Enhancing romance readers' online experience with author interviews, and a sense of community, RNTV makes the transition from simple web technology to broadcasting online
The future has arrived, and it is Romance Novel TV, on your computer.
The Birth of RNTV
When Maria Lokken and Marisa O’Neill, identical twin sisters and romance novel addicts – both television producers – got together to discuss the romance novels they were so enthusiastic about, Romance Novel TV (RNTV) was born. RNTV is, at this point, a website and online community that features readers’ forums, photos, blogs, book videos and links. Most importantly, given the name of the site, RNTV features professionally produced video author interviews and lots of special segments. “We conceive, create, direct and produce video interviews and special features with as many romance authors as we can shoot and edit.”
Ask the Author
Lokken goes on to say, “We also have segments like Ask The Author, where viewers send in their questions for specific authors; these taped segments are some of our favorites. Almost every week we have special guest authors…. We’ve had Nora Roberts, Jayne Ann Krentz, Lori Foster, Sabrina Jeffries, Lorraine Heath, Carly Phillips, and Karen Hawkins to name a few.”
But though the focus is on romance authors, the reader/viewer is never forgotten. RNTV also features weekly contests, and a game called ‘Mystery Author’. Clues are given, and viewers try to guess who she is. ‘Mystery Authors’ have so far included Eloisa James, Karen Rose and Nalini Singh, among others. “Our site is not just videos,” Lokken says, “but an interactive community. We’ve been up for less than a year and the response has been tremendous.”
RNTV Gains Overwhelming Support From Authors
When asked if authors ever shy away from doing video segments, Lokken says, “Thus far we’ve had overwhelming support from the authors. They have been incredibly gracious and generous with their time. We know it’s not easy being interviewed, but we try to make it as comfortable as possible. While we can’t say that we’re a ‘fly on the wall’, we try to keep the crew down to five. Many of the authors have opened their homes and offices up to us, and many times we interview them while we’re at conventions or book signings. All in all we’ve been welcomed with open arms.”
Anniversary Celebration
In February 2008 RNTV will celebrate one year online, and they feel “the sky’s the limit.” Maria Lokken says, “The internet is only going to grow. We believe that people will still turn on their televisions in their living rooms, but all the programming will come from their computers. Our goal is for Romance Novel TV to be one of the networks viewers tune to.” She goes on to say, “Eventually, our programming will have longer features than the current 3-8 minute webisode. Our goal is to cover the industry in many ways allowing the readers to experience video interviews with their favorite authors as well as video segments of book signings, book reviews and conventions.”
Romance Novel TV - The Future
Lokken and O’Neill have grand plans. Lokken says, “The future is looking bright. We have just finished our programming schedule for the rest of the year and will be premiering new ideas for next year, including longer form programming. We have plans to open up our shop page, bring readers books reviews and news on new releases and industry news, and we will be premiering our author news page. We’ll be filming the RT (Romantic Times) and RWA (Romance Writers of America) conventions next year and we’re gearing up to produce special segments at some of the publishing houses. Our main focus is to continue to bring quality programming and entertainment to romance readers and authors.”
Visit the site at: Romance Novel TV
