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NERFA Contest Announcement PERMISSION TO FORWARD The National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award (NERFA) is now open! Wouldn't this look great next to your book title: National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award finalist! The First Coast Romance Writers contest for books published in 2014 is now open for entries. This is one of the fastest growing romance writing contests out there and entries are capped, so you don’t want to miss out! First round judges are enthusiastic readers of romance, and final judges are bloggers, librarians, and booksellers. NERFA is open to Independent press, self-published, and digital first or digital only entries, as well as traditionally published books. All entries must have an original copyright date of 2014 and must have been available for purchase in the United States in 2014. Finalists receive a certificate, and winners receive a digital badge for their websites and a certificate. For more information and to enter, please visit the contest page on the First Coast Romance Writers website: http://www.firstcoastromancewriters.com/nerfa-contest-rules/ Full disclosure - this is sponsored by my writing chapter, a chapter of Romance Writers of America

In the celebration of the long-running success of the thread, "Can a Man Use Yama Budo?", and partly because the words tutuguan and beungalings sound rather exotic and fancy (terminology courtesy of user GClef), there has been a talk of establishing YB Romantic Club. I am therefore starting this thread in an attempt to start the club and to celebrate the marvel of English language, love, and general silliness. Q: What does the club stand for? A: The name stands for Yama Budo Romantic Club. Q: What does the club do? A: The purpose is to write love letters in the hue of Yama Budo, released by Pilot as part of the Iroshizuku series. The addressee will be imaginary to save both parties from humiliation. Q: I don't have the ink! What do I do? A: You have two options. One is to use a similar colour and list the ink name. The other is to write a love letter but not as a tutuguan; meaning, you'd type it out on here, then use a font colour that you deem closest to the actual ink. Q: Do I get prizes and rewards? How about member subscription benefits? A: You will get the honour of having proficiency writing love letters. There are also imaginary keychains, iPhone cases, and T- shirts available (courtesy of user MisterBoll). Q: Can't it be just regular letters? A: Well, the entire purpose is to write as clingy and romantic and over-dramatic as possible, since not many of us have the chance to actually write like that in our daily lives and have them appreciated properly. If your letter can make Victorian ladies swoon, then you are an elite member of this club. (Yes, regular letters are allowed. ) Q: One of your letters was romantic, I want to use it to woo a lady/gentleman! May I? A: Please contact the writer of the particular letter directly for further inquiries. Q: Can the addressee be anyone? A: Anyone in the world, alive or dead, existent or imaginary. We do suggest, however, refraining from writing to such lovable characters as Mr Bean, unless you are a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer happily wedded to Rowan Atkinson. Q: This is a silly idea. A: That wasn't a question, but in response to your statement, "never stay up on the barren heights of cleverness, but come down into the green valleys of silliness". We oftentimes find the green valleys a rather pleasant place to stay for a while. Q: My handwriting isn't suited for love letters! A: We are certain the recipient of the letter won't mind. Q: Can I be an officer? A: Of course. Just make up a position title and let us know. Q: Can I copy out one of the famous love letters and upload it here? A: Of course. Just make sure to credit the original writer of the epistle. These are the rules/Q&A for now. This post will be edited and updated as see fit.