This title may be a bit hyperbolic, but this Saturday I’m speaking on a panel about writing short fiction for the Washington, DC Romance Writers. I’m excited and looking forward to seeing friends in person again (it’s been years since I’ve been to an in-person WRW meeting), but I’m also kind of surprised to be doing this. You see, most of my novels (traditionally published and indie published) are really, really long. My romantic suspense books, in the Deadly Force Series, have drafts that reach 140,000 words and end up being published with around 120,000 words. For a long time, it never occurred to me that I could write shorter stories.

But then the pandemic happened, bookstores closed down, and the publishing world made another momentous shift. And, honestly, I was sad about that (the pandemic as well, but that’s another conversation). Then one day Christine, a good friend of mine who is also a published author, suggested I join an anthology with other authors. Mostly for the socialization, but also because it would force me to learn how to write and market shorter fiction. So before I talked myself out of it, I said yes. Suddenly, I was writing stories between 8,000 and 55,000 words. I met tons of new author friends, found new readers, and my world expanded again. I am still so grateful to Christine for reaching out and helping me through those dark moments of 2020.

Since then, I’ve written over 20 novellas and short stories, most of them published in anthologies before I published them on my own. But I have to admit it wasn’t easy. It took me nine months of studying and writing and editing before I had a novella I was proud of.

One October Night, which debuted in the Mister October Anthology, is that story. Writing this first book in the Kingsmill Courtships Series pulled me out of my funk and helped me find the joy in writing again.

I not only learned how to write short, but I also learned so much about marketing, writing blurbs, finding designers to help me with covers, making videos, running ads and Bookfunnel promos–you name the marketing/promo skill, and I learned it.

Then my agent reached out to me about the next project to work on, and I told her I was writing a category novel for Harlequin. (It’s one of my life-long dreams to write for Harlequin!). Since I’d spent so much time writing novellas and category-length books, I was confident I could do this. (I am currently on submission!)

But I didn’t want to take this trip into short fiction alone, so I brought some of my best writing friends with me. They’ve also published shorter works in anthologies and on their own, and some are actively querying their longer books.

So that brings me back to this Saturday’s talk. I’m one of a number of speakers/panelists discussing the ins and outs of writing short fiction. The fun and the pitfalls and everything in between. I’ve even begun a resource document called Writing Short: A Resource List which you can find at the link. It’s also located in the menu on the homepage under Grace Notes. And if you have any resources you’d like to add, you can always email me on the contact page. I hope to see you there!

All the DEETs for the Washington Romance Writers Meeting on Saturday, February 1, 2025

The Ins and Outs of Writing Short Fiction

Saturday, February 1 2025 at the Connie Morella Library, Bethesda MD

7400 Arlington Road, Bethesda, MD 20814 (Parking is free on the weekends)

1:00 – 1:30 – come early and mingle with your writing peers!
1:30 – 4:00 – panel discussion

This workshop offers the tools and inspiration to write short fiction that makes a big impact. We’ll dive into the opportunities and benefits of writing short fiction, from bonus content for existing fans to anthologies that can introduce you to new readers and more. And you’ll learn how to scale down conflict, adjust stakes, and lean into tropes to create compelling stories that resonate with readers—all while navigating the unique challenges of limited word counts. Whether you’re looking to expand your portfolio, experiment with new ideas, or connect with audiences, this session has something for every romance writer.

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