April 19, 2026: Develop Romance Characters and Conflict Using the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator (MBTI)®

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Our April 2026 monthly meeting will start at 1:00 pm with a workshop titled “Develop Romance Characters and Conflict Using Myers-Briggs® Personality Type,” presented by NERW’s own Bliss Bennet (aka Jackie Horne), followed by our general business and social meeting. Not a NERW member but want to attend the workshop? Join NERW now and receive access to our monthly workshops, private email forum, and Facebook group!   

Workshop Description: Having trouble writing believable romance characters? Try using the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator (MBTI)® to transform your characters from cardboard cut-outs to people so realistic, they jump off the page.

This workshop will include:

  • A brief overview of the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator (MBTI)®, with some examples from both romance novels and real life
  • How to use MBTI to develop rounded, complex characters, or to analyze characters you’ve already created
  • How to use MBTI to think about character arcs
  • How to use MBTI to develop character-driven conflict between your characters
  • How to use MBTI to create romance arcs

Bio: Award-winning historical romance author Bliss Bennet writes smart, edgy novels for readers who love history as much as they love romance. Despite being born and bred in New England, Bliss has always been fascinated by the history of that country across the pond, particularly the politically volatile period known as the English Regency. Though she’s visited Britain several times, Bliss continues to make her home in New England along with her spouse and an ever-multiplying collection of historical reference books.

Bliss’s Regency-set historical romances have been praised as “savvy, sensual, and engrossing” by USA Today, “catnip for the Historical Romance reader” by Bookworlder, “romantic, funny, touching, and extremely well-researched” by All About Romance, and “everything you want in a great historical romance” by The Reading Wench. Her books have won the Holt Medallion; Hearts Through History’s Romance Through the Ages Award; InD’Tale Magazine Crowned Heart of Excellence Award; and have been named Must Read Romances by USA Today Happy Ever After and Desert Island Keepers by All About Romance. Her book Not Quite a Scandal was named a romance semifinalist in Publishers Weekly’s BookLife Prize.

January 18, 2026: Finish Lines and Final Pages: A Cozy Planning Workshop

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Our January 2026 monthly meeting will start at 1:00 P.M. with a workshop titled “Finish Lines and Final Pages: A Cozy Year-End Planning Workshop,” presented by Audrey Hughey, which will be followed by our general business and social meeting. Not a NERW member but want to attend the workshop? Join NERW now and receive access to our monthly workshops, private email forum, and Facebook group!    Workshop Description: Before you turn the page into a new year, join Audrey Hughey for a cozy, practical session designed to help you close out 2025 so you can step into 2026 with clarity and purpose. During this hands-on workshop, you’ll identify what matters most to finish the year strong, organize the admin side of your author business, and create a streamlined roadmap for 2026 that supports your writing goals while making space for the rest of your life. You’ll leave with:
  • A completed year-end admin checklist
  • Reflection prompts to capture your wins and lessons
  • A working 12-month author plan for the year ahead
  • A guided workbook to walk you through your review and planning process
Bring your favorite notebook, a warm drink, and be ready to plan with intention and joy.  
Bio: Writing became my passion from a young age, my notebooks quickly filling with adventurous high fantasy and science fiction stories. What started as fiction writing evolved to consist mostly of report writing and formal business communication during my fourteen years of active and reserve duty in the United States Army. While pursuing my Bachelor of Arts in English with a concentration in Writing, I began contributing regularly to local magazines and first saw my byline in print in July of 2015. Since attaining my B.A. in English (Writing) and completing my M.A. in Ancient and Classical history, I’ve returned to completing my many WIPs while also serving my fellow writers in the areas of planning, organization, business, social media, and mindset. In February 2017, I founded the Author Transformation Alliance, a community dedicated to uplifting and empowering authors at all stages to reach their vision of success step-by-step with a powerful network of support to guide them. With social media and the current state of the internet, authors no longer need to go it alone or guess their way through the ever-evolving landscape of modern marketing. You can often find me at the local coffee shops working on my manuscripts of varying genres. When I’m not writing or working with other authors, I love spending time with my husband and our five children–or looking for any opportunity to go horseback riding.

October 19, 2025: Beyond the Bestseller List

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Our October 2025 monthly meeting will start at 1:00 P.M. with a workshop titled “Beyond the Bestseller List,” presented by Michael Evans, which will be followed by our general business and social meeting. Not a NERW member but want to attend the workshop? Join NERW now and receive access to our monthly workshops, private email forum, and Facebook group!    Workshop Description: What if writing wasn’t just an art, but also an experiment? In Beyond the Bestseller List, Michael Evans reveals how the most successful authors today use data not to replace creativity, but to amplify it. You’ll learn how to validate your story before you write it, sell smarter, and turn casual readers into lifelong fans. From uncovering “Story Gaps” in the market to piloting your book like a YouTube creator, this talk blends storytelling, psychology, and analytics to help you build a profitable, data-powered publishing business, without losing your creative soul.
Bio: Michael is the co-founder of Creatorwood, which helps writers turn their stories into movies with AI, and Author Sidekick, a media company helping authors succeed in the future of publishin

August 18, 2025: Beyond Writing: How Authors Can Use AI to Work Smarter

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Our August 2025 monthly meeting will start at 1:00 P.M. with a workshop titled “Beyond Writing: How Authors Can Use AI to Work Smarter,” presented by Elizabeth Ann West, which will be followed by our general business and social meeting. Not a NERW member but want to attend the workshop? Join NERW now and receive access to our monthly workshops, private email forum, and Facebook group!    Workshop Description: AI isn’t just for drafting chapters—it’s a powerful tool that can help authors save time, stay organized, and connect with readers in fresh ways. In this 45-minute session, we’ll explore practical, non-intimidating ways to use AI for research, brainstorming, marketing, reader engagement, and streamlining your publishing workflow—without replacing your unique voice. Whether you’re traditionally published, indie, or somewhere in between, you’ll leave with clear examples of what’s possible (and what’s not), plus ideas you can start experimenting with right away. No tech background required—just bring your curio
Bio: Elizabeth Ann West is the CEO of Future Fiction Academy, where she helps authors harness emerging technology to work smarter and publish faster—without losing their creative spark. An indie author of 25+ novels and novellas, Elizabeth has guided over 15,000 students through workshops and programs designed to make tech approachable for authors of all backgrounds. Known for blending down-to-earth teaching with real-world experience, she bridges the gap between storytelling and the tools that make it easier.

June 22, 2025: Accurately Portraying People with Disabilities

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Our June, 2025 monthly meeting will start at 1:00 P.M. with a workshop titled “Accurately Portraying People with Disabilities,” presented by Kari Lemor, which will be followed by our general business and social meeting. Not a NERW member but want to attend the workshop? Join NERW now and receive access to our monthly workshops, private email forum, and Facebook group!    Workshop Description: Realistic representation is so important for diversity and inclusion in literature. In this workshop, writers will learn about the multitude of disabilities that are under-represented in today’s literature. They will discern which words should not be used to describe those with different abilities and words that should be used. They will determine the proper course of action when gathering information about a specific diagnosis in order to accurately portray a character with said diagnosis. They will delve into the emotional and psychological perspectives of those with disabilities as well as the technical realities and legal standpoints regarding medicine, education, and the environment.
Bio: Kari Lemor has written 30 small town romance and romantic suspense novels. She didn’t start writing until much later in life but now finds her muse won’t leave her alone. She’s won both the Golden Rose Award and the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award for several books. She hails from New England but has found a new home in beautiful St. Augustine.

April 13, 2025: Writing Distinctive Voices in First Person with Dual POV

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Our March, 2025 monthly meeting will start at 1:00 P.M. with a workshop titled “Writing Distinctive Voices in First Person with Dual POV,” presented by Penny Reid, which will be followed by our general business and social meeting. Not a NERW member but want to attend the workshop? Join NERW now and receive access to our monthly workshops, private email forum, and Facebook group!    Workshop Description:  An approach to writing distinctive dual points of view in first person. Penny will review what factors she take into consideration when developing her characters before, during, and after the preliminary draft.
Bio:  Penny Reid is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of the Winston Brothers and Knitting in the City series. Penny also manages the #OwnVoices-focused mentorship incubator / publishing imprint, Smartypants Romance.

March 16, 2025: Preventing Your Lane from Becoming Rut

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Our March, 2025 monthly meeting will start at 1:00 P.M. with a workshop titled “Preventing Your Lane from Becoming Rut,” presented by Beth Bolden, which will be followed by our general business and social meeting. Not a NERW member but want to attend the workshop? Join NERW now and receive access to our monthly workshops, private email forum, and Facebook group!    Workshop Description: Conventional advice over the last few years has been to stay in your proscribed “lane” AKA your brand when it comes to books, tone, tropes and so much more. But what happens when we can’t stay in our lane anymore? How do we widen our lane without losing readers? How can we strategically widen the lane without taking too much risk? Beth will discuss learning to comfortably and confidently move around in your lane and more.
Bio:A lifelong Oregonian, Beth Bolden recently moved to North Carolina with her supportive husband and their sweet kitten, Earl Grey. Beth still believes in Keeping Portland Weird, and intends to be just as weird in Raleigh. Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published forty-five novels and ten novellas.

February 16, 2025: Who ARE All These People? Secondary Characters in Romance

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Our February, 2025 monthly meeting will start at 1:00 P.M. with a workshop titled “Who ARE All These People? Secondary Characters in Romance,” presented by Jenifer Safrey, which will be followed by our general business and social meeting. Not a NERW member but want to attend the workshop? Join NERW now and receive access to our monthly workshops, private email forum, and Facebook group!    Workshop Description: We’re falling in love with the main characters, so why do we need secondary characters in romance? What roles do they play? What are the do’s and don’ts of secondary characters? Author Jennifer Safrey discusses how to use secondary characters in a story where the main focus is on the main characters’ relationship.
Bio: Jennifer Safrey is the author of five traditionally published romances. Her new book, After Happily Ever: An Epic Novel of Midlife Rebellion, will be a June 2025 release. She lives just south of Boston.

January 19, 2025: Branding for Authors: A Workshop to Grow Your Author Brand

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Our January, 2025 monthly meeting will start at 1:00 P.M. with a Ouworkshop titled “Branding for Authors: A Workshop to Grow Your Author Brand,” presented by Kelly Utt, which will be followed by our general business and social meeting. Not a NERW member but want to attend the workshop? Join NERW now and receive access to our monthly workshops, private email forum, and Facebook group!    Workshop Description:Learn how to create a strong, memorable brand that will resonate with readers and set you apart in the crowded author market. This workshop covers the essentials of building your author brand—from defining your mission and story to crafting a visual identity and strategic marketing plan. You’ll leave with actionable strategies to boost your visibility, build a loyal reader base, and stand out as an author. What You’ll Learn: How to define and refine your author brand Creating a consistent and professional brand identity Effective strategies for marketing your books and engaging readers How to make your brand resonate with your target audience Join us for this focused session and start building a brand that helps your books get noticed and grow your readership.
Bio: Kelly Utt is a creative strategist, author of over 25 books, and the founder of Blum Creative. With a background in psychology and interactive media, Kelly specializes in helping authors and small businesses elevate their brands through strategic storytelling, design, and marketing. Drawing from her experience as both a business consultant and novelist, she offers a unique, hands-on approach that combines creative vision with business strategy. Kelly’s passion for storytelling and brand development drives her to help clients create memorable brands that resonate and grow. She is based in Nashville, Tennessee.