My Harlequin Moment: Laura Marie Altom

I still pinch myself about being part of the Harlequin family.  I have so many amazing memories with the company that it’s tough to narrow it down to just one.  The way I finally decided was by picking the story I’ve retold most over the years.

Okay, so I’m at the 2003 Romance Writers of America conference that was held in New York City, and pretty much spent the entire week gaping.  Harlequin spoils its authors.  BIG TIME.  We were wined and dined all over town.  At the Harlequin Manhattan offices we had champagne and fancy schmancy hors d’ouvres.  At the Harlequin party we danced and dined till midnight in a rooftop ballroom at the Waldorf Astoria.  For party favors we were all given engraved compacts.  (I still carry mine!)  Anyway, the night was easily on the top five list for my entire life!!!

So all of that was exciting, but one other way authors get spoiled is by lunching with their editors.  My editor at that time happened to be Paula Eykelhof who is the epitome of intelligence and grace and flawless manners.  Accompanying her was Assistant Editor, Beverly Sotolov—not familiar with her?  Read my above description of Paula.  These women have CLASS.

The restaurant Paula chose for us was in the historic Algonquin Hotel.  I think it’s called The Oak Room.  Anyway, this is where the famed NYC writers’ group called The Vicious Circle met in the 1920s.  Charter members included Harpo Marx, Dorothy Parker, Robert Benchley, Edna Ferber, and the list goes on and on.  The room had towering ceilings, and walls covered in dark wood paneling.  The lighting was dim.  The music soft and classical.  The staff omni-present, yet discreet.

I’m from Arkansas.  We dine at hole-in-the-wall hot spots like Brenda’s Bigger Burger!!  (Not to be missed if you’re ever in Fayetteville!!)  Anyway, I very much enjoy being civilized, but it’s not my natural state. I’m thinking fellow American author, Michele Dunaway, was also with us, but I can’t for the life of me remember who else, seeing how I pretty much stayed quiet, drinking it all in.

Something about being at the table, with all of the room’s history and all of my accomplished dining companions had left me in awe.  Like I wasn’t just a guest in NYC, but seeing how I in a sense “work” there, it was my city, too.

All right, so here I sit, using my best table manners, thinking, yeah, I’ve got this culture thing handled, when who walks in?  Sitting right at the very next table?

JULIANNA MARGULIES FROM ER AND GHOST SHIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OMG, my heart started pounding!!  My palms were sweating.  The inner squealing, geeky movie lover I truly am was freaking out!!  I had a camera in my tiny, elegant purse.  I was sooo close.  I could leap up and snap a quick pick and then run!!  I could sell it to the Enquirer for a million, trillion bucks!!  All of my friends and family would be so excited and impressed!!

You can’t imagine how tough it was for me, but what did I actually do?  Because I was now a calm, cool and collected New Yorker, I continued to sip my wine, savor the delicious food and conversation, and forever imprint the moment in my memory.

Thank you, Harlequin!!  You rock!!

About The Author:

After college (Go Hogs!), bestselling, award-winning author Laura Marie Altom did a brief stint as an interior designer before becoming a stay-at-home mom to boy/girl twins.  Always an avid romance reader, when she found herself replotting the afternoon soaps, she knew it was time to try her hand at writing.

When not immersed in her next story, Laura teaches art at a local middle school and is constantly striving to reach the bottom of the laundry basket--a feat which she may never accomplish!  For real fun, Laura’s content to read, needlepoint, and cuddle with her kids and handsome hubby.

Love lounging on the beach while winning fun stuff?  Check out lauramariealtom.com!