trish, for an exciting beginning. Let the fun and magic continue...methinks I may need a special wand, the fairy dust and stardust kind to wave over our corner of the blogosphere.
Anna, welcome, what incredible website!

Nicole North said...

Beautiful blog, ladies!! I look forward to visiting often. Best of luck to those of you still in the running. I've voted this round and enjoyed all summaries.
Happy blogging!! :)
Nicole

Anonymous said...

Trish and Title Finalists, hi!

Trish, great first post! I'm thrilled to know so many of the finalists, and wish everyone the best. In the contest, yes, but especially in your careers!

Light,
Nancy Haddock

Trish Milburn said...

Thanks for stopping by our little corner of the blogosphere, Nicole and Nancy.

Amanda Ashby said...

Trish and Savanna, I think we're all going to get along just fine!!!

Helen Scott Taylor said...

Hey Trish,

Thanks for getting us starting with such style.

If we're talking naked guys here (and what a great topic!) I'd vote for the two guys off Supernatural sans clothes. My daughter and I both agree we don't get to see them with their shirts off enough!

Anna Sugden said...

Hey - great opening blog! And congrats to all of you AT4 gals - you have more courage than I do! Special wave to Helen!

Interesting, fun topics keep me coming back ... great guests too. But most of all, it's the atmosphere. We found that with the Banditas - got to keep the atmosphere lively!

Anonymous said...

Hey Trish - great first blog!

And I'm with Amanda et.al. on naked David Boreanaz pictures being a sure-fire draw to the blog. I volunteer if we need someone snap a few.

Anonymous said...

Great first post. I'll be visiting often to see what's going on. Congrats to everyone still in the running. And while we're on the subject of naked men, I'll take Jensen Ackles from Supernatural any day of the week :) Helen, you are so right. We don't get to see them with their shirts off enough.

Cindy

Savanna Kougar said...

Helen, oh so cute, you and your daughter. Nothing like a good mother-daughter relationship.

Holli, can I help? I'll even carry the cameras, volunteer for 'fluffing' duty.

Trish Milburn said...

Wow, I'm finding so many people who love the same guys I do! Helen and Cindy, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Supernatural. It's my favorite show. While I love Dean and think he's hysterical, I'm a Sammy girl. Did you all SEE the episode where he and the werewolf girl did the deed? OMG, that is one fine torso and set of arms. (Trish excuses herself to go wipe away the drool.)

Caren Crane said...

Congrats on the finals, everyone! Trish this looks like a great new blog and to know you'll have Anna Campbell visiting makes it a must-visit site! Look forward to reading all the entries and getting to know the other finalists. Well, except Mai. I already know and love her!

Btw, I did not ply Anna Campbell with champagne. She threw and elbow, grabbed the bottle from my hand as I doubled over in shock and pain, and swilled it from the bottle! Or, at least that's what I've reconstructed from my champagne-hazed memories. *g* In any case, I'll be back!