The Orange County, California, chapter of Romance Writers of America (OCCRWA) is having its annual Birthday Bash on October 21. Keynote speaker is author Damon Suede who will speak on the topic of Reader’s Block.
Damon’s talk focuses on the modern romance industry, the radical shifts in readership and fandom and how they’re altering what success looks like for professional authors. Genre fictioneers often grouse about writer’s block but more and more what we encounter is something more akin to reader’s block: an unwillingness to step beyond our ruts or move past the shadow of our steeples.
Romance is the literature of hope, simultaneously the most traditional and most provocative of genres. Our industry is evolving, but not necessarily in the obvious ways. Tribalism and division cost us market share and media access. In a world expanding and connecting at an exponential rate, where do books land? Who are the readers of tomorrow? What is the future of love stories and genre fiction careers? Join us for a free-range discussion of the art of heart and the business of happy endings.
In the morning, four published authors (Debra Holland, Brenna Aubrey, Maggie Marr, Damon Suede) speak on a panel about What Made the Difference in their writing careers.
Important Details:
Date: Saturday, October 21, 2017, starting at 9AM
Participants are encouraged to come in costume and enter the costume contest! Dress as your favorite victor, villain or vixen. I’ll be wearing my Ravenclaw robe along with a witch hat and carrying my wand of wisdom.
Location:
Embassy Suites – Brea
900 East Birch Street
Brea, California, 92821
Cost:
OCC Member- $50
Non-OCC Member-$60
OCC Past President- $30
Pay online by October 18th to reserve your spot and choose you lunch entree at http://occrwa.org/chapter-meetings/birthday-bash/
Price includes a sit-down lunch with a choice of menu.
Chicken Mediterranean Lunch
Vegetarian Lunch
Gluten-free Lunch
Additional activities include a Friday night write-in, cover contest, costume contest, a chance to win prizes in our big annual raffle including an Amazon Kindle and a free one-night stay at the Embassy Suites, and Saturday night pajama parties.
OCC will also be announcing the winners of their Orange Rose and Bookbuyer’s Best contests. And there will be birthday cake!
For more information including a detailed schedule or to reserve a space, go to http://occrwa.org/chapter-meetings/birthday-bash/.