ONLINE WORKSHOPS:

SPONSOR:  The Passionate Ink Chapter of RWA
TITLE:   Word Choice Workout

DATES: August 9, 2010 – August 15, 2010

INSTRUCTOR: Natalie and Matt Duvall

DESCRIPTION:  This workshop teaches fix-up strategies and steps to prevent the boring from
overwhelming the bland. Members should have completed work to use for class.

DEADLINE: August 9, 2010

FEES: $15 for Passionate Ink Members; $20 for non-members

FMI: More info on the workshop page at http://www.passionateink.org/workshops/ or email workshopsATpassionateinkDOTorg

SPONSOR:  PASIC

TITLE:  Secrets of World Building

DATES:  September 1 – 30, 2010

INSTRUCTOR:  CJ Lyons

DESCRIPTION:  Topics covered in this highly interactive workshop will include: Micro-world building details;
how to show, not tell; 3D characters; taboo topics; power of myth; Darwin’s Rules, and more.

DEADLINE:  August 27, 2010

FMI:  http://pasic.net/class_registration.php

SPONSOR:  Heart of Dixie, RWA

TITLE:  Pitch, Pile, or Public: Three Paths To Publication

DATES:  September 7-21, 2010

INSTRUCTOR: Kira Sinclair, Kimberly Lang, & Lynn Raye Harris

DESCRIPTION:  This workshop prepares you for success on the three most common paths to an editor or
agent’s desk: the pitch, the slush pile and public attention.

FEES:  $20

FMI:  Register at: www.heartofdixie.org.  Other:  online@heartofdixie.org

SPONSOR:  Orange County Chapter of RWA
TITLE: Understanding Men

DATES:  August 16 – September 18, 2010

INSTRUCTOR:  Dr. Debra Holland

DESCRIPTION:  This five-week class teaches you how the male brain and hormones make a man think, feel, and behave, especially in relationships. New material covers male sexuality and how that affects responses, attitudes, and behavior.

FEES:  $20 for OCC members; $30 for others

FMI:  http://www.occrwa.org/onlineclassAug10.html

SPONSOR:  Orange County Chapter of RWA

TITLE:  Creating that Fatal (or Not So Fatal) Flaw

DATES:  September 6 – October 2, 2010

INSTRUCTOR: Laurie Schnebly Campbell

DESCRIPTION:  This course teaches how to give likable, plausible characters a truly compelling conflict using Enneagrams.

FEES:  $20 for OCC members; $30 for others

FMI:  http://www.occrwa.org/onlineclasses.html

SPONSOR: Red River Romance Writers

TITLE:  Social Networking for Unpublished and Published Authors

DATES:  August 9 – September 6, 2010

INSTRUCTOR: Beth Barany

DESCRIPTION:  This class teaches how to get clear on the purpose of your online presence; set your user profiles on Facebook, Twitter, and Plaxo; build your base of friends/fans/followers; craft useful and effective content aligned with your purpose; use your social networking time effectively; and create a plan for change as your career changes.

FEES:  RRRW Members – $20; Non-members – $25

FMI:  http://redriverromancewriters.com/workshops.php

CONTESTS:

SPONSOR:  Maine Chapter RWA

TITLE:  2010 MERWA Synopsis Contest [Electronic entries]

DEADLINE:  Oct. 1, 2010

FEES:  $20.00

FMI:  http://www.mainerwa.com/ or email coordinator Lori Libby, MERWAsynopsis@gmail.com.

SPONSOR:  Missouri Romance Writers

TITLE:  GATEWAY TO THE BEST   [Electronic entries only]

DEADLINE:  September 10, 2010; entries accepted from noon August 2, 2010

FMI:  www.morwa.org

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

NEWS
JoAnn Ross was thrilled to learn that The Homecoming, the first book in her Shelter Bay series, landed on the printed New York Times bestseller list its first week on sale.

CONTESTS
Kathy Carmichael’s women’s fiction novel, HOT FLASH, is a finalist in the Georgia Romance Writer’s published Maggie’s contest.

PROMO
Laura Drake has launched a new group blog entitled “Writers in the Storm” dealing with writing craft, and critiquing. Please stop by: http://writersinthestorm.wordpress.com/

According to Reuters, “The slow rise of electronic books is paving the way for more safe-bet fiction blockbusters and serial-type books, at least in the short term.”

The digital age has come to libraries but there might be copyright problems.

“Libraries are expanding e-book offerings with out-of-print editions, part of a broader effort to expand borrowing privileges in the Internet Age that could challenge traditional ideas about copyright.”

Agent Andrew Wylie fighting for e-rights for his authors.

“We will take our 700 clients, see what rights are not allocated to publishers, and establish a company on their behalf to license those e-book rights directly to someone like Google, Amazon.com or Apple. It would be another business, set up on parallel tracks to the frontlist book business,” Wylie said.

Borders has jumped into the digital pool. Its e-bookstore went live on July 7th. They want to be a significant player in the e-book sector.

If you don’t have an e-reader and would like to read an e-book, writer Susannah Fraser gives advice on ways to do it.

Thinking of putting one of your old books for sale as an e-book? Or a new one? Zoe Winters talks about why you need to be on Smashwords. Julie Ortolon talks about How to Publish on Smashwords. Natasha Fondren has a series of guides on formatting for Smashwords. Smashwords also has its own guide.

James Patterson is the first fiction writer to sell more than 1 million ebooks. J.A. Konrath has sold more than 100,000, and feels good about it.

Small Stores see Google as an Alley in E-Book Market

“As a wholesaler, Google will play a role similar to that of offline distributors like Ingram Book and Baker & Taylor, which buy books from publishers and resell them to bookstores. Those companies generally keep a single-digit percentage of each sale, and Mr. Turvey said Google would operate along similar lines.

Independent bookstores seem to believe that Google is more interested in working through them than being a direct retailer. In fact, they are banking on it.”

For the non-digital industry news, Jeannie Ruesch of Will Design for Chocolate blogged on Romance University about what a published author needs on her website. These tips are great for the non-published writer too.

Dean Wesley Smith has a fascinating Killing the Sacred Cows of Publishing post, titled Writers Need to be Taken Care Of.

Publishers are turning to book bloggers to reach readers.

“Women’s fiction that maybe wouldn’t be covered by traditional book sections is being blogged about, talked about,” says Jennifer Hart, vice president and associate publisher at HarperCollins for its paperback imprints. “There are books blogs for every niche of publishing — from literary and commercial fiction to young adult, to sci-fi, to cookbooks. This offers publishers an incredible opportunity — we can reach the audience for all of our books, no matter the genre.”

Literary Agent Isabel Atherton is looking for commercial women’s fiction.

“Original, unusual and commercial: those are my top three words.”

If you write witty women’s fiction, you might try kt literary.

Agent Taylor Martindale is actively looking for women’s fiction.

A few agents, such as Holly Root and Jessica Faust, are closed to queries until fall. If you’re sending queries, check out their websites/blogs, etc. to see if they’re accepting or not.

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.

Amy Atwell’s debut book, a dark comedy romantic suspense titled Lying Eyes, has sold to Carina Press for a November 2010 release.

Marilyn Brant got word from her publisher that the book club rights to her upcoming second novel, FRIDAY MORNINGS AT NINE (Kensington, 10-01-10), just sold to the Doubleday Book Club & BOMC2. It’ll be one of the featured alternate selections for October.

COMPETITIONS

Mary Jo Scheibl writing as Casey Clifford has won the HOLT Medallion Award for Best First Book. The romantic suspense is titled, Black Ribbon Affair.

We are giving all members attending conference the option of buying the t-shirts on paypal (link below) in advance, and simply picking them up in Orlando. If you can’t make the chapter meeting on Thursday evening, or just want to help us out by buying in advance (and believe us, it will be a HUGE help), Michelle Diener will find a spot near the RWA Conference registration tables between 10am and 11am on Thursday morning with t-shirts for pickup. We aren’t allowed to sell the shirts in the lobby, so the only on-the-spot purchases can be made at the chapter meeting on Thursday night. Those who buy online now and want to pick the t-shirts up at the chapter meeting rather than on Thursday morning, can also do so.

After conference, we will put up a new page on the site for members to buy t-shirts which includes a shipping charge, so don’t worry if you aren’t going to conference, you won’t lose out.

We’ve included a picture of the t-shirt to this post. They are specifically made for women and are 100% cotton. Our beautiful logo is printed on the left-hand side.

*PLEASE NOTE* This purchase button is at present only for members attending the RWA National Conference who can pick the t-shirts up. After conference we will set up a new post for members who want to buy the t-shirts and have them shipped to their addresses.

Please put your name and if possible, whether you’ll be picking the t-shirt up in the morning or at the chapter meeting, in the Comments section when you make payment.

RWA-WF T-shirts

Small $15.00 Medium $15.00 Large $15.00 X-Large $15.00 XX-Large $15.00

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

Contest Finals
Grace R. Greene finaled in three categories in Virginia Romance Writers’ Fool For Love Contest. Paranormal: Cub Creek; Single Title: Kincaid’s Hope; Romantic Suspense: The Wynnedower Stranger