Connecticut chapter of the Romance Writers of America to hold one-day conference in May

SOUTHBURY, CT – The Connecticut chapter of the Romance Writers of America sponsors exciting programming for new and established authors every month. Members benefit from workshops, gain opportunities to network with other authors and professionals in the field, have their work critiqued, and socialize with their peers.

Fiction Fest offers a plethora of programming for authors in all stages of their careers. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear keynote speaker RITA award-winning and best-selling author, Sherry Thomas. They can also choose to attend up to five of the fifteen workshops offered during the day, and have the opportunity to put their work in front of acquiring editors and agents.

Attendees with completed manuscripts will also have the opportunity to pitch their novels to editors and agents. Many Fiction Fest pitch sessions have resulted in upcoming authors gaining representation and contracts.

The exciting day wraps up with a combined cocktail party and book signing. From 4:30pm to 6:00pm, attendees will be able to enjoy beverages and refreshments while purchasing books and having them signed by dozens of authors.

Registration for Fiction Fest is now open on the Connecticut Fiction Fest website at www.ctrwa.org. Registration costs $159, and includes a continental breakfast and a plated lunch. Those interested in joining CTRWA can pay for their membership and get the member price plus a $5 discount for a total of $154 for both CTRWA membership and Fiction Fest registration. An attendance cap of 200 makes registering early important, as Connecticut Fiction Fest is widely known for its excellence.

This year, Fiction Fest is taking place on Saturday, May 12, at the Heritage Hotel and Resort in Southbury.

Connecticut author Gayle Byrne won the Book Award for Best Children’s Literature on Aging from the Association for Gerontology for “Sometimes It’s Grandmas and Grandpas, Not Mommies And Daddies,” a story about a little girl being raised by her grandparents.

The award recognizes positive portrayals of older adults in children’s literature. In “Sometimes It’s Grandmas and Grandpas,” Nonnie and Poppy may not be Mommy and Daddy, but they have unlimited hugs and love for our narrator, who lives in a situation common to millions of young Americans yet addressed so rarely in children’s books.

“Sometimes It’s Grandmas and Grandpas” was promoted at the annual AGHE conference in Washington, D.C. where Byrne’s book sale and signing sold out.