Please Excuse The Mess

It’s that time of year again when this website is a mess. Sorry, but we are currently switching over everything for the next Slam Jam.

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Thursday, May 9th, 2013 Announcement No Comments

Congratulations 2013 Emma Winners

Named after the co-founder of the Romance Slam Jam, the Emma Awards is the premier awards event for readers and authors of Black romance.

Suspense of the Year
Temptation Rising by A.C. Arthur

Sequel of the Year
Seduction’s Shift by A.C. Arthur

Steamy Romance of the Year
Any Way You Want It by Maureen Smith

Hero of the Year
Sean Donovan from Surrender to a Donovan by A.C. Arthur

Heroine of the Year
Diamond Lassiter from Teach Me by Iris Bolling

Cover of the Year (award goes to the cover artist)
Just One Taste by Celeste O. Norfleet

Debut Author of the Year
Harmony Evans

Book of the Year
Just One Taste by Celeste O. Norfleet

Author of the Year
Yvette Hines

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Thursday, May 9th, 2013 Announcement No Comments

Romance Slam Jam News April 2013

April 1 is a really hard time for me every year for two reasons. One—I ALWAYS have the urge to say the Slam Jam was cancelled as an April fool’s joke. As you see, I was able to resist. It wasn’t easy. Two—I lose sleep from anticipation of the Slam Jam! I am so jealous of those of you who will be attending this year’s event. Your hosts, the Lovely Ladies and Barbara Keaton, have gone above and beyond.

There are a few housekeeping things we need to take care of. Have you reserved your hotel room?  If not, you have until APRIL 8 to get the discounted price while rooms are available. If you plan to go but aren’t certain, go ahead and reserve your room, then release it if you decide not to go. Have you sent in your conference registration? If not, wha’cha waitin’ for?  Have you been spreading the word? Are you ready for the Emma Awards, workshops, book signing, to meet your favorite Black romance and women’s fiction authors, to have fun at the dinner theater presentation and sooooo much more? Oh yeah, it’s on and poppin’!

Black Romance and Women’s Fiction Book Club

Be sure to drop by the book club where we have a good time. We have two group book discussions coming up.

April 6: Pendleton Rule by Iris Boling. This title is part of a series. Check out Night Of Seduction/Heaven’s Gate if you want to catch up.

April 16: If You Only Knew by Deatri King-Bey. This is part of a series. Check out Sons 4 Sale if you want to catch up.

Visit the Black Romance and Women’s Fiction Book Club where we talk Black romance and women’s fiction 24/7/365.

 

That’s All, Folks!

Next month there will not be a Romance Slam Jam News. I pray you all have a safe trip and enjoy the Slam Jam. Be sure to take lots of pictures for me. I love you all! Up next is your host author Barbara Keaton!

Much Joy Peace and Love

Deatri King-Bey

 

Monday, April 1st, 2013 RSJ News No Comments

Host Check In

April showers bring May flowers … AND Romance Slam Jam!

Can yall believe it? There is just one month until we convene for our annual Romance Slam Jam in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

From the Thursday night event to the passing of the torch on Sunday, we will have four great days of fellowship, conversation, food and the sharing of our love of African American romance! The Lovely Ladies have painstakingly and lovingly created a conference that they hope will appeal to all – from workshops to reader sessions to the author book signing there’s something for everyone.

Now, if you haven’t registered for this great conference you need to do so IMMEDIATELY. Besides, how can you even consider missing such an exciting conference with a host of great events? How can you even dream of being MIA during the interaction with some of your favorite authors such as Gwynne Forster, Francis Ray, and Farah Rochon, just to mention a few! And of course, do you really want to be absent during this year’s luncheon keynote speaker, Donna Hill? OF COURSE NOT!

Then there’s the line-up of events! Like the dinner theatre on Thursday, the luncheon on Friday and our beloved Emma Awards on Saturday. We’ve a lot going on and not a lot of room for me to list everything, which means that this is a conference not to be missed.

Well, I guess I better get busy planning what I’m going to wear and find my props for the workshop Ann Clay and I are going to facilitate. But before I go, let me say one last thing: Romance Slam Jam is a celebration of US – of the men and women who appear in some of the hottest romances around. No longer do we have to wish for characters that look like us, dream like us and love like us – we’ve got them and we’ve got to celebrate them. So bring your questions, your favorite books to be signed (along with an empty bag for your new books), along with your fellow book club members, friends and family to one of the best and most unique Romance Conferences in the world!
See you next month and safe travels to all.

Much love,
Barbara Keaton
2013 RSJ – Host Author

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Monday, April 1st, 2013 Host Check In 1 Comment

Vote TODAY!!!

2013 RSJ Emma Awards Finals for Cover, Debut Author and Author of the Year

Your Vote Counts! If you were registered for the any of the RSJ conferences from 2008 to the current one, you are eligible to help select the winners in the Cover, Debut Author and Author of the Year categories. Please fill out and return the 2013 Emma Ballot by  March 18, 2013.

NOTE: I neglected to mention that the end of regular registration for the RSJ conference is 31 March. You know you are attending. You might as well go ahead and register and save a few bucks. Remember, groups get a discount rate.


Tuesday, March 5th, 2013 Announcement No Comments

Romance Slam Jam News March 2013

Can you believe it’s only two short months until the Slam Jam! Are you ready to join your fellow lovers of Black romance and women’s fiction? Have you reserved your hotel room? Have you send in your conference registration? Have you been spreading the word? Are you ready for the Emma Awards, workshops, book signing, to meet your favorite Black romance and women’s fiction authors, to have fun at the dinner theater presentation and sooooo much more? Oh yeah, it’s on and poppin’!

Guess who made it into the Jan-Feb issue of Affaire de Coeur. Go ahead, guess. None other but the Romance Slam Jam conference and several of your favorite RSJ Authors. FYI: Affaire de Coeur has always supported the Slam Jam. I hope you show them some love and check them out: http://www.affairedecoeur.com/

Emma Awards

The judges have their category titles and are reading away, but there’s still more to do for past and current attendees. We need to vote on the finalist for Cover of the Year, Debut Author of the Year and Author of the year. I’m making the ballot now. Stay tuned!

Black Romance and Women’s Fiction Book Club

Be sure to drop by the book club where we have a good time. Our next group book discussion is early April. The last day to vote on our upcoming group discussion is March 2, 2013. Come on by and hang out with us.

Visit the Black Romance and Women’s Fiction Book Club where we talk Black romance and women’s fiction 24/7/365.

That’s All, Folks!

Goody Bags! If you are interested in sending items for this year’s goody bags, use the contact page to request information. Also, please consider taking out an ad in our program booklet.

That’s it for this month’s RSJ News. Thanks for sticking in there with us. Up next we have our host author with an update!

Peace

Deatri King-Bey

 

Saturday, March 2nd, 2013 RSJ News No Comments

Host Check In

Howdy Romance Readers!
In less than 2 months we will gather in Milwaukee to celebrate our favorite authors who write some of the hottest and intriguing Black romances around!

From what I hear, there are plenty of great workshops for both readers and writers.  Like the one Ann Clay and I are facilitating.  Be prepared to bring your “A” game to our session – “Who’s Your Favorite Character.”  There will be prizes!  And of course as is my way, I will be in costume in honor of one of my favorite characters!  Here’s a hint:  she’s an outlaw!  And Donna Hill is going to provide her musings on keeping fresh in the game of writing.

And speaking of Donna Hill, we are honored that she will be our keynote speaker during lunch.  Donna, who’s been writing for over twenty years, has a plethora of romance novels to her name and a great sense of humor!  Its going to be a wonderful treat to have Donna deliver the keynote.

While I enjoy all of Romance Slam Jam, the Emma’s is my favorite – this is our award for our authors who otherwise may not be recognized for the great works they accomplish. As well, it gives us a chance to get all “gussied” up! And I get to ham it up!

And lastly, March is Women’s Month – so don’t forget to celebrate, in some way, the women who have touched, impacted and had a profound effect on your life.  There have been countless women in my life – from my early mentor, Barbara Yanowski (now deceased) to some of the many phenomenal women in my sorority (Debby Douglas, for one!) – each has and still has a profound positive and lasting effect on me.  But out of all of these magnanimous women, for me, my mother – Aurelia Keaton – is the tops! A constant in my life, my mom, who is 82-years-old, is quite comical, speaks her mind and has always supported and loved her baby(ME!).  I know without question that her presence and unconditional love is what has made me the woman I am.  Thank you, Mommy!

Until we see each other in Milwaukee, May 2-5, be blessed!

Much love,

Barbara Keaton

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Saturday, March 2nd, 2013 Host Check In No Comments

This Month With The Slam Jam

Romance Slam Jam 2013

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