Romance Author Meet & Greet

Authors will be on hand for a casual meet and greet with readers. Come talk about books, receive promotional materials, and browse the Ukazoo bookstore!

Special Rules of Historicals

Each fiction genre comes with its own expectations and none with so many as the historical novel. Join three mavens of history to learn the rules of the historical road.

Panelists: Stephanie Dray, Daughters of the Nile; E. Knight, My Lady Viper; Kate Quinn, The Serpent and the Pearl

Out of this World: Writing Science Fiction

Speculative Fiction has taken the industry by storm, from books to the box office…and it’s not just for men. Women writers of science fiction talk about the genre, their books, and tips of the trade.

Panelists: Catherine Asaro; Jennifer L. Armentrout, White Hot Kiss; Em Garner, Contaminated 2: Mercy Mode; Cheryl Klam; Diana Peterfreund, For Darkness Shows the Stars; M.D. Waters, Prototype

Reflecting the World: Writing Diverse Characters

Fostering tolerance and exploring multiculturalism is one of the finest traditions in literature and may be more important now than ever before. Join six authors whose characters reflect a spectrum of race, ethnicity, gender, class, and sexual orientation.

Panelists: Denny S. Bryce; Robin Covington, Temptation; Ginger Jamison; Laura Kaye, Hard to Hold Onto; Lea Nolan, Allure; Damon Suede, Bad Idea

How to Plot Your Novel

The writing world is divided between authors who plot their novels and those who fly by the seat of their pants. This panel will discuss the benefits of plotting in advance and teach sure-fire methods to get your book done faster and cleaner on the very first draft.

Panelists: Stephanie Draven, It Stings So Sweet; Cheryl Klam; Lea Nolan, His Billion Dollar Baby; Kate Quinn, Mistress of Rome; Damon Suede, Bad Idea

From Big Dreams to the New York Times List

Seven New York Times bestselling authors share their journeys and discuss the triumphs and pitfalls of climbing to the top.

Panelists: Jennifer L. Armentrout, Stay With Me; Tessa Bailey, Baiting the Maid of Honor; Cora Carmack, All Lined Up; Kami Garcia, Unmarked; Megan Hart, Flying; Laura Kaye, Hard to Hold Onto; Jen McLaughlin, Out of Line

From Page to Screen: Film Adaptions

Do you dream of your book being made into a movie? Romance authors will tell you the ins and outs of how it’s done!

Panelists: Jennifer L. Armentrout, Obsidian; Kami Garcia, Beautiful Creatures; Cheryl Klam, Elusion; Damon Suede, Bad Idea

Young Adult Fiction

What is YA? Is it here to stay? Six of the hottest authors in the genre talk teens and trends.

Panelists: Jennifer L. Armentrout, Stay With Me; Wendy Higgins, Sweet Reckoning; Kami Garcia, Unmarked; Cheryl Klam; Lea Nolan, Allure; Diana Peterfreund

The Hot Contemporary

Contemporary romance has toppled vampires and shifters from their throne. What’s behind the industry trend and is there a difference between erotic romance and the hot contemporary?

Panelists: Debra Anastasia, Poughkeepsie; Tessa Bailey, Baiting the Maid of Honor; Christi Barth, Planning for Love; Ginger Jamison; Laura Kaye, Hard to Hold Onto; Kimberly Kincaid, Gimme Some Sugar

From Fanfic to Fiction

Join published authors who first cut their teeth writing fan fiction to discuss the transition.

Panelists: Debra Anastasia, Poughkeepsie; Robin Covington, Temptation; Shelly N. Greene; Laura Kaye, Hard to Hold Onto; Diana Peterfreund, For Darkness Shows the Stars

Page-Turning Suspense

Love thrills and chills? Meet authors whose books keep you turning pages at night and leave you a little bit afraid to turn out the light.

Panelists: Denny S. Bryce; Joya Fields; Avery Flynn, Enemies on Tap; Shelley N. Greene; Laura Kaye, Hard to Hold Onto; Nancy Weeks, In the Shadow of Pride; Rebecca York, Betrayed

How to be a Successful, Self-Publisher

The “Indie Revolution” is still in full swing. Join these veterans to learn how it’s done.

Panelists: Magda Alexander, Storm Damages; Cora Carmack, All Lined Up; Wendy Higgins, Sweet Reckoning; Kimberly Kincaid, Gimme Some Sugar; Eliza Knight, Highland Hunger

Blogging About Books

Book bloggers talk about running a successful book blog, working with authors and publishers, how to keep their fans engaged, and offer authors tips for building successful relationships with book bloggers.

Panelists: Andye Eppes, ReadingTeen.net; Jen Fisher, Jenuine Cupcakes/Young Adult Book Central; Hannah McBride, The Irish Banana Review; Stephanie Sinclair, Cuddlebuggery; Jillian Stein, Read-Love-Blog; Kim Lowe, SOS Aloha Blog

New Adult Fiction: The Hot New Trend

Learn what New Adult fiction is, how it differs from Young Adult, and why these authors love to write it.

Panelists: Jennifer L. Armentrout, Stay With Me; Tessa Bailey, Baiting the Maid of Honor; Cora Carmack, All Lined Up; Robin Covington, Temptation; Megan Erickson, Make it Count; Jen McLaughlin, Out of Line

Sex & Sexuality

How do authors handle sex and sensual scenes in their novels? Are they afraid to show their mothers? Join experienced authors who tell all.

Panelists: Magda Alexander, Storm Damages; Robin Covington, Temptation; Stephanie Draven, It Stings So Sweet; Megan Hart, Flying; Eliza Knight, Highland Hunger; Afton Locke, Entrance to Ecstasy; Janet Mullany

The Tortured Alpha Hero

What is it about those bad boys of fiction that keeps us coming back for more? What distinguishes between an alpha hero and an alpha-hole? Five alpha lovers tell all.

Panelists: Diane Alberts/Jen McLaughlin, Out of Line; Magda Alexander, Storm Damages; Tessa Bailey, Baiting the Maid of Honor; Laura Kaye, Hard to Hold Onto; Jean Murray

The Pros & Cons of Writing Fast

Readers are ravenous and authors prosper who can quickly feed the beast. But how does a writer pump up the volume, and what are the dangers of doing so?

Panelists: Diane Alberts/Jen McLaughlin, Out of Line; Jennifer L. Armentrout, Stay With Me; Megan Erickson, Make it Count; Megan Hart, Flying; Laura Kaye, Hard to Hold Onto; Mindy Klaskym, Perfect Pitch

Balancing Writing, Jobs, & Families

Writing is a jealous mistress, and the worlds inside of our heads can end up taking over our lives. Learn how to maintain that work-life balance so important to a happy career.

Panelists: Robin Covington, Temptation; Avery Flynn, Enemies on Tap; Sara Humphreys, Vampire Trouble; PJ Schnyder, Fighting Kat; M.D. Waters, Prototype

Sexy Supernaturals

Readers love vamps, shifters, and creatures of all sorts…but how do authors turn a spooky read into something sexy? Authors tell all.

Panelists: Mary Behre, Guarded; Sara Humphreys, Vampire Trouble; Loni Lynne; Jean Murray; PJ Schnyder, Fighting Kat; Laura Welling, Talent to Burn

Tips for Writing at Different Lengths

Novels aren’t the only game in town. Learn the ins and outs of short stories, novellas, and novelettes!

Panelists: Christi Barth, Planning for Love; Laura Kaye, Hard to Hold Onto; Mindy Klasky, Perfect Pitch; Megan Hart, Flying

Romance Author Meet & Greet

Authors will be on hand for a casual meet and greet with readers. Come talk about books, receive promotional materials, and browse the Ukazoo bookstore!