2019 Retreat Information
[Schedule Subject to Change]
35th Annual Washington Romance Writers Retreat
Best Western Westminster, Maryland
April 12-14, 2019
Click here to access the registration form. You will need to log into RWA to access the form.
Registration fee includes hotel room (single or double occupancy) as well as all activities and all meals and snacks (not including adult beverages) from Friday evening to Sunday morning.
Keynote Speakers
Alexis Daria
Alisha Rai
Editors
Jennie Conway (St. Martin’s Press)
Alycia Tornetta (Entangled)
Agents
Marlo Berliner (The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency)
Linda Camacho (Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency)
Emily Sylvan Kim (Prospect Agency)
Kiki Nguyen (Donald Maass Agency)
Guest Authors
Cheryl Etchison
Alma Katsu
WRW Guest Speakers
J.T. Bock
Heidi Hormel
Geri Krotow
Kathleen Gilles Seidel
Inspirational Closing Speaker
Angelina M. Lopez
Craft, Industry, and Business Workshops on topics including…
Pacing (Cheryl Etchison)
Researching Like a Pro (Alma Katsu)
Building a Series Framework (Cheryl Etchison)
Creating and Sustaining Conflict (Alma Katsu)
Weddings, Scapegoats, and Villains (Kathleen Gilles Seidel)
Working with a Graphic Designer (J.T. Bock)
Surviving Career Highs and Lows (Heidi Hormel and Geri Krotow)
Building a Strong Author Platform (Alexis Daria)
Writing a Synopsis (Alisha Rai)
But wait, there’s more!
Keynote Dinner Speeches
Editor/Agent and Guest Author “Ask Us Anything” panels
“American Author” First-Pages Panel (pre-registration required)
MFA-Style Critique Groups (pre-registration required)
“Test Drive Your Workshop” open-mic speaking opportunity
Quiet Group Writing Sessions
Moonlight Madness Vendor Market
Costume Contest
Evening Karaoke
Charity Raffle for Fabulous Gift Baskets, Editor/Agent Critiques and many other prizes!
General Schedule
Friday, April 12, 2019
3:00-5:00 p.m. Hotel & Retreat Registration
4 p.m. – midnight Pub & Karaoke
4:30 p.m. Newcomer Orientation
5:00 p.m. Welcome Reception
6:15 p.m. Dinner & Keynote Speaker—Alexis Daria
8:00 p.m. Moonlight Madness Market and Karaoke
8:15 p.m. Editor & Agent “Ask Us Anything” Q&A Panel
9:30 p.m. Group Critique Session (pre-registration required)
Saturday, April 13, 2019
7:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. Breakfast
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Chair Massages
8:45 – 9:45 a.m. Morning Workshops #1
Craft Session: Weddings, Scapegoats & Villians: Three Optional Elements
Industry/Business Session: Building a Strong Author Platform
9 – 11 a.m. Editor/Agent Appointments
10 – 11 a.m. Morning Workshops #2
Craft Session: Fast Track Construction: Building a Series Framework
Industry/Business Session: Writing Synopses that Grip Editors & Agents and Sell Your Book
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Morning Workshops #3
Craft Session: Research Like a Pro
Industry/Business Session: Talking to a Graphic Designer
12:30 – 1:45 p.m. WRW Chapter Awards Luncheon
2 – 4 p.m. Editor/Agent Appointments
2 – 3 p.m. Afternoon Workshops #4
Craft Session: From Heart-Racing to Heart-Stopping and All Points in Between
Industry/Business Session: How to Survive Career Highs and Lows
3:30 – 4:15 p.m. Afternoon Workshop #5
Guest Author Speed Round Q&A Panel: Ask Us Anything!
4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Critique Session (first pages)
6:15 – 8 p.m. Dinner and Keynote
8:30 – 9:30 p.m. Test Drive Your Workshop!
8:30 – 10:30 p.m. Country-Western Costume Contest and Karaoke!
(Please be respectful of RWA’s Chapter Code of Conduct when designing your costume.)
8:30 – midnight Quiet Group Writing Time
Sunday, April 14, 2019
7:30 – 10 a.m. Breakfast
7:30 – 9:10 a.m. Quiet Group Writing Session
9:15 – 10:30 a.m. Morning Workshop #6
Craft Session: Upping the Ante: How to Create and Sustain Conflict in Your Novel
10:45 – 11:15 a.m. “Last Words: Out the Door” Angelina M. Lopez
11:15 a.m. -12:00 p.m. Prize Drawings & Raffle Baskets, then good-byes and hotel check-out
12:30 p.m. Courtesy Late Checkout
Anti-harassment Announcement: The 2019 WRW Annual Retreat follows the RWA Conference Conduct and Anti-harassment Policy. If you, as a WRW event presenter or attendee, believe you or someone else is being subjected to inappropriate conduct or have any other concerns during the WRW Retreat, please contact retreat organizers.