Our monthly member-only magazine has the latest news and information for writers.

Here is a little peek….

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2011 ROMANTIC BOOK of the YEAR (R♥BY) WINNERS

Sophia James ~ Long Romance section 

How did you feel when you won the R♥BY?

I felt a huge mixture of emotions actually. Disbelief that my name was up on the screen, nervousness with the realisation I would have to make a speech and exhilaration because One Unashamed Night was a book I have always particularly loved and believed in.

Melanie Milburne ~ Short, Sweet category

How did you feel when you won the R♥BY?

I was stunned. I know everyone always says they never thought they would win, but I honestly didn’t think I had a chance in that category. There is nothing Sweet and Traditional about my voice, although that particular book did have a softer approach.

I generally write with the same level of sensuality in both Presents and Medicals so it was a complete and utter surprise.

Helene Young ~ Romantic Elements

How did you feel when you won the R♥BY?

Ecstatic, overwhelmed, surprised, delighted, humbled, but most tellingly I was left speechless. And anyone who knows me will confirm I’m never lost for words…

The cheer from the room was like a very warm, very rowdy group hug. It was wonderful.

Lindsay Armstrong ~ Short, Sexy category

We were unable to contact Lindsay Armstrong.

For full article, go to our website. For members only.

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The Writing Journey With…Helen Lacey

I sent my first submission to Mills & Boon London in 1987. I was young and wet behind the ears and didn’t have a clue about submitting, so my oldest sister found the address for me and I sent the manuscript off. Of course I received a form letter back – my submission was way too short and really woeful. But it was the start of a 20+ year apprenticeship. My first book, Made for Marriage, comes out in January 2012.

Honestly, there were times over those years when I thought I just needed to forget all about being an author. But those moments were fleeting. I knew I wanted to be a Harlequin author when I was twelve years old and I read my first Mills & Boon. The desire to achieve that never seriously waned. I still love reading them when I’m not writing.

For full article, go to our website. For members only.

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RWA Noticeboard

Email Professionalism

Email communication is the predominant way contact is made in the publishing industry…. Remember to always be professional with your email correspondence.

RWA Group Grants

The next round of RWA’s group grants will open in February 2012 so get your group together and apply. The Group Grants Scheme is a fund that any RWA Affiliated or RWA Associated Group can apply to in support of the wonderful work they do in advancing the careers of their RWA members.

Romantic Book of the Year (R*BY)

The 2012 R♥BY opens Monday 2 January 2012 and closes Friday 3 February 2012.

For the details, go to our website. For members only.

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How to Write a Fight Scene, Part 2 by Susanna Rogers

The first article in this series looked at the reasons for including a fight scene in your story. Now we’re ready for a bit of ground and pound. Your kick-ass heroine has been training for years and she’s ready to take on the bad guys. She’s been cornered. She has no choice but to fight. And she’s ready. The gloves are off.

The importance of awareness

Awareness is your number one tool in self-defence. Not very exciting, but true. If your kick-ass heroine is smart—and she should be—she’ll know this. Above all, she’ll be aware of her surroundings. Without even consciously thinking about it, she’ll be scouring her environment and perhaps even considering escape routes and options. Make sure your protagonist has these characteristics. There may be times you wish to use this in a different way. For example, your heroine might be distraught after breaking up with the hero and then for that one moment when her guard is down, she leaves herself open to attack. Afterwards, she might be so angry with herself for letting this happen that she comes back harder and stronger. This would show your heroine is human and has made a mistake.

For full article, go to our website. For members only.

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Conference Information with Helen Katsinis

Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend Cocktail Party

see blog post.

Diamonds Are Forever – Conference Catch Up 

Hearts Talk caught up with conference coordinator Fiona Gregory to talk about preparations for the conference.

Firstly, how are preparations for the conference going?

The Diamonds are Forever conference will be held between 16-19 August 2012 at the QT Gold Coast and our preparations are well underway. We’ve got Eloisa James (Keynote Speaker) and Alexandra Sokoloff (Friday Workshop) confirmed and are in final discussions with our remaining speakers. It’s going to be a fabulous line up.

Our recent call for workshops went really well and we’re in the process of reviewing submissions and working out the scheduling. Preparations are well underway for the Cocktail Party and Awards Dinner. Our cocktail party theme is “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” and as usual, we’d love our delegates to come in fancy dress. I, for one, can’t wait to see the costumes everyone comes up with.

For full article, go to our website. For members only.

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A Writer’s Life ~ What I Learned From Television with Sarah Mayberry

Hello! For those of you who don’t know me, I write for Harlequin Super Romance and Blaze, and I also work as a freelance television script writer and story consultant. When the lovely ladies at Hearts Talk asked if I would be interested in writing the Writer’s Life column I was both chuffed and intimidated. But then I thought about it and realised that there are a few little things I’ve picked up along the way or thoughts I’ve had that I’d love to share with my fellow writers (whether you like it or not!). So here I am. I’ve got a few topics nutted out already, but I wanted to kick off with something I’ve been thinking about a bit lately…

Before I got “the call” from Harlequin, I wrote eight full books over about ten years that no one was interested in. I had no idea that RWA even existed and despite having a BA in Professional Writing under my belt, it wasn’t until I landed a job working as a storyliner for Neighbours that I was able to understand where I had gone wrong. During my time with the show we plotted several romances, in particular a slow burn one that went for months and months. As we plotted out the many scenes and twists and turns and two-steps-forward-and-three-steps-back that made up this long term story arc, I realised where I’d gone wrong with my books—I’d taken all the mystery out of my stories because I’d given my characters the gift of always being able to understand what the other person was thinking and feeling.

For full article, go to our website. For members only.

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Have You Set Your Writing Goals for 2012?

Did you do Bob Mayer’s Friday Workshop at the Melbourne Conference? The first tool in his Write It Forward program is “WHAT” and is all about setting goals.

Bob Mayer’s goals overview says:

• You must have goals that are clearly defined and can be stated in one sentence.

• You must understand why you’re trying to achieve your goals, what impact they’ll have on your environment, and how your environment affects you.

He goes on to say,

• Goals are future oriented.

• The successful writer spends his time and energy acting.

Mary O’Gara’s creative boost process is to look at your goals, wants and opportunities. Goals should be S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound).

For full article, go to our website. For members only.

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Of course don’t forget our regular columns: 

• From the Prez with Rachel Bailey

• Events Calendar with Doreen Sullivan

• The Writing Journey with….with Suzanne Brandyn > Featured this month is Helen Lacey (see above)

• Contest Page with Lis Hoorweg> Includes Selling Synopsis 2012 Contest Manager’s Report 

• Market Watch with Sami Lee

• News & Releases with Bronwyn Stuart

• Ask Auntie Fi with Fiona Lowe

Dear Auntie Fi, Last year I entered the First Kiss contest and was told there wasn’t enough emotion in my kiss. How do I get emotion into my writing? I’m not sure how to do  this. ~Emotion-less in Esperance.

For full columns, go to our website. For members only.

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Enjoy!!

Not a member? Please view our sample issue from January 2011.

To receive our wonderful monthly newsletter, we invite you to Join RWA for all the details.

Our monthly member-only magazine has the latest news and information for writers.

Here is a little peek….

♥

Mel Teshco chats to Jaid Black

Jaid Black is a USA TODAY bestselling author of numerous erotic romance novels, as well as the owner and founder of the erotic fiction publisher, Ellora’s Cave. She has been honoured by Romantic Times Magazine with their first ever Trailblazer Award for her contribution to the romance genre, Romantica® (Ellora’s Cave registered trademark name for erotic romance), and her significant role in popularising e-books.

She has over thirty books to her name and has received numerous distinctions, including the Henry Miller Award for the best literary sex scene written in the English language.

Hi Jaid, thank you for taking time out from your very busy schedule. Not only are you a mother of two girls, a writer, editor and business owner, you’re also an active campaigner for the  disadvantaged and have recently started a new venture co-hosting a once weekly, in your face radio show, Cave Chaos, about women and their sexual experiences. Could you tell us a little about your busy day and fill us mere mortals in on how you juggle your time?

Firstly, it’s my pleasure to be interviewed by you Secondly, and to answer your question, what seems to work best for me is concentrating on one aspect of my professional life per day. I have the radio show on Mondays, I plan the next week on Tuesdays, write on Wednesdays, edit on Thursdays, etc. That’s not a hard and fast rule because things always crop up that  require my full attention for a few days at a time, but it’s the schedule I try to stick to. For instance, when RomantiCon 2011 was coming up, my entire life pretty much revolved around that!

For full article, go to our website. For members only.

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Friendly Rivalry: Bec McMasters (Skrabl) & Michelle de Rooy 

Unless you’ve been living deep in your writer’s cave over the past 18 months, you’ll be familiar with the names Michelle De Rooy and Bec Skrabl (now writing as Bec McMaster). These talented young ladies agreed to speak candidly about being critique partners, best friends, and contest divas who found themselves competing against each other for contest wins, and the chance to catch an editor’s or agent’s attention. Michelle and Bec wrote their articles separately, but their responses were uncannily—and perhaps unsurprisingly—in tune.

For full article, go to our website. For members only.

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RWA Noticeboard

Conference 2012: Guest Speakers 

Keynote Speaker: Eloisa James

Friday Workshop: Alexandra Sokoloff

Reminder: 2012 Conference Workshop Proposals Closing Soon!

If you’re intending to submit a proposal for a workshop, panel or other breakout session for the 2012 Diamonds are Forever Conference on the Gold Coast, you’d best get your skates on.

Submissions close Friday 9th December 2011.

Full details can be found in November’s Hearts Talk or on the Romance Australia Website: http://www.romanceaustralia.com/conference_goldcoast.html

Email your completed proposal to deniserossetti@gmail.com

Have you visited the new RWA forums lately?

Promote your books or blog, chat with other writers, both published and aspiring, ask those niggling industry questions, or share the ups and downs of your writing life.

Just go through the simple registration process or login to get started: http://www.romanceaustraliaforum.com/

Romantic Book of the Year (R*BY)

It isn’t only Christmas that’s just around the corner: the Romantic Book of the Year (R*BY) Award will soon be open to entries. Books first published between 1st January 2011 and 31st December 2011 are eligible.

Competition opens Monday 2nd January 2012 Competition closes Friday 3rd February 2012

*Entry forms and guidelines will be available on the RWA website from sometime in mid-December*

Help a Fellow Writer

Many of our members, due to their location or other circumstances, can’t afford the travel, accommodation and registration fees to attend RWA events such as conference, 5DI and roadshows. Each year RWA’s Members Assistance Fund is used to help several such members. You can help by contributing to the fund. All donations, small or a little more, are welcome and will allow us to assist more members in 2012.

For the details, go to our website. For members only.

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How to Write a Fight Scene by Susanna Rogers

Once upon a time I was invincible. I was a young mum, truly, madly, deeply in love with writing. But my writing had to fit around my life. I had a day job, a husband whose career meant he was seldom home, young kids, ailing elders, an acre of garden, dogs, cats, chooks, commitments.

My writing time was thus when the kids went to bed. At eight I’d slip into my fantasy world and it was mine, all mine. When my eyes couldn’t stay open I’d fall into bed. Five hours writing time was normal, and I often didn’t raise my head for the entire five.

This was not good for my body. Sucks to my body; I was in love.

My neck ached. I’d take pain killers and keep writing. My neck hurt more. I took stronger pain killers and wrote more. I was thirty-five, fit, I was in charge, not my body.

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How Critique Groups Maintain Their Groove by Doreen Sullivan

Romance novels end when The One has been found. The heroine and hero live happily ever after.

Romance writers seek to find the one perfect fit between the writer and agent, publisher—or critique group.

With critique groups, what happens once you’ve found that perfect group? For groups that have been together for awhile, established for four or more years, how do participants maintain momentum? How do you know when—or if—you should leave?

For full article, go to our website. For members only.

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Of course don’t forget our regular columns:

• From the Prez with Rachel Bailey

• Events Calendar with Doreen Sullivan

• Member Spotlight with Suzanne Brandyn > Featured this month is Kasey Rowe

• Contest Page with Lis Hoorweg> Includes First Kiss Contest Tips

• Market Watch with Sami Lee

• News & Releases with Bronwyn Stuart

• The Last Word with Jo McAlister

• Ask Auntie Fi with Fiona Lowe

Dear Auntie Fi, …If (and it is a very big “if”) I receive an offer from the Aussie publisher I presume I would need an Australian agent too. However, if there is no offer I would be better with a US agent. Should I start querying Aussie agents now or wait to see what the Australian publisher does? What if the US agents I have already queried want to represent me? How does the whole international  publisher/ agent deal work? ~Confused from Coolbinia

Dear Auntie Fi, … The question is – if one is having trouble writing the genre one would most like to write, and suspects a different genre may be more manageable, what are some pros and cons of persevering with the original plan? ~Techno Thriller Trouble

For full columns, go to our website. For members only.

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Enjoy!!

Not a member? Please view our sample issue from January 2011.

To receive our wonderful monthly newsletter, we invite you to Join RWA for all the details.

Anna Campbell

You can find Anna on the Avon FaceBook Reading Group as their Featured Author until tomorrow the 9^th November. If you’re on FaceBook and haven’t yet visited Avon Readers be sure to drop by today or tomorrow, you’ll be too late otherwise.

Anna is also the Featured Author on Love of Romance Novels FaceBook Group for this month.

Blogs you will find Anna visiting this week.

9^th NOV – Anna chats with the delightful Nalini Singh on Monday.

10^th NOV – You’ll find our Anna at Romance Bandits, we all know this is a blog not to be missed.

11^th NOV- Anna heads over to Tote Bags ‘n’ Blogs don’t miss your chance to chat with Anna here.

14^th NOV – Anna takes a wander into Border True Romance, pull up a seat, grab a coffee and enjoy.

Bronwyn Stuart

Bronwyn took sometime this week to chat with Multi-published Australian author Alexis Fleming, stop by Bronwyn blog for a read.

Heather Brown

8^th NOV – Heather is being interviewed by Gracen Millar remember to drop by, you never know what you may learn.

9^th NOV – Join Heather for her interview with the Menagerie Authors.

Head over to Heather’s blog this week two lucky people have a chance of winning a copy of one of Heather’s novels. This is too good to pass up.

Kylie Griffin

Kylie has the last in her series of Attention Grabbing Beginnings being posted on her blog this weekend. Opening paragraphs with authors Sydney Croft and Lyndsay Sands are featured. Past entries have looked at the writings of JRWard, Nina Bangs, Jordan Summers, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Lora Leigh and Marjorie M.Lui. This is one not to miss.

Mary Hawkins

Mary posted her first blog on Friday for International Christian Fiction Writers about trip to American Christian Fiction Writers National Conference, stop by and read all about Mary’s experience.

Tracey O’Hara

Tracey had her first book signing last week, if you haven’t done so already drop by her blog and read all about her big day.

We LoveYA Blog

This week over at We LoveYA the girls are celebrating Hollywood week. Natalie Hatch takes to the interviewer’s chair and chats with Australian YA author Kathy Charles about her writing and her debut novel Hollywood Endings.

RWAus NaNo Blog

8^th NOV – Sandie Hudson asks the question ‘Where have all the Flowers Gone?‘

11^th NOV — Rhian Cahill drops by RWAus NaNo blog  and we all know how entertaining RC’s blog are, so don’t miss this one.

RWAus Blog

9^th NOV – Natalie Hatch’s Craft: Visceral Response

10^th NOV – Sandie Hudson turns Interviewer – Sandie interviews the talented Jess Dee

11^th NOV – Kelly Ethan Interviewer – Kelly sits down to chat with Multi-published author Anna Jacobs.

13^th NOV – Anita Mack’s Blog Bite – Anita takes a bite of Serena Tatti

That’s it for ‘Cruisin’ the Blog’ the blog this week I hope you find lots of interesting reading.

Want to Learn a Little or a Lot – Events

For the next few Saturdays 7^th NOV to 28^th NOV Even More Awesome Foursome: A Deeper Look at the Building Blocks of Creative Writing ~ Valerie Parv

When: 1:00pm – 4:00pm

Where: ACT Writers’ Centre

Cost: $200 M, $184 MC, $250 NM

FMI + Bookings: ACT Writers Centre

Or Ph: 02 62629191

Saturday 14^th NOV: The Agent: One Day Workshop with Curtis Brown Literary Ageny ~ Pippa Masson

When: 10:00am – 4:00pm

Where: New England Writers’ Centre, NSW

Cost: $65 M, $80 NM

FMI + Bookings:  New England Writers’ Centre or Email

Or Ph: 02 6772710

Sunday 15^th NOV: Love, Romance and Getting it Right ~ Isolde Martyn and the Turramurra Women’s Fiction Group

When: 10:00am – 4:00pm

Where: New South Wales Writers’ Centre

Cost: $99 M, $85 MC, $125 NM

FMI + Bookings: NSW Writers’ Centre

Or Ph: 02 95559757

Saturday 21^st NOV: Creating a Novel Blueprint Workshop ~ Jessica Stalley

When: 1:00pm – 4:00pm

Where: KSP Writers Centre, WA

Cost: $25 M, $40 NM

FMI + Bookings: KSP Writers Centre or Email

Or Ph: 08 92941872

Sundays, 29^th NOV; 6^th, 13^th, 20^th DEC: Troubleshooting Your Manuscript ~ Alan Mills

When: 10:00am – 4:00pm

Where: NSW Writers’ Centre

Cost: $440 M, $360 MC, $600 NM

FMI + Bookings: NSW Writers’ Centre

Or Ph: 02 95559759

Sunday 5^th DEC: Advance Painting with Words ~ Arnold Zable

When: 11:00am – 5:00pm

Where: State Library of Victoria

Cost: $100 M, $90 MC, $140 NM

Booking deadline: 30^th NOV

FMI + Bookings: Victorian Writers’ Centre

Or Ph: 03 96549068

Weekend 5^th & 6^th DEC: Masterclass: Fiction Writing Workshop ~ Jean Bedford

Or: Advance Fantasy and Science Fiction ~ Richard Harland

When: 10:00am – 4:00pm

Where: NSW Writers’ Centre

Cost: $195 M, $165 MC, $250 NM

FMI + Bookings: NSW Writers’ Centre

Or: Ph: 02 95559757

RWAus Contest News:

Closing Dates This month:

27^th NOV: Emerald Contest

NOTE: Change to Valerie Parv Entry Conditions

The Valerie Parv Award will allow each entrant to submit 2 entries.

On to Members’ News

Heather Brown posted her latest trailer for her new release Purr-fect Seduction

Way to go Anna Campbell! Anna has received top spot in Publisher’s Weekly the Mass Market Best Books for 2009 with Captive of Sin. Congratulations Anna.

The finalists for RWNZ Strictly Single have been announced, congratulations to the follow awesome writers and all the best for the next round:

Michelle deRooy

Iona Jones

Sharon Kelly

Soraya Nicholas

Susanna Rogers

Mary Clayton received a 5 star review for her novel ‘The Pirates and Privateers’ from Cindy Vallar. Congratulations Mary, wonderful news.

Excitment plus for Erin Grace, Erin’s novel ‘Secrets’ is one of 6 ebooks from Lyrical Press featured on the Microsoft website. Congratulations Erin. 

Another of our authors featured on the Microsoft Reader site is the lovely Anna Hackett with her Nocturne BITES novel ‘Taken by the South Wind’. Fantastic Anna, congratulations.

So there you have it for another week.

Happy reading

Sandie