VIRTUAL ROMANCE BOOK EVENT: Submit a Prize Drawing
Online Romance Book Convention - Promoting and supporting diversity in publishing
Pitch Your Romance Book Idea

Sponsors & Contributors:

Entangled Publishing (Romance Books)
Harlequin Books
Harper Collins Publishing
The Seymour Agency
Screenwriting with Steve Kaplan's Comedy Intensive class
Creative Coaching with Jen Graybeal for writing, business, and career https://www.jengraybeal.com/
Entangled Publishing (Romance Books)
The Write DNA Mag
Pitch Sessions with Tyndale House Publishing
Romance Book Author Kilby Blades
Harlequin Corporation
Bethany House Publishing
The Seymour Agency
Success Blossoms / SB Web Support Services
Diverse Writers and Readers International
Romance Book Author Stephanie Morris
Romance Book Author Saharra Sandhu

2024 RSJ VIRTUAL ROMANCE BOOK CONVENTION

Thursday, July 11 – Saturday, July 13

An Online Romance Book Industry Event.  We come together from all over the world to celebrate romance books, women’s fiction, and to promote diversity and togetherness in literature.

  • Meet Published Authors

  • Free Shipped Book Box

  • Breakout Room Networking

  • Publisher Pitch Sessions

  • Lots of Prizes and Games

  • Gain Booklover Friends

  • Learn from Industry Professionals

  • Live Craft Workshop Sessions

  • Team Building Opportunities

2023 RSJ Convention Schedule
~ HERE’S WHAT YOU MISSED ~

Tuesday Night, July 11, 2023 (BONUS DAY)

(Attendees will receive their personal access codes to join the week of the convention.)

6:45 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (EST)

MEET & GREET NIGHT – SAVE THE DATE

TUESDAY, JULY 11th

DOORS OPEN AT 6:45 PM (EST)
~ BARONESS ROOM ~

7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (EST)
THE ART OF ROMCOM STORYTELLING
RomCom Screenwriting Comedy Expert, Steve Kaplan
Steve Kaplan’s Comedy Intensive
~ BARONESS ROOM ~

8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (EST)
MEET & GREET ROOM CHALLENGE
Engagement and Friendships are what we’re all about.

DWRI & Jen Graybeal
Diverse Writers & Readers International
and Book Coach Jen Graybeal
~ BARONESS ROOM ~

Thursday, July 13, 2023 (Day 1)

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. (EST)

WELCOME TO RSJ VIRTUAL ROMANCE BOOK CONVENTION

WELCOME TO DAY 1

WELCOME ADDRESS
GIVEAWAY PRIZE DRAWING
LEADERBOARD
TEAM CHALLENGE

~ GRAND DUCHESS ROOM ~

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. (EST)
GETTING TO CONTRACT – The Key to Pitching Your Book
Dana Grimaldi, Editor
Moderator:  Carol Dunsmore
Harlequin Books
~ GRAND DUCHESS ROOM ~

  • 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (EST)
    NOVEL WRITING BASICS 101
    Dalia Dupris
    ~ QUEEN BEE ROOM ~

  • 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (EST)
    MASTERING THE ART OF BOOK SIGNINGS TO AMPLIFY YOUR AUTHOR BRAND
    Get an A-Z review of what you’ll need to do a book signing
    Tracee Lydia Garner
    Best-selling author, speaker, writing coach, and course–creator.
    ~ GRAND DUCHESS ROOM ~

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (EST)
SPOTLIGHT ON BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS
a division of Baker Publishing Group

JESSICA SHARPE
Editor from Bethany House
~ GRAND DUCHESS ROOM ~

SHORT BREAK

  • 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (EST)
    LOVE AT FIRST WRITE – PART I
    Author Xan Tucker
    ~ QUEEN BEE ROOM ~

  • 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (EST)
    THE POWER OF AUTOMATION & CHATGPT
    Jose Elizondo 
    Digital Marketing Strategist – Fastlane Marketing
    Jose is a marketing & systems strategist who teaches entrepreneurs unique new ways to increase sales predictably and profitably.  Learn how to stand out in the crowd with advanced marketing tools. 
    ~ GRAND DUCHESS ROOM ~

  • 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. (EST)
    ELEMENTS OF DEEP POV
    Author Roe Braddy
    ~ QUEEN BEE ROOM ~

  • 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. (EST)
    AN EXPLORATION INTO BOOK FUNNELS
    Marketing in the Digital Era
    Naja Hayward
    Rainmaker Publishing
    ~ GRAND DUCHESS ROOM ~

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (EST)
HOW TO ENTICE EDITORS & AGENTS TO READ BEYOND YOUR SAMPLE PAGES
Cole Lanahan
The Seymour Agency
~ GRAND DUCHESS ROOM ~

  • 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (EST)
    SOCIAL MEDIA
    Exploring your options
    Angela Anderson Presents
    ~ QUEEN BEE ROOM ~

  • 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (EST)
    EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT LGBTQIA+ ROMANCE BOOKS BUT WAS AFRAID TO ASK
    Moderator: Author R.L. Merrill
    Panelist:  D.S. Dane, M.A. Wardell, Rachel Smoka-Richardson, Love Ta’Shia Asanti
    ~ GRAND DUCHESS ROOM ~

8:00 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. (EST)
BREAK

  • 8:15 p.m. – 9:15 p.m. (EST)
    Games – Scavenger Hunt

Friday, July 14, 2023 (Day 2)

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. (EST)

WELCOME TO DAY 2

LEADERBOARD
TEAM CHALLENGE

~ GRAND DUCHESS ROOM ~

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. (EST)
GET TO KNOW HARLEQUIN AND MEET THE EDITORS Q&A
Glenda Howard, Senior Executive Editor, Harlequin Series
and Denise Zaza, Senior Editor, Harlequin Intrigue
Moderator:  Carol Dunsmore

~ GRAND DUCHESS ROOM ~

Write for Harlequin

~ Advertisement ~

  • 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (EST)
    ANTHOLOGIES
    Your Secret Marketing Tool
    Stephanie Morris
    Carnal Imprint Publishing
    ~ QUEEN BEE ROOM ~

  • 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (EST)
    HOW TO DRAFT A QUERY LETTER, AUTHOR BRANDING
    Lesley Sabga
    The Seymour Agency
    ~ GRAND DUCHESS ROOM ~

3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (EST)
FEEDBACK OF OPENING PAGES AND SYNOPSES
Bryn Donovan of Lucky Author
~ GRAND DUCHESS ROOM ~

4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (EST)
BREAK

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. (EST)
HIGH CONCEPT HELPS SELL!
Nicole Resciniti
President of The Seymour Agency
~ GRAND DUCHESS ROOM ~

  • 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (EST)
    LOVE AT FIRST WRITE – PART II
    Author Xan Tucker
    ~ QUEEN BEE ROOM ~

  • 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (EST)
    HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT AGENT
    Lesley Sabga
    The Seymour Agency
    ~ GRAND DUCHESS ROOM ~

Have fun at the online romance book convention cliffhanger night

7:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (EST)
BREAK TIME
GET READY FOR CLIFFHANGER NIGHT
Remember, Best Dressed wins at
Cafe Cliffhanger PJ Night.
How Should You Prepare? – CLICK HERE
~ GRAND DUCHESS ROOM ~

7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (EST)
CAFE CLIFFHANGER PJ NIGHT
Listen and watch while cliffhangers from books are read in audiobook format to introduce you to your next great read.
Get your drinks, snacks, and pajamas ready.
LEARN MORE
~ GRAND DUCHESS ROOM ~

8:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (EST)
NIGHT OWL NETWORKING LOUNGE
~ GRAND DUCHESS ROOM ~

Saturday, July 15, 2023 (Day 3)

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. (EST)

WELCOME TO DAY 3
– LAST DAY OF THE CONVENTION – 

LEADERBOARD
TEAM CHALLENGE

~ GRAND DUCHESS ROOM ~

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. (EST)
BUILDING A MARKETING STRATEGY FOR HOLIDAY SUCCESS
Jen Graybeal
Creative Coaching for your Books, Business, and Mindset
~ GRAND DUCHESS ROOM ~

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (EST)
BOOK GENRE PANEL
Multicultural/Interracial Authors

MODERATOR:  Author Moni Boyce
PANELIST: K.T. Bond, Lotchie Burton, Neerja Pawar, Mel Walker, Saharra K. Sandhu
~ GRAND DUCHESS ROOM ~

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (EST)
UNLEASH YOUR CREATIVE SUPERPOWERS WITH NANOWRIMO
Grant Faulkner, Kilby Blades, & Shannon Monroe
Executive Director National Novel Writing Month
~ GRAND DUCHESS ROOM ~

SHORT BREAK

  • 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. (EST)
    ASPIRING AUTHOR WORKSHOP
    Author Miriam Pace
    ~ QUEEN BEE ROOM ~

  • 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. (EST)
    UNDERSTANDING THE NUMBERS
    How to analyze your data to make better marketing decisions
    Author Kilby Blades
    ~ GRAND DUCHESS ROOM ~

5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. (EST)
BREAK 

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (EST)
WRITING THE RAINBOW
Cultural Diversity in Romance Novels
Love TaShia Asanti
~ GRAND DUCHESS ROOM ~

7:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (EST)
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
WHAT’S NEW FOR RSJ & Diverse Writers & Readers Int’l (DWRI)
GIVEAWAY PRIZE DRAWINGS
CLOSING

7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (EST)
LAST CHANCE BOOK COVER BINGO
Fun, Games, and Networking through the night

Get a chance at an Amazon Kindle E-Reader for FREE!

RSJ registrants are entered into the free Kindle drawing during the Virtual Romance Book Con.

Romance Books Online + Kindle Drawing title

You don’t have to tell me any more!

I’M SOLD. REGISTER ME NOW!

Take me to the RSJ HOME PAGE | Put me on your BOOK LOVER NEWSLETTER | Get EMMA AWARDS INFO