With Slam Jam 2009 just around the corner, readers are already registering. The first large group to reserve their places is the Interracial/ Multicultural Romance Readers (IMRR) and their sister group of aspiring writers in Romance in Creative Hues (RICH).

This readers group is one of the largest online readers group in the United States. In the last few years, an interesting trend has surfaced in the romance industry – interracial romances are HOT! HOT! HOT Sellers. Readers can’t seem to get enough. The books cross all sub-genres of romance and have fired the imaginations of new writers and established romance writers. The IMRR/RICH readers group is dedicated to seeking out and supporting these multi-faceted, multicultural stories.

Slam Jam will be presenting a special workshop for readers, writers and reviewers of IR books. Some of the writers speaking will be best-selling authors Bridget Midway, the talented Lean Matthews, and the incomparable Eve Vaughn. Not only will we be discussing the trends in IR Romance, but what readers want to see. Joining the group will be several editors and readers, along with reviewers to dissect this growing sub-genre of romance.

Jackie Hamilton

Intimate Session Authors

 

Last year's Intimate Sessions were a smashing success. Such a success that the 2009 RSJ team has decided to bring them back!

 

Ten select readers will meet with the author of the hour. The readers are selected on a first come first serve basis, so register for the conference early so you can choose whose intimate session you will attend. If you have already sent in your registration form, be sure to contact Jackie Hamilton at cupidclub@yahoo.com and let her know your selection.

 

Intimate Session Authors: Alice Wootson, AlTonya Washington, Carmen Green, Donna Hill, Francis Ray, Gwynne Forster, Kayla Perrin, L.A. Banks, Marilyn Tyner, Seressia Glass

My name is Andrea Jackson. I call myself the Paperback Diva because I love reading as well as writing genre paperback fiction.

The Slam Jam conference is very special to me, since it launched my career as a writer.

From the third grade on, I had a book in my hands. When I reached my teen years, I began to venture into creating stories for my friends. I continued to write off and on through many years of work, marriage and family. But I did not seriously think of it as a career until, in 1992, I entered Writer's Digest monthly contest and won. That made me believe I might actually be a real writer. I joined Romance Writers of America and learned about the business and craft of writing. Continue Reading...

Have you been keeping a list of Black romance titles you’ve read this year! In a few short months, it will be time to make your Emma Nominations. For those of you who don’t know, the Emma Awards is the premier awards event for readers and authors of Black romance. 

This year you may make nominations if you attended last year’s Romance Slam Jam Conference and/or are registered for this year’s conference. Eligible books are Black romances published from January 2008 – October 2008. I’ll be asking you to send in your nominations the month of November.

We are seeking judges for the contest. If you attended last year’s conference and/or are registered for this years conference, you are eligible to be a judge. You’ll just need to commit to reading the category novels (4-5 novels) in 30 days, to judge fairly and fill out the judge sheet for each novel.

If you are interested in being a judge, please send an email to emmas@romanceslamjam.org with the name you registered for the conference under last year or this year if you have already registered.