Chapter 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.

Updated 07/08/2021



Contests


*Open to published authors
**Open to published and unpublished authors


August Contests


*2021 Golden Leaf Contest

Sponsor: New Jersey Romance Writers
Fee: $30 first entry - $20 for subsequent entries.
Deadline: August 1, 2021
Entry: Published novels or novellas with a first copyright date or first North American printing date between June 2020 through May 2021.  All traditional, small press, e-published, and self-published novels released in this time period are eligible. All entries will be digital.
Categories: Best First Book, Contemporary Romance: Short, Contemporary Romance: Mid-Length, Contemporary Romance: Long, Historical Romance, Romantic Novella, Paranormal Romance, Romantic Suspense, Erotic Romance, Best Book by a New Jersey Romance Author
Judges: Booksellers, librarians, readers groups, romance readers
Top Prize: Golden Leaf trophy, pin, website badge
FMI, visit http://www.njromancewriters.org/ or email the contest coordinator at GoldenLeaf@njromancewriters.org

2021 Put Your Heart in a Book Contest

Sponsor: New Jersey Romance Writers
Fee: $25, first entry; $15, second entry
Deadline: August 1, 2021, 11:59 pm Eastern Time
Entry: First thirty (30) pages of the manuscript, which may or may not include a prologue, and a projected word count of the completed manuscript. An unjudged synopsis must be included at the end of the submission, clearly defined with a page break and titled “SYNOPSIS.” The synopsis will not count toward the page count and must not exceed five (5) pages.
Judges: All first round entries are judged by two (2) published authors.
Final Judges: Final round judges consist of Literary Editors and Best-Selling Authors.
Top Prize: First prize winners in each category will receive $200.00, a trophy, a certificate, and a social media graphic.
FMI, visit https://www.njromancewriters.org/pyhiab-2021.html.

2021 Rocky Mountain Cover Contest for Published Authors

Sponsor: Colorado Romance Writers
Fee: $15
Deadline: August 31, 2021
Entry: Send a .jpg (no exceptions) of your book cover art with an original copyright date from June 2020 through 2021, eleven categories.
Judges: romance readers and authors.
FMI: go to https://coloradoromancewriters.com/

September Contests


Midnight Sun Cover Contest

Sponsor: Alaska Romance Writers (AKRWA)
Fee: $15
Deadline: Open to entries August 1, 2021 - September 1, 2021
Entry: Books published prior to August 1, 2021
FMI, https://akrwa.com/contest-1


Conferences

No July, August, or September conferences were submitted.

Online Workshops


August Online Workshops


Advanced WordPress

Sponsor: NEORWA
Fee: $20
Date: August 1–31, 2021
Presenter: Pepper O'Neal
FMI, http://www.neorwa.com/online-workshops/upcoming-meetings/

Characterization: Making Strengths and Weaknesses Work for You

Sponsor: RWA Online Chapter
Fee: $15; Free for RWA Online Chapter members
Date: August 2–27, 2021
Presenter: Linnea Sinclair
FMI: https://rwaonlinechapter.org/workshops-3/aug-2020-characterization/

Getting Spy Thrillers Right

Sponsor: Kiss of Death
Fee: $20, KOD members; $25, RWA members; $35, non-members
Date: August 2–27, 2021
Presenter: Michael McConnick
FMI, https://www.rwakissofdeath.org/coffin

Heroines in Peril: Pack Those Punches with Realism

Sponsor: Kiss of Death
Fee: $20, KOD members; $25, RWA members; $35, non-members
Date: August 2–27, 2021
Presenter: Kelle Z Riley
FMI, https://www.rwakissofdeath.org/coffin

Dress Your Tech for Success: Advanced Marketing/Tech Tips for Authors

Sponsor: Yosemite Romance Writers
Fee: $30, members; $35, non-members
Date: August 2–28, 2021
Presenter: Kerry Blaisdell
FMI, http://www.yosemiteromancewriters.com

50 Ways to Leave Your Muse: Creativity Hacks for Writers

Sponsor: Contemporary Romance Writers
Fee: $15 for CRW members; $25 for RWA members; $35 for non-RWA members
Date: August 2–30, 2021
Presenter: Joy Held
FMI, http://contemporaryromance.org/workshops/

The Power of Prewriting

Sponsor: Contemporary Romance Writers
Fee: $15 for CRW members; $25 for RWA members; $35 for non-RWA members
Date: August 2–30, 2021
Presenter: Ivy Quinn
FMI, http://contemporaryromance.org/workshops/

Those Who Forget History: Using Backstory to Enhance Your Novel

Sponsor: Contemporary Romance Writers
Fee: $15 for CRW members; $25 for RWA members; $35 for non-RWA members
Date: August 2–31, 2021
Presenter: Cynthia Owens
FMI, http://contemporaryromance.org/workshops/

Character Archetypes Series Part 1: Male Archetypes

Sponsor: Contemporary Romance Writers
Fee: $15 for CRW members; $25 for RWA members; $35 for non-RWA members
Date: August 7, 2021, at 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. CT / 10 a.m. PT
Presenter: Mary Buckham
FMI, http://contemporaryromance.org/workshops/

When Two Authors Are Better

Sponsor: OIRWA
Fee: $25, members; $35, non-members
Date: August 7–25, 2021
FMI, http://www.oirwa.com/forum/campus/

Here Be Dragons

Sponsor: OIRWA
Fee: $25, members; $35, non-members
Date: August 7–27, 2021
FMI, http://www.oirwa.com/forum/campus/

Killer Conflict

Sponsor: Hearts Through History RWA
Fee: $10, members; $20, nonmembers
Date: August 9–20, 2021
FMI, https://www.heartsthroughhistory.com/

Websites Basics for Authors Part 3

Sponsor: Kiss of Death
Fee: $15, KOD members; $20, RWA members; $30, non-members
Date: August 9–20, 2021
Presenter: Crystal Ramos
FMI, https://www.rwakissofdeath.org/coffin

TikTok and Reels for Authors

Sponsor: Contemporary Romance Writers
Fee: $15 for CRW members; $25 for RWA members; $35 for non-RWA members
Date: August 14, 2021, at 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. CT / 10 a.m. PT
Presenter: Mariah Ankenman
FMI, http://contemporaryromance.org/workshops/

 

Chapter: Kiss of Death 2021 Coffin Workshops

Begin Date: 01/01/2021
End Date: 12/01/2021
Location:
Register
The College of Felony and Intrigue (COFFIN) offers two tracks, Murder One and Killer Instinct, $15 for KOD members, $20 for RWA members, and $30 for non-members for 2-week workshops and $20 for KOD members, $25 for RWA members, and $35 for non-members for

A2P - Writing Holiday Romances that Sell

Begin Date: 07/01/2021
End Date: 07/31/2021
Location:
Register
What is the hype with Holiday Romances? Have you ever wondered why so many people write them? Or why there are so many people that read them? This year alone Hallmark will come out with over one hundred new holiday romance movies! So what does it take to
 
 

A2P - Second Chance Romances

Begin Date: 07/12/2021
End Date: 07/25/2021
Location:
Register
Second chance romance is a popular trope that covers a lot of situations. A chance to make up after a split. A second chance at love for "older" heroines. Another chance for love after heartbreak or trauma. Second chances come in many forms and readers lo

LIRW - Mentorship Program Webinar

Begin Date: 07/24/2021
End Date: 07/24/2021
Location:
Register
Mentorship programs in the writing community are one of the many avenues authors explore on their paths toward publication.  Join LIRW for a FREE webinar at 10 a.m. EDT on July 24th via Zoom. Paris Wynters and others will discuss some of the more popular

Chapter: AKRWA 2021 Midnight Sun Cover Contest

Begin Date: 08/01/2021
End Date: 09/01/2021
Location:
Register
Enter this published author contest today!

A2P -Writer Wellness: A Writer’s Path to Health & Creativity

Begin Date: 08/01/2021
End Date: 08/31/2021
Location:
Register
Good self-care is the new multi-vitamin! Writers should still take a multi-vitamin, and Writer Wellness is a complimentary plan to help you stay on target for writing and life. WW is a lifestyle technique for anyone who loves to create with activities to

A2P - Old Friends: Making Your Characters Memorable

Begin Date: 08/01/2021
End Date: 08/31/2021
Location:
Register
In this workshop we’ll delve deep into your character’s psyche.  We’ll look beyond eye and hair color to dig deep into each character’s motivation, frustration, and fear. We’ll look at how fear and frustration create the motivation that can drives your ch

HCRW - Tag Lines and Ad Copy

Begin Date: 08/02/2021
End Date: 08/27/2021
Location:
Register
EVERYONE can write their own great ad copy if they have the right tools and mindset…so let me help you with that. This hands-on interactive workshop is incredibly effective with attendee participation.
 
 
 

A2P - Using Small Conflicts To Move a Story Along

Begin Date: 09/01/2021
End Date: 09/30/2021
Location:
Register
"Using Small Conflicts To Move a Story Along" will involve ways to cure sagging middles in any story.  Writers who don’t plot can find themselves painted into a corner or wondering what to do next. Even plotters sometimes find a story seems to be going no

A2P - Love Your Voice

Begin Date: 09/01/2021
End Date: 09/30/2021
Location:
Register
Want to immerse your readers in your story from page one to the end? Want readers eager to read your next book and the next and the next? That’s Voice! For many popular authors creating an engaging, evocative, and enthralling Voice seems effortless. But t

HCRW - Writing a Successful Holiday Romance

Begin Date: 09/06/2021
End Date: 09/30/2021
Location:
Register
What is the hype with Holiday Romances? Have you ever wondered why so many people write them Holiday Romances? Or why there are so many people that read them? This year alone Hallmark will come out with over One hundred and twenty new Holiday Romance Movi
 
 

A2P - The Inner Mind of a Computer Geek

Begin Date: 10/01/2021
End Date: 10/31/2021
Location:
Register
Arthur C. Clarke's third law states, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." This means that the minds of the people who create "sufficiently advanced technology" are equally magical. In this course, I'll delve into what mo

A2P - Don't Fear Writing the Synopsis

Begin Date: 10/01/2021
End Date: 10/31/2021
Location:
Register
Let’s face it – writing a synopsis and query letter can often be more difficult than writing the book itself.  However, it doesn’t have to be.   By putting your own personal creativity into writing the synopsis, you can come up with a “pitch” for your boo

HCRW - Website Tips and Tricks

Begin Date: 10/04/2021
End Date: 10/29/2021
Location:
Register
Website Tips & Tricks: 15 Lessons to Supercharge Your Author Website -You’ve finally figured out how to create a website to promote your book—great! But once you set it up, how will people find you? What are readers looking for anyway? How do you figure o
 
 
 
 
 

HCRW - Designing the Perfect Romance Cast

Begin Date: 11/01/2021
End Date: 11/30/2021
Location:
Register
In this brand-new month-long online class, New York Times best-selling author Angela Knight discusses the importance of creating the perfect cast for the kind of romance you’re trying to write.  A memorable romance cast is more than the sum of its parts.

A2P - Researching for Authors

Begin Date: 11/01/2021
End Date: 11/30/2021
Location:
Register
Research can feel overwhelming. For some of us, it’s been years since we’ve dug deeply into a topic, but sometimes you need to know more to add realism to your book and worldbuilding.  In this class, we’ll talk about how to make a research attack plan, ho

A2P - Mindset, Motivation & Well-being A to Z for Writers

Begin Date: 11/01/2021
End Date: 11/30/2021
Location:
Register
Mindset, Motivation & Well-being A to Z for Writers presents a host of suggestions for overhauling your writing life inside and out. Some of the topics will resonate and some will need to percolate for a while, but everything from coping with anxiety to a