Romance Writers of Australia (Inc) Annual Report 2015/16

Transcription

1 Romnce Writers of Austrli (nc) Annul Report 2015/16

2 2 Romnce Writers of Austrli 2015/16 Annul Report Contents 2015/16 Committee...4 Orgnistionl Structure...4 Executive Summry President s Report...5 Highlights 2015/ Memberships...8 Contests Sponsorship Medi...12 Librries...12 Festivls...12 ROMA...12 Events...13 Melbourne Conference Get Fresh in Adelide Conference Ain t Love Gr Brisbne Conference Future Conferences...17 Member Services & Volunteers Web Services Socil Medi...20 Herts Tlk...21 Professionl Development Or Ventures...23 Focus for Volunteers...25

3 3 Romnce Writers of Austrli 2015/16 Annul Report Our vision is world where Austrlin romnce writers re well supported, highly respected professionlly successful. Our mission is support, promote educte Austrlin romnce writers. Romnce Writers of Austrli: hert of Austrlin romnce Romnce Writers of Austrli (nc.) supports develops writers of world s most populr genre. RWA provides progrms tht trget ll stges of writer s creer before, during fter publiction promotes excellence in romntic fiction. RWA s strong community of members ensures writers cn grow ir creers in nurturing professionl environment. So come join professionl, supportive writers orgnistion where everyone loves romnce s much s you do. Objectives Promoting excellence in romntic fiction Helping writers become published mintin strong creers Providing continuing support development Vlues Excellent Service: providing best experience for members ssocites Respect Community: vluing supporting ech or genres we write nnovtion Cretivity: fostering implementing ides improve our services, progrms experiences for members Lerning Knowledge: building knowledge of writing crft, business prctices industry better serve members ntegrity Ethicl Prctice: strong corporte governnce, trnsprency, effective communiction honesty Strtegies Provide dynmic responsive services tht benefit romnce writers in ll stges of ir creers. Ensure highest strd of cusmer service while blncing worklods of our volunteer workforce. Deliver vluble knowledge networking through events, services products. Promote romnce genre medi public. Develop finncilly sustinble business model for ensuring orgnistion s long term vibility growth. Mesures Our membership grows (3% nnully 70% retention rte). Our orgnistion is finncilly stble profitble. Our members consider ir membership good vlue for money integrl ir creer success. Romnce Writers of Austrli (nc.) PO Box H120 Hurlsne Prk NSW 2193 Phone: Website: Emil: dmin@romnceustrli.com

4 4 Romnce Writers of Austrli 2015/16 Annul Report 2015/16 Committee Executive President Leisl Leighn Vice-president Dniel de Lorne Tresurer Alison Leke Secretry Vicki Vut Orgnistionl Structure This is mke-up of committee ir vrious responsibilities for 2015/16. President Conference Contests Ordinry Members Srh Brbzon Events Susn Downhm Professionl Development meld Evns Socil Medi mogene Nix Public Reltions/Medi Vice-President Herts Tlk Tresurer Group Grnts Members Assistnce Fund Secretry Member Services Volunteers Admin Assistnt Memberships Ln Pecherczyk Website Vicri Purmn Sponsorship Events OWLs PD Socil Medi Socil Medi Blog Public Reltions Medi Librries Website Sponsorship

5 5 Romnce Writers of Austrli 2015/16 Annul Report Executive Summry President s Report This yer, like lst yer, hs been yer of trnsition, but it hs lso been yer of mking plns ensure RWA grows. The big chnge for yer ws bringing on our first employee Herts Tlk going digitl. m plesed report tht our new Administrtive Assistnt, Shnnon Curtis, is godsend. She hs pssion understing for RWA tht hs helped her, longside myself committee, crete role tht is proving be essentil smooth running of our orgnistion tht our plns re becoming relity. More bout tht lter. Herts Tlk went digitl in November. t is plesing hve figures show us how mny people re reding. We will continue monir this sk how we cn improve our monthly journl better serve our membership. Digitl gives us greter freedom try new things mke chnges we previously hven t been ble do. We hve continued be concerned bout burden on our volunteers hve worked this yer ensure chnges re mde ddress this issue. The Administrtive Assistnt hs been essentil in implementing chnges in two of our most timeconsuming stressful volunteer environments conferences contests. She hs been essentil in sourcing helping crete registrtion system tht ws used this yer building reltionships businesses who cn help us in future. She hs lso been looking in new dtbse systems tht could help monir our membership membership pyments more efficiently. They could lso be used help run contests registrtion process for conference. This will help cut time spent by our volunteers on dt entry tht is quite time consuming. t hs lso been yer for improving communiction. hve spent lot of time this yer building better reltionships prtners, sponsors volunteers. Dniel de Lorne (VP) held fce--fce meetings representtives of mjor sponsors from lst few yers ensure we ddress shortcomings on both sides increse understing of wht importnt issues re m us. These meetings were beneficil for both sides chnges were implemented in structuring of our sponsorship pproch some conference mngement s well. To id future direction of RWA, committee estblished strtegic direction document tht outlines our vision mission, s well s our vlues, strtegies mesures. These re included on previous pge of this report we hope mke furr use of m in guiding our decisions through next yer. Anor issue concerning our members this yer ws report on intellectul property from Productivity Commission. This is of course serious issue myself committee felt it pproprite for RWA wde in on discussions submit response commission, rguing specificlly ginst res of chnges copyright longevity prllel import restrictions. As president, reserched se issues, reding mny of rguments on both sides, s well s tlking copyright expert business ssocite expertise in imports government policies. Toger, y helped me form n educted position on issues t h. wrote membership detiling res of concern encourged membership submit ir own rguments commission. wrote submission on behlf of RWA on se issues submitted it commission. A number of our members who re knowledgeble vocl bout report's issues hve since been invited spek pnels on commission s findings. We hope tht our concerns will be tken seriously recommendtions in report chnged so s not ffect livelihood of our members. t hs been busy yer, but fulfilling one. Strtegic Prtnerships One of mjor res our Administrtive Assistnt ws tsked ws fcilitte cretion of strtegic prtnerships hotel group trvel gency group help cost, both finncilly our volunteers, of orgnising our conferences ech yer. This ws done crete del hotel group for t lest next four yers. t helps keep costs down removes need for conference tems spend time choosing loction negotiting contrcts. Conference tems now cn immeditely get on plnning me, inviting guests orgnising progrm. Similrly ide behind mking del trvel gency group is crete more professionl pproch in deling our guests orgnising pying for ir flights trnsfers. This benefits members, o, by hving n gent go who knows ir needs gets m best dels. The end results, thnks in lrge prt Shnnon s efforts, re prtnerships Accor Hotel Group Flight Centre Blues Point, NSW. We hve chieved significnt svings vlue-dds. The Accor del is set for Brisbne 2017, Sydney 2018 Melbourne 2019, us still looking t possibilities for Perth conference in Accor ws by fr most ttentive bidder not only negotited well on rtes, but hs given us membership in ir Accor points progrm 10% discount for ny of our members who book n Accor hotel outside of our conference (ir rtes hve lredy been lowered more thn 10% for se events). f our members use link on our website for ir bookings, RWA will lso benefit by gining points through ir booking. The points we ern through se conferences member bookings will be used ginst cost of future conferences. They will be helpful in keeping down overll cost our members increse our bility continue get best of industry ttend our events orgnise fulfilling conference experience for ll involved.

6 6 Romnce Writers of Austrli 2015/16 Annul Report The Flight Centre del llows us book py for guest RWA relevnt committee flights through our RWA ccount out need for fiddly repyments relief of not hving del chnging confusing currency rtes. We lso ern points through ny of se bookings. f our members use link on our website get Flight Centre website, or phone quote tht y re n RWA member, Flight Centre stff will not only endevour get best possible price for m, but RWA will ern Flight Centre points tht cn be used wrd helping py for future guests' trvel RWA-relted flights. The RWA committee re thrilled se dels ongoing future benefits y give our members orgnistion. We hope tht members re eqully excited will use links provided ensure RWA ( y) benefit s much s possible from se dels. Merchising Mrketing We re lso doing dels merchising group help bring down merchising costs, especilly for conference, help more properly promote RWA its ongoing mte. t ws decided ensure tht only RWA logo is bred on conference stchels, pens lnyrds. Ech conference tem cn br conference logo on bdges mugs/cups. This decision llows us order better qulity items in lrger job lots t lower per item cost intention of using sme good qulity item yer fter yer. Volunteering RWA continues thrive due dediction support of member volunteers. With membership continuing skirt 1000-mrk, orgnistion building on opportunities, ppointment of Administrtive Assistnt hs been essentil in developing better policies, procedures documents in understing our legl obligtions our members irs us. Our volunteer numbers remin constnt round 150, mny of se being judges in contests portfolio. We re wre tht, despite chnges brought on by hving n Administrtive Assistnt, re re still res tht need better overll mngement in regrds volunteer time stress. The Administrtive Assistnt is going through processes procedures find wys of decresing mount of time given prticulr roles, we hope see over next yer some extensive positive chnge in this re decrese burden on our volunteers so time spent on our ssocition is not tking wy from writing fmily time. We re lso still hoping find wy source funds bring on nor employee in ner future, one who will oversee events help orgnise conferences yer fter yer mintin strtegic prtnerships crete new ones. Memberships Membership retention rtes hve been round 70%. We re looking t wys ddress this hve begun conduct surveys in membership find res where we cn improve. We hve developed n exit survey for members who leve orgnistion se will be sent in next committee yer. Due rising costs of running n orgnistion this size, we incresed membership fees this yer for first time in t lest five yers. The committee voted on regulr review process be done once yer t Mrch/April S&P in regrds fees vs costs for re be minimum rise of CP in future. Tresurer RWA s opertionl costs during 2015/16 finncil yer resulted in net loss of $37, Contributing this loss re severl fcrs including pproximte $10,000 loss mde by 2015 conference, oneoff doubling up of Herts Tlk costs, plus wges ssocited costs of employing n dministrtive ssistnt, deposits mde secure venues for future conferences. This lst reltes prtnership del Accor Hotels which will see RWA benefit from much reduced venue costs. t is hoped this, long or efficiencies being put in plce, will enble future conferences report profits rr thn losses. When budgeting employ n dministrtive ssistnt, it ws lwys intended tht funds used produce hrd copy Herts Tlk would insted be put better use pying wge of n dministrtive ssistnt. With our newsletter now produced digitlly, Herts Tlk relted expenses next yer should be ll but non-existent. Assets currently sit t $150, ncome Expenses: Min sources of revenue were membership subscriptions, contests, OWLS interest erned on bnk ccounts term deposit. Min sources of expenses were wges supernnution, Herts Tlk, honorriums committee costs. A lrge portion of committee costs were relted meetings in Sydney by our President Administrtive Assistnt in order ensure better communiction sponsors secure very dvntgeous del Sydney Sofitel for future conference prtnership del Fight Centre, which will see reduced costs ese of mngement regrds trvel rrngements of our overses conference guests in future. Thnk you, Goodbye Welcome would like thnk RWA mngement committee this yer, for volunteering helping dd future of RWA. To those who re stying on Ln Pecherczyk, Vicri Purmn meld Evns we re ll grteful you for your pst yer of service for yer come. look very much forwrd continuing on you work we will continue do on RWA s behlf. To those who re going Dniel de Lorne, Alison Leke, Vicki Vut, Susn Downhm, Srh Brbzon mogene Nix thnk you for your time over this lst yer or two efforts you hve mde in furring your portfolios serving volunteers under your purview members s whole. wish you ll best for future.

7 7 Romnce Writers of Austrli 2015/16 Annul Report would like mke specil mention of Dniel de Lorne Alison Leke. Alison is stepping down fter hving served on committee for four---hlf yers Dniel is stepping down fter serving on committee for lst three yers. They hve both been n essentil prt of committee executive, for me, personlly, hve given me support, shoulder cry on, resoned opinion tht sent me bck on right trck someone shre my burdens. Alison you hve been stble influence in bckground, working wy quietly supporting me lwys in my decision. Dniel, you hve been best VP president could hve hoped for, lwys supportive, redy mke me smile when wnted cry, supportive, generous emptic. You lso lwys mke me sound better thn would out you you write me better thn do! You will both be missed, by me in prticulr, wish you ll best your future endevors. would lso like tke this opportunity thnk Shnnon Curtis, our wonderful Administrtive Assistnt, for her exceptionl work this yer. She hs gone bove beyond expecttions if members of RWA knew extent which tht is true, think she would be overwhelmed ir thnk yous. All hve offer her though is mine. Shnnon, thnk you million times over for support you give me, exceptionl ldy of ction tht you re. would lso like welcome new committee members in fold: Elise K Ackers, Lur Greves, Clire Bosn, DB Tit, Shelley Findlter, Bronwyn Sturt Shelgh Merlin. Thnk you so much for putting up your hs tking on role of mngement it is wonderful experience well worth time effort. Welcome. hd drem Those words tht Mrtin Lur King uttered so long go echo down ges everyone who wnts express mselves, chnge perceptions bout things tht mtter m, no mtter how big or smll, be who y re truly ment be be ccepted for it. Everyone should lwys be encourged drem, for out m, life would be monone. think this need nourish drems is where RWA cme from in first plce. Our members drem of writing, of being published, of expressing mselves, of being tken seriously in our chosen genre. We lso drem of mking romnce genre s importnt meningful ors s it is us. The committee re re service se drems in best wy we perceive s possible. We give our time energy mke this ssocition we love better for ourselves, membership, those who will pick up our drems move m in future. Regrdless of specificity of our drem or resons behind it, we ll need hve drems courge follow m fight inside ourselves see m through. n this ever chnging world of publishing, feel this is truer thn ever before. Oprh Winfrey sid, The biggest dventure you cn tke in life is live your drems. would like round this out by dding Wlt Disney s fmous words, All our drems cn come true if we hve courge pursue m. With this in mind, wish you dventure of living your drems hve endless depths of courge so tht you cn pursue m. promise tht under my guidnce, RWA committee will endevour help you in this tsk. wish you ll good helth, hppy fmilies, plentiful sry ides, full well colour your drems bring life m, tht Muse will lwys be you. Leisl Leighn RWA President 2015/16 Highlights 2015/16 Employed RWA's first employee, prt-time Administrtive Assistnt Shnnon Stein. Herts Tlk went completely digitl new design lunched in Jnury Rtified Strtegic Direction for orgnistion. Estblished dels Accor Hotel Group Flight Centre help reduce worklod keep costs s low s possible, prticulrly for conferences, over next four yers. The Vlerie Prv Awrd received 40% spike in entries from Numbers lso incresed for Ripping Strt, which continues be populr its shorter entries. President Leisl Leighn spoke number of journlists reserchers throughout yer bout RWA on romnce genre, in prticulr Jn Zwr of Mcqurie University. Ten entries were considered by ROMA selection pnel, representing six print, one brodcst medi three digitl/online medi. The Melbourne conference Get Fresh in '15 welcomed over 400 delegtes cross three dys. Michel Huge locked in ttend our 25th nniversry conference in Adelide in August 2016, long host of or specil guests. The Members' Assistnce Fund wrded $4, Group Grnts wrded $2, Commenced website redevelopment incorporting new design membership dtbse functions. Lunched Pinterest ccount, dding our suite of socil medi chnnels. Our second yer of OWLS sw 266 prticipnts ttend nine workshops.

8 8 Romnce Writers of Austrli 2015/16 Annul Report Memberships Membership s t 30 June 2016: 947. This hs dropped since lst yer (5%), but this is constntly fluctuting number month--month. A contributing fcr could be increse of membership dues. Totl Membership: 947 (s t 30 June 2016) Ordinry Members: 932 Honorry Members: 15 Hisricl Membership Membership by Stte Stte Number of Members ACT 37 NSW 236 QLD 203 SA 87 TAS 19 VC 211 WA 101 Totl 894

9 9 Romnce Writers of Austrli 2015/16 Annul Report Membership by Country (excluding Austrli) Country Number of Members Cnd 1 Fiji 1 Frnce 1 Germny 1 Greece 1 ndonesi 2 rel 1 Lo PD 1 New Zel 31 South Afric 1 United Arb Emirtes 1 United Kingdom 6 United Sttes of Americ 4 Vietnm 1 Totl 53 How Members Found RWA This report pulls dt from ll memberships listed in our dtbse, includes lpsed members. Chnnel Article 25 Gift voucher 1 Librry/librrin 7 Or 198 Rodshow 3 RWA blog 134 RWA Herts Tlk 3 RWA member/member site 251 Socil medi 91 Web serch 258 Writer's centre 36 Writers/reders festivl 73 Totl 1090 Number of Members Memberships Dtbse Upgrde This re is very mnul, dt-entry focused re, requires some investment in RWA s T infrstructure improve (see Website section for furr detils). With membership fluctuting t 1000 mrk, mnul tsks tke up considerble time, repetitive key strokes in thouss, re re mny products vilble tht cn stremline this process. With more umted system, memberships will be processed fster, if not instntly, giving fster ccess for members resources. There is lso dded benefit of limiting or removing humn error from bckend process, s well s more relible cpture of dt finncil reporting, limiting loss of pyment recording.

10 10 Romnce Writers of Austrli 2015/16 Annul Report Portfolio Reports Contests Coordinr: Eric Hyes t s been nor successful yer for contests, in which we chieved long-wited codifiction of contest procedures, s well s stremlining checking of entry fee pyments, liison dministrtive ssistnt. The contests tem continues function well, llowing introduction of severl new contest mngers out ny disruption. Mny thnks ll our mngers, judge coordinrs, judges web volunteers, s well s Kerrie Plemy who spent more thn few unpid hours tweking our Ruby entry system. The Vlerie Prv Awrd continues ttrct lrge entry numbers, 40% spike from Numbers lso incresed for Ripping Strt, which continues be populr its shorter entries. Emerld entries hve been declining for number of yers, resons for this need be nlysed. Selling Synopsis, First Kiss Little Gems continue be stedy. We hd nor strong entrnt voter response our online Cover Contest. The Ripping Strt hd long delys becuse our mnger suffered illness. The work ws tken up by or mngers s soon s problem ws identified. Unfortuntely re s not lot we cn do sfegurd ginst this kind of issue, however, we re looking t creting system tht will help del problem like this more esily if it rises gin. The rting for Little Gems contest ws incresed from PG M ccommodte more members. The resulting nthology will be produced in digitl formt for first time, complement print edition, initil run of which is be sponsored by Fuji Xerox. n 2017, we ll be strting second contest ( nthology) rted MA through R. t will be clled Spicy Bites. This will men ll contests will now be open ll het levels. We experimented shorter (2-week) entry period, but nything shorter thn three weeks seems generte insufficient entries, so we ll be continuing three weeks. The Emerld Pro received only 6 entries (down from 11 in its initil yer) judges scores were low, resulting in wrd of only one prize. For 2017 we ll be looking t dopting finl judge prizes s per regulr Emerld mke contest more ttrctive prospective entrnts better serve members needs. This yer we incorported Ell in Ruby, single five-section contest for both digitl print books. We hoped this yer increse judge prticiption responsiveness, reduce need buy extr copies for relloction when judges don t return m, which is currently hppening t significnt cost RWA. Mesures we dopted included clendr of reminders, plus reducing number of judges per book from five four, leving us spre copy of print entries. We were less thn successful, more thn 70 entries still needing relloction. Our lck of leverge over reder judges is n ongoing issue tht cuses nerly ll delys we experience in finlising contest. We hope inclusion of RWA members (writers) s judges in 2017 will help remedy this. The intention is tht Ruby entrnts be enlisted judge in ctegories or thn those y ve entered, s per RTA. Recent Ruby entry numbers show stedy declines in Short Sexy Short Sweet sections, corresponding rise in longer sections. We expect in 2017 be ble mlgmte Short sections. We re lso ssessing ide of introducing finl round /or overll winner for Ruby in future yers.

11 11 Romnce Writers of Austrli 2015/16 Annul Report Sponsorship Coordinr: Vicri Purmn The pst 12 months hve been spent working intensely on securing sponsors for 2016 Adelide conference. RWA will need consider how it will ttrct sponsorship in future due number of fcrs. Resons for this include incresing uncertinties in publishing industry, from mergers, closures chnges in mrket, chnges t politicl level tht will ffect how ttrctive we re s sponsorship option for publishers. While y do see vlue in hving presence in front of writers importntly, reders y o re being squeezed. The sponsorship designtions chnged slightly this yer. Previously, greements were delineted s Gold, Silver Bronze sponsors. For 2016, we re using Mjor Prtner, Prtner Supporter, reflect terminology used in writing festivls cross country. We re delighted welcome Hrlequin Austrli s our Mjor Prtner for Conference 2016 we thnk m for ir long-term on-going support of romnce writing in Austrli. Our Prtners for 2016 Conference include Penguin Rom House, Hchette, Dymocks Adelide, Flinders University, Jolley s Bothouse, Austrlin Romnce Reders Assocition Fuji Xerox Tsmni. Our Supporters for Conference 2016 include High s Chocoltes, SA Writers Centre, uthors Tess LeSue, Susnne Hmpn Vicri Purmn. We thnk ll our sponsors for ir support. Mjor Prtner Prtners Supporters

12 12 Romnce Writers of Austrli 2015/16 Annul Report Medi Coordinr: mogene Nix n 2015/16 medi tem worked on producing highly effective medi releses, cting for on behlf of RWA in medi circles promote RWA s Pek body for Austrlin Romnce Writers. They dvocted worked crete opportunities for uthors. This tem hs set new benchmrks for promotion of Austrlin uthors. Librries There were number of chnges volunteer overseeing our reltionship librries this yer s result, not much ws progressed from wht ws set up by Helen Ktsinis. We will be looking t furring this reltionship next yer under new ledership of PR portfolio. Festivls A few members ok dvntge of our Festivls Fund. The committee hve been looking t new options try exp on this positive strem for our members. One of suggestions mde t Mrch 16 S&P ws mke use of our existing equipment for festivls; RWA booth tht we send ARRA or events, but exped. We envision pop-up booth so tht our estblished members hve n esy wy sell ir books merchise t trde shows, rurl shows, expos or fce--fce events. The booth will be bred so tht it represents RWA, mteril will be provided so tht estblished member promotes RWA s well s selling ir own mteril. This will be developed furr in 2016/17 yer. ROMA Coordinr: Nikki Logn Nomintions from members for ROMA wrd ws down 45% in 2015/16 but thorough serch online indicted tht this ws more ttributble lck of coverge throughout yer thn necessry lck of member nomintions. Additionlly, this yer re ws finer focus on nominted entries fewer generl ( potentilly uncompetitive) pieces on individuls or ppernces. Ten entries were considered by ROMA selection pnel, representing six print, one brodcst medi three digitl/online medi. There ws noticeble growth in new medi representing coverge outside of trditionl print/brodcst environments journls, blogs niche publictions which while trditionlly struggling rnk highly in terms of rech (s it reltes redership/numbers) did mnge leverge new spect of weight, being exposure in venues trditionlly not open romnce mes. Plesingly, prtnership between RWA (Melbourne) Wheeler Centre in delivering 2015 RWA conference resulted in number of romnce-relted pieces in venues rrely given romnce discussion. More brodly, bsence of coverge in wider medi could indicte both end of 50 Shdes flow-on effect lso perhps n re of future focus for RWA in triggering reportge by more ctive medi communiction.

13 13 Romnce Writers of Austrli 2015/16 Annul Report Events Coordinr: Srh Brbzon Despite success of lst few yers conferences, wht ws highlighted by tems ws mount of stress pressure put on tems conference convenors in prticulr, get our extrordinry events up running smoothly. Members hve come expect excellence in progrm, spekers, workshop presenters, venue pitch opportunities t very lest. This expecttion puts level of stress on conference tems t lest mtch, if not bet, wht cme yer before. Any or orgnistion would hire professionl oversee this kind of event, however, currently, our conferences re run entirely by volunteers, mny of whom hve virtully give up writing for t lest prt of time y re fulfilling expecttions of ir role. This being uncceptble, we explored wys of deling this issue, including hiring n events mnger/ coordinr in some cpcity. However, our explortions highlighted fct tht our conferences would need ern stedy profit every yer before we could fford hire someone in this cpcity in even prt-time level. We re working wrd solution this issue s we believe tht only wy forwrd would be employ professionl event plnner oversee bck up our volunteer tems, tking cre of ll dministrtive non-cretive spects of event production. While we re working wrd this, president dministrtive ssistnt hve put in plce some dels tht will help cut down on some of stress time consuming spects of conference mngeme. We hve explored or res tht could be looked t help rise revenue support prt time events mngement position lso wht could be done help tems under current orgnistionl structure help m until we ve found wy through this dilemm. Rodshow 2016 The Rodshow did not go hed this yer, due difficulty in finding convener. Bendigo ws considered suitble destintion, however, we were not ble progress for Clyns Conference The Clyns Conference hs undergone significnt chnges over lst hlf dozen yers from little tste of conference it originlly begn s for those who could not ttend conference, becoming its own online experience. However, mount of extr work this creted for volunteers limited number of members who got benefit from this work expense, committee hd question its importnce overll membership wht it ws trying ccomplish. n dys before socil medi, Clyns Conference hd definite purpose mening those who couldn t ttend conference help m experience little of wht those t conference enjoyed. Announcements were mde bout contest wins, phos were shred odd presenter did question nswer. Now mny of se things re shred on socil medi vi Fcebook Twitter need hve n entirely different pltform tking up volunteer time effort is no longer necessry. The committee lso felt uncomfortble giving fuller conference experience Clyns hd become wy for free (or close enough free lst yer, ttendees were chrged $10 which didn t come ner covering overll costs) members when those who ttend fce--fce conference hve py for ir experience. This, dded fct tht so few members got benefit from Clyns (lst yer, only 50 could ttend given technologicl limittions) we were doing mrketing business no-no of running two events t sme time tht were in competition ech or, mde committee unnimously decide Clyns no longer served purpose for RWA membership. While coming this conclusion, committee did cknowledge fct tht re might still be need for n online conference experience, but one tht ws held t different time of yer our fce--fce conference could be used by entire membership, not be limited select group of members s Clyns hs been lst few yers. The Events portfolio mnger hs spent pst yer exploring options, reserching online conference softwre dtbse services developing pln be implemented over next yer by new Events volunteers. We hope hve something offer membership in regrds this during next yer. Or Events We re now in process of composing Writers Retret progrm, will provide more informtion in coming yer. We will hve presence t Book Expo Austrli, re looking build on RWA s profile t similr events.

14 14 Romnce Writers of Austrli 2015/16 Annul Report Annul Conference Melbourne Conference Get Fresh in 15 Kte O Donnell & Kthryn Ledson Venue The Prk Hytt ws spectculr venue for 2015 conference. t ws centrlly locted on edge of Melbourne CBD hy public trnsport. Accommodtion t Prk Hytt ws first rte, conference rte rooms sold out. Budget ccommodtion ws vilble t discount delegtes from Mercure on Spring Street. Core Conference With keynote ddresses from Anit Heiss, Mry-Jo Putney, Greme Simsion Ptrici McLinn, presenttions by interntionl invited guests, superstr locl uthors, our prtners MWF WV pnels of hevyhitting uthors, core conference ws showcse of inspirtion lerning for delegtes fr beyond ticket price. Get Fresh in 15 orgnisers mde huge strides in bringing minstrem writing orgnistions conference prticulrly liison Melbourne Writers Festivl Writers Vicri, Anit Heiss Greme Simsion. Their coverge of self-publishing ensured tht ll spects of industry s it sts dy were represented. Socil Events The Get Fresh in 15 committee continued trdition of hosting fncy-dress cocktil prty on Fridy night. This ws short mixer event finger food drinks llow delegtes socilise in relxed tmosphere. The me for 2015 ws Fun, Flirty Fmous. The wrds dinner on Sturdy night ws gl event me Singin in Rin, 1940s style nightclub provide bckdrop RWA s premier event of yer. The wrds dinner ws followed by successful fter prty sponsored by Escpe. Pitch Progrm The pitches were tken by host of locl interntionl edirs gents including two interntionl edirs two locl from Hrlequin, four locl edirs from Penguin Rom House ( Destiny Publishing), two interntionl edirs from Tule Publishing Group, one interntionl edir from Sourcebooks Csblnc, one interntionl gent, Courtney Miller-Cllihn from Snford J. Greenberger Assocites, locl representtives from Momentum Books, Pnter Press, Hchette, s well s three locl gents. Chrity The chrity chosen for 2015 ws ndigenous Litercy Foundtion (LF), which provides books litercy resources for indigenous kids fmilies in remote communities of Austrli. The key objective of LF is mke positive difference in lives of young Austrlin ndigenous children so tht y re enbled mke most of ir eductionl opportunities in schools. They do this by providing books support Austrlin ndigenous prents so tht y ir young children bbies cn enjoy litercy experiences ger, encourging links between book trde, schools librries ensure supply of books in remote ndigenous communities, ssisting writing publishing of books in child s first lnguge s well s English, ensuring enggement fmilirity rnge types of books tht children will experience in schools. Phogrpher Duncn Crling-Rogers operted pho booth t conference proceeds going chrity. Fridy Workshops Get Fresh in 15 redefined Fridy, bringing ger intensive workshops for ll ctegories of writers. Legendry writing coch Mrgie Lwson tught whole-dy workshop for Emerging Estblished strem. There ws lso hlf-dy workshop for Aspiring/Emerging writers on chrcter development Angel Ackermn. n ddition, business strem full dy of workshops from vriety of industry professionls self-publishing strem ws lso offered. Close 300 writers enrolled in se workshops record for Fridy workshops. Booksre Dymocks operted booksre in They creted book-nook reding spce for ir disply hosted uthor hot spots where delegtes could meet high-profile uthors. Self-Pub Hub The Scrlett Rugers Book Design Compny Get Fresh in 15 brought self-publishing right in conference for first time. The Scrlett Rugers Self-Pub Hub offered conference delegtes opportunity hve n expert wlk m through self-publishing process view self-publishing mnuscript (short sry, novell, novel) live during conference. Fewer people thn hoped ok up this opportunity, even though initil interest ws strong. However, by end of conference re were six new works published online by estblished emerging romnce uthors. Tht s showcse of new romntic works of fiction published vilble for downlod celebrte end of Get Fresh in 15 conference.

15 15 Romnce Writers of Austrli 2015/16 Annul Report Adelide Conference Ain t Love Gr 2016 Lind Brown Amy Mtws For first time, RWA selected Adelide host our 25th Anniversry conference. Core Conference On writing, 389 delegtes re registered for conference this yer six strems feturing interntionl spekers including Her Grhm, My McGoldrick, Michel Huge, Crine LRoche, Jonne Grnt, Srh Younger, Esi Sogh; ntionl spekers pnels including Fion Mcnsh, Anne Grcie, Rchel Johns, more. Fridy Workshop 255 delegtes re currently booked ttend Fridy workshop led by Michel Huge, Hollywood script developer, menr, sry mstery expert. Acdemic Progrm This yer we prtnered Flinders University Flinders nstitute for Reserch in Humnities, nterntionl Assocition for Study of Populr Romnce, Centre of Excellence for Hisry of Emotions, deliver n cdemic progrm, feturing specil guests including Professor Crine Roch from New College t University of Albm, Professor Stephnie Trigg from University of Melbourne. The Journl of Populr Romnce Studies ws primry journl for event, we look forwrd seeing ppers published in ner future. Events: Hrlequin Austrli hosted our Love is Cbret cocktil prty, where we wrded First Sle ribbons welcomed delegtes specil guests our 25th nniversry conference. 317 people re booked ttend 25th nniversry blck tie Gl Dinner, where we celebrted our hisry in gr style. And n dnced night wy t Escpe fter prty. Venue The beutiful Stmford Gr t Glenelg ws selected s conference venue. The Stmford is currently only one of two hotels in Adelide lrge enough ccommodte conference of this size ws fully booked months hed of time. RWA supplemented ccommodtion RWA blocks in neighbouring Oks Pier Liberty Towers. The Stmford Gr, Glenelg hs kindly donted one of mjor rffle prizes for our chrity, LF. Booksre Dymocks Adelide, longtime supporter of Austrlin romnce, were our conference bookseller this yer, s well s selling books for uthors t ARRA book signing. Pitching Over 150 members registered pitch this yer, lmost 100 registering in first hour of opening. We hd 12 edirs gents tking pitches this yer, including interntionl guests Jonne Grnt, Esi Sogh Srh Younger, of course, our vlued Austrlin publishers, edirs gents. Chrity RWA is proud support LF in our fundrising gin this yer. Jmes Kellow is on bord of LF Anit Heiss is n mbssdor, both introduced chrity t cocktil prty. The key objective of LF is mke positive difference in lives of Austrlin ndigenous children, by fostering litercy providing books in English in first lnguges. Sponsorship RWA s Sponsorship Coordinr, Vicri Purmn, is lso member of Adelide Conference tem hs redeveloped, grown estblished sponsor prtnerships both for this conference in future. We re delighted welcome Hrlequin Austrli s our Mjor Prtner for Conference 2016 we thnk m for ir long-term on-going support of romnce writing in Austrli. Our Prtners for 2016 Conference include Penguin Rom House, Hchette, Dymocks Adelide, Flinders University, Jolley s Bothouse, Austrlin Romnce Reders Assocition Fuji Xerox Tsmni. Our Supporters for Conference 2016 include High s Chocoltes, SA Writers Centre, uthors Tess LeSue, Susnne Hmpn, Suzie Hindmrsh-Knights, Trish Morey Vicri Purmn. We thnk ll our sponsors for ir support.

16 16 Romnce Writers of Austrli 2015/16 Annul Report Brisbne Conference 2017 The initil Brisbne convener stepped side due helth personl resons. These resons lso resulted in lck of communiction existing committee, hover new convener ws lso incomplete. A member of tem brvely put her h up led tem, but due lck of events experience mong or things, it eventuted tht this wsn t good fit for nyone new tem ws put ger under new ledership. The existing committee ws disbed in My 2016, s some members could not be contcted, reinstted five members volunteering, including Kendll Tlbot (Conference Coordinr), Tin Mrie Clrke, Tni Joyce, Melnie Pge, Mdeline McCrenor who styed on s tresurer. The current BNE 17 committee re currently putting ger new tem mde up of Queensl members, hve wonderful me re going fter some fbulous locl interntionl tlent hedline event. Venue The Pullmn Georges Squre ws specified for BNE 17 by RWA Executive in multi-yer contrct Accor hotels, removing need for conference committee select ir own venue. The committee intend orgnise ir sessions round me of tking chrge of your creer, n emphsis this yer on self-publishing cter our growing membership who tke this route. They will be mking ir nnouncements bout nme, me guest spekers t Adelide conference 2016.

17 17 Romnce Writers of Austrli 2015/16 Annul Report Future Conferences Venues n November 2015, RWA drfted tender process invited eight ntionl hotel chins venues of suitble size submit ir proposls. Over course of severl months, five hotel chins submitted proposls: Accor, ntercontinentl, Hiln, Shern, Rydges, Stmford, Hytt QT drwing due size of event. Overll, we received seventeen site proposls: QLD 5 NSW 7 CBR 0 WA 1 VC 4 Ech proposl ws reviewed, focl criteri were: cost vlue-dd services, objective wrd ONE hotel chin conference sites for 2017, 2018, The resons for conducting this tender were: reduce time, stress ction required from n individul conference tem perform tsk tht is repeted yer-on-yer, thus reducing volunteer ftigue obtin significnt cost-svings negotiting power four lrge-scle conferences brings this kind of greement, in n effort provide best possible delegte experience t most efficient cost crete n ongoing reltionship hotels venues in significnt future. The winner of tender ws Accor, who provided by fr most significnt cost-sving vlue-dded opportunities our events members. These include: rewrd system tht llows us ccrue points t n event use m in subsequent events eir py or reduce cost of elements of our events significnt price-reduction in overll conference cost, yer-on-yer n RWA-member 10% discount off best unrestricted rte of dy (subject vilbility Accor hotels commission for ny ccommodtion booked through RWA website key personnel t ech venue site work, s well s business centre contct for generl reltionship. Accor re now n RWA Strtegic Prtner, re preferred venue prtner for ny pproprite events RWA decides hold in future Pullmn Georges Squre, Brisbne Queensl 2018 Sofitel-Wentworth, Sydney, NSW 2019 Pullmn Melbourne Albert Prk, Vic 2020 TBA Plnning We hve creted very bsic drft for conference plnning, re continuing work closely conference tems crete position descriptions, processes procedures. At moment, we hve conference coordinr, s well s severl key conference portfolio mnger descriptions documented. We sought legl expertise of Vicki Hrvey, who generously gve of her time expertise drft speker greements for our speker tlent for conferences. These greements re designed protect define both RWA s spekers rights responsibilities. Merchising We contcted Promo Shop Get Smrt Promotionl Products 24-Hr Merchise (Austrlin bsed compnies), for quotes on bulk merchising for next four yers conferences. Get Smrt Promotionl Products hve provided best prices cusmer service dte, hve been selected for ordering RWA conference merchise for products we ll be using yer-on-yer. These include pens, bgs nmetg holders/lnyrds. Ordering se in bulk ( cover min 2017, conferences) provides orgnistion considerble svings. GS Promo lso provides srge solution, free-of-chrge, for volume of sck we purchse.

18 18 Romnce Writers of Austrli 2015/16 Annul Report Member Services & Volunteers Coordinr: Vicki Vut Member Services The Member Services portfolio hs hd good yer overll. Not much chnge from previous yer in res such s WS, Critique-Prtner Register New Member liison. Groups The Groups Liison role hs seen highest turnover third volunteer in tht job this finncil yer. While Lonely Herts section of website ws under-utilised Google Hngouts didn t run, we will be ttempting se services gin our new Groups Liison. The Aspiring Author loop is most interctive e-plce meet tlk bout writing. Yhoo tech issues resulted in move Google Groups. The monthly Author Q&A sessions bi-monthly BAW re lwys well ttended. This loop is now run by tem of three volunteers. The Emerging Author loop hs been lest ctive. After short questionnire, we gred tht use of Yhoo for loop wsn t working for members in tht group tht mjority would prefer move closed Fcebook group. A group hs been formed Yhoo loop closed down in June. A new moderr hs tken over is posting questions industry info re regulrly. So fr re hs been more interction re thn previously found in Yhoo loop. The Estblished Author loop is lso generlly quiet except for hot pics from time time. t is suspected tht this is primrily becuse mny of those in this group hve dedlines promo commitments re members of smller groups of writing friends who y receive support informtion from refore generlly hve less time devote RWA online forums on dily bsis. RWA hs conducted survey discover wht would be of greter benefit our Estblished uthors. Volunteers Portfolio This portfolio hs undergone significnt chnge this pst yer. Procedures hve been put in plce register volunteers skills/interests so on. The portfolio mngers re lso moniring worklods of ir volunteers prevent burn-out. A brief induction booklet hs been creted help m better underst running of non-profit orgnistion like RWA wht ir rights obligtions re wht ir job entils specificlly when. Most vcncies hve been filled in good time. Aspiring Group New Members Liison Critique Prtners Scheme Emerging Group Member Services Estblished Group Groups Liison ndependent Writers Scheme

19 19 Romnce Writers of Austrli 2015/16 Annul Report Web Services Coordinr: Ln Pecherczyk With intermittent help of previous webmistress, current website hs been mintined including updting new releses, OWLs, new conference informtion, dvertising more. Moderting 75 emil ccounts for compny hs lso been weekly tsk. Due growing membership bse chnging lscpe of technology, we ve greed redesign website using Wordpress specific membership plugin. This hs been worked on s prt of webmistress role, longside regulr duties. The im for doing this is mke bckground running of website more ccessible every volunteer, not just those web development bckground. t will lso llow blog come under romnceustrli.com domin thus mke it esier convert new visirs memberships. E-commerce will lso be more flexible on new website will be run through membership system, llowing for products such s The Little Gems Anthology, gift vouchers more be sold directly through site. The new membership plugin will lso llow us hve greter flexibility our reports, umtion, structurl orgnistion of memberships. There will be cross-over period fter conference where we will chnge over min site but continue run OWLs on old Moodle site. n ddition we will include: new dtbse tilored needs of orgnistion, help umte pplictions renewls, cpture report on dt more efficiently new contest mngement system tht umtes contest entries/registrtion help tke lod off volunteer contest mngers provide more efficient trcking of registrtions finncils thn current, mnul system provides new OWL registrtion pproch, long review of current online lerning system. The scope of works looks t opertions needed be conducted, is weighed ginst cost vs. need.

20 20 Romnce Writers of Austrli 2015/16 Annul Report Socil Medi Coordinr: meld Evns RWA Blog n lst yer we hve stremlined blog crry minly mteril tht is specific formt of blog. Tht is, posts tht need spce, stbility serchbility of blog pltform, rr thn ephemerl immedicy of pltforms like Fcebook or Twitter. n lst yer, we hve posted RWA news, especilly competition informtion results, members new releses (monthly) regulr industry news opinion column, written by our wonderful blog volunteer, Lur Boon. n lst couple of months of finncil yer we hve lso introduced monthly feture rticle on our estblished members, reprinted from our newsletter, Herts Tlk. The im ws provide more of wht our reders found useful less of wht y didn t it seems be working. n lst yer, RWA blog ws visited by nerly 16,000 people. Two yers go, it ws visited by just under 18,000 people. At first glnce, tht seems like substntil drop until you relise tht we published pproximtely hlf s mny posts in yer just gone s we did two yers go. Ech post is getting much more ttention refore hving more impct thn y were before. t s sign tht we re serving our reders better it is much better use of our precious volunteer resources. Unsurprisingly, most of our visirs re from Austrli, but we lso hve significnt number of visirs from UK, USA Cnd smller numbers from countries s diverse s Brzil ndi. New Horizons Lst yer we updted ll our socil medi our new logo this yer we expect migrte our blog our new improved website. With tht will come new look, we hope, one tht is esier nvigte, serch use for members members of public like. Twitter, Fcebook, Google+, Our Fcebook pge hs continued grow. n lst yer, we hve verged roughly two new likes per dy tht pttern seems likely continue. Our Fcebook pge lso enjoys considerbly better rech enggement thn verge Fcebook pge. Most of our posts rech up hlf of our subscribers. This is compred verge rech of bout 10 15% on Fcebook pges. Our members-only community group on Fcebook is lso flourishing hs even spun off some memberrun, specil-interest groups, such s our group for RWA members who re studying for, or hve completed, PhDs. We re lso experimenting using community spce on Fcebook for events. This yer, for first time, we will be inviting members who cn t mke it conference, ttend virtul prty in group celebrte nnul Awrds Dinner in rel time conference-goers. f it goes well, it will become n nnul event. Twitter Google+ continue be minly news outlets for us, but y serve useful communiction purpose for those members whose socil medi ctivity is minly on those pltforms. The exception minly news function for Twitter is during our nnul conference, when mny of ttendees live-tweet from conference shre insights from workshops, pictures from socil events wrds results members friends who couldn t mke it. We crete n officil hshtg ech yer on some occsions we hve even trended on Twitter Austrli! Pinterest Since our lst AGM, we hve estblished n RWA presence on Pinterest. Eric Hyes hs been posting our members new releses ech month on bords divided by romntic sub-genre. n yer come we hope exp use connections of our Pinterest ccount. You cn see it t u.pinterest.com/rwus.

21 21 Romnce Writers of Austrli 2015/16 Annul Report Herts Tlk Herts Tlk emil open rtes for 2015/16 Edirs: Crl Cruso & Dniel de Lorne Herts Tlk continues be vlued much enjoyed benefit for our members. Crl Cruso Dniel de Lorne continued on s edirs, splitting work between content production. The mjority of members were switched receiving Herts Tlk digitlly from December 2015 s prt of wy of funding prt-time dministrtive ssistnt. Members who wished continue receive print copy could do so if y pid $25 nnul fee. Unfortuntely, this ws not enough cover costs of printing postge. The decision ws mde drw print copy s n option, finishing June 2016 issue. A new design for Herts Tlk ws introduced in Jnury We lso introduced two new columns in yer, Bumps in Rod Creer Stlker, while mintining regulr fetures such s A Writer s Life, Write Crft Mrketing Questions Answered. Month Sent Viewed Engged % Engged July % August % September % Ocber % November % December % Jnury % Februry % Mrch % April % My % June % Tlk Herts Tlk Tlk Herts Tlk Herts Herts Herts Tlk Herts Tlk Herts Tlk Herts Tlk Herts Tlk Herts TlkHerts TlkHerts Edition #266 July 2015 Edition #267 August 2015 Edition #268 September 2015 Edition #269 Ocber 2015 Edition #271 December 2015 Edition #270 November 2015 The officil journl of Romnce Writers of Austrli The officil journl of Edition Romnce #27 Writers Myof2016 Austrli The officil journledition of Romnce Austrli Edition #27 Februry The officil journl of Romnce Writers of Austrli #272 Writers Jnuryof2016 The officil journl ofedition Romnce of Austrli Edition #27 April 2016 The officil journl of Romnce Writers 2016 of Austrli #27Writers Mrch 2016 The officil journl of Romnce Writers of Austrli The officil journl of Romnce Writers of Austrli The officil journl of Romnce Writers of Austrli The officil journl of Romnce Writers of Austrli The officil journl of Romnce Writers of Austrli The officil journl of Romnce Writers of Austrli Tlk Edition #277 June 2016 Book 21 Mrks FirstRuby RubyAwrd for 100th Wilding Meririous Service Our 2015 AwrdAwrd 2015 Recipients Johnn Book Nicholls Ruby Win A Cht Lynne Greme Simsion Ruby Win Mrks Decde in Fiction From New York Adelide Melbourne Duo MkeSuccess Her Her Bright Ror Young Things Roring United Sttes Finls NSW s Annie West led Ruby (Romntic Book of Mrion Yer) wrd in sexy ctegory forromnce her novel, Vicri s Lennox hs short been writing ctegory This Sydney for uthor qurter ok out of RWA s centuryromntic hs no Book plns of step Yer Awrd or Ruby in romntic elements Dmso Clims His Heir (HMB Sexy), t this yer s RWA conference. Unbelievbly, its herher first Ruby nomintion Queensler Andrews celebrted yers infilm publishing wy from keybord. We tlked bout winning this yer s RWA Ruby Awrd short sweet ctegory t this yer s conference. Wein spoke her boutctegory colonilamy Austrlin fiction, ghosts, 10 possible in Some big nmes re heding South Austrli for RWA s nnul conference in August, win fter relesing 20 or fbulous books.for We spoke former public servnt bout her chievement. milesne novel. works! ournlist Mri ewis hs emerged s n by ling her second Romntic Book of Sydney Yeruthor wrd or Commit nmes of se Adelide writers memory: Skrzypczk ll Srh Gtes. including Esi SoghLin Srh Younger, wy from Big Apple. We interviewed pir citing, young voice in prnorml fiction. Her debut novel, mnuscript tht hs hd erocky rod. Annie, wht does winning Ruby in 2015 men Mrion, you? hve you won Ruby before? And whtjohnn, does wht does winning Ruby in 2015 men Ruby you? Perth uthor Ntsh Lester They re young 25 22, respectively drems fervour. Ech hs recently in chsing led-upir our nnul gring. winning one in 2015 men you? Who s Afrid?, is bout womn who tkes on world, one This is first for me. m grinning now, just t thought The Lce Blcony brought me my first Ruby wrd [in hs serious literry cred. scored menrships p nmes in fiction, one will hve pperbck published this yer. bite t time. of it. The Ruby wrd mens so much me, especilly Thissws my 23rd nomintion my third win, youromntic Elements ctegory. t is tresureamy, ] beyond Boy relly, relly should hve hve you won Ruby She won Fremntle s T.A.G. it s from RWA. f hdn t joined RWA, wouldn t hve wht? Every single nomintion tkes my breth know mesure... As teenger, it ws my drem write hisricl before? Wht did winning 2015 prepred tht speech! Risky Business Hungerford his yer,publishing two Aussies hve finlled in Romnce Awrd ritersin 2008 writing creer ve got or mrvellous friends whowy. now The phone cll tht d finlled this time left novels me s pssionte love sry t hert of m. Esi Sogh, senior edir t Kensingn one The men you? ws rejected by mny publishers drm dnce. Throughout my Hve you lwys wnted be mgzines, joining writing been finlist for his first piece of dvice ws Mri, plese tell us bout your enrich my life. would hve given up on drem wekoft knees s first cll did. Tht m still writing of Americ R A Awrds e n e cott (khs M..lso Scott hsome wrd on my mntelpiece is constnt reminder over yers, it ctully Hve you ws beeninvolved Austrli schooling yers, in groups.will you be tking pitches? And n uthor? Tell us bout your debutbut novel, Who s Afrid? move it offshore s Austrlin The Austrlin/Vogel s Literry writing for living. Plus fct tht judges re romnce books tht reders love, fter ll this time, fills metht youthful impossible drems cn be chieved won fter Ruby, bck in 2010, in de ne h. he R As recognise e cellence in published received very good rejections. before? not, wht re you tell us kind of sries you re every ply, everyfmusic concert (Hchette Austrli). And did you publisherswriting short sexy ctegory for one of my journey. wouldn t be interested reders is terrific s tht s who m writing for (prtwonder. from don t know how it s hppened but feelgret trulydel of blood, swet ters. of chrcters. As someone who studied screenwriting, Awrd. Now she s winning Srh Brbzon: n n orgnistion like RWA, if members hd py mrket rtes for ll n 2015, ws fortunte win romnce novels novells. p,000 titles re entered n fct, it went cquisition t expecting? currently looking for. lwys wnt be n uthor? every form of physicl cretive [Mills & Boon] medicls A Docr, in genre sry set loclly myself, of course). hve my Ruby wrd on my desk blessed beside tht it hs. ve been tught look t sry from viewpoint of services tht we offer, membership fees would be stronomicl none but of new fnsfinlists her10third novel, Crclew s ColininThiele Scholrship Lin Skrzypczk: ve lwys Rom House ( first publisher Cn you sum up The Lce Blcony in nutshell? Also, contest ech yer. e gve Melbourne A Nurse, A Christms Bby. Winning expression. t wsn t high computer she gives me lift every time look t her. interntionl publishers would find hven t! ve until wnted go secondry chrcters, so crs won t be sying, most successful uthors would be ble fford m. The writers who need us most will be tking pitches m definitely n but nutshell ( help, m in bloody loved writing, but never thought Cn you sum up Wves of Tempttion for us? setir in Jzz Age. Ntsh wht number book is this for you how mny yers gve it ), fell through. even uestions nswer bout wrds writing lives. this yer this book ment Of course she s femle. How could she not be? school tht relly begn it o inccessible. So moved it Austrli for yers yers, so m looking for romntic suspense, s But wht s my motivtion? But devil is in detil spiring, emerging estblished (but not yet erning megbucks) uthors would bigfirst nutshell ), Who s Afrid? seriously bout mking it creer led my gent becuse of it. is spent yers reserching Wves of Tempttion sprng from writers retrethve twoyou been writing? lot. Knowing reders loved Risky Scotl New Zel insted, developincredibly n pprecition of how sry s ld. And think re re differences miss out. So see volunteering for RWA s n essentil prt of giving bck writing excitedfor (swritten is my fr. gender-bent Dr Jekyll Mr Hyde well s romntic mysteries (so, Cn you sum up Dmso Clims His Heir for us? And until begn tertiry-level studies. conditions for women in think of yers go, when Austrlin Surfing Chmpionships Nutshells re even more difficult for me writebusiness thn n [Escpe Publishing] ws which proved be pretty fteful But you see, writing se texts. begn enjoying tht might not be importnt in, sy, crime novel, but re community tht hs served me so well. There re so mny who hve volunteered tirelessly He s been giving mect tipsofpretty cn t ws werewolves swering. how mny yers hve you been writing? like suspense, but less violence, Flinders University Wh ch o you oo fin ed where d1st0s, suddenly on primitive oor. were moved from rough norrly bech 180,000-word wves worth ll ups downs of its novel, but ll hve go. Set in colonil New including The Ruby (Romntic Book of Yer) contemporry single-titles during decision s tht s when thingsdelivered some sitting down, internlising front centre in (heterosexul) romnce. for yers m honoured be considered mong ir rnks, doubly honoured be much non sp. m definitely singlemore person in my Essentilly if you liked True Blood fun). lso like ysee more fntstic cretive writing courses Dmso Mris s sry is Slumdog Millionire right meetsunder my prtment window. ws surrounded redit ouis Dillion Svge n d ht ctego t fi t tumultuous journey publiction. South Wles, The Lce Blcony is fictionl sg entwined time when contemporry ws cretinglooking content over interpreting nominted for Lynne Wilding Awrd. such s forwrd exploring some series of novels from Chrline Hrris, strted relly hppen. e wsmedicl home butprctices, lmost didn t Mrion Lennox Amy Andrews high society princess Johnn Nicholls Annie Westcomplictions! This hisricl romnce infin unusul Wht re your views on writing kissing sex scenes? close circle who isn t pirby scorn tht got me thinking could do this. t e you ve ed fellow writers bounce ides off book justhisricl events tht re reveled from both femle prnorml ws king. So externlising tht institutions. content s love of culturl n this is probbly something you nswer phone s it ws using heroin s ood tretment Cn you sum up Risky Business for DEAD Wves ofmy Tempttion The discover Lce Blcony Dmso Clims His Heir And, yes, But cnnot even Do you think y re o reveling? Do you void m? n pst, hve been judge for mny of competitions. im ws lwys be Risky s Business society s rules, settings, s we sy. For generl but fter night of pssion y it ws onlybegin once d completed sprng in being. mle perspectives. The linchpin tringle t hert got very lucky my gent doing something while ll publishers who red it you do in, sy, drm or dnce. e ctu book ed club ght : The would dig. And no, didn t wnt rt, dnce, tre, her ridy for thought it ws probbly e us? Also, wht number book is (Escpe Publishing) (Simon & Schuster) (HM&B cocine ddiction explin how hving n gent s possible in my comments. don t know tht(hm&b ny of mymedicl) entries ever won n wrd, fiction, relly like y re tied ech orsexy) becuse y ve creted bby. my much first novel length mnuscript ofpst sry involves young courtesn, bitter rivlry They need be pproprite suit ne of constructive sry. of S.H..E..D, Ale Adelide Adsett, who liked it, y pssed becuse re Shttered Court [Roc], which is Surf-pro physicin Kelly Eveldene thinks she s left her be n uthor growing up. wnted is just bursting telemrketer but picked up. So this for you how mny yers Short Sweet Long Romnce Romntic Elements Short Sexy extrordinry. but received mny lovely crds emils from contestnts thnking me for my constructive helps. A lot publishers red books novels tht tckle big issues where got Tht leds mmmoth tug-of-wr s y try spoke her. ofws offeredwon t contrct of two brors, wrring upper-clss fmily relat one end, you hve explicit sex tht feels out of plce dresses like oetry sun cme ower first but d lso wsn t mrket for it t first book in my Four Arts series, behind. But when her son s injured in surfing ccident be everything else.time. lwys loved culture. lern more ws pretty surprised when it ws n hve you been writing? comments. These words mde n nonymous tsk tht ws often thnkless worthwhile. unsolicited mnuscripts begin determine best for ir unborn child. n process, delve in concept like me. in interesting wys leve you life ssssintion of norious Cptin Ptrick Logn, t or you hve uthor voiding telling us things Hrlequin s Digitl Series Firstconducts (n meetings like Venus So put itwriting wy bringws it out she finds herself fce--fce one mn she d pryed written s M.. Scott. t s finlled in d English my best bout hisry Austrli, so Americn voice sying she ws Dee, so unless you re represented y re forced strip wy msks y ve hidden Novel writing cme next, of where thinking bout your life in new wy. Commnt of Moren By penl colony. Risky Business is n urbn-fmily we would expect know. My bsic job is choosefor wht pst few yers, hve run #50K30D (or 50,000 words in 30 dys effort) in ytrp. She s true believer in her imprint tht s since closed down) every couple of yers, polish/twek never see gin, her lte husb s bror, delectble rnorml Romnce, yes, it s subject, but ws more interested guess ll this mens tht ll befor Cretive Writing Dvies clling from R Americ he it cn be hrd it s brek through behind ll ir lives. ( love tht bit!). develop felt hd more freedom explore think it depends. think esy rom-com bout Smnth, thirty revel progress plot chrcter, don tjune tret November. ve hd up 86 writers chieving gols from 20k 100k in clients fights for wht y Ntsh, wht inspired tht relly felt hd chnce t Dr. Mtt Eveldene. it some more, send itnything off gin,from n rt first time hve finlled. in becoming e e ny o nce fict on Still The Lce Blcony is my third Austrlin hisricl novel, heding through lot of museums. first thing did fter got cll wsyou thne-eyed gte. t cn but it s Therere some gret red by men, novel menr, fntstic become very s hppen, uthors concept time, me sry, And something womn whose eggs sex ny differently. n The Rosie Project, Don is scientist month. Ltely, hve tken onlove sries role ofwritten events coordinr, overseeing preprtions ve got so mny thta love! One Mr Fitzgerld wnt, but t sme when Dmso ws my 21st book for Hrlequin my 22nd write From mking writing creer. believe it.for 2016 but still mrket wsn t right. curr or coroner, phogrpher following ronbrk, Ghost Gum Vlley. The fourth, trends cn t you reuite predicting if nyone hs tips on voiding tell friend mykiss mum. Aussies get Seeing Kelly gin brings Mtt s pinful pst bck but we often don t clssify m s romnce. very, very di cult. iterry gents [Adelide romnce uthor] Vicri not see bigger picture. hve strted tlking her her chrcter she s setting. hve been n innocent, so his descriptions re clinicl for nïve. Melbourne Adelide conferences working(but on check project ese burden of tht m especilly excited bout you re being unrelistic, published. begn tinkering writing in 1996, but it (Hchette), set in is so 1920s? forensic psychologist. And nor entire publishing Golden Schuster beyond? legendry insects ve herd bout, clled erly due time one hunt him sprks desire he shouldn t feel. Kelly is Hope, will be published by Simon & hot de edited ne Love ctu ed ot My love for writing from twriting Amzon:Richrd Flngn s Booker Prize-winning only represent works stemmed tht think tend bility step bck neighbour, Nick, who grees Purmn. wrote seriously five yers n book m writing, sexul reltionship is centrl, volunteersout throughout orgnistion. ws quite some time before clled myself writer. only brillint checking yourselffor before series [Aussie] Alli Sinclir. lscpewht chnged you few yersconfidence go (Aust.) inever 2016.hd My writing creer spns short sries, urge write single-title novel or plese let me know! couldn tsy publicly until stillnything vividly remember sitting in strictly off-limits, but who cn resist tempttion of ght : Her Secret Prince ule gve Nrrow Rod Deep North is clssified romnce. y ) love b) think y cn love for performing rts music, help her find Mr Demogrphiclly look t things objectively is required m seeing lot more romnce m much more explicit. ve written couple of erotic Elimintion in seven months during which time hve becme full-time uthor in lst couple of yers. you wreck now, yourself (gently). She s lredy two books t own knew ws time bring your RB debut plys, working s mgzine feture writer, TV resercher, Crl Cruso: co-edit Herts Grci Tlk verylove proficient Dniel self-publish? tempt reders join me on my journey of discovery bout 1 published. hisry 0m Sturdy forbidden? clssesmorning. in Yer 12 when we ublishing hs finlled in ittry overses And think of Gbriel Mrquez s in Time of de Lorne. relly sell, so if you get signed, it s lredy Suitble. tell people it s cross but it s not lwys esy think short sries, y re very explicit, becuse tht s wht Wht will you be doing t lighter ne think we focused on improving my crft received publiction contrct in Austrli, long firstdy one, out gin.(lso lwys believed Brown role of TV drm script-edir t Austrlin enjoy shring editing role s it s good hve someone bounce ides off we both shre my pssion. You often write bout sheikhs, suve tlins As for ittle, rown, tht ws very when lerning bout ust Americ in Romnce ovell ctegory, yes, felt like were ling inlittle, Choler. Or Hemingwy s Frewell Arms ) huge hurdle lep becuse hve very short ttention spn. After 50,000When words, between Hrry Met Slly genre s bout. (No, y re not published. My wife hs it s wise pick your bttles. conference? t s my 100th romnce novel it ws pure joy write. srytelling bility in order in r c my see return of romntic Hrlequin MRA in November Midnight Serende, cme out in Brodcsting Corportion. n 2009, publiction book. t hd seenino much love bring different skill sets tble. think my nomintion ws ken becuse Dniel is Greeks, royls. Wht ppels you bout more hppiest ccident ever ccident: wnted tell1920s. everyone. this is my first time. Books London)? t completely cught my m itching get on new sry. As for y genuinely believe re s n The Lce Blcony is your third novel hve been Did hving n published erotic romnce under nme Simone Sinn, self-publishing, Look cried s wrote first two pges tht s first forofme. meet strds of commercil comedy though it might not Do you reviews? you rect lso bd being ones? on committee! ronbrk fulfilled my quest begin new creer in Who s Tlking. This ws US in July. The series is three lso nominted butred he does lothow moredo volunteering-wise, from people in know ignore. f plot or chrcter or exotic heroes? Are you trveller? in pnels s well re were mybe ll hlfbe prticipting dozen Do you juggle writing dy gent spekesies, Hrlequin hs been very good me 30-something for me. trnslted cn t bookin udience for your work. An gent is know better thn trespss on her terriry.) s fr s Germn published in help? Germny, e fiction u imgintion t outech ppers, oo Wht d you do hen you gotwomen s publiction. be clled tht.dbut think mrrying my two pssions, fiction Austrlin my hisry. don t evenn feel likepress, wht definitely, do is volunteering becuse on getblogs. so much novels, setting is vitlly importnt you, Wht hs drwn you medicl sweeter romnces? s holding workshop. The minjob or studies? US very sometimes vebck, from chnce jzz thought myself: now see myself in 30 lnguges, plus my gorgeous [Jpnese Do you writers stick Well, love my Aussie heroes, o, but one of things lso professionl, someone whose publishers in UK publiction goes, but it ws written Wht Austri Switzerl. do think you think re should wsn t iscstrting We eyou ho e Pitching overses my ide. t by ll pendulum swing Why do you think most men don t red or write romnce? interview or members, writers of publishing professionls n, mens, go bt for feturinge : The different kind of dnce Shttered Court is hve loved thrust will be ourloved chnging roles in seriously looking t Who s Afrid?, skimmed Goodreds couple times. tret review skeeping brest of Srh Gtes: ve lwys Your ws upmng why ginst mostlydomodern-dy novels in fter love Mng sobck much? if tht s time would dored bout first romnces red ws lure of For exotic. my first romnce wrote my heroine s bookcomics] ir guns more when it comes job it is hve your bck, which wy d only done five or secrets hving interntionl ppel hppened novel? just so be beutiful LS: Thiswy yer, from mde decision dys no fory mtterin where y come from! drk, ngsty industry trends wht s love? it. Publishers cn be persuded de ne ws wy in country romntichve fntsy. bout Sophi this digitl publishing genertionl fmily sry. but ittle, writing, rown went hrd, tking response by onenot person rr thn n objective evlution. but new never hd ge clerof ide romntic elements ctegory. Do you think it s win ws contrcted by HMB self-publish. t s hrd enough getting men red fiction t ll! One beent s live in.t s docr. t led in London just s Mills & Boon (s y not chnging suit is invluble when it comes so books. collision ofplot dvice from [Austrlin decrese my full-time work hours As teenger, lerned how sy love you in multiple of prnorml romnce New if you mke resoned rguments for Ester weekend. his is m thrilled tht my novels resonte Germn who is ldy love. in witing tlks how old is new book stright in Mkes sense, it were objective, you d expect e ctly endll, kind of fiction written dozens of books Hrlequin now. wht wnted everything be. When ws forhisricl fiction tht you won Austrlin-set reson y don t red romnce is tht most (genre) Dine Currn: This is mybecuse sixth yerif on committee lst five yers served s Member were n)you ve were chnging ir Docr Nursefor series Tht reders, sometimes everything from mintining your in 2004 [2015] mrked decde publisher? ction-thriller writer] Mtw You ve been published since Wht hve been lnguges s fell for heroes from frwy plces. lwys spend more time writing. But The 1920s re lso such Adult. think this is wht drove first time ve entered R A, so for inclusion of prticulr thing. bout turn 1, which is drmtic m full of dmirtion forwriter trnslrs who hve so c uisitions off bck of gin. m lso looking some greement Andfounded you certinly don t HveSoyou ever hd inurge write single-title novel t tht? little, wnted edir be singer or forwrd hisricl fiction romnce sries tke womn s perspective, whichsecretry, my dding Secretry inmong Augustreviewers. lst yer. lso RWA blog ws Romus broder bse. initilly ws right plce t does know better? vision negotiting contrcts. since my debut book hit shelves. Reilly tht being where ll relly excited for series biggest chnges you ve seen in industry? Do you wnted trvel ve done quite bit of it, spending even when m working, my mind timeshe of bout chnge women y d explosion contemporry hd noofide clls would be m lso Sometimes, though, y won t, ge t which might come in Ann otmn devouring itre in sure successfully cptured spirit of Austrlin idiom get hd few criticl reviews, been who wht be delightful or self-publish? be interesting once or twice mle reder, but moderr is not someone wers high heels for tht. yer. ve n ddition, tweet results of some Glhve Awrds Night ech yer. right Dine Currn Ann Hckett Ann Cmpbell interest ws t. do indeed. you re shortlisted fine cceptnce speech, you thinkwhen it s hrder or esier be longside writer time living in Europe s well s bckpcking through Egypttime. lunching in April by Alyss ust2017 strted becuse of is still chugging wy tsoon pst problem ndy? your mde few must ve romnce overso yers,sounded ultimtely it ll come down mgicl bilities. ut working dy before dy preching boutshort it her very intelligent interesting some less so! lwys keep Trojn Moon prties. love getting dressed psyche. The secrets of interntionl ppel re mystery something y cn identify. Stereotypicl/superficil work! wrote sries when ws up! Lynne Beneth Her Erl More recently, ve ditched yerning write title. t scontemporry tken me longnovels, it relly is icing on cke Christms or plces. Wilding bckpck m honoured be nominted for Lynne Wilding Awrd hve been honoured Since n m venot written for both lines. single love excitement Cole. Set Americn wr, y hd ir own money scene chrcter. listen mentioned Risky hdif chrcters sry d spoken t length bout Who s embrrssingly bls, s ssumed how bdly you wnt it versus how The chnges re brethtking. On upside, it now seems soredirs lookfor different collegues.young ws signed in ws 16. in mind tht most publicity is good publicity, so review her during birthdy, plce iscivil ttcked me. Business suspect tht re genuine descriptions of men (in some books!) don t help. Then it s novel when Meririous Awrd (Self-published) (Self-published) enough come grips writing emotionlly stisfying for n Austrlin hisricl novel win given tht for for comfortble hotels even cstle or two,service ll of in volunteer for Romnce Writers of Austrli. The or women nominted for this wrd re medicl drm love fun cn hve Afrid? 2015 mrked Mtw decde An Extrordinry forhs first in run ir lives, y rejected by number of udiobooks my genre on tht who s superws some kind of Rgenre, A dmin r, esier get your work in publicbeen ren. There re bdly you Hopefully wnt bookwho s published. my be negtive but seldom bd. hd one ugh review in(equl winner) week for not ust first book first, Sophi gotime on types ofitinsries in reflection of country s identity, reafrid? is good chnce vicious circle: mle writers my feel y cn t produce The nme Ell (equl winner)setting is incredibly importnt ctegory-length sries! enjoy thtntrigue, chllenge. of reserch! me,romnce. yers wsnever such difficult field enter. felt publishers strongly eqully deserving lso put in n incredible effort servethe Ell orgnistion m proud pure hve written Sexy n butitbut While studying double degree in Union, tells sry of Elle, were living in bordinghouses wy over mny yers. generous his time cllwork (which, know, wy from you keep hppen so mny new pltforms tht trditionl publishing isy nowwill feels like publisher different since debut book hit lotaofreltionship is minstrem press severl people sid nice review! but sequel, which ws n one of royl gurds light-herted plots witty voices ll n untic women s perspective for this femle udience. cross lnguge brriers my resonte or m lot more notebook Whoreknows wht s tht corner? for hisry ws becoming n endngered wher it s suburbn Sydney or n exotic foreign kingdom our As unique st mongst m. This orgnistion hs given me much more bck thn time Romnce sy never. Medicls my best fit. round My books seem Lw Arts seeing (Cretive from eyesre. of ir fmily, who bck in Wht some of its perceived young uthors screenwriters. hen in my crtime... through. jot.down nyvery friendlyfreedwomn only one of mny options. But 25 yers go, were my biggest two-wywerewolf street. They know bunch They re not reding it s closely s you re incredible feeling becuse it mentwriting), things get crgoes y from begin brek sry. shelves. mymori sries often develop round plce, wher self-publishing lst yer published twospecies. contemporry n ech of my st-lone novels, lept in effort hve put in: wonderful friendships, critique prtners, writing eduction mzing think this pplies more sries written s escpism, rel be ction-pcked, fun rel, sexul ttrction Crly Min Memen Vlerie Prv Awrd Continued 4... ws set in sought romnce out mny opportunities lighter just strting negotite problems? Why did you still Originllypge book Renee dropped news tried slvery servey s were spy for interesting techniques uthor Continued 4... or invented. hope though tht my heroes re compelling Continued pge 4... Continued pge 4... novells inunderne. my Hot tlin Nights series loved time it. ve plce in Austrlin society, hoping different inpge Thnk you, RWA. which guess is where we tend pply romnce conferences. lbel. lwys simmering Tell nusmy bout some ofcomposure projects write, including Austrli New Zel, believe sry? Continued pge 4...y Continued pge 4... festivls Continued on pge 4... expecttions tht mintin fromunion, society s Scottish gent on who hs used. dys off, my dedicte ne. onreviewing Continued pge 4... Continued pge 4... uthors tht hve currently for websites, writing rticles got you excited. on pge 4... Continued on pge 4... Continued for mgzines, editing student The uthor of overnight senstion, The Rosie Project Estblished in 1996, this wrd s intention is recognise honour n individul s outsting voluntry contribution RWA in pst 12 months. t s nmed in subsequent bestselling novel, The Rosie Effect, will kick off RWA Melbourne 2015 Conferencehonour of very specil founding member president of RWA. As uthor contest orgniser Kerri Lne (k Kz Delney) sys: Without such volunteers, this wonderful Sturdy morning keynote ddress on 22 August. orgnistion would come grinding hlt. The recipient will be nnounced t Ashley Crr recently spoke him. conference wrds dinner lter this month. We sked nominees explin wht y Greme, do you think re s difference between do how y felt bout being selected. romntic srylines ld from mle s opposed femle chrcter s perspective? Kte Belle: My volunteering hs involved convening 2015 conference using our flgship think bsic srylines need be similr, becuse event bring RWA in literry spotlight. [My rection?] Surprised. Cn t tell wht ctully sid, it s o rude! sry hs mke sense from perspective of bothyou (ll!) \ would simply mrry hve bbies, versus ir growing desire do more thn tht, be more, hve lrger life. And tht s wht wnted write bout: womn on cusp of breking in something no womn hd ever dred try before, but lso womn hoping tht she cn still find mn who will love her, in spite of her sclous life. We he t u te d e ent or 1920s novels in tht it hs (spoiler lert) hppy ending! Why did you decide do things d e ent y es, it definitely hs hppy ending My first two books hd wht considered be hopeful endings, even though y were left open for reder interpret wht hd hppened. ut know from reding reviews on Goodreds tht not ll reders interpreted ending sme wy s hd hoped. So, for this book, wnted definitive hppy ending. Something tht couldn t possibly be misinterpreted. Also, my heroine, Evie, hs go through such lot in course of book tht ust couldn t give her nything or thn hppy ending. She relly deserves one n nutshell, tell us bout novel. t s 1 in Mnhttn of gin, jzz prosperity. Women wer Continued on pge 4...