In this workshop Anne will share her knowledge about the benefits of writing in a series, features of various kinds of series, what makes a series work, how to set yourself up to write a series and discuss the different approaches to series made in different genres. This workshop will not be recorded. About Anne ... Read more
Longing to add a touch of magic to your historical fiction? New York Times Bestseller Alison Goodman will guide you through the joys and jeopardies of mashing two popular genres together: historical fiction and fantasy. What are the genre conventions? Do you have to follow them? Why is it so important to keep track of ... Read more
Flitting between different storylines creates intrigue and anticipation in your readers, and allows you to look at past events from multiple perspectives. But how do you braid narratives together so that they link up to reveal the broader picture? What makes a reader engage with more than one story, character and setting at one time? ... Read more
Trove is a gateway to an extraordinary range of resources, across many formats including: books, manuscripts, maps, newspapers, objects and pictures. Join Rachel Franks for an introduction to this essential tool for the historical novelist. Focusing on newspapers, this session will look at search strategies and offer a few “tips and tricks” for using Trove. ... Read more
Scrivener is a low-cost software program created especially for writers. This practical session will introduce you to Scrivener’s strengths: how to use it to manage chapters and scenes, set and track word count targets, support your own writing process, incorporate research materials, and more. This workshop will not be recorded. About Kelly Gardiner Kelly Gardiner ... Read more
What should you do when your manuscript is ready to send to publishers? Where should you send it? How should you describe it? What information should go into your cover letter? Your author bio? Do you need a literary agent? All this and more will be covered in a broad introduction to manuscript submission. Informal ... Read more
This workshop with Malla Nunn will look at the key elements needed to write a compelling historical mystery/crime novel. Where do you start? How do you choose where to set your novel and when? What elements keep the reader turning the page? How important is it to research all the details or is winging it ... Read more
Join our free virtual cocktail party to celebrate the announcement of the winners of the $100,000 2021 ARA Historical Novel Prize. Presented by Julia Baird, the virtual Cocktail Party will include illustrated readings from the shortlisted books, and you'll be able to hear from our judging panels, as well as the authors themselves. While we ... Read more
Julie Janson will perform a Welcome to Country to open HNSA 2021. HNSA Chair, Elisabeth Storrs, and HNSA Patron, Kate Forsyth, kick off proceedings to address our conference theme and introduce what’s on offer over an inspirational weekend of interview, panels, chat conversations and workshops. Julie Janson Julie Janson is a Burruberongal woman of Darug ... Read more
Julie Janson, author of Benevolence, addresses our conference theme by examining the role and responsibility of historical novelists in recovering lost, overlooked or deliberately erased histories, and whether the genre can play a part in achieving truth in reconciliation. Julie Janson Julie Janson is a Burruberongal woman of Darug nation. She is a novelist, playwright, ... Read more
Geraldine Brooks’ first historical novel, Year of Wonders, has proved to be a portent of a world in lockdown. Her subsequent novels have restored or reimagined many lost histories. Elisabeth Storrs, HNSA Chair, explores the conference theme with Geraldine by discussing these award-winning books. Geraldine Brooks Australian-born Geraldine Brooks grew up in Sydney. She worked ... Read more
Many ANZ authors have attracted a readership in their own territories but an overseas audience remains elusive. Led in discussion by Lisa Chaplin, Kevan Lyon, owner of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, provides insights into what an American agent is looking for in a manuscript, and what it takes to get the ‘big break’. Christine Wells ... Read more
