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So You Want to Write Romance?

A one day workshop for aspiring romance authors.

Date: May 17, 2025
Location: Virtual
Time: 9:30am (Central Time

Have you always wanted to try your hand at writing a romance novel? Don’t know where to start? We’re here to help.

At this virtual event, you'll learn romance fundamentals taught by Multi-award winning and Bestselling authors. This one day immersive workshop is designed to give you the foundation to start writing your own romance.

Registration Fees

  • Members $15
  • Non-Members $45
Register Here

Schedule of events (Central Time)

9:30 AM Tips and Tricks room open
9:50 AM Welcome address from RWA President Jacki Renée
10:00 AM

Love by Design: The Architecture of the Romance Novel
Presenters: Tobi Doyle and Sheila Redling

Tobi loves plotting, story structure, and creating outlines. Sheila would rather superglue her eyelids closed than plot because she writes to find her story. Together, we'll discuss what makes: a romance a romance, your story a page-turner, readers wanting more. We're talking story elements that create a phenomenal story! Pantser and plotter friendly!
11:00 AM Break – Tips and Tricks room open
11:30 AM Trippin the Tropes Fantastic
Presenter: Peggy Jaeger

Some things are as familiar as the taste of a peanut butter sandwich or the aroma of fresh crayons right out of that big 64-count Crayola box. We know exactly what we’ll get when we bite into that deliciousness or inhale all that waxy perfection.

Tropes work the same way. When we see a book featuring a secret baby plotline, a fake dating one, or even a marriage of convenience, we know exactly what to expect from that story. Our hearts start to race, our anticipation ramps up, and we can’t wait to dive into the story. In its truest form, a trope is the author's promise to deliver exactly what the reader wants to read.

In this workshop we’ll explore the use of tropes in our writing, the kinds used, the most popular ones readers are buying today, and examine why tropes can enhance our stories and take them to the next level.
12:30 PM Break – Tips and Tricks room open
1:00 PM Going Beyond Goal, Motivation, and Conflict: Leveraging Chapter Scenes & Sequels for Emotional Impact
Presenter: Siera London

Unputdownable fiction is more than a goal, motivation, & conflict chart. Great storytelling equals complex characterization. Well-crafted chapter scenes and sequels take your characters beyond story basics to create emotional impact for your readers.
2:00 PM Please return to the lobby for closing remarks.

 

Featured Speakers

Tobi Doyle

A hybrid romance author, Tobi has published over a dozen romance books. She is the recipient of the 2022 Romance Writer of America PRO Mentor of the Year, and a Service Award for her work on RWA’s Pen to Paper, a guide to romance writing. She’s also the past President of RWA’s romantic suspense chapter, Kiss of Death, and other local writing groups.

Sheila Redling

Sheila Redling, writing as SG Redling, is the author of nine novels of pure mayhem, including the bestselling thrillers FLOWERTOWN and the Dani Britton series. She is the co-founder of Intensive Genre Workshops and was the recipient of the 2022 WVLA literary merit award. She has been a panelist and presenter at The WV Writers Summer Conference, Bouchercon, Left Coast Crime, and more. A graduate of Georgetown University, a former morning radio host, and a language geek, Sheila currently lives in Huntington, WV with a wide array of wildlife.

Peggy Jaeger

Peggy Jaeger writes stories about strong women, the families who support them, and the men who can't live without them. If she makes you cry on one page and then causes you to squeal with laughter on the next, she feels she's done her job as a writer. Find her here: https://linktr.ee/peggyjaeger

Siera London

USA Today Bestselling and Award-winning, Siera London, crafts tales with a message to heal the heart and soul. From contemporary to paranormal, Siera’s pen weaves romance in all its forms. Whether mixed with suspense, crime, or otherworld mysticism, all of her stories are an artful blend of emotion, intelligence, and wit. In short, Siera writes heroines you know, heroes you love, and romance you feel.

When not writing, Siera's off to roam, with Mr. Awesome and Frie, her cat muse, traveling the world, exploring every place, and seeking new inspirations to fuel her creativity.



Advertising Opportunity

Digital Program Ad Space to be in the booklet provided to all attendees.

  • Inside Front or Back Cover (1 of each available)
 $250.00
  • Full page
 $150.00
  • Half-Page
 $100.00
  • Quarter-Page
 $ 75.00

 

Specifications
Ads must be sent to RWA camera-ready. RWA does not design ads.

Reserve Your Ad Now

Artwork and payment are due May 9, 2025

Fine Print
Advertising in RWA's Digital Program is open to all individuals and firms. However, all advertising is accepted at the discretion of RWA. Publication of advertising does not constitute an endorsement, and RWA is not liable for any products or services advertised. Advertising material from anyone against whom an unresolved formal complaint has been filed with the professional relations committee will not be published. RWA’s liability to advertisers is limited to refunds of the advertising fees collected.

Ad spots that are reserved, but not paid for, will be forfeited if payment is not received by the due date.

Ads are refundable if canceled 30 days prior to payment due date. Cancelations received within 30 days of payment due date will only be refunded if RWA is able to resell the reserved space/slot.