Marie Force, bestselling author of 14 self-published original books—including the popular McCarthys of Gansett Island Series—as well as nine and counting traditionally published books, will provide an update on the latest tips for authors interested in self-publishing. Like all industries, self-publishing has a lingo all its own. Find out where to use Mobi files vs. ePubs, how to upload directly to Kobo and Apple, and whether your ePub is validated—and how that can make a difference. Do you need an ISBN? How about CreateSpace? What’s the deal with Smashwords? Do you need an agent? Do you still need a publisher? Can or should you do both self-publishing and traditional publishing at the same time? Is your mind boggled? So was Marie’s until she figured out the way forward. She is looking forward to sharing her know-how with NEC members.

In addition, Marie is happy to take questions on anything you’d like to know more about, including maximizing social media to sell books, when to hire an accountant, when to incorporate your business, what conferences you should (or shouldn’t attend) and how to write four series at the same time. (Wait, she’s still trying to figure out that last one!) Join Marie on November 18 to answer these and any other questions you may have.

Marie is heading into book 8 of the McCarthys of Gansett Island Series, book 6 of the Fatal Series with Harlequin, book 4 with the Treading Water Series and starting book 1 of her new Green Mountain Country Store Series with Berkley. A member of NEC since 2007, Marie lives in Rhode Island with her husband of 20 years, two teenagers and two feisty dogs.

The trick to high-concept, best-selling books is creating unique
protagonists who stand out in the crowd, on editors desks, and in
readers hearts. Join New York Times & USA Today bestselling author
Sarah MacLean as she discusses the way she develops unique characters,
the questions writers should ask before committing to a hero and
heroine, and how to keep readers coming back for unconventional,
utterly memorable characters.

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Sarah MacLean grew up
in Rhode Island, obsessed with historical romance. Her love of all
things historical helped to earn her degrees from Smith College and
Harvard University before she finally set pen to paper and wrote her
first book. Sarah now lives in New York City with her husband, their
dog, and a ridiculously large collection of romance novels.

Join us on June 24 to celebrate the past year with the outgoing board.  Bring goodies and a book you have enjoyed for a Yankee swap.  Make sure to include a note about the book and to wrap it or just put it in a brown bag so we can’t see what it is.

At the May 20 NECRWA meeting, Karenna Colcroft will discuss developing and organizing series. The presentation will include various tools used to keep series information organized, such as software, files, etc., as well as how to develop an idea into a series if your muse or your editor asks for a series when you hadn’t planned one.

Karenna Colcroft is the author of twenty-one romances ranging from stand-alone short stories to full-length novels. Her series include the M/M paranormal series Real Werewolves Don’t Eat Meat and the contemporary Remind Me series. Under the name Jo Ramsey, she has nine young adult novels published, including novels in the two series Reality Shift and The Dark Lines. She has two other romance series and two other young adult series planned.