Authors Dish: SaSS26 Richmond w/Theresa Sederholt, M.M. Rees, CJ Warrant/ CJ Barlowe, & Natalina Reis
Welcome to Authors Dish featuring authors and industry professionals attending the 10th Anniversary Sexy and SaSSY 2026 Signing in Richmond, Virginia. If you are joining us for all the bookish fun or just traveling over the summer we hope their tips or packing ideas are helpful no matter where your travels take you. If you are heading to #SaSS26 next month please don’t forget to pre-order your books early to guarantee your books are waiting for you (details and links can be found on the facebook group page.) If you are bringing your favorites from home don’t forget to make room for all the extra bookish stuff you’ll find while you are in Richmond. May these posts inspire you to shop early, make your lists, and triple check so you are prepared for just about anything.
Thank you to all who have dished and those yet and soon to featured. Stay tuned for more comments and be sure to follow the blog so you don’t miss these posts.
To kick off our series today in the cafe are authors Theresa Sederholt, M.M. Rees, CJ Warrant/ CJ Barlowe, and Natalina Bell.
Rae: What genre(s) do you write and what are you currently working on?
Theresa: I write historical romance in a variety of periods. I’ve written everything from medieval to Georgian to Regency to Victorian. I am currently working on Gem of My Heart, a mid-Victorian romance that is book 5 of my Welwyn Marriage Wager series for Dragonblade Publishing. The premise of the series is that the Duke of Welwyn has wagered his six grandsons that they cannot all get married within a year. If they do, each receives landed estates, carriages, and a 10,000 pound cash prize. If all six do not get married, then no of them win, even if the others have married. In book 5, the hero very desperately wants to marry the woman he’s in love with, however, she’s his mistress and refuses to marry him because of the scandal it will bring down on the hero’s family and the fear it will estrange the hero from them (including his twin brother) forever. So he has to convince her that his family will accept her. However, he doesn’t know the secret she’s been keeping from him that may make their marriage completely unacceptable.
M.M: Primarily Romantasy/Fantasy Romance, though I do have an urban fantasy story on the waaay back burner. I’m supposed to be writing book 4 in my series, Lightbound, but the MMC is being incredibly stubborn, so I’m focusing on some shorts set in the same world as my series so I don’t lose my mojo. They’re backstories or scenes that I couldn’t squeeze into the novels and a couple of stand alone stories.
CJ: The genre I write in are Dark Romantic Thrillers under CJ Warrant and MM Romance under CJ Barlowe
Natalina: I write romance but in various subgenres such as romantic fantasy, romantic comedy, dystopian, and MM PNR. I am currently working on a F/M romantic fantasy with definite dystopian characteristics titled Blood of One.
Rae: What is your favorite decade?
Theresa: For writing or just for fun? For writing my favorite period is actually Georgian, 1760-1770. Lots of swordplay and dueling that’s fun to write. For fun, my favorite decade is the 1950s. Poodle skirts, dance crazes, and an innocence that also dripped sensuality. Grease meets Hairspray meets West Side Story (not to mention American Graffiti and Happy Days)
M.M: I rather enjoyed the 90’s. Maybe it’s because the internet was still kind of new and there was room to breathe without addictive social media and apps, but I also really enjoyed the lifestyle of my late teens.
CJ: 80’s of course.
Natalina: Tough question. I was once a medieval reenactor so my “favorite” decade goes way back, lol. But I always thought WWII era was amazing (if you can take the war out of the equation, I mean) with truly revolutionary music, great fashion and hair styles, and a time of immense creativity born of need during a very difficult time in history. But every era has its positive points as much as negative.
Rae: What five things do you have to pack when attending a conference?
Theresa: Swag, make-up, special signing pen, electric kettle, English Breakfast tea.
M.M: I’ve yet to travel outside Virginia for a conference, but these are the things I’d absolutely take from by box of signing gear.
1. “Joe” the crochet turtle. My bestie, Joani, made it and it’s a little like having her along with me.
2. QR codes for the digital versions of my books. For every paperback reader, I swear there’s a digital reader bestie along for the fun.
3. My markers. Because duh.
4. Fidgets. I never know what to do with my hands so having something to fiddle with helps my anxiety.
5. A little bit of swag. Gotta have some goodies to give away!
CJ: Books, swags, banners, clipboard for new subscribers, money
Natalina: A good book or two, a crossword puzzle book, my laptop, scotch tape, and scissors.
Rae: What is your snack attack must haves in your day bag?
Theresa: Well, since I’m both gluten and lactose free, I have very specific snacks and food I have to take (because no one supplies either at conferences). Gluten free bread and peanut butter, Naten’s GF Madeleines, GF crackers and Cabot cheese slices, apple slices, and I’ve just discovered Drizzlicious rice cakes! A must have from now on.
M.M: Coffee and water are the obvious ones, but I like to have jerky, hummus, and crackers on hand. Maybe some dried fruit if I’m feeling extra. lol
CJ: Books, swags, banners, clipboard for new subscribers, money
Natalina: Nuts or trailer mix and a banana (just realized that combination sounds dirty, lol)
Rae: What’s the one thing you forget to pack and swear to remember next time?
Theresa: A sewing kit! It used to be a glue gun, but I do remember that one now.
M.M: This is a general issue for any kind of travel I do, so I know it would apply; a goddamn toothbrush. Somehow it never makes it in the bag and I have to hit a convenience store.
CJ: My table banners.
Natalina: I bought this phoenix business card holder especially for events but I keep forgetting to bring with me.
Thank you so much authors! If you are an attending author or industry professional and you want to join in on the fun please e-mail me and we’ll be sure to add you on a future post!
I’ll be keeping a running list and will post a master packing list a week before #SaSS26 Richmond. I’ll see you soon for new authors and more ideas!
If you love going on adventures of the mind and heart, then you’re in good company. I’m Theresa Sederholt, and my passion lies in writing stories that connect to those that have withstood dramatic, personal experiences. I want to bring awareness and understanding by dealing with subject matter that is intimidating to navigate, and I do this across multiple genres. On the flip side, I also like to whip up a steamy romance sprinkled with suspense that keeps you guessing until the end. Who doesn’t want happiness with a twist? When I’m not writing, I’m cooking with my amazing husband or spoiling my dogs. These days, you can also find me exploring the beauty of the Arizona desert.
Find Theresa here
About M.M. Rees
Website
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Bluesky
Best Selling Author of Dark Romantic Thrillers, CJ Warrant was born an overseas Army brat, in a Korean Italian household, but settled in the states at five. Her alter ego is CJ Barlowe, who writes MM romance.
CJ had a career in the beauty industry, a wonderful supportive hubby, three grown kids and a pet mom to two cats and a crazy little corgi. When CJ’s not writing, she hangs with her family, bake, or just chilling with a book and coffee.Social media links.
Facebook
Facebook Groups
Instagram CJ Warrant
Tiktok CJ Warrant
Facebook CJ Barlowe
Facebook Group CJ Barlowe
Instagram CJ Barlowe
Tiktok CJ Barlowe
Natalina has normally two or three books going at the same time. She might be reading a physical copy of a romantasy, listening to a rom-com during her commute, and carrying an e-reader with her just in case she feels like reading a mystery while she has coffee or waits in a doctor’s office.
Which of course, explains why you will find such a variety of romance sub-genres and pairings under her name. She loves writing all kinds of rebels and outcasts into her stories and she always roots for the underdog.
She speaks five languages (six, if you count sarcasm), unwisely keeps adding books to her towering TBR pile, and doesn’t believe in a life without coffee.
She could easily live on bananas and lobster (probably not at the same time) if that was an option and she has an irrational love for technology, puzzles, and crochet.
When she’s not writing, reading, or crocheting a chicken (don’t ask), you’ll find her watching British mysteries or Chinese period fantasy shows. Possibly while eating cashews…
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