Lisa Olmstead - from Alaska Wilderness to Party Girl!

I’m lounging on my deck overlooking the bay. It’s a beautiful, sunny Alaskan day on Prince of Wales Island. A high-pressure system has been sitting on top of us for over a week and the weather has been gorgeous. Bald eagles and ravens fly overhead on perpetual prowl for an easy meal. DeHavilland “Beaver” float planes are beginning the first of many back-and-forth trips. The rumble of their deep-throated Pratt and Whitney engines is unmistakable. Two humpback whales are feeding a few hundred yards off the point, visible even without my binoculars.

Lisa and husband in Barrow, Alaska

Mornings like this are best savored with pen and paper. I don’t dare open my laptop and break the spell. Whatever emails await an answer can hold for a few more minutes. Right now, I’m inspired and making plans.

Although living in rural Alaska presents certain challenges, ie: it takes a full day of travel by air and water to make it to Seattle; there is one yearly extravaganza that I never miss. - The Romantic Times Convention.

RT is my definition of fun. It’s the chance to leave hubby home with the pets, reconnect with friends and immerse myself in a week of workshops, costume balls and endless festivities. The saying, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” should be their official motto.

As I sit here and jot down some of the cool stuff we’re planning especially for Decadent Publishing authors who’ll be joining us in LA next April, I can’t stop grinning. Here’s a little preview…

Heather Bennett and Lisa at RT 2010

First off, bring some comfy clothes for DP’s author party. Our suite will be filled with food, wine, scrumptious desserts, great conversation and super-secret “thank you” gifts. If you can’t make it back to your hotel room…no worries. Sleeping bags will be provided and you can crash on the floor!

Friday afternoon, we’ll converge on Club RT for the Decadent Kindle raffle and Author meet-and-greet. We have two tables reserved and pounds of yummy chocolate to give away to conventioneers passing by. This is the perfect opportunity to see and be seen!

For our authors whose titles have been released as print books, we’re going to simplify their lives by providing ten copies of each for the Saturday Book Fair. Since writers are also readers and fans, Colleen (our Author Liaison and Review Coordinator) will be making the rounds, ensuring that everyone gets a little break to visit the table of their personal favorites. Dean Koontz is going to be there this year, so you’ll know where to find me.

Warm up your windpipes and get ready to cheer, because rumor has it that our own Robert Roman is going to participate in the Mr. Romance Cover Model contest. Who knows, he might even sing!

If any of this sounds appealing and you’ve got a fabulous story to share, send it to: submissions@decadentpublishing.com and join the good times as a Decadent author.

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