Eleni-fest: chatting with Claire Baxter

Today we have a fellow SARA member, the lovely Claire Baxter on Eleni-fest. Claire is HM&B Romance author (HM&B Sweet in Australia) and was nominated for the R*BY short sweet category with her book The Single Dad’s Patchwork Family.

Welcome Claire to Eleni’s Taverna and Eleni-fest!
Thanks for inviting me. It’s great to be part of Eleni-fest!

Congratulations on being nominated for a R*BY award. This was your first nomination. How did you react with the news?

Thanks, Eleni! To say I was shocked and delighted is an understatement. We have so many wonderful writers in Australia and New Zealand that the competition for a spot in the finals is incredible.

What attracted you to the Romance line?

Oh, I love the Romance line! I was a late-comer to romance reading. In fact, I hadn’t read a single Harlequin Mills & Boon romance until 2003! Once I did, a whole new world of reading opened up to me. I read my way through the HMB lines but couldn’t see myself writing any of them. Until I picked up a book from the Romance line or ‘Sweet’ as it’s known in Australia. It was A Bride At Birralee by Barbara Hannay, and I knew immediately that I’d discovered my line. I read every Sweet I could get my hands on, and found many wonderful Australian writers.

I love the sense that these romances really could happen to you, that they take you on a roller-coaster of emotions, and that they deliver the feel-good high of falling in love, every time.

Do you have any say in the titles of your books?

No. And this suits me because I’m hopeless at coming up with titles. If I had to choose my own, I’d never get a book published. My favourite title so far is that of the book due out in December 09 (UK): Her Mediterranean Makeover. The heroine is a widow who married her childhood sweetheart, and at the age of forty finds herself alone. She does something she dreamed of when she was young: she goes to learn French in France, and she finds a whole new life.

You obtained a grant to attend the RWA national conference in San Francisco last year. Can you tell us about the grant and the application process?

I was thrilled to be awarded a professional development grant by Arts SA. I must admit, I didn’t think an arts council would award grants to romance writers; I thought they’d be reserved for the literary writers, so before embarking on the application process, I emailed Arts SA to ask whether this was the case. I was pleasantly surprised to receive a reply indicating that all forms of literature were eligible.

My advice to people hoping to apply for a grant, is not to be put off by the application process. It’s not as onerous as it might appear at first glance. It requires the submission of a one-page project description, a CV, a budget, letters of support, referees, supporting documentation such as reviews, media clippings etc, and support material including books.

How was the San Francisco conference?

Fantastic! Well worth the effort of putting in a grant application. I attended many fine workshops, was one of 500 authors who participated in the Literacy for Life book-signing event, met four Harlequin Mills and Boon editors from the London office, talked with fellow authors from America, England, Canada, Ireland and New Zealand, and of course, attended the Rita award ceremony. 

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

Hmm, a pantser would call me a plotter, but I don’t plot in detail. I don’t do character charts, or collages, or casting. I do write a two-page synopsis. This is for my editor, but I’m so used to writing it now, it’s part of my process, and I’d probably continue to write a synopsis even if my editor didn’t want it.  I like to know the main turning points of the plot, and an idea of how it’s going to be resolved, but the details of getting from point to point only emerge as I write.

Before I start writing, I make up a collection of music specifically for that book, and I play it over and over again while I’m writing. I find that it helps me to get back into the story mood after taking a breaking from the manuscript. And as I work part-time, these breaks are unavoidable.

What is the best thing you have done for your writing?

In the early days, it was joining RWAus, and specifically, the Romaus e-list. It’s a very inspiring and supportive group of people, and just knowing that they were all striving for (or had achieved) the goal of publication in romance, was motivating for me.

What would be your ultimate research trip? ;))

Oh, this is such a hard question to answer, because it will always be the location of my next book. As it happens, I’m hoping to set my next book in Greece, starting in Athens, then to Crete, and then on to several other Greek islands. So, right now, this would be my ultimate research trip, but ask me in a few months time, and it could be somewhere completely different *grin*.

Thanks Claire for joining us. Claire has kindly offered a copy   of ‘The Best Love Stories of 2009’ to be a give away.

For your  chance to  win please comment below. If you have a favourite line or subgenre you read, let us know.
Comments will be open until  21st October.




Comments now closed. Congratulations Mariska!
Please drop by Claire's website.


~yia~

Eleni-fest: A word on grants

I have to say that I am in no way an expert on grants. I was lucky enough to get grants from two avenues that presented itself this year. But the following are some thoughts I believe a person should keep in mind when contemplating grant applications:

•  Do your research. There are all sorts of grants available for writers, such as government organisations like Arts SA and Australian Council for the Arts; organisations such as Copyright Agency Limited (CAL), and even local governments.

• Check eligibility criteria and make sure you fit them. If in doubt, contact the co-ordinator to discuss. 

• Most grants have set due dates and also dates for when the project/program to be done during a certain period. For example, the RLADT grant I applied for had to be in by the end of March and the project proposal had to be for the period between July 2009 to June 2010. However, there may be ‘emergency’ grants for a lesser amount for situations that come up unexpectedly.

•  Address the selection criteria thoroughly. Add information that is needed - example a writing CV and examples of your writing. 

• Be professional in your approach to obtaining the grant and when undertaking the project. You are not only representing yourself but also the organisation if you obtain the grant.

•  Be mindful of what is expected of you and what you need to do.

•  Be realistic when constructing your budget. For example, I could have applied for up to $10K as an individual (more if you are part of an organisation/group), but I knew that I wouldn’t need that much. I worked out my ‘core’ expenses – registration fees, flights, and accommodation and worked out the rest from there. Keeping in mind of promotional activities, I had to figure this into the budget too. Not having ever done this before, I have learned the importance of keeping accurate records and underestimating costs. 
•  While I was received my requested amount $3K, I was mindful that maybe only part of the costs would have been covered.

You can also approach than one source for the same project. Some councils like my own have programs to help their residents with professional development. I was successful at obtaining a $250 grant via the City of Charles Sturt's Personal Development Assistance Program . Every cent counts when you are on a fixed income.

As you can imagine, I was ecstatic to be able to attend the Romance Writers of Australia conference, and these grants helped me to enjoy the experience and not worry about all the finances. I'm very grateful for the opportunity. 

More on my grants

The Richard Llewellyn Arts & Disability Trust is offered via Arts SA  
(Below is an overview which is paraphrased from their site)

• It's aim is to support "projects and initiatives that develop and celebrate the creative and artistic aspirations of people with disabilities in South Australia."

• It was established in 2006 and is named after the late Richard Llewellyn, "a tireless supporter of the arts and an enthusiastic advocate for universal accessibility."

• This grant is available to both individuals, organisations, and even federal agencies.

• Assessments are overseen by a panel and they consider the application against the assessment criteria. This includes a commitment to high quality, innovative and original artistic work; a commitment of partnerships between disabilities and the broader community; and effective planning & use of resources including funding from sources outside Arts SA.  Also the application should have a resume, letters of support, and letters of confirmation from artists and other parties.

• And of course there is support material, which will be different for every application. Failure to provide adequate material will make the application illegible. However, still choose only those support material relevant to the application.

A presentation is on the webpage with RLADT manager, Clare Tizard (audio form). And of course there is the Arts SA Handbook.




The Personal Development Assistance Program is offered via the City of Charles Sturt.

• As with all council grants you have to be a resident in the area. I discovered this grant when doing my original research. 

• It's purpose is to assist those over 25 to participate in an approved personal development program. I had to confirm that conferences were considered a relevant program and provided documentation & commentary on the application form.

• Again, if in doubt, contact the coordinator, they are more than willing to help and answer questions. 

I wish everyone the very best when applying for a grant. Let how much you want to develop your writing career shine through.


There will be a workshop on this topic at the next Romance Writers of Australia's national conference by CC Coburn, Harlequin American Romance author, and a future article in Hearts Talk by Rowena Cory Daniells.



(Oh and if you are entering the Heart & Craft competition on the site, this blog has information to help answer one of the questions...*grin*)


Updates on Eleni-fest - Spreading the Word
The following people have 'pimped' Eleni-fest


Emily - Elove
Shelley Munro
Anita Joy
Kylie Griffin




Thank you ladies. Remember for your chance to win a trade book cover, please enter the Spreading the Word competition. Details on the site.

~yia~

Background for Eleni-fest

I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which has hindered me from holding a ‘proper’ job for some three years or so now. But writing is wonderful because I don’t have to do things in a 9 to 5 manner. I can set my hours, rest when I need to, and work when I have the energy levels. It’s not ideal but it’s best for me now.

Still, I do try and find relevant work when I can in the real world. But writing is something that has been encouraged by my doctors. It’s positive and also I just love it.

I really owe finding about any grants to my Multiple Solutions case manger and her associate. While they couldn’t sponsor me to go to the conference, which was a huge aim for me this year, they helped me achieve this goal.

I had always assumed that Arts grants were not for people like me – the non-‘literary’ type. That is I write and hope to be published one day in the fantasy genre – yep, that’s popular fiction. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Being a long time member of Romance Writers of Australia, I believed it time for me go to a conference again. Having been sidelined with CFS & related issues, I didn’t know how I would manage this but as I spoke to the MS staff, they sent me in the right direction and encouraged me to apply for a grant despite my belief that going to a romance conference may not be ‘high-brow’ enough. It would be a good experience in itself.

They could tell I was eager to pursue my dreams of becoming a published author and I felt ready (even though anxious) to attend the conference. The MS staff & I researched and we found a grant that was suitable for me and encouraged me to apply for the Richard Llewellyn Arts and Disability Trust (RLADT). But the applications were closing soon!!!

I had to get cracking and I did.

All sorts of information can be found on the Internet on how to apply for a grant. But other than a quick perusal, I didn’t have the time to go into these in-depth. And I think the bits I did see made me feel anxious. Having completed a number of job applications in my time, I took this professional approach and got to work.

I contacted the co-ordinator, Ms Clare Tizard and organised a meeting. Clare was a delight to meet and very encouraging. Before the meeting, I had read through the Handbook and outlined a draft proposal, which we went through. Clare gave me her honest feedback - and much to my delight emphasised they wanted to know about me as a writer. While CFS made me eligible, the focus was MY writing. Oh the joy that I could concentrate on me as artist and not on my ‘disability’ as other organisations did.

This helped the excitement of filling out the application. I received wonderful supporting letters from my writing buddies (Trish Morey, Nikki Logan, Rachel Bailey, Dana Scully, and Fiona Gregory, who is also my CP). I also had a wonderful supporting letter from a Beta reader and friend, Toula. (Thank you all!!!) But really everyone who I talked to about the grant was fantastic and helpful and gave me tips.

I set to work on my application and proposal. I wanted to attend the Romance Writers of Australia national conference in August and that was in Brisbane. This was to enhance my writing career by meeting authors, publishers, agents, and have the opportunity to pitch, but also to mingle with like-minded people. But I also wanted to promote this project.

I was ecstatic to receive a grant from both Arts SA (RLADT) and my local council for a Personal Development Assistance Program. Thanks to these two grants, I was able to concentrate on the conference and not miss out due to finances.

So now the conference has been and gone and here I am, with Eleni-fest – I had no idea at the time of the proposal how big this was going to become. I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my experience with you all. And please if you have a query, either comment or email me at eleni@elenikonstantine.com

Thanks to Arts SA and the RLADT, the Minister For Disability, the Hon Jennifer Rankine MP, and the City of Charles Sturt for this opportunity.

Tomorrow, I will have a further word on grants.

Eleni-fest update information:

The website questionnaires for the two book giveaways both had a question that didn’t specify that it could have more than one answer. That has been amended. My apologies.

Also yesterday’s post has been amended – with confirmation dates for:

17^th - Anne Gracie (copy of The 'Stolen Princess' up for grabs)

13^th - Anne Oliver (copy of her latest book 'Memoirs of a Millionaire’s Mistress' or a copy of a back-title up for grabs).

31^st – Christina Phillips (copy of either ‘Foretaste of Forever’ or 'Touch of a Demon' up for grabs).

Thanks ladies!

Congrats to Anna Hackett for being Eleni-fest’s first commentator. She gets the reward of a bookmark. Thanks Anna...

~yia~