Getting to read at Lady Jane’s Salon is like being voted onto Author Island.  You get to join a select group of writers offering samples of their work, enjoy a good drink, and revel in the . . . er . . . eclectic décor.  No one even blinks at words like “swiving” or “whist” or “scoundrel” at Lady Jane’s.  And when you’re done, you get to meet readers who love books and who can’t wait to tell you about it.

Returning guest author, Sabrina Jeffries. October 4, 2010.

What fun!

This time was especially fun for me, since it was my first time to read at Lady Jane’s home venue, the Soho establishment known as Madame X, where the liquor flows and the red lamps glow.  It’s a completely different experience from reading at one of its rare out-of-town stops, like the 2010 RT Booklovers conference—so much more . .. New York.  Most of the attendees are New Yorkers, and that also ramps up the vibe.

Better yet, lots of industry professionals show up.  I was delighted to have Bette-Lee Fox of Library Journal and Rose Fox of Publishers Weekly attend, and how fun to have Barbara Vey of PW do some of the emceeing!  Even Daisy Maryles, formerly of PW, came out to join us.  My agent Pamela Ahearn was there with an author friend of ours, Laura Joh Rowland, and I’m told there were other agents and editors, including a coach full just of Dorchester editors!  It was lovely to see so many supporters of romance from the industry side!

Then there were the authors, both those who read, and those who came to listen.  Leanna Renee Hieber was entertaining as always, reading from her upcoming novella, “A Christmas Carroll”—from the holiday anthology, A Midwinter Fantasy.  Donna Hill, author of more than 50 novels; three of which have been adapted for TV—had us all swooning at her sexy hero. And Janet Mullany’s description of Jane Austen learning how to “dine” (so much more polite than “feeding,” don’t you know) from her Austen vampire mashup, Jane and the Damned, cemented her reputation as the author who “writes funny romantic historicals.”  (Her reading was hilarious . . . and borderline proper-sounding thanks to Janet’s British accent!)

My favorite part as always, however, was chatting with readers.  I was so surprised to find that an internet friend, Michelle Catucci, from my own blog hangout, The Goddess Blogs, had shown up to hear me read, as had that wonderful champion of romances, bookseller Stacey Agdern of Posman Books.  In the rain.  After a hard day’s work.  What dolls!

Sabrina Jeffries reads to a rapt Lady Jane's audience. 10-4-10

All in all, it was a lovely night, a fun time, and a great tribute to how wonderful romance readers, writers, and professionals are.  Thanks to the mighty foursome of Hieber, Ron Hogan, Hope Tarr, and Maya Rodale, who founded and now gracefully steer the monthly romance reading series.  I can’t wait until my next trip to New York  . . .  and Lady Jane’s—save a place for me on the red velvet couch!

Co-founder Leanna Renee Hieber here, and I’m very excited about our Salon lineup October 4^th! Yours truly will be reading from the next installment in the Strangely Beautiful saga, A Christmas Carroll, featured in A MIDWINTER FANTASY anthology.

The Salon team is also thrilled to welcome fabulous authors Janet Mullany, Donna Hill, and returning star Sabrina Jeffries to our Salon stage, as well as special guest and Salon Emcee, Publishers Weekly’s Barbara Vey!

All the usual rules apply, $5 admission at the door or gently used romance novel,  proceeds/donations to charity, doors open at 7pm at Madame X! (94 West Houston Street between Thompson and LaGuardia in Manhattan)

PLUS… To raise money for our website fund, I’ll be raffling off the limited edition Hardcover set of my bestselling, multiple award-winning books The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker and sequel; The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker, for $2.00 per raffle ticket. These books are limited edition and only available via subscription to Rhapsody Book Club, so this is a special opportunity to get a limited edition signed set before they’re gone! So bring your single$!

See you there!

Leanna

The August Salon welcomes three great guest authors: Anna DePalo, Erica Ridley, and Alaya Dawn Johnson.

Guest authors books will be available for purchase on site.

Lady Jane’s meets at Madame X (94 West Houston) on the first Monday of every month, 7-9 PM. Cash bar. Admission is $5 or one gently-used paperback romance novel with net proceeds supporting local women’s charities.