I’m rushing around getting ready to leave for Brisbane in an hour or two, for the IASPR and RWAustralia conferences. I’m driving up today, and tomorrow, the wonderful Sarah Frantz (IASPR President) and I are going to do a day trip from Brisbane to Lamington National Park. I’ve always wanted to explore some of the hinterland behind the Gold Coast, and Sarah is interested in birds and wants to see what she can of Australia in the short time she’s here, so it should be a lovely day out. And I’m sure there will be much lively discussion about the romance genre, as well!
The IASPR (International Association for the Study of Popular Romance) conference is on Thursday and Friday, and I am very much looking forward to it. It will be the first gathering in Australia of scholars and others interested in popular romance, and the program is packed full or what, I am sure, will be fascinating and thought-provoking papers and discussions.
The RWAustralia conference starts (for me) on the Friday evening, with the cocktail party, and then runs all weekend. My publisher, Bernadette Foley, and I are presenting a workshop on Saturday morning about negotiating the author-publisher relationship. Then there’s a great lineup of workshops and keynotes, as well as the chance to meet and catch up with many friends and fellow writers. Plus the Awards dinner on Saturday night, where the winners of the Romantic Book of the Year Awards will be announced – always a special night, but especially so this year, as As Darkness Falls is a finalist in the Romantic Elements category.
I’ll be driving home on Monday, and maybe catching up with my sister for coffee along the way. Then I’m home for two days, before I head off to Melbourne!
Needless to say, with all this travelling and conferencing, the blog may be a little quiet – although since I’ll have the iPhone, I may be able to send some short blogs and iPhone photos – we’ll see!
So, to keep my regular readers entertained while I’m away, here’s a few photos from recent afternoon walks:
Our road, heading into the neighbour\’s paddocks
Our creek paddock – and possibly the site of the original hut
Late light on the trees – a natural Monet effect!
My walking companions (or gratuitous dog photo!)
Bronwyn, Wishing you safe travels and happy outcomes. Your walking companions are gorgeous, very photogenic. — Eric
Oh what cute companions you have!
And that photograph of the light hitting the trees is wonderful.
Have fun and stay safe during your travels, Bronwyn!
Eric, the dogs are photogenic IF you can get them to be still for long enough to take a photo. Jaffa, the blonde one, (aka The Princess Dog) does manage to pose prettily sometimes, but Tansy is ever-active, and always on the move. It is very rare to get them both together, looking my way, for long enough to lift the camera and press the button!
AL, i love the late afternoon light through the trees – it’s a real pleasure walking at that time, watching the ight shift through it’s various phases as the sun sets.
What gorgeous walking companions! And a good looking site too. Nice to meet you at the RWA conference this weekend, Bronwyn. I shall be back to read more on this site at my leisure! I’m waiting for my flight home now.
Best wishes
Phillipa
Phillipa, it was great to meet you, too, at RWA! Hope you had a great trip home. Looking forward to reading your book next year 🙂