Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.
Hello! I’m Twinsie Tenise. I live in central Illinois with my wife and 3 fur babies. Our children are grown and even though they don’t live at home we are lucky enough to see them and the grandkids often. Robyn and I have been married for 11 years in November. Robyn and our granddaughter volunteer for Writers so if you’ve ever been to WOTR, you have more than likely seen us around. I read mostly MM romance with occasional Sapphic romance and edge-of-your-seat thrillers. Please don’t expect me to remember exactly how long I’ve been with Twinsie Talk, I feel like its been 6 or 7 years. 🙈 I hate that I can no longer say those 2 numbers without hearing 6/7 over and over again. Oh did I mention I’m the manager in a middle school kitchen. I’m sure you can understand how fast the new phrases get old. Annnd moving on…
What do you think makes WOTR so different from other events?
I’d say its the sense of a community. No matter if its your first year or you’ve been to every single event, you always feel like family. Over the past 12 years I have made friends with some wonderful humans, humans I could not imagine my life without them. I value their friendship, advice, criticism, and slight harassment because its how some of us show our love!
Why should readers choose WOTR? What’s something readers should know about WOTR?
The event space is massive! Theres room to wander around without feeling claustrophobic. I’ve found that sometimes the authors may be just as nervous as we are to meet them for the first time so don’t freak out. I mean we all freak out but you don’t have to worry. I promise if it is your first time attending, you will be ready to buy tickets for next year before the weekend is over. Remember to have fun!
Its ADA accessible which makes it easier for those who use a walker, wheelchair, or mobility scooter. As I mentioned above, the family reunion feel. Its like coming home. Its all inclusive. They even have pronoun and hugs/no hugs stickers at check in.
What is a special memory you have about WOTR?
Oh my, there are so many different memories so I will select one from 2026. It involves our crazy table at the after party We always manage to end up in some sort of a nonsensical conversation that makes complete sense to everyone at the time. This time it including me explaining a certain scene in an A.d Ellis book to everyone at our table, then Jill and I trying to figure out how said scene went down. At one point I was sitting on the floor as we worked through things and of course my wife took a picture of it. Our after party table always ends up being a riot! I love my Writers On The River family!
