Friday, September 27, 2024

October 2024 Meeting Information

 

JOIN US SATURDAY OCTOBER 19, 2024 at 11AM

VIA ZOOM

FOR

Tere Michaels
Making a Good First Impression: The First Five Chapters 


Your opening chapters are a book’s first date with a reader. They’re going to make decisions on if this is the right match for them based on their first impressions. So how do we write engaging, enticing, informative first chapters that set up your story, your characters and keep readers reading?

In this workshop, we’ll discuss all the factors that go into creating a smart and effective start to your book.

  • How much information is too much? Not enough?
  • Are you starting in the right place in your timeline?
  • What are genre expectations?
  • How are your readers emotionally engaging with your story and your characters?

We’ll also touch on additional topics such as POV, red herrings, worldbuilding and more.

* * * * *

About Tere:

Tere Michaels writes happily ever afters in the big city – with heaps of snark, angst, and humor. Her focus is on characters and all the ridiculous ways they trip through life and love. She has written sixteen books, including her popular Faith, Love & Devotion series, and The Vigilante superhero saga. She has two new series: Broadway or Bust, and The Love Broker. Her most recent book is “Undead Love Story.” 

She has been presenting workshops on the writing process for ten years. She has taught at the RT Booklovers Convention, Liberty States Create Something Magical Conference, and RWA online classes, and done presentations and workshops for chapters of RWA, Liberty States, Sisters in Crime, and Horror Writers of America, as well as being a frequent instructor at SavvyAuthors. She taught and managed the RT Booklovers Convention Boot Camp. She is a plot whisperer/consultant/developmental editor and writing coach.

Send her a message through her website (www.teremichaels.com), her business website (www.writergarage.com) or connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.

Monday, September 9, 2024

September 2024 Meeting Information

 

2024-2025 Fiscal Year Kick-Off

Saturday, September 21, 2024

11:00 am

IN-PERSON at La Hacienda

***

Join us for our new fiscal year kick-off! We'll not only announce the new Board members, but also facilitate some enticing games to play to get the creative juices flowing. We'll also tackle the "Energy Pennies" game from Becca Syme (founder of the Better-Faster Academy), which helps you get what you need in your writing day. Create a sustainable life, clear the overwhelm and have a good time, all at once! 


Lastly, we will also have an open forum where we invite people to share their goals for the year, what they hope to get out of the group, new ideas, suggestions to try throughout the year, and more! This is your chance to help us create the list of programs for the year, even potentially plan out writing retreats for those interested.

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

August 2024 Meeting Information

 



JOIN US SATURDAY AUGUST 17, 2024 at 11AM

IN PERSON

at La Hacienda Ranch Restaurant, Colleyville

FOR

Crystal Johnston

Newsletter Automations: A Unique Reader Experience

Learn how to leverage newsletter automations to grow your audience, increase engagement, and drive book sales. We'll explore the basics of email marketing automation, discuss essential automations authors could consider implementing, and discuss how to create personalized reader experiences so your readers get a unique and memorable experience.

* * * * *

Crystal is building a marketing agency dedicated to providing the education and services indie authors need. Crystal’s foundational approach and strategic thinking allows her to help craft plans of action based on your needs, strengths, and goals. She is fluent in Clifton Strengths language and application and always seeks to develop strategic plans that will support each individual and business for long-term growth and sustainability.

She has 9+ years of advertising experience on Facebook™ and the Amazon AMS Platforms. Through the years she has worked with many clients and tracked data for $900,000+ personally in ad spend. She’s also run her own 6-figure fiction platform since 2012.

She's been married 20+ years, homeschools her two teenage daughters, and keeps the home zoo of chickens, rabbits, dogs, and hermit crabs alive and well. She’s a Ravenclaw and adores anything to do with Jurassic Park!

www.crystalkeymedia.com

crystal@crystalkeymedia.com

Instagram: @thecrystaljohnston

 

Sunday, June 16, 2024

July 2024 Meeting Information

 


JOIN US SATURDAY JULY 20, 2024 at 11AM

via ZOOM for

S.Z. Gray

presenting

How to Build Your Author Brand Using Social Media 

In this class, you’ll learn how to harness the power of social media to establish and grow your author brand. We’ll cover essential strategies for creating engaging content, building a loyal audience, and effectively promoting your books. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to enhance your online presence, this course will provide you with practical tips and real-world examples to help you navigate the complexities of social media marketing. 

We’ll explore various platforms like Instagram, X, Facebook, TikTok, and Threads, focusing on how to use each one to its full potential. You’ll discover the importance of posting regularly, keeping a social media schedule, and building off the followers you have. Additionally, we’ll delve into the importance of reciprocity on social media and why it’s more than just converting followers into sales. By the end of the class, you’ll have a clear roadmap for building a compelling author brand that resonates with your target audience and stands out in the crowded digital landscape.

Saturday, June 1, 2024

June 2024 Meeting Information

 

JOIN US SATURDAY JUNE 15, 2024 at 11AM

and IN PERSON at

La Hacienda Ranch Restaurant in Colleyville

for

Brainstorming / Plot Help

Join your writer friends for the camaraderie that can only come from hanging out in person.

We'll also spend some time helping one another with

brainstorming and stuck plot points.

 

Friday, May 24, 2024

2024 NTRW Carolyn Readers Choice Award Winners

 

 

Congrats to all the winners and runners up of NTRW's 2024 Carolyn Readers Choice Award.

 

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE - LOW HEAT

 

1st: THE BAKER’S BATTER by Jennifer Looft

2nd: THE COWBOY’S LOST FAMILY by Roxanne Snopek

3rd: HER HOMETOWN COWBOY by LeAnne Bristow

R/U: THE FIREFIGHTER’S RESCUE by Anna Grace

R/U: CHALLENGING THE CHEF by Shanna Hatfield

 

~ * ~ * ~

 

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE - MED/HIGH HEAT

 

1st: DELAYED by Jessica Jayne

2nd: COMING HOME TO MAGNOLIA BAY by Babette De Jongh

3rd: BOTH FINGERS CROSSED: A VEGAS ROMANCE by Anna Akire

R/U: LUCKY’S LADIES by Katy Berritt

R/U: MY TRUE NORTH by Barbara Longley

R/U: BREAKING POINT: CHANDLER’S CHOICE by Carolotta Ardell

 

~ * ~ * ~

 

HISTORICAL ROMANCE

 

1st: SINFULLY WED by Kathleen Ayers

2nd: EARL OF GRIFFITH by Aubrey Wynn

3rd: A RELUCTANT DEBUT by Teresa Sweeney

R/U: THE MOONSTONE DUKE by Meara Platt

R/U: PERSUADING THE EARL by Audrey Harrison

 

~ * ~ * ~

 

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

 

1st: COLD SNAP by Toni Anderson

1st: FATAL FALLOUT by Kaylea Cross

3rd: A WYLDER HOMECOMING by Evelyn Timidaiski

R/U: GUARDING TEAGAN by Kaylea Cross

R/U: FRESH STARTS, DIRTY MONEY by Lynda Rees

 

~ * ~ * ~

 

SPECIALIZED ROMANCE

 

1st: LEOPOLD: THE LION’S DEN SERIES book 1 by Dania Voss

2nd: HEALING KISS by Amanda Uhl

3rd: RINGS, RITUALS, AND ROCK AND ROLL: A LOVE STORY by Fenley Grant

R/U: DASHER: THE CLAUS CLUB by Goergie Monroe

R/U: YOU CAN DO MAGIC: CARNIVAL OF MYSTERIES by R.L. Merrill

 

Saturday, April 27, 2024

Carolyn Readers Choice Award Finalists Announced

 


From the Carolyn Crew: Jennifer & Kaylene
as well as the rest of NTRW

CONGRATULATIONS to the following finalists in the 2023 Carolyn Readers' Choice Award

Best of luck in the final round.

~ * ~ * ~

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE - LOW HEAT

CHALLENGING THE CHEF by Shanna Hatfield

HER HOMETOWN COWBOY by LeAnne Bristow

THE BAKER’S BATTER by Jennifer Looft

THE COWBOY’S LOST FAMILY by Roxanne Snopek

THE FIREFIGHTER’S RESCUE by Anna Grace

~ * ~ * ~

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE - MED/HIGH HEAT

BOTH FINGERS CROSSED: A VEGAS ROMANCE by Anna Akire

BREAKING POINT: CHANDLER’S CHOICE by Carolotta Ardell

COMING HOME TO MAGNOLIA BAY by Babette De Jongh

DELAYED by Jessica Jayne

LUCKY’S LADIES by Katy Berritt

MY TRUE NORTH by Barbara Longley

~ * ~ * ~

HISTORICAL ROMANCE

A RELUCTANT DEBUT by Teresa Sweeney

EARL OF GRIFFITH by Aubrey Wynn

PERSUADING THE EARL by Audrey Harrison

SINFULLY WED by Kathleen Ayers

THE MOONSTONE DUKE by Meara Platt

~ * ~ * ~

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

A WYLDER HOMECOMING by Evelyn Timidaiski

COLD SNAP by Toni Anderson

FATAL FALLOUT by Kaylea Cross

FRESH STARTS, DIRTY MONEY by Lynda Rees

GUARDING TEAGAN by Kaylea Cross

~ * ~ * ~

SPECIALIZED ROMANCE

DASHER: THE CLAUS CLUB by Goergie Monroe

HEALING KISS by Amanda Uhl

LEOPOLD: THE LION’S DEN SERIES book 1 by Dania Voss

RINGS, RITUALS, AND ROCK AND ROLL: A LOVE STORY by Fenley Grant

YOU CAN DO MAGIC: CARNIVAL OF MYSTERIES by R.L. Merrill