Workshops
STOP PRESS! In 2023, NJRW opened ALL our workshops 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 info@njromancewriters.org.
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 info@njromancewriters.org.
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 info@njromancewriters.org.
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 info@njromancewriters.org.
Previous workshops may be found here.
September
September 16, 2023
Speakers: Ryan Zee & Troy Lambert
Workshop: How to Craft Better Books in Less Time with Plottr
Plotters and pantsers of the world, unite! If you haven’t experienced the popular visual book planning and story bible software Plottr, you’re missing out. In this interactive session with Plottr Co-Founder Ryan Zee and Education Lead Troy Lambert, you’ll learn how the program’s suite of highly visual tools can accelerate your writing process – helping you visualize your book and series arcs, track your character and place details, avoid plot holes, and much more — no matter what or how you write. If you’re ready to (finally!) organize the story ideas rampaging through your head, then join the session, ask questions, and see why Plottr is rated the #1 outlining software for productivity by Kindlepreneur.
Speaker Bios:
Ryan Zee is the co-founder of Plottr, the popular visual book outlining and story bible software, as well as the founder of BookSweeps, one of the largest book giveaway and lead generation platforms. As a marketing consultant, Ryan has consulted with bestselling authors including Andrew Gross, Mary Jo Putney, and Kendall Ryan. He is also an aspiring author.
Speakers: Ryan Zee & Troy Lambert
Workshop: How to Craft Better Books in Less Time with Plottr
Plotters and pantsers of the world, unite! If you haven’t experienced the popular visual book planning and story bible software Plottr, you’re missing out. In this interactive session with Plottr Co-Founder Ryan Zee and Education Lead Troy Lambert, you’ll learn how the program’s suite of highly visual tools can accelerate your writing process – helping you visualize your book and series arcs, track your character and place details, avoid plot holes, and much more — no matter what or how you write. If you’re ready to (finally!) organize the story ideas rampaging through your head, then join the session, ask questions, and see why Plottr is rated the #1 outlining software for productivity by Kindlepreneur.
Speaker Bios:
Ryan Zee is the co-founder of Plottr, the popular visual book outlining and story bible software, as well as the founder of BookSweeps, one of the largest book giveaway and lead generation platforms. As a marketing consultant, Ryan has consulted with bestselling authors including Andrew Gross, Mary Jo Putney, and Kendall Ryan. He is also an aspiring author.
Troy Lambert is a mystery author, book editor, and the Education Lead for Plottr. The author of over 25 novels and several works of nonfiction, he lives in the mountains of Idaho with his wife and two very talented dogs.
Cost for Non-Members: $10
October: Special Event!
October 14, 2023 (Note: 2nd Saturday of the month)
Speaker: Nora Phoenix
Workshop: Special All-Day Workshop
Start with the “why” of why you write. From there, we’ll discuss genres, traditional publishing versus indie, and explore the concepts of writing to market and writing to trend.
The next step is to dive into craft, where we’ll focus on the process from start to finish, and cover the two big C’s: character and conflict.
The second half of the day is focused on marketing, and we’ll look at topics like branding, finding (new) readers, and how to treat your writing like a business. By the end of the day, you’ll be full of new knowledge, practical tips and tricks, and ready to roar! Registration will open on June 15, 2023.
Speaker: Nora Phoenix
Workshop: Special All-Day Workshop
Start with the “why” of why you write. From there, we’ll discuss genres, traditional publishing versus indie, and explore the concepts of writing to market and writing to trend.
The next step is to dive into craft, where we’ll focus on the process from start to finish, and cover the two big C’s: character and conflict.
The second half of the day is focused on marketing, and we’ll look at topics like branding, finding (new) readers, and how to treat your writing like a business. By the end of the day, you’ll be full of new knowledge, practical tips and tricks, and ready to roar! Registration will open on June 15, 2023.
Speaker Bio:
Nora Phoenix is a USA Today bestselling author of MM/gay romance. She writes in various subgenres of gay romance and is known for writing engrossing stories that offer an escape from reality with unique characters, plenty of heat, a captivating story, and all the feels. A dash of kink is optional.
She’s a lifelong and incurable book addict, an eternal optimist, and an unapologetic feminist. She loves traveling, spending time near the ocean, gardening in her vegetable garden, and hiking. But she loves books more. Her reading preferences are eclectic, ranging from all kinds of romance to thrillers, historical fiction, psychology, self help, history, and more.
Nora Phoenix is a USA Today bestselling author of MM/gay romance. She writes in various subgenres of gay romance and is known for writing engrossing stories that offer an escape from reality with unique characters, plenty of heat, a captivating story, and all the feels. A dash of kink is optional.
She’s a lifelong and incurable book addict, an eternal optimist, and an unapologetic feminist. She loves traveling, spending time near the ocean, gardening in her vegetable garden, and hiking. But she loves books more. Her reading preferences are eclectic, ranging from all kinds of romance to thrillers, historical fiction, psychology, self help, history, and more.
November
November 18, 2023
Speaker: Carol Van Den Hende
Workshop: In-Person Persuasion, Presence and Planning: Help Readers Fall in Love with Your Books
With writers increasingly meeting readers at bookstores, book clubs, and events, there are more and more opportunities to interact in-person. As an author, have you ever wondered how to engage, what to say, and how to present your books?
In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn the 1-2-3 Reader Engagement Framework, the Three Tenets of Good Presence, and the components of the pre-event planning checklist. You’ll walk away from this workshop with custom ideas for your own pitch and actionable insights to increase your effectiveness at bookstore signings and more!
Speaker: Carol Van Den Hende
Workshop: In-Person Persuasion, Presence and Planning: Help Readers Fall in Love with Your Books
With writers increasingly meeting readers at bookstores, book clubs, and events, there are more and more opportunities to interact in-person. As an author, have you ever wondered how to engage, what to say, and how to present your books?
In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn the 1-2-3 Reader Engagement Framework, the Three Tenets of Good Presence, and the components of the pre-event planning checklist. You’ll walk away from this workshop with custom ideas for your own pitch and actionable insights to increase your effectiveness at bookstore signings and more!
Speaker Bio:
Carol Van Den Hende is the award-winning author of the Goodbye, Orchid series, a public speaker, and MBA with 20+ years’ experience in marketing, strategy and insights. Plus, she works in chocolate (there’s no ‘sweeter’ job!) Carol is passionate about simplifying marketing concepts into actionable steps for publishing success. She’s presented at numerous conferences like Writer’s Digest, IBPA, International Women’s Writing Guild, Rutgers Writers’ Conference, Novelists Inc, and Women Who Write.
Carol Van Den Hende is the award-winning author of the Goodbye, Orchid series, a public speaker, and MBA with 20+ years’ experience in marketing, strategy and insights. Plus, she works in chocolate (there’s no ‘sweeter’ job!) Carol is passionate about simplifying marketing concepts into actionable steps for publishing success. She’s presented at numerous conferences like Writer’s Digest, IBPA, International Women’s Writing Guild, Rutgers Writers’ Conference, Novelists Inc, and Women Who Write.
Cost for Non-Members: $10
December
Holiday Party and Awards Ceremony
Date TBD
Date TBD
January 2024
Date TBD
February 2024
Date TBD
March 2024
Date TBD
April 2024
Date TBD
May 2024
Date TBD
June 2024
Date TBD
