Meeting Archive

This page contains speakers and topics previously discussed at LARA meetings.
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November 17, 2019: Goal Setting 2020 The One Question You Can Ask to Unlock the Inclusion Puzzle Speaker: Sunny Lee-Goodman

October 20, 2019: Write In Tap Into Universal Fantasies: Grow Your Audience Speaker: Theodora Taylor

September 15, 2019: Published Author Chat Writing Short Stories Speaker: Louisa Bacio

August: 18, 2019: Board Meeting Perfecting the Podcast: Allowing Authors to Explore New Mediums Speaker: Jenny Nordbak

July 21, 2019: Published Author Chat Rebranding Books, Rebranding Series Speaker: C.D. Reiss

May 19, 2019: Pulished Author Chat Audiobook Narrators Speakers: Joe Arden & Maxine Mitchell

April 28, 2019: Pre-Meeting Write-In Three Months ‘Til Launch Marketing Plan Speaker: Dorota Skrzypak

March 17, 2019: Published Author Chat Marketing & PR: What Works for Me Speaker: Leslie McAdam

February 10, 2019: Pre-Meeting Write-In Branding for Solopreneurs Speaker: Kalika Yap

January 13, 2019: Published Author Chat Self-Editing 101 Speakers: Kristen Weber

December 16, 2018 at The Ripped Bodice LARA’s Debut Authors – Panel Speakers: Claire Naden, Susannah Erwin, Jaycee Lee & Sherri Leigh James

November 18, 2018: Pre-Meeting Write-In Making Your Career a Priorirty Speaker: Jess Michaels

October 21, 2018: Published Author Chat Writing Your Way with Scrivener Speaker: Gwen Hernandez Read Gwen’s Scrivener Handout & Get Discount Code

September 16, 2018: Pre-Meeting Write-In Self-Publishing Speaker: Christiana Miller

August 19, 2018: Published Author Chat Investing in a Successful Social Media Strategy Speaker: RocketStyle Creative

July 15, 2018: Pre-Meeting Write-In Blurb Writing Speaker: Rebecca Forster

June 10, 2018: Published Author Chat Writing Opensings that Pop Speaker: HelenKay Dimon

May 20, 2018: Pre-Meeting Write-In Facebook and Instagram ads Speaker: William Foody

April 16, 2018: Published Author Chat Everything I Needed to Know about Writing Romance, I Learned from Kindergartners Speaker: Tessa Dare

March 18, 2018: Pre-Meeting Write-In Constructing Compelling Characters Speaker: Mia Hopkins

February 18, 2018: Published Author Chat The Erotic Art of BDSM Speaker: Orpheus Black

January 21, 2018:Pre-Meeting Write-In Creating a Business Plan for Authors* Speaker: Susannah Erwin

December 10, 2017* at THE RIPPED BODICE LARA’s 2017 Debut Authors & Annual Meeting Speakers: Kate Bigel, Andrea Bolter, Beverly Diehl, Z Rockward, Aviva Vaughn *2nd Sunday because of holiday season

November 19, 2017: Pre-Meeting Write-In Your Most Productive Year Ever Speaker: Theodora Taylor

October 15, 2017: Published Author Chat Making Dialogue Pull (at least) Double Duty Speaker: Janice Steinberg

September 17, 2017: Pre-Meeting Write-In Author Meets Reader: Engaging in a REAL-LIFE Love Affair Speaker: Liz Donatelli

August 20, 2017: Published Author Chat Power of 3: Using Instafreebie, Mailchimp, and FB Ads to Grow Your Newsletter Speaker: Jewel Quinlan

July 16, 2017: Pre-Meeting Write-In High Productivity While Working a Day Job Speaker: Carol Ericson

June 11, 2017: Published Author Chat Black Moments: Make Them Earn the Happily Ever After Speakers: Lisa Kessler *2nd Sunday because of Father’s Day

May 21, 2017: Pre-Meeting Write-In Writing Romantic Suspense Speakers: Anne Cleeland

April 9, 2017*: Published Author Chat Nuts and Bolts of Self-Publishing Speakers: Gayle Carline *2nd Sunday because of Easter

March 12, 2017*: Pre-Meeting Write-In Unlocking Your Wild Voice Speaker: Judy Reeves *2nd Sunday because of LA Marathon

February 19, 2017: Published Author Chat Facebook Marketing/Ads Speaker: Melanie de Jonge

January 15, 2017: Pre-Meeting Write-In Creating a Strong Story Hook Speaker: Debbie Decker

December 11, 2016*: at The Ripped Bodice, Culver City LARA’s 2016 Debut Authors & Annual Meeting Speakers: Claire Davon, Caro Kinkead, Anne Roebuck, Zenobia Neil *2nd Sunday because of holiday season

November 20, 2016: Pre-Meeting Write-In Writing From the Middle Speaker: James Scott Bell

October 16, 2016: Published Author Chat Women’s Fiction Speaker: Janis Thomas

September 18, 2016: Pre-Meeting Write-In RWA and Board Membership Speaker: Courtney Milan

August 21, 2016: Published Author Chat Putting Your Own Spin On Your Subgenre Speaker: Tessa Dare

July 10, 2016*: Pre-Meeting Write-In Conference Prep Speaker: Maria Powers *2nd Sunday because of RWA National Conference

June 12, 2016: Published Author Chat Starting and Adjusting Your Goals Speaker: Kitty Bucholtz *2nd Sunday because of Father’s Day

May 15, 2016: Pre-Meeting Write-In Making Your Best Pitch Speaker: Jennifer Silva Redmond

April 17, 2016: Published Author Chat The Writing Career Speaker: Carolyn Jewel

March 13, 2016*: Pre-Meeting Write-In The Business of Agenting Speaker: Nephele Tempest *2nd Sunday because of Palm Sunday

February 21, 2016: Published Author Chat Making Description Work For You Speaker: Beth Yarnall

January 17, 2016: Pre-Meeting Write-In Being a Healthy Writer Speaker: Pamela DuMond

December 13, 2015: Published Author Coffee at 9am LARA’s 2015 Debut Authors & Annual Meeting Speakers: Mia Hopkins, Kathy O’Rourke, Maria Powers, Sarah Vance-Tompkins, Stacy Wise, Gwendolyn Womack

November 15, 2015: Pre-Meeting Write-In Spotlight on TULE Publishing Speaker: Jane Porter

October 18, 2015: Published Author Chat at 9am Audiobook Creation Exchange Speaker: Debra Holland

September 20, 2015: Pre-Meeting Write-In at 9am How Cops Cope Speaker: M.A. Taylor Annual Picnic after meeting!

August 16, 2015: Published Author Coffee at 9am Medical Drama in Fiction Speaker: Catherine Bybee

July 19, 2015: Living the Hero’s Journey Speaker: Shelly Mazer

June 14, 2015 (2nd Sunday*): Published Author Coffee at 9am Love Between The Covers Speaker: Laurie Kahn *Because of Father’s Day

May 17, 2015: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Small Publishers Speaker: Christine Ashworth

April 12, 2015 (2nd Sunday*): Spotlight on All Romance eBooks Speakers: Dawn Marie & Lori James *Because of LA Times Festival of Books

March 15, 2015: Self-Publishing Q&A Speakers: Pamela DuMond & Maggie Marr

February 15, 2015: Redeeming Despicable Characters Speaker: Lynne Marshall

January 18, 2015: Great First Pages Speaker: Courtney Miller-Callihan

December 7, 2014: LARA’s 2014 Debut Authors Speakers: CJ Bahr, Ara Grigorian, Kaitlyn Stone, Christine Leo, Debra Kristi, Ophelia Bell, Allison Morse, Rebekah R. Ganiere

November 16, 2014: Publicity for Writers Speaker: Literary Publicist Joseph Marich, Jr.

October 19, 2014: Writing Holiday Romances That Sell! Speakers: Alanna Lucas & Rick Bitzelberger

September 21, 2014: Not Your Mother’s Romance: Writing Same-Sex Romance Novels Speakers: Tara Lain & Louisa Bacio

August 17, 2014: Editing for Indie Authors Speaker: Julia Ganis

July 20, 2014: Author Branding Speaker: Anne Tammel

June 8, 2014 (2nd Sunday): The Art of the Pitch Speaker: Lee Michael Cohn

May 18, 2014: Publisher’s Spotlight with Boroughs Publishing Group Speakers: Michelle Klayman, President/CEO & Jill Limber, Editor

April 13, 2014 (2nd Sunday): Five Things to Ask Yourself Before Querying Speaker: Anne Cleeland

March 16, 2014: What to Expect When You’re Expecting…Edits Speaker: Mallory Braus

February 16, 2014: Writing Short(er) Speaker: Jennifer Haymore

January 19, 2014: Talking Back to Your Brain: The Art of Asking Questions Speakers: Susan Squires & Harry Squires

December 8, 2013: LARA’s 2013 Debut Authors Speakers: Sabrina Darby, Felice Fox, Sylvie Fox

November 17, 2013: Synopsis 101 – Everything You Need To Know About Writing a Synopsis Speaker: Louisa Bacio

October 20, 2013: Everything You Need to Prepare for NaNoWriMo Speaker: Rick Ochocki

September 15, 2013: Contracts 101 – Everything You Need to Know Speaker: Maria Powers

August 18, 2013: The Writer’s Team – How to Establish the Perfect Team to Support Your Career Speaker: Maggie Marr

July 14, 2013: Conference Prep 101 – Everything You Need to Know for RWA National Conference Speakers: Debbie Decker, Beverly Diehl, & Chellesie B. Dancer

June 9, 2013: Pitch Workshop 101 – Get Ready to Learn How to WOW the Agents & Editors for RWA National Conference! Speaker: Julie Hurwitz

May 19, 2013: Writing Contests 101 – Everything You Need To Know Speakers: Veronica Blade, Suzanne Lazear, Kathy Bennett, & Robena Grant

April 14, 2013: Save The Cat! Writes a Novel Speaker: Jessica Brody

March 10, 2013 (2nd Sunday): Ask an Author Anything – Putting Passion into Prose Speakers: Zoe Archer & Nico Rosso

February 17, 2013: Erotica Workshop Speakers: Sylvia Day & Karen Erickson

January 20, 2013: Goal Setting for the Writer Speaker: Christine Ashworth

December 16, 2012: LARA’s 2012 Debut Authors Speakers: Samanthe Beck, Laura Sheehan, Robena Grant, Erica Barton, Kate McKinley & Robin Bielman

November 18, 2012: Navigating the Publishing World: How to Find the Right Place for Your Book Speaker: Rebekah Weatherspoon

October 21, 2012: Adventures in Self Publishing Speakers: Kathy Bennett, Carol Ericson, & Roz Lee

September 9, 2012: Writing for Women’s World Magazine Speaker: Kate Willoughby

August 19, 2012: From Blog to Book – What Sells? Speaker: Erin Reel

July 15, 2012: Itching to Pitch Speaker: Dee J. Adams

June 10, 2012: What’s the Point of View? Speakers: Lynne Marshall, Maria Powers, & Cara King

May 15, 2012: Building Strong Characters Speaker: HelenKay Dimon

April 15, 2012: Your First Scene, Line, Paragraph – Making a Great First Impression Speaker: Josie Brown

March 18, 2012: The State of Contemporary Romance Speaker: Christie Ridgway

February 19, 2012: Inspirational Offshoots of Romance Speakers: Lauren Strasnick, Rochelle Staab, & Charlotte Carter

January 15, 2012: Plans for the Coming Year Speaker: Erica Barton

December 11, 2011: LARA’s 2011 Debut Authors Speakers: Dee J. Adams, Chellesie B. Dancer, Janie Emaus, Anne Kemp, Veronica Scott, & Rebekah Weatherspoon

November 20, 2011: Deep Editing Speaker: Jennifer Haymore

October 16, 2011: Ask an Author Anything Speakers: Eden Bradley, Charlene Sands, & Kaitlin O’Riley

September 11, 2011: How to Approach an Agent Speaker: Laura Bradford

August 21, 2011: Wham, Bam, Thank You Ma’am – Writing Romantic Suspense in 55,000 Words or Less Speaker: Carol Ericson

July 17, 2011: Yoga for Writers Speaker: Lucie Simone

June 12, 2011: Defining the Fuzzy Label of Women’s Fiction Speaker: Maggie Marr

April 17, 2011: The Ties That Bind – How to Inject Elements of Tension Into Your Story to Create a Page-Turning Novel Speaker: Susan Squires

March 20, 2011: The Business of Book Selling Speaker: Maria Powers

February 20, 2011: Writing the Misfit Romance – How to Write, Sell and Market a Book that Doesn’t Fit In Speaker: Zoe Archer

January 16, 2011: Meet the 2011 Board Members Speaker: Carol Hughes

December 12, 2010: LARA’s 2010 Debut Authors Speakers: Rochelle Staab, Suzanne Lazear, Melissa Jarvis Prieto, Dolores Maroney, and Carol Arens

November 21, 2010: Marketing Speaker: Penny Sansevieri

October 17, 2010: World Building Speaker: Crystal Jordan

September 12, 2010: What Happens Between Sale and Publication? Speaker: Cara King

August 15, 2010: TBD Speaker: Linda O. Johnston

July 18, 2010: Preparing For National Conference Speakers: LARA Members

June 13, 2010: Page 1, 5, 50…Keeping Them Hooked Speaker: Jeannie Lin

April 18, 2010: Flash Fiction Speaker: Niki Chanel

March 21, 2010: Developing Intriguing and Sexy Settings Speaker: Carol Hughes

February 21, 2010: Creating a Success Blueprint Speaker: Maggie Jessup

January 17, 2010: Meet the 2010 Board Members Speaker: Maria Powers

December 13, 2009: Romance Novel Cover Models Speaker: Jimmy Thomas

November 15, 2009: How to Publicize Yourself with Less Money Speaker: Paula Marguiles

October 18, 2009: Digital Publishing, What’s In It For You? Speaker: Jennifer Haymore

September 13, 2009: Things You Should Know About Publishing Speaker: Cheryl Holt

August 16, 2009: Novella Writing for the Short Fiction Market Speaker: Leigh Court

June 14, 2009: Criminal Profiling Speaker: Lea Clark

April 19, 2009: Revising the “Old Maid” Speaker: Ona Russell

March 15, 2009: Top Ten Writing Mistakes Speaker: Charlene Sands

February 15, 2009: What’s the Difference Between an Indie Press and Big Houses Besides Advances? Speaker: Marci Baun

January 18, 2009: Writing Chick Lit Like Jane Austen Speaker: Megan Crane & Liza Palmer

December 14, 2008: LARA’s 2008 Debut Authors

November 15, 2008: A Badge, A Gun, and Lipstick Speaker: Kathy Bennett

October 19, 2008: Show, Don’t Tell Speaker: Shannon Donnelly

September 20, 2008: Writing Action Scenes, Fights, Chases, and Races Speaker: Trish Albright

August 17, 2008: I’ve Been to Conference – Now What Do I Do? Speaker: Dee J. Adams

July 20, 2008: Romancing the Internet Speaker: Fronnie Lewis

June 8, 2008: Fear of Failure, Fear of Success Speaker: Sylvia Day & HelenKay Dimon

April 13, 2008: Beside Himself – Finding the Dark Side of Your Knight in Shining Armor Speaker: TJ Bennett

March 16, 2008: Riveting Revisions – The Key to Getting Published Speaker: Lynne Marshall

February 17, 2008: Hooks, Crooks, and Romance Books Speaker: Linda O. Johnston

January 20, 2008: Character through Costuming Speaker: Deborah Nadoolman

December 16, 2007: LARA’s 2007 Debut Authors Speaker: Evie Byrne, Dawn Halliday, Carol Ericson, and Trish Albright

November 18, 2007: An Exercise in Sensuality Speaker: Eden Bradley

October 14, 2007: The DOs and DON’Ts of Working with an Agent Speaker: Carolyn Grayson

September 16, 2007: Love and Other Funny Stuff Speaker: Brenda Scott Royce

August 19, 2007: RWA National Conference Recap Speakers: LARA Members

May 13, 2007: Follow Your Dream Speaker: Taylor Wilshire

April 15, 2007: Writing the Paranormal – High Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, or Romance Speaker: J.M. Jeffries

March 18, 2007: Secrets of Selling to Woman’s World Magazine Speaker: Kate Willoughby

February 18, 2007: PAN Panel Speaker: Linda O. Johnston, Mollie Molay, Eden Bradley, & Lynne Marshall

January 21, 2007: Sex & Death – What Makes Murder So Romantic? Speaker: Harley Jane Kozak

December 17, 2006: LARA’s 2006 Debut Authors Speaker: Sophie Mouette, Kaitlin O’Riley, Christine London, Cassidy Kent, Betty Jacobson Hechtman, and TJ Bennett