Close to 400 writers with Romance Writers of Australia (RWA) gathered at the Park Hyatt in Melbourne this weekend for the annual conference.
They had fun!
Here’s some proof…

Nicki Edwards and Meredith Appleyard receive their First Sale RWA ribbon from bestselling author of The Rosie Project, Graeme Simsion

A First Sale ribbon is awarded to a writer after his or her first novel is published. Nicki received her coveted First Sale RWA ribbon for Intensive Care. Meredith received her coveted First Sale RWA ribbon for The Country Practice.

The Friday Night Cocktail Party. This year’s theme was Fresh, Flirty and Famous

Left to right: author Janette Radevski, Rachael Johns; Fiona Palmer, Rachael Johns, author Juliet Madison, Victoria Purman, Tricia Stringer; Fiona McArthur.

And guess who took the prize for best costume: the fresh, flirty and famous Trish Morey. Trish is quoted as saying, “As you can see - I spared no expense”. (Looks fabulous, Trish!)

 

Saturday night found readers galore attending The Australian Romance Readers Association (ARRA) book signing event

Rural romance authors gathered for a group photograph before the book signing.
Standing left to right: Nicole Hurley-Moore, Cheryl Adnams, Fiona Palmer, Nicki Edwards, Sarah Barrie, Tea Cooper, Tricia Stringer, Trish Morey, Lisa Ireland, Jennifer Scoullar, Meredith Appleyard and Helene Young. Sitting, left to right: Victoria Purman, Alissa Callen, Cathryn Hein, Fiona McArthur and Rachael Johns.

 

At the book signing, left to right:
Jennifer Scoullar, Helene Young and Ann Lee; Meredith Appleyard; Fiona Palmer; Tricia Stringer

 

Left to right: Fiona Palmer getting her copy of The Rosie Project signed by Graeme Simsion; Cathryn Hein and Hot Chocolate, the inflatable pony; Tricia Stringer and Meredith Appleyard.

Saturday Night Awards Dinner where everyone glammed up, had fun and cheered the finalists of the Romance Writers of Australia R*BY Awards (Romantic Book of the Year Awards)

The champagne flowed, the chocolates were spread on the tables and dancer Matt Mitchell wowed and wooed the audience to get everyone into the Singing in the Rain themed party mood.

RWA is proud to raise funds for a selected charity. This year the fundraising in the form of raffles and much more, was for the Indigenous Literary Foundation. Bestselling author Graeme Simsion was a keynote speaker at the conference and he further sponsored Indigenous Literary Foundation by offering $5 for every photo he had taken with a writer at the awards night dinner. Here are just four of hundreds of photographs taken.

Graeme Simsion with, left to right: Victoria Purman; Fiona Palmer; Fiona McArthur; Helene Young.

Harlequin Australia showcased some of their best selling books

Bestselling rural and coastal fiction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bestselling Single Title fiction.

 

Until next year!
Australian Rural Romance congratulates all finalists in the RWA R*BY Awards.
You are all winners.

LINKS
Romance Writers of Australia (RWA)
Australian Romance Readers Association (ARRA)
Graeme Simsion
Indigenous Literary Foundation

SOME OF THE MANY SPONSORS & PARTNERS OF RWA 2015 CONFERENCE
Platinum Sponsors of RWA 2015 Get Fresh Conference: Penguin Random House Australia
Gold Sponsors of RWA 2015 Get Fresh Conference: Harlequin Books Australia
Partners of RWA 2015 Get Fresh Conference: Melbourne Writers Festival, Writers Victoria

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