For NZ Writers: RWNZ August Writing Workshop Press Release

I received this press release from RWNZ and thought it would be of interest to local authors. I've attended previous RWNZ workshops/conferences and always found them good value, so check the details out to see if it might suit you.

This press release is specifically for the Friday workshop. For the full conference schedule, head over to the RWNZ website. You can attend either or both.
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Fiction-writing Dummy No Longer

A Day with Randy Ingermanson (The Snowflake Guy)

Calling all writers. It's time to learn how to get that inner novel into print.

Romance Writers of New Zealand is bringing Randy Ingermanson, the author of six novels and the bestselling book, Writing Fiction for Dummies, to New Zealand to present a full-day workshop. This will take place on Friday, August 24, from 9am to 5pm at Auckland's Crowne Plaza Hotel. Writers of all genres are welcome and encouraged to hear this world-class speaker guide them on the path to creating successful commercial fiction. The workshop consists of five sessions: Building Great Characters; Story Architecture; The Snowflake Method; Writing the Perfect Scene (divided into two parts); finishing with analyzing the popular book The Hunger Games.

Affectionately known as ‘America’s Mad Professor of Fiction Writing’, Randy’s passion is teaching people how to organize their writing lives, how to create fiction, and how to market that fiction to the reading public. The award winning writer says,“Great organization keeps you productive. Great creative skill will sell you to the publisher. Great marketing will sell you to the reader.”

Most people believe they have a novel in them waiting to be written and after spending a day with Randy that dream could become reality.

For more details and early bird discount bookings before July 13 go to http://www.romancewriters.co.nz

There are concessions for members of NZSA, KiwiWrite4Kids, SFFANZ and NZ Writers Guild.

Romance Writers of New Zealand Inc is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting excellence in romance writing and the romance genre, helping writers become published and establish careers by providing networking, support, information and resources.

BIO

Randy Ingermanson is the author of six novels and the bestselling book WRITING FICTION FOR DUMMIES. He is known around the world as “the Snowflake Guy” in honor of his wildly popular Snowflake method of designing a novel. Randy has a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from the University of California at Berkeley and still works half-time as a scientist for a biotechnology company in San Diego. He publishes the free monthly Advanced Fiction Writing E-zine, with over 30,000 subscribers and sits on the advisory board of American Christian Fiction Writers. Randy lives in southern Washington State with his wife and daughters and three surly cats. Visit his web site at http://www.AdvancedFictionWriting.com

RWNZ Conference

I had a fantastic time at the RWNZ conference this weekend - the speakers were amazing, and it was wonderful being able to hang out with my writing buds, both old and new.

It's back to work today - on Hawke's book - and I can't wait! I have the current draft printed out and I'll be editing on paper. This is still a rough working draft, so I won't have any excerpts for you just yet.

I hope you all had a great weekend!

RWNZ Conference Photos

First up, a couple of notices - I'm spoiling you all - we have another guest author tomorrow. Hmm, clue as to her identity: 3 sisters

Also, because of our lovely guest, we'll do the book club on Saturday, so keep a note of what you're reading this week :)

Now, onto the photos from last weekend's RWNZ Conference! I have bunches - I think I'll have to do another post next week with more pics!

This is a picture from of the Harlequin author dinner. Look at all those shiny glasses (they didn't stay empty long *g*).


Authors Sarah Mayberry & Frances Housden


Authors Trish Morey, Annie West & Daphne Clair

Me & Knight Agency agent Melissa Jeglinski at the cocktail party


Author Christina Phillips & my good friend Giovanna (highly commended in the Clendon Award!) Oh and there's our talented RWNZ Publicity maven Sue in the background.

Attacked by Darth Kylie (Griffin) at the A Touch of Fantasy Awards Dinner


Kylie claims another victim! This time, it's debut author Erica Hayes (look out for Shadowfae this October - all about succubi).


YA Author Amanda Ashby (go zombies!), and Harlequin's Cristina Lee


Authors Sara Hantz & Sandra Hyatt with you-know-who


The Emma Darcy finalists of 1999 - Yvonne Lindsay, Me & Trish Morey (Yvonne won). And Trish has got TWO R*BYs to her name. Go Class of '99!!


Wonderful bookseller Barbara Clendon with her gorgeous devil wings!


Author Annie West with Silhouette Executive Editor Mary-Theresa Hussey

Authors Abby Gaines (new RWNZ Prez!) & Susan Napier


John (Mary-Jo's husband), Mary-Jo Putney & some chick with a really ginormous smile *grin*

And I leave you with Wellington & Lambchop. I met Mary Jo and her husband in the lifts on the Sunday of the conference and ended up having breakfast with them - where I got to hear the sweet, sweet story Wellington and his lady. He came all the way from the U.S. to find his soul mate. When he saw Lambchop working as a shopgirl, it was love at first sight. Aw....

I'm back - with presents!

Random winners & their prizes!

(Please email me your mailing addresses at nalinisinghwrites AT gmail DOT com)

Laurann Dohner - Melanie Milburne's His Inconvenient Wife & The Blackmail Pregnancy (signed)

Pam Frederick - Daphne Clair's Salzano's Captive Bride

Diane (comment #26) - Melanie Milburne's The Marciano Love-Child

Dani - Jennifer Taylor's The GP's Meant-To-Be Bride

Harlequin Vintage Art Bookmarks: Laura, Bonnie Ferguson, Himeko

Congratulations!

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The RWNZ conference was absolutely fantastic! Great speakers, wonderful friends, and a brilliant atmosphere. I have photos that I'll post a bit later on - after I catch up on some work!

But, I have pressies for you all. I have several books that I got at the conference that I won't be able to read for a while, so I thought rather than put them on my tbr pile, I'd give them away. I haven't had a chance to unpack properly, but I definitely have some brand-spanking-new category romances from the Presents line, so drop you name into the hat if you'd like one of those.

Also, I risked my life to get some extra copies of bookmarks with Harlequin's gorgeous vintage cover art on them that I'll give away to a couple of lucky folks.

I'll draw the winners tomorrow.

AND tomorrow, we have a super duper famous author guest who is so famous I'm going to have to be twisty with the clue as to her identity - she writes paranormal, contemporary and young adult. Who can it be?

True Romance & Friday Book Club

The RWNZ conference kicks off today - I'm so looking forward to catching up with all my writing friends from across New Zealand and over from Australia!

I'm hoping to log on over the weekend, but just in case I can't, don't forget to check out the Borders True Romance blog. My post will be featured on the 21st (U.S. time), and there are giveaways - including an advance copy of Blaze of Memory!

Onto the book club - all about your recommended reads this week. What've you been reading and enjoying? If you haven't had a chance to read this week, what're you looking forward to diving into?

Paranormal Romances

I'm doing a workshop on Paranormal Romances at the RWNZ conference later this month, and I have some questions for everyone. I'll be collating the info and using it spark discussion in the workshop.

1. Who are some of your favorite paranormal authors and why? What makes you love that author/authors so much?
2. What makes a paranormal romance stand out for you?
3. Anything else you want to say? Here's your chance!

Answer any or all!

RWNZ Conference Photos

As promised, here are some photos from the RWNZ Conference :)

Rosie Koop from Harlequin Australia, new Desire author Sandra Hyatt (she got The Call while at the San Francisco conference!), and the wonderful Susan Napier at the Harlequin Author Lunch.

Authors Melanie Milburne, Tessa Radley and Abby Gaines at the lunch.

With Chrissy Brashear (Samhain Publishing), my editor Cindy Hwang, and Angela James (Samhain Publishing), at the Friday cocktail party.

Yvonne Lindsay and Anne Gracie (getting into the CAT-e-gory theme of the cocktail party!)

Conference, Winner & Accidental Mistress by Susan Napier

I'm back from conference and it's straight back into work now - though I suppose I should unpack the suitcase first ;)

The random winner of the signed copy of Sexiest Man Alive is Barbarita V. Congrats! Shoot me your address at nalinisinghwrites @ gmail.com (without the spaces), and I'll pop it in the post for you.

Contest Now Closed

I've got another giveaway for you today - a copy of Accidental Mistress by Susan Napier. I love Susan's books, but I've ended up with two copies of this one, so drop your name in the hat by midnight Sunday, Aug 24th, NZ time, if you'd like to go into the draw to win my second copy.

Also, the edition I'm giving away includes a bonus book, The Return of the Rebel by Trish Wylie, so you'll get two stories, and incidentally, it also has a different cover!

I'll have some photos from the NZ conference for you tomorrow, including one of Susan (fingers crossed it came out!), as well as a fabulous one of the wonderful Anne Gracie. Hope you all have a great start to the week!

Weekly Catchup & RWNZ Conference

What's everyone up to this coming weekend? I'm off to the RWNZ Conference tomorrow and really looking forward to it.

Re the excerpt requests - I'm going to look through Hostage to Pleasure when I get back and see what I can do. :)

See you next week!

Website & the Sexiest Man Alive

Sorry for disappearing on you folks - this week is going by like a freight train. I'm working on updates to the website at the moment, so let me know if you think a particular page needs to be updated, or if you'd like some questions answered on the FAQ page.

I'm also off to the annual Romance Writers of New Zealand conference this weekend, which should be a blast...but I have yet to pack.

And talking of conferences, Diana Holquist was kind enough to sign a copy of Sexiest Man Alive at the RWA Conference for me to give away on the blog. If you'd like to go in the draw, drop your name into the hat on this post by midnight Sunday 17th Aug, NZ time.

How's your week going?

CBI's on TV & RWNZ Conference Photos

I'm so excited! Check out what Gina Bernal, editor for Rhapsody Book Club had to say about Caressed By Ice on Romance Novel TV!

Follow this link!

Also, as promised, here are a couple more photos from the RWNZ Conference!

First up, two more angels! Sharbee on the left, and Maree on the right. Maree was my roomie and a fabulous one at that!


And this is one of me with our fabulous speakers, Jenny Crusie and Anne Stuart. If you ever have a chance to hear either Jenny or Anne speak, grab it. They're just fantastic!

Link & Photos

First up, a video link for you. Have you ever moaned about not having enough time to write? Well, watch this and I bet you'll change your mind - Natalie Anderson, M&B writer and Mum of 4 kids under 5, including a set of twins, was interviewed on NZ TV.

Fortunately, the video is available online so go have a looksee. Follow this link, then click on the "Romance Writer" link (can be found under the picture of the host). Isn't she lovely? I met Natalie at the RWNZ conference and she's a very cool person to talk to.

And doing this link reminded me that I still hadn't posted up any pictures from the RWNZ conference, so here they are!

Pic 1: Joanne Graves (who's just stepped down as RWNZ President), Superromance author Terry McLaughlin, and TV star Natalie herself!


Pic 2: Amanda Ashby (author of You Had Me At Halo), and the lovely Christina Phillips. Amanda had halos for all of us for the cocktail party. We were all angels ;)


Pic 3: Here's trouble! Suspense author Fiona Brand (check out her new site), Presents author Trish Morey, and fellow Desirable, Bronwyn Jameson.



Pic 4: Another fellow Desirable, Tessa Radley and Harlequin Historicals author Sophia James.

Okay, I'm off to do some work. More photos next week! Have a great weekend everyone!