another book signing
Another opportunity has arisen for me to get on my soapbox and sing the praises of softball, and I’m thrilled to take it. I’m giving a speech tonight at the White Rock Renegades pep rally in support of my old organization, and then doing a signing there.
Most of my close friends are all softball players I’ve met throughout my fastpitch career, including four of my five bridesmaids. It’s also provided me with fantastic opportunities, including college scholarship offers, a place on the Canada Games Team, and a whole network of people I still keep in touch with. I was a pitcher (and not always a first string pitcher!), and when I wasn’t in rotation, I spent a lot of time on the bench treating injuries and rubbing sore shoulders and arms. Little wonder I wound up as a Registered Massage Therapist.
To all those aspiring fast pitch players: work hard, be coachable, and never give up. You might be surprised the door that will open for you down the road.
Book signing
Hi all. For those of you in the Vancouver area, a group of us are doing a book signing at Malena European Lingerie on Saturday March 21st from 2-4 pm. The address is 653 Robson St, and the other authors are Kate Austin and Anna Leigh Keaton.
As far as my writing is going, I’m currently halfway through my current work in progress, book four of my series with TWRP, Relentless, featuring Rhys and Neveah. Rhys you’ll meet in Cover of Darkness (just waiting on a release date, but it will probably be out by next March), and Neveah you’ll meet in No Turning Back (edits beginning next month).
I have to say I’m surprised by this WIP. I’ve got all the conflict and motivation in the world to work with, yet I’m struggling to get the story flowing and my final word count seems a long way away right now. I’m sure other authors out there can identify with that! Lucky for me I’ve got a supportive hubby and two awesome critique partners to help me through this block.
Part of the problem may be that I’ve started working as a Registered Massage Therapist again part time, and so my writing time is even more limited between that and the kids. Never fear, though. I’ll get it done. Can’t wait to sink my teeth into Luke and Emily’s book! I’ve been salivating over that one since I got Out of Her League published.
Oh, and those voices I hear in my head? I’m told it’s normal for writers.
Happy reading!
Softball’s Chances in 2016
Softball is a sport that is very near and dear to my heart, having played for almost twenty years and a dozen or more of those in an intensely competitive environment. It is one of the fastest growing sports for women in North America and has even developed a following in Australia, Europe and Asia.
The sport has helped shaped me as a person, and given me lifelong friends. Softball is so important to me that my first book features an Olympic hopeful, highlighting the amazing oportunities the sport has opened up for girls all over North American and increasingly, the world. Softball provides college scholarships throughout the US and Canada. There are even professional U.S. leagues that elite players can make a living in.
And yet, there will be no softball at the 2012 games in London, England. Sadly, the 2008 Beijing Olympic games may be the last time we see softball in the Olympics, having been voted out by the IOC due to a perceived lack of competition with the dominant U.S. team. In fact, Japan’s gold medal victory over the US team may be the best thing that ever happened to women’s fast pitch, because it shows that other countries are putting substantial resources into their softball programs.
This October, the IOC will again be voting on whether to include softball in the 2016 games. The sport is vying for one of two spots, against squash, baseball, karate, rugby, golf and roller sports. The general opinion out there is that softball has about a one in two chance of being reinstated. Let’s hope the IOC members will be better educated and informed about the sport of softball, and how important it is in the sporting world.
Keep your fingers crossed!
TV segment
Fellow RWA chapter member Kate Austin and I taped a short segment for Shaw TV’s The Express that will be airing Friday February 13th at 10 am and 3 pm. It’s a short piece about romance writing in today’s market, and I think there may be a male cover model involved… If you miss those times, it will repeat throughout the weekend in honor of Valentine’s Day.
Happy viewing!
Kaylea Cross