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RomanceLahoma Schedule

SAVE THE DATE_edited.jpg
Image by MARK ADRIANE

Below you'll find a schedule of events & sessions for our 2023 RomanceLahoma Conference. Check back often as we're still adding events.

Friday, August 4th

8:30 - 9am

Room

ABCD

Welcome

OKRWG President, Sabrina Fish, will welcome attendees to RomanceLahoma 2023 & Introduce Our Speakers!

9:10 - 10:10am

Room

A

Agents & Editors Panel

Are you interested in traditional publishing? In this session, you can ask editors, Rhonda Penders of The Wild Rose Press and Allison Lyons of Harlequin, as well as agents, Saint Gibson of Speilburg Literary and Amy Brewer of Metamorphosis Literary all your traditional publishing questions.

9:10 - 10:10am

Room

B

Writing to Market and Other Strategies to Enhance Your Creativity
with Candice Gilmer

Writing is very creative and artistic but the idea of “writing to market” can be stressful, and typically makes many writers flustered. Candice Gilmer will explain how writing to the market still allows you to be creative, while giving the readers exactly what they want.

9:10 -10:10am

Room

C

Better Together: How a Plotting Community Creates Better Storytellers
with Nicole Deese

Description

9:10 -10:10am

Room

D

Session TBA

Description

10:20 -11:20am

Room

A

How to Write 50 Books a Year
with Elle James

Description

10:20 - 11:20am

Room

B

Draft2Digital

with Jim Azevedo

Description

10:20 - 11:20am

Room

C

What Agents Want in a Romance Query Letter
with Literary Agent, Saint Gibson

Description

10:20 - 11:20am

Room

D

The Elements of a Great RomCom
with Jamie Wesley

Description

11:30 - 12:30pm

Room

AB

Set up for Sealed with a Kiss Luncheon

Volunteers assigned to this event should report to Rooms A & B for set up.

11:30 - 12:30pm

Room

C

Author Q&A

with Special Guest, Jodi Thomas

Bring your questions and come ready to soak in the knowledge and experience of NY Times & USA Today Bestselling Author, Jodi Thomas.

11:30 - 12:30pm

Room

D

Creating an Engaging Social Media Platform

with Literary Agent, Amy Brewer

What are the most essential social medias to use to create a well-performing platform? What’s the difference between publicity and marketing? Amy Brewer will explain all, including how to anchor your platform with an author website and how to create Facebook author page. She'll show us why it’s important, and how to get those crucial followers. She’ll also cover Bookstagram’s importance in the romance genre and how to feel like you’re not screaming into the void on TikTok’s BookTok.

12:30 - 1:45pm

Room

D

Sealed with a Kiss Luncheon

Speakers each host their own table. Table Guests receive Free Goodies.

Guests encouraged to bring a gift for their table host.

(Prior ticket purchase required, no walk-ins)

2:00 - 3:00pm

Room

A

Bringing Romance to Audio: A Beginner's Guide to Audiobooks

with Laura Horowitz

Description

2:00 - 3:00pm

Room

B

Writing Historical Romance for Today's Reader 
with Callie Hutton

Today’s readers want different things in their romance books than what their mothers and grandmothers wanted. Yet, the draw to historical romance is still there. Combining accuracy with the past, yet writing characters that appeal can be a challenge. Using examples from my own books as well as quotes from my other historical authors, we’ll look at various ways we can hold a reader’s interest without re-writing history.

2:00 - 3:00pm

Room

C

Let's Talk about Sex
with Sarah Bale

Description

2:00 - 3:00pm

Room

D

Small Edits, Big Impact
with Robin Patchen

Description

2:00 - 5:00pm

Pitch

Room

Pitch Room

Interested in traditional publishing and have a book ready to go? Pitch your book to our visiting agents & editors. Pre-Sign ups allowed for 1 appointment per attendee allowed. Check to see what they are looking for and to sign up HERE

3:10 - 4:10pm

Room

A

Adding Spark to Sweet Romance
with Amy Lillard

Description

3:10 - 4:10pm

Room

B

Crafting Memorable Dialogue
with Tamela Miles

Description

3:10 - 4:10pm

Room

C

Booktok and Beyond: Tiktok and Reels for Authors
with Mariah Ankenman

Booktok has revitalized the book buying business. Join author Mariah Ankenman as she helps you navigate the ever changing world of TikTok and the booktok community. Learn how to connect with readers, create engaging videos, and cross post to Instagram Reels for maximum exposure. Grab your book crown authors!

3:10 - 4:10pm

Room

D

The Importance of Romance in Cozy Mysteries

with Moira Bates

Description

4:10 - 6:10pm

Bar/Lobby

FREE TIME

Be sure to take advantage of the hotel's complimentary evening reception (for those staying at the hotel).

6:30 - 9:00pm

Room

ABCD

Keynote Masquerade Banquet w/Scarlett St. Clair 

It's a Masquerade! Our keynote will address us and food will be served!

Dress Code: Formal, Professional, or Sunday Best and a Mask

(Prizes will be given for Fanciest & Funniest Masks)

9:00 - 10:30pm

Room

TBA

After Party Game Time!

Informal, Come & Go, Board Games, Cards, & Dominoes...Bar is only steps away

Saturday, August 5th

8:00 - 9:00am

Room

A

TBA

Description

8:00 - 9:00am

Room

B

Save the "Sexy" Cat

with Amy Lillard

Description

8:00 - 9:00am

Room

C

Publishing to Market with a Gorgeous Cover & Other Strategies for Your Self Publishing Journey with Candice Gilmer

Because she’s made all the mistakes, Candice Gilmer will share her experience as a cover artist and author to help you get in good with your readers, and give them what they want – which is your awesome book!

8:00 - 9:00am

Room

D

Maximizing Your Backlist

with Elle James

Description

9:10 -10:10am

Room

A

KU vs Wide

with Moira Bates

Description

9:10 -10:10am

Room

B

Creating Compelling Characters
with Robin Patchen

Description

9:10 -10:10am

Room

C

Twitter Pitching #FUN
with Mariah Ankenman

You’ve heard about Twitter pitch parties, but what exactly are they? Come learn the ins and outs of pitching your manuscript to agents and publishers on Twitter with author Mariah Ankenman. Find out which pitch party is right for you, what hashtags to use, and how to craft that perfect 280 character pitch to catch and agent/editors eye.

9:10 -10:10am

Room

D

Writing a Series

with Callie Hutton

Do you want to write a series, but not sure how to manipulate several books? We will cover how to keep your readers interested, the importance of having a series bible, and how to market/launch your series. We will also discuss rapid release, the benefits, and the drawbacks.

10:20 - 11:20pm

Room

A

Marketing You: Branding Yourself
with Tamela Miles

Description

10:20 - 11:20pm

Room

B

Book Launches 
with Jamie Wesley

Description

10:20 - 11:20pm

Room

CD

Author Q&A
with Scarlett St.Clair

Come ready to ask our keynote ALL  your questions!

11:30 - 12:30pm

Room

AB

Set up for Lunch Buffet

No volunteers assigned

11:30 - 12:30pm

Room

C

Writing Fiction Inspired by Real Life
with Nicole Deese

Description

11:30 - 12:30pm

Room

D

Trope it Up
with Sarah Bale

Description

12:30 - 1:45pm

Room

AB

Come & Go Lunch Buffet

For RomanceLahoma Speakers, Volunteers, & Officers only

(No walk-ins)

2:00 - 3:00pm

Room

D

Audiobook Q&A

with Laura Horowitz

Description

2:00 - 5:00pm

Room

TBA

Author Come & Love Book Signing Sale

(Must be a paid vendor to sell books)

Open to Public book sale

2:00 - 5:00pm

Pitch

Room

Pitch Your Book

Interested in traditional publishing and have a book ready to go? Pitch your book to our visiting agents & editors. Pre-Sign ups allowed for 1 appointment per attendee allowed. Check to see what they are looking for and to sign up HERE

5:00 - 6:45pm

Bar/Lobby

FREE Time

Be sure to take advantage of the hotel's complimentary evening reception (for those staying at the hotel).

7:00 -10:00pm

Room

ABCD

Heart Awards Gala

 Announcement of 2022 Heart Award Contest Winners & 2024 Keynote Speaker

Sunday, August 6th

8:00 - 9:00am

Room

TBA

Farewell Breakfast

One last chance to bid farewell to the new friends you've made before heading home!

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