Heartland Romance Authors “Show Me the Spark” Contest’s deadline is August 31. Fees are $25.00 RWA Members and $30.00 non-RWA Members. This contest is electronic, first chapter or 25-pages with an un-judged synopsis. Categories are Contemporary, Erotica, Historical, Inspirational, Paranormal/Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Romantic Suspense and Young Adult. Visit their site for more information.

Valley of the Sun Romance Writers “Hot Prospects” Contest’s deadline is September 1. Fees are $25 for Valley of the Sun RW chapter members/$30 for non-chapter members. This contest is judging your 3-5-page synopsis and up to 25 pages of story (30 pages max). Categories are Historical/Regency, Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Long/Single Title and Series Contemporary. Visit their site at http://www.valleyofthesunrw.com

Online Workshops

Carolina Romance Writers presents How to Do Research for Your Book workshop with instructor Karen MacMurray. This online event will be held from August 2-29 with a July 25 registration deadline. Fees are $15 CRW and HCRW members and $25 non-CRW members. Visit their site at  http://www.carolinaromancewriters.com

Northeast Ohio RWA presents Self-Promotion Primer: Guilt-Free & Cost-Effective PR Options workshop with instructor Marcia James. This online event will have six lessons posted over two weeks from August 15-28. Registration deadline is August 14. Fees are $15 for NEORWA members and $20 for all others. Visit their site at http://www.neorwa.com

Yosemite Romance Writers presents Dialog That Dazzles workshop with instructor Lori Wilde. This online event will be held August 2-27 with a registration deadline of August 1. Fees are $20 YWR members and $25 non-members. RWA Membership isn’t required. Visit their site at http://www.yosemiteromancewriters.com

Conferences

Central Ohio Fiction Writers presents “Write from the Heart” Conference at the Holiday Inn Worthington in Columbus, Ohio from October 1-2. Fees are $118 for COFW members and $128 non-members. Keynote speaker is Suzanne Brockman. Visit their site at http://www.COFW.org

Heart of Carolina Romance Writers presents Muse Therapy, taught by D. D. Scott, online August 1-31. The workshop is about injecting life into tired and/or stressed out muses. Writers will gain tools to analyze their muses’ funks, reign in their creative divas and up their page counts. Register here

Yosemite Romance Writers presents two online workshops for August.

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Grammar & Style But Didn’t Think It Really Mattered runs August 2-27 and is taught by Annie Oortman. The workshop will “show you how to enhance your writing’s curb appeal to make the most of your writing’s appearance, readability, and impact.”

Also running August 2-27 is Courting the Muse with instructor Tawny Weber, billed as Practical and Spiritual Tools for Writers: The art of recognizing, then making the most of your writing habits. In addition, this workshop will show you ways to use tools like aromatherapy, Feng Shui and the tarot to empower your writing, and yourself on the road to success.

Register online www.yosemiteromancewriters.com

Hearts through History Romance Writers present two workshops in its August Campus line-up.

Gamblers and Lightskirts: Vice in the Old West will be taught by Jacquie Rogers, August 8-21. This class is about “entertainment” in the Old West, including gambling and prostitution.

Beyond Research: Fact and Fiction for the Historical Romance Author, by Carrie Lofty, will run August 8 – 21. How do you integrate your historical research into a steamy, compelling, tear-jerking, rip-roaring novel? How much detail is enough? What to keep and what to ditch?
For additional information on these classes or to register click here

Get out of the water! No, it’s not a shark attack. It’s almost time for the
2010 GATEWAY TO THE BEST contest! You still have time to polish your manuscript. So say goodbye to the pool or beach and say hello to your keyboard! The GRAND PRIZE is $100! Two of last year’s entries went on to final in the Golden Heart!
Here’s what Golden Heart Historical finalist Jacqui Nelson had to say about
her experience with the Gateway, “The Gateway to the Best was my first contest and
I loved the entire experience! In fact it has set the bar for all
the contests I’ve since entered. The feedback was incredibly helpful but
also gracefully given. The contest coordinator
answered my questions quickly and cheerfully. And the Final Rankings
Spreadsheet (that anonymously listed what each
contestant in my category scored) was the icing on the cake!” The contest formally opens August 2 and closes September 10. Gateway to the Best is sponsored by Missouri Romance Writers. Check out all the rules, judges and details at: www.morwa.org.

Mid-America Romance Authors (MARA) is delighted to announce we are now accepting entries for our 2010 Fiction from the Heartland Contest. This year entries are being accepted in both print and electronic format. The final round being judged by BOTH an editor and an agent, this is a wonderful opportunity to get your manuscript in front of acquiring industry professionals. The deadline is September 10th, 2010 and will cost $30.00. To be eligibility the author must be unpublished in book-length fiction in the past five years. The categories are and final round judges are Contemporary Single Title: Danielle Poiesz, Pocket Books; Category Romance: Susan Litman, Harlequin/Silhouette Books; Historical: Tess Woodward, Avon Books; Paranormal: Meredith Giordan, Berkley Publishing Group; Inspirational: Melissa Endlich, Steeple Hill Books; Romantic Suspense: Lauren Plude, Grand Central Publishing; Young Adult: Natashya Wilson, Harlequin Teen; Erotic Romance: TBA. Agent judges: Sara Megibow, Nelson Literary Agency; Helen Breitwieser, Cornerstone Literary Agency; Laura Bradford, Bradford Literary Agency; Karen Solem, Spencerhill Associates and Claudia Cross, Sterling Lord Literistic. The top Prize is $50.00 and Plaque. Please visit www.mararwa.com for more information.

The Golden Network’s Golden Pen Contest is now open for entries! What makes this contest special? Each entry in the Golden Pen will be judged by
at least one published author and one Golden Heart finalist. What’s more,
entries will be 55 pages. This is a chance to have a large portion of your
manuscript evaluated. The format is similar to the Golden Heart, so this is a
great contest to “test drive” your manuscript before entering the Golden Heart.
Entries will be returned before the Golden Heart deadline. The entry fee is only $30.
Categories and final round judges include: Series Contemporary – Susan Litman, Harlequin
Single Title – Katherine Pelz, Berkley\, Historical – Leis Pederson, Berkley; Paranormal – Deb Werksman, Sourcebooks; Romantic Suspense – Holly Blanck, St. Martins; Inspirational – Melissa Enlich, Steeple Hill; Young Adult – Regina Griffin, Egmont USA
Novel with Strong Romantic Elements – Valerie Gray, Mira. Details can be found on the Golden Pen pages at www.thegoldennetwork.com. For more information email : Contest@thegoldennetwork.com.

Workshop

Sizzle 101 instructed by Jennifer LaBrecque will be a time to join award-winning, veteran Blaze author Jennifer LaBrecque and learn how to
notch up your writing’s sensuality level from so-so to sizzling. The
two-week course will cover sensuality vs. sexuality, creating sexual
tension, awareness, steps to intimacy, the emotional component, engaging all
five senses, and moving beyond tab a into slob b. Join Jennifer as she
shares her secrets for writing which have earned her reviews such as,
“Nobody writes a hotter novel better than Jennifer LaBrecque.” – CataRomance
Reviews and “This one is hotter than hot!” – Romantic Times Book Review.. The online class will be August 9 – 23, 2010 and will cost $20. The registration deadline is August 3, 2010 more information may be found at www.heartofdixie.org.

Yosemite Romance Writers is proud to present their online workshop for August 2-27, Di Dialog That Dazzles. Dialogue that dazzles is about creating the most exciting, compelling conversations you’ve ever written. Stellar dialogue can make you story leap to life the way nothing else can. If you’ve gotten comments from editors and agents that your dialogue is trite or stilted or dull, we’ve got the cure for you. This workshop is designed to teach you how to write fresh, natural dialogue that dazzles. You’ll learn new techniques for rewriting any lines of dialogue and improving them spectacularly. You’ll uncover secrets of incorporating these methods into your writing style. Learn how to make your dialogue stand out and dramatically increase your chances of selling your book! The class will be instructed by Lori Wilde, who has sold fifty-two novels to four major New York publishing houses. She is also an instructor for a company who provides online community education to over 1600 colleges and universities. Lori is a past RITA finalist and has four times been nominated for Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. She’s won the Colorado Award of Excellence, the Wisconsin Write Touch Award, The Lories, The More Than Maggie, the Golden Quill and The Best Books of 2006 Book Award. Her books have been translated into 22 languages and excerpted in Cosmopolitan, Redbook, Complete Woman and Quick and Simple magazines. She’s appeared numerous times on the Waldenbook’s bestseller list and Ingram’s Top. The deadline to register is 08/01/2010
and will cost $20 YWR members; $25 non-members. RWA Membership isn’t required. Registration may be done at www.yosemiteromancewriters.com .

Retreats

EVA’s 2010 retreat will be directed by Shannon Donnelly and held on Sunday, August 22n from 8am-5pm at the Monrovia Canyon Park Conference Cabin. For more information please contact: www.eastvalleyauthors.com. EVA members pay and $25 nonmembers. Space is limited to only 24 so register early!

Winners

Celtic Hearts Romance Writers is pleased to announce the finalists for the
2010 Annual Golden Claddaugh Contest. Passion ~ Jeanell Bolton
Fractured Paradise ~ Lexi Connor; Aliya Arabesque ~ Madeline Smyth
Erotic Category The Lust Boat ~ Dolores Wall Maroney, Hustler’s Dream ~ Casey Crow
The Druid Prince ~ Camryn Rhys; Future/Fantasy/Paranormal The Veil ~ Sabrina Jarema
The Key to My Heart ~ Julie McMullen, The Seduction of Phaeton Black ~ G. Jillian Stone;
Historical In Longfellow’s Keep ~ Mary E. Lawrence, His to Hold ~ Jenna Stuart
Scenting Scandal ~ Suzanne Web; Romantic Suspense His Reluctant Witness ~ Lexi Connor, Deception ~ Jennifer Beane, Black Ops ~ Dr. L. Pepper Norris; ContemporaryPassion ~ Jeanell Bolton, Fractured Paradise ~ Lexi Connor, Aliya Arabesque ~ Madeline Smyth; Erotic Category
Final Round Judge: The Lust Boat ~ Dolores Wall Maroney, Hustler’s Dream ~ Casey Crow
The Druid Prince ~ Camryn Rhys; Future/Fantasy/Paranormal The Veil ~ Sabrina Jarema
The Key to My Heart ~ Julie McMullen
The Seduction of Phaeton Black ~ G. Jillian Stone; Historical In Longfellow’s Keep ~ Mary E. Lawrence, His to Hold ~ Jenna Stuart, Scenting Scandal ~ Suzanne Web; Romantic Suspense
His Reluctant Witness ~ Lexi Connor, Deception ~ Jennifer Beane, Black Ops ~ Dr. L. Pepper Norris. The Celtic Hearts Contest Committee would like to wish the finalists luck in the next round! Winners will be announced on September 1, 2010.More information may be found by contacting the Contest Chair, Eliza Knight: writer@elizaknight.com.

CLASSES

The Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal Chapter of RWA Presents How to Write Emotion with Laurie Saunders.

In this workshop we will look at the many ways we can infuse our romance novels with emotional tension and the numerous ways to describe the emotions our characters experience so that the reader can experience the emotions of the characters along with them.

WHEN: July 5, 2010 through August 1, 2010

WHERE: This workshop will be conducted via a Yahoo! email loop. Email invitations will be sent 48 hours prior to the beginning of the workshop.

WHO: Laurie Sanders is the Founder, CEO, and Editor at Black Velvet Seductions. She writes and lectures frequently on topics related to writing romance and erotica. In her “spare” time she writes as Alyssa Aaron. Her book His Perfect Submissive is available at Black Velvet Seductions, Amazon, Fictionwise, and AllRomanceEbooks.com

HOW: Just register for the workshop and complete the payment process via PayPal. The cost is $15.00 for FFnP members and $25.00 for non-FFnP members.

REGISTRATION: http://www.romance-ffp.com/event.cfm?EventID=113

The Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal Chapter of RWA presents The Ultimate Packaging for Your Product – Logline, Premise, Query Letter and Synopsis with Elle James and Delilah Devlin. 

This workshop focuses on key elements for packaging your product to make it shine above the rest of the slush pile. Instructors will provide weekly instruction, assignments to reinforce lessons learned and feedback on assignments. Participants will develop loglines, premises, query
letters and a synopsis with the opportunity to receive feedback on all.

Week 1 – Logline and Premise
Week 2 – Query Letters that Pop
Week 3 – Synopses that Shine

The instructor will lead off the topic and discussions for the day, and then members work together to apply these elements to their own WIPs. This is an interactive workshop, where participation by everyone is encouraged.

Note: This interactive, lesson-oriented workshop is limited to only 40 participants, first come/first serve. Sign up ASAP to reserve your spot in this incredible workshop!

WHEN: July 5, 2010 through July 26, 2010. Sign up now and get ready for nationals.

WHO: Delilah Devlin is an award-winning author of erotic romance with a rapidly expanding reputation for writing deliciously edgy stories with complex characters. Ms. Devlin has published over 50 erotic romances in multiple sub-genres and lengths for various publishing houses including Avon, Kensington, Cleis, Black Lace, Elloras Cave and Samhain.

Best-Selling author and Golden Heart Winner Elle James made a new-year’s resolution in January of 2000 to become a published author. In 2005, her dream came true when Dorchester published her first novel, the 2004 Golden Heart Winner for Best Paranormal. She’s since sold 15
Romantic Suspense novels to Harlequin Intrigue, 1 each paranormals to Dorchester & Silhouette Nocturne and 17 sexy romances to Ellora’s Cave, Avon Red and Kensington Aphrodisia under her pen name Myla Jackson.

WHERE: This workshop will be conducted via a Yahoo! email loop. Email invitations will be sent 48 hours prior to the beginning of the workshop.

HOW: Just register for the workshop and complete the payment process via PayPal. The cost is $10.00 for FFnP members and $25.00 for non-FFnP members. If you are a member of FFnP be sure you are logged into the website before you register to get the member price. Payment is due at time of registration.

REGISTRATION: http://www.romance-ffp.com/event.cfm?EventID=154

Elements of RWA Online Workshops Presents

Creating a Web Presence for the Techno-Challenged By Anne Marie Novark
Get the down and dirty regarding domain names and hosting services. Learn about blogging, Facebook, MySpace and more.  A self-confessed techno-klutz and tightwad, Anne Marie Novark will explain how to create do-it-yourself websites for free or on the cheap. The class will consist of five lessons every other day over the space of two weeks with handouts loaded with resources and information. “Believe me, if I can set up an eye-catching, cost-effective web presence, then so can you!”

Bio: Anne Marie Novark is a Texas girl who writes spicy Contemporary Western novels, as well as Regency historicals. Anne Marie is published with The Wild Rose Press.

Date: August 16 – 27, 2010
REGISTRATION ENDS AUGUST 12
Elements Member $9, Non-member $15

To register for this workshop click <http://www.elementsofrwa.com/wkshp_reg2.htm> here.

OUTREACH INTERNATIONAL is pleased to announce our CAMPUS online workshop/class for the month of July:  Writing a Page-Turner with Instructor: Liz Lounsbury
DATES: July 12th – August 8th, 2010
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: July 11th, 2010
FMI: http://www.oirw.net/campus/currentcourselist.htm

The Passionate Ink Chapter of RWA Presents
Lessons from the Old Storytellers: Building your Worlds Presented by Masha Holl
First came storytelling: that is the oldest profession in the universe… Weaving tales of far-away, imaginary lands, greater-than-life heroes, and beautiful-as-the-dawn heroines was once a
craft passed from parent to child, from master to apprentice. What can we, the modern storytellers, learn from the old masters? What does telling a tale have to do with writing a novel? Lessons from the Old Storytellers: Building your Worlds reveals some of their secrets and teaches how a modern writer can learn from the ancient craftsmen.

June 28, 2010 – July 25, 2010

Cost: $15 for Passionate Ink Members, $20 for non-members

Masha Holl writes romantic science fiction and fantasy—that’s spaceships, alien universes, and very close encounters—to the sounds of Metal Rock. Her novella The Brightest Heaven, and her short story The Joining, are available from The Wild Rose Press.

To Pay Online: Using PayPal (PayPal), send payment to workshops@passionateink.org <mailto:workshops@passionateink.org> with “WORKSHOP – Worldbuilding” as the
subject. In the “message” section, include Your Name and Email Address.

To pay by check, print this page and send with a check to
Passionate Ink Workshops
c/o Robin L. Rotham
P.O. Box 2412
Norfolk, NE 68701

BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR NAME AND EMAIL ADDRESS WITH YOUR CHECK.
CHECKS MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE START DATE TO BE ADMITTED TO THE WORKSHOP

Hearts Through History Presents an Online Class: How to Write Realistic Native Americans Past and Present with Instructor: Regina Paul
Do you want to write about Native American characters? Stumped by how to make your Native American characters as realistic as possible? Then you’ve come to the right place! Bestselling Native American romance author Regina Paul will teach you how to make your Native American characters stand out.

Dates: July 5-July 11, 2010
Registration Deadline: June 30, 2010
Fee: $10/HHRW members, $20/others

Regina Paul is a full-time freelance writer and author with over 800 articles and 10 books published to her credit.

To register for this class: http://www.heartsthroughhistory.com/classreg.htm
FMI: HHRW Campus Coordinator: classes@heartsthroughhistory.com

Orange County Chapter of RWA presents “Break Free From the Slush Pile ” with CJ Lyons
July 12 – July 24, 2010
Join award-winning medical suspense author CJ Lyons as she explains the secrets to successful pitching, tips to engage an editor or agent through your query letter, and reveals the creation of a high concept.

CJ has received requests for manuscripts every time she pitched. She’ll help you feel more comfortable during your pitch session and more confident with your pitch. This workshop will help you polish your query letter, create a pitch, and prepare you for meeting an agent or editor.
Enrollment Information at _http://www.occrwa.org/onlineclassJuly10.html_
(http://www.occrwa.org/onlineclassJuly10.html)
This is only a 2-week class.
COST: $10 for OCC members, $15 for non-members

About the Instructor:  In addition to being an award-winning medical suspense author, CJ Lyons is a nationally known presenter and keynote speaker. CJ’s award-winning, critically acclaimed Angels of Mercy series (LIFELINES, WARNING SIGNS, and URGENT CARE) is available in stores now with the fourth, CRITICAL CONDITION, due out December, 2010. Her newest project is as co-author of a new suspense series with Erin Brockovich.

Enrollment Information at _http://www.occrwa.org/onlineclassJuly10.html_
(http://www.occrwa.org/onlineclassJuly10.html)
COST: $15 for OCC members, $20 for non-members

Coming in August 2010 from Orange County RWA “Understanding Men” with Dr. Debra Holland

Do you wish you had a better understanding of men? Now is your chance to improve your real-life relationships with men and enhance your male characters all through taking the same course. This will be a five-week session with new material that this award-wining romance writer, who also is a noted psychotherapist and consultant, has developed on how male sexuality affects
responses, attitudes and behaviors.

http://www.occrwa.org/onlineclasses.html._ (http://www.occrwa.org/onlineclasses.html.) Check out our full list of workshops.

CONTESTS

Indiana Romance Writers of America presents The 20th Anniversary of INDIANA‘S GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY 2010

Our detailed score sheet and considerate feedback can help you fine-tune your manuscript.

**Trained first-round judges, including published authors
**Acquiring editors and agents as second- and third-round judges
**$50 for first place in each category
**The Best-of-the-Best winner is chosen from among the first-place winners in each category and will receive $100.

DEADLINE: Entries must be received by June 27, 2010. For your convenience, IGO accepts only electronic entries.

ENTRY FEE: $25. Can use PayPal or mail a check.

ELIGIBILITY: Unpublished in novel-length fiction by a non-vanity publisher in the last five years (See www.indianarwa.com/ for detailed eligibility guidelines.)

ENTRY: Beginning chapters (prologue included) and synopsis. Pages and synopsis combined not to exceed 35 double-spaced pages.

FIRST-ROUND JUDGES: Either trained judges or published authors.
SECOND-ROUND JUDGES:
Historical/Regency: Jesse Feldman, NAL
Mainstream with Strong Romantic Elements: Maureen Walters, Curtis Brown, LTD
Paranormal: Alicia Condon, Kensington
Romantic Suspense: Deb Werksman, Sourcebooks
Single Title: Latoya Smith, Grand Central Publishing
Young Adult*: Holly Root, Waxman Literary Agency

BEST-OF-THE-BEST JUDGE: Meredith Giordan, Berkley
*Young Adult does not need to be a romance.

PRIZES:
The top entry in each category will receive $50 in cash and a certificate
The entry judged best overall will receive $100 in cash and a certificate.

Further information and contest rules are available through our IRWA Web site: www.indianarwa.com/.

FTHRW’s 2010 GOLDEN GATEWAY UNPUBLISHED Contest

The Golden Gateway is open to authors unpublished and uncontracted in romantic
fiction in both print and electronic format within five years of the contest deadline.

The entry receipt deadline is July 12th2010.
Fee: $20 FTHRW Members, $25 other RWA members, $30 all others
Enter in electronic format up to 55 pages (manuscript and synopsis) of your unpublished novel. The manuscript and synopsis MUST be in one file with the synopsis AFTER the manuscript.

All heat levels will be judged under their primary category. Ex: If you have an erotic romantic suspense, it goes to RS. An inspirational historical goes to historical.

Categories and Final Round Judges:
Single Title– Katherine Pelz, Editor Asst. – Berkley
Historical – Deb Werksman, Editor – Sourcebooks
Mainstream w/Rom. Elements – TBA
Series Contemporary – Shana Smith, Editor, Silhouette
Romantic Suspense – TBA
Paranormal/Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Time Travel – Latoya Smith, Grand Central

For further details, entry forms and rules visit: http://www.fthrw.com/contest/goldengateway/

RWA San Diego is proud to announce the winners in our 2010 Spring Into Romance contest.

SINGLE TITLE
1st Place: SPOTLIGHT by Kim Law
2nd Place: COURAGE AND AZALEAS by Claudia Shelton
3rd Place: FIGHT LIKE A BLONDE by Melissa Cutler
Honorable Mention: SAVING CAPTAIN MARSH by Caroline Phipps

CONTEMPORARY
1st Place: A NIGHT AT THE ROSEMONT by Mary Oldham
2nd Place: A MAN OF HONOR by Jackie Allen
3rd Place: HOW TO LOVE A BILLIONAIRE by Kelly Rucker
Honorable Mention: STRANGERS IN A BED by Kelly Rucker

NOVEL with STRONG ROMANTIC ELEMENTS
1st Place: DIE RUN HIDE by Patrice Kavanaugh
2nd Place: A SOLDIER’S SERENADE by Ellen S. Lindseth
3rd Place: OUT OF FOCUS by Nancy Naigle
Honorable Mention: THE MISER WHO BOUGHT THE FARM by Kendel Flaum

PARANORMAL
1st Place: Love? Please! A Tale of the Holy Warriors by Marne Ann Kirstatter (req.for full)
2nd Place: Blind Sight by Pamela Schiebe
3rd Place: Hunter’s Moon by Lisa Kessler
Honorable Mention: Love Chosen: The Fae Dragon Chronicles by Marne Ann Kirstatter

HISTORICAL
1st Place: THE BARGAIN – by Gina Conkle
2nd Place: SWEET ENEMY by Heather Snow
3rd Place: LESSONS FROM A SCOUNDREL by Crista McHugh
Honorable Mention: MORE THAN A STRANGER by Erin Kelly

CONFERENCE

New Jersey Romance Writer’s Put Your Heart in a Book (PYHIAB) Conference

Date: Friday and Saturday, October 22-23

Location: Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel in Iselin

Not only is there a great lineup of speakers giving dozens of fabulous workshops, but almost two dozen editors and agents are already scheduled to take appointments, with more on the way.

If you’ve signed up, great! We’ll be thrilled to see you in October. But if you haven’t yet, there are many reasons why you should. Like hearing our Big Three, Sharon Sala, Robyn Carr, and Leanne Banks speak. Plus…the opportunity to attend a special pre-conference workshop given by Bob Mayer.

Need another great reason why you absolutely cannot afford to miss the NJRW Put Your Heart in a Book Conference?

Peter Miller, literary agent extraordinaire, will be giving a workshop, “Metamorphosis: Best Selling Novel to Hollywood,” at the Conference. Miller, known as the literary lion, has been an active literary and film manager for more than thirty years. He is President of PMA Literary and Film Management, Inc. and Millennium Lion, Inc; he and his company have successfully managed more than 1,000 books worldwide, as well as dozens of motion picture and television properties. These works include eleven New York Times Bestsellers, and fourteen produced films that Miller has managed or executive produced. Miller has a number of film and television projects currently in active development, with some nearing production, in association with Warner Bros. Features, Warner Bros. Television, Paramount/DreamWorks, HBO, and many other producers and production companies.

If you’ve got questions, please go to our website, www.njromancewriters.org

SPONSOR:  San Francisco Area Romance Writers

CONTEST:  2010 Heart To Heart Contest (Unpublished)

DEADLINE:  Midnight on July 15, 2010

FMI: http://www.sfarwa.com/

SPONSOR:  The Golden Network

CONTEST:  The Golden Pen (Gets you ready for GH)

DEADLINE:  August 15, 2010

FMI:  Golden Pen pages at www.thegoldennetwork.com or email to Contest@thegoldennetwork.com.

SPONSOR:  Florida Romance Writers

CONTEST:  Golden Palm Contest (Unpublished)

DEADLINE:  Midnight, August 15, 2010

FMI:  www.frwriters.org

SPONSOR: Ancient City Romance Authors
CONTEST:  Heart of Excellence Readers’ Choice Award (Published authors)

DEADLINE:  Postmarked by July 5, 2010

FMI:  http://www.acrarwa.org/

SPONSOR: Utah Romance Writers of America

CONTEST:  Utah Heart of the West Contest  (Unpublished)

DEADLINE:  Midnight July 1, 2010

FMI:  www.utahrwa.com

SPONSOR: From The Heart Romance Writers (FTHRW)

CONTEST: GOLDEN GATEWAY (Unpublished)

DEADLINE:  July 12, 2010

FMI:  http://www.fthrw.com/contest/goldengateway/

WORKSHOPS:

SPONSOR:  Mid-Willamette Valley RWA

TITLE:  Plot Fixer: the 15 Most Common Plot Problems and How to Fix Them

INSTRUCTOR:   Kara Lennox/Karen Leabo

DESCRIPTION:  This workshop covers the fifteen most common plot problems, recognizing them, and fixing them.

DATES:  July 5-25, 2010

FMI:  http://www.midwillamettevalleyrwa.com/online.classes.htm

SPONSOR:  Yosemite Romance Writers

TITLE:  Celtic Knotwork: Weaving Together Characterization and Plotting

INSTRUCTOR:  Pollyanna Williamson

DESCRIPTION:  Learn how characterization and plotting weave together to make your story come alive.  Review elements such as GMC, character development and plotting, sagging middles.

DATES:  07/05/2010 – 07/30/2010

FMI:  www.yosemiteromancewriters.com

SPONSOR: The Rainbow Romance Writers, Chapter 217 of RWA

TITLE:  Medical 101 For Writers
INSTRUCTOR: Ally Blue
DESCRIPTION:  This course gets down to basics to explain how to make your own medical scenes more realistic.  Covers medical terminology, some anatomy, common medical, surgical & traumatic conditions of what health professionals try to do about them, creation of a realistic hospital setting, popular misconceptions, & where to research facts you need.

DATES:   July 5-18, 2010

FMI:  http://www.rainbowromancewriters.com/2009/03/medical-101-for-writers/ or workshop coordinator at:  workshop@rainbowromancewriters.com

ALL-DAY WORKSHOP

SPONSOR:  Ancient City Romance Authors

TITLE:  All Day Fiction Writers’ Boot Camp
LOCATION:  Crowne Plaza Hotel, Jacksonville, Florida

DATE:  September 25, 2010

PRESENTERS:  Author, Patricia Potter; Agent, Joyce Holland

WORKSHOP TOPICS:  Building a Successful Novel (10 Steps to a Saleable Book), The Union Between
Characterization and Conflict, and The Art of Dramatic Pitching.

FMI:  http://www.acrarwa.com

Why should a tough Canadian need a wussy wetsuit? We’re all polar bears, right? Um, not so much. I wear the wetsuit for safety, buoyancy, and warmth. Besides, the hubby thinks it’s hot! Isn’t every man’s dream to have his very own Bond girl?

So, what’s a wetsuit got to do with romance writing?

The Romance Writers of America is your wetsuit in the deep and chilly waters of romance fiction.

SAFETY: Through its myriad chapters, the RWA provides a safe place for a newbie to learn the endless craft of romance writing. Local chapters have monthly meetings and there’s the mega-conference known as Nationals. My local chapter, the Toronto Romance Writers, has offered fabulous workshops with amazing speakers such as Mary Buckham, Dianna Love, and Donald Maass—and that’s just in the last three months! Editor panels at the larger conferences give a peek at the inner workings of publishers large and small, print or electronic.

BOUYANCY: Got rejections deep enough to drown in, or plot problems sinking your story, or writer’s block pulling you under like cement overshoes? Fear not, there’s a whole raft of romance authors out there to boost you to the surface and float you along, giving you the strength to carry on. Critique groups, brainstorming groups, blog groups like right here at RWA-WF or From the Heart Romance Writers give a helping hand or a place to blow off steam.

WARMTH: Is there anyone better in the whole wide world than your romance “peeps” for a dose of the warm fuzzies to celebrate your achievements? Cabana boys and chocolate, champagne and roses, hugs by the score are delivered in real space and cyber space when you break through with that first stupendous sale.

Safety, buoyancy, and warmth by the lakeful, the RWA is a wetsuit for writers.

Where does your wetsuit hang?

Joan Leacott
heart, humour, and heat…Canada style

CALL FOR ONLINE WORKSHOP PRESENTER. Heart of Dixie Romance Writers is recruiting instructors for our 2011 online workshop program.

We are looking for fresh, interactive 2,3 or 4 week online workshops that include course of study across the genres for inexperienced to advanced writers. Our workshops are open to members of other chapters, as well as non-RWA members. Please submit the following for consideration:

*Speaker Name & Bio *Availability *Workshop Title & Description of course material *Syllabus if available, including target audience and posting schedule (2x,3x weekly, etc.) *Identify workshop area of expertise: Craft, Industry, Promotional, Career – Please note that Heart of Dixie has a 6 month exclusivity clause.

Please send all proposals and/or questions to 2011 Workshops Coordinator, Christine Glover, at cjglover63 AT gmail DOT com.

ALL FOR WORKSHOP INSTRUCTORS. The Yellow Rose Chapter of RWA (Chapter #188) is now seeking instructors for our 2011 online workshops. Yellow Rose is a small chapter in North Texas
with numerous members outside the area and we’d like to give those who cannot attend meetings and hear our monthly speakers a chance to participate.

Workshops would be open to the chapter as well as to all RWA members. We are looking for instructors who can provide a wide variety of workshops as we have everything from historical writers to young adult writers. Craft and industry workshops wanted as well!

You can find out more about our chapter by visiting http://www.yellowroserwa.com.

For consideration, please send the following information to workshops@yellowroserwa.com:

- Speaker Name and Bio – Available Dates – Workshop Fee – Duration – Workshop Title and Description

Workshops

Workshop title: Brick by Brick: Using Structure to Write and Revise. Instructor: Melissa Blue. Registration deadline: 7/4/10. Fee: $20 YWR members; $25 non-members. RWA Membership isn’t required; anyone can take our courses. You may register online at our website, www.yosemiteromancewriters.com.

Online Class: Pitch Perfect. Instructor: Jeannie Eddy. Dates: June 14 — 25, 2010. Registration Deadline: June 12, 2010. Fee: $10/HHRW members, $20/others. To register for this class: http://www.heartsthroughhistory.com/classreg.htm.

Online Class: A Theory Of Magic. Instructor: Ann Macela. Dates: June 28 – July 12, 2010 (Note start date).
Registration Deadline: June 26, 2010. Fee: $10/HHRW members, $20/others. To register for this class: http://www.heartsthroughhistory.com/classreg.htm.

Online Class: How to Write Realistic Native Americans Past and Present. Instructor: Regina Paul. Dates: July 5-July 11, 2010. Registration Deadline: June 30, 2010 .Fee: $10/HHRW members, $20/others. To register for this class: http://www.heartsthroughhistory.com/classreg.htm.

Mid-Willamette Valley RWA Presents: Our July 2010 3-week online class: Plot Fixer: the 15 Most Common Plot Problems and How to Fix Them by Kara Lennox/Karen Leabo. Class runs from July 5-25, 2010. Cost is $20 for MWV RWA members and $25 for non-members. See http://www.midwillamettevalleyrwa.com/online.classes.htm for details.

Contests

Indiana Romance Writers of America presents The 20th Anniversary of INDIANA’S GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY 2010. DEADLINE: Entries must be received by June 27, 2010. For your convenience, IGO accepts only electronic entries. ENTRY FEE: $25. Can use PayPal or mail a check.
See www.indianarwa.com/ for guidelines and more information.

The 2010 Heart To Heart Contest sponsored by the San Francisco Area Romance Writers is open for entries. CONTEST CATEGORIES: Paranormal, Erotic, Contemporary, Young Adult, and Historical. WHAT TO ENTER: The magical scene in which your hero and heroine meet for the first time, maximum 15 pages (optional one-page set-up, unjudged). Fee: $15. Deadline: Midnight on July 15, 2010. Eligibility: Unpublished. For contest overview, official rules, entry form, and score sheets go to: http://www.sfarwa.com/.

The Golden Network’s Golden Pen Contest is now open for entries! The entry fee is only $30. For 55 pages, this is a great deal! Details can be found on the Golden Pen pages at www.thegoldennetwork.com.

Florida Romance Writers is proud to announce that the Golden Palm Contest for unpublished writers has returned! You can be the next winner! Deadline to enter is Midnight, August 15, 2010. Entry fee $20.00 for FRW, and $25.00 for all others, 25 pages maximum. For more information and rules, see our website www.frwriters.org.

This post is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

Password:

The New Jersey Romance Writers 2010 Put Your Heart in a Book Contest will
be accepting entries beginning June 1, 2010 and ending at June 15, 2010. Categories are as follows: Short Contemporary Category length (<80,000 words) romances and romantic
suspense set in the present day. Single Title Contemporary Romances set in present day, 80,000 words minimum. Historical Category and Single Title length romances set before 1945, includes Regency romances. The Paranormal Fantasy, futuristic, paranormal and FFP romantic suspense will be in the category. The final category is Romantic Elements Women’s fiction, mysteries, and suspense. Prizes Awarded in each category will be 1st Place: $50 + plaque, 2nd Place: $35 + certificate, 3rd Place: $25 + certificate. All final round entries will be judged by an agent, editor and multi-published author. The entry fee is $20 ~ NJRW members, $35 for all others. For more information please contact Jessica Dickstein, 2010 PYHIAB Contest Chair atromancebyjessicalauren@gmail.com. Please put PYHIAB Contest – Your Submission Category in the subject line of your email.

Time is running out to enter your manuscript in Georgia Romance Writer’s prestigious Maggie Awards of Excellence for Unpublished Romance Novelists. Appropriate fees, entries and completed entry forms must be received by June 5, 2010, 10 p.m. What’s New about the Maggies? For the first time, the Maggies have gone electronic. Entry rules and entry forms are posted on the GRW Web site at http://www.georgiaromancewriters.org/the-maggies/ or e-mail the Maggie Chair at pjmantovani@gmail.com or call 770-313-5781 with any questions. What’s Great about the Maggies? For one thing, the judges. Two published authors will judge each entry. It is worth entering for the feedback alone. If you are a final, your entry will be judged by:
Single Title: LaToya Smith, Grand Central Publishing
Paranormal/Fantasy: Esi Sogah, Avon
Historical, Danielle Poiesz, Pocket Books
Contemporary Series Romance: Kathryn Lye, Harlequin
Inspirational: David Long, Bethany House
You can feature that accomplishment in your query letters. Also you can win Jewelry! If you’re fortunate enough to win a Maggie Medallion, publication is not guaranteed, but you’ll be recognized throughout the country. And it will look great around your neck. So go to the GRW Web site www.georgiaromancewriters.org and enter before you miss the deadline. http://www.georgiaromancewriters.org/the-maggies/.

Workshops
Northeast Ohio RWA is pleased to announce it’s June online workshop, DEATH
SCENE INVESTIGATION with instructor, Phyllis Middleton will begin June 7 and end on June 25 From the Coroner’s Investigator point of view the instructor will give an interactive
workshop on what to expect from the scene and how to handle it – from
working with the police, family and pathologists. How do a Medical
Examiner / Coroner handle the body at the scene? Find out in this fun and
sometimes ‘gross’ workshop! This is a normally a full month class, but is
shortened for this class, so therefore will be power packed! The instructor is Phyllis Middleton. While employed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation at nineteen years old,
Phyllis Middleton was trained in the Science of Fingerprints. This training
included the classification, comparison and search methods used by FBI and
known throughout the USA. To learn more
about Phyllis check out her website at
http://www.phyllismiddleton.com. Cost for the workshop is $15 for NEORWA members, $20 for all others. You do not have to be an RWA member to take our workshops! To register go to http://www.neorwa.com/index.php/Workshops/WorkshopRegistration.The registration deadline is the day before the workshop starts. Once registered, you will be subscribed to the workshop loop prior to and for the
duration of the class.

Dunes & Dreams RWA Chapter 215 (from Eastern Long Island) present their June
2010 Online Workshop, Basics Boot Camp With Gina Ardito beginning on June 1 and ending on June 28. Deciding to write is the easy part. But without the proper training, a new
recruit can soon find him/herself in the weeds. “Ten-hut! Fall in, cadets, for Basics Boot Camp!”
Over four weeks, they’ll strengthen your writing skills so you can safely
maneuver the obstacle course of romance writing. Master the rules and hone
your writing chops so your story can be all that it can be. Week I, will focus on the strategies of GMC, POV, and characterization. Week II, they’ll flex your grammar, spelling, and punctuation muscles. By Week III, They’ll commence plotting, research, and back story. Finally in Week IV, you’ll be tough enough to show off your new writing guns. Each registrant will have the opportunity to receive an in-depth personalized critique of one writing submission (maximum: 15 page length with standard formatting.) The cost is $10 D&D members, $25 all others. Registration form and more information Http://www.dunesanddreams.org/writing-workshops or
email the coordinators at workshops.ddrwa@gmail.com. Gina Ardito is multi-published in hardcover, paperback, and electronic formats. She has more than ten years experience in writing,
mentoring, and critiquing. Known by some associates as the “contest judge
slut,” Gina has judged the RITAs, the Golden Heart, and too many local RWA
chapter contests to list. A co-founder of Dunes & Dreams RWA, she currently
serves as chapter President and General Whip-Wielder.

“The Lessons of FIREFLY: Learning from the Works of Joss Whedon”
with Jacqui Jacob will run from June 14 to July 10, 2010. Although Joss Whedon’s television show FIREFLY only aired through the fall months of 2002, it has continued to generate followers through word of mouth, DVD sales and an inexhaustible amount of discussion both at conferences and online in writing loops. FIREFLY, created by the Rod Serling of our generation, was a masterpiece of writing. Each of its thirteen episodes taught character development,
dialogue and plotting techniques. Its motion picture sequel, SERENITY, not only
touched on these subjects but added relationships, loyalties and loss to
its repertoire. In this workshop, Ms. Jacoby will reveal the lessons of FIREFLY. By using
class participation and examples from the episodes, she will translate with
words what Mr. Whedon was teaching us on screen. Joss Whedon has reviewed this workshop and has given his permission for it to be offered to The Romance Writers of America
Enrollment Information at _http://www.occrwa.org/onlineclassJune10.html_
(http://www.occrwa.org/onlineclassJune10.html). Cost is $20 for OCC members, $30 for non-members. If you have specific questions, email _occrwaonlineclass@yahoo.com.

The Passionate Ink Chapter of RWA Presents Designed to Sell How to Enhance Your Writings Curb Appeal presented by the Grammar Divas will begin June 7, 2010 and on June 27, 2010.
In today’s buyers’ market, anything you can do to enhance
your manuscript appeal puts you one step ahead of everyone else
trying to sell. By taking a look at your writing with a fresh eye,
you may discover ways to make the most of your writing’s appearance, readability, and impact.
The Grammar Divas (an English teacher and a professional copywriter)
share episodes of popular writing improvement shows such as Dream Words,
This Old Sentence, Extreme Makeover: Paragraph Edition, Trading Spaces,
Fun Shui, and Designed to Sell. You leave the workshop with decorating
ideas, remodeling projects, and prose improvements that can make your
manuscript appealing to a potential buyer or an editor!
The cost is $15 for Passionate Ink Members, $20 for non-members. To register of for questions please email workshopchair@passionateink.org.

I am 52,885 words into a 55,000-60,000 word manuscript. Excellent! I’m just about there, except I’m having trouble finishing. I know what happens. I know who does what to whom and why. I know the black moment. I know the ending. I love the ending. So why can’t I get there?

Obviously this is a topic we writers know well. I’ve looked online for answers and found a multitude of blogs, including these ones by Holly Lisle, Sam Horn and Suzannah Windsor Freeman.

Holly Lisle
Sam Horn
Suzannah Windsor Freeman

The internet is full of advice and hints. I could spend days searching and reading advice. (The internet could also be a contributing factor to my problem. That’s why I’m going “off the grid” on Twitter, Facebook, blog surfing, etc until after National Conference!)

Some fellow writers have suggested I’m having trouble because I don’t want to leave my characters. They’ve become my friends, and when I give them their well-earned HEA, I have to leave them for new characters…make new friends (sort of like moving to a new school and having to make new friends all over again.)

So how about you? Do you have trouble finishing the book when you’re this close? How do you do it? What advice can you give me?

Cyndi
Cynthia D’Alba