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Chapter Events
Chapter Sponsored Conferences and Events
Local RWA chapters offer a number of conferences, contests, and workshops. Listed below are the chapter contests and conferences scheduled for the coming months.
Please submit all contest and conference announcements to Susan Burge Alverson. Deadline and format instructions are provided at the end of each C&C column in the RWR. Thank you!
Contests
Conferences
On-Line Workshops
*Open to published authors
Contests
May Contests
- Breakup
Sponsor: Alaska Chapter
Fee: $25
Deadline: May 1, 2008
Eligibility: not published as of deadline
Enter: best breakup, big fight, darkest moment, or makeup scene (10 pages max), setup/synopsis (not judged, 3 pages max). Any category.
Judges: trained, PRO, published. Final Judge: editor-in-chief, Dark Eden Press.
Top Prize: reading by agent Laurie Mclean, AKRWA pin, certificate.
FMI, entry form, and rules, <contest@akrwa.org>, <www.akrwa.org>.
- *1st Annual Golden Claddagh On-Line Contest
Sponsor: Celtic Hearts Romance Writers
Fee: $20-$25
E-Deadline: May 1, 2008
Eligibility: those who have not accepted a publishing offer with a non-subsidy, non-vanity publisher in fiction for last 5 years, entrants must retain all rights to entries
Enter: beginning of ms. (35 pages max), synopsis (5 pages max).
Categories: historical, FF&P, suspense, romantic elements, contemporary, erotica.
Judges: see Web site.
FMI, entry form, and rules, <www.celtichearts.org>.
- *25th Annual Maggie Awards: Published
Sponsor: Georgia Romance Writers
Fee: $20
Receipt Deadline: May 1, 2008
Eligibility: RWA published authors who meet RWA RITA guidelines
Enter: first print romance novels published and copyrighted between January 1-December 31, 2007. Categories: short contemporary, long contemporary, historical, ST contemporary, F&P, inspirational. Judges: booksellers/librarians. Top Prize: Maggie medallion.
FMI, entry form, and rules, send SASE to Pam Mantovani, 2173 Indian Shoals Drive, Loganville, GA 30052, <pam_mantovani@bellsouth.net>, <www.georgiaromancewriters.org>.
- *4th Annual Summer Sizzle
Sponsor: Ohio Valley RWA
Fee: $20
Deadline: May 1, 2008
Eligibility: not contracted/published in book-length romantic fiction by RWA-recognized publisher in last 3 years
Enter: sexual tension scene (12 pages max), optional synopsis/setup (not judged, 1 page).
Judges: experienced, published, unpublished. Categories/ Final Judges: sweet, Adam Wilson, Harlequin; sensual, LaToya Smith, Grand Central; spicy, Kathryn Lye, Harlequin; sexy, Jennifer Miller, Samhain. Top Prize: Summer Sizzle pendant, entry fee refunded.
FMI, entry form, and rules, <summersizzle@ ovrwa.com>, <www.ovrwa.com>.
- TARA 2008
Sponsor: Tampa Area Romance Authors
Fee: $25
Receipt Deadline: May 1, 2008
Eligibility: unpublished, see Web site
Enter: prologue/first chapter (25 pages max).
Judges: trained/experienced, published. Categories/Final Judges: series contemporary, Wanda Ottewell, Harlequin; historical, Leah Hultenschmidt, Dorchester; paranormal, Amy Pierpont, Grand Central; ST, Danielle Poiesz, Pocket; women’s fiction, Lindsay Nouis, NAL; RS, Allison Brandau, Berkley; inspirational, Natalie Hanemann, Thomas Nelson.
Top Prize: TARA pendant, certificate.
FMI, entry form, and rules, send SASE to Anne-Marie Carroll, 5022 Umber Way N, Tampa, FL 33624, <TARAContest@gmail.com> or <amcresume@aol.com>, <www.tararwa.com>.
- 15th Annual Ignite the Flame
Sponsor: Central Ohio Fiction Writers
Fee: $20-$25
Postmark Deadline: May 10, 2008
Eligibility: not published in book-length fiction
Enter: first meet scene (15 pages max), setup (not judged, 1 page).
Judges: trained RWA PRO, published, editors. Categories/Final Judges: category contemporary: Wanda Ottewell, Harlequin; ST contemporary, Erika Tsang, Avon; historical, Cindy Hwang, Berkley; paranormal, Heather Osborn, TOR/Forge; RS, Hilary Sares, Kensington; romantic comedy, Amy Pierpont, Grand Central; erotic romance, Susan Swinwood, Harlequin.
Top Prize: $25.
FMI, entry form, and rules, send SASE to Aleta Dodson, 4220 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH 43221-5000, <aletawrites@hotmail.com>, <cofw.org>.
- *Aspen Gold Readers’ Choice Awards 2008: Published
Sponsor: Heart of Denver Romance Writers
Fee: $20-$30
Receipt Deadline: May 14, 2008
Enter: books with an ISBN published in 2007. Bound e-books eligible.
Categories: ST, F&P/TT, historical, long/short category, RS, YA, erotica.
Judges: book club members, romance fans, booksellers, librarians, editors, agents.
Top Prize: plaque, publicity in RWR and on HODRW Web site.
FMI, entry form, and rules, <www.HODRW.com>.
- Molly 2008: Unpublished
Sponsor: Heart of Denver Romance Writers
Fee: $25-$35
Deadline: May 14, 2008
Enter: up to first 25 pages, synopsis (5 pages max).
Categories: contemporary, historical, ST, F&P/TT, RS, YA, erotica.
Judges: experienced, published. Final Judges: agents, editors.
Top Prize: plaque, announcement in RWR and HODRW Web site.
FMI, entry form, and rules, <www.HODRW.com>.
- *Book of Your Heart 2008
Sponsor: Published Authors Special Interest Chapter
Fee: $20-$30
Postmark Deadline: May 15, 2008
Eligibility: published, unpublished
Enter: first chapter (25 pages max), synopsis (10 pages max) of unpublished ms.
Categories: contemporary series, contemporary ST, historical, paranormal, mainstream, YA, erotic romance.
Judges: booksellers, librarians; published used for emergency judging. Final Judges: editors.
FMI, entry form, and rules, send SASE to Barb Ferrer, 1605 Inkberry Lane, Jacksonville, FL 32259, <BOYH@pasic.net>, <www.pasic.net>.
- 3rd Annual Dixie Kane Memorial Contest
Sponsor: Southern Louisiana RWA
Fee: $15
Deadline: May 17, 2008
Eligibility: not contracted in book-length fiction by RWA-approved publisher by deadline
Enter: first 5 pages, synopsis (not judged, 1 page).
Categories: short contemporary, long contemporary, RS, ST contemporary, historical, paranormal, inspirational, romantic elements.
Judges: experienced, trained, published, unpublished.
Top Prize: top of agent Pam Ahearn’s slush pile with guarantee to be read, certificate, announcement in RWR, posting on SOLA Web site.
FMI, entry form, and rules, send SASE to N. Genovese, 237 Pi Street, Belle Chasse, LA 70037, <ngenovese@gmail.com>, <www.solawriters.org>.
- 20th Annual Original Golden Opportunity
Sponsor: Toronto Romance Writers
Fee: $25-$30
Postmark Deadline: May 17, 2008
Eligibility: unpublished mss. by nonPAN-eligible RWA members
Enter: synopsis, first chapter (30 pages total max).
Judges: experienced, trained.
Categories/Final Judges: contemporary series, Brenda Chin, Harlequin; ST contemporary, Margo Lipschultz, HQN; historical, Leis Pederson, Berkley; FF&P, Leah Hultenschmidt, Dorchester; RS, Megan McKeever, Pocket; romantic elements, TBA; YA, Lexa Hillyer, Penguin Razorbill.
Top Prize: judged by agent Kristin Nelson, 3-chapter critique by Kelley Armstrong, flash drive.
FMI, entry form, and rules, <info@maureenmcgowan.com>, <www.torontoromancewriters.com>.
June Contests
- 25th Annual Maggie Awards: Unpublished
Sponsor: Georgia Romance Writers
Fee: $25-$30
Receipt Deadline: June 2, 2008
Enter: synopsis, ms. (35 pages total max).
Categories: short contemporary, long contemporary, historical, ST contemporary, F&P, inspirational.
Judges: published. Final Judges: editors.
Top Prize: Maggie medallion.
FMI, entry form, and rules, send SASE to Emily Sewell, 2709 North Hill Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30341, <esewell@mindspring.com>, <www.georgiaromancewriters.org>.
- *Reveal Your Inner Vixen 2008
Sponsor: Maryland Romance Writers
Fee: $20-$35
Postmark/E-Deadline: June 2, 2008
Eligibility: published, unpublished, uncontracted entries
Enter: scene showcasing chemistry between H&H (20 pages max), setup (not judged, 1 page).
Categories: series contemporary, ST contemporary, historical. alternative.
Judges: experienced, trained. Final Judges: editors.
Top Prize: cash, RWR ad. FMI, entry form, and rules, <www.marylandromancewriters.org>.
- *16th Annual Lone Star Writing Competition
Sponsor: Northwest Houston RWA
Fee: $20-$25
Postmark Deadline: June 6, 2008
Eligibility: not published in category entered or not contracted for 5 years
Enter: first 25 pages. Categories: contemporary series, ST, inspirational, RS, historical, FF&P, YA.
Judges: published, unpublished. Final Judges: editor and agent.
FMI, entry form, and rules, <bdogs80@aol.com>, <www.northwesthoustonrwa.com>.
- *Big Black Moment
Sponsor: Grand Rapids Region RWA
Fee: $20
Postmark Deadline: June 7, 2008
Eligibility: published, unpublished, uncontracted entries
Enter: big, black moment scene (10 pages max), setup (not judged, 1 page).
Final Judge: Linda McFall, Harlequin.
Top Prize: $20, certificate.
FMI, entry form, and rules, send SASE to Christine Allen-Riley, PO Box 140586, Grand Rapids, MI 49514-0586, <pov_ police@yahoo.com>, <www.grrrwa.org>.
- *Region 1 Golden Leaf Awards: Published
Sponsor: New Jersey Romance Writers
Fee: $15-$25
Deadline: June 10, 2008
Eligibility: RWA Region 1 and NJRW published authors
Enter: first print romance novels published August 2007-July 2008. E-books eligible in hard copy.
Categories: short contemporary, long contemporary, historical, ST, Regency, novella, paranormal, best first book.
Judges: booksellers, librarians, independent readers groups.
Top Prize: trophy.
FMI, entry form, and rules, send SASE to Janette Pardo, 95 Lincoln Avenue, West Milford, NJ 07480, <GoldenLeaf@ njromancewriters.org>.
- *15th Annual Heart of the West Sponsor: Utah/Salt Lake Chapter
Fee: $25
Deadline: June 14, 2008
Eligibility: published, unpublished
Enter: first 20 pages of unpublished ms.
Categories: contemporary, historical, paranormal, mystery/suspense, published.
Judges: published, experienced, trained. Final Judge: agents/editors.
Top Prize: $40, certificate.
FMI, entry form, and rules, contact Cami Checketts, <camichecketts@yahoo.com>, <www.utahrwa.com>.
- *Get Your Stiletto In The Door
Sponsor: Chick Lit Writers
Fee: $20-$25
E-Deadline: June 15, 2008
Eligibility: unpublished, published not eligible for PAN status
Enter: first 35 pages, synopsis (5 pages max). Chick Lit
Categories: classic/lady, thrill, paranormal, inspirational, YA.
Judges: published, PRO, trained. Final Judges: agent and editor TBA.
FMI, entry form, and rules, <www.chicklitwriters.com>.
- Heart of the Rockies 2008
Sponsor: Colorado Romance Writers
Fee: $25-$30
E-Deadline: June 15, 2008
Eligibility: not contracted/published in romance fiction as of June 15
Enter: first chapters, synopsis (35 pages total max).
Categories: short contemporary, long contemporary, RS, ST contemporary, historical, F&P/TT, inspirational, romantic elements, spicy.
Judges: trained. Final Judge: agent/editor, see Web site.
Top Prize: engraved plaque, $25.
FMI, entry form, and rules, contact Rena Marks, <Goodnight Sirene@aim.com>, <www.coloradoromancewriters.org>.
- *Put Your Heart In A Book
Sponsor: New Jersey Romance Writers
Fee: $20-$35
Postmark Deadline: June 15, 2008
Eligibility: RWA members not published/contracted in the last 5 years
Enter: synopsis, prologue/first chapter (30 pages total max).
Categories: historical, paranormal, romantic elements, ST contemporary, short contemporary.
Judges: published. Final Judges: editor, agent, author. Top Prize: $50, plaque.
FMI, entry form, and rules, send SASE to Mo Boylan, 20 Abbott Drive, Lake Hopatcong, NJ 07849, <MoBoylan0228@aol.com>, <www.njromance writers.org>.
July Contests
- Indiana’s Golden Opportunity
Sponsor: Indiana RWA
Fee: $30
Receipt Deadline: July 1, 2008
Eligibility: RWA members not contracted/published in novel-length romance by RWA-recognized/RITA-eligible publisher
Enter: first 35 pages, including synopsis.
Categories/Final Judges: historical, Tessa Woodward, Avon; paranormal, Kerry Donovan, NAL; RS, Heather Osborn, Tor; ST/mainstream, TBA; contemporary series, TBA; Best of the Best, Allison Brandau, Berkley/Jove.
Judges: experienced, published.
Top Prize: AlphaSmart Neo.
FMI, entry form, and rules, send SASE to Oberon Wonch, 10774 Weston Drive, Carmel, IN 46032, <oberongwonch@sbcglobal.net>, <contest@indianarwa.com>.
- *10th Annual Melody of Love
Sponsor: Music City Romance Writers
Fee: $25-$35
Receipt/E-Receipt Deadline: July 1, 2008
Eligibility: not contracted/published in category entered in last 5 years
Enter: first chapter (25 pages max).
Categories/Final Judges: contemporary, agent Holly Root; historical, Leah Hultenschmidt, Dorchester; paranormal, agent Laura Bradford.
Top Prize: $50, certificate.
FMI, entry form, and rules, contact <contest@meankitty.com>, <www.mcrw.com>.
- *3rd Annual Anne Bonney Readers’ Choice Award
Sponsor: Ancient City Romance Authors
Fee: $25
Postmark Deadline: July 5, 2008
Enter: books with 2007 copyright or first-time release date. E-books eligible in hard copy.
Categories: favorite hero, favorite heroine, best plot, best chemistry, most humorous, most emotional.
Judges: readers, writers. Final Judges: booksellers. Cover contest voted on by the public.
Top Prize: inclusion on advertising poster.
FMI, entry form, and rules, contact Laura Barone, <LauraBarone@comcast.net>, <www.acrarwa.com>.
- *2nd Annual Mary Reade
Sponsor: Ancient City Romance Authors
Fee: $20-$25
Postmark Deadline: July 5, 2008
Eligibility: not published in book-length fiction in last 5 years
Enter: first 20 pages. Categories: historical, category/series, paranormal, ST/mainstream, RS, romantic elements, contemporary.
Judges: published, PRO, unpublished.
Top Prize: certificate, revised entry read by agent.
FMI, entry form, and rules, contact Laura Barone, <LauraBarone@comcast.net>, <www.acrarwa.com>.
- *Write Hook Query Contest
Sponsor: Pocono/Lehigh Romance Writers
Fee: $15
Postmark Deadline: July 7, 2008
Eligibility: not published by RWA-recognized publisher in novel-length romance in last 3 years
Enter: industry standard query letter for completed ms.
Top Prize: complete ms. reading by Rhonda Penders, Wild Rose Press, Scribbling Woman T-shirt.
FMI, entry form, and rules, <kdshore@rcn.com> or <galsalla1010@yahoo.com>, <www.plrw.org>.
*Open to Published Authors
Conferences
May Conferences
- Write On, Vancouver 2008
Sponsor: Greater Vancouver RWA
Location: Inn at Westminster Quay, Vancouver, British Columbia
Fee: $119-$149
Date: May 2-3, 2008
Workshops: Lisa Jackson, Michael Slade. Editors: Kathryn Lye, Harlequin; John Scognamiglio, Kensington.
FMI, contact Laura Drewry, <lauradrewry@gmail.com>, <www.rwagvc.com>.
- A Day with Julia Quinn
Sponsor: Los Angeles Romance Authors
Location: Beverly Garland’s Holiday Inn, North Hollywood, CA
Fee: $50-$55
Date: May 3, 2008
Julia Quinn will present a one-day workshop on dialogue and avoiding writers’ burnout. Q&A. Book signing.
FMI, <workshop@lararwa.com>, <www.lararwa.com/workshop.html>.
- Julia Quinn Workshop
Sponsor: Los Angeles Romance Authors
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Fee: TBA
Date: May 10, 2008
FMI, <www.lararwa.com>.
- Cleveland Rocks Romance
Sponsor: North East Ohio RWA
Location: Holiday Inn, Strongsville, OH
Fee: $65-$75
Date: May 16-17, 2008
Speakers: Stephanie Bond, Holly Jacobs, Susan Gable.
Editors: Birgit Davis-Todd, Harlequin; Ellora’s Cave/Cerridwen Press; Wild Rose Press. Agent: Christine Witthohn, Books Cents Literary Agency.
Workshops. Appointments. Book signing.
FMI, <www.neorwa.com>.
- Write Touch 2008: Love is in the Cards II
Sponsor: Wisconsin RWA
Location: Radisson Hotel, Green Bay, WI
Fee: $110-$175
Date: May 16-18, 2008
Headliners: Lori Foster, Dianne Castell. Feature: Susan Kearney. Agent/Editor Appointments: Kensington, St. Martins, The Wild Rose Press, Knight Agency, Bradford Lit, Spencerhill Associates. Workshops. Awards luncheon. Book signing. Auction/raffle.
FMI, contact Donna Kowalczyk, <donnakowal@gmail.com>, <www.wisrwa.org>.
- San Diego Chapter Mini Conference
Sponsor: San Diego Chapter of Romance Writers of America
Location: 845 Chestnut St., Escondido, Ca 92025
Fee: $35 for members of RWASD, $40 for other RWA members and $45 for the general public.
Date: May 17, 2008, from 9 AM to 3:30 PM
Guests include: Natashya Wilson, editor at Harlequin / Silhouette Books, Laurie McLean with the Larsen-Pomada Agency, Kevan Lyon from the Dykstra Agency, Victoria Fraasa with COS Productions and Kelly Mortimer of the Mortimer Agency. The agents and editor will be taking a limited number of appointments for 5-minute individual pitches on a first come, first served basis.
The cost for each pitch is $10.00. Please indicate at time of registration if you wish to buy a pitch.
FMI, please contact Connie Wedler at: cwedler@sbcglobal.net or send your check to
RWASD, P. O. Box 711677, Santee CA 92072.
See the SDRWA Web site for more details.
June Conferences
- Murder in the Grove
Sponsor: Coeur du Bois Chapter and Popular Fiction Association of Idaho, Inc.
Location: Centre on the Grove, Boise, ID
Fee: $95-$195, early bird discounts
Date: June 6-7, 2008
Guest of Honor: JA Jance. Master Class, Writing the Thriller: David Morrell. Workshops/panel discussions: 20 authors, criminology experts. Agent appointments/ms. evaluations: Alice Volpe, Sorche Fairbank, Spencer Ellsworth.
FMI, <www.murderinthegrove.com>.
- Sherrilyn Kenyon & Dianna Love Snell
Sponsor: Capital Region RWA
Location: Desmond Hotel & Conference Center, Albany, NY
Fee: $75-$95
Date: June 14, 2008
Hands-on workshops on openings/pacing, publishing/promotion. Friday Q&A.
FMI, <conferencechair@cr-rwa.org>, <www.cr-rwa.org>.
July Conferences
NONE SUBMITTED
On-Line Workshops
May Workshops
- The Great Agent Search
Sponsor: Published Author Special Interest Chapter
Fee: $25
Date: May, 2008
Presenter: Jenna Petersen.
FMI, www.pasic.net/classes.html.
- Death Scene Investigations: Naturals to Homicides and Everything in Between
Sponsor: MRSWA Coffin (MurderOne)
Fee: $15-$30
Date: May 1-31, 2008
Presenter: Phyllis Middleton.
FMI, <midgeblue1@aol.com>, www.rwamysterysuspense.org/coffin.html.
- The Journey Cycle
Sponsor: MRSWA Coffin
(KillerInstincts)
Fee: $15-$30
Date: May 1-31, 2008
Presenter: Robin Matheson.
FMI, <killerinstincts@rwamysterysuspense.org>,
www.rwamysterysuspense.org/coffin.html.
- The Plotting Wheel
Sponsor: From the Heart Romance Writers
Fee: free-$20
Date: May 5-31, 2008
Presenters: Becky Martinez, Sue Viders.
FMI, www.fthrw.com/workshops/.
- The Black Moment…and Beyond!
Sponsor: Elements of RWA Chapter
Fee: $11-$21
Date: May 11-31, 2008
Presenter: TJ Bennett.
FMI, <www.elementsofrwa.com/workshops.htm#May>.
- Q Is For Query, A Is for Aaack!
Sponsor: Orange County Chapter
Fee: $10-$15
Date: May 12-23
Presenter: Laurie Schnebly Campbell.
FMI, www.occrwa.org/onlineclassMay08.html
June Workshops
- Brainy, Brawny, and Beautiful: Creating Kick-Butt Heroines Using the Diana Archetype
Sponsor: Southern Tier Authors of Romance
Fee: $15-20
Date: June, 2008
Presenter: Caridad Pineiro. FMI, <members.aol.com/STARRWA/workshop.html>.
- Creating Your’ Hero’s Fatal Flaw
Sponsor: MRSWA Coffin (KillerInstincts)
Fee: $15-$30
Date: June 1-30, 2008
Presenter: Laurie Campbell Schnebly. FMI, <killerinstincts@rwamysterysuspense.org>, <www.rwamysterysuspense.org/coffin.html>.
- Deconstructing Emotion: The Art of Pouring Feelings onto the Page
Sponsor: Heart of Carolina Romance Writers
Fee: $15-$20
Date: June 1-30, 2008
Presenter: Suzanne McMinn. FMI, <www.heartofcarolina.org/online_classes.html>.
- From Austin to Aliens: How to Create Classic Tough Chicks
Sponsor: Orange County Chapter
Fee: $20-$30
Date: June 16, 2008-July 13, 2008
Presenter: Jacqui Jacoby. FMI, <www.occrwa.com/classes.htm>.
- The Great Agent Search
Sponsor: From The Heart Romance Writers
Fee: free-$20
Date: June 2-29, 2008
Presenter: Jenna Petersen (aka Jess Michaels). FMI, <www.fthrw.com/ workshops/>.
- Happy Hookers
Sponsor: Celtic Hearts Romance Writers
Fee: $10-$15
Date: June 16-July 14, 2008
Presenter: Terry Spear. FMI, <www.celtichearts.org/chwkspo.html>.
- Help, I’ve Lost My Muse!
Sponsor: Lowcountry Romance Writers
Fee: $15
Date: June 5-27, 2008
Presenter: Lois Winston. FMI, <www.lowcountryrwa.com>.
- Highland Clans from Medieval Times Through the Clearances
Sponsor: Celtic Hearts Romance Writers
Fee: $10-$15
Date: June 2-July 18, 2008
Presenter: Cindy Vallar. FMI, <www.celtichearts.org/chwksp.html>.
- How to Build the Perfect Man
Sponsor: Elements of RWA
Fee: $6-$9
Date: June 16-20, 2008
Presenter: Sara Reinke. FMI, <www.elementsofrwa.com/workshops.htm#PerfectMan>.
- How to Disappear: Making Yourself Disappear in Today’s World
Sponsor: MRSWA Coffin (MurderOne)
Fee: $15-$30
Date: June 1-30, 2008
Presenter: Frank Ahearn. FMI, <midgeblue1@aol.com>, <www.rwamysterysuspense.org/coffin.html>.
- Kick-Start Your Next Novel
Sponsor: Lowcountry Romance Writers
Fee: $15
Date: June 5-27, 2008
Presenter: Deb Dufel. FMI, <www.lowcountryrwa.com>.
- World Building 101: No, Not Every Planet Speaks English
Sponsor: RWA Online Chapter
Fee: free-$15
Date: June 2-13, 2008
Presenter: Linnea Sinclair. FMI, <www.rwaonlinechpater.org/campus.htm>.
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