Cheryl Rabin & Barbara Herrin

Kimberly Killion & Megan Kelly

Open Critique Workshop

Claire Ashgrove & Jackie Bannon

Linda Joyce

            Join the HeRA authors as we share writing resources, references, tips and tricks we all use to help get us through the 'rough spots'.  From quick research links, to the workings of the criminal mind, we're bringing materials and ideas for all.

            Please join fellow authors and tax specialists, Cheryl Rabin and Barbara Herrin for our special program, "Taxes For Authors".  Cheryl and Barbara will tell us what's allowed, how it all comes together for both the published and the aspiring.  It's a "must hear" for anyone who writes beyond a hobby level.

            Authors Kimberly Killion and Megan Kelly will be joining us for, "The Road So Far -- The First Year After THE CALL".  Their program details how to prepare for the call, nuances for the newly agented, covers and edits, author promotions, conferences, and where the journey leads after the first year.  

            Open Critique Workshop -- Bring the first 5-10 pages of your current material and we will be breaking out into small groups for a thorough critique session.  For more information on what to bring if you're a guest, please contact us.

           Romance writing wouldn't be romance if the intimate relationship between hero and heroine didn't appear on the pages. There are many ways to show this developing bond -- closed door, sweet approaches, and erotica.  Where does your manuscript fit?  What defines the level of heat in a novel?

          Claire Ashgrove and Jackie Bannon have prepared "The Joy of Sex" to answer these questions.  We'll be examining excerpts and sharing the current industry standards.   

          Conflict, conflict, conflict.  Romantic Suspense and Paranormal author Shannon K. Butcher will explore internal conflict versus external conflict, what makes or breaks a good conflict, and how to keep that conflict going until the very last.  

             NO CHAPTER MEETING

           Deirdre Knight from The Knight Agency will be visiting HeRA for a special session.  We're thrilled about this awesome opportunity!  She will be available for pitches after a brief presentation.

            Please note -- HeRA Special Events are not always open to the public.  Please contact the program coordinator for status updates if you have an interest in attending a special event.

          Characters will make or break a novel.  Please join HeRA author, Linda Joyce, in a workshop on developing characters.  This hands-on activity will illustrate different character traits, jog ideas on how to portray those traits with setting, and much more.

          E-Publishing, Print Publishing -- what's an author to do?  

          In this day and age there are so many options open to new authors.  Join our HeRA members as they present a panel on differences and similarities between the two medias.  Come with questions -- they'll be happy to share their insight!

            Jewelann Cone from Cascade Literary Agency will be visiting HeRA for a special session.  We're thrilled about this awesome opportunity!  She will be available for pitches after a brief presentation.

            Please note -- HeRA Special Events are not always open to the public.  Please contact the program coordinator for status updates if you have an interest in attending a special event.

          Member Honors and Holiday Party -- Membership honors awarded and White Elephant gift exchange 

          The Dreaded Query

          HeRA published author, Dyann Love Barr, will discuss what makes a query letter work, how to catch an editor or agent's attention, and what other tidbits a query should include.  After a brief presentation, attendees will work together on drafting a query for their current work in progress or ready-to-submit manuscript.   

          Gone Fishing!

          Everybody knows to catch the fish you have to have the appropriately baited hook.   Catfish gnaw on hot dogs. Trout are picky.  Bass like things that sparkle.  But what'll make an editor bite?   Published author, Claire Ashgrove, will discuss three different types of hooks and illustrate how to make your manuscript sparkle appropriately when the submission pool is full of generic bait.