Ask any published author what advice they’d give an aspiring writer, and you’ll likely get one of three responses. First, get to ‘The End’, because you can’t edit a blank page. Two, read widely, because the best writers are also readers. And three, find your community.
Back in 2020, I was an aspiring romance writer. I’d ticked off points one and two from that list, but had no idea how to find a community. So I met up with a family friend who’d recently published a romance book, and she told me, “You should join the Romance Writers of Australia.”
Discovering my writing community
I’d never heard of Romance Writers of Australia (RWAus), but I went home, signed myself up for a membership, and booked a ticket to their annual conference. Though COVID meant the event was virtual, by the end of day one I knew I’d found my community.
Fast forward six years, I’m now a published romance author, with five RWAus conferences under my belt. “There’s a particular magic in a room full of writers, particularly romance writers … we are myth makers,” keynote speaker Brenda Novak said at last year’s conference in Hobart.
With community engagement a key part of overall health, being able to sit next to strangers and connect immediately through something you’re passionate about is special. And the connections I’ve made at each romance writers conference have continued long after the weekends are over.
Why go to a romance writers conference?
I arrived at the airport on a rainy morning in August with a parasol and 80 hand-cut paper snowflakes in my suitcase. Before I’d even checked in, I ran into a writer I knew. There were more on the plane, at the baggage carousel and in the hotel lobby. With every genuine “hello” and “good to see you again” and “how is your writing going?”, I got that feeling – I was with my people.
When I donned my costume for the Writer Wonderland-themed welcome party on Friday night – those paper snowflakes now tied with fishing wire to my parasol – I didn’t worry that I’d tried too hard or would take up too much space, things women can be made to feel.
Because like romance books can provide escapism when life is heavy, being at the conference was a stress-free vacation from my day-to-day life. More than that, it was a space where I could put myself, my passion and my goals first without guilt, something society hasn’t historically encouraged women to do … but romance novels do.
As Australian author Stacey McEwan told us in her keynote speech:
“You are part of a movement of people that forces women to confront the very radical idea that their happiness is important.”
More than that, romance books, said keynote speaker Sarah MacLean, teach us “we deserve to thrive … we deserve joy”. And I’d certainly found joy in this community, first through the pages of my favourite romance reads, and then as an author at the conferences, connecting each year with writers eager to share knowledge and lift each other up.
Learning opportunities for writers at the conference
The Romance Writers of Australia conference is an annual event that runs for three days each August, where “aspiring authors and seasoned veterans come together to share their love for the written word”. With educational workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches that never fail to provide inspiration and motivation, it’s perfect for writers of all genres.
Whether you’ve got dozens of novels to your name or are new to writing – and of the more than 300 attendees in Hobart, around 80 were “newbies” – the learning opportunities are plentiful. More than 30 sessions took place at the 2025 conference, including talks on plot structure, setting up a series, writing dialogue, using social media and getting involved in book signings. You can also pitch your novel directly to editors and agents – an invaluable opportunity and one that’s led to many book deals over the years.
The power of romance books
Additionally, the romance writers conference is a celebration of a genre that is “innately aspirational … there to show us what kind of world we want to live in,” as Sarah said in her opening address. “Romance is joy.” And with happiness being linked to longevity, reading (and writing) romance is basically a form of self-care.
Through attending RWAus conferences, I’ve found a community, as well as a space that gives me permission to prioritise myself and my goals. But romance as a genre has impacts beyond the individual level. These books often centre the voices of women and marginalised communities, providing a way to represent and reshape society how we want it to be.
For Sarah, every romance novel is a chance to “swing our hammer” and reform the world. She believes romance is aspirational, subversive and revolutionary. That romance books, “show us a path that rejects divisiveness in favour of understanding …
“A path to community, to partnership, to parity and justice and love in all its forms … reframing life as not a solitary journey, but one toward community, happily ever after, and happily everyone after.”
I’m counting down the days until this year’s romance writer conference. There is always more to learn and new connections to be made. Like Rachel Armstrong, winner of a 2025 RUBY Award, said in her acceptance speech: “You’re not just going to conference, you’re going to family.”
For more information about the Romance Writers of Australia, visit romanceaustralia.com. This year’s VIP speakers are Australian authors Rachael Johns, Jodi McAlister, T L Swan, international author Alyssa Cole, agent Sarah Younger, and publishing educator Jane Friedman.
Tickets for the 2026 romance writers conference in Darwin, August 21-23, are on sale now. Early bird pricing is available until 25th May, 2026.
