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.
Grab a cuppa and join Authors Delta James, Annie Carlisle, CA Miconi and Irene Lawless.
Rae: Before we dive in please share with readers how the Small Town Spice Girls began and how this has impacted and/or changed your writing.
Delta: Some of the best things in life start with lunch.
A handful of us crossed paths at a small local event—one of those casual, low-key affairs where you’re just happy if they have coffee. But something clicked. We recognized a certain spark in each other: the kind of creative ambition and stubborn work ethic that either means you’re going to build something great together or end up in a true crime podcast. Fortunately for everyone, we chose option A.
It wasn’t long before we banded together with a wild idea—what if we wrote a new kind of anthology? Not a collection of loosely connected stories, but a set of complete novellas woven together into a single novel that told one story from beginning to end. Every author bringing her own voice, her own characters, but all of it building toward something bigger.
What came out of LOVE, LIES AND CELTIC KNOTS was more than a wonderful read (though it absolutely is that). It was a tribe. The Small Town Spice Girls were born—and we haven’t shut up since.
Annie: The Small-Town Spice Girls came together completely by accident and is proof that sometimes the best things happen when you least expect them—and I’m so glad they did. The four of us attended a local signing where none of us really knew anyone, but somehow we all found our way to each other. What started as casual conversations turned into lunch, and then hours of talking like we’d been friends for years.
A few weeks later, one of us had the idea to create The Small-Town Spice Girls, and from there, things just took off. We thought it would be fun to write an interconnected anthology together (because clearly none of us had enough on our plates already), and that’s how Love, Lies, and Celtic Knots was born.
Since then, these women have become far more than author friends. We support each other through deadlines, launches, life events, and everything in between. What started as a random meeting at a signing turned into one of the best friendships of my author career, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
CA: Banding with the Small Town Spice Girls has changed my life in so many ways! I had been searching for my tribe for a while. I have a lot of author friends all over the place, but was having trouble finding my people– fellow small town steamy writers, authors with similar career goals, similar marketing and business collaboration needs and goals, and bonus, if we were all located in close proximity, we could have an in-person relationship rather than only a virtual one. One day, I found them at an event featuring south Florida indie authors. Each of us brings something unique to the table, while all having common goals. We all live within a two-hour radius, so we can even meet for lunch. And double bonus–we like each other. What started as a business relationship has also become a friendship. With the anthology, we created our own fictional small town in Florida, Pelican Point. Since the collaborative anthology, we’ve gone on to release 11 individual stories with no plans to stop. And, we’ve now opened up our Pelican Point world to other authors.
Irene: The Small-Town Spice Girls came into my life at exactly the right time. I just didn’t realize it at the time.
We met at a small author signing in 2024, and at the time, we were all navigating the same challenges that come with this career—isolation, building readerships, juggling deadlines, and figuring out the business side of this industry. What started as a few conversations between authors who understood the unique ups and downs of this business quickly turned into genuine friendship.
Before long, Connie suggested creating an author group together and The Small-Town Spice Girls was born. What began as a fun collaboration has grown into something much bigger. We’ve written books together, shared readers, supported each other’s careers, and cheered each other on through countless launches and milestones.
The truth is, writing can be a lonely profession. Having a group of women who understand exactly what this journey looks like has been one of the greatest gifts of my author career. What started as a chance meeting at a signing became a partnership that has lasted for years, and I can’t imagine this journey without them.
Rae: What genre(s) do you write and what are you currently working on?
Delta: I write contemporary, military and paranormal romantic suspense, thus the tag line for my logo: Romantic Suspense With a Twist. I always have a number of projects on my calendar at any one time. My last completed book is SHADOWED THREAT (the fourth book in the Shadow Strike) and I’m working on the first book in the new series, Edge of Control, POWER PLAY
Annie: I write romantic comedy and contemporary romance with a little bit of everything mixed in—small-town charm, romantic suspense, laugh-out-loud moments, and enough emotional damage to make the happy ending feel earned. Right now, I’m working on several projects at once because apparently, I looked at a perfectly reasonable to-do list and thought, “Needs more chaos.”
CA: Like my fellow spice girls, I write small town steamy romance. We each have our niches and mine is interracial, later-in-life, opposites attract, and second chance romance. I’m currently working on several multi-author collaborations and starting a new small town series set in North Carolina.
Irene: I write contemporary romance with subgenres in paranormal (think ghosts, psychics, and curses) and western romances. My current projects are my Cowboys of Wildflower Valley series and my dark cowboy series co-write with Delta James, Bourbon & Blood.
Rae: What is your favorite decade?
Delta: Probably the current one we’re living in. I am a big believer that everything we go through compounds together to make us who we are. So, if you like that person and where you are, embrace all of it. If you don’t like who or where you are in your life, change it! And, if you think it’s too late for you, don’t believe it. Afterall, I didn’t start writing until I hit 60!
Annie: The 1980s. We had amazing music, questionable fashion choices, and parents who had absolutely no idea where their children were for most of the day. It was a magical time.
CA: I would say the roaring twenties! I love history, and there was a lot happening then. The music, the clothes, and the emerging power of women in society.
Irene: Favorite decade was the 80’s. The music was unparalleled, the hair was big, and fashion was bold. It was free in a way kids today don’t understand, with no internet, cell phones, or social media. We lived in the moment.
Rae: What five things do you have to pack when attending a conference?
Delta: My BFF and assistant, Chris—trust me, without her, nothing happens. My laptop. Diet Coke. My banner and swag, and of course, the books!
Annie:
- A phone charger and backup battery pack. Nothing causes panic faster than watching your battery drop below 10%.
- My laptop (because inspiration never respects business hours).
- A notebook for all the brilliant ideas I swear I’ll remember but won’t.
- Snacks (I’m a Type 1 Diabetic… I go nowhere without snacks).
- Comfortable shoes—because author events are basically endurance sports.
CA: My notebook computer, my calendar, all kinds of swag, my phone, and my shamrock lights! And I’ll add one more, a sweater or hoodie because I’m always cold!
Irene: extra sharpies, BOOKS, stickers and bracelets to trade, chargers, and my ride-or-die: The Hubs! 
Rae: What is your snack attack must haves in your day bag?
Delta: Diet Coke, protein bars, cucumber spear and hummus, Chris’s grilled chicken.
Annie: Chocolate. More chocolate. A protein bar so I can pretend I’m making healthy choices. Diet Mountain Dew. And whatever random snack I bought at the airport because I was convinced I’d be stranded for days.
CA: Always diet coke and some type of chocolate, typically m&m’s or 3 musketeers. Also, tea bags and splenda or equal.
Irene: coffee – and lots of it, nuts and fruit.
Rae: What’s the one thing you forget to pack and swear to remember next time?
Delta: Actually, I’m lucky as Chris is the one who gets us and the car packed… and Chris has lists! That means we rarely find we don’t have everything we need!
Annie: A sweater. Every conference hotel seems to believe attendees should experience the authentic conditions of the Arctic Circle. Every year I freeze. Every year I’m surprised. Every year I forget the sweater again.
CA: Ibuprofin in case I get a headache!
Irene: I usually forget to pack my comfortable shoes, a spare pair of contacts, and my reading glasses. Every time… LOL
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!
Delta James is a USA Today bestselling author of steamy romantic suspense and paranormal romance. Known for her fast-paced, heart-racing, panty-melting stories, Delta writes fierce heroines, dominant heroes, dangerous secrets, and irresistible fated mates. From alpha shifters prowling the wild to powerful billionaires ruling the boardroom, her books deliver heat, suspense, and unforgettable chemistry.
Delta never planned to write romance. In fact, she launched her author career in 2018 after deciding her second act in life needed a little more passion… and possibly a little more bite. Since then, she’s published dozens of addictive romances for readers who love their happily-ever-afters with plenty of steam and danger.
She lives in Florida with her pack of loyal basset hounds (who firmly believe they run the household), and when she’s not writing steamy scenes or plotting revenge for her latest heroine, she can usually be found riding horses, walking the beach, or chasing her next adventure on the river.
Annie Carlisle writes small-town romance with heart, humor, and just enough heat to keep things interesting. Her books are filled with strong heroines, swoon-worthy heroes, loyal dogs, quirky towns, and happily-ever-afters that feel like coming home.
A former paramedic and married to a retired law enforcement officer, Annie has seen her fair share of real-life drama. These days, she’d much rather create it on the page. When she’s not writing, she’s usually spending time with her husband, spoiling her dogs, attending book signings, or adding yet another story idea to the list she swears she’ll get to someday.
Whether she’s taking readers to a cozy beach town or a snowy Alaskan mountain community, Annie’s goal is always the same: leave readers smiling, laughing, and believing in happily-ever-after.
My socials:
Website & Direct Store: https://anniecarlisle.com/
Facebook Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/anniecarlisle
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/authoranniecarlisle
Facebook The Small-Town Spice Girls group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/smalltownspicegirls
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authoranniecarlisle
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/annie-carlisle
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Annie-Carlisle/author/B00WVTFYY0
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13911470.Annie_Carlisle
CA Miconi writes small town steamy romance with just the right amount of sweetness. She and her retired military hero hubby, Gary, got married on a beach in Key West on St. Patrick’s Day 2010 and now reside in Fort Myers, FL, after building a life together in Baltimore, MD.
When she’s not reading, writing, or working with other authors, CA enjoys traveling, spending time with her daughter and grandchildren, golfing, and cheering on her beloved Baltimore Ravens and Florida Everblades.
If you like second chances, love after loss, opposites attract, later-in-life, or interracial romance stories, follow the shamrocks to CA Miconi.
Social media: https://linktr.ee/
I’m a contemporary romance author from many places, but currently living in South Florida. I fell in love with the romance genre in her teens and, once my daughters were grown and gone, finally took a stab at writing my own love stories. My ultimate goal is to create well-rounded romance novels that tug at the heart and leave you wanting more.
I’m a self-proclaimed coffeeholic and love Italian food and red wine. When I’m not writing, I’m usually on a walk with The Hubs, drinking coffee with a book in hand, or playing Hay Day.
Where to find me:
1. Website: www.irenelawless.com
2. Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.
3. Spice Girls Facebook group: https://www.facebook.
4. Small Town Hearts & Cowboy Kisses Facebook group: https://www.facebook.
5. Instagram: https://www.
6. Goodreads: https://www.
7. Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.
8. Amazon: https://www.amazon.