AWAI's Romance Board of Advisors
Meet the writers, editor, and relationship specialist making up your romance team.
This versatile group of publishing industry professionals brings the Writing for Love & Money program a wealth of experience.
Introducing the Romance Board of Advisors:
Sandra Madden, an ex-radio talk show personality, has over 14 books to her credit. She writes lighthearted romances for Kensington/Leisure/Dorchester. She is an active member of Romance Writers of America, Novelists Inc., Florida Romance Writers, and the Authors Guild. Sandra has a passion for helping other authors discover the magic of being a published romance writer. http://www.sandramadden.com
Sandra Kitt, a highly regarded romance writer and talented graphic artist, has over 30 titles to her credit. For years Sandra headed up the media effort at the Hayden Planetarium in New York. She has written for Harlequin, Signet, BET, Kensington, NAL… and more. She brings all that experience and expertise to AWAI to help our students succeed in record time. http://www.sandrakitt.com
Carol Stephenson is an attorney by day, Silhouette author by night. She catapulted her career by winning several prestigious awards - The Maggie, The Emily, and the 2002 Reader's Choice Award - for her book Nora's Pride. She's well on her way to the big-time, and has just released her first legal thriller, Courting Danger for the Harlequin Bombshell line. She also brings her legal expertise to bear as the Bylaws Chairperson for the Romance Writers of America. http://www.carolstephenson.com
Marcia King-Gamble is the best-selling, award-winning author of more than a dozen romance novels. She is also a former freelance reader with Silhouette and Harlequin, making her well acquainted with what makes a romance novel marketable. Marcia held down a high pressure executive position in the travel industry while she was first published in 1998. Since then she has published 13 novels with Pinnacle/BET Books and St Martin's Press. Currently she writes for Harlequin. Her novels are highly praised for their originality, rich language, and unique voice. Marcia is also AWAI's Member Services Director. She takes great pride in your accomplishments. http://www.lovemarcia.com
Marilyn Campbell, a prolific writer and public speaker. Her first published work was a humorous contemporary romance released in August, 1991 through a mail-order house. Following that modest debut, however, she contracted for 13 more titles with five separate publishers, including a prestigious hardcover house. These books span the genres of category, futuristic, and time-travel romances, erotic thrillers, and psychological suspense. Three of her novels have been re-released by the publishers.
She has also written a screenplay which was produced by Goodtimes Home Video, starring her friend, Fabio.
Campbell's outgoing personality has made her a welcome guest on numerous television programs such as ABC's Good Morning San Antonio, and she has appeared on Entertainment Tonight, Current Affair, and Extra. She has been the subject of dozens of feature articles in national and local newspapers and magazines, including cover stories in "Sunshine" and "Romantic Times." Her novels and marketing skills have gleaned countless awards.
Monica Harris is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University with a double major in Literary & Cultural Studies and Professional Writing.
Harris spent her first three years at Dell Publishing working with mass-market novels and trade non-fiction. She then joined Kensington Publishing where she initiated and edited Arabesque, the first African American romance series by a major publisher. She also edited historical romances, mysteries, women's mainstream novels and non-fiction...
After a stint at Carol Publishing Group she was instrumental in starting the first African American book club, Black Expressions.
Currently she consults for Dorchester Publishing, helping them to select promising new voices. Harris has won a number of important honors including Waldenbooks Special Achievement Award, 1995 New York Daily News list of “100 Fresh Faces,” 1996 New York Chapter of NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2003 Emma Trailblazers' Award, and is listed in the Who's Who of African Americans.
Debra Holland received a master's degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy. She has a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Southern California, and is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She's worked eighteen years counseling individuals, couples, and groups. She specializes in communication and relationship issues. Debra's first historical romance, Wild Montana Sky, won the 2001 Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart award. Her paranormal romance, Withea's Way (retitled, Sower of Dreams) was a 2003 Golden Heart finalist.
In addition to her psychotherapy practice, Debra is a consultant to the film and television industry, and has written the “Ask the Love Doctor” column for the romance magazine, Arabella.