When:
September
28-30, 2012
Fri & Sat: noon-8pm
Sun: noon-7pm
Where:
Mt. Vernon Place,
centered on 600
North Charles St,
Baltimore MD 21201
Celebrating the art of the romance novel!
The Maryland Romance Writers (a chapter of Romance Writers of America) features a variety of literary arts: first time authors, panels on engaging topics, tips for aspiring writers, and insight into the book business.
Take a look below at the 2011 schedule. This year's lineup is coming soon!
Stage: East Park
12PM
Authors Mindy Klasky, Fright Court, Laura Kaye, Hearts in Darkness, Christie Barth, Act Like We're In Love and Robin Kaye, the Domestic Gods Books series, read from their works and raffle a basket of cupcakes, an Elevator Survival Kit (which includes everything a girl would need to survive in an elevator with a hot stranger), a movie & popcorn-themed gift basket, and a set of the Domestic Gods Books.
Event Details1PM
Panelists Sharon Buchbinder, Kate Poole, Carmen Webster Buxton, Jamie Michele and Stephanie Draven discuss the pros and cons of the various e-readers on the market so as to make a better decision when it comes time to choose one for yourself.
Event Details1:30PM
Setting your book locally makes sense from a marketing point of view. Join authors Joya Fields, Sharon Buchbinder, Laura Kaye, Kate Dolan and Jeri Smith-Ready to discuss the unique qualities of the Old Line State that make it perfect for fiction.
Event Details2PM
Authors Lisa Ruff, In the Service of Shadows, Joya Fields, Beneath the Surface, Jeri Smith-Ready, Shift and Kate Poole will read from their works and raffle a sea-themed basket.
Event Details3PM
Some of the most voracious readers on the planet are young adults, and they’re not just reading Harry Potter and Twilight. Dystopian literature, vampires and dark social issues dominate the teen scene, but haven’t edged out realistic contemporaries which continue to hold their ground in the market. Join panelists Jeri Smith-Ready, Mindy Klasky, Laurel Wanrow, Cheryl Klam and Lea Nolan for a discussion of genre favorites and upcoming trends.
Event Details4PM
Harlequin is the biggest publisher of romance and specializes in very specific reader preferences and writer styles. If you prefer to read novels as sweet as American apple pie, there's a line for you. If you like to write about NASCAR racing or Navy SEALS, there's a line for you, too. Join us for an interactive game that will help narrow down your preferences so you can read or write the books you love. Hosted by Mindy Klasky, Jamie Michele and Lisa Ruff.
Event Details5PM
They say that well-behaved women seldom make history. Join Stephanie Dray, author of Lily of the Nile: A Novel of Cleopatra's Daughter, for a discussion of women whose bad behavior changed the course of Western civilization.
Event Details5:30PM
Nothing says romance like chocolates, but can your palate tell the difference between Hershey & the Good Stuff? Come by for a chocolate tasting with local romance authors Eliza Knight, Christie Barth, Laura Kaye, Mindy Klasky and Robin Kaye who will dish on love and cocoa.
Event Details6PM
Authors Megan Hart, Virtue & Vice, Sharon Buchbinder, Kiss of the Silver Wolf and Letty James, Devoured, will read from their works and raffle a dog-grooming basket for the wolf in your pup at home, a mystery basket and an adult-themed basket.
Event Details7PM
What exactly is erotica? Who reads it, who writes it, and what sets it apart from other genres? In what ways does it celebrate female voices, female independence, and female sexuality in a way that the romance genre does not? Panelists include Megan Hart, Sharon Buchbinder, Kate Poole and Letty James; moderated by Laura Kaye.
Event Details12PM
Authors Janet Mullany, Jane Austen: Blood Persuasion, Diane Wylie, Moonlight and Illusions, Juliet Martini, Seduced By a Piedmont Moon and Teresa Hearl, Another Fine Mess, will read from their works and raffle a basket of Austen/vampire-themed delights, an adventure and magic-themed basket and an Italian food basket.
Event Details1PM
Join Historical Romance writers for a spot of tea. Serving tarts, we'll discuss the social importance of tea parties in Regency England and why the time period endures as the most popular setting for genre fiction. Panelists include Janet Mullany, Christie Kelley, Eliza Knight and Kate Dolan.
Event Details1:30PM
Why we still read Jane Austen and what does she have to do with romance, vampires and zombies? Hosted by Janet Mullany, author of Jane of the Damned.
Event Details2PM
Authors Christie Kelley, One Night Scandal, Stephanie Draven, Poisoned Kisses, Laura Kaye, Forever Freed, and Elektra Hammond, In an Iron Cage will read from their works and raffle a romance bandits-themed gift basket, an Underworld Survival Kit (which includes everything a girl might need to take a trip to Hades without turning into a shade) and a Vampire Lover basket.
Event Details3PM
The Big Six publishers aren’t the only game in town, and there are some distinct advantages both for readers and writers in choosing a smaller press. Come join our panelists and learn what those advantages are. Panelists include authors Diane Wylie, Laura Kaye, Christie Barth, Kate Poole, Sharon Buchbinder and Joya Fields.
Event Details4PM
Steampunk is fantastical fiction based in the Victorian era. Using the works of H.G. Wells and Jules Verne as a starting point, the only limit is that of the writer's imagination as amazing steam-powered conveyances, weapons and devices transform the world of the 1800s and beyond. Panelists include Karen S. Garvin, Bill Gawne, Elektra Hammond, Paul Ellis, Lea Nolan, Laurel Wanrow and Danielle Ackley-McPhail.
Event Details5PM
Urban fantasy and paranormal romance have seen an explosion in popularity in recent years that shows no signs of abating. Demons, werewolves, vampires, succubi and shifters have taken center stage as protagonists. How did vampires lose their teeth and why does speculative fiction rule the publishing world? Panelists include Catherine Asaro, Allison Pang, Kathy Love, Stephanie Draven, Diane Wylie and Janet Mullany.
Event Details6PM
Authors Allison Pang, A Brush of Darkness, Eliza Knight, A Pirate’s Bounty, Lea Nolan, The Hoodoo Apprentice and Afton Locke, Sexual Energy will read from their works and raffle a pirate-themed basket, a Hoodoo-themed basket and a naughty little basket.
Event Details7PM
In recent years, the Romance genre has rapidly evolved to embrace different races, religions, body-types and sexual orientations. Join us to discuss how a genre once known for re-enforcing the dominant cultural paradigm is becoming a tool for social change. Panelists include Catherine Asaro, Afton Locke, Laura Kaye, Stephanie Draven and Hanne Blank.
Event Details12PM
Authors Kathy Love, Devlishly HOT!, Ann Arbaugh, Margaret Hren, Using Your Travel Experiences in Your Writing and Amy Villalba, A Vampire to Die For will read from their work and raffle a devilishly diva-themed basket with everything that might help pamper a demon diva, a basket of love spells, candles, chocolate and everything else you’d need To Conjure Love, a Scotland-themed basket a travel-themed basket and an adult-themed basket.
Event Details1PM
Join panelists including New York Times bestselling author Rebecca York for tips on balancing your health with a successful writing career. Panelists include Rebecca York, Eliza Knight and Sharon Buchbinder, RN, PhD.
Event Details1:30PM
The Romance genre accounts for almost fifty percent of all fiction sold. It's a lucrative and growing genre fiction market with new opportunities for writers. Join panelists just starting their careers and seasoned pros who will share the secrets of their success. Panelists include Kathy Love, Amy Villalba, Jamie Michelle and Loni Lynne.
Event Details2PM
Rebecca York will read from her Harlequin Intrigue More Than a Man and give away two autographed books: Berkley Sensations Killing Moon and Day of the Dragon. Loni Lynne will read from Wanted: One Ghost and raffle away a Maryland themed basket with mill flour, teas, and local ghost stories.
Event Details3PM
Authors discuss the pros and cons of historical fiction, why they chose a certain time period, and how historical fiction can and often does change everything we think we know about history. Panelists include Michelle Brandon, Leia Rice, Kate Dolan/K.D. Hays and Stephanie Dray.
Event Details4PM
Authors Stephanie Dray, Lily of the Nile, Michelle Brandon, My Lady Viper, Leia Rice, The Queen’s Consort and Kate Dolan/K.D. Hays, Love and Lunacy will read from their work and raffle an ancient Egypt-themed basket, a Tudor-themed basket and a mysterious basket.
Event Details5PM
Learn the truth about the changing world of publishing and how the gate-keepers have fallen. Panelists include Diane Wylie, Kate Wishart, Linda Campbell and Lea Nolan.
Event Details6PM
The Maryland Romance Writers will give away all remaining baskets. Show up, put your name and email in the proverbial hat, and walk away with free books and goodies.
Event Details
