WORKSHOP 1 - Debbie Macomber and
Paula Eykelhof
Plotting With A Partner and A Plan
This is an interactive workshop in which Debbie shares her
handouts and techniques for plotting an entire book. Participants
should bring their book ideas, or a partially plotted book, with
them.
Once the Book is Sold
What every writer needs to know about working with an editor, from
Paula Eykelhof, Executive Editor for Harlequin Books.
If I Knew Then What I Know Now
Debbie shares what she’s learned during her career, including tips
on how to be a successful writer— a writer who can promote herself
and her books.
The Author/Editor Relationship
Debbie Macomber and Paula Eykelhof are one of few long-standing
teams to have worked together for 21 years. Learn from this
successful pair as they share their hard-won strategies.
WORKSHOP 2 - .1% - Beating the Odds
and Escaping the Slush Pile ~ Miriam Kriss
With a focus on submissions, the morning session deals with cover
letters and synopses, so bring along your current QLS to work on.
In the afternoon, Miriam will concentrate on your first two pages
- the first thing (and often the only thing!) an editor/agent
sees. Bring those pages along for a cold read session to get
feedback from a leading New York agent.
TUTORIAL A: Conflict: more than a
misunderstanding ~ Fiona Lowe
If you’ve ever received a rejection letter saying ‘lacks internal
conflict’, contest judges have suggested you ‘work on your
conflict’ of if you’re just starting out and wondering what
conflict means, then this is the interactive workshop for you.
Learn about internal and external conflict, discover ways of
generating stories with strong internal conflict, avoid common
mistakes and workshop your current conflict using a conflict
grid. Fiona Lowe is a Harlequin Mills & Boon Medical author who
took ten years to ‘get’ internal conflict and character arcs. For
beginners to intermediate writers.
TUTORIAL B: Picture Perfect -
collaging as a writing aid ~ Barbara Hannay
Looking for a way to inspire your muse? In the tradition of Jenny
Crusie, Susan Wiggs and Jo Beverly, this hands-on workshop
explores the art of collage as a fun and effective pre-writing
tool. Bring old magazines to share, a glue stick, scissors (in
your suitcase, not hand luggage) and cardboard or paper backing
that is easy to pack. For all levels of writer.
TUTORIAL C: Diary of A Contest Diva ~
Paula Roe
Of the three ways to fast-track your manuscript to an editor’s
desk, contests is by far the most popular. If you’re a contest
newbie daunted by the unknown or have already entered but fizzled
in the first or second round, then this tutorial is for you! A
certified Contest Addict with over fifteen placings in the last
five years, Paula will identify entrants’ most common mistakes,
what peeves judges off and how finaling can increase your chances
of a first sale. Participants are requested to bring their
critique sheets for deciphering or if you haven’t entered one yet,
a piece of work for an upcoming contest to work on. For beginners
to intermediate writers.
TUTORIAL D: The Glass is Half Full –
career planning for optimists ~ Lilian Darcy
You can control your commitment and dedication but you can’t
control your talent, luck, or the market, so how can anyone truly
plan their writing career? The short answer is… you can’t. But
we’re not going to let that stop us! This workshop will look at
topics such as understanding your strengths, deciding what you
don’t want and working out what you do, learning when to say no,
recovering from mistakes and learning from the success of
others. For advanced writers.
TUTORIAL A: Sexy vs Sweet - the ultimate
showdown ~ Ally Blake
What’s the difference between the red books and the baby blue? Is
the line in between all that defined? What does "closing the
bedroom door" really mean? Is the difference merely alpha heroes
vs gamma, or is it more about emotion vs docking procedures in sex
scenes? Or in the end does it all come down to voice? Finally -
the answer is here! For beginners to intermediate writers.
TUTORIAL B: Characters: creating the care
factor ~ Rebecca Williams
Be they naïve and sweet, hilariously funny or tragically
misguided, great characters are at the heart of every great
romance. Explore the intricacies of building vibrant characters
in an entire workshop devoted to developing unique individuals.
Are your characters three dimensional? Do they interact and
converse credibly? Are they capable of carrying an entire novel?
By the end of this workshop, attendees will know where and how to
look for characters, understand how stereotypes can be either used
or abused and be better able to imply rather than describe
characters. For beginners to intermediate writers.
TUTORIAL C: Not Just Hot Sex - Jane Porter
In the early stages of a romance, three traits drive every step of
the new relationship - self-consciousness, uncertainty and mutual
attraction. This tutorial will look at relationship studies,
including those that emphasise the link between happiness and sex,
passion and reason, and the chemistry of desire and attraction.
We will then apply the result of these studies to our literary
craft, focusing on how characterisation, plot, motivation and
conflict determine the level of sensuality, sexuality and intimacy
on every romance, and how every romance novel is different. Jane
will also share tips and techniques for making a story sizzle -
emotionally as well as sexually. For all writers.
TUTORIAL D: Debbie Macomber/Miriam Kriss
round table
Get together with author Debbie and Miriam in an informal forum to
discuss career, marketing, writing... Anything goes.
*For published authors only.
Sunday Tutorials
*morning*
TUTORIAL A: How To Write Sizzling Sex
Scenes ~ Sarah Dickson
Want to write sizzling sex scenes for romantic erotica? This
market is growing, with many small press publishers going into
print as well as electronic format. The opportunities to break
into this market have never been greater. This tutorial will
cover examples of good and bad sex scenes, as well as hands on
practice at writing your own sex scene. We will also look at the
romantic erotic market, with emphasis on the small press print /
and e-industry. Aimed at all levels of writer.
TUTORIAL B: Welcome to The Dark Side ~
Keri Arthur
Do you find yourself writing death, murder and mayhem in your
romances? Is Buffy your favorite TV show? Can’t get enough of
Supernatural? Then welcome to the dark side. Join award-winning
and international multi-published paranormal and urban fantasy
author, Keri Arthur, in this interactive and informative
tutorial. She will discuss the elements of this growing genre,
the requirements editors are looking for and which publishing
houses to target.
TUTORIAL C: Getting Down and Dirty with
Romantic Suspense
This tutorial will provide you with the kind of technical
information all writers of romantic suspense need. The presenter
will be a forensic pathologist who will read from recent cases and
include plenty of time for questions.
TUTORIAL D: The Care and Feeding of Rakes
~ Anne Gracie
A huge part of the popularity of historicals is the appeal of the
historical hero - the charmer, the warrior, the loner, the bad boy
- set in place and time and wreathed in the mists of myth. Put
flesh on your character's bones and give him
a purpose, a flaw and a secret. And if your hero is not behaving
himself, keep him hungry and treat him mean... or put him on the
seven step program to irresistibility. Join experienced teacher
and award-winning author Anne Gracie in this interactive workshop.
Aimed at all levels of writer.
TUTORIAL A: Seducing the Media ~ Cherie
Curtis
Flimsy lingerie might get a man’s attention, but to hook the media
an author needs a “designer label” press release. In this
hands-on tutorial with journalist Cherie Curtis, authors will
brainstorm their multiple selling points and match these to
various target markets. Get tips from an expert as you write your
own media release and leave with a portfolio that can be tailored
to any occasion. For advanced writers
TUTORIAL B: Writing the Selling Synopsis
and Query Letter ~ Joan Kilby
This interactive workshop will cover synopsis essentials such as
set-up, conflict, turning points, emotion and resolution plus how
to write a dynamite query letter. Bring your current synopsis and
query letter for on-the-spot evaluation and reworking. Plenty of
time will be allowed for discussion and answering questions. For
beginners to intermediate writers.
TUTORIAL C: Truth, Lies and Getting
Published ~ Trish Morey and Yvonne Lindsay
Bring along your doubts and problems to this inspirational and
interactive session providing strategies for unpubs to find their
way along the rocky road to publication. For all those asking:
“How long will it take?” “Will I ever get there?” and, “Is it
worth it anyway?”, this uplifting, motivational and fun session
offers real encouragement, support and techniques to banish those
doubt demons (or at least make them temporarily shut up!) If
you’re already doing the long-haul and wondering just how long
this publishing gig has to take, whether it’s really worth hanging
in there and how to keep going in the face of repeated setbacks,
then this session is for you. For all unpublished writers.
TUTORIAL D: I Can’t Hear You! Dialogue
Essentials ~ Marion Lennox
Bring your favourite character to this workshop and let her
introduce herself. If we can’t hear her then we can’t know her.
Give her a voice and let her speak. Dialogue breathes life into
characters, and makes us care. Do we care? Come along and find
out. For beginners to intermediate writers
BONUS EXTRAS
Discount accommodation ~ A fantastic discounted
rate has been negotiated with your conference venue, the Sofitel.
Stay in sumptuous surroundings and be pampered by top-notch
service. Remember to fill in your accommodation request (extra
forms can be downloaded here) and
mail or fax it to the hotel. If your budget is extra tight, there
are loads of alternative accommodation just a short walk away.
The tutorials ~ Every writer has different needs
and our tutorial choices reflect that - no matter if you’re a
newbie, an old hand or multi published. At this conference we’re
offering four session times for you to attend. Please note that
our “published authors only” tutorial is for authors published in
book-length fiction only.
Editor/agent appointments ~ 10 minute
appointments. Take advantage of the opportunity to pitch your
novel to an expert in the publishing business. Please be aware
that this is for members with a full, complete novel only. In
times of high demand, you may be allocated a group interview.
Please check Hearts Talk and our website in the coming months to
find out what our publishing industry experts are looking for from
authors.
Saturday and Sunday plenary talks ~ We’ve gone all
out to provide a wide range of local and international speakers
for you. These general plenary sessions are designed for all
levels of writer so you’ll hear about the industry, writing
techniques and other related topics. Something for everyone!
Author chats ~ These popular sessions provide two
opportunities to talk with published authors in a relaxed
atmosphere. Discuss new trends and get the best information about
your targeted market. Groups will be kept as small as
practicable.
First conference? ~ Feeling a bit daunted? We
have newbie liaisons ready to help make your conference experience
a fantastic one. When you register on Friday or Saturday morning,
let us know you’d like to be included in the group. They’ll meet
at about 8.20am so register early.
Book stall ~ generously supplied by
Rosemary’s Romance
Books, specialists in romance fiction.
Goody bags, giveaways and other great stuff ~ As usual our
goody bags are chock with treats, plus we have generous raffle
prizes every day and lucky door prizes throughout the weekend.
HELPFUL
INFORMATION
The venue and surrounds ~ The
Sofitel Gold Coast
(formerly the Grand Mercure) has recently been refurbished and
upgraded. Situated above the Oasis Centre Shopping Centre in
Broadbeach, it features a restaurant, lounge and business centre.
Guests have access to their fully equipped gymnasium and swimming
pool. Phone: +61 7 5592 2250 Email:
H0454-AM01@accor.com Broadbeach
offers a huge range of eateries and shopping opportunities. The
hotel sits above the Oasis Shopping Centre (which features
Woolworths, boutiques, coffee shops and three day spas) and is a
short walk or monorail ride from Jupiters Casino and Pacific Fair
Shopping Centre. FMI
www.visitgoldcoast.com,au
Getting there ~ The conference venue is approximately 25km from
Gold Coast Airport
(formerly Coolangatta) and 55 km from
Brisbane airport. Taxi and bus
services are available from Coolangatta, and a train service from
Brisbane. For flights to the Gold Coast go to
Virgin
Blue or call 13 6789,
Qantas or call 13 1313 and
Jetstar or call 13 1538
