FRW and Royal Caribbean have teamed up for an onboard Book signing. There will be a potential audience of over three and a half thousand cruisers, so do not miss out.

To learn more about the Book signing email FRWFunintheSun@yahoo.com for enrollment details. Deadline to participate is November 20th, 2016.

We Don’t Need No Stinking Muse with Elizabeth Hoyt

Writers supposedly need a muse to create--- but what if that muse lies down on the job and refuses to get back up? In this workshop, we’ll discuss how a professional writer sits her butt in the chair and gets the manuscript written---muse or no muse.

Story Mastery with Michael Hauge

During this two-part seminar, Hollywood script and story consultant Michael Hauge, best-selling author of Writing Screenplays That Sell and Selling Your Story in 60 Seconds: The Guaranteed Way to Get Your Screenplay or Novel Read, will reveal how great love stories go beyond their explorations of love and passion to reveal character arcs, inner transformation and universal themes. By examining both the Inner and Outer Journeys for your heroine and hero, you will add power to your story structure, depth to your characters, credibility to their relationships and commercial potential to your fiction.

*This workshop is 4 hours broken into 2 hour sessions.

Floridian Idol

Back by popular demand......Floridian Idol

Anonymously submit the first two pages of your manuscript (not contracted) at registration and our dynamic volunteers will read the pages aloud to the group. The Agents and Editors will offer their valuable feedback on each submission. Be aware this is not for the faint of heart, we occasionally get some Simon Cowell type comments.

Write In with FRW Writers

Have a case of the been there, done that? Instead of traipsing into Cozumel, put your creative juices to work at our write in. The hardest part of writing is finding the time to sit your butt in a chair and write the novel which is what makes Nanowrimo so popular each year. Bring your computer, notepad or whatever you use and see how much you can you write in an hour or two. Feed off the creative juices of other and the vibe that a group of writers brings, not to mention the prizes we will be handing out.

Editors and Agents Appointments

Sign up at registration on Thursday to have some valued one-on-one time with our Agents & Editors.

Super Fans - The Secrets to Selling More Books with Penny C. Sansevieri

At the end of the day, for all of the marketing we do, for all of the Tweeting, Facebook-ing, and blogging we really just want to know if it’s paying off. Does any of this sell books?

How to Sell Books by the Truckload on Amazon with Penny C. Sansevieri

Amazon is a great place to sell books, but most authors don’t realize that Amazon has an internal sales machine that will actually help you market your book, for free, if you trigger it? It’s called their internal algorithm and, not that dissimilar from ranking on Google, once Amazon’s algorithm kicks in, you could see a boatload of free promotion come your way from Amazon.

Rogues, Villains, and Damsels in Distress Why We Love Historicals with Elizabeth Hoyt, Jade Lee, Tracey Lyons, and Alyssa Maxwell

From Billionaires to Cowboys, and the Everyday Man…What is the Contemporary Reader searching for? Heather Graham, Demi Alex, Sarah Anderson, Susan Carlisle, Jean Gordon, and Erin McCarthy

How, When, and Why-nots of Self Publishing with Deb Ann Davis, Traci Hall, Christopher Hawke, Cheyenne Kopf, Abigail Owens, and Kristen Wallace.

You Can't Just Throw In A Vampire: Creating Paranormal Novels Your Readers Will Love with Alyssa Day

Creating believable paranormal worlds and characters that readers love and want to keep coming back to takes a lot more than just tossing a supernatural creature into your romance novel.  Learn secrets to creating wonderful characters, dialogue, setting, and worlds that invite your readers into your story with New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Alyssa Day.

Redeeming the Antagonist with Nancy Brophy

When your antagonists states, "I am the mistress of all evil." Can she/he be redeemed to become the hero/heroine in the next book? The answer is yes. This workshop will show how to use POV, motivation, back story, and character development to create a sympathetic, yet believable character through either a second chance or a retelling of the same story from a fresh perspective.

When Your Dog Eats Your Manuscript, or Working Through Life’s Disasters with Susan Carlisle

Meeting that deadline, pulling that promotional project together or getting those business bills paid aren’t always easy but when life gets in the way it can be almost impossible. When there are tail wagging good days you have to be as productive as possible to counteract for the Howling at the Moon bad days and the In the Dog House horrible days. This workshop will share how to deal with the days that come when it seems noting will get done and what to do if you know you can’t meet that deadline. This is a serious subject handled in a fun way by someone who knows what it is to write while a child is ill or do revisions while sitting on the side of her hospital bed. It is all about being productive when it seems beyond challenging to do so.

Writing is Revising with Nancy J. Cohen

How do you turn a lump of coal into a diamond? In this workshop, you’ll learn how to hone your manuscript into a gem of a read. Common beginner mistakes will be addressed, such as head hopping, flashbacks, and misused character tags. Then over 30 tips on self-editing will be offered to steer you on the correct path. Tools to aid your job will also be mentioned. It takes more than a single line edit to make your work shine, whether for a submission or for indie publishing. Revising your story through several drafts takes meticulous attention to detail, intense read-throughs, and a sharp eye for repetitions. You’ll want your book to be as perfect as possible for readers.

“Wiggle Writer” Coffee Chat with Deborah Ann Davis

Address the insidious “Sitting Sickness” by becoming a “Wiggle Writer." Did you know the Surgeon General recommends 30 minutes of exercise five times a week? However, even if you carve out the time to go to the gym faithfully, if you spend the day behind the computer (and let's face it, most of us do), your health is compromised regardless. In my workshop, I propose a way to painlessly incorporate movement into a sedentary day that could change the health of our industry. Be prepared to do a little wiggling and a lot of laughing. What better way to have Fun in the Sun?

Practice your Pitch with Jade Lee and Cindy Dees

You’re on the hot seat as you pitch your story to Jade Lee, USA Today bestselling author of over 50 books, then work with her as she tears your story down to the bare bones before you build it back up. Once that’s done, walk across the room and practice it again with New York Times bestseller Cindy Dees. By the time you walk out, you’ll be able to pitch with ease, write with clarity, and best of all, love the story you’re writing from beginning to end!

How to Become a Branding Badass with Rhonda Stapleton and Erin McCarthy

We've all heard the term, we all think we know what it means for our careers, but how do we actually brand ourselves in a practical way? In an interactive workshop walk out with a preliminary branding concept just for you and your books.

Reinventing yourself with Marcia King-Gamble and Sandra Madden

Be prepared to participate in this fun and exciting workshop presented by published authors, Marcia King-Gamble and Sandra Madden. This workshop will enable you to answer a variety of questions and make new writing career decisions.

Creating a new you – at least on paper. Let's discuss solid reasons for reinvention.

Does reinvention reflect a change in your career goals?  Or is your career flagging?  Has your publisher dropped you or did they go out of business? Are poor previous sales records hindering you?  Do you need a kick-start after taking a considerable hiatus from writing?  Should this different genre include a new identity for you? What will taking a pseudonym mean?

Sandra and Marcia will offer pros and cons from their own unique experiences. But there's more. Much more.

Bringing the H.E.A.T. with Tanya Michaels

Romance novels run the gamut of sweet stories without love scenes to erotic tales with very explicit sex. Tanya--who has written books with no sex, hot Blazes, and erotic novellas--will discuss a wide range, but whether a subgenre is G-rated or X, we want to give readers swoon-worthy chemistry between the characters. (It's been 200 years since Jane Austen wrote Pride & Prejudice, and readers still sigh over Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy.) One way to make chemistry palpable is through H.E.A.T.--Heightened Emotion, Awareness & Tension. These can be the building blocks for memorable intimacy, whether the characters consummate their relationship physically or not. Examples will be given from a wide variety of novels, TV shows, and films.

Analyzing the Romance Plot with Priscilla Oliveras

The romance plot is far more than a simple: boy meets girl, boy gets girl, they live Happily Ever After. Let’s face it, a plot like that makes for a dull story, the opposite of the Keeper Shelf novel we aspire to write. Using classic romance principles and the classic romance comedy “You’ve Got Mail,” attendees will see how the eight essential elements can be woven together to create a Keeper Shelf novel that keeps them clamoring for more.

The Makings of an Effective Critique Group with Kristen Wallace, Victoria Pinder, and Rossie Cortes

Getting feedback on your work is one of the hardest things you can do as a writer, but the right critique group can take you from Slush pile to Greatness. Whether you are currently searching for a group, had a past unfavorable experience, or are wondering if critique group is even for you, this workshop will guide you along the ins and outs of what a great critique group looks like and how to build one.

Blogging For Fun and Books with Jamie K. Schmidt 

Ever wanted to receive free books?  USA Today bestselling author Jamie K. Schmidt will show you how to set yourself up as a review blogger so you can receive brand new books -- even before they are published -- sent directly to you by either the author or the publisher.  You can choose the genre and blog or review as little or as much as you like.  In class we'll go over Goodreads, Netgalley, and other popular places to request review copies of books.  We'll also go over setting up a WordPress website to blog on and write some blog posts.  There will be a discussion on how to get more people to see your blog and affiliate advertising to make you some extra cash on the side.

Show Me the Funny with Elisabeth Staab

Humor is a funny thing. It can bring a dry story to life, make a villain actually sort of likeable, and even turn the pain of an emotional story or a taboo topic into something a little easier to bear. Let’s talk about the different ways to have fun with your characters, and how you can put more humor into your writing, no matter your genre.