Schedule of Programs 2026
January 17th
Lorelei Buzzetta
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How to Dazzle Your Readers Like a Star
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On Zoom
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Talk
How to Dazzle Your Readers Like a Star is a practical workshop where authors learn how to confidently engage readers online, during virtual events, and in person—gaining clear strategies to overcome common engagement challenges, choose the right platforms, and turn meaningful interactions into lasting reader relationships.
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Bio
Always positive, enthusiastic, and authentic, Lorelei Buzzetta has been the creative director of Lorelei’s Lit Lair since 2010.
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As an influencer, host, and Romance Ambassador, Lorelei promotes and advocates for authors through her international online community on social media and in partnership with the Orange County Library System and the Winter Park Library in her hometown of Orlando, FL. She has co-hosted events at the Orange County Library featuring bestselling authors, including Kristan Higgins, Sonali Dev, Julia Quinn, and Abby Jimenez.
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Lorelei enjoys connecting readers and authors whenever possible, and she does so with a perpetual smile.
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A former varying exceptionalities paraprofessional, she’s happily married to her own Prince Charming, is the mother of three wonderful adult overachievers, and has a precious Pomeranian pup named Minuet.
February 21st
Justin Knupp
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Getting Started with Direct Sales
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On Zoom
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Talk
Getting Started with Direct Sales is a practical, beginner-friendly introduction for authors who want to sell directly to their readers but aren’t sure where to
begin. In this one-hour session, you’ll learn how direct sales work for authors, why they matter, what products you can sell, and the basic tools needed to get set
up—without getting lost in technical details. The presentation focuses on realistic first steps, common pitfalls to avoid, and simple ways to drive traffic to your store. You’ll leave with a better understanding of how direct sales fit into your business and a straightforward plan to begin building direct-sales revenue.
Bio
Justin Knupp began his technology journey in 1977 at the age of six when his father brought home a Radio Shack Model 1 computer. He was immediately hooked.
His 30+ year career in technology has focused on aligning business goals with technology strategy and includes working with a wide variety of organizations, both public and private, and an MBA specializing in technology management.
In 2005, after his author-wife sold her first book to a publisher, Justin found a new entry on his honey-do list: build Amy an author website. Over the next 15 years, he helped authors with websites and technology, and learned more than he ever thought possible about the publishing industry.
In 2021, a new item appeared on the honey-do list: build Amy a Shopify store. He subsequently dove into the world of direct-sales technology. To date, Justin has helped more than a hundred authors with their technology needs.
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March 21
Anne Bartolucci (w/a Cecilia Dominic)
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Overcoming Imposter Syndrome for Writers
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In-person and Zoom
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Talk
Imposter syndrome is common among romance writers at every stage, from drafting a first manuscript to publishing multiple books. It often shows up as perfectionism, comparison, procrastination, and a fear of being “found out” as a fraud, even when there’s clear evidence of skill and progress.
In this workshop, you’ll learn:
How the brain’s built-in survival shortcuts keep us safe but also resistant to creative growth, visibility, and risk
Why writers, and romance writers in particular, are especially vulnerable to imposter syndrome
Strategies for shifting the mindset patterns that fuel self-doubt and perfectionism
Practical tactics to work around resistance so you can keep writing, submitting, and moving forward
Participants will leave with greater self-insight and concrete strategies they can apply immediately to their creative projects
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Bio​
​Anne Bartolucci, PhD is a licensed psychologist, board-certified behavioral sleep medicine specialist, and a USA Today bestselling author writing fiction under the pen name Cecilia Dominic.
She received her first book contract in 2013 and has since published 17 novels, four novellas, and two nonfiction books. Along the way, she’s navigated deadlines, self-doubt, creative burnout, perfectionism, and the unique psychological challenges that come with putting emotionally resonant stories into the world.
Anne now combines her background in psychology with her experience as a working author through Psych Up Academy, where she helps writers understand how their brains work, why common creative blocks show up, and how to move forward with more confidence and less self-sabotage.
Her workshops are interactive, practical, and grounded in compassion. Participants leave with insight, concrete tools, and a renewed sense of trust in themselves as writers, even when doubt inevitably makes an appearance.
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April 18- All Day Workshop
Vanessa Riley
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In Person and Zoom
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Talk
9:00–12:00
Claiming Your Story – How to Journal to Write the Book of Your Heart
A generative, hands-on session designed to help writers identify the story only they can tell. Through guided journaling, we’ll explore emotional truth, voice, and clarity—helping writers move past fear, hesitation, or self-doubt and into meaningful forward motion.
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12:00–1:00
Break for Lunch
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1:00–3:45
The Hybrid Author’s Path – Designing a Career That Fits Your Goals
An overview of traditional and independent publishing models and how they can work together. This session outlines five key considerations authors should weigh when designing a publishing path aligned with their creative, financial, and personal priorities.
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Bio
​Vanessa Riley is an award-winning author of over twenty-nine novels like Island Queen (a GMA buzz pick), Queen of Exiles (ABC’s The Views Lit Pic), and the Lady Worthing Mystery Series (winning the 2024 Georgia Author of the Year for Mystery).
With a doctorate from Stanford University and other engineering degrees from Penn State, Vanessa brings a research-oriented approach to her inclusive storytelling which spotlights hidden narratives of Black women and women of color, emphasizing power, sisterhoods, and family sagas across historical fiction, romance, and mystery genres.
May 16th
Julian Winters
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There Is No Yellow Brick Road:
Finding the Path to Publishing That Fits You
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In Person and Zoom
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Talk
Join Julian Winters to hear how his unconventional path to publishing has helped him establish a long running author career. From making the decision to submit his first novel to an independent publisher rather than seeking out a literary agent, to the things he learned from working with a small press, and then finally making the decision to seek an agent. Julian will discuss publishing with a Big 5 and using all the things he learned to help promote his 8th novel which became a USA Today bestseller. Julian will also share his perspective on publishing as a BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ author and what that landscape has looked like for over the years, as well as the transition from YA to adult books. Don't miss this informative session on the many paths of publishing!
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Bio
​Julian Winters is the award-winning author of several acclaimed novels, including Running With Lions, an IBPA Benjamin Franklin Gold Award winner; Right Where I Left You, a Georgia Peach Award nominee; as well as adult romances, I Think They Love You and Last First Kiss. A self-proclaimed comic book geek, Julian currently lives outside of Atlanta, where he can be found swooning over rom-coms or watching the only two sports he can follow—volleyball and soccer.
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June 20th
Bridget Morrissey
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How to Craft Multiple Romances in a Single Novel
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Zoom
Talk
​As the romance market continues to evolve, incorporating multiple romances into one story can help make your book stand out. In this workshop, we will explore how to set up different romantic arcs within the same story, using plot, structure, and tropes to help differentiate between pairings and make for a satisfying read.
Bio
Bridget Morrissey lives in Los Angeles, California, but hails from Oak Forest, Illinois. When she’s not writing, she can be found cradling one of her cats like a baby or headlining concerts in her living room. She is the author of several novels including That Summer Feeling, Everything She Does is Magic, and USA Today and Indie bestseller This Will Be Fun, co-written with Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka under the pen name E.B. Asher.
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July 18th
TBD
Talk
Bio
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August 15th
Harper St. George
Craft an Opening That Hooks Readers
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In Person
Talk
A compelling opening can make the difference between a reader curling up with your book for hours or not making it past the first few pages. The opening is your chance to grab the reader’s attention, spark curiosity, and convince them to invest time in your story. In this workshop, we’ll break down the essential elements of a powerful opening. You’ll learn what readers, agents, and editors look for, why some openings fail, and how to revise yours to immediately engage curiosity, emotion, and momentum. You’ll leave with practical tools and a clearer strategy for crafting an opening that hooks readers from the start.
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Bio
Harper St. George grew up in rural Alabama and along Florida’s Forgotten Coast, where stories of the past sparked her lifelong love of history, romance, and adventure. By high school she discovered historical romance novels, which brought all of those elements together in one irresistible package. She’s been hooked ever since.
Today, Harper lives in the Atlanta area where she writes historical romance set from the Viking Era to the Gilded Age. Her novels have been translated into ten languages and featured in major publications including Entertainment Weekly, People Magazine, Oprah Daily, Woman’s World, Forbes, PopSugar, and Bustle. She has also received the prestigious honor of having her books selected for Book of the Month Club and a BuzzFeed Best Romance of the year.
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September 19th
TBD
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Via Zoom
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Talk
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Bio
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October 17th
No Meeting
Annual Moonlight &Magnolias Conference
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November 21st
TBD
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Via Zoom
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Talk
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Bio
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December 5th
TBD
GRW Holiday Party
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In Person
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Talk
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Bio
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