Workshops
Our online workshops are open to non-members, for the low low price of $10 per person!
Links will be included with each workshop to the registration form and payment page. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
Of course, the most cost-efficient way to get ALL our online workshops for only $35 is to become a member! Apart from other wonderful benefits, members also get one month's access to the recording of the workshop so you can watch it whenever you like!--as long as what you like is watching it within a month :)
Links will be included with each workshop to the registration form and payment page. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
Of course, the most cost-efficient way to get ALL our online workshops for only $35 is to become a member! Apart from other wonderful benefits, members also get one month's access to the recording of the workshop so you can watch it whenever you like!--as long as what you like is watching it within a month :)
Meetings take place on designated Saturdays (usually the third Saturday of the month, unless otherwise indicated) by Zoom, until further notice.
9:30 a.m. EST - Social time! Join us for informal chat prior to the meeting. All are welcome! Bring a beverage!
10:00 a.m. EST - NJRW general meeting
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. EST - Workshop
If you are not a member, but would like to check us out and see what we're all about, email a request to join a general meeting as a guest to [email protected].
Previous workshops may be found here.
9:30 a.m. EST - Social time! Join us for informal chat prior to the meeting. All are welcome! Bring a beverage!
10:00 a.m. EST - NJRW general meeting
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. EST - Workshop
If you are not a member, but would like to check us out and see what we're all about, email a request to join a general meeting as a guest to [email protected].
Previous workshops may be found here.
November 2025
Saturday, November 15
Speaker: Sarra Cannon
Workshop: Planning for Author Success in 2026
The publishing landscape is shifting fast, and the most successful authors are those with a clear strategy. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to set realistic goals, identify what readers respond to, and turn big dreams into an actionable roadmap. Leave with a sustainable plan to stay consistent, grow your readership, and thrive in 2026 and beyond.
Speaker: Sarra Cannon
Workshop: Planning for Author Success in 2026
The publishing landscape is shifting fast, and the most successful authors are those with a clear strategy. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to set realistic goals, identify what readers respond to, and turn big dreams into an actionable roadmap. Leave with a sustainable plan to stay consistent, grow your readership, and thrive in 2026 and beyond.
Speaker:
Sarra Cannon is the indie author of thirty Young Adult contemporary fantasy novels, including her bestselling Shadow Demons Saga. Her novels are inspired by her love of gaming, anime, and shows like Buffy and Veronica Mars. If you love fast-paced stories with lots of twists, you’ll probably love Sarra’s writing.
With over one million books sold, Sarra is also passionate about helping fellow authors learn to self-publish and manage their time in a way that puts joy and creativity over fear and overwhelm. She is the host of the popular YouTube channel, Heart Breathings, where she talks about everything from productivity to plotting. Sarra lives in the Dallas area with her supportive husband and their two young children.
Sarra Cannon is the indie author of thirty Young Adult contemporary fantasy novels, including her bestselling Shadow Demons Saga. Her novels are inspired by her love of gaming, anime, and shows like Buffy and Veronica Mars. If you love fast-paced stories with lots of twists, you’ll probably love Sarra’s writing.
With over one million books sold, Sarra is also passionate about helping fellow authors learn to self-publish and manage their time in a way that puts joy and creativity over fear and overwhelm. She is the host of the popular YouTube channel, Heart Breathings, where she talks about everything from productivity to plotting. Sarra lives in the Dallas area with her supportive husband and their two young children.
October 2025
Saturday, October 18
Speaker: Paula Scardamalia
Workshop: Romancing the Tarot: Planning & Writing Heart-Stirring Stories
Writing is such a mysterious process, especially for fiction writers. A journey into deep and uncharted waters, you set out thinking you know where you are going only to discover that you’ve lost your sense of direction and haven’t the slightest idea of how to course-correct. That’s why writers like Nora Roberts use the tarot as one of the tools for charting and guiding their writing journey to “The End.”
Once a game played by the court in 16th century Italy and elsewhere, the tarot has evolved into an inspiring, useful, adaptable tool for writers of all genres and categories.
This day-long interactive workshop gives you the opportunity to discover ways to use this powerful tool for plotting, character development (using the Major Arcana), creating settings and effective props (with the Minor Arcana), as well as editing, title creation, and guiding your writing process and path. A brief history, brief writing exercises, and handouts are included.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own decks, if they have them, but there will be decks available to pull cards from as well.
No previous tarot experience is necessary, only a willingness to play, explore, and write.
Speaker: Paula Scardamalia
Workshop: Romancing the Tarot: Planning & Writing Heart-Stirring Stories
Writing is such a mysterious process, especially for fiction writers. A journey into deep and uncharted waters, you set out thinking you know where you are going only to discover that you’ve lost your sense of direction and haven’t the slightest idea of how to course-correct. That’s why writers like Nora Roberts use the tarot as one of the tools for charting and guiding their writing journey to “The End.”
Once a game played by the court in 16th century Italy and elsewhere, the tarot has evolved into an inspiring, useful, adaptable tool for writers of all genres and categories.
This day-long interactive workshop gives you the opportunity to discover ways to use this powerful tool for plotting, character development (using the Major Arcana), creating settings and effective props (with the Minor Arcana), as well as editing, title creation, and guiding your writing process and path. A brief history, brief writing exercises, and handouts are included.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own decks, if they have them, but there will be decks available to pull cards from as well.
No previous tarot experience is necessary, only a willingness to play, explore, and write.
Speaker:
Paula Chaffee Scardamalia is an author and book coach who loves helping other writers write their stories and life discoveries using her experience and knowledge, as well as intuitive tools such as dreams and the tarot. She’s the author of Enchanting Creativity; Tarot for the Fiction Writer; the award-winning Weaving a Woman’s Life: Spiritual Les-sons from the Loom; and her fantasy romance novel, In the Land of the Vultures. The Tempting Voice will be published in February 2026. Divine Muse-ings is her weekly newsletter on writing, creativity, dreams, and tarot. She lives with her husband in an 1840s Greek Revival farmhouse, constantly in need of TLC, in the foothills of the Catskills.
Paula Chaffee Scardamalia is an author and book coach who loves helping other writers write their stories and life discoveries using her experience and knowledge, as well as intuitive tools such as dreams and the tarot. She’s the author of Enchanting Creativity; Tarot for the Fiction Writer; the award-winning Weaving a Woman’s Life: Spiritual Les-sons from the Loom; and her fantasy romance novel, In the Land of the Vultures. The Tempting Voice will be published in February 2026. Divine Muse-ings is her weekly newsletter on writing, creativity, dreams, and tarot. She lives with her husband in an 1840s Greek Revival farmhouse, constantly in need of TLC, in the foothills of the Catskills.
September 2025
Saturday, September 20
Speaker: Matthew Holmes
Workshop: The Counterintuitive Advertising Strategy For Romance Authors
Romance authors are stuck in an endless cycle: write more, publish faster, spend more on ads, make less profit. You're working harder than ever but your income keeps jumping around like a rollercoaster.
This workshop reveals why the hustle mentality is bankrupting romance authors - and the strategic shift that creates predictable income instead.
Speaker: Matthew Holmes
Workshop: The Counterintuitive Advertising Strategy For Romance Authors
Romance authors are stuck in an endless cycle: write more, publish faster, spend more on ads, make less profit. You're working harder than ever but your income keeps jumping around like a rollercoaster.
This workshop reveals why the hustle mentality is bankrupting romance authors - and the strategic shift that creates predictable income instead.
Speaker:
Matt's the guy who went from filming and directing for the BBC to running a successful video production company, then building a six-figure author business with his wife after COVID-19 flattened his video production company overnight.
Talk about a plot twist.
His wife's books have since generated over $700,000 in royalties. Now Matt helps authors turn the complex world of advertising into simple, step-by-step systems that generate profitable sales and build a thriving author business.
When he's not helping authors reach more readers, you'll find him in the British countryside with his wife, three kids, two dogs, and 16 horses.
Matt's the guy who went from filming and directing for the BBC to running a successful video production company, then building a six-figure author business with his wife after COVID-19 flattened his video production company overnight.
Talk about a plot twist.
His wife's books have since generated over $700,000 in royalties. Now Matt helps authors turn the complex world of advertising into simple, step-by-step systems that generate profitable sales and build a thriving author business.
When he's not helping authors reach more readers, you'll find him in the British countryside with his wife, three kids, two dogs, and 16 horses.
August 2025
Saturday, August 16
Speaker: P.K. Eden
Workshop: Writing Duets and Laughter
“If James Patterson and Lousie Penny can do it, so can we.”
You have to be on the same “silly”, “Dramatic” and romantic page when
you’re writing with someone. In the case of P.K. Eden, each identifies with her own strength and voice, but does not preclude the other when there is a strong opinion of the subject matter.
Duet writing isn’t for everyone, and in some cases, people can tell where one author stops and the other begins, P.K. Eden tries to avoid that trap by keeping the flow smooth and flawless as possible.
Speaker: P.K. Eden
Workshop: Writing Duets and Laughter
“If James Patterson and Lousie Penny can do it, so can we.”
You have to be on the same “silly”, “Dramatic” and romantic page when
you’re writing with someone. In the case of P.K. Eden, each identifies with her own strength and voice, but does not preclude the other when there is a strong opinion of the subject matter.
Duet writing isn’t for everyone, and in some cases, people can tell where one author stops and the other begins, P.K. Eden tries to avoid that trap by keeping the flow smooth and flawless as possible.
Speaker:
P.K. Eden is hoping that anyone attending this session will bombard them with questions even if it has nothing to do with writing as a duet. They feel that while you might have heard it before, you haven’t heard it from their point of view. So let’s go and let’s have fun.
P.K. Eden is hoping that anyone attending this session will bombard them with questions even if it has nothing to do with writing as a duet. They feel that while you might have heard it before, you haven’t heard it from their point of view. So let’s go and let’s have fun.
June 2025
Saturday, June 21
Speaker: Terri Brisbin
Workshop: Hooks and How to Use Them: A Pantser's View on Plotting
A writer must grab the reader's attention and keep it moving from the first sentence to the last one, through paragraphs, pages and chapters. If that reader is an editor, hooking them from beginning to end is critical. Terri will review various hooks and plot points and methods of plotting, their importance and how to use them to strengthen the pacing and structure throughout your book to the last word. (For beginning and experienced writers)
Speaker: Terri Brisbin
Workshop: Hooks and How to Use Them: A Pantser's View on Plotting
A writer must grab the reader's attention and keep it moving from the first sentence to the last one, through paragraphs, pages and chapters. If that reader is an editor, hooking them from beginning to end is critical. Terri will review various hooks and plot points and methods of plotting, their importance and how to use them to strengthen the pacing and structure throughout your book to the last word. (For beginning and experienced writers)
Speaker Bio:
Award-winning, USA Today best-selling author Terri Brisbin is a mom, a wife, grand mom! and a dental hygienist from southern NJ. Terri has sold more than 3 million copies of her 50+ historical and paranormal romance novels and novellas in more than 25 countries and 20 languages around the world. Her current and upcoming historical and paranormal/fantasy romances will be published by Harlequin Historicals, Oliver Heber Books and independently, too.
Visit www.terribrisbin.com for more info about Terri, her works and upcoming events. All the places to connect with her can be found here: www.linktr.ee/TerriBrisbin
Award-winning, USA Today best-selling author Terri Brisbin is a mom, a wife, grand mom! and a dental hygienist from southern NJ. Terri has sold more than 3 million copies of her 50+ historical and paranormal romance novels and novellas in more than 25 countries and 20 languages around the world. Her current and upcoming historical and paranormal/fantasy romances will be published by Harlequin Historicals, Oliver Heber Books and independently, too.
Visit www.terribrisbin.com for more info about Terri, her works and upcoming events. All the places to connect with her can be found here: www.linktr.ee/TerriBrisbin
May 2025
Saturday, May 17
Speaker: Heather Hildenbrand
Workshop: Level Up Your Business with Mindset
Are you tired of racing through an endless cycle of author tasks without making real progress? This workshop will show you bow to step off the grind and into a smarter, more intentional way of running your author business. Learn the proven strategies to work less, earn more, and finally break free from burnout by focusing on what truly moves the needle: YOU. This session is your invitation to take control, redefine success, and create the thriving author career you deserve.
Speaker: Heather Hildenbrand
Workshop: Level Up Your Business with Mindset
Are you tired of racing through an endless cycle of author tasks without making real progress? This workshop will show you bow to step off the grind and into a smarter, more intentional way of running your author business. Learn the proven strategies to work less, earn more, and finally break free from burnout by focusing on what truly moves the needle: YOU. This session is your invitation to take control, redefine success, and create the thriving author career you deserve.
Speaker Bio:
Heather Hildenbrand is a money & mindset coach for authors who are tired of feeling stuck and ready to manifest their own happily ever after. She helps her clients drop their limiting beliefs so they can step into who they really are and create the life of their dreams.
She is a certified life coach, a Reiki master, and basically an obsessed expert for all things manifestation and mindset.
You can find out more about Heather at www.manifestyourhea.com
Heather Hildenbrand is a money & mindset coach for authors who are tired of feeling stuck and ready to manifest their own happily ever after. She helps her clients drop their limiting beliefs so they can step into who they really are and create the life of their dreams.
She is a certified life coach, a Reiki master, and basically an obsessed expert for all things manifestation and mindset.
You can find out more about Heather at www.manifestyourhea.com
April 2025
Saturday, April 26
JeroWriMo Celebration
JeroWriMo Celebration
March 2025
Saturday, March 15
Speaker: Zoe York
Workshop: Six Month Marketing Plan That Moves the Needle
It takes time and commitment to a plan to effect significant change in your business. In this workshop, we'll go over: How to analyze marketing and release options to focus on revenue-generating activities; How to plan ahead for a known break in the release schedule; Sequencing marketing choices to optimize reader retention and read through; and Re-organizing your backlist so you have at least one marketing event, six months in a row.
Speaker: Zoe York
Workshop: Six Month Marketing Plan That Moves the Needle
It takes time and commitment to a plan to effect significant change in your business. In this workshop, we'll go over: How to analyze marketing and release options to focus on revenue-generating activities; How to plan ahead for a known break in the release schedule; Sequencing marketing choices to optimize reader retention and read through; and Re-organizing your backlist so you have at least one marketing event, six months in a row.
Speaker Bio:
Zoe York is a thirteen-time USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance, often with military heroes, and always with scorching heat between the pages. Between her two pen names (she also writes erotic romance as USA Today bestselling author Ainsley Booth), she has published more than seventy books since her debut in 2013 with What Once Was Perfect. Notable hits include Prime Minister (USA Today bestseller twice, in 2016 and 2017), the SEALs of Summer anthologies (NYT bestsellers in 2014 and 2015), and the fan-favorite Canadian small town series, Pine Harbour and Wardham. She is currently on her second coffee for the day, watching the clock for school pick-up, and dreaming of heroes in and out of uniform.
Zoe York is a thirteen-time USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance, often with military heroes, and always with scorching heat between the pages. Between her two pen names (she also writes erotic romance as USA Today bestselling author Ainsley Booth), she has published more than seventy books since her debut in 2013 with What Once Was Perfect. Notable hits include Prime Minister (USA Today bestseller twice, in 2016 and 2017), the SEALs of Summer anthologies (NYT bestsellers in 2014 and 2015), and the fan-favorite Canadian small town series, Pine Harbour and Wardham. She is currently on her second coffee for the day, watching the clock for school pick-up, and dreaming of heroes in and out of uniform.
February 2025
Saturday, February 15 (to be rescheduled)
Speaker: Nisha Sharma
Workshop: The One-Hour MFA
In The One Hour MFA, workshop attendees will learn about the basic framework of an MFA program in Creative Writing, a methodology to develop craft that both challenges and inspires, and how to continue to be a scholar at home. This workshop is for all age groups and levels of learning. Attendees should be prepared to evaluate their learning and developing style as writers and take away resources for self-education.
Speaker: Nisha Sharma
Workshop: The One-Hour MFA
In The One Hour MFA, workshop attendees will learn about the basic framework of an MFA program in Creative Writing, a methodology to develop craft that both challenges and inspires, and how to continue to be a scholar at home. This workshop is for all age groups and levels of learning. Attendees should be prepared to evaluate their learning and developing style as writers and take away resources for self-education.
Speaker Bio:
Nisha Sharma is the award-winning author of YA and adult contemporary romance. Her books have appeared in best of lists by The New York Times, Washington Post, NPR, Cosmopolitan, Teen Vogue, Buzzfeed, and more. Nisha lives in Pennsylvania with her Alaskan husband, her cat Lizzie Bennett and her dogs Nancey Drew and Madeline. You can find her online at nisha-sharma.com or on Twitter, TikTok and lnstagram at @nishawrites.
Nisha Sharma is the award-winning author of YA and adult contemporary romance. Her books have appeared in best of lists by The New York Times, Washington Post, NPR, Cosmopolitan, Teen Vogue, Buzzfeed, and more. Nisha lives in Pennsylvania with her Alaskan husband, her cat Lizzie Bennett and her dogs Nancey Drew and Madeline. You can find her online at nisha-sharma.com or on Twitter, TikTok and lnstagram at @nishawrites.
January 2025
Saturday, January 18
Speaker: Carol Van Den Hende
Workshop: Media Maven: Book TV, Podcast and Media Interviews to Expand Your Author Brand
Step into the spotlight with confidence and finesse! Introducing “Media Maven: Book TV, Podcast, and Media Interviews to Expand Your Author Brand” – the workshop designed for authors ready to expand beyond social media to explore TV, podcasts and more.
Are you an author interested in sharing your story, insights, and expertise with a wider audience? Consider the power of TV, radio, magazines and podcasts to reach your audience. Led by a marketing professional, this workshop provides you with the practical knowledge and tools to build your media presence.
In this immersive workshop, you’ll learn how to craft compelling pitches that captivate producers and hosts, and prepare for your on-camera presence. You’ll be empowered to shine brightly in any media spotlight!
But the Media Maven workshop goes beyond just landing interviews – it’s about building a lasting brand. Dive deep into strategies for leveraging media appearances to grow your audience and awareness, and live your brand.
Speaker: Carol Van Den Hende
Workshop: Media Maven: Book TV, Podcast and Media Interviews to Expand Your Author Brand
Step into the spotlight with confidence and finesse! Introducing “Media Maven: Book TV, Podcast, and Media Interviews to Expand Your Author Brand” – the workshop designed for authors ready to expand beyond social media to explore TV, podcasts and more.
Are you an author interested in sharing your story, insights, and expertise with a wider audience? Consider the power of TV, radio, magazines and podcasts to reach your audience. Led by a marketing professional, this workshop provides you with the practical knowledge and tools to build your media presence.
In this immersive workshop, you’ll learn how to craft compelling pitches that captivate producers and hosts, and prepare for your on-camera presence. You’ll be empowered to shine brightly in any media spotlight!
But the Media Maven workshop goes beyond just landing interviews – it’s about building a lasting brand. Dive deep into strategies for leveraging media appearances to grow your audience and awareness, and live your brand.
Speaker Bio:
CAROL VAN DEN HENDE is an award-winning author who pens stories of resilience and hope. Her Goodbye, Orchid series draws from her Chinese American heritage, and have won 40 literary and design awards, including the American Fiction Award, IAN Outstanding Fiction First Novel Award, and Royal Dragonfly Awards for Cultural Diversity and Disability Awareness.
Buzzfeed, Parade, and Travel+Leisure named Carol’s books a most anticipated read. Woman’s World and Glamour Magazine recommended her “modern, important take on the power of love.” The International Pulpwood Queens selected Goodbye, Orchid, Orchid Blooming and Always Orchid as Books-of-the-Month in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Carol’s mission is unlocking optimism as a writer, speaker, strategist, Board member and Climate Reality Leader. One secret to her good fortune? Her humorous hubby and twins, who prove that love really does conquer all.
CAROL VAN DEN HENDE is an award-winning author who pens stories of resilience and hope. Her Goodbye, Orchid series draws from her Chinese American heritage, and have won 40 literary and design awards, including the American Fiction Award, IAN Outstanding Fiction First Novel Award, and Royal Dragonfly Awards for Cultural Diversity and Disability Awareness.
Buzzfeed, Parade, and Travel+Leisure named Carol’s books a most anticipated read. Woman’s World and Glamour Magazine recommended her “modern, important take on the power of love.” The International Pulpwood Queens selected Goodbye, Orchid, Orchid Blooming and Always Orchid as Books-of-the-Month in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Carol’s mission is unlocking optimism as a writer, speaker, strategist, Board member and Climate Reality Leader. One secret to her good fortune? Her humorous hubby and twins, who prove that love really does conquer all.
