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2023 Event Program
WORKSHOPS & MASTERCLASSES
Update for January 2023
Unfortunately, Jack Heath is unable to present for 2023. However, we have a great new workshop to fill this space and look forward to seeing Jack at our future retreats.
TENSION FOR COMMERCIAL FICTION
WITH ANNA CAMPBELL
Anna Campbell returns as a Presenter for RWR23 in this saucy masterclass. Learn how to get your reader turning the page with trembling fingers. Lots of tips, whispered secrets and spicy writing activities. You may need a long cold drink to keep down the heat. This class will sizzle!
ANNA CAMPBELL
Anna Campbell is possibly Australia’s best known author for sexy Regency romance. She has a huge body of work and many of her stories and novels have won awards. Anna has published with HarperCollins and Hachette. She has also independently released bestselling novellas and novels. Anna regularly mentors other writers in technical skills, marketing, romance, and commercial fiction, so we are very lucky to have her return to RWR for 2023. You can find out more about Anna on her website: www.annacampbell.com
THE ROMANCE WRITING FORMULA
WITH ALICIA LEIGH
Make sure you hit all the right beats in this intense writing masterclass by Alicia Leigh. Always wanted to attempt a romance? It is one of the bestselling genres and quite a profitable market. Not sure where to begin? Alicia is author of ‘The Romance Writing Formula’ and a very patient and vivacious teacher. We are excited to have Alicia turn from Retreater to Presenter for our 2023 RWR.
ALICIA LEIGH
Alicia Leigh is a bestselling non-fiction author, international-selling romance author, and writing coach. She has completed her master’s degree in writing at Swinburne University and is currently embarking upon her PhD in Creative Arts (writing) at Central Queensland University. She is active on social media and encourages readers and writers to interact with her there. She writes romantic fiction novels under the pseudonyms A.K. Leigh and Leigh Hatchmann. You can find out more about Alicia at: www.fallinlovewithleigh.com
WRITING THE PAGE TURNER
WITH JAN-ANDREW HENDERSON
Master pacing, hooks and cliff-hangers to learn how to make the reader turn the page. Jan will also take you through the most common mistakes writers make in their early drafts and how to mend those mistakes.
JAN-ANDREW HENDERSON
Jan-Andrew (J A) Henderson is the author of 36 books and has been published in several short story anthologies. His novels have been short listed for fifteen literary awards and he is the winner of The Royal Mail, Aurelis and Doncaster Awards. His books have been published in the UK, USA, Australia, Canada and Europe, by Oxford University Press, Collins Books, Hardcourt Press, Amberley Books, Oetinger Publishing, Mlada Fronta, Black Hart, Mainstream Books, Black & White Publishers and Floris Books. Jan-Andrew hosts online workshops through Romance Writers Australia (RWA) and is also a professional editor and mentor. You can find out more about Jan-Andrew Henderson at www.janandrewhenderson.com
PITCH TO PUBLISHERS
WITH SARAH WILLIAMS
Write the perfect pitch, tag line and synopsis in this in-depth masterclasses on empowering you to approach your dream publisher. You’ll learn the secrets to winning over editors and agents so everyone will want to read your manuscript. Sarah is offering Retreaters the opportunity to pitch their novel to Serenade Publishing!
SARAH WILLIAMS
Sarah Williams is the best-selling romance author and CEO of Serenade Publishing. She currently resides in Maleny on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. When she’s not absorbed in her fictional writing world, Sarah is running after her family of four kids, three dogs and an ever-growing number of chickens. She regularly runs writers' workshops, mentors and supports her peers to achieve their publishing dreams. To learn more about her books visit: www.sarahwilliamsauthor.com
A DIFFERENT ROAD TO TAKE
WITH JOANNE AUSTEN BROWN
Getting frustrated submitting to publisher after publisher, only to receive rejections? Joanne Austen Brown will take you down an alternate path. In this mini-workshop, you’ll plan out a pathway to publish your own novel.
JOANNE AUSTEN BROWN
Joanne Austen Brown has been published since 2020 and currently has 5 books and 3 novellas published to her name. She got tired of the positive rejections and decided to self-publish. Now with a great following from all parts around the world, and over 1,000 followers in her newsletter and on Facebook, she wants to share what she did and what might help you if you wish to go down the same road. Learn more about Joanne at https://www.joanneaustenbrown.com
your character's love language
WITH KELLIE M COX
Discover your character's love languages and how this aspect can move your story forward and create conflict.
KELLIE M COX
With qualifications in psychology, she relishes writing about the human condition and the vulnerability of the psyche.Wanting to see a change in the narrative of gender roles in storytelling, Kellie has created her publishing and production enterprise, Strong Female Protagonists and encourages others to write and produce work that challenges our preconceived ideas of societal values. You can find out more about Kellie at: https://www.kelliemcox.com
Create your id list
WITH CHRISTINE BETTS
Writing ‘what you love’ is easier if you have an extensive list of those things that appeal to your Id. Use psychological analysis to understand your character's true motivations to help shape your story.
CHRISTINE BETTS
Christine Betts is an award-winning writer, living and working in Bundjalung country (Northern Rivers of New South Wales.) She is the Newsletter Editor for the Gold Coast Writers’ Association and co-facilitates the popular Write & Sip fundraising events. Learn more about Christine at https://writerpainter.com
UNDERSTANDING GENRE
WITH LEXCIA DALTON
What makes a story fit a certain genre? In this workshop, you'll analyse the tropes of genre and how to make sure you are writing your story to fulfil the expectations of the reader.
LEXCIA DALTON
Lexica is a frequent Retreater at RWR and has been writing for 45 years. She has self-published two romance novels and continues to research the craft of writing. You can find out more about Lexical at: https://www.lgdaltonnovelist.com
CAST YOUR ROMANCE
WITH CHARMAINE CLANCY
Choose the perfect cast of characters for your romance story. If you are submitting to our anthology collection of rom-com short stories, this will be perfect for getting started. Charmaine will also be your RWR Host for 2023.
CHARMAINE CLANCY
Charmaine Clancy is an award-winning author of short stories and has published three children's novels. She is passionate about improving literacy skills in children and occasionally hosts workshops. You can find out more about Charmaine at
https://charmaineclancy.com
The Past 3 events have sold out!
Get your ticket now to reserve your place. Then we'll make sure you get a special Retreat discount on accommodation with your ticket as proof you're attending.
WORKSHOPS BY YOU!
WITH RWR RETREATERS
We are bringing back the Retreater sessions! You could add, Rainforest Writing Retreat Presenter to your resume. We will allocate between 30minutes – 1hour for you to present a writing workshop. How can you become a Retreater Presenter for these short sessions?
Plan out what you would like to present. All presentations MUST be activity-based, we do not have talks, discussion or seminars – we promise workshops. Provide activities on planning, writing, editing, producing or marketing stories and novels.
Draft up a plan and provide an estimate of the time-frame you think you will need (we might not be able to allocate the time allowance you request, but it will give us an idea when we plan out our itinerary).
Email your proposal to info@RainforestWritingRetreat.com – use ‘Workshop Proposal’ in your subject line.
We will announce our choices for workshops in the private Facebook page.
**This is not a paid presentation – this is offered only as an opportunity for our Retreater-writers to gain experience presenting a short workshop in a safe and nurturing environment.
'Fantastic effort, organisers and presenters.Very well done, indeed.'
Frank Prem (poet & Retreater)
'The presentations by Charmaine and Anthony were packed with useful information, and the interaction of those involved made me feel so lucky to be part of this talented group of writers. Huge thanks to the amazing Christine and Charmaine for organising this!'
Robin Thomas (Author & Retreater)
'As a newbie to RWR it was such an enjoyable experience. I learnt so much and everyone was so welcoming. It was very well put together and I look foward to the next one!! Big thanks to Charmaine and Christine!'
Sarah Tegerdine (Author & Retreater)
The Past 3 events have sold out!
Get your ticket now to reserve your place. Then we'll make sure you get a special Retreat discount on accommodation with your ticket as proof you're attending.
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