RWNZ Conference 2008

The 15th annual conference of The Romance Writers of New Zealand was held at the Waipuna Conference Centre, Auckland over the weekend of 15th to 17th August 2008. As last year, it rained the entire time I was there but that certainly didn't dampen anyone's spirits!

It was fabulous to meet up with two of the other witches, Sara Hantz and Amanda Ashby. Here we are taking tea at one of the breaks. By the way, the food was yummy. I ate far too many scones and cream!!!

Amanda and Sally took two workshops, Internet Promotion on how to utilise online resources to network and Release Your Inner Teen on how to write for the YA market. They did a fantastic job (and I'm not just saying that because they're my cps!!!) There was much hilarity in the YA workshop and I don't think it had much to do with the excess of Pinkies being consumed as prizes!

We had an introduction to publishing from editors from Berkley, Samhain, Harlequin and The Wild Rose Press. There was also a Pink Lunch and Silent Auction to raise funds for NZ Breast Cancer Foundation.

The keynote speaker was Margie Lawson, a former university professor who used to teach psychology and communication courses at post-graduate level. She's developed the most amazing workshops to help authors power up the emotion in their writing. Her Friday workshop "Empowering Characters' Emotions" was mind blowing and if I ever get the chance to attend her talks again you can bet I'll be there at the front of the queue!

As it just so happened to be my birthday on the Monday following the conference, Margie gave me the cutest pair of fluffy purple and pink socks! How cool is that?

Not only is Margie a motivational speaker, she is also a very lovely lady. Here we are all glammed up at the Awards Dinner with her.

This was at the Friday Night Harlequin Cocktail Party. The theme was CAT-egory and lots of delegates sported feline ears and tails. I didn't! But I was in excellent company since the lovely Nalini Singh wasn't wearing a tail either!

Neither was Susan Napier! And yes I am holding two glasses of wine. But they weren't both mine. Honest!!

Here I am with Ellie Huse, NZ Contest Co-ordinator Extraordinare.

Toni, me and Pam - three of the Meet the Editor Finalists (see our pretty rosettes? They are so shiny!)

And here we are on stage collecting our certificates (which are also very pretty!) From left to right - Pam, Bron, Toni, Cindy Hwang Executive Editor from Berkley Publishing, me and Anne Gracie, Prez of the RWAustralia, who collected certificates galore for Aussie finalists who couldn't attend the NZ conference. MC is Tessa Radley, and Ellie is just off stage on the right. 

In our finery before the Saturday Awards Dinner.

And with Giovanna Lee.

The London Chickies! Rachel Collins and me in our gorgeous glittery tops!!!

A couple of random photos while at one of the tea breaks.

Amanda chatting to Jenny Hatton, Assistant Editor at Mills & Boon

Sunday night, after the conference had finished and nearly everyone had gone home, a small bunch of Aussies remained and we had a fabulous time! Carolyn, Sandy and Cheryl Wright, multi pubbed author and editor with The Wild Rose Press.

I had so many books to bring back with me I had trouble packing them in my case. I even won a book for travelling the furthest to attend the conference!