Image showing a book with pages bent into a heart shape and a medallion for NERCA finalists

Congratulations to the 2022 New England Readers’ Choice Award Finalists!

Please join the New England Romance Writers in congratulating the finalists in the 2022 New England Readers’ Choice Awards contest! The 2022 contest is for books published in 2021 or 2022.

Romance Novella
A.E. Jones, Demons Just Want to Have Fun
*A.G. Meiers, Snow, Love, and Valentine
Tracy Sumner, The Governess Gamble
L.A. Witt, I Think We Missed Our Turn

Erotic Romance
Laura Navarre, Gemini Queen
Barbara Nolan, Beyond Revenge
L.A. Witt, The Right to Remain

Historical Romance
*Terri Brisbin, The Highlander’s Substitute Wife
Jeanine Englert, Eloping with the Laird
Pamela Gibson, Scandal’s Redemption
Jennie Goutet, Philippa Holds Court

Paranormal/Fantasy/TT/SF
A.E. Jones, Demons in the Rough
Annette Miller, A Spirited Romance
Tracy Sumner, The Duke is Wicked

Romance with Religious/Spiritual Elements
Belle Calhoune, Alaskan Christmas Promise
Cathy McDavid, Blizzard Refuge
Olivia Rae, A Life Redeemed

Romantic Suspense
Toni Anderson, Cold as Ice
Toni Anderson, Cold Deceit
Peggy Jaeger, A Pride of Brothers: Aiden

Short Contemporary Romance
Terri Osburn, Not You Again
*Janet Raye Stevens, Cole for Christmas
Paris Wynters, Assigned

Long Contemporary Romance
Kilby Blades, Forrest for the Trees
Kilby Blades, Looks Good on Paper
Stacy Gold, Wild at Heart

* Member, New England Romance Writers

A special thanks to our Contest Committee and particularly to our Contest Coordinator, Jackie Horne.

The winners of the 2022 New England Readers Choice Awards will be announced at the end of April 2023.

March 19, 2023 Meeting – It’s the Little Things – Creating a Big Story from Small Moments with Tracy Brogan

Our March 19, 2023 monthly meeting will start at 1:00 P.M. with a workshop on outlining titled “It’s the Little Things – Creating a Big Story from Small Moments” presented by USA TodayWall Street Journal, and Amazon bestselling, multiple award-winning author Tracy Brogan, which will be followed by our monthly business and social meeting. Not a NERW member but want to attend the workshop? Join NERW now and receive access to our monthly workshops, private email forum, and Facebook group!

Headshot of author Tracy BroganWorkshop Description: It’s easy* to captivate an audience with dramatic plot-twists, alien abductions, ticking time bombs, and shape-shifting animals who turn into ridiculously hot men without pants, but what about stories with relatable, recognizable characters whose lives mimic our own human hum-drummery? Stories about ordinary people living ordinary lives and yet somehow their experiences, taken as a whole, add up to something quite EXTRAordinary. High-concept, high-octane stories are exciting, but I’ll share the secrets of how to make your seemingly quieter stories just as exciting, just as riveting, and just as memorable. I’ll also share why weaving small moments into ANY story will make it better.

*Easy is relative.

Bio: Tracy Brogan is a USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon Publishing bestselling author who writes fun, funny stories about ordinary people finding extraordinary love, as well as lush historical romance full of men in kilts and damsels causing distress. She’s a three-time recipient of the Amazon Publishing Diamond award for sales exceeding one-million copies, a three-time finalist of the RWA® RITA award, and a three-time winner of the Booksellers Best award. Her bestselling Bell Harbor and Trillium Bay series feature re-imagined versions of her favorite Michigan locations – including famed Mackinac Island – and have been translated into more than a dozen languages. She is currently at work on several projects including a gilded age series, the long-awaited sequel to Highland Surrender, and a dual-timeline rom-com that just *may* include ghosts. (Hint: It does. It totally has ghosts.)

Brogan loves hearing from readers so please contact her at [email protected], or visit her at tracybrogan.com, on Facebook at AuthorTracyBrogan or Instagram @tracybroganbooks.

February 26, 2023 Meeting – Book Done 101 with Patti Larsen

Our February 26, 2023 monthly meeting will start at 1:00 P.M. with a workshop on outlining titled “Book Done 101” presented by USA Today bestselling, international multiple-award-winning author Patti Larsen, which will be followed by our monthly business and social meeting. Not a NERW member but want to attend the workshop? Join NERW now and receive access to our monthly workshops, private email forum, and Facebook group!

Headshot of author Patti LarsenWorkshop Description: As writers, we leap into new ideas with passion and commitment. But there are times when, despite our best efforts, we begin with the best intentions only to find ourselves lost and frustrated, not knowing where to take our brilliant idea, finally forced to abandon it for the next wonderful story that lures us onward.

Sound familiar?

Patti Larsen’s outlining program has evolved from decades of diverse writing education and experience, including journalism, screenwriting and traditional prose. She’s combined all of those processes into a step-by-step, easy to adapt and understand program that will help you evolve your idea from the core construct to the finished product. No more aimless wandering, no more worry you’ve missed something important that will leave you cornered and not sure where to turn. Tune in to learn how she has used this process to write and publish over 185 projects in thirteen years while making her living as a full-time author.

Bio: Patti Larsen is an award-winning middle grade and young adult author with a passion for the paranormal. But that sounds so freaking formal, doesn’t it? I’m a storyteller who hears teenager’s voices so loud I have to write them down. I love roller derby even though it doesn’t love me. I’ve dabbled in everything from improv theater to film making and writing TV shows, singing in an all-girl band to running my own hair salon.

But always, always, writing books calls me home.

I’ve had my sights set on world literary domination for a while now. Which means getting my books out there. It’s the coolest thing, this job of mine, being able to tell stories I love, only to see them all shiny and happy in readers’ hands… I have the best job ever.

As for the rest of it, I’m short (permanent), slightly round (changeable), and blonde (for ever and ever). I love to talk one on one about the deepest topics and can’t seem to stop seeing the big picture. I happily live on Prince Edward Island, Canada, home to Anne of Green Gables and the most beautiful red beaches in the world, with my very patient husband and five massive cats.

January 22, 2023 Meeting – Facebook Ads with Malorie Cooper

Our January 22, 2023 monthly meeting will start at 1:00 P.M. with a workshop on Facebook ads presented by Malorie Cooper, which will be followed by our monthly business and social meeting. Not a NERW member but want to attend the workshop? Join NERW now and receive access to our monthly workshops, private email forum, and Facebook group!

Headshot of author Malorie CooperWorkshop Description: Malorie Cooper, along with Jill Cooper, is a co-author of the popular book, Help! My Facebook Ads Suck. Using the basic principles in the book they teach monthly classes, do 1-on-1 consults, and run marketing mentorships.

Bio: Mal Cooper has been a full-time author since 2018. When she is not writing, she spends her time traveling the globe to teach authors how to:
• Launch their career
• Launch their books
From professional book soundscores, card games, audiobooks, and an upcoming RPG Tabletop game—Mal is teaching authors how to sell more books and earn more money.

November 20, 2022 Meeting – Writing a Breakout Book with Alana Quintana Albertson

Our November 20, 2022 monthly meeting will start at 1:00 P.M. with a workshop presented by best-selling author Alana Quintana Albertson on Writing a Breakout Book, which will be followed by our monthly business and social meeting. Not a NERW member but want to attend the workshop? Join NERW now and receive access to our monthly workshops, private email forum, and Facebook group!

Headshot of Alana Quintana AlbertsonWorkshop Description: A breakout book is the perfect combination of high concept, good timing, excellent marketing, and a dash of luck. A breakout book can result in a huge six figure traditional deal or can also hit to the top of the charts indie. Join author Alana Quintana Albertson who has written several breakout books and discover the strategy for cultivating your own breakout bestseller.

Bio: Alana Quintana Albertson is a Latina bestselling romance and mystery author (#3 in entire Amazon store) with over one million views on her Se7en Deadly SEALs romantic mystery serial on Radish. Her own voices, Latine Rom Com series, Love and Tacos, has been optioned for television.

Alana Albertson holds a Masters of Education from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Stanford University. She’s the former President of Romance Writers of America’s Contemporary Romance, Young Adult, and Chick Lit chapters.

A recovering professional ballroom dancer, she lives in Poway, California, with her husband, two young sons, and six rescue dogs.

When she’s not spending her time saving dogs from high kill shelters through Pugs N Roses™, the rescue she founded, she can be found watching episodes of Cobra Kai, Vida, YOU, or Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team.

October 16, 2022 Meeting – Finding Success with Standalones with Kiersten Modglin

Our October 16, 2022 monthly meeting will start at 1:00 P.M. with a workshop presented by best-selling author Kiersten Modglin on Finding Success with Standalones, which will be followed by our monthly business and social meeting. Not a NERW member but want to attend the workshop? Join NERW now and receive access to our monthly workshops, private email forum, and Facebook group!

Kiersten Modglin headshotWorkshop Description: Kiersten has been killing it with her suspense standalones and will share some of her tips & tricks on how to make your standalone a huge success.

Bio: Kiersten Modglin is an Amazon Top 10 bestselling author of psychological thrillers and a member of International Thriller Writers, Novelists, Inc., and the Alliance of Independent Authors. Kiersten is a KDP Select All-Star and a recipient of ThrillerFix’s Best Psychological Thriller Award and Suspense Magazine’s Best Book of 2021 Award. She grew up in rural western Kentucky and later relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, where she now lives with her husband, daughter, and their two Boston terriers: Cedric and Georgie..

September 18, 2022 Meeting – Tips and Strategies to Sell Your Books: Amazon Ads with Deb Zeb

Our September 18, 2022 monthly meeting will start at 1:00 P.M. with a workshop presented by best-selling author Deb Zeb on Tips and Strategies to Sell Your Books: Amazon Ads, which will be followed by our monthly business and social meeting. Not a NERW member but want to attend the workshop? Join NERW now and receive access to our monthly workshops, private email forum, and Facebook group!

Headshot of author Deb ZebWorkshop Description: Learn to monitor, analyze, and optimize your Amazon ad campaigns. This workshop is packed with tips and strategies to improve the quality of your advertising in the US and word-wide. Deb Zeb is brilliant, has written a great book on ad campaigns, and we’re so excited to have her join us this month.

Bio: Deb Zeb lives in New Zealand, which is just above Antarctica, but isn’t quite as cold!! She writes and publishes You Say Which Way interactive fiction as well as plays, non-fiction and short stories. Deb has a certificate in Children’s Literature and a Masters in Creative Writing from Victoria University’s IMML. She regularly gives workshops to writing groups and conferences, and one-on-one assistance to authors.

August 21, 2022 Meeting – DRIVE Your Plot–Don’t Let it Drive You! with Shirley Jump

Our August 21, 2022 monthly meeting will start at 1:00 P.M. with a workshop presented by best-selling author Shirley Jump on DRIVE Your Plot–Don’t Let It Drive You!, which will be followed by our monthly business and social meeting. Not a NERW member but want to attend the workshop? Join NERW now and receive access to our monthly workshops, private email forum, and Facebook group!

Headshot of author Shirley JumpWorkshop Description: Is your plot stuck in the murky middle? Feeling episodic? Falling flat with your readers? This workshop talks about the five most common plot problems that DRIVE an otherwise great story into the ground. Learn how to become the driver of your book and create emotional impact with your readers, with New York Times bestselling author and book coach Shirley Jump.

Bio: Shirley Jump is an award-winning, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Amazon, and USA Today bestselling author who has published more than 80 books in 24 countries. As the owner of JumpStart Creative Solutions, Shirley also does book building, content editing, ghostwriting, and author coaching. She has worked with celebrities from The Today Show, White House advisors, and former NFL players to craft their stories in a unique and compelling way. She has spoken all over the world about the power of narrative and how to create compelling books. A former reporter and communications director for a marketing agency, she uses her diverse background to help clients create impactful content that opens up new revenue streams.

June 12, 2022 Meeting – Banking On Your Backlist with Elana Johnson

Our June 12, 2022 monthly meeting will start at 1:00 P.M. with a workshop presented by best-selling author Elana Johnson on Banking On Your Backlist, which will be followed by our monthly business and social meeting. Not a NERW member but want to attend the workshop? Join NERW now and receive access to our monthly workshops, private email forum, and Facebook group!

Headshot of author elana johnsonWorkshop Description: Join 7 figure bestselling romance author Elana Johnson to learn how to make your backlist work harder for you! Don’t miss out on the hidden potential of your already-released books. This workshop will unlock a path to make more money from the words you’ve already written, with a few creative strategies and solid marketing tactics that can turn oldies into goldies. Elana will also share her experiences and advice with choosing whether and when to distribute her books in KU, or to go wide.

Bio: Elana Johnson is a 7-figure USA Today bestselling and Amazon Kindle All-Star Author of clean and wholesome contemporary romance. She is well-known for her young adult dystopian romance series Possession, SurrenderAbandon, and Regret, published by Simon Pulse (Simon & Schuster), as well as for her multiple clean beach romance series. She also writes inspirational western romances under the USA Today bestselling pen name of Liz Isaacson.

Elana is the force behind Indie Inspiration, and has published books for writers including Writing and Releasing Rapidly and Writing Killer Cover Copy. She also runs a personal blog on publishing and is a founding author of a number of writing blogs and organizations.

April 24, 2022 Meeting – All Things Book Marketing with Pamela Kelley

Our April 24, 2022 monthly meeting will start at 1:00 P.M. with a workshop presented by best-selling author Pamela Kelley on All Things Book Marketing, which will be followed by our monthly business and social meeting. Not a NERW member but want to attend the workshop? Join NERW now and receive access to our monthly workshops, private email forum, and Facebook group!

Headshot of author Pamela KelleyWorkshop Description: Bestselling author Pamela Kelley will discuss all things book marketing. She will share what she does for every book launch to give it the best chance to succeed. She will show the best way to find the most effective advertising targets. She’ll also share some things you can do that are super effective when you have more time than money–even if your budget is as low as $50. She’ll also answer as many questions as possible.

Bio: Pamela M. Kelley is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of women’s fiction, family sagas, and suspense. Readers often describe her books as feel-good reads with people you’d want as friends.

She lives in a historic seaside town near Cape Cod and just south of Boston. She has always been an avid reader of women’s fiction, romance, mysteries, thrillers and cook books. There’s also a good chance you might get hungry when you read her books as she is a foodie, and occasionally shares a recipe or two.