Aaaaaand, the 2016 Romance Writers of Australia conference has been and gone for another year. This year was special too, being the 25th anniversary conference and with the fab theme Ain’t Love Grand. I think the organisers did the RWA and themselves proud. I had a ball, as usual, and I’m pretty sure everyone else did too. Thank you, ladies and gents. Bloody brilliant!
It’s such a delight to catch up with writing buddies that I tend to talk to only online or via phone. There’s nothing like human contact, is there? The hugs and squeals, the laughter and sharing of challenges and triumphs, the late night bar sessions…
But enough of that. It’s piccies I know you’re after and I have plenty. Now, because there are so many photos, and I’m flat out at the moment finishing Santa and the Saddler and poring over Wayward Heart proofs, I’m not going to provide in depth descriptions. You’ll just have to look and enjoy, then book your own slot for the conference or ARRA book signing next year, and make yourself a part of these great events.
The conference was in Adelaide, South Australia, so what better excuse to visit my home town and family first in Mount Gambier, then follow it up with a road trip to Adelaide?
I caught up with my niece and nephews and watched the boys play basketball. As you can see, they didn’t take after their aunt in the height stakes. I felt very stumpy.
As many of you are aware, my mum has Alzheimer’s and is now in full-time care. I’d love to say she recognised me but in all honesty I don’t think she did. It’s such a shit disease, it really is, but she’s being wonderfully cared for and when Dad and I visited her, she was cheerful and perky, and in overall good health. We had a fun time taking her out to buy new slippers and a cuppa at the bakery in Casterton, Victoria. Here we are with one of the kelpie statues in town.
It’s lambing season across western Victoria and south-east SA. Not a good time to be a fox. Here’s a haul near Ardno Station, Strathdownie.
The next day it was road trip time! Here’s me and Dad cruising the Dukes Highway.
Then it was Adelaide or, more specifically, Glenelg, and what a conference location it was. The council even had a heart for us (it’s a permanent sculpture but we romance peeps laid claim to it).
After spending Thursday catching up with friends, lunching with my editor and enjoying high tea with other buddies at a local bookshop, it was time for the Harlequin author party. We were each presented with red feather boas on arrival, which was fun, but the venue and the conference hotel looked like a slaughterhouse afterwards with all the dropped red feathers. I bet the cleaners are still grumbling about us.
Here’s Michelle Conder, Annie West, Carol Marinelli and Fiona McArthur.
And me and Michelle later in the bar.
The conference Friday workshop was with screenwriting expert Michael Hauge. I used his Story Mastery session and templates to start nutting out Eddie and the Show Queen, which is a kinda-sorta sequel to Summer and the Groomsman, featuring Harry’s rakish brother Eddie. Don’t ask when I’ll get around to writing this one, I have no idea, but at least now I have a plot plan.
Friday night was cocktail party night where many choose to dress up. This year’s theme was Love Is A Cabaret, which meant feather boas, black ties and more. Take a look…
Leisl Leighton, RWA president. Awesome eyelashes.
Anne Gracie and Keri Arthur.
A crowd of flappers.
Fiona McArthur and me.
T.M Clarke and hubby.
Me, Louise Reynolds and Jaye Ford.
Juanita Kees and me.
Jane and Richard Carter.
Leisl Leighton serenaded us with a song from Cabaret to much applause.
Me and agent Alex Adsett.
Michelle Douglas and me.
And the conference proper begins! Hardworking organisers and deadest legends Bronwyn Stuart and Trish Morey.
They presented a fun talk and slide show of what the world was like 25 years ago when the RWA began. Such a hoot.
The state of publishing and bookselling panel.
The Stamford Grand Hotel showed us lots of luuuuurve. Very cool.
Saturday afternoon saw the ARRA booksigning event which was another great success. Here’s Anne Gracie…
Rachael Johns…
Juanita Kees…
Kandy Shepherd…
Mandy Magro…
Crowd shot…
Then it was awards dinner time! Didn’t the room and everyone look gorgeous?
Leah Ashton, Rachel Bailey, Daniel de Lorne.
Suzi Love and her husband Graham, who volunteers to help with the agent and editor pitches every year. Thanks Graham. I heard many singing your praises!
Wheeeeeee! Summer and the Groomsman had its time in the sun thanks to its best rural romance cover win. I cheered it. Cos, why not!
Me and James Kellow, CEO of Harlequin and Harper Collins.
Karen M Davis paying heartfelt tribute to her mother, the late Lynn Wilding, a founding member of RWA. Many of us suffered sniffles during this speech, it was so lovely.
Rachael Johns and James Kellow.
Rach taking out the Ruby Award in the romantic elements category with The Patterson Girls. Rah!
There was dancing! And photo bombing by Shannon Curtis.
Annie West and Michelle Douglas.
More dancing…
And bar lounging…
As for what happened after that, you’ll just have to use your imagination.
Despite appearances, it wasn’t all frocking up and partying. There were plenty of workshops, speakers and panels to check out. Here’s one of the slides from Kathryn Fox’s talk: Writer Like The World’s Best-Selling Author, where she talked about writing for James Patterson and what makes him such an incredible seller.
Can’t wait for next year in Brisbane with Love Gone Wild!
For those wondering what happened to Hot Chocolate the blow-up wonder horse, the news isn’t good. Despite enthusiastic but inexpert veterinary care, Hot Choc suffered another puncture and was feeling very deflated about the whole affair. He made it to the booksigning but spent all his time sulking under the table. I fear this may be the last…
My heartfelt thanks to RWA, the conference committee and everyone involved in this year’s conference. The location was perfect – one of the best – the speakers and workshops were great, the parties fantastic and the friendship brilliant. Thank you, thank you.
If you’re an aspiring writer I can’t recommend that you join the Romance Writers of Australia enough. There is no doubt in my mind that without RWA I wouldn’t be published. I also wouldn’t have the wonderful friends I have or the chance to make new ones. And if you’re a reader, there’s the Australian Romance Readers Association.
So join up and hang online and in person with the people who love the same things you do. Go on. It’s fun!
Comments are closed