Welcome Romance Writers!
We look forward to meeting you!
LARA RWA meetings are held via Zoom until we are cleared by the State of California for group gatherings. All info here.
Visitors and Guests: your first meeting is free!
LARA Mission Statement
The purpose of LARA is to promote excellence in romantic fiction, to help our writers enhance their knowledge and establish career goals, and to provide continuing support and encouragement for our members through all levels of their careers.
Upcoming Meetings
- March 16, 2025
- April 20, 2025
- May 18, 2025
- June 8, 2025
- July 20, 2025
- August 17, 2025
- September 21, 2025
- October 19, 2025
- November 16, 2025
- December 15, 2024
- January 19, 2025
- February 16, 2025
March 16, 2025
Pre-Meeting: LARA Board Meeting
Speaker: Dr. Christina E. Stephens
Topic: Empowering Authors Today
Unlock success through words and creativity in a competitive marketplace.
Biography:
Dr. Christina E. Stephens has been a leader in the strategic growth of companies for over 20 years. Her experience working for international organizations such as Darden Restaurants, Walt Disney World Resort, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, and Marriott International laid the foundations of a skillset which has equipped her to help businesses of all sizes and from all industries around the world. Dr. Stephens has earned her dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Management of Information Systems and Business Management with a specialty in Hospitality. She also has a Master of Arts in Integrated Marketing Communication and recently completed her Doctor of Philosophy in Digital and Strategic Communication with a focus on Organizational Communication. Christina is also a published author of a children’s book titled “Up the Forest Stream – Achievement-Based Conversations.” Her key industry skills are Team and Talent Development, Leadership, Finance and Budgeting, International Hospitality Operations, and Brand Strategy.
Find out more about Dr. Stephens:
- Website: www.teragramvisions.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-stephens007/
April 20, 2025
Pre-Meeting: Quick Win Workshop
Speaker: Gail Chianese
Topic: Selling Direct
Workshop Description TBD
May 18, 2025
Pre-Meeting: Quick Win Workshop
Speaker: Martha Alderson
Topic: Revising with a Plot Planner
Workshop Description TBD
June 8, 2025
Pre-Meeting: Quick Win Workshop
Speaker: Judi Fennell
Topic: The Deep End of the Swimming Pool: Sinking or Swimming with POV
Workshop Description TBD
July 20, 2025
Pre-Meeting: Live from RWA Nationals
Speaker: TBD
Topic: Monsters Romance
Workshop Description TBD
August 17, 2025
Pre-Meeting: Quick Win Workshop
Speaker: Beth Atwater
Topic: Romance in Libraries. What now?
Workshop Description TBD
Fee (Members): $40 In Person and $20 Virtual
Fee (Non-Members): $60 In Person and $30 Virtual
BOTH options include our "famous" Virtual Goody Bag valued at over $300! "In Person" fee includes parking, hospitality throughout the day, access to high-speed WiFi, and access to ALL virtual presentations.
CLICK to sign-up for our 2024 September Mini-Con!
CURRENT Schedule* (all times are Pacific Daylight Time)
| Time | On Site (Santa Clarita) | Virtual (Zoom) |
| 8:30 | Morning Hospitality Continental Breakfast |
:45 Zoom Opens |
| 9:00 | Welcome & Opening Remarks | Welcome & Opening Remarks |
| 9:15 - Session 1 |
Speaker: TBD Topic: TBD |
Speaker: TBD Topic: TBD |
| 10:45 | MORNING BREAK |
MORNING BREAK |
| 11:00 - Session 2 | Speaker: TBD Topic: TBD |
Speaker: TBD Topic: TBD |
| 12:30 | LUNCH BREAK |
LUNCH BREAK |
| 1:30 - Session 3 | Speaker: TBD Topic: TBD |
Speaker: TBD Topic: TBD |
| 2:45 | AFTERNOON BREAK | AFTERNOON BREAK |
| 3:15 - Session 4 | Speaker: TBD Topic: TBD |
Speaker: TBD Topic: TBD |
| 4:45 | End of On-Site Track | END OF VIRTUAL TRACK |
| Clean-Up & Close Up |
*Subject to change.
Registration for our 2025 September Mini-Con opens March 1, 2025!
October 19, 2025
Pre-Meeting: PAC Meet Up
Speaker: Brenda Chin
Topic: TBD
Workshop Description TBD
November 16, 2025
Pre-Meeting: Quick Win Workshop
Speaker: Anne Rachelle
Topic: Bootstrapping a Book Tour
Workshop Description TBD
December 15, 2025
Debut Author Panel & End of Year Party
RSVP goes LIVE November 1, 2025!
January 19, 2025
LARA Member Check-In
February 16, 2025
Pre-Meeting: Meet & Greet, Board Meeting
Speaker: Sheila Redling and Tobi Doyle
Topic: Corralling your Characters
Are your side characters running amok? Have they taken over the storyline like a bunch of sugared-up second graders? Is your main character frozen in place, refusing to do your bidding? Or worse, have they become boring? Sheila and Tobi will help you regain control of your narrative and get your characters back into place by figuring out roles, motivations, and goals. Mary Sues must die!
Find out more about IGW here: StoryMagicCards.com and AskIGW.com