RomanceLahoma Schedule
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!