Romance Writers of America held their Annual Conference in D.C. last weekend at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center. Leading authors in the field of romance came together to share their expertise in craft and marketing.
As someone just beginning this journey, I was interested in attending Jane Porter's presentation. She's published over seventy romance and fiction titles, plus she's the founder and Editorial Director of Tule Publishing. She's had much success, but her journey has not been without bumps and detours. She offered up Ten Keys to Success & Survival, which resonated with me:
Set personal goals and revisit them. Be clear and specific with what you want.
Don't measure yourself against other people's dreams and success.
Know how you're different. What can you offer your reader?
Don't look at the sales of one book. Realize you're in writing for the long haul.
Pick a lane. Do you need to write every kind of romance?
A stand-alone is hard to sell. Are there characters you can pull from this story? Think series.
Never burn a bridge. Try to get along with people.
Get real. Have your own attitude. Don't be a diva but have a positive outlook.
Be proactive. Ask questions. You don't understand what you don't understand.
Hang with others who are resilient, who will build you up, and won't tear you down. Be likewise for them.
For those that may be looking for an organization to support their romance writing and guide you, RWA still has plenty of love and programs to offer. The Pen to Paper and RAMP programs provide the newer author mentoring in writing their novel. If you're looking for something only online or can't afford the dues right now, the groups below have much to offer too:
From the Heart Romance Writers
I wish you all a productive week. Please reach out if you have suggestions about content or you'd like to write as a guest.
Great simple but direct article — for everyone, not just writers!