Meetings

You don't have to be a member to attend our meetings, but since we're meeting through Zoom right now, you do have to contact us in advance for the meeting invitation. You're welcome to attend two meetings before we ask you to become a member. 

 If you don't belong to the group yet, email dana@danadelamar.com for an invitation to our Zoom meeting. We're looking forward to meeting you!  

Speaker schedules from prior years

December 31, 2021 - January 1, 2022

10 PM - 1 AM

Zoom   

Your Pacific Northwest romance writers groups would like to invite you to a virtual New Year's Eve party where you can work on your next story and network with other romance writers. You are welcome to drop by or stay for the entire time. Each chapter will rotate hosting a segment of time to lead a variety of activities, including:

• Writing Sprints
• Networking
• Games
• Recipes for Signature Drinks (Alcohol, Non-Alcohol, and Non-Citrus Options)

Come celebrate the end of 2021 by writing into the New Year!
Hosted by:

• Eastside Romance Writers (https://eastsiderw.com/)
• Evergreen Romance Writers 
• Emerald City Romance Writers (https://www.emeraldcityromancewriters.org/)
• Olympia Romance Writers 
• Rose City Romance Writers (http://www.rosecityromancewriters.com/) 

January 11, 2022

7 PM
Zoom  

DESCRIPTION: 

“Multiracial Americans are at the cutting edge of social and demographic change in the U.S.—young, proud, tolerant and growing at a rate three times as fast as the population as a whole.” Pew Research.

Have you wanted to write more diverse characters but you’re afraid of making a mistake? I’m going to give you the basic tools to write characters from different racial backgrounds without falling into many of the common pitfalls that create caricatures instead of characters.  

Writing Diversity in Popular Fiction is a workshop focused on how authors can create realistic multicultural characters and worlds. Topics in this workshop include:

• Character identity. How does your character choose to identify, and why?
• Creating your character’s multicultural backstory.
• The Legend of Bagger Vance Effect - how to avoid racial stereotypes
• How to describe skin tone, hair and physical traits.
• Diverse world building

This will be a closed-door session with honest, thoughtful dialogue. All questions are welcome and there will be no censure for questions asked. In other words, you can't offend me! This workshop is a safe space to question, learn, and grow. 

INSTRUCTOR BIO: 

After being approached for advice on writing diverse characters from several members of her writing group, Eliana West created a Facebook group where her friends could post questions in a safe and non-judgmental environment. Since its creation in 2017, Writers for Diversity has provided a safe space for thoughtful and respectful dialogue, growing to over 1,000 members from around the world and encompassing all genres. 

Eliana’s diverse background gives her a unique perspective on the growing multicultural landscape. The only child of a Black man and a White woman who married before the milestone Loving vs. Virginia Supreme Court ruled that their marriage was legal. Growing up dyslexic and converting to Judaism as a young woman have provided Eliana a unique opportunity to share her personal experiences in her workshop presentations and classes. Her life experience and DEI training fuels her commitment to an empathetic approach in her engagement with writers. 

Eliana West writes contemporary interracial romance, her Heart of Colton series is published through Tule Publishing. 

When not writing, Eliana can be found exploring the many wineries in Oregon and Washington with her husband in their vintage Volkswagen Westfalia named Bianca.

She is the founder of Writers for Diversity (https://www.facebook.com/groups/writersfordiversity), a community for writers interested in creating diverse characters and worlds.

Eliana West holds a certificate in Leading Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from the Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences at Northwestern University. 

• www.elianawest.com

February 8, 2022

7 PM
Zoom  

DESCRIPTION: 

What do we know about writing romance and sex between women? And perhaps more importantly, what don’t we know? How do we write Sapphic romance in a way that truly celebrates queer love? New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author Eden Bradley is a queer author of erotic romance, and she’s here to tell it like it really is! She’ll discuss myths around female/female love, sex and relationships, and offer insight into what these connections are really like. She’ll discuss LGBTQIA+ romance in popular television and film, and will talk openly about her own experiences as a queer woman. She’ll also address the importance of #ownvoices within the romance community and respectfully addressing LGBTQIA+ fiction.

INSTRUCTOR BIO: 

New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author Eden Bradley has written erotic romance for Berkley, Bantam, Harlequin, Samhain Publishing and Black Lace Books, as well as indie publishing and Red Hot Romance Publishing. Her work has been translated into twelve languages. 

Eden also works as a sex educator. She speaks on kink psychology, safety and practice, as well as sex positive culture for women. She also offers a series of writing craft courses. 

You can visit her online at EdenBradley.com, and you can find her on Twitter and Facebook, including her private Facebook group, After Dark Social Club.

March 8, 2022

7 PM
Zoom  

DESCRIPTION: 

The synopsis. The source of dread for many authors is actually one of the most versatile tools in the author's toolbox. From plotting to marketing, a concise synopsis can help an author hone their story to the basic elements that will entice readers to say those magic words, "I want more." But how does one condense an entire novel into 850 words? By channeling your inner Tony Stark, that's how.

INSTRUCTOR BIO: 

Anna Alexander is the award-winning author of the Heroes of Saturn and the Sprawling A Ranch series. With Hugh Jackman's abs and Christopher Reeve's blue eyes as inspiration, she loves spinning tales of superheroes finding love. Anna also loves to give back and has served on the board for the Greater Seattle Romance Writers of America as chapter president and on the committee for the Emerald City Writers Conference. Sign up to receive news about Anna's latest releases at http://eepurl.com/Q0tsz

March 26, 2022

1-3 PM
Zoom  

DESCRIPTION: 

Come join your local Pacific Northwest writing groups for camaraderie and encouragement as we put fingers to keyboards and pens to paper and WRITE!

April 12, 2022

7 PM
Zoom  

DESCRIPTION: 

Learn how to turn your book into a screenplay with USA Today Bestselling Author and awarded screenwriter, KIM HORNSBY. Have you ever thought about adapting your book to a screenplay but didn't know how to begin? In this talk, Kim will explain the process, point you towards first steps and guide you through the process which is easier than you might think. As an author, you already have the story, the characters, the beginning, middle and end. Now all you have to do is fit your story into the screenwriting template and decide what stays and what goes to make your script movie-worthy. Whether it’s for a TV channel like Hallmark, a streamer like Netflix, or a theatrical release, you’ll get a good idea of how to write a screenplay from a book and want to stay up way into the night getting started.  Kim always sticks around at the end to answer questions.

INSTRUCTOR BIO: 

KIM HORNSBY is a sold and optioned screenwriter with projects currently in development and pre-production. She also writes bestselling novels that she adapts to scripts. Her Supernatural Suspense, The Dream Jumpers Promise won the Hollywood Fellowship at the Seattle Film Summit and has 20 other contest placements. She is a USA Today Bestselling Author and teaches the book to script adaptation at conferences across the US. Kim’s stories always have a romantic thread, happy endings, and men who know when to stand by and allow women to save themselves. Her suspense novels/scripts have imposters, con artists, stalkers and yes, a romance.  Kim lives in the Seattle area where she writes full time at a desk overlooking a lake with hairy muses in the form of large rescue dogs as foot warmers.

May 10, 2022

7 PM
Zoom  

DESCRIPTION: 

Why write short stories, flash fiction and novellas? Come to this fast paced workshop to find out. Learn how to sell short fiction, where to find markets, what you need to include in a cover letter for short stories and more. We will practice dissecting markets and magazines to find the right ones for you. Bring a pencil and paper to experiment with short story techniques it time permits. Sarina Dorie has sold over 190 short stories to magazines and anthologies in the last twelve years and has 80 novels published as well. She will share the secrets to her success so that you can write short stories and make money selling them.

INSTRUCTOR BIO: 

Sarina Dorie has over 190 short stories published in the genres of fantasy, sci-fi, romance, humor, and non-fiction, has won numerous awards and has 80 published novels. Sarina has worked as an English, art and dance teacher, a copy editor at an advertising agency, self-publishing consultant, and a writer. She currently serves as the VP of Programs of Rose City Romance Writers.  

June 14, 2022

7 PM
Zoom  

DESCRIPTION: 

Since we weren't able to find a speaker, we decided it would be fun to a do a roundtable with everyone to catch up on with each other and exchange tips (what's working and what's not) and anything else that catches our fancy!

June 25, 2022

1-3 PM
Zoom  

DESCRIPTION: 

Come join your local Pacific Northwest writing groups for camaraderie and encouragement as we put fingers to keyboards and pens to paper and WRITE! 

July 12, 2022

7 PM 

Zoom  

DESCRIPTION: 

Depending on pandemic conditions, this might be an in-person event or it might be held on Zoom. We'll make a decision as we get closer. 

August 9, 2022

7 PM 

Zoom  

DESCRIPTION: 

Depending on pandemic conditions, this might be an in-person event or it might be held on Zoom. We'll make a decision as we get closer.  

September 13, 2022

7 PM 

Zoom  

DESCRIPTION: 

There is more to branding than just a logo and a pretty website. Seasoned branding expert and design professor Dawn Anderson discusses the steps necessary to develop a personal brand, whether you’re a published author or just started writing.

INSTRUCTOR BIO: 

Dawn Anderson is a creative director and owner of Everett, WA-based Tiny Stars Creative. Dawn has developed brands for small businesses, consultants, and large corporations for more than twenty years. In her spare time, she’s an Associate Faculty Member at Everett Community College, where she teaches design and mentors students interns for Poetry Northwest Magazine, a national poetry magazine. Learn more at https://tinystarscreative.com/

September 24, 2022

1-3 PM 

Zoom  

DESCRIPTION: 

Come join your local Pacific Northwest writing groups for camaraderie and encouragement as we put fingers to keyboards and pens to paper and WRITE!   

October 11, 2022

7 PM 

Zoom  

DESCRIPTION: 

Worldbuilding – The mind immediately leaps to fantastic settings and altered realities, but the care and craft needed to construct so-called “ordinary” worlds cannot be overlooked. Join bestselling historical author Jeannie Lin to dig deep into the process of forging rich, imaginative worlds and the characters who live in them without the aid of super powers, magical creatures, or the apocalypse. (SFF & paranormal writers are welcome – but please check your fangs at the door. You won’t need them here.)

INSTRUCTOR BIO: 

Jeannie Lin is a USA TODAY bestselling author of historical romance and fantasy. She started writing her first book while working as a high school science teacher in South Central Los Angeles. Jeannie’s groundbreaking stories set in Tang Dynasty China have received multiple awards. She received the Golden Heart for her debut novel, Butterfly Swords and her Lotus Palace mystery series is listed on NPR’s 100 Swoon-worthy Romances. Jeannie also writes an Opium War steampunk series, the Gunpowder Chronicles and a historical erotica series, Princess Shanyin, written under the pen name Liliana Lee. 

Find out more at: http://www.jeannielin.com/

For updates and new releases, sign up for Jeannie’s newsletter:

https://www.subscribepage.com/jeannielin

November 8, 2022

7 PM 

Zoom  

DESCRIPTION: 

Join us for a member roundtable and discussion about the state of the group.

December 13, 2022

7 PM 

Zoom  

Note: If we're still meeting virtually, we'll forgo the gift exchange and boas this year.

The white elephant gift exchange is always a blast! Please limit the cost of your gift to $20-$25.   We also hand out boas at the winter party! 

You earned a boa this year if: 

• You sold a book to a publisher
• You released/published a book
• You won or were a finalist for an award

December 31, 2022 - January 1, 2023

10 PM - 1 AM

Zoom   

Your Pacific Northwest romance writers groups would like to invite you to a virtual New Year's Eve party where you can work on your next story and network with other romance writers. You are welcome to drop by or stay for the entire time. Each chapter will rotate hosting a segment of time to lead a variety of activities, including:  

• Writing Sprints
• Networking
• Games
• Recipes for Signature Drinks (Alcohol, Non-Alcohol, and Non-Citrus Options)

Come celebrate the end of 2022 by writing into the New Year! 

Hosted by:  

• Eastside Romance Writers (https://eastsiderw.com/)
• Evergreen Romance Writers 
• Emerald City Romance Writers (https://www.emeraldcityromancewriters.org/)
• Olympia Romance Writers 
• Rose City Romance Writers (http://www.rosecityromancewriters.com/) 

Since April of 2020, we've been meeting virtually, but when we can go back to meeting in person, here's where we'll be:

Starting June 2010, Eastside has a permanent meeting spot! We meet at Angelo's Restaurant in Bellevue in the banquet room. The meetings start at 7:00, but you can join us for dinner starting at 5:00 (if you wish to order dinner, please arrive no later than 6:30 so that we don't disturb our speaker).

Angelo's Restaurant

1830 130th Avenue Northeast 

Bellevue, 98005 

425.883.2777

http://angelosofbellevue.com/

Occasionally, we may have to meet at another location. Here are the most common ones we'll use: 

Bellevue Brewing Company 

1820 130th Avenue Northeast, 

Bellevue, WA 

425.497.8686 

(same parking lot as Angelo's)

Lake Hills Public Library

Location Address: 15590 Lake Hills Blvd, Bellevue, WA 98007 

Location Phone Number: (425) 747-3350 

Location: View Map

Newport Way Public Library

Location Address: 14250 SE Newport Way, Bellevue, 98006 

Location Phone Number: 425-747-2390 

Location: View Map

Redmond Public Library

Location Address: 15990 N.E. 85th, Redmond, 98052 

Location Phone Number: 425-885-1861 

Location: View Map

North Bellevue Community Center

Location Address: 4063 148th Ave. NE, Bellevue, WA 98009 

Location Phone Number: 425-452-7681 

Location: View Map