The Gathering is an opportunity to share the story you wrote for The Spark #9. Thank you all for your patience. We are one day late!
Give us a brief teaser (one sentence) and then add the link in this discussion thread. Be sure to stop by throughout the day and engage with your fellow adventurers. The Lunar Awards is a place to discover and to be discovered. We want to connect you with the community. If you’ve already posted your story in the original prompt discussion thread, that’s okay! You can post it in both places, so it gets optimal readership.
Many of you stretched your creative muscles with this prompt, and amid the busyness of life, you managed to get words written. We gather to share today, but the discussion thread will remain open should you decide to try your hand at the prompts in the future. Come back and add a link to your story. Even if the fire grows cold, we still maintain our burning desire to read good speculative fiction.
Romantasy: Breaking into Publishing’s Bestselling Genre
The Lunar Awards invites you to participate in this Reedsy Conference on writing Romantasy. Our members can use code REEDSYROMANTASY for $10 off their ticket. If you’re interested, check out the conference overview and event schedule below:
📚 Overview
Romantasy has taken the book market by storm, and it shows no signs of slowing down. From fire-breathing dragons to enchanted academia — and of course, from enemies to lovers — there’s so much to love about this genre.
In this one-day conference, we’re joined by some of the biggest names in publishing to talk about major trends in romantasy and what makes it so addictive. They’ll also cover how you can craft a romantasy story that even the genre’s most diehard fans will adore.
Bestselling authors Jennifer L. Armentrout (From Ash and Blood), Cara Clare (The Phoenix Prophecy), and Alyssa Day (The Nobody Chronicles) will share insider knowledge about writing and publishing these worldwide sensations. You’ll also get practical tips from seasoned romantasy editors on crafting characters and storylines that will keep readers invested one book after another — and possibly even propel you to the bestseller list.
🎓 What You’ll Learn
Common romantasy tropes and how to make them feel fresh
Ways to build romantic tension between your hero and heroine
Techniques for balancing fantasy and romance elements
How to sustain reader interest throughout a series
🎟️ What’s Included
Our jam-packed schedule includes a panel discussion and live Q&A with bestselling romantasy authors, as well as three masterclasses with seasoned romantasy editors. You’ll also get post-event guidance on working with a professional book coach or editor to bring your story to life, and a $25 credit towards a collaboration on the Reedsy Marketplace.
11 am - 11:45 am EDT / Breaking Into the Romantasy Market with Jennifer L. Armentrout, Cara Clare & Alyssa Day
To kick off the day, we’re joined by three NYT bestselling authors who will talk to editor Rebecca Heyman of Entangled Publishing about writing and publishing novels that have captured readers’ hearts. From their writing routines and favourite tropes to the latest trends, they will share insightful advice from their prolific careers. There will also be an opportunity for you to ask your own questions during a live Q&A.
12 pm - 12:45 pm EDT / Crafting Your Hero and Heroine
Your novel’s characters are key to keeping readers rooted in your story and invested in the outcome from page one. In this session, romance and fantasy editor Sara Oestreich will show you how to craft your central couple, from developing individual backstories and motivations to plotting their journey towards happily ever after — or not, this is romantasy after all! You’ll also learn how to draw on well-known tropes and infuse your story with conflict to keep tension high and the plot moving.
1:15 pm - 2 pm EDT / From Scratch: Worldbuilding Without Info Dumping
Romantasy readers want to be transported to another world. But how do you create a new realm without overloading the reader or taking the focus away from the story? In this session, editor and author V. Ruiz will discuss how to infuse culture, history, and rules into the world without slowing the pacing or relying on the dreaded “infodump.” Whether your world is similar to ours or spans multiple realms, dimensions, or planets, you’ll learn to identify the best opportunities for worldbuilding within your manuscript.
2:15 pm - 3 pm EDT / Writing Spice: A Recipe for Success
Spice isn’t just about titillating taste buds — good spice serves a purpose in your story, and lingers with the reader long after their last bite. In this session, editor Molli Jackson Ehlert will show you how to purposefully weave sex into your story in ways that strengthen both plot and character. You’ll learn how to season your books with the right amount of spice and cook up sex scenes that sell.
Use code REEDSYROMANTASY for $10 off your ticket!
