After the excitement of the first day’s presentations at the Historical Novel Society Australasia Conference on Saturday 26 October, you’ll have the opportunity to join other writers and readers at the Conference dinner.
The guest speaker at the dinner will be Anna Campbell, bestselling historical romance author. Anna was born in Brisbane, and grew up on an avocado farm with views of Moreton Bay and Stradbroke Island. She has written eleven award-winning romance novels and eighteen novellas. She was voted the Australian Romance Readers Association favourite author of 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. She has published both with traditional publishers and independently and her books have reached an international audience. Anna describes herself as a ‘history nerd’ and her book settings range from Regency London to the Scottish Highlands. Her latest book, The Highlander’s Lost Lady, is out in May.
Anna’s success demonstrates the importance of perseverance. She wrote her first novel at the age of seventeen but didn’t achieve publication until she was forty-five with Claiming the Courtesan which was bid for by three publishers after it was shortlisted in the 2006 Romance Writers of America manuscript competition. She has described her writing career as ‘going from zero to hero’. I’m sure Anna will have a lot of wisdom to share about crafting a career in historical fiction.
The conference dinner will be a great chance to discuss the sessions you’ve attended, meet other conference-goers and bond over a shared love of historical fiction.
The venue is sophisticated Lebanese restaurant Sahra by the River. A free bus will take you from the conference venue to the restaurant – make sure you book a seat on the bus when you book your ticket for the dinner.
Another highlight of the conference dinner will be the announcement of the shortlist and the winner of the HNSA short story contest. This is Australasia’s leading historical fiction writing contest and this year it is sponsored by the ARA Group. The winning entry, judged by Sophie Masson, will receive a prize of $500 and membership of the Historical Novel Society. Don’t forget to enter your story by 31 August for a chance to win!
Tickets for the dinner are $75 (excluding alcohol) and seats are limited, so book early.
Christa A. Ludlow is the author of Taken At Night, a historical mystery about photography, medicine and murder, set in Sydney in 1900. A sequel is planned for publication in 2019. More information about her writing is at www.sydneymysteries.com.au.
Once again, historical fiction writers and readers can gather for a three stream program on the weekend of 26-27 October including our extended Academic stream on Sunday 27 October. This time there’s also a Craft & Publishing program on Friday 25 October with craft workshops, masterclasses and manuscript assessments with top class tutors. Our Guest of Honour is Jackie French. Keynote speaker Paula Morris will address our theme: History Repeats.
Among the 60 acclaimed speakers are patrons Kate Forsyth and Sophie Masson, Catherine Jinks, Ali Alizadeh, Lucy Treloar, Pamela Hart, Nicole Alexander, Jane Caro, Alison Goodman, Kelly Gardiner, Michelle Aung Thin, Meg Keneally, Majella Cullinane and so many more.
Enjoy a delicious meal at our conference dinner on Saturday 26 October where Anna Campbell will entertain us. You’ll also hear who’s won this year’s ARA HNSA Short Story Contest with a $500 prize, and the HNSA Colleen McCullough Residency.
- Visit our website to purchase your tickets now!
- Subscribe to our newsletter for interviews, podcasts and conference news.
- Read our features on News & Interviews.
- Learn about our sponsorship opportunities.
- Let’s make a noise about historical fiction!
