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Edition 47 - May 15, 2026 |
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In This Edition:
NERFA - 1st round judging ends on May 19th
FCRW's Anthology Projects - Rainy Day Romance Cover Reveal!
Reader's Corner - Before Romance Was a Genre, It Was a Revolution
Books by Friends of FCRW - Come see what we're writing!
Upcoming Event - Literary Indulgence Book Festival
FCRW Hosted Workshop - Featuring Author Ginny Myers Sain |
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2026 National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award (NERFA)
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1st round judging ends on May 19th, 2026.
Finalists will be announced on June 1st, 2026 on the FCRW website.
The readers have been enthusiastic and complimentary.
We'd like to recognize all of the authors who have submitted romances to NERFA. Writing and publishing a book is a major achievement in and of itself.
The National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award (NERFA), given by First Coast Romance Writers (FCRW), recognizes and celebrates authors that publish romance novels and novellas because we all love a Happily Ever After. |
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Release Date - May 19, 2026 |
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Sometimes love needs a little rain to bloom and grow. Between these pages, couples find themselves stranded — together — by the kind of storms that feel like fate. Rainy Day Romance gathers tales of connection forged in downpours, proof that the best romances always begin when skies and hearts open up.
Here’s what’s inside:
Nothing But The Rain by Leah Miles
Dr. Ruthie Goodlander survived eight months in a Guatemalan village only to end up in insurgents’ hands. Now she's stranded, injured, and dependent on the one man she never thought she'd see again.
Spring Rain in Aspen Ridge by Madeline Fortier
After a storm floods her long-awaited festival, florist Wren Callahan must partner with guarded rancher Cole Bennett to save it—discovering resilience, community, and unexpected love in small-town Aspen Ridge, Montana.
Rain Go Away by Vanessa Victoria Kilmer
Mahala Goings returns home to sell her inheritance and leave her painful past behind—until she reconnects with Hayden Sinclair, the boy she never forgot, the man she can’t resist.
Rainy Days and Mondays by Elizabeth Edgar
Rivals Ashanti and Trey share only one thing: hatred for their director. Forced into an all-nighter, their tension shifts unexpectedly — but is he her perfect match or a career-ending mistake?
Rain Ignited by L. J. Green
When naïve Chicago stenographer Daisy Flynn falls for a charming spy's seduction in 1910, she must choose between protecting herself and exposing the man who used her heart to steal government secrets.
Rain and Redemption by Neri Lopez
On a high-stakes gambling ship, a guarded ex-SEAL and a sharp-witted dealer collide with obsession, violence, and desire—proving some storms don’t destroy, they claim and heal.
Thank you to Lia Davis of Glowing Moon Designs https://glowingmoondesigns.com/ for creating the cover of Rainy Day Romances our spring 2026 anthology.
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If you haven’t already, sign up now to participate in Winter Wishes our winter 2026 anthology.
Winter 2026 – Winter Wishes
- Theme: Snow
- Word count: 8k – 15k
- Commitment date: 8/4/2026
- Story due date: 10/27/2026
- Preorder date: 11/3/2026
- Publication date: 11/17/2026
Sign up for the Winter 2026 Anthology HERE.
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*Proceeds from our anthology projects benefit the First Coast Romance Writers, an independent non-profit organization, which helps writers hone their craft and expand their knowledge of the publishing industry.* |
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Before Romance Was a Genre, It Was a Revolution
Eight Forgotten Heroines of the Page Who Gave Us the Love Story
By L.J. Green
Long before Nora Roberts built empires out of trilogies and Colleen Hoover made readers sob into their paperbacks, women were devouring romance novels in secret. They tucked them into aprons. They passed them hand to hand at the factory gate. They paid a nickel for a dime novel and read it cover to cover before their husbands came home.
The golden age of popular women's romance runs roughly from the 1870s through the 1920s. Most of these authors have slipped off the cultural radar. The wonderful news for readers and writers alike is that their work has never been more accessible. Sites like Project Gutenberg (gutenberg.org), the Internet Archive (archive.org), and the World Library (worldlibrary.org) offer free downloads in multiple formats. Consider this your reading list.
Laura Jean Libbey (1862-1924)
Start here. Libbey was the queen of the working-girl romance, the writer every factory girl, seamstress, and stenographer in America read. Over the course of her career she completed 82 novels, enough, one obituary noted, to fill five feet of shelf space. (Goodreads) Her heroines were poor, imperiled, and irresistible, and her plots invented nearly every trope modern romance still runs on. Start with Daisy Brooks; or, A Perilous Love or Kidnapped at the Altar at gutenberg.org. She appears as a character in L.J. Green's "Rain Ignited," in the Spring 2026 FCRW Anthology.
E.D.E.N. Southworth (1819-1899)
One of the highest-paid writers in America during her lifetime, Southworth built her career on heroines who refused to stay in their lane. Her best-known novel, The Hidden Hand, features Capitola Black, a tomboyish protagonist who finds herself in a myriad of adventures. (Wikipedia) Her heroines challenge Victorian feminine domesticity by showing virtue as naturally allied to wit, adventure, and even rebellion. Dozens of her novels are available at gutenberg.org.
Mary Jane Holmes (1825-1907)
Holmes outsold nearly every literary novelist of her era, and critics still haven't forgiven her for it. Her specialty was domestic drama with a sharp emotional hook, stories of women navigating class, inheritance, and complicated love. Tempest and Sunshine, Millbank, and The Rector of St. Mark's are among her most downloaded titles on Project Gutenberg. If you love Colleen Hoover's gift for quiet emotional devastation, Holmes is your ancestor.
Charlotte M. Brame / Bertha M. Clay (1836-1884)
Here is where publishing history gets deliciously complicated. Charlotte Mary Brame was an English novelist who appeared under the pseudonym Bertha M. Clay in America, and was sometimes identified simply by the name of her most famous novel, Dora Thorne. After her death, the pen name "Bertha M. Clay" continued to be used by other writers, (Wikipedia) making her bibliography a genuine mystery. Her novels, built on secret marriages, noble sacrifice, and improbable reunions, are available at gutenberg.org.
Gene Stratton-Porter (1863-1924)
Stratton-Porter blended romance with a naturalist's reverence for the land in ways that feel startlingly modern. Her best-known novel, A Girl of the Limberlost (1909), brought her worldwide recognition; (Wikipedia) at the time of her death, more than ten million copies of her books had been sold. Her heroines earn their love stories through resilience and purpose. Download A Girl of the Limberlost or Freckles at gutenberg.org.
Augusta Jane Evans Wilson (1835-1909)
Wilson's St. Elmo (1866) was the Twilight of the nineteenth century, a cultural phenomenon that had towns, hotels, cigars, and steamboats named after its brooding hero. Her heroines are intellectually fierce, emotionally complex women who insist on being equals before they agree to be wives. Available at gutenberg.org and archive.org.
Kate Douglas Wiggin (1856-1923)
Best remembered today for Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, Wiggin wrote warmly romantic fiction centered on women who transformed everyone around them. Her emotional intelligence and gift for dialogue put her squarely in the lineage that leads to modern women's fiction. Find her at gutenberg.org.
Gertrude Atherton (1857-1948)
Atherton was the provocateur of the group. Her heroines wanted things: independence, passion, power. Her 1923 novel Black Oxen, about a woman who reclaims her youth and her social authority, became a bestseller and a film. A good portion of her earlier catalog is available at gutenberg.org and archive.org.
The Line from Then to Now
When you read Nora Roberts, you are reading the inheritance of Southworth's rebellious heroines and Libbey's working-girl grit. When you read Colleen Hoover, you are feeling the emotional precision Holmes pioneered a century and a half ago. The genre did not begin with the mass-market paperback. It began with women who needed stories that told the truth about longing, survival, and the particular courage it takes to insist on love.
Download one. Read it beside whatever is on your nightstand right now. The conversation across time is worth having.
Laura Jean Libbey
E.D.E.N. Southworth
Mary Jane Holmes
Charlotte M. Brame / Bertha M. Clay
Gene Stratton-Porter
Augusta Jane Evans Wilson
Kate Douglas Wiggin
Gertrude Atherton
Before Romance Was a Genre, It Was a Revolution
Eight Forgotten Heroines of the Page Who Gave Us the Love Story
By L.J. Green - https://ljgreenauthor.com/ |
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A Widow's Dilemma in Cuba |
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by L.J. Green |
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A Widow's Dilemma in Cuba follows the poignant journey of two women, Janie and Diane. These two widows who have banned together to solve mysteries as private investigators in the early 1900s. They travel to Cuba on vacation in this adventure. Janie hopes her Aunt Diane will be able to get closure regarding her late husband, Will, who died under mysterious circumstances linked to the U.S.S. Maine explosion of 1898.
As they navigate the vibrant streets of Havana, they are accompanied by a charming local named Jose', who introduces them to the rich culture and cuisine of Cuba. Their journey takes a significant turn when they meet Mr. Rodgers, a figure from Diane's past who holds crucial information about Will's death. This meeting is fraught with tension as Diane confronts her memories and the unresolved questions surrounding her husband's demise. And in between they encountered Cuban bombers, thieves and even the President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt.
Key themes explored in the story include grief, the search for truth, and the complexities of moving on after loss. Diane's internal struggle to let go of Will is mirrored by her interactions with Janie, who encourages her to embrace life and the possibilities that lie ahead. The narrative also delves into the political backdrop of Cuba during this period, highlighting the tensions between American interests and the desire for independence among the Cuban people.
The story is rich with emotional depth, cultural insights, and the exploration of personal connections, making it a compelling read for anyone interested in themes of love, loss, and the quest for understanding in the face of tragedy. As Diane reflects on her past and the memories of her husband, readers are invited to join her on a journey of healing and self-discovery, ultimately leading to a sense of hope and renewal. And, of course, a great adventure and mystery. |
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Literary Indulgence Book Festival
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Celebrating the Written Word: The 3rd Annual Literary Indulgence Book Festival
The literary heart of Jacksonville is beating faster as we approach a milestone event for our local creative community. On July 18, 2026, the Florida State College of Jacksonville (FSCJ) Kent Campus will transform into a vibrant hub for the 3rd Annual Literary Indulgence Book Festival. This year’s gathering promises to be our most ambitious yet, anchored by our featured author, Nikesha Elise Williams, who will join us to discuss her powerful newly released book, The Seven Daughters of Dupree, alongside a diverse showcase of 40 multi-genre authors from across the region.
Our theme, "The New Faces of Education: Where Learning and Literature Converge," explores the profound impact educators have on the literary landscape. The festival will feature moderated panel discussions including educators who dwell in the various facets of the literary world, alongside a special session with the Amelia Island Writers who will demystify the independent, tradition, and hybrid publishing options. These conversations, combined with professional workshops and "Voices from the Classroom" author readings, offer a deep dive into the craft and the magic of working together within our writing community.
We are equally committed to inspiring the next generation through the Literary Youth Pavilion. This dedicated space for younger readers and writers will feature a Super Writer’s Workshop with Brianna Ellis and a captivating Storytelling session with Rekia Beverly. In the spirit of community support, we are proud to partner with the Green Sims Williams Family Foundation for a bookbag and school supplies giveaway, ensuring our students are prepared for their own creative and academic journeys as the new school term begins.
The day is packed with soul-stirring poetry sessions and the Refreshingly Southern Sip & Speak Author Meet & Greet, providing an intimate chance to network with select festival authors. We are also honored to highlight a special collaboration with Women Writing for (a) Change Jacksonville as they close out the "Spaces and Places" anthology art exhibit right there at the FSCJ Kent Campus Art Gallery. Whether you are coming for the high-level craft discussions or the family-friendly festivities, this celebration proves that literature is a living, breathing force in Jacksonville.
To learn more about the festival details and to register for your free festival tickets, please visit www.literaryindulgence.com. Mark your calendars for July 18th and prepare for a day of inspiration, education, and community. We look forward to seeing you there for a day of true literary indulgence! |
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Upcoming FCRW Hosted Workshop
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FCRW holds monthly meetings on the 2nd Saturday of each month at the West Regional Branch of the Duval County Library, and online, unless otherwise posted. Part of these monthly meetings include an Author Workshop where we host a guest speaker to teach a specific area of the writing, publishing, and promoting process. You may attend all the upcoming 2026 workshops by joining the First Coast Romance Writers for the annual dues of $50, or you may attend individual workshops online as a visitor for $10 each. You may also attend in person, as a guest, three times for free, before becoming a member.
Visit https://firstcoastromancewriters.com/ for more information. If you're a non-member, and would like to attend, here's the link to sign up: https://firstcoastromancewriters.com/fcrw-workshop-sign-up-form/
Please check each meeting description to see if the meeting is ZOOM-ONLY or IN-PERSON & ZOOM. If you need the Zoom link to attend, email the chapter president: president@firstcoastromancewriters.com You will be provided with a link to log onto the meeting. You can log in virtually for social time at 10am, and our business meeting will begin promptly at 10:15am. |
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Our next workshop, on June 13, 2026, will feature Author Ginny Myers Sain |
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Ginny Myers Sain
Ginny Myers Sain is the author of DARK AND SHALLOW LIES (2021), SECRETS SO DEEP (2022), ONE LAST BREATH (2024), WHEN THE BONES SING (2025), and the forthcoming THESE TWISTED HEARTS, all from Penguin Random House/Penguin Teen. Her debut novel, DARK AND SHALLOW LIES, is a New York Times bestseller, an Indie Bookstore Bestseller, a Barnes & Noble YA Pick of the Month, an Amazon Editor's Pick, and a 2022 CRYSTAL KITE award winner from the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Ginny's books are available world-wide in ten countries and counting!
Although she comes from a long line of writers, Ginny's first love has always been the theatre. She has a degree in theatre and has spent most of her career teaching acting and directing plays and musicals. Ginny currently lives in St. Cloud, Florida, with her college-age son and a wild goldendoodle named Magnolia. When she is not working in the theatre or writing, you're likely to find her listening to true crime podcasts, taking pictures of alligators, eating tacos, traveling to spooky places, or hanging out at Walt Disney World.
Ginny's Workshops:
Finding Your Voice: What makes your pages stand out from everyone else's?
Most often, it's VOICE. Author's voice is one of the most often noted elements in agent and editor rejections AND acceptances. In this workshop, New York Times bestselling author, Ginny Myers Sain, will discuss how to discover and nurture your own unique author's voice.
How to Plot the Perfect Murder (Mystery): Mysteries are complicated!
If you want to keep readers on their toes, you have to plant the right clues and red herrings,. In this workshop, Ginny Myers Sain, New York Times bestselling author of supernatural thrillers published by Penguin Random House, will share tips and techniques for planning the perfect mysterious adventure! |
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