HEARTSTRINGS

Ancient City Romance Authors (ACRA) held its annual writers' conference September 26-27, 2014. Here are some highlights of the conference held at The Hampton at St. Augustine Beach, FL. 

Speakers

Danielle Childers, Marketing Director for BelleBooks/Bell Bridge Books/Imajinn

Best-Selling Author Heather Graham

Best-Selling Author Elizabeth Sinclair

Author Summer Stephens and CEO/Editor at Salt Run Publishing, LLC

JSO Officer Tommy Herrington

ACRA members Cheryl Norman and Tmonique Stephens at the REGISTRATION table, both in their Superpower shirts! They are Romance Writers. What's Your superpower?

Friday night, Kellie Sharpe of Salt Run Publishing, LLC. held a launch party for Big Hair & Flying Cows by Dolores Wilson. This is a re-launch of her southern humor series held in the fictional town of Sweet Meadow, GA.

Of course, whenever there is anything that involves Bertie Byrd, the female tow truck driver, there is bound to be a mishap or an almost mishap, which is what nearly happened with this beautiful cake, as it slid from the bottom of the grocery buggy onto the wet pavement at Publix. Due to the quick thinking and shrieking of ACRA member, Glo Ferguson, it was saved. 

From left to right Anne Martin Fletcher, Glo Ferguson, and Gloria Marlow.

 Janie Dean in the conference room.

Authors Judith Leigh and Susan R. Sweet

Judith Leigh and Cheryl Norman

ACRA Bookstore 

 

Author Tmonique Stephens

  Authors Skye Taylor and Dolores Wilson at the book signing.
Skye is signing her books Falling For Zoe and Loving Meg.
Dolores is signing a copy of Big Hair and Flying Cows. She also has Dixie Cowboy, Flight to Freedom and Little Big Heart.

Authors Tmonique Stephens and Karen Hudgins at the Registration desk.

From left to right Caro Carson, Heather Graham, and Anne Martin Fletcher

New friends Anne Martin Fletcher and Caro Carson. 
Caro writes, "It was the first time in my entire life I've ever run into another female service academy graduate outside of a specific military or veteran event. I just sat next to this woman in the hotel's meeting room, and about an hour later, we figured out she was US Air Force Academy Class of 80, while I'm West Point (US Military Academy) Class of 89. We decided to kick off our shoes and go check out Saint Augustine Beach. I love this photo because we look like old friends instead of people who'd just met a few hours before! Beat Navy!"

 Author and Pop Culture Diva, Sharon Drane signing a copy of her debut book, Touch the Sky.

Inspirational author and ACRA member Betty Johnston.

Author Elaine Calloway signing her Elemental Clan Series.

Salt Run Publishing Authors from left to right Dolores Wilson, Gloria Davidson Marlow, Summer Stephens, Elizabeth Sinclair, and Sharon Drane.

Attendees and authors Beth Treadway and Pamela Varnado

Pamela Varnado

Beth Treadway

Author Gloria Davidson Marlow

Author and workshop speaker Heather Graham with author Kathryn J. Bain

Vickie King (facebook page link) signing Carly's Rule and Dusty's Fate. Carly's Rule is the 2nd Place Winner of 2014 Heart of Excellence Readers' Choice Award.

Danielle Childers, Keynote speaker and Marketing Director for BelleBooks/Bell Bridge Books

Best-selling author Heather Graham teaching a workshop.

Attendee Cheryl Brooks wins author Sharon Drane's basket.

At the end of the conference, donated baskets, critiques from authors, agents, and editors are raffled off. A portion of the proceeds from the raffle go to Tommy's Kids. JSO Officer Tommy Herrington delivers presents to children at Christmas in Jacksonville.