Romance Novelists Gather at Washington, D.C., Convention

Posted on June 30, 2000

Romance Writers of America (RWA) brings the stars of romance fiction and thousands of dollars to fight illiteracy to Washington, D.C., this July at the 20th Annual RWA National Conference. More than 1,700 published and aspiring romance novelists, literary agents and publishing executives will meet in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, July 26 - Saturday, July 29, 2000, for the ``Life, Love and a Pursuit of a Happy Ending'' Conference. During the four-day event the group will toast the stars of the industry, raise money for literacy and offer workshops on the craft and business of writing.

Romance stars Nora Roberts, Catherine Coulter, Julie Garwood, Jayne Ann Krentz, Suzan Elizabeth Phillips and Heather Graham are a few of the published authors who will attend the Conference and hold workshops. New York Times bestselling author Mary Jo Putney and Susan Wiggs, award-winning author of more than 20 romances, will be the Conference's keynote speakers.

The annual ``Readers for Life'' Literacy Autographing on July 26 will allow Washington, D.C.-area romance fans to meet their favorite authors. The public is invited to attend the Autographing and meet hundreds of romance novelists who will sign and sell their books. All money raised from books purchased at the autographing will go to RWA's national literacy charity. Half of the donation will be given to fight Washington, D.C.'s own illiteracy battle, the other half will go to literacy campaigns elsewhere in the nation. The autographing will be from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Marriott Wardman Park.

Saturday evening, July 29, RWA will celebrate the glitz and excitement of its annual RITA and Golden Heart Awards Ceremony. Winners of this year's RITAs will be revealed during the festivities. Romance Writers of America is the world's largest romance writers' association with 8,400 writer-members. Romance novels constitute 54% of popular paperback fiction purchased in the U. S., generating $1 billion in annual sales.