Aug 16 2009
Borders True Romance + SB Sarah & DA Jane = Hijinks
For the past several months, Sarah and I have had the distinct pleasure of working on the launch of the Borders True Romance blog hosted by Sue Grimshaw, the buyer of romances for Borders books. Today the blog is finally officially debuting and we, Sarah and I, are Sue’s”Romance Experts” at the Borders:True Romance Blog.
As I wrote for the introductory piece to be posted later today at the BTR Blog, we aren’t really experts in anything except for what our own likes and dislikes but they needed a name for us and that’s our label. We know the true experts are the collective voices of the community. I am always so amazed by the depth of people’s memories regarding the genre and the strength of their opinions.
I know that we want to foster that community spirit at BTR Blog even if your preferred retail place is somewhere else. Because in the end, romance community is defined NOT by the place where we shop but what we buy and what we keep and what we can’t stop talking about.
So what exactly is the Borders: True Romance Blog and who is this Sue Grimshaw?
Sarah says that Sue is the Gladys Knight of romance, so we’re the Pips, and we’re on the Midnight Train to Romance. WOO HOO!
Sue is one of the most recognizable faces in the industry. You might have met her at a conference or at an RWA chapter meeting, or read an interview with her online – it’s hard to get involved in the genre without meeting Sue. Sue started reading romance over ten years ago, and is among the most enthusiastic and well informed romance experts – which is good since she has what has to be The Worst Job in the Universe: she’s the romance buyer for all Borders stores. She has to read romance novels. Professionally.
We try to control our jealousy over this.
The Borders: True Romance Blog is a whole new way to meet Sue, and find out how much she knows about books. From her old favorites to the novels she’s most excited about this year, Sue has a ton of ideas to share with you.
What makes the Borders True Romance Blog interesting and innovative is that each entry will start off with an exclusive video from Sue herself. She has clips of author interviews, insider information about the books she’s reading, or details about our featured guest – and that’ll be the start of each day’s entry. Yup. Every day.
We’ll be doing different things each day, as well. We’ll be featuring four guest authors a week, and they’ll be talking about writing, their new books, and maybe even revealing new information about their work. Plus, we’ll have exclusive discounts or giveaways on featured books each week from some of our guest authors. Our first guests this week are Linda Howard (18 August) and Julia Quinn (19 August) who will be talking about their books – and we’ll have some surprises in there, too. Nalini Singh will blog on August 21 and Berkley is sponsoring an awesome giveaway including an ARC of Nalini’s November release, Blaze of Memory.
On Thursdays, we’ll be featuring “Sue’s Must Reads” a video and written column that highlights books Sue is very excited about – just in time for weekend book shopping.
On Fridays we’ll have something completely new and different: guest columns from romance bloggers. Few readers devote as much time and energy as the romance bloggers whose communities we enjoy, and we wanted to invite them to be a part of this new endeavor. They’ll be discussing their favorite books and subgenres, their own sites, and the elements of the romance genre they most enjoy. (You should email me if you want to contribute. We want to feature readers who don’t blog as well as teh readers who do!)
Our goal is for the Borders True Romance Blog to be a new kind of community, one that unites readers, authors, bloggers, and now booksellers in a unique environment perfect for the discussion and promotion of our favorite genre. We are so honored to be a part of it. We’ve got big plans, with giveaways of ARCs, conversations about romance with authors who aren’t online all that often, exclusive content, video features, and, well, you. You’re the best part.
Hope to see you there! WOO HOO!
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Aug 16, 2009 @ 19:40:37
Very cool. The both of youse.
Aug 16, 2009 @ 19:46:09
Very cool, indeed. Can’t wait to read it!
Aug 16, 2009 @ 19:57:54
I am all for the hijinks. :D
Aug 16, 2009 @ 20:10:47
Hi, The blog sounds interesting. I tried the link &, at least with my computer, the link was not functioning. Is there a problem with it?
Want to say that when I buy new books (other than Hq.’s), I always buy at Borders.
Patricia
Aug 16, 2009 @ 21:37:50
The link is not working for me either :(
I will try back tomorrow. Sounds like it will be fun.
But for the record, and I’ve emailed Borders about this in the past, if it’s a book I really want I am usually going to buy it on Tuesday when it comes out, not wait for the weekend. Why are their coupons never good on Tuesdays :P
Aug 16, 2009 @ 21:53:44
Sounds interesting. Glad to see Borders is reaching out to the romance community in a way other competitors are not (or no longer do so).
Aug 16, 2009 @ 22:07:59
So when do hijinks ensue? :-)
Way to go, ladies.
Aug 16, 2009 @ 22:13:35
I buy at Borders constantly because of their lovely coupons.
Aug 16, 2009 @ 23:36:31
I am so there.
Aug 17, 2009 @ 02:11:19
Congrats Ladies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Aug 17, 2009 @ 02:29:18
The link works now.
I think it’s a great idea, but that room looks a bit like a bedroom in a hall of residence on the first day of term. Bit souless & utilitarian. Perhaps the thought is that artwork or curtains would distract the viewer?
Perhaps it’s just a first day thing, but if Sue has to film there every day, I think the new community should band together & buy her a potted plant.
Aug 17, 2009 @ 02:56:47
Well, that’s certainly hijinks, and many congratulations, but meanwhile, back at the ranch, there seems to be lojinks involving a cause dear to Dear Author’s heart: the proposed Google settlement.
It seems to be more of a whodunnit than a romance, but Wolfinthewood’s paper on ‘The Google Book Settlement and European Authors’ has been appearing, and disappearing, in a distinctly dubious manner from Google’s indexing; one might be forgiven for thinking that Google’s famous ‘untouched by human hand’ claim is looking a little ragged around the edges. You may like to have a look at
http://wolfinthewood.livejournal.com/77641.html
Aug 17, 2009 @ 05:53:06
Congratulations! Sounds like an exciting endeavor.
Aug 17, 2009 @ 08:31:35
Woot congrats ladies. I can’t wait. Borders is my next favorite place that I go to for my books.
Aug 18, 2009 @ 15:35:35
This is cool. I just discovered that there’s a Borders near me. I’ve never shopped at Borders before; it opened recently and is the only one within 50 miles.