Upcoming Events
Chicago-North Romance Writers offers a full slate of professional programming for members.
Non-members can request one complimentary guest pass to a monthly professional development program (not a critique session or special event) or they can purchase an individual ticket to a monthly professional development program for $10.
Interested in becoming a guest speaker for one of our writing programs? Please contact us to receive a link to submit your programming idea.
Lisa Rayne
“That person stole my work!” BUT…did they?
Over the last few years, you’ve probably witnessed a public battle or two between authors over works they claim have been infringed or plagiarized. Do you know whether they (or you) actually have rights to claim? What about the use of popular brands or song lyrics or movie lines in your next breakout novel? And the trademarking of common bookish phrases or the proliferation of generative AI… Really?! What can and can’t you do?
These are all questions you'll better be able to answer by the end of this talk covering the key legal aspects of copyright, trademarks, and AI usage that authors should know and understand.
Critique/Brainstorm Session
Our monthly member critique and brainstorming session. Contact Jessica M. to be added to the agenda and join us!
Critique/Brainstorm Session
Our monthly member critique and brainstorming session. Contact Jessica M. to be added to the agenda and join us!
Yorktown Write-In
Join us for a write-in at the Yorktown Mall every first Saturday morning of the month in the second floor business lounge.
Critique/Brainstorm Session
Our monthly member critique and brainstorming session. Contact Jessica M. to be added to the agenda and join us!
Chicago In-Person Writing Sprints
Bad Coffee, 1801 W Berteau Ave, Chicago, IL 60613
Join fellow CNRW members at Bad Coffee for a few in-person sprints! Bad Coffee is located on the west side of Ravenswood - entrance is in the alley between Berteau and Warner. There’s a nice big table we can grab if we’re early enough : )
Yorktown Write-In
Join us for a write-in at the Yorktown Mall every first Saturday morning of the month in the second floor business lounge.
Critique/Brainstorm Session
Our monthly member critique and brainstorming session. Contact Jessica M. to be added to the agenda and join us!
Chicago In-Person Writing Sprints
Bad Coffee, 1801 W Berteau Ave, Chicago, IL 60613
Join fellow CNRW members at Bad Coffee for a few in-person sprints! Bad Coffee is located on the west side of Ravenswood - entrance is in the alley between Berteau and Warner. There’s a nice big table we can grab if we’re early enough : )
Harness the Power of your Author Brand: Andrea Guevara
Learn the key principles of author branding and how it can help you leverage a better career at every step of the publishing process. Part information-packed presentation, part live Q&A with author brand strategist, Andrea Guevara.
Presenter Bio:
Andrea Guevara is an author branding expert, award-winning entrepreneur, and writer, who helps authors position themselves for publishing success and confidently reclaim control of their careers. Formerly the Brand Director of BinderCon, Advisory Mentor for the Queen of England’s Young Leaders Programme (UK), and a UCLA X Writers Program scholar, she brings a unique blend of brand strategy, design, psychology, and publishing industry knowledge through her signature author branding methodology, Brand Strength™.
Yorktown Write-In
Join us for a write-in at the Yorktown Mall every first Saturday morning of the month in the second floor business lounge.
Critique/Brainstorm Session
Our monthly member critique and brainstorming session. Contact Jessica M. to be added to the agenda and join us!
Chicago In-Person Writing Sprints
Bad Coffee, 1801 W Berteau Ave, Chicago, IL 60613
Join fellow CNRW members at Bad Coffee for a few in-person sprints! Bad Coffee is located on the west side of Ravenswood - entrance is in the alley between Berteau and Warner. There’s a nice big table we can grab if we’re early enough : )
Critique/Brainstorm Session
Our monthly member critique and brainstorming session. Contact Jessica M. to be added to the agenda and join us!
Yorktown Write-In
NOTE NEW DATE - Join us for a write-in at the Yorktown Mall every first Saturday morning of the month in the second floor business lounge.
Chicago In-Person Writing Sprints
Bad Coffee, 1801 W Berteau Ave, Chicago, IL 60613
Join fellow CNRW members at Bad Coffee for a few in-person sprints! Bad Coffee is located on the west side of Ravenswood - entrance is in the alley between Berteau and Warner. There’s a nice big table we can grab if we’re early enough : )
Yorktown Write-In
Join us for a write-in at the Yorktown Mall every first Saturday morning of the month in the second floor business lounge.
Chicago In-Person Writing Sprints
Bad Coffee, 1801 W Berteau Ave, Chicago, IL 60613
Join fellow CNRW members at Bad Coffee for a few in-person sprints! Bad Coffee is located on the west side of Ravenswood - entrance is in the alley between Berteau and Warner. There’s a nice big table we can grab if we’re early enough : )
Still Reading Romance: Identity and Engagement with Popular Romance Fiction - Josefine Smith and Kathleen W. Taylor Kollman
Kollman and Smith will discuss their book, the study that originated it, and its findings related to popular romance studies.
Yorktown Write-In
Join us for a write-in at the Yorktown Mall every first Saturday morning of the month in the second floor business lounge.
Chicago In-Person Writing Sprints
Bad Coffee, 1801 W Berteau Ave, Chicago, IL 60613
Join fellow CNRW members at Bad Coffee for a few in-person sprints! Bad Coffee is located on the west side of Ravenswood - entrance is in the alley between Berteau and Warner. There’s a nice big table we can grab if we’re early enough : )
Spring Fling Writers Conference
Spring Fling 2026, sponsored by Chicago-North Romance Writers, is scheduled for April 16-18. A hybrid event, it will take place at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in downtown Chicago—and online. This year’s keynote authors: USA Today bestselling author Adriana Herrera and NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Brenda Jackson!
As always, Spring Fling will feature plenty of workshops (webinars) for published and unpublished writers, keynote speeches by headliners
Yorktown Write-In
Join us for a write-in at the Yorktown Mall every first Saturday morning of the month in the second floor business lounge.
Chicago In-Person Writing Sprints
Join fellow CNRW members at Bad Coffee for a few in-person sprints! Bad Coffee is located on the west side of Ravenswood - entrance is in the alley between Berteau and Warner.
December Member Brainstorm Critique Night
Our monthly brainstorm and critique night for members, held via Zoom
Chicago In-Person Writing Sprints
Join fellow CNRW members at Bad Coffee for a few in-person sprints! Bad Coffee is located on the west side of Ravenswood - entrance is in the alley between Berteau and Warner.