MyRomanceStory.Com Has a New Look!

Redesigned and ready for romance readers!
MyRomanceStory.com, the number one site for romance graphic novels, has relaunched its website to focus on its eBook and Apple iPhone app collections making it easier to purchase the romance you love to read.

MyRomanceStory’s graphic novels combine the storytelling of romance fiction with the visual format of graphic novels.  No matter which format you chose, our titles are all in vibrant color letting you escape into a fantasy experience that will excite your senses,” says Tom King, Managing Editor. “We think our new look makes a good fit with our titles.”

Read the whole story

Reborn by Rodrigo Diaz Ricci

Antagony X is a slave who serves her cruel master on planet Nasirya XIII. She makes a daring escape but is chased across the galaxy by a relentless robot called Interceptor One. Her spaceship is damaged in the pursuit and she crashes on a beautiful and mysterious planet, where she meets Ugul Batraxo, a giant Toad, who guides her to find her own destiny.

This beautifully conceived graphic novel by prolific illustrator Rodrigo Diaz Ricci is an existential read fest featuring starships, giant frogs, a killer robot and one spunky, sexy lady. Get Reborn today!

Congratulations to This Years RITA Award Winners!

The 2010 RITA Awards were presented at the 20th annual Romance Writers of America conference, held this year in Orlando, Florida.  

The Romance Writers of America (RWA) is a national non-profit genre writers association that provides networking and support to individuals seriously pursuing a career in romance fiction. Founded in 1980 in Houston, Texas the RWA has long been an advocacy group for their published and unpublished members.

The RITA Award is the most prominent honor in the genre of romance fiction.  It is named for the RWA's first president, Rita Clay Estrada. A RITA Award signifies excellence in one of 12 categories of romantic fiction.

And the RITA Award winners are:

2010 Golden Heart Awards

2010 RITA Awards

The RITA Awards recognize excellence in romance fiction. Congratulations to the winners!

 

Go to our Blushing Brides Contest voting page, enjoy a quick read and vote for your favorite story. Check out this week's highlighted story.

Silver Lining
by ladybug

It was my wedding day and all my friends and parents were there. It was a small chapel at the university I went to with my fiancé. When the hour got later and later and Ron didn't show up I got all queasy inside. His best friend (and best man) Jared came into my dressing room and I could tell by his face something was wrong. He told me Ron wasn't coming that he said he was sorry but he just wasn't ready. I thought my heart would break. And it was so embarrassing. How could he do this to me? To my family and to his family? Jared tried to calm my hysterical crying and said, "Don't cry, baby. He doesn't deserve you. He's my friend, but he's a real low down coward to do this to you." Well, that was 20 years ago. To this day I still feel some of the shame of that wedding day that wasn't. The good news is, I later found out what a close call I'd had. If I had married Ron, my life would have been one long misery. Instead, I married Jared two years later. We have had a great life and four fine children. There really is a silver lining to every cloud.

Our Blushing Brides Writing Contest is a salute to all the blushing brides, screaming bridezillas and the happily ever after couples. Submit your TRUE story of courtship, weddings and marriage to our Blushing Brides Writing Contest and you could win the GRAND PRIZE worth over $550!

ATTENTION: We've extended the Blushing Brides Writing Contest until August 31, 2010. So get your entry in today and get your chance to win our Grand Prize Packag! 

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Submit your Original Romance Stories Today!

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August 11, 2010

Arrow Talks with Talented Comic Author and Illustrator Rodrigo Diaz Ricci!

Rodriqo's graphic comic eBook Reborn is available on the iTunes App Store in Arrow's Comics Collection. Type in keywords Arrow Publications

Rodrigo Diaz Ricci was born in Valparaiso, Chile in 1971.  Now an Italian citizen, the talented graphic designer has worked in cartoons, published fanzines and comics and has published covers for several international newspapers and magazines.  Diaz is currently working on Ligeia the Vampire, his own character, and more stories from his science fiction saga, Reborn.  For more information visit: http://www.myspace.com/roddracula.

Arrow:  Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
RDR:  First, thank you for this interview.  I’ve been writing comics since I was a child.  My parents encouraged me to read at an early age.  Since then, I’ve had a love for literature, films and comics.  But it wasn’t until 2001 that I thought to take this seriously. It was then that I wrote Reborn, but I had to wait until 2008 to begin a career in the world of comics as a complete author.

Arrow:  Well we’re glad you decided to follow your dreams.  Can you tell us about some of the places you've lived?
RDR:  Well I was born in Chile.  But after getting my Italian citizenship, I opened my wings and flew to live in Spain, Sweden, Greece, Italy and now Romania.  I’ve always worked hard at many types of jobs because this is the best way to learn about other cultures and gain ideas for future writings.

Arrow:  You have lived in some exciting and romantic places.  Let's talk a little bit about romance. What country do you consider the most romantic?
RDR:  Italy, of course.  It is the only place in the world where you learn the best art: The Art of Seduction.

Arrow:  Steamy!  And what do you consider to be romantic?
RDR:  A lifestyle based on the constant search for love. Love and be loved.

Arrow:  That is romantic.  What motivated you to start writing?
RDR:  Injustice and music. Injustice motivates me because I too often read about unjust situations in newspapers and throughout history. When I see something that I don't like, I write about this theme. And so many ideas come to me from music. Complete stories can be born after listening to a song or some classic music.

Arrow:  Can you describe your writing approach?
RDR:  I look for a specific theme, things that people like to read, that people look for when they want to read. I write for both the engineer and for the common worker who gets up at 5 am and travels by bus to work. When I am writing or drawing, I think that my art will give a few minutes of happiness to a person; this is my approach to this art.

Arrow:  Your art must be very fulfilling. What is your writing background?
RDR:  I'm in the beginning of my career.  Sure, I write for the more important underground magazine in Italy, but only for last three years.  

Arrow:  It sounds like your writing background is getting off to a good start.  Is there a particular writer who influenced or mentored you?
RDR:  So many: Edgar Allan Poe, Jack London, Richard Bach, Alejandro Jodorowsky, Bram Stoker, Primo Levi, Tiziano Sclavi, Hugo Pratt, Robin Wood, Charles Bukowsky, Hector Oesterheld and many many more.

Arrow:  Wow everyone from Poe to Stoker.  How many genres and subgenres have you written in?
RDR:  Mostly horror and space opera, but I think that my writings are always influenced by various subgenres.

Arrow:  Are there any genres or subgenres you haven't tried that you'd like to? Have you considered expanding into other genres?
RDR:  Well, a writer should always start with the genres they like or know better. I would like to take a try at historical romance, noir, erotica or something from these subgenres together.

Arrow:  We are ready to read it when you write it!  How did you get into electronic publishing?
RDR:  In 2000, I went on the Internet for the first time and immediately understood that much of the editorial future was in the digital environment, especially comic strips.  In 2008, I started my professional career as an author in the comic mobile platform with sales all over the world. I have been a pioneer in my field in electronic publishing, and I'm convinced that digital is the future.

Arrow:  Many people agree that digital is the way of the future.  Do you have any advice for new writers looking to get published?
RDR:  Start with electronic publishing and open your mind to this new media.  It is the future.

Arrow:  RDR:  That is good advice.  What are your latest releases?
RDR:  Reborn and Ligeia the Vampire.

Arrow:   Of the novels you've written, what is your favorite?
RDR:  A complicated question because everything I do takes a part of me. Any panel that you see has recorded some memory. I love Reborn and Ligeia the Vampire equally.

Arrow:  It’s always hard to choose.  What can your readers expect from you in the coming year?
RDR:  Well, I’d like to publish Stone Hearts, the second episode of Reborn saga for Christmas and two episodes of Ligeia the Vampire. In September, the people of Paris can see and buy a series of my paintings in acrylic. I also have ideas for new stories and characters for a fresh new Graphic Novel. I can't wait to do it all.

Arrow:  We’ll be ready when that comes out!  What do you do to promote your books, your brand and yourself?
RDR:  Right now I am using social networks like Facebook, Myspace, Youtube, Twitter, etc. For me Facebook and blogs are a great system, but the ideal situation is to have the support of a publishing house.  It is very hard to do it alone

Arrow:  That’s something for new authors to keep in mind.  How do you use social media and the web to your promotional and marketing advantage?
RDR:  As much as possible I try to participate in the “wall” of friends in Facebook, create a group and have fresh news two or three times a week (sketches, videos, etc.) It is effective, but very hard for one person. You can only reach a small amount of people.

Arrow:  What do you think about the current changes in the publishing industry?
RDR:  It’s great! For example, the iPad seems like a normal evolution for the industry.  Yet the publishing industry is like a thief in the night, not knowing whether to move to digital or lose their traditional customers.  Many large publishers recycle old comics instead of hiring famous authors to create new things with the new form of narration for these platforms. Anyway, the changes isn the indurstry are very exciting and full of challenges for authors and publishers.

Arrow:  Something to think about.  So, has Hollywood called you to turn any of your books into a film, etc.?
RDR:  Wow! That would be fantastic! All my stories have a movie approach. But, for this, I need an agent with connections in the world of cinema and television.  It would be a great and important step for my career.

Arrow:  Hopefully, Hollywood will call to make Reborn.  That would make a great sci-fi movie.  What advice do you have for new writers? And for publishing eBooks?
RDR:  For new writers: Write with your audience in mind.  For publishing eBooks: More advertising and move your eBooks into the cinema.  A movie based on a graphic novel creates trends, but a movie based on an eBook opens a new world. More people will buy eBooks.

Arrow:  More good advice.  Anything else you'd like to tell us about yourself or your books?
RDR:  Yes, buy Reborn. Give Reborn to your friends, your husband or wife, your girlfriend or boyfriend, your grandparents, etc.  Giving is love.

Arrow:  Thank you for taking the time to let us into your life, and good luck with all your future endeavors.

Search keywords “Arrow Publications" to find Reborn by Rodriqo Diaz Ricci in Arrow’s Comics Collection in the iTunes App store.

Arrow's Top 10 Apps for July 2010

1. The Sensual Zodiac (Dating & Relationship Collection)
2. The Reluctant Handyman (Love & Romance Collection)
3. Romancing Your Moon Signs (Dating & Relationship Collection)
4. Collision Course (Love & Romance Collection)
5. Discover Your Romance Signs (Dating & Relationship Collection)
6. One-Time Thing (Love & Romance Collection)
7. Shipboard Masquerade (Love & Romance Collection)
8. Using LinkedIn to Promote Your Business or Yourself by Gini Graham Scott (Reference, Business & Education Collection)
9. Master of Fusion (Love & Romance Collection)
10. Romance Story G005:  Nightmare in the Park

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