RSJ ONLINE ROMANCE BOOK CONVENTION
JULY 9 - 11, 2026
2026 EVENT SCHEDULE
ENJOY THE 3-DAY LIVE VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE
Note: All Conference Events Are Scheduled in Eastern Time (ET)
THURSDAY, JULY 9
DON'T MISS IT! GET MATCHED WITH YOUR TEAMMATES DURING THE KICKOFF!
9
JULY
12:00 pm - 12:50 pm - Online - Lovehall Room
WELCOME TO RSJ: Let's Set Up Your Teams
TEAM CHALLENGE ~ DAY 1: Meet & Greet - Earn some points.
Get An Overview On How To Navigate The RSJ Convention & What's To Come. Don’t miss it—this is where the magic starts! Join in to get placed on a team, meet fellow attendees, and start racking up prizes and points for your team.
9
JULY
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm - Online - Lovehall Room
Hit Send: How to Pitch Editors and Agents
Agent Latoya Smith-Wharton from LCS Literary Services
Learn how to have a successful pitch that makes agents want more. This workshop will help romance authors develop a polished pitch, highlight their novel's strengths, and query with confidence.
SESSION MODERATOR - TBA
9
JULY
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm - Online - Lovehall Room
The Business of Happily Ever After: Legal Basics Every Author Should Know
Attorney Desarie Green
You've poured your heart into writing your story—but do you know how to protect it? In this practical, jargon-free workshop, attorney Desarie Green will walk authors through the legal fundamentals every writer should understand before hitting "publish." Learn when copyright protection begins to common mistakes when using song lyrics, quotes, images, and more.
Key Takeaways:
➡️ Understand what copyright protects—and what it doesn't.
➡️ Learn when and why to register your copyright.
➡️ Avoid common legal pitfalls involving quotes, lyrics, images, and AI-generated content.
➡️ Understand work-for-hire, ownership, and licensing when hiring freelancers.
➡️ Identify key contract provisions to negotiate with publishers and creative professionals.
➡️ Know when it's time to seek legal advice before signing on the dotted line.
SESSION MODERATOR - Author Moni Boyce
9
JULY
3:00 pm - 3:15 pm
SHORT BREAK - 15 MIN
9
JULY
3:15 pm - 4:15 pm - Online - Lovehall Room
So You Want to Self-Publish?
Author Saharra Sandhu
Get an insider look at how to start self-publishing. This is an introductory workshop for aspiring authors.
SESSION MODERATOR - TBA
9
JULY
4:15 pm - 5:15 pm - Online - Lovehall Room
INDUSTRY PANEL
Ask An Editor or Agent Anything
Lydia Sharp (Senior Editor ~ Entangled Publishing), Marrissa Childs (Agent ~ Ladderbird Literary Agency), Michelle Jackson (Agent ~ Jackson Literary Agency), and Rita Veras (Agent ~ Rosecliff Literary)
An open Q&A with publishing professionals. Bring your questions about querying, editing, publishing, and the romance book market.
SESSION MODERATOR - TBA
9
JULY
5:15 pm - 6:00 pm
DINNER BREAK - 45 MINUTES
9
JULY
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm - Online - Lovehall Room
SCAVENGER HUNT GAME
Come test your knowledge—and win some delightful prizes.
PANEL SESSION MODERATOR - TBA
The RSJ Convention Is Run On Eastern Time.
FRIDAY, JULY 10
10
JULY
12:00 pm - 12:50 pm - Online - Lovehall Room
Putting Your Best Book Forward!
Dana Grimaldi ~ Harlequin Editor
You’ve polished your manuscript and written your pitch, but are you ready to hit send? In this workshop, you’ll get an editor’s checklist for the most important things to consider before submitting your book to Harlequin, from story elements like romantic conflict to book marketability and pitching fundamentals.
SESSION MODERATOR - TBA
GET READY FOR SOME TEAMWORK, NETWORKING, AND FUN!
10
JULY
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm - Online - Lovehall Room
AI Marketing Tools for Authors: What You Need to Know
Shalonna Anderson from the MJS Publishing Lab
The publishing landscape is changing quickly, and AI is giving authors powerful new ways to market their books. In this session, we'll explore AI tools that are making a difference for authors today: from generating social media content to identifying target audiences, optimizing metadata, and personalizing a marketing strategy. At the end of the session, you'll leave with a practical understanding of how to start using AI to work smarter, not harder, in your book marketing.
SESSION MODERATOR - TBA
10
JULY
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm - Online - Lovehall Room
How To Write A Compelling Book Blurb
Editor Casey Harris-Parks from Heart Full of Ink
For most authors, writing a 200-word blurb summarizing your novel and enticing readers is the worst part of publishing.In this session, romance editor Casey Harris-Parks will break down the different types of blurbs, how to decide which type is right for your novel, what you need to include to hook readers, and how to write a compelling book blurb every time.
SESSION MODERATOR - TBA
10
JULY
3:00 pm - 3:15 pm
SHORT BREAK - 15 MINUTES
10
JULY
3:15 pm - 4:15 pm - Online - Lovehall Room
Market Like a Reader: A Simple Marketing Strategy for Authors
Alicia Henderson of Video Visibility Media
Writing the book was the hard part, or so you thought. Then came the pressure to market it, and suddenly you're stuck wondering how to show up online without sounding like you're just trying to sell something. This workshop is here to make that easier. You'll walk away with a simple, sustainable strategy you can actually stick to, along with real ways to talk about your book (and yourself) that feel natural, not salesy. Because readers don't want to be sold to. They want to feel connected to the person behind the story.
SESSION MODERATOR - TBA
10
JULY
4:15 pm - 5:15 pm - Online - Lovehall Room
INDUSTRY PANEL
The Business of Being an Author
L.E. Sterling, Naima Simone, Nikki Davenport, Cate C. Wells
What does it really take to make a living as a romance author? Hear from seasoned authors like L.E. Sterling as she shares the realities of building a successful career, from writing consistently to marketing her books.
SESSION MODERATOR - TBA
10
JULY
5:15 pm - 6:00 pm
DINNER BREAK - 45 MINUTES
10
JULY
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm - Online - Lovehall Room
WELCOME TO CAFE CLIFFHANGER NIGHT:
Our PJ Party Event - Let the prize patrol begin
Get Ready For A Team Challenge - DAY 2:
Do you have your Pajamas on?
Who's Winning Prizes Tonight? Listen and watch in your pajamas while cliffhangers from books are read in audiobook format to introduce you to your next great read. Get your drinks, snacks, and pajamas ready.
SESSION MODERATOR - TBA
The RSJ Convention Is Run On Eastern Time.
SATURDAY, JULY 11
11
JULY
12:00 pm - 12:50 pm - Online - Lovehall Room
Mobilizing Mindset to Make It Happen - Part 1
Dr. Corinne Secrest ~ Licensed Psychologist and Executive Coach
What puts a writer in the chair, words on the page, and books in a reader’s hands? In this workshop, unwrap new understanding of your own brain power, avoid self-sabotage, and learn mindset strategies to carry you from Chapter One to your professional HEA.
SESSION MODERATOR - Author Moni Boyce
11
JULY
12:50 pm - 1:00 pm
SHORT BREAK - 10 MIN
11
JULY
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm - Online - Lovehall Room
Mobilizing Mindset to Make It Happen - Part 2
Dr. Corinne Secrest ~ Licensed Psychologist and Executive Coach
What puts a writer in the chair, words on the page, and books in a reader’s hands? In this workshop, unwrap new understanding of your own brain power, avoid self-sabotage, and learn mindset strategies to carry you from Chapter One to your professional HEA.
SESSION MODERATOR - Author Moni Boyce
11
JULY
2:00 pm - 2:10 pm
SHORT BREAK - 10 MIN
11
JULY
2:10 pm - 3:00 pm - Online - Lovehall Room
TEAM CHALLENGE ~DAY 3: Meet & Greet Engagement, Networking, & Prizes
Your RSJ Team
Meet Your Fellow Attendee: Authors, Aspiring Authors, & Readers
11
JULY
3:00 pm - 3:15 pm
SHORT BREAK - 15 MIN
11
JULY
3:15 pm - 4:15 pm - Mosely Room
So, You Want to Be a Romance Author? Aspiring Author Workshop: Part 1
Author Cara Tanamachi / Cara Lockwood
Kickstart your writing journey with this beginner-friendly workshop designed to help you understand the basic structure of romance novels. From the Meet Cute to the Happily Ever After, USA Today bestselling author Cara Tanamachi can help guide you through what it really takes to start the book you've been dreaming of. Enjoy this interactive session as we build the framework of a story together. You'll get your own takeaway PDF outline worksheet to help jumpstart your own writing.
SESSION MODERATOR - Karol Jarvis
3:15 pm - 4:15 pm - Lovehall Room
The Business of Happily Ever After: Legal Basics Every Author Should Know - PART 2
Attorney Desarie Green
In this practical, jargon-free workshop, we welcome attorney Desarie Green back to walk authors through the legal fundamentals every writer should understand before hitting "publish." Learn when copyright protection begins to common mistakes when using song lyrics, quotes, images, and more.
SESSION MODERATOR - Author Moni Boyce
11
JULY
4:15 pm - 5:15 pm - Mosley Room
So, You Want to Be a Romance Author? Aspiring Author Workshop: Part 2
Author Cara Tanamachi / Cara Lockwood
Kickstart your writing journey with this beginner-friendly workshop designed to help you understand the basic structure of romance novels. From the Meet Cute to the Happily Ever After, USA Today bestselling author Cara Tanamachi can help guide you through what it really takes to start the book you've been dreaming of. Enjoy this interactive session as we build the framework of a story together. You'll get your own takeaway PDF outline worksheet to help jumpstart your own writing.
SESSION MODERATOR - Karol Jarvis
4:15 pm - 5:15 pm - Lovehall Room
Canceled Due to Family Emergency
Substack for Authors: Turn Your Newsletter into a Reader Community
We know you may have been looking forward to this workshop. We will try to bring this workshop back as a special event within the upcoming year.
Get a clear understanding about Substack and the journey of building a marketing space for your brand.
11
JULY
5:15 pm - 5:30 pm
SHORT BREAK - 15 MIN
11
JULY
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
The 30-Day Author Visibility Blueprint
Will Bove, creative systems builder with MadLogic Studio
A practical 30-day plan to help authors reach the right readers and build visibility without trying to be everywhere at once.
SESSION MODERATOR - Sunflower Tara Provan
11
JULY
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
LET'S GET YOU BACK WITH YOUR TEAMMATES: Engagement, Networking, & Prizes
It's time to rally with your teammates again.
SESSION MODERATOR - Angela Anderson
11
JULY
7:30 pm - 8:30 pm - Online - Lovehall Room
RSJ ANNOUNCEMENTS & THANK YOU
Your RSJ Team & DWRI.org Executive Team
What's New and What's To Come
CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS
You Will Not Want To Miss
Cliffhanger Pajama Night
Readers and authors join together for a pajama party night where snippets of romance books are read aloud in an audiobook atmosphere tingling your ears and your senses to buy your next favorite book.
♥ Known as our Cafe Cliffhanger Night, one lucky pajama dressed creative attendee will win a prize for best dressed. Don't be afraid to sport your curlers, head scarfs, & masks. 😃
YOU'LL WANT TO KNOW THIS...
HEADS UP!
Don't miss the morning sessions for networking, meeting authors, and making a new friend.
Don't miss the evening fun and games where lots of prizes are given out.
And keep hold of your registration book box items because they are part of your RSJ Convention experience. You never know when you'll need an item from the box during your 3-days of romance booklover fun, games, and workshops.
YOUR BOOK BOX
Registered Attendees Are Shipped A Registration Book Box Full Of FREE BOOKS & Goodies.
Want to know what's inside your registration box? See Details Below or View Convention Highlights.
(International attendees outside the U.S. may be sent free books via gift cards but can still expect their swag.)
FREE BOOKS
Get various books from publishers such as Harlequin Books, Entangled Publishing, Macmillan and more.
CONVENTION T-SHIRT
Be the envy of the bookish community in your graphic tee from the RSJ Romance Book Convention.
CONVENTION BAG
From the home, to the car, to groceries and more, you'll be able to represent your romance bookish lifestyle with class.
SURPRISE GIFTS
Each year RSJ puts their personal shopper to work to find great gifts to include in your convention box.
AMAZON KINDLE
Enjoy lots of Kindle drawings where you'll have a chance to win a new Amazon Kindle. A fabulous addition to any box.
SWEET SNACKS
Yummy, yum, yum! Treats to enjoy while you're reading in your favorite chair or writing your next book
PROMO ITEMS
Get bookish community promo items and content from published authors hoping to make you a fan of their books.
PRIZE DRAWINGS
Become a lucky winners to have your name drawn for a Prize, and you'll walk away with even more swag.
GIFT CARDS
You just might be a lucky winner of one or more of our Gift Card Drawings during the convention games or sessions.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
"I was thrilled to be going, even if it would only be online. And Oh joy, oh delight! I can honestly say that I had the best time I’d had all year, and certainly since the last time I was away at a conference for readers and writers. I can’t wait for next year!" - K. T. Bond (Author)
