Traditional Author Weekend 2024 Schedule Announced!

Without further ado, check out the schedule for Traditional Author Weekend 2024!

Join us April 6 and April 7 for Traditional Author Weekend, a two-day virtual conference where you will gain vital insights and tools for navigating the traditional publishing landscape from agents, editors, and authors. This special virtual conference welcomes newcomers and those re-entering the traditional publishing scene, ensuring they are equipped for success in publishing their romance novels through traditional avenues.

Registrants will have lifetime access to all recorded sessions.

Register for Conference

Saturday, April 6, 2024

 10:00 AM - 10:05 AM Eastern

 9:00 AM - 9:05 AM Central

 8:00 AM - 8:05 AM Mountain

 7:00 AM - 7:05 AM Pacific
 Welcome from RWA President Clair Brett

 
 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM Eastern

 9:15 AM - 10:15 AM Central

 8:15 AM - 9:15 AM Mountain

 7:15 AM - 8:15 AM Pacific
 Session 1: "Marketing for the Traditionally Published Author" 
 Presenter: Dr. Christina E. Stephens



 Session 2: "Agents and Editors Define the Romance Genre"
 Panelists:
 

 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Eastern

 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Central

 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Mountain

 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM Pacific
 Session 1: "From Indie to Hybrid-Author: Things to Consider"
 Presenter: Siera London



 Session 2: "Navigating the Submission Process"
 Presenter: Scott Eagan, Literary Agent, Greyhaus Literary Agency


 Session 3: "Writing manuscripts that fit our publishing guidelines"
 Presenter: Tule Publishing Group           
 

 12:45 PM - 1:45 PM Eastern

 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM Central

 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM Mountain

 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM Pacific
 Session 1: "Understanding Contracts"

 Presenter: Maggie Marr, Attorney at Maggie Marr Legal, USA Today Best Selling Author


 Session 2: "Diverse Authors in the Traditional Publishing World"
 Panelists:


 Session 3: "The Anatomy of a Query Letter"
 Presenter: La Sheera Lee, Literary Agent, SBR Media Literary Agency

  
 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Eastern

 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Central

 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Mountain

 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Pacific
 Session 1: "Estate Planning for Traditionally Published Authors"

 Presenter: Atty. Jennifer Norton, Norton Estate Planning & Elder Law Firm, LLC 



 Session 2: "Preparing and Delivering a Strong Verbal Pitch"
 Panelists:
 Session 3: "Writing manuscripts that fit our publishing guidelines"
 Presenter: City Owl Press  
 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM Eastern

 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM Central

 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM Mountain

 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM Pacific
 Session 1: "Building Resilience in the Publishing Journey: Dealing with Rejection and Criticism"

 Presenter: Dr. Dana Dooley, DSW, MSW, CPRM


 Session 2: "When is Your Manuscript Ready to Pitch"
 Presenter: Michelle Z. Jackson, Literary Agent, LCS Literary Agency


 Session 3: "Writing manuscripts that fit our publishing guidelines"
 Presenter: Kensington Publishing Corp


 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Eastern

 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM Central

 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM Mountain

 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Pacific
 Session 1: "Longevity in the Romance Writing Industry"
 Panelists:
 Session 2: "How to Write a Synopsis"
 Presenter: Allison K Williams  


     5:45 PM - 6:45 PM Eastern

     4:45 PM - 5:45 PM Central

     3:45 PM - 4:45 PM Mountain

    2:45 PM - 3:45 PM Pacific

     After Hours Sessions 

     Session 1: Denouement with Alexis-Morgan Roark

     
     Session 2: RWA National and Chapter Leadership

     Presenter: Leadership Committee (Jennifer Bokal)


     Session 3: RWA Membership Benefits
     Presenter: Membership Outreach Committee (Ursula Renee , Sayde Storey)


    Sunday, April 7, 2024


     10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Eastern

     9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Central

     8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Mountain

     7:00 AM - 8:00 AM Pacific
     Session 1: "The Author, The Agent, and The Editor Walk Into The Room"
    Panelists:

     Session 2: "Romance Trends"

    Presenter: Alex Newton, K-lytics
     11:15 AM - 12:15 PM Eastern

     10:15 AM - 11:15 AM Central

     9:15 AM - 10:15 AM Mountain 

     8:15 AM - 9:15 AM Pacific
     Session 1: RWA Romance Author Mentorship Program (RAMP)
     Panelists:

     Session 2: "The Hybrid Author"
    Panelists:

     Session 3: "Small Press and the Big Five: Similarities and differences"
     Panelists:
     12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Eastern

     11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Eastern 

     10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Eastern 

     9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Eastern
                    
     Session 1: "Strategic Thinking for Authors"

     Presenter:  Jennifer Graybeal

     Session 2: "Build the Perfect Press Kit"
     Presenter: Athena Hernandez
     12:45 PM - 1:00 PM Eastern

     11:45 AM - 12:00 PM Eastern 

     10:45 AM - 11:00 AM Eastern 

     9:45 AM - 10:00 AM Eastern
     Conference Closing

    Download the Traditional Author Weekend Program Guide through the link below!

    TAW Digital Program
    (Adobe PDF File)