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Apr. 27--In book publishing, the romance genre is a growing phenomenon. Though the point of romances is a love story with "an emotionally satisfying ending," as they say in the trade, the trend has been the ongoing refinement of subgenres. The basic woman-gets-man fairy tale has splintered into at least a dozen categories, including lady lit (for women over 50), ethnic, inspirational, paranormal and the like.
For every published romance writer, there are 100 trying to break into the $1.4 billion-a-year market. That's where Fair Oaks romantic-suspense novelist Brenda Novak enters the story. She wants to offer a helping hand to aspiring romancers and simultaneously raise funds for diabetes research. One of her five children has the disease.
For the second year, Novak has set up an auction (think e-Bay) on her Web site where people can bid on donated items. Sure, there's the standard stuff - autographed books by top-shelf authors (including Nora Roberts, Janet Evanovich, John Lescroart, Nick Hornby, Lee Child), lunch with the book buyer for Borders, a golf package - but there also are romance-related offerings that are invaluable. They include advice from literary agents and face time with established romance authors including Debbie Macomber and Christine Feehan. More important, a number of romance editors have agreed to read and assess the manuscripts of winning bidders.
"Most of the big houses don't accept unsolicited submissions anymore," Novak said. "This auction will provide a way for someone with talent to get noticed, which is becoming increasingly difficult. And it can be as hard to get a good agent as it can be to get in front of an editor. A winning bid puts (a would-be romancer) in front of someone with an eye for talent and the power to buy."
Last year's auction raised nearly $35,000, which was donated for diabetes research.
The auction will run the whole month of May. Visit www.brendanovak.com and click on the auction icon.
By the way, Novak is the author of 20 romance novels; the latest is "Every Waking Moment" (HQN, $6.99, 384 pages), which partly involves a child who has diabetes.
There's a double hit for the hot-selling and controversial "The Passion of Mary Magdalen" by Elizabeth Cunningham (Monkfish, $29.95, 640 pages). The book re-envisions Mary Magdalene as a hot-blooded Celt who is sold into slavery in Rome.
In a workshop, Cunningham will show writing students "how to let go of their inhibitions with meditation, storytelling, song and movement" at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Learning Exchange, 1111 Howe Ave., (916) 929-9200. The cost is $57.
At noon the same day, Cunningham will speak at East West Books, 2216 Fair Oaks Blvd., (916) 920-3837. That one's free.
* The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will hold its annual Spring Book Sale from Saturday to May 7 at the Marketplace at Birdcage Mall, near the intersection of Sunrise Boulevard and Greenback Lane in Citrus Heights.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and weekdays, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.
The fundraiser will offer 10,000 new and used books in 40 categories. For more information or to donate books: (916) 383-7387, ext. 9102, or www.sspca.org.
Upcoming author appearances include:
* David Sirota for "Hostile Takeover" (Crown, $24, 384 pages; on sale May 9): The former Capitol Hill insider is launching his 15-city national tour. His book is described as taking "readers on a journey into the lies, myths and half-truths perpetuated by Big Business and peddled by corrupt politicians."
Event: 5 p.m. Friday at the California Democratic Party Convention, Sacramento Convention Center, Hall D, 1400 J St.
* Mike Madison for "Blithe Tomato" (Heyday, $15, 199 pages): Via vignettes and essays - and the occasional rant - organic farmer Madison introduces readers to the culture of farmers markets.
Event: 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Avid Reader, 617 Second St., Davis; (530) 758-4040.
* Cal Orey and Jim Berkland for "The Man Who Predicts Earthquakes" (Sentient, $16.95, 270 pages): Author-journalist Orey profiles rogue geologist and earthquake predictor Jim Berkland, who forecast the Oct. 17, 1989, "World Series quake" that hit the Bay Area.
Event: 2 p.m. Saturday at Barnes & Noble, 1256 Galleria Blvd., Roseville; (916) 788-4320.
* M.M. Rumberg for "Code Name: Snake" (Lulu, $12.95, 296 pages): This thriller novel tells the tale of a Jewish assassin plying his trade in World War II Berlin.
Event: noon on Saturday at Book Lovers, 5800 Madison Ave.; (916) 332-3133.
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