Tales from the New Jersey Romance Writers Conference

If you’ve ever been spent swaths of time with a group of people who all love the same thing you do (your tribe), you have a good grasp of my experience at the 2015 New Jersey Romance Writers Conference. Stimulating, informative, overwhelming—but most of all, revitalizing.

I can only imagine what some people conjure in their minds when they hear the words “romance conference.” Sadly, much of it is untrue 🙂 Romance is the most read literary genre in the world, and its authors navigate the same waters all writers do: how to become a better writer, how to develop a readership, how to make a living.

I do wonder, though: are other groups of authors as generous as romance writers?

I came to the conference not knowing a single person. A blessing really, because it forced me out of my comfort zone and into a community of ladies (and some gentlemen, although, not at this conference) that are tireless, passionate, and kind. Everyone welcomed me, inviting me to sit with them for lunch, dinner, at sessions. And the Pennsylvania contingency unofficially adopted me for a day.

Me getting fancy and receiving the Put Your Heart in a Book Award for Best Single Title Contemporary.

Hearing other writer’s stories—of novels rewritten, book deals dropped, agents fired and hired—was beyond inspiring. They were a realistic bunch; they know how grueling the publishing industry is. Still, somehow, they remain optimistic. Pragmatically so, yes. But none of them has given up. More remarkable: there were no complaints about the long hours of writing or the time it takes away from their families and personal lives. They know it’s part of the gig, and they keep moving forward.

In addition to the fabulous people, the conference sessions were a highlight. Julia Quinn discussing dialogue, Sarah MacLean, teaching about conflict. (If you haven’t read these authors, you should. They are Historical Romance Goddesses.)

I also survived my first in-person pitch session. This is when you get ten minutes with an agent or editor to discuss your book, in the hopes they will request to read it. Both of the agents I pitched to were lovely, and they both requested my book. Just as important, I learned something new from each of them.

Such an interesting, smart community. What floored me was their willingness to share what they knew. People told me this was a hallmark of the romance community. New Jersey made me a believer.