Romance Slam Jam Convention - 2023

 

I am hyped about attending my first writer's conference in years. Even though this three-day event will be held virtually, I can barely wait for the party to start. 

Romance Slam Jam (RSJ) is a readers and writers event promoting diversity in romance books. The first conference was held in 1995, in response to publishing gatekeepers who used to claim, "People won't buy black romance." Over the years, RSJ has helped demolish many barriers in the Romance Book industry. The conference, and now convention, is designed to provide networking opportunities, education, and support for African American romance writers and readers. Black romance, interracial romance, and LGBTQ+ romance are all part of the convention's focus.

Attending RSJ in the past has always felt like going to a family reunion. Both published and aspiring authors, as well as those who are 100% readers participate. The convention especially welcomes bloggers and reviewers who love romance books and want to meet authors, get free books, and a chance to win book related prizes (including a kindle). All are welcome to join in disussions on discussions on diversity in books, regardless of race and/or role in the publishing industry.

Me with authors KD King and 
Beverly Jenkins at RSJ 2018

In the past, RSJ was held in a variety of cities, including Chicago, Illinois, Dallas, Texas, Los Angeles, California, New Orleans, Louisiana, St. Louis, Missouri, and Detroit, Michigan. Unfortunatly, Covid impacted this event as it did so many others. But now RSJ is back as a virtual event, and I am ready. Entertainment included city and museum tours, dances, and even a dinner - mystery theater night. I have to admit being at home will not match that. 

I am so looking forward to networking with passionate readers, and with other authors who write diverse books. I'm especially looking forward to the pajama party event. The night's schedule includes "cliffhangers," readings from stories that are designed to leave us on the edge of our virtual chairs.  My fingers are crossed that we will achieve some of the energy that the in-person events always produced. 

I have already marked the schedule with the sessions I want to attend and hope to learn from. There is always room for more information on marketing.  The other sessions I am hyped about include workshops on comedy writing, pitcing, deep POV, cultural diversity and LGBTQIA+ romance books. I'm even looking forward to one called "Novel Writing Basics."  It sounds like something for beginners, but every writing workshop I have ever attended has taught me something I could use to improve my own craft.  

There will also be meetings and discussions with publisher representatives from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS and HARLEQUIN, along with scheduled pitch sessions with several agents and editors.

I admit, three days of Zoom sound a bit overwhelming. But the chance to talk and listen, to discover diverse authors new to me, and talk with readers from across the country, leave me eager to get started.

Bring it on!

PS - I get a box of books sent to me as part of the convention! 

Blog Queen Memories

Hi, I’m Judith Ashley, one of the Blog Queens and author of The Sacred Women’s Circle series, romantic women’s fiction with light paranormal elements.

Today is a special day for me as I share my memories about how fate takes a hand in our lives---or maybe its synchronicity? I saw a post on the Rose City Romance Writer’s loop about getting together with other writers to talk about all things writing.

Who knew when Sarah Raplee McDermed and I met up for coffee/tea at the then Border’s book store and café, that out of those conversations, Romancing The Genre would be born.

Judith and Sarah - our first book signing

It wasn’t that we were excited to start or even be a part of a blog.

In fact just the opposite. We were dismayed that in 2010 – 2011 blogging was a “thing” for writers to do to get exposure, establish a platform, gain an audience, etc. Neither Sarah nor I wanted to blog – at least not every day or multiple times a week as recommended.

An idea to “share” a blog was born when we decided we’d be okay to post once a month. Who else might join us? That discussion blossomed into the idea of a diverse group of international authors who write in a variety of genres. That has not changed!

When we launched on May 1, 2011 not all the Genre-istas were published. That slowly changed over the years and now, not only are we all published (both indie and traditional) but our definition of genres has expanded. We started out with only romance authors. Now we have authors who write in various genres including non-fiction!

You are invited to check us out. Our right side-bar lists all our authors. We have an alumni page so you can see who has been with us and who has moved on.

It’s been a wild and crazy ride at times. And I’ll admit, I’ve thought of giving up but then I see one of the Genre-istas’ posts and maybe I’m inspired or maybe I laugh or maybe I’m more thoughtful. And thus I recommit to another year.

And do join us throughout this year. All the Genre-istas are talking about 10 – very creatively I will say. Next month our theme is Relationships/Partners. July we’ll talk about Peace and in August our topic is Thankful.

And thank you for being along for the ride!

If you are not yet on my mailing list, you can sign up for Choices here. I’ve created a new free offering that includes the novella Sarah’s Ankh along with the first chapter of Lily: The Dragon and The Great Horned Owl. I hope you enjoy them.

Look for my next non-fiction Yes, You Can Create The Life You Love by late spring aka early summer. And if you need guidance on handling stress, Staying Sane in A Crazy World is available as are all of my books at your favorite e-book vendor. Be sure to ask your local library if you’d prefer to read my books through that resource.

Learn more about Judith's The Sacred Women’s Circle series at JudithAshley.net

Follow Judith on Twitter: 
JudithAshley19

Check out Judith’s Windtree Press author page.

You can also find Judith on FB! 

© 2021 Judith Ashley