Romance Writers of America® (RWA) launched today an 11-week series of interactive video chat events highlighting 2013 RITA Award finalist authors. Fans can meet one another and ask their favorite authors questions face-to-face in an intimate online environment at Shindig.com.

The paranormal category event is Thursday, April 18, 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Authors participating are: Kristen Callihan, Cynthia Eden, Angie Fox, J.T. Geissinger, Larissa Ione, and Maggie Shayne.

How to participate: All you need is a webcam and computer microphone. Then, register here. The events are free to the public, but only the first 1,000 people to RSVP will be granted access to each of the weekly events. Full schedule.

Follow RWA on Twitter @romancewriters (#RITAchat hashtag) during the chats.

What is RITA? It’s the Oscars of the Romance writing world! Every year at the RWA national conference, a winner is announced from the list of finalists for each category, recognizing the best of the genre.