Most meetings are held at the North York Central Library, Meeting Room 1 or 2/3. For location changes, please see individual listings.

JANUARY 2010 FEBRUARY 2010 MARCH 2010 APRIL 2010
MAY 2010 JUNE 2010 JULY 2010 AUGUST 2010 SEPTEMBER 2010 OCTOBER 2010
NOVEMBER 2010 DECEMBER 2010

JANUARY 9, 2010, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

ROMANCE 101 WITH EVE SILVER
Morning Session: 9 a.m. to Noon
The Perfect Pace: It's about more than getting from point "A" to point "B"
Too fast? Too slow? Pacing—the art of moving the story forward—is an element often misunderstood or overlooked by beginning writers. Do you angst over the delicate balance between action, introspection, dialogue and everything in between? In this interactive workshop you'll study pacing as a function of cause and effect, and learn methods to speed up a plodding story or slow down one that's racing breakneck to the end.
Afternoon Session: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Easy Fixes for the Top Ten Mistakes Beginning (and Not-So-Beginning) Writers Make
Do you know how to spot redundancies and repeats, slow starts and dragging middles? Is your dialogue stiff and dry, or so hip that it dates your story before it even makes it to press? Are your characters so flat they disappear when you turn them sideways? Are you stymied by the meaning of the phrase: "show—don't tell"? In this interactive, fun workshop, you'll learn how to spot common errors and apply fixes to eradicate common mistakes.

National bestselling, award-winning author EVE SILVER writes dark contemporary paranormals and historical suspense. As Eve Kenin she writes speculative romance. Her work has garnered starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Library Journal, won Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Awards, and was chosen by Library Journal among its Best Books 2007. Watch for Eve’s dark, sexy paranormal OTHERKIN trilogy, coming summer 2010. Contact Eve through her website at www.evesilver.net.

Location: North York Public Library 

FEBRUARY 13, 2010, 1 - 4 p.m.

LOVE AND TAXES: FORENSIC ACCOUNTING FOR ROMANCE WRITERS
Are you paying too much tax? Want to learn how to keep your books organized and find those hidden write-offs while staying audit-ready?
Forensic accounting is dissecting companies to make sure they are taking the proper expenses for their business. Each business is different, therefore their expenses should be, too. This workshop will show that meal and entertainment expense, which is only 50% deductable, should be a meeting, travel or promotional expense which is 100% deductable. Get advice on tax strategies and keeping as much money in your pocket as possible -- it is possible to have a business and pay no tax!
P.S.: Your grocery bills also are a % deductable if labeled properly!

ANITA VAN ZEELAND has worked in accounting for thirty-three years after studying Forensic Accounting. Forensic Accountants usually work within the government, but Anita found it much more fulfilling to work on her own to assist fellow Canadians, rather than reviewing the Prime Minister’s expense accounts. She has also been Chief Financial Officer for companies within Toronto until she decided to stop commuting and branch out on her own seven years ago.
Location: Fairview Public Library

MARCH 13, 2010, 1 - 4 p.m.

CRITIQUE SESSIONS
Note: This session is open to TRW members ONLY
Bring five pages of your manuscript to be critiqued by one of our published authors. The categories are as follows (all genres will be discussed in the same group):

• Opening Scene
• Sex Scene
• Action Scene
• Dialogue Scene
• Synopsis
• Brainstorming GMC (Goal, Motivation, and Conflict)
• Young Adult

Location: North York Public Library, Room 2 / 3

APRIL 10, 2010, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL WITH DONALD MAASS - SOLD OUT
A breakout novel is one that rises out if its category – such as literary fiction, mystery, romance, or thriller – and hits the bestseller charts. Maass explains the elements that all breakout novels share and shows readers how to use these elements to write a novel that has a good chance of succeeding in a crowded marketplace.

• Create a powerful and sweeping sense of time and place
• Develop larger-than-life characters 
• Sustain a high degree of narrative tension from start to finish 
• Weave sub-plots into the main action 
• Explore universal themes that will interest a large audience 

This intensive workshop teaches the techniques that make any story feel big. For writers who want to take their fiction to the next level, this workshop shows them how. This is an intensive, hands-on workshop for advanced fiction writers. Participants should bring a WIP and writing materials.

A literary agent in New York, DONALD MAASS’s agency sells more than 150 novels every year to major publishers in the U.S. and overseas. He is the author of The Career Novelist (1996), Writing the Breakout Novel (2001), Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook (2004) and The Fire in Fiction (2009). He is a past president of the Association of Authors’ Representatives, Inc.

THIS WORKSHOP HAD LIMITED SEATING, AND IS SOLD OUT.

PLEASE NOTE: We are only taking reservations for the standby list in case of cancellations. All registration details are on our home page.

PLEASE NOTE: Donald Maass will NOT be taking pitches during this workshop.  

Location: North York Memorial Hall, downstairs from the North York Public Library

MAY 8, 2010, 1 - 4 p.m.

HARLEQUIN EDITOR BRENDA CHIN
Join us for an afternoon with Harlequin Blaze's Senior Editor Brenda Chin who will be accompanied by editorial assistant Laura Barth for a discussion and Q&A about romance writing and publishing.

Brenda Chin has been with Harlequin for twenty-one years. During that time, she's had the opportunity to work on several of Harlequin's series, including Superromance, Romance & Presents, Temptation and even Regency Romance. Now, though, she is the Senior Editor for Blaze, and is always looking for talented new authors. In her spare time, she enjoys all sorts of outdoor adventures... including luring unsuspecting authors into joining her on kayaking expeditions. On the positive side, she hasn't lost one yet. Brenda lives near Toronto, in Ontario cottage country, with her husband and a house full of pets.

Location: North York Public Library

JUNE 12, 2010, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

SUPER POWER OPENINGS and ANALYZE THIS: SCENE SURVIVAL TEST
Morning Session: 9 a.m. to noon
Super Power Openings
Can you sell your book based on your opening alone? Agents, editors and thousands of readers are going to decide to choose your book based on your opening. Is yours ready? Bring the first 150 words of your story to test its strength.
Each Attendee Brings to Workshop: TWO copies of their opening [up to 150 words max] with only 3 initials and a zip code in the header [no full names on pages].

Afternoon Session: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Analyze This: Scene Survival Test
Submissions live or die by the strength of scenes. Are your scenes loaded with key elements or bloated with filler? Bring a scene fro m your story and come prepared to test its strength.
Each Attendee Brings to Workshop: Any scene from your manuscript to analyze [name on pages is fine]. Any length is fine since you will be working on your own page, but if you want a suggestion then choose a scene with 5-12 pages so you can easily locate the elements we will be going over.

*** Bonus - Dianna Love's World Building Template included in workbooks.

Mary Buckham is an award-winning romantic-suspense author who, before becoming published in book-length mass-market fiction was a Magazine Editor, Contributing Editor and a freelance article writer, selling hundreds of articles to local, regional, and national publications. Mary is a sought-after speaker and writing craft teacher for both online and in live presentations throughout the United States and Canada and is co-founder of www.WriterUniv.com, an online venue to learn the craft of writing. She is also the co-author of the BREAK INTO FICTION® : 11 Steps to Building a Story that Sells which was released in June 2009. For more on Mary go to www.MaryBuckham.com or www.BreakIntoFiction.com.  

NYT Best seller Dianna Love started writing suspense while working over a hundred feet in the air creating spectacular marketing projects for Fortune 500 companies. Her first book won the prestigious RITA award and second one debuted on the NYT list. She writes thrillers and urban fantasy, also co-writing a thriller series with #1 NYT best seller Sherrilyn Kenyon. Her 2009 release was Whispered Lies (Pocket) and SILENT TRUTH (Pocket) in 2010. An international speaker, Dianna teaches the highly-successful Break Into Fiction® programs across the US . For more on her visit www.AuthorDiannaLove.com and www.BreakIntoFiction.com (Break Into Fiction® book released June 2009) 

Location: North York Public Library

JULY 10, 2010, 1 - 4 p.m.

BIGGER THAN BOTOX: PRACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR WHEN YOUR BOOK NEEDS MORE THAN A FACE-LIFT

Location: North York Public Library
Sure, everyone knows how to edit a manuscript. But how do you revise one? I'm not talking mansy-pansy punching-up-your-verbs revisions. I'm talking my-book-is-flatlining-and-needs-a-heart-transplant revisions. Maybe your critique group is harping on your convoluted plot and you're getting rejections that say they just don't feel connected to your characters. These are problems your spell checker and thesaurus can't fix. It could be time for major surgery.
This workshop will unveil three levels of revisions that will take your book from an unhealthy, flabby mess, to a thing of beauty your editor will want to clutch to her chest while singing Etta James’s At Last. We'll take a look at the big issues with the heart transplants, then move onto other elements with the tummy tuck and then finally the polishing and editing in the botox.

A life-long lover of stories and adventure, it was either become a stuntwoman for the movies or live out those adventures from the safety of her PJ’s and computer. ROBYN DEHART chose the latter and couldn’t be happier for doing so. Known for her unique plotlines and authentic characters, Robyn is a favorite among readers and reviewers. Publishers' Weekly claims her writing to be "comical and sexy" while the Chicago Tribune dubs her "wonderfully entertaining." A two-time Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice award nominee, Robyn has earned 4 star and 4 ½ star top pick reviews on all her books and Kathe Robin says, "Like Amanda Quick, DeHart [will] keep you up all night." A self-proclaimed movie junkie, Robyn knows more worthless entertainment trivia than anyone has a right to – in fact she’s the reigning champion of name-that-voice-over-on-that-commercial game, which incidentally she plays alone. She lives in Central Texas with her brainy husband and two very spoiled cats. You can find her on-line at www.RobynDeHart.com or www.JauntyQuills.com.

AUGUST 14, 2010, 1 - 4 p.m.

HOW TO PLOT YOUR NOVEL TO KEEP READERS TURNING THE PAGES
Do you hate the dreaded "P" word: "plotting"? If you do, you're like many other writers. Whether you're a die-hard outliner and plotter, or you plot as you go, from the beginning to the advanced writer, this workshop is for you! It will show you that plotting isn't such a terrifying process--it can actually be fun!
This hands-on workshop will take you through the initial set-up of the story, major plot pivots, the black moment, and the resolution. When you're finished, you'll have a definite road map that will lead you from the beginning to the end, and through the rough terrain of the "sagging middle". You'll have a rock-solid plot that is appropriately paced, you'll know your story's conflicts and your characters much better, and the best part is, you'll have your whole book plotted in an afternoon!

Kayla Perrin is a multi-published and USA Today and Essence ® bestselling author with over thirty books in print after ten short years, for major publishing houses including St. Martin’s Press, HarperCollins Publishers, Kensington Books, Harlequin, Ballantine and Simon & Schuster. Kayla is published in a variety of genres, including romance, mystery/suspense and mainstream fiction. She has been featured on television shows such as Entertainment Tonight Canada, Who’s Afraid of Happy Endings (Bravo documentary about the romance genre), A.M. Buffalo, and the CTV News (among others). She has also been featured in Ebony magazine, Romantic Times magazine, The South Florida Business Journal, The Toronto Star, The Hamilton Spectator and many other Canadian and U.S. publications. She has been a guest on many radio shows (including CBC). In October 2007, she was featured in the Italian version of Vanity Fair after speaking at a women’s conference in Matera. Her works have been translated into Italian, German, Spanish and Portuguese. Please visit her website at www.kaylaperrin.com.

Location: North York Public Library

SEPTEMBER 11, 2010, 1- 4 p.m.

YOUNG AT HEART
If you've ever wanted to write a young adult romance, now's the time to start. It's one of the fastest growing subgenres and covers the same full range as adult romance, from historical to contemporary to paranormal. Yet there's a lot of misinformation about the differences in writing YA. This workshop will demystify the genre for you, whether you're starting by writing for teens or coming over from the adult side. It will also take a look at the current marketplace and give all the tips you need to help find your inner teenager, looking for love.

KELLEY ARMSTRONG is the author of the NYT #1 bestselling YA trilogy "The Darkest Powers." She also writes for adults, with the "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series, and the Nadia Stafford crime series. Her website is www.KelleyArmstrong.com. 

Location: North York Public Library

OCTOBER 16, 2010, 1 - 4 p.m.

MEET THE AUTHORS
What do you want to know about the publishing industry, but were afraid to ask? Panel members will answer your questions from a variety of perspectives - from small press to ePublishing to New York houses.

Location: North York Memorial Hall, downstairs from the North York Public Library

NOVEMBER 13, 2010, 1 - 4 p.m.

BRINGING CHARACTERS TO LIFE WITH KATE FREIMAN
Kate's workshop, "Bringing Characters to Life", will cover voice (authors' and characters') and point-of-view techniques, as well as demonstrating how to integrate character and relationship arcs to the plot structure of romance fiction.

Award-winning, national bestselling author Kate Freiman is the only remaining charter member of Toronto Romance Writers, having been at the first meeting. Kate served five terms as TRW president and/or co-president, and spearheaded the chapter name change from Romance Writers of America Ontario Chapter to Toronto Romance Writers. Back in the day, Kate founded and was the early coordinator of the Golden Opportunity Contest, and established the delicious tradition of awarding chocolates for good and not-so-good news during accolades. (Kate also revised the original TRW by-laws, which may account for her permanent squint.)

Kate earned a B.A. in English lit from University of Connecticut and a M.A. in English lit from Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut. As a grad student, Although she’s lived in Toronto for over three decades, it’s apparently not hard to discern that Kate is still a Yankee. As a two-time Golden Heart finalist, Kate’s winning GH entry, No Limit To Love, was her first sale, to Meteor Romances. Her second sale, to Silhouette Special Edition, was a GH finalist. She has also been published by Jove Books. Kate’s SSE The Bachelor and the Baby Wish (not her title!) made the USA-Today bestseller list. Kate’s stories range from romantic comedies to heart-tugging romances to romantic fantasies. Joy To The World, Kate’s novella in the Jove Christmas Anthology Star of Wonder was a finalist for the RITA award in the first year of the Best Novella category.

In her private life, Kate tends her botanical garden, fixes things that break and finds things that get lost, reads voraciously, enjoys teaching and discussing writing and story-telling. She also is the personal assistant to three cats and a dog. Her husband of 34+ years, Mark, is a lawyer, and their son, Ben, owns Bakka-Phoenix Books (697 Queen Street West), the oldest science fiction and fantasy bookstore in Canada.

Location: North York Memorial Hall, downstairs from the North York Public Library

DECEMBER 11 , 2010, 1 - 4 p.m.

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS SOCIAL : Join TRW to celebrate a wonderful year for our members, share some yummy finger foods, and exchange stories from the trenches of romance writing.

Location: North York Memorial Hall, downstairs from the North York Public Library

NORTH YORK CENTRAL LIBRARY

SUBWAY: Take the Yonge Subway to North York Centre. Follow the signs to the Civic Centre or Library or Novotel.

DRIVING: North York Civic Centre is on the west side of Yonge St., just north of Sheppard Ave. (From 401, go north at Yonge exit)

PARKING: Underground parking at the Civic Centre is $5.00 on Saturdays. Entrance is off Beecroft (1 block west of Yonge), just south of Park Home, beneath Mel Lastman Square or there is a surface lot (pricier) on the west side of Beecroft

LIBRARY WEB SITE