Hope Tarr's Blog

Lady Jane’s Recap & April Salon Buzz

Hope — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 04:36:39 +0000

As one of the four co-founders of Lady Jane’s Salon I get to play soiree hostess once a month. I love that!

Even better, sometimes I get to be a guest at my very own party. The December ‘09 Salon was one such occasion. In the hope that video is indeed the next best thing to being there, click on the Hope\’s December \’09 Lady Jane\’s Salon Reading and yes, join the party.

And if you are planning to be in the New York City area next month, please do join us on Monday, April 5th 7-9 PM at Madame X with guest authors Miranda Neville, Sarah MacLean, N.K. Jemisin and Kate Nobel.

Hope

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Hope — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:50:56 +0000

Whether you’re Irish in ethnicity or simply in spirit, I wish you a wonderful day filled with joy, friendship, and fields o’ glorious green.

Hope

Blogging This Week at MJ Rose’s THE REINCARNATIONIST

Hope — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:47:02 +0000

Please join me this week (March 8th thru 12th) as I blog with uber bestseller MJ Rose on reincarnation, past life regression, and PAST LIFE, the Fox television series inspired by her book.

Lady Jane’s Salon, March 1st

Hope — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:44:46 +0000

The March 1st Salon welcomes guest authors Mingmei Yip, Cara Elliott, and Louisa Edwards. Please read Ming Mei’s wonderful pre-salon blog post at the Lady Jane’s web site.

Founded by Maya Rodale, Leanna Renee Hieber, Ron Hogan, and Hope Tarr (yes, that’s me!) Lady Jane’s Salon meets on the first Monday of every month, 7-9 PM, upper floor of Madame X (94 West Houston). See you there!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Hope — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 16:34:05 +0000

In the spirit of keeping it short and sweet, Happy Valentine’s Day! Whether you celebrate with your sweetie, your friends, or solo, whether your plans take place on the Saturday before or on the actual day, have a wonderful weekend.

Hope

Happy Birthday, Lady Jane!

Hope — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 04:55:31 +0000

Lady Jane’s Salon, New York City’s first and so far only monthly romance reading series, turns one-year-old this February 1st and oh, my how our Girl has grown!

Helping us blow out the birthday candle are three fabulous guests: bestseller, Lauren Willig (The Betrayal of the Blood Lily), debut author, Sara Lindsey (Promise Me Tonight), and guest emcee, historical nonfiction author Leslie Carroll (Notorious Royal Marriages). Three very lovely ladies reading from three very different books, all of which will be available for purchase on Salon night. I’m just saying…

Now that we’ve come up on the one year mark, it seems a fitting time to both reflect on the past year and look forward to the new year ahead. When Maya, Leanna, Ron and I came up with the concept for Lady Jane’s, we anticipated having ten or so attendees each month. In a very short time, we found ourselves filling up the house to the point where many Salon nights are now standing room only. Feature articles in TIME OUT NEW YORK and THE NEW YORK POST swiftly followed along with tremendous support from the romance fiction community. RT BOOK Reviews, Barbara Vey at Publishers Weekly, Romance Novel TV, the chapter members of Romance Writers of America/NYC, and “Smart Bitch” Sarah Wendell are just a few of our wonderful friends who’ve given us both early and consistent loyalty and support. To them and all the individuals too numerous to name in a mere blog post, thank you!

A big sloppy birthday buss to Amy McCloskey, owner of our wonderful host venue, Madame X, and also to her manager, Karen and bartender, Alex. Without your support, the Salon couldn’t happen. It just couldn’t.

We started the series to provide a home for the books we love to both read and write. The four of us also felt strongly that in addition to the fun and frolic, it was important to broaden our mission to include a service component. Share the Love, Maya’s charitable organization co-founded with Ann Bleakley, has been the recipient of Salon proceeds for the past year, and we look forward to continuing our outreach to groups serving women in need in 2010.

As a Co-Founder, the time and energy I’ve expended have been returned to me tenfold–in the friendships both old and new, the collegiality with publishing professionals representing all aspects of the industry, and the opportunity to build, sustain and now grow something needed and yes, beautiful with three other amazing and creative individuals. Leanna, Maya and Ron, I heart you.

It’s both heartening and humbling to hear how the love we feel for our Brain Child/Baby is reciprocated by the romance community. Salon regular and February guest, Lauren Willig will teach a class on romance fiction this spring at Yale–yes, Y-A-L-E–along with fellow bestseller and Salon regular, Andrea Pickens also W/A Cara Elliott. A recent New Hampshire Register article covering the upcoming class had this to say:

Part of the impetus for the course also came from Willig’s membership in Lady Jane’s Salon, a Manhattan group of writers and readers which meets monthly for readings “and to hang out and drink. It’s become in a very short time an institution and a way for various people from various parts of the industry to share their love of romance novels,” says Willig.

Thank you, Lauren, and thanks to all of you whose unswerving commitment and enthusiasm, loyalty and yes, love have made Lady Jane’s Salon a rousing success.

Hope

Happy Birthday, Lady Jane

Monday, February 1st, 7-9 PM

Madame X (94 W Houston St)

Admission: $5 or one ppb romance novel

Holiday Goodness Challenge Wrap-Up

Hope — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:56:21 +0000

On behalf of Marian’s Dream and the statewide and regional spay/neuter programs it supports, a heartfelt thank you to my 2009 Holiday Goodness Challengers aka Heroes (in no particular order):

Valerie Mann

Sandy Coleman

Judy Roney

Laurie Nichols

Dan McGirt, Author

Kim Swiderski

Lori Alpert

Because of you, 2010 will look that much brighter for homeless cats and the people who work so tirelessly in the proverbial trenches to ease the suffering and make Marian’s Dream of no more homeless cats that much closer to becoming a reality.

Happy 2010!

Hope

Lady Jane’s Salon: Monday, January 4th

Hope — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 21:34:53 +0000

Lady Jane rolls out 2010 in style with two super fab bestselling authors: Kathryn Smith and Crimson City Series author Liz Maverick. Go to the Lady Jane’s web site and read all about it.

Happy New Year!

Hope — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 16:29:41 +0000

May your 2010 be filled with peace and prosperity, joy and yes, romance!

Hope

Recap: December Lady Jane’s Salon

Hope — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 20:41:47 +0000

The December 7th Lady Jane’s Salon was a rousing success with lots o’ holiday goodness and birthday bubbles (in celebration of Harlequin’s 60th), making for a truly magical evening. But don’t take my word for it. Head on over to the Harlequin blog and hear what our VIP guest, Senior Editor for Harlequin’s Blaze line, Brenda Chin has to say about her visit. And for the complete album of pretty pretty pictures, check out Lady Jane’s Salon on Facebook.

Hope