Writers’ Group Marks Anniversary with “Love, Texas Style” Anthology
Grapevine, TX—In March 2008, the North Texas Romance Writers of America (NTRWA) celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary as a chapter of the Romance Writers of America® with the publication of an anthology entitled “Love, Texas Style.” The anthology features twelve romances written by NTRWA members. The twelve short stories in the anthology were selected in a writing contest open to all chapter members.
According to Angela Platt, contest coordinator, to make the contest more challenging, each story had to be a romance, contain a yellow rose, and be set in Texas. Any genre of romance could be used, and the winning stories encompass a variety of romantic categories from contemporary to paranormal to western.
Contest winners were selected by Rhonda Penders, cofounder and editor-in-chief of The Wild Rose Press (TWRP) of Adams Basin, New York. Marty Tidwell of Arlington, TX took both first and second place with two contemporary romances-Prickly Heat and Wallflowers. Nancy Connally of Parker County, TX captured third place with her contemporary romance, The Double-Dog-Dare Dance.
The remaining winners in alphabetical order are: Christine Crocker of Watauga, TX for her contemporary, The Ring; Jen Fitzgerald of Fort Worth, TX for her western, The Rancher's Wife; Nikki Hollaway of Fort Worth, TX for her historical, A Lady in Deed; Mary Duncanson of Burleson, TX (writing as Mary Malcolm) for her contemporary, Someone to Run To; L.A. Mitchell for her time-travel paranormal, The Lost Highway; Angela Platt of Farmers Branch, TX (writing as Angi Morgan) for her humorous contemporary, Shotgun Seduction; Gina Lee Nelson of Dallas, TX for her humorous contemporary, My Love Dropped in at the Drop Your Doggie Inn; Beth Shriver of Flower Mound, TX for her inspirational romance, Reclaiming Tess; and Arline Todd of Euless, TX for her romantic suspense, Bounty Hunting, Texas Style.
The Wild Rose Press (TWRP) is publishing the anthology with a release date of February 29, 2008. The anthology will be available as a downloadable e-book from the TWRP web site (www.thewildrosepress.com). On March 28, 2008 the book will be available as a trade edition (ISBN: 1-60154-199-6 ) from both the WRP and Amazon.com web sites.
All proceeds from the sale of the anthology will go to NTRWA, including author royalties and any sales that would normally go to the publisher. When queried regarding her support of NTRWA, Rhonda Penders said, “Why am I doing this for North Texas? Simple. It’s writers helping writers, which is the premise on which the Wild Rose Press was started. As an active member of the San Antonio Romance Authors, I have a deep love for anything Texas. I attended the Mesquite Rodeo in Dallas sponsored by NTRWA in 2004, when the RWA Nationals was in Dallas, and I think North Texas has a fantastic chapter. I’m pleased to handle this special anniversary anthology for NTRWA.”
Organized in March 1983, NTRWA offers educational programs, an informative monthly newsletter, a friendly atmosphere for networking, and access of up-to-date information on agents, editor, and publishers of romantic fiction. NTRWA's mission is to educate, support, and mentor published and unpublished members in the profession of romance writing. For more information about the chapter and the anthology, go to the NTRWA web site (www.ntrwa.org).
Romance Writers of America (RWA) is the national association for published and aspiring romance writers. Through education, networking, and advocacy, RWA supports the professional interests of its over 9,500 members. RWA's more than 140 local and special-interest chapters provide opportunities for members to come together to discuss the industry, build connections, and find support.
Now available through The Wild Rose Press or Amazon.com.