Romance Slam Jam News May 2012
Whew howdy! All I can say is those Little Rock folks threw one heck of a Slam Jam! I truly feel sorry for those of you who missed it. I would just like to take another opportunity to thank the Sistas of Color Reading Group, Laura Parker Castoro and Gwyneth Bolton for going above and beyond to make the Slam Jam special. Every year the conference does the impossible, gets better! THANKS.
Next year, the Lovely Ladies book club and Barbara Keaton are our host for Slam Jam 2013 in Milwaukee, WI and Donna Hill is scheduled to be the keynote speaker. Don’t sleep on this conference, start making your plans now. I’ll be updating the website this month and hopefully have up the new info for June’s RSJ Newsletter.
RSJ 2012 Pictures
Lots of you took pictures and I saw plenty posted on Facebook. Thank you to those of you who have sent me photos. Those of you who haven’t, please send your RSJ pictures to me at rsjdeatri @ yahoo.com (remove spaces) so I can create a photo album for us. And yes, we’d like to see what you saw in Little Rock also. Thanks!
Congratulations 2012 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.
- Cover Night Hawk by Beverly Jenkins (this award goes to the cover artist)
- Author of the Year Evelyn Palfrey
- Debut Author of the Year Chanta Rand
- Book King’s Passion Adrianne Byrd
- Hero The Heart (Al “Turk” Day) Iris Bolling
- Heroine Just One Touch (Tatiana Coles) Celeste O. Norfleet
- Inspirational Crowning Glory Pat Simmons
- Suspense Deadly Intentions Candice Poarch
- Sequel Imagine Us Maureen Smith
- Steamy Lovin’ Blue Zuri Day
- Ebook Torn KD King
Black Romance and Women’s Fiction Book Club
We have moved to Facebook except for our monthly discussion, which will remain on Shelfari. We talk Black Romance and Women’s Fiction 24/7/365. Come on and join in the fun: http://www.facebook.com/groups/161399393963194/
Our April discussion was I’ll Catch You by Farrah Rochon. Farrah was such a sweetie and the book was great. If you haven’t read it, I highly suggest you pick up a copy. Our next discussion (May 26) will be a title by Chanta Rand our 2012 Emma Award Winner for Favorite Debut Author of the Year, The Highest Bidder. Chanta will be in attendance. We are also choosing our June title, so join us on Facebook to help choose.
Authors 4 Trayvon
On Feb. 26, 2012, Trayvon Martin’s life was cut short when he was shot as he walked to a family member’s home from a convenience store where he had purchased some candy. The price of candy for this seventeen-year-old child was his life. April 1-7, 2012, authors who participated in Authors 4 Trayvon donate 17% of their book sells to the Martin family. Several of our RSJ Family Authors participated and helped raise over $2000 dollars for the Martin family. Thank you (readers and authors) for your support.
http://www.authors4trayvon.com/?page_id=11
That’s All Folks
Well that’s it for another issue of Romance Slam Jam News. Next up we have Claritta Stinson doing the Check Out from RSJ 2012.
Until next month, check us out on Facebook!
Host Check-Out
WOW! 2012 Romance Slam Jam – “Romance in The Rock” is over. The Sistahs of Color Reading Group and author Laura Parker Castoro thank you for being a part of the RSJ family reunion this year. Family reunion? I always feel like I am attending a family reunion during Slam Jam. Don’t you?
We are humbled and glad everyone received and enjoyed what we put our hearts and hard work into for 2.5 years while planning the conference. Our book club has a special love for African American authors and I know the attendees of RSJ share that love. Slam Jam allows us to come together to celebrate and share what we all love and support. Again I can’t say how honored we are to have been host for this year’s conference.
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
I heard this quote on the radio right after the conference. While you may forget about the scavenger hunt where you mixed and mingled and got to know your RSJ family a little better, or Gwyneth Bolton’s powerful keynote speech, or the karaoke contest (though I’m not sure how you can forget Keith Thomas Walker’s rendition of Adore) or the intimate conversations you had with your favorite authors; we hope that you will always remember how we made you feel while you were in our city for 2012 Slam Jam.
I want to send a final thank you to the RSJ founders and organization for giving us this opportunity. We appreciated the confidence you had in us to host this special conference. Our desire was to follow in the Slam Jam’s tradition and have you leave Little Rock ready for the next Slam Jam. Now for those who are saying, Milwaukee?! I don’t want to go to Milwaukee. Remember the same thing was said about Little Rock. I know because some of you came to me and said just that. For true Slam Jammers, the location is secondary. We can be in the middle of the desert and Slam Jammers will still rock the house. So we will see next year in Wisconsin where The Lovely Ladies Book Club will show us how to “Melt in Milwaukee.”
Claritta Stinson, 2012 Host Book Club Chair
Sistahs of Color Reading Group
Romance Slam Jam News April 2012
It’s almost time to see my RSJ Family and I am doing the happy dance! I’ve had a great year and hope you have, too. I don’t have any updates. I’ll (Dee) be arriving in Little Rock Monday evening to enjoy the city before the RSJ starts. Soooo, look me up if you want to hang out. I’m not crazy enough to put my phone number on the Internet. Email or facebook me. Be sure to view the 2012 Romance Slam Jam Schedule
A few weeks ago, I put out a call that the Emma Awards needed you to help pick the Author of the Year, Best Book Cover, and Debut Author of the Year. Thank you for answering that call in a BIG way. And thank you to the Emma Judges for all of their hard work.
Black Romance and Women’s Fiction Book Club
We have moved to Facebook except for our monthly discussion, which will remain on Shelfari. We talk Black Romance and Women’s Fiction 24/7/365. Come on and join in the fun: http://www.facebook.com/groups/161399393963194/
Our March discussion was Football Widows by Pat Tucker. The author was there and we had a GREAT time, as usual (SMILE). Next month we’ll be discussing I’ll Catch You by Farrah RochonI’ll Catch You by Farrah Rochon (28 April) I’ll Catch You by Farrah Rochon I’ll Catch You by Farrah RochonFarrah will be in attendance. We will be choosing or May read soon, so hurry up and join.
Authors 4 Trayvon
On Feb. 26, 2012, Trayvon Martin’s life was cut short when he was shot as he walked to a family member’s home from a convenience store where he had purchased some candy. The price of candy for this seventeen-year-old child was his life. April 1-7, 2012, authors participating in Authors 4 Trayvon will donate 17% of their book sells to the Martin family. Several of our RSJ Family Authors are participating. Many have wanted to show support for the Martin family. This is a way.
Show Your Support for Trayvon Martin’s family. Buy a great book by a fantastic author! http://www.authors4trayvon.com/?page_id=11 #Authors4Trayvon
Please spread the word.
Final Words
Next up we have the Host Check-In and a piece by Monique Lamont.
See you next week. Yikes. Next week. I can hardly wait!
Dee
Host Check-In
2012 Romance Slam Jam “Romance in The Rock” is almost here. I’ve received several questions and thought I would share some information with everyone.
FAQ
What do I wear during the conference?
Slam Jam is a casual conference. You can dress casual and business casual. The Emma Awards banquet is the only night we ask that you dress up – semiformal, special occasion or dressy attire. Friday night during the Karaoke Contest and Party Night we are asking you to come dressed as your favorite music artist or group – old school or new school; however, dressing up is optional.
What is the weather suppose to be like during the conference?
I can tell you about the weather today. It’s beautiful. Now the weather during the week of April 11th? No clue. LOL. I always use weather.com when traveling. That’s the best answer I have for that question.
What meals are included during the conference?
We will serve food at all the events – Mix and Mingle Reception, Keynote Luncheon, Karaoke Contest and Party Night, and Emma Awards banquet. Lunch is on your own on Thursday and Saturday. Breakfast is on your own during the conference.
How I get to the hotel from the airport, from the train station, bus station or car.
Here is a great link that answers most of those questions: http://bit.ly/H6xN4f
- To get the shuttle from the airport, find the customer service desk and call for the shuttle.
- The complimentary shuttle will pick you up if you are arriving by train or bus but you will need to have the hotel phone number with you: 501-372-4371
Is internet available at the hotel?
Yes, FREE High Speed Internet access is available at the hotel. Click here for other services and amenities: http://www.doubletreelr.com/services.php
Does the hotel have parking fees?
Remember FREE parking is available to those booked at Double Tree Hilton with the Romance Slam Jam group. If you are staying at another hotel or booked under another method, you will be responsible for parking fees.
Registration Information
Registration packets are filed under the actual name you provided on registration form – not your badge name.
Hint for those with hyphenated names. If your name is Claritta Stinson Jones you are filed under Stinson Jones, Claritta.
If you didn’t pre-register for an Intimate Conversation or you want to attend an extra sessions, remaining tickets will be available at the registration table.
See you soon for 2012 RSJ “Romance in The Rock”
Claritta Stinson, Host Book Club Chair
April 11-15, 2012 Little Rock, Arkansas
What I Love About Romance Slam Jam – Monique Lamont
What I love about Romance Slam Jam
I am too excited about attending Romance Slam Jam (RSJ) 2012. I have been checking my calendar and recounting the days until April 11th. Why is attending RSJ so important to me? Well, I’ve been going so many years I’ve lost count. Maybe you’ve never been to the only African-American romance conference. It’s an event where readers and writers who love the varying styles of traditional AA romance: Contemporary, Inspirational, Suspense, Paranormal and many more.
How can I describe the atmosphere at RSJ? Hmm, it’s a relaxed time where authors and readers can let their hair down and have a good time. Now, don’t get me wrong, it is not an event where a lot of buffoonery happens. Quite the contrary. However, we have tons of fun. As a reader you can easily find yourself sitting at a table with someone as iconic as Beverly Jenkins or in an intimate readers session with a small group chatting it up with Wayne Jordan. Let’s not forget you can be steppin’ it up on the dance floor beside Ann Clay or readers like Priscilla Johnson. I guess the best way to put it into words is to say that being at RSJ is like going home.
The people who attend, new and seasoned, become like family. From the first moment you get a hug from an author you have been reading for years or hanging out with in their yahoo group to taking a picture with a friend you’ve gotten to know on Facebook. It’s all there with food. Now, tell me that’s not a reunion at home.
So, what is new this year for Monique Lamont? Well, I’ve been writing, writing, writing. Trying to get “Evidence of Desire”, the third book in the Hero series, completed and hopefully out late Fall. I’ve also revamped an oldie but goody, “Double Take”. It’s still the original story that maybe 40 people own a copy of from when it was at a very small press house in early 2,000 and something. However, I’ve punched it up, brought it more up to date in style and added a sneak peak at book two of the Double Impact series. Yes, I heard you RSJ readers; there will be a second book. Even better, there are four books in the series. Now, how do you like them apples?
The most exciting news of all, I’m having a RSJ exclusive contest. That’s right, if you are attending Romance Slam Jam? Then ask me how you can win a Kindle Fire while you are Romancing the Rock.
I’ll tell you. Come and see me at the book signing with your print copy of “Double Take” in hand (old or new version) and I will give you a raffle ticket. Yes, I will also have copies of the book at the signing. After the Emma Awards on Saturday night and before the dance floor fills up, I will draw the winning ticket and someone will go home with a new Fire in their hands. That’s right.
Well, I am looking forward to meeting new people and seeing friends. See you in the ROCK!
~Monique
Romancing you one page at a time.
The Emma Awards Need YOU
The Emma Judges will be sending in the score sheets for the majority of the Emma categories, but we need you to help pick the Best Cover, Debut Author and Author of the year. If you have attended any Slam Jam since 2008 and/or are registered for the 2012 Slam Jam, please take a minute to fill out the Emma Awards Ballot.
THANKS
Dee
Romance Slam Jam News March 2012
Can you believe the Slam Jam is next month! I haven’t been this excited since… Okay, since last year about this time. The Romance Slam Jam is one of the few reading and writing events I attend that truly energizes me and I forward to seeing you all again. Our hosts Laura Parker Castoro and the Sistahs of Color Reading Group have outdone themselves.
We have now entered into the Late Registration period for the conference. Please get your fees and form in as soon as possible to ensure our hosts have the correct count for events. If you plan on staying at the conference hotel and haven’t booked your room, ummmm, book it.
Conference Fees:
Late Registration (March 1 – 31, 2012)
Individual: $300
Group Member: $275
After March 31, onsite registration is available
RSJ Aspiring Author Contest
Please help spread the word. Each year aspiring fiction authors take a step closer to having their dreams come true by entering the Romance Slam Jam Aspiring Author Contest. Previous Aspiring Author Contest Winners
Note: Registration for the 2012 contest is now open.
Genres: Black Romance and Women’s Fiction
Eligibility: If you have not had a full-length novel published by a traditional publisher, you are eligible for this contest. Therefore, if your publishing credits are, short stories, novellas, eBooks, poetry, nonfiction and or you are self-published, you are eligible. RSJ Aspiring Author Registration Form
Prizes:
- Editor Selena James (Kensington Books) considers full submission for publication.
- Editor Evette Porter will critique the synopsis and first 50 pages of the manuscript
- Editor Kelli Martin will critique the synopsis and first 50 pages of the manuscript
The first place winner chooses which prize she/he wants. The second place winner chooses from the two fantastic opportunities left. The third place winner will receive the remaining prize.
Black Romance and Women’s Fiction Book Club
Last month Victoria Christopher Murray and ReShonda Tate Billingsley joined us to discuss their title Sinners & Saints. As always, we had a BLAST. Our March 31 discussion will be Football Widows by Pat Tucker. She’ll be joining us. Get your copy today and come talk books with us!
You don’t have to wait until the Slam Jam to celebrate Black Romance and Women’s fiction, we celebrate it 24/7/365 on Facebook and Shelfari.
Wrap Up
Need I say more? See you at the Slam Jam. Authors, please let me know about your releases, contests and such so I can post them in the RSJ News. Next up, we have our host check in and then my newest release information. Happy March.
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