Who Reads Romance?
Join us this Friday, April 1st, at 12:00 noon for a panel discussion about the wonderful world of romance readers!
What: “Who Reads Romance?: Book Clubs, Book Stores, and Reader Communities”
Who: Es Davis of Golden Fig Books and La Sheera Lee of Read You Later
When: Friday, April 1, 12:00-1:00pm
Where: Zoom, pre-registration required, https://duke.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUocOmoqTguHdfwTvt7JZUOvf6LODNXIUGc
And on Friday April 8th, come celebrate with us as UNSUITABLE hosts its final event: “Feminism & Romance (Revisited)” with authors Alexis Daria, Sonali Dev, and Maya Rodale! Pre-register here: https://duke.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwldOurqDkuGNcAW7CVJZP21qIWVvcp5JcS
UNSUITABLE Wraps Up in 3 Exciting Events
Beginning this week, UNSUITABLE wraps up eight fabulous seasons of conversations about the romance fiction industry with three fantastic events. Join us on Friday, March 18th to learn about the “Hidden Histories” that acclaimed author Vanessa Riley weaves into her romance novels. On April 1st, Es Davis of Golden Fig Books and La Sheera Lee of Read You Later will share stories about their experiences supporting romance readers. Finally, on April 8th, join us for UNSUITABLE’s grand finale, with a reprise of our first0ever event, “Feminism and Romance,” in conversation with authors Alexis Daria, Sonali Dev, and Maya Rodale. All are welcome!
UNSUITABLE’s 2022 Season Begins Friday 1/21!
UNSUITABLE returns on Friday, January 21st, with a wonderful new season, beginning with author Deborah Fletcher Mello who will talk with us about What Characterizes a Romance Novel? Negotiating Industry Norms and Expectations.
All are welcome! Preregister here. UNSUITABLE events are free and open to the public.
Find the complete season’s schedule and preregistration links to each event here: https://sites.duke.edu/unsuitable/events/
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT – Wednesday, March 24 at noon!
Join us on Wednesday, March 24th at noon EST for a creative writing chat with bestselling and award-winning historical romance author Caroline Linden as she shares her wisdom about creating heroes and heroines who leap off the page. Pre-registration is required: https://fsp.duke.edu/events/unsuitable-34-caroline-linden/ All are welcome!
Save the Date: March 22
On March 22 at 7pm EST, in a special evening event UNSUITABLE will welcome bestselling author Tracy Deonn for “Re-mixing a Legend: Young Adult Fantasy Fiction, Arthurian Legend, and Southern Black Girl Magic.” In 2020, Deonn’s novel Legendborn was an instant bestseller. A North Carolina native and UNC graduate, Deonn set this brilliant and utterly unique story on the campus of UNC Chapel Hill. On March 22, she will talk about researching and writing Legendborn, and what it means to re-imagine a medieval legend to speak so powerfully to our present moment.
This event is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required: https://duke.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcqcuyoqTIjHdW5wS_vjbUy54gGWEFMc0oN
It Starts Now!
Welcome! UNSUITABLE’s seventh year of conversations about women, history and popular fiction begins on Friday, February 19th, with author Robin Covington. Register now for…
RESISTANCE ROMANCE
A Conversation with Robin Covington
Join us via Zoom on Friday, February 19, at noon EST for a conversation with bestselling author Robin Covington about writing fiction that celebrates how, even after the roughest night, dawn promises new beginnings.
A USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller and biracial Native American author of color, Robin Covington proudly writes diverse romance. Robin’s books have won the National Reader’s Choice and Golden Leaf Awards and finaled in the Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice, HOLT Medallion, and the Book Seller’s Best.
Free and open to the public. ***Pre-registration required.***
Zoom registration link: https://duke.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0qdu2hqTMpE9P76_gu3xvSQvXBTAYqZPn6
Support comes from the Carolyn C. and William M. McClatchey endowment to Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies at Duke University.
Save the dates:
March 12th Writing Closed-Door Romance with award-winning author Piper Huguley
March 22nd Re-mixing a Legend: Young Adult Fantasy Fiction, Arthurian Legend, and Southern Black Girl Magic with bestselling author Tracy Deonn
March 24th Made for Each Other? Developing Romance Protagonists with bestselling author Caroline Linden
March 31st What Makes a Great Romance Novel? with editor John R. Jacobson
April 14th Diversity in Romance Publishing: An Insider’s Perspective with literary agent and editor Latoya Smith
Find Zoom registration links to each of the 2021 season’s events on the Public Events page.
Schedule for Spring 2021
Join us this semester on Zoom as we celebrate diversity in romance fiction with special guests:
February 19, “Resistance Romance” with Robin Covington, USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance.
March 12, “Writing Closed-Door Romance” with Piper Huguley, award-winning author of historical fiction featuring African American characters.
March 24, “Made For Each Other?: Developing Romance Protagonists” with Caroline Linden, award-winning and USA Today bestselling author of historical romance.
March 31, “What Makes a Great Romance Novel?” with John R. Jacobson, freelance editor for Carina Press.
April 14, “Diversity in Romance Publishing: An Insider’s Perspective” with Latoya Smith, award-winning editor and literary agent of LCS Literary Services.
All events are open to the public by pre-registration only. Contact Katharine.Dubois@duke.edu.
Schedule Update for UNSUITABLE Events this Spring
Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we have had to cancel or make private the remaining events in the Spring 2020 UNSUITABLE series. Please join us in person in Spring 2021 for the continuation of our public speakers series. Until then, we hope you stay safe and well.
Cancelled: Pride and Prejudice Redux on March 16
Please note that the UNSUITABLE event “Pride and Prejudice Redux” featuring Uzma Jalaluddin and Eileen Chow, originally scheduled for March 16, has been cancelled due to Duke University’s extended spring break.
The April 1 and April 13 events have not yet been cancelled or changed. Please consult the schedule closer to those dates.
We look forward to hopefully seeing you soon!
Spring 2020 UNSUITABLE Event Schedule
The 2020 UNSUITABLE Series speakers have been announced! Join us this spring for exciting, informative and fun conversations with:
February 5th – Kimberly Whalen, president of The Whalen Agency
March 16 – Uzma Jalaluddin, author of Ayesha at Last
April 1 – Deborah Fletcher Mello, author of Reunited by the Badge
April 13 – Heather Demetrios, author of Little Universes
All events are 12-1pm and take place in the MicroWorlds Lab in 101 Classroom Building on Duke’s East Campus in Durham, NC. Seating is limited.
