What does romance mean to you? Hearts, flowers, chocolate, love poems or the latest swoon – worthy hero in your favourite romance novel. Do you think you have what it takes to write the next best selling romance novel? Romance is after all the highest selling genre across the globe. This August you are in luck because the annual Romance Writers Australia (RWA) Conference is coming to Brisbane. The conference theme this year is ‘Love Gone Wild’, so channel your inner romance spirit animal, spread your wings, find your tribe, plant a few seeds, and get ready for a WILD ride.
About the Conference
The conference is a full 3- day event including workshops, professional development sessions, agent and editor pitching opportunities and manuscript assessments. There’s also a fun cocktail party where you can network with other romance authors and a special Award’s Dinner Celebration. The conference runs from 11- 13 August at the very central Pullman Brisbane King George Square Hotel.
The conference is also open to the public, all writers aspiring , emerging or established are welcome to attend. There are more than 40 seminars and workshops on offer so there is something for everyone- from insider tips from industry professionals through to demonstrations of dance and modern weapons to help your historical novel come to life.
Authors and Publishers
Highlights of the RWA Conference will be presentations from New York Times bestselling Australian author Kate Forsyth and award winning romance author Marion Lennox-who has published more than 110 novels. Some friends of SheBrisbane – Amy Andrews and Christine Wells will be conducting round table discussions and local romance author and one of the co-ordinators of RWA- Tania Joyce will be on hand to ensure things run smoothly.
Representatives from major Australian and International publishers including Hachette, Harlequin Australia, Penguin Random House and US representatives like William Morris and Entangled will be on hand to offer advice and assessments.
So if you have that burning desire to be a romance writer, this might just be the conference for you.
The Romance Writers Australia Conference is in its 26th year and with more than 350 attendees expected you are sure to find tips and mentors to help you fulfil your romance writing dream. Be quick! Registrations close on the 15 July. Come on- Go WILD.
Michelle Beesley is a Brisbane born and bred former primary school teacher. A wife, proud grandma and mother of three grown sons, Michelle is thrilled to have recently published her debut contemporary romance novel, It Happened in Paris, with Serenade Publishing. Her novella – Escape to D’ Amour was published in 2019. Michelle’s work can be found in the anthologies – Destination Romance and Short & Sweet. When not reading or writing Michelle can be found at a coffee shop chatting with friends, front row at a fashion show, or beside a rugby union field cheering on her favourite teams.
Michelle is a reluctant traveller, Francophile, keen walker and avid yoga enthusiast plus a book, film and theatre lover who loves everything pink and sparkly (including champagne). You can find Michelle on instagram @michellebeesley_writer and her website: michellebeesley.com.
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