2025 Full Program

The programme for ‘Heart of a Story’ is below.

Please note that this programme is still a draft and subject to change

Friday 15th August

 

Time
Description
07:30 am – 08:30 am Registration – come to the conference registration desk at the hotel and get your lanyard and goodie bag
08:30 am – 09:00 am Conference begins – Welcome and house-keeping
09:00 am – 11:00 am Keynote: Sarah MacLean

Mastering the Art of Great Conflict

How conflict is the gas in the engine of every aspect of the romance novel, from character to setting to theme. This workshop is an overview of how conflict works, how we build it, how we layer it, and why it’s the key to the very best romance novels.
11:00 am – 11:15 am MORNING TEA
11:15 am – 12:15 pm Keynote: Michelle Diener

Building Robust Worlds – No Matter the Genre (Part 1)

There are many ways to build a world, but the consequence of getting it wrong is reader disengagement. Join author Michelle Diener, who writes historicals as well as various spec fic genres, as she talks about the elements needed to build worlds that stand up to scrutiny. Michelle Diener is a bestselling author in the science fiction romance, fantasy romance and historical romantic suspense genres who will take attendees through the intricacies and pitfalls of world building for long series, standalone novels and even novellas, and the joy and satisfaction of getting it right.
12:15 pm – 1:00 pm LUNCH
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Keynote: Michelle Diener

Building Robust Worlds – No Matter the Genre (Part 2)
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Keynote: Anna Hackett

Short Story, Big Impact (Part 1)

Short stories pack a big punch! In today’s busy Netflix lifestyle, readers are looking for convenient reads of the perfect length and they want them now. For authors, writing short stories and novellas provides a way to keep readers engaged in between longer releases, adds alternative income paths, and helps with craft and developing your author voice. Come and learn the tools you need to write a short story—from structure to pacing, characters to conflict—from a successful author who loves to write short.
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm AFTERNOON TEA
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm Keynote: Anna Hackett

Short Story, Big Impact (Part 2)

 
4:30 pm Friday Close
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Registration (continued)
6:30 pm – 7:00 pm  First timer Get-together
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

‘Back to the 90s’ Cocktail Party

This is a wonderful chance to meet the people you’ll be attending conference with over the weekend. Enjoy this 90s themed event with tasty canapés and drinks while you socialise with your friends and meet writers you can connect with.

 

Saturday 16th August

 

Time
Description
07:45 am – 08:30 am Registration Opens  
08:30 am – 9:00 am Powhiri, opening welcome from Camilla Urdahl

House-keeping – special welcome to the weekend attendees
9:00 am – 10:00 am Keynote: Sarah MacLean

The Romance Revolution: The Power and Purpose of the Romance Novel in a Fast-Changing World

Bestselling author, romance historian and evangelist Sarah MacLean will speak on the importance of a vast, vibrant romance fiction landscape, discussing the work of the genre, its history, and the powerful impact it has on readers and beyond. 
10:00 am – 10:15 am MORNING TEA

 
10:15 am – 11:15 am Keynote: Rachael Johns

Author Journey

In this keynote, Rachael will take you through her rollercoaster journey to publication and what she has learned about sticking with it for the long haul. We’ll talk about staying true to your why, being kind to yourself, and keeping the fun in writing—even when things get tough.
11:15 am – 12:15 pm Steffanie Holmes

Behind the Doors of a 7-Figure Author

Business Go behind the scenes with Steffanie Holmes and learn the key strategies, team structure, and mindset shifts that allow for scalable growth as a romance author in 2025. Steff walks you through the different areas of her business, how she “does it all” (some of it badly), and what questions and techniques she uses when she’s struck or needs to know where to go next. This session dives deep with a real-life case study with an emphasis on strategic questions and actionable tips. Come away inspired with a personalized roadmap to boost your own income and success!.
12:15 pm – 1:00 pm LUNCH
1:00 pm –  2:00 pm

WORKSHOP 1
A career in trad
Lust in Translations: Skyrocket your author earning by monetising your backlist with AI-powered translations
A different road to take
Interested in trying traditional publishing but don’t know where to start? Have a book you’d like to pitch but don’t know which publisher to aim at? How do you even pitch to a publisher? And what’s all this about agents? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. In this workshop I’ll explain the process of traditional publishing, such as what sort of book to pitch, how to get an agent, how publishers decide on what to acquire, how advances and royalties work, contracts, and why everything takes so long! I’m happy to answer any questions you have about the process so bring those along too! In July 2023 I began experimenting with AI translations for some of my backlist books and within 3 months had transformed from making $1-2,000 per month to $20-30,000 per month. I’m going to show you how, with case studies from other romance authors This workshop is for writers who are interested in going indie! Joanne Austen Brown and Katy Archer will talk about their publishing journeys and the different roads to consider. They will share advice about working with professional editors and cover designers, among other creatives who can boost your ability to reach the right readers. They will go over the best practices and processes for succeeding in the indie publishing world.
Jackie Ashenden Catherine Bilson Joanne Austen Brown & Katy Archer
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

WORKSHOP 2
Deep thinking for Authors
Writing in the Cracks
Evergreen & Effortless: A marketing strategy that works while you write 
Some writers need more time for introspection than others. At the Write Better-Faster Academy, 57% of romance authors have Intellection in their top five CliftonStrengths™. Deep thinking can produce rich storytelling. It can also result in uncertainty, paralysis, low word counts, missed deadlines, and annoyed readers. This workshop will cover the mechanics of how thinking is supposed to work and how to scaffold your thought process so that it is faster and more reliable. It offers tools to extricate yourself from circular thinking and writers’ block and examines the love-hate relationship between a desire to execute and the time good contemplation needs. Life is busy and most of us juggle work, children, partners, family and friends. How, then, do we find the time to write a book? After all, there are only 24 hours in a day… aren’t there? What if I tell you that it’s possible to write a book and manage a day job, a home and the millions of other things that need your attention? Rather than waiting for the perfect time to write, participants will learn tips and tricks for creating and identifying the “cracks” in time on the busiest of days. Marketing doesn’t have to be exhausting! (Something I had to learn the hard way.) In this workshop, you’ll learn simple, sustainable strategies to grow your audience and sell more books—without constant effort. From automations to passive discovery channels to content hacks, you’ll get practical, low-maintenance ideas to build a marketing plan that works for you.
Samara Thorn Joanne Tracey  AK Mulford
3:00 pm – 03:30 pm AFTERNOON TEA
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm Panel Discussion

AI Threats & Opportunities

A led discussion exploring the opportunities and threats posed by AI for authors. This session aims to highlight the knowledge and considerations all authors must grapple with as these new technologies disseminates into various aspects of our lives and careers.
4:00 pm – 4:30 pm Saturday Raffle drawing  
4:30 pm – 5:00 pm RWNZ AGM  
05:00 pm CLOSE
07:00 pm

 FOR LOVE OF CHARACTER AWARDS DINNER

Join your fellow RWNZ members in this fun event where you’ll be able celebrate storytelling with a room full of talented writers. Not only can you enjoy a delicious three-course meal, but you’ll also have a chance to network with passionate writers like yourself. There is plenty of time for talking in between the various award presentations and speeches. Whether you’re a conference newbie or veteran, this is an event you don’t want to miss!

 

Sunday 17th August

Time
Description
 
07:30 am – 8:30 am PRE CONFERENCE EVENT: Dan Woods : Publishing through the Draft2Digital Platform
This pre-conference session is for anyone who wants to learn about publishing through the Draft2Digital platform, to understand about the publishing process, and what’s required. Bring any questions about publishing ebooks or print, whether standalone, series, or even multi-author projects
8:30 am – 8:40 am Welcome/housekeeping
8:40 am – 10:30 am Keynote: Anna Hackett & Michelle Diener

We made the mistakes to you don’t have to

Whether you’re overwhelmed by all the self-publishing options, or feeling like you’ve taken a wrong step, or just want to continue to build your author business, we share our mistakes and successes. Join two experienced self-published authors with years of experience in both indie and hybrid as they share the mistakes they’ve learned from on their path to success in the indie market. This workshop will cover the must-have essentials for a successful indie writing career and what strategies will help to build your readership.
10:30 am – 10:45 am MORNING TEA
10:45 am – 11:40 am Keynote: Rachael Johns

Strategies for connecting directly with readers: Thinking outside the box

Want to build a community of die-hard fans who can’t wait for your next book? In this workshop, we’ll dive into practical ways to connect with readers and make them feel like they’re part of your journey. From using Substack and podcasts to tapping into book clubs, I’ll share tips on how to engage your audience, get them invested in your process, and create a fanbase that feels more like a family. Whether you’re just starting to grow your readership or looking to take your connections to the next level, this workshop will help you build lasting relationships with your readers.
11:40 am – 12:00 pm Dan Woods

Draft to Digital

A market assessment from a publication platform’s perspective, and an introduction to leveraging the Draft2Digital platform to optimise your author career.
12:00 pm – 12:45 pm LUNCH
12:45 pm – 1:45 pm

WORKSHOP 1

The Impact of AI on creative rights
Publishing a multiauthor series
The Narrator: The being(s) behind the words
This workshop explores the evolving legal landscape surrounding the use of artificial intelligence in the creative industries. Participants will gain insight into copyright, authorship, intellectual property rights, and ethical considerations when AI is used to generate or assist in creating art and literature. Key topics include ownership of AI-generated works, licensing issues, and how existing laws apply to new technologies. The session aims to provide practical guidance for creatives in navigating this complex and rapidly developing field, especially in terms of understanding of legal risks and responsibilities. Welcome to Trinity Lakes, a warm and welcoming small town in east Washington, filled with charm, family, and friends, where fresh starts, second chances, and romance abound.  Trinity Lakes Romance is a multi-author contemporary Christian romance series featuring nine authors from Australia, New Zealand, and the USA. In this workshop, series author and editor Iola Goulton will discuss the origins of the Trinity Lakes series, the writing and marketing advantages of working in a group … and the pitfalls and problems. Events in a romantic story are often recounted by a named character, usually by one or both protagonists, or by a nameless being that closely observes their actions. While narration, more often referred to as POV, is generally well-understood and well-practised among romance writers, the concept of a narrator is much less explored and therefore limited. In this workshop, you are going to learn about the three-dimensional relationship between narrator, reader and constructed universe, and about six types of narrators that will help you take your fiction to a new level.
Daniel Watterson Iola Goulton Gaja Kołodziej
01:45 pm – 02:45 pm

WORKSHOP 2

Publication Pathways
The success story for authors
How to enter flow and enhance your writing and productivity
Choosing a publication pathway that suits you allows you to focus on your strengths, and as you build your career, your requirements might change. This panel discussion highlights the choices and how to leverage them optimally. How does an author navigate the ever changing world of publishing successfully in 2025 and beyond? Let’s explore what was, what is, and what the future of publishing look like, by reviewing some case studies, author traps, and expectations, and then look at how these can be transformed into better scenarios going forward. The real-life challenges of raising children, caring for parents, starting and ending relationships, jobs, renovations, and moving home make staying in flow challenging. In this 90-minute workshop, you will learn how to use trance states to switch off daily concerns and your inner critic, focus, and enter the consciousness of your project to enhance your productivity.
Rachael Johns, Jackie Ashenden, Dan Woods and AK Mulford Dixie Maria Colton Lucille Henry
2:45 pm – 3:15 pm Q&A Panel : Sarah MacLean, Anna Hackett, Michelle Diener, Dan Wood and Rachael Johns
3:15 pm – 3:45 pm Closing/raffle winners/2026 conference
3:45 pm – 4:00 pm AFTERNOON TEA

 

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