West Regional Library, 1425 Chaffee Road, Jacksonville, Fl 32221
When: Sign in begins at 10:00 AM unless otherwise posted.
* OUR MEETINGS *
We LOVE visitors! Unless otherwise stated, our meetings are held on the second Saturday of every month at the West Regional Branch Library in Jacksonville, Florida. The address is 1425 Chaffee Rd S, Jacksonville, Fl 32221.
Our Membership Dues is only $50 annually which includes all the workshops or you can pay $10 for any individual workshops throughout the year on Zoom. The public is welcome to come to the in-person workshops for Free for 2 learning sessions after which we ask that you pay the annual fee to join. To Pay for a Zoom Session CLICK HERE. Once payment is received you will receive an email with the Zoom link to attend the meeting you have selected.
Typically, we have a business meeting where you’ll learn about what we’re doing, followed by two workshops. When in person, we usually have lunch together at a nearby restaurant afterward. Romance writers know how to combine business and fun!
9:45AM log in to socialize and catch up with your fellow writers
10:00AM meeting called to order
10:40AM Meeting ends if it hasn’t already adjourned
10:40 5-minute break
10:45 First workshop (approx. 50 min)
5-minute break in there somewhere
Second workshop (approx. 50 min)
MEMBERS: If you need the Zoom link to attend, email the chapter president: president@firstcoastromancewriters.com You will be provided with a link. It is helpful if you have a free Zoom account prior to attending any of the ZOOM sessions as they can be viewed on your smartphone, tablet as well as through your laptop/computer. You can log in virtually for social time at 9:45am, and our business meeting will begin promptly at 10:15am.
Meetings Below
Don’t forget to share the upcoming workshops with your friends, family and fellow authors out there. We have a Facebook and a Twitter (X) button below each one that will allow you to share quickly and easily!
Writers Workshop with Lana McAra
From 10:45 am until 1:00 pm
At West Branch Regional Library and on Zoom
1425 Chaffee Road S. Jacksonville, FL 32221
Lana McAra is an award-winning author and ghostwriter of 48 titles with a million books sold. She has been teaching how to write fiction for 20 years. She is the founding president of Vendela Publishing, LLC, a publisher that helps indie authors go from online to on shelves in bookstores and libraries. Lana is the president of the Northeast Florida Chapter of Sisters in Crime and host of The Fiction Writer's Podcast.
Lana won The Christy Award, The Book Excellence Award and The Literary Titan Silver Book Award for her historical novel Reaping the Whirlwind by Rosey Dow and her mystery series, Colorado by Rosey Dow, sold more than 250,000 copies. This year she released How to Write a Novel That Sells: From Concept to Publication by Lana McAra, a training manual for aspiring novelists.
Go to https://www.LanaMcAra.com to download your free video and ebook: “Your Novel Notebook: How to organize your materials and take your novel to the next level.”
Workshop: How to Get Your Book Done When You Are the Busiest Person You Know
Award-winning author Lana McAra wrote her first 27 novels while homeschooling her 7 (count them!) children. A prolific writer who is also an editor and ghostwriter, Ms. McAra will share practical advice on how to get focused and roll out pages when your schedule is jammed. She will talk about finding your ideal time to write, her secret to writing more in less time, and how to eliminate time vampires hiding in your habits.
What you will learn:
- your personal when and where for maximum productivity
- where you are losing minutes without knowing it
- accomplishing more in less time
- a key mindset that makes all the difference in getting your book done
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Author Charlee Allden Shares her Insight Into The Writing Business
From 10:45 am until 1:00 pm
At West Branch Regional Library in person
1425 Chaffee Road S. Jacksonville, FL 32221
Charlee is a long time fan of love, adventure, and happily-ever-after. She grew up in Florida where a huge fallen oak tree in the swampy woods near her home served as her very own Star Ship Enterprise. Luckily the alligators were almost never a problem on her spaceship as the flight-deck was several feet above the muddy ground. She did lose a few tennis shoes on away missions, though.
Today, Charlee writes super sexy, intensely emotional, romantic adventure that takes readers to exciting new worlds, populated by tortured alpha heroes and heroines tough enough to love them. Check out her website: https://www.charleeallden.com/
Due to the format of the workshops, they will be best enjoyed in person.
Look Forward to Seeing Everyone there! - Charlee Allden
Workshop #1 Write Fresh: Five Techniques to Make Your Writing Stand Out
Want your writing to feel bold, alive, and unmistakably yours? This workshop is all about bringing the fresh. We’ll dive into five techniques that help you avoid clichés, write with more voice, and tap into deeper creativity—with a special focus on romance and love scenes. Whether you’re writing slow burns, steamy encounters, or emotionally charged moments, you’ll learn how to craft scenes that feel original, layered, and unforgettable. Perfect for romance authors looking to level up their craft and keep readers turning pages.
Workshop #2 Real Talk: What’s Actually Working in Book Marketing Right Now
Skip the fluff and get the real scoop from authors in the trenches: including Valerie Bowman and Amber Warden, and moderated by Charlee Allden. In this candid panel discussion, writers share what’s working—and what’s not—in today’s ever-shifting book marketing landscape. From ads to branding, social media to newsletters, you'll hear real experiences, smart strategies, and hard-won lessons. Come with questions and leave with ideas you can actually use.
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Writers Workshop with Author Susan Smith
From 10:45 am until 1:00 pm
At West Branch Regional Library and on Zoom
1425 Chaffee Rd S, Jacksonville, FL 32221
Susan E. Smith
Full of action and adventure, rich relationships, and three dimensional worlds filled with characters you fall in love with--what more can a reader ask for?! My stories bring to life heroines who are strong, smart, and innovative and heroes who are pure alpha with a vulnerability that will melt your heart. Fast-paced, the stories always contain twists and turns when you least expect them and will keep you turning the page to find out what happens next.
With over 4 million books sold worldwide, it is no wonder that readers say they reread my stories over and over again and always discover something new!
Email: sesmithfl@gmail.com
Website: https://sesmithfl.com/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/se.smith.5
From Author to Authorpreneur: Unlocking the Full Potential of Your Stories!
Join NYT/USA TODAY bestselling author S.E. Smith this December for an inspiring and idea-packed presentation on how to turn your stories into immersive worlds and thriving businesses. Whether you're just starting out or ready to level up, Susan will share how authors can step into the role of authopreneur—where creativity meets strategy.
From books to board games, character merch to custom subscription boxes, Susan will walk you through real-life examples of how she’s built a brand that goes beyond the page. Learn how to start small, think big, and use what you already love—your stories—to create deeper connections with readers and new revenue streams for your author career.
You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at tools and equipment (like resin printing and sublimation machines), explore fun ways to expand your world-building into physical products and digital experiences, and hear tips on building a loyal community that grows with you.
This isn't about doing everything—it's about finding what lights you up and using that spark to ignite your business. Come ready to take notes, dream big, and leave with fresh ideas to bring your fictional worlds to life!
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Writers Workshop with Lisa Kessler
From 10:45 am until 1:00 pm
At West Branch Regional Library and on Zoom
1425 Chaffee Road S. Jacksonville, FL 32221
Lisa Kessler is a bestselling author of passionate, page-turning paranormal fiction. She’s a two-time San Diego Book Award winner for Best Published Fantasy-Sci-Fi-Horror and Best Published Romance. Her novels have also earned the PRISM Award, the Award of Excellence, the National Excellence in Romantic Fiction Award, the Award of Merit from the Holt Medallion, and an International Digital Award for Best Paranormal.
Her short stories have appeared in numerous anthologies and magazines, and her vampire tale Immortal Beloved was a finalist for the prestigious Bram Stoker Award.
In addition to writing, Lisa is a dedicated teacher and speaker for writers, sharing insights on craft, storytelling, and the business of publishing. When she’s not writing or teaching, she’s a professional tarot reader, manifesting coach, and vocalist. Her Practical Tarot Deck and The Practical Tarot Method: Learning to Read Tarot Cards Intuitively are now available worldwide. Learn more at https://authorlisakessler.com
Workshop1: Dark Moments: Make Them Earn Their Happily Ever Afters
Every unforgettable Happily Ever After is forged in the fire of a powerful dark moment. In this workshop, we’ll dive deep into pivotal dark moments from classic books and beloved films, exploring why they resonate so strongly with readers and audiences alike. You’ll discover the essential ingredients that make these moments believable and impactful — and learn how to craft your own dark moment to challenge your characters, reveal their true growth, and make your ending feel truly earned and unforgettable.
Workshop2: Dig a Little Deeper: Using All Five Senses for a Deeper Point of View
Want your readers to live your story instead of just reading it? In this hands-on workshop, we’ll explore how to tap into all five senses to bring scenes and characters vividly to life. Through guided exercises, you’ll learn how to layer sensory details naturally and deepen your characters’ perspectives, so every moment pulls readers inside the experience rather than leaving them on the outside looking in.
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Happy Valentines Writers Workshop with Terena Bell
From 10:45 am until 1:00 pm
At West Branch Regional Library and on Zoom
1425 Chaffee Road S. Jacksonville, FL 32221
Terena Bell, Publicist
Terena Bell is a book publicist and writer. She's successfully secured clients coverage from "The Today Show," NPR, Good Housekeeping, Book Riot, New Books Network, and others. Her debut short fiction collection, Tell Me What You See (Whiskey Tit, 2022), was named one of the “best books of the century (so far)” by New York Society Library and a Ms Magazine must-read. The title story was a New York Foundation for the Arts grant winner and another from the collection has been optioned to become a feature film. Check out her website: http://terenabell.com
DESCRIPTION: Why do you really want publicity for your book?
Is it to sell books or to be read? Or maybe something else? Coverage from something like "The Today Show" may sound great, but sometimes being in the local paper can sell more copies. PR — like any form of marketing — should come down to goals. So what's yours? For self-published or small press authors, sometimes publicity needs to attract an agent for the next book. Everybody's reasons are different, so their approaches to PR should be too. Together we'll help you articulate the reasons you want to promote your title and pinpoint easy steps to take accordingly.
You must be logged in to post a comment.