FRW members had a wonderful time on our 2009 Fun in the Sun Conference held at sea!

Fun in the Sun 2009 Conference Update

There's only one word to describe how FRW writers spent January 22nd through the 24th: Ahhhhhhh! Because while writers conferences are a fabulous way to revitalize an author’s creativity, a writers conference/tropical cruise is, well, pure paradise!

This year, the Florida Romance Writers conference committee headed by the lovely and regal Aleka Nakis (she has the tiara to prove it, thanks to FRW president Kathy Pickering!) had the brilliant notion that our traditional conference needed a complete makeover – Bahamas style, aboard Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas.

What an amazing couple of days! We had a great time (because many other writers were there, not just FRW). We enjoyed a slew of workshops, editor/agent appointments – everything you would hope for in a conference, plus turquoise seas, breathtaking sunsets, fabulous food, exciting nightlife and, best of all, a completely laid-back, friendly, “no problem, mon” frame of mind. We were thrilled to welcome Christina Dodd as our keynote speaker; she inspired us, made us laugh, and delighted us simply by being the incredibly genuine, generous person she is. I enjoyed meeting her so much! The enthusiasm of the editors and agents kept things lively during their panel discussion and at “Floridian Idol,” where two-page entries were read out loud and critiqued before a captive audience way up high on the 14th deck. I have to say, I really admired the courage of all who entered. And because the atmosphere was so relaxed, attendees were able to connect with the editors and agents in a way I hadn't really seen before.

To give an idea of the fantastic variety of workshops offered, there was Public Relations with Becky Scoggins; Creating Your Villain and Plotting Your Book with Rhonda Pollero; World Building with Nancy Cohen; Brainstorming with Leanne Banks; and Shining In A Shrinking Market, and many more. Our impressive lineup of speakers also included Karen Kendall, Debra Glass, Judi McCoy, Linnea Sinclair and Erin McCarthy, as well as editors Adam Wilson of Mira Books/HQN, Jessica Berry of Resplendence Publishing, Kerry Donavan of NAL, Raelene Gorlinsky of Ellora's Cave, Rose Hilliard of St. Martin's Press, Rhonda Penders of Wild Rose Press; and agents Miriam Kriss of the Irene Goodman Agency, and Holly Root of the Waxman Agency. Following workshops on Thursday and the mandatory Life Boat Drill, we gathered for a book signing along the ship’s Royal Promenade, where passengers browsed, chatted with authors and purchased books. The day ended on a perfect note -- a chat with our own mega-talented Heather Graham. It was back to workshops early Friday morning, but of course, in between events there was lots of time for fun – exploring the ship, eating, shopping, going to the private island, eating, snorkeling and swimming (for those willing to brave the cool temps -- not me!), eating some more…and then there were those yummy rum runners and frozen coco-locos!

Oh, and did I mention karaoke with Heather Graham at one of the ship's lounges? Life aboard the "SS FRW" was GOOD, and I think I can speak for all in saying we came back rejuvenated and ready to write our hearts out. If there is one complaint to be made, it’s that our time together ended much too soon, but something tells me this isn’t the last time the Florida Romance Writers will be setting sail on the high seas…