President’s Letter
From the writing desk of Nicole R. Locker
Dear CRW Members,
We’re excited to extend a warm welcome to our newest members to CRW: Haley H., Linda Rees, Christina Neuroth, Dotti Enderle, Louise Foerster, Laura Stember, Charlene Logan Kelly, Tanya Swinimar, Sarah Vance-Tompkins, Aurelia Yates, Breanna Welch, Julia Fortune, Jessica Pomerantz, Kathy Evans, and Jennifer Santiago.
I’m adding something a little different this week because I think it’s important. I would like to share a brief, personal note today in solidarity with and hope for the people of Ukraine, who fight for their freedom today. Maybe I’m not alone in my feelings of empathy, sorrow, anxiety, anger, or even fear. What does this war mean for the world we live in?
In our terms, Historical and Contemporary should be on two different ends of a spectrum, but today those two worlds collide as we live this atrocious and historical event, this history in the making. And maybe I’m not the only one just a little bit awed by the courageous (and handsome!) Ukranian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the other Ukranian leaders fighting alongside their countrymen against the Goliath of Russian forces.
Those of us who write fiction, and especially romance, we know that happy endings and beating seemingly insurmountable odds is possible, however improbable that might seem. We know that help can come from the most unexpected of places, and that each person, each character, plays their own part. We know that not everyone makes it to the end of the story, but what they add to it should not and must not be devalued. We know the price of freedom and the price to defend it.
Take heart today, Romance Writer, for we hold a great truth: if the ending isn’t good, then it’s not over yet.
Announcements
STILETTO CONTEST OPENS MARCH 5, 2022
CRW’s annual Stiletto Contest opens for submissions this week on March 5, 2022. Final round judges for the Unpublished division have been posted, and we hope you’re as excited as we are. If you wrote or published a Contemporary Romance in 2021, consider entering the Stiletto Contest!
Learn More
CRW ACCEPTING DOOR PRIZE DONATIONS FOR SUMMER CONFERENCE
If you would like to donate a door prize for the 2022 Contemporary Romance Virtual Writing Conference, please complete the form here.
MEMBER FORUMS: If you haven’t already, join the CRW Member Forum on Slack so that you do not miss questions, opportunities, and helpful resources shared by other members.
We created a short tutorial to get you started if you are new to Slack. Watch the getting started tutorial here.
ACCOUNTABILITY GROUP SIGN-UPS: Set and meet your writing goals this year by joining the CRW Accountability Group, led by Tanya Agler. Group accountability can make all the difference by keeping you on track and helping you veer back quickly before you get too far off your path.
Sign up to join the CRW Accountability Group here.
Regional Writing Retreat Interest Forms
If you have any interest in attending a “regional” writing retreat, please complete the interest polls below as applicable.
Western Retreat
Eastern Retreat
Central US Retreat
Upcoming CRW Events
March 5 | Saturday
2022 Stiletto Contest opens for submissions
Learn More
March 9 | Wednesday
7pm ET | 6pm CT | 5pm MT | 4pm PT
CRW New Member Welcome (Zoom)
New to CRW? Join Stephanie Scott this coming up Sunday afternoon for an introduction to Contemporary Romance Writers. She will give you the low-down on what we do, how you can access the various things we offer, and get you connected and directed.
March 9 | Wednesday
7:30pm ET | 6:30pm CT | 5:30pm MT | 4:30pm PT
CRW Member Townhall (Zoom)
Right after the New Member Welcome, jump on for a CRW Member Town Hall where you can connect with other CRW members, do some networking, make some friends, hear what we’re cooking up behind the scenes, and ask any questions you may have.
March 12 | Saturday
1pm ET | 12pm CT | 11am MT | 10am PT
Webinar: Writing LGBTQ+ Characters with Alex Sanchez (register)
Writing Sprints
Every Tuesday: 12pm ET | 11am CT | 10am MT | 9am PT
Sprints with Tanya on Zoom
Every Thursday: 10:30pm ET | 9:30pm CT | 8:30pm MT | 7:30pm PT
Sprints with Nicky on Zoom
Every Saturday: 12pm ET | 11am CT | 10am MT | 9am PT
Sprints with Michelle on Zoom
Want to run sprints at a different day/time? Let us know!
Member New Releases
by Zoey Marie Jackson
Release date February 22, 2022
by Nicole R. Locker
Release date March 1, 2022
March Workshops
Registration is still open!
Dialogue: Don’t Let ‘Em Say What They Mean
Shannon Donnelly
MEMBERS ONLY: Using the Arts to Intensify Plot, Setting, and Character
Zara West
Plan Your Quarter of Social Media
Lisa Catto
Writing LGBTQ+ Characters
Alex Sanchez