Pears Watercolor by Victoria Morgan
This world is but a canvas to our imagination - Henry David Thoreau

Thursday, March 15, 2012

2012 New England Romance Writers Conference

   
       It's that time of the year again!  Conference time for our New England chapter of romance writers. On April 27-28, we are once again hosting our Let Your Imagination Take Flight conference in Salem, Massachusetts.

      I am on the conference committee this year, co-chairing registration with another member, Penny Watson. We are so excited to get NYT bestselling author Kristan Higgens for our keynote speaker. For an extra workshop, we have Michael Hauge, a fabulous speaker whose audiobook tape on the hero's journey, I can't listen to enough. Below is conference highlights -- including a chance to submit the first ten pages of your manuscript to an agent or editor of your choice (pending availability).  It should be a great way to network, explore craft workshops, and hear published authors share their writer's journey with you. Who else can you commiserate with about hearing those voices in your head, characters changing your plot, and that dreaded writers block?

                                   Fabulous Speakers     Exciting Workshops     Historic Location    
                                   Individual Editor & Agent Appointments     Literacy Book Signing    
                                                           ★   Ghost Hunt     Psychic Fair & Cocktail Party    

 FEATURED SPEAKERS 

MICHAEL HAUGE   Story and script consultant, author and lecturer. Author of Selling Your Story In 60 
Seconds: The Guaranteed Way To Get Your Screenplay Or Novel Read. 
MARIE FORCE   Bestselling author of contemporary romance and romantic suspense, including the McCarthys 
of Gansett Island and Fatal Series. 
KRISTAN HIGGINS   NYT and USA Today best-selling author and 2-time winner of the RWA RITA ® award. 

AGENT AND EDITOR APPOINTMENTS: 

CRITIQUES OF THE FIRST 10 PAGES  
AGENTS: Louise Fury (L. Perkins Agency), Susannah Taylor (Richard Henshaw Group), Emmanuelle Morgen 
(Stonesong Literacy Agency), Carlie Webber (Jane Rotrosen Agency) 
EDITORS: Denise Zaza (Harlequin), Latoya Smith (Grand Central Publishing), Steph Murray (Crescent Moon), 
Lori Perkins (Ravenous Romance) 

REGULAR REGISTRATION January 16-April 6, $199 (NEC members), $219 (non-members) 
MEALS ONLY $99 
EXTRA WORKSHOP (1-5:30 pm, Friday April 27): Michael Hauge, $35 

It will be held at the historic Hawthorne Hotel in the city center. Salem alone with its wealth of history makes for a fabulous place to visit. Come to the conference, but leave time to explore its historic past as well as its present attractions -- like the wonderful Peabody Museum, restaurants and shopping along Pickering Wharf, or slipping off to Harbor Sweets for a chocolate sugar high.

 Please join us for a fun time!  Oh, and I can't forget about the freebies!  There should be lots of raffle giveaways, tons of books (a must at any writer's conference) and chocolate! (another writer's necessity).  Who could ask for anything more?