HNSA Workshops: Hone your skills - and entry into a $100 Dymocks card giveaway!

Felicity Pulman

I’ve lost count of the number of workshops I’ve attended during my working life as an author, although I’ve always kept the notes I made and the handouts I was given because I find them such a useful aide-memoire whenever I’ve needed to refer to something I learned during a particular session.  Over the years I’ve honed my skills while exploring various genres, partly to keep my writing fresh but also for the fun of sometimes following a different muse. But writing is only the start; I’ve also attended workshops on self-publishing and marketing which includes the (often daunting) social media scene.  

I can honestly say that my time and money have never been wasted as there is always something to learn and some new aspect to consider when it comes to the writing game – which is why I’m still attending workshops, and learning from them. So you’ll certainly find me hanging around the ‘super-sessions’ during the conference in Melbourne! Given by experts, and at only $20 per workshop, there’s a whole smorgasbord to choose from.

On the writing side, I’m greatly tempted by the historical romance workshop for aspiring authors titled ‘Medieval, Regency and So Much More’ given by master (or should that be mistress?) practitioners in the field, Anne Gracie and Isolde Martyn, who will share their tips on the importance of research in creating historical characters in believable settings – as well as giving some ‘how-not-to’ advice!

Anne Gracie

‘The Mystery in History’, internationally published and award-winning author Sulari Gentill’s crime fiction workshop for aspiring authors, also looks like a lot of fun with her promise to take participants through the art of writing crime fiction with an historical setting that is more than just an artistic backdrop.

As I’ve already discovered, writing for children and teens is far more complicated than just writing stories for short people!  Historical research is hugely important but must take second place to compelling characters and the action that will carry the story and keep the short people interested. Author Sherryl Clark will show participants how to choose a viewpoint character and structure the story, while addressing issues of voice and language to appeal to target readers.

Lisa Chaplin

Do you have a family story to tell?  Eleanor Limprecht will show you how to transform your research into compelling historical fiction – while maybe letting a few skeletons out of the closet at the same time!

But how to research and create the historical landscape of your dreams?  Think about joining Dr Gillian Polack for her ‘Research and Writing Master Classes 1 & 2’, and find out how to make history come to life in fiction. In these classes Gillian will examine different genres of historical fiction, including fantasy, along with the needs of writers. She will also read 10,000 words of your mss (deadline 1st September), using these samples to discuss techniques and theory. NB You need to check the website for info plus submission details. Cost $150. 

As a bit of fun, especially if you’re writing about early and medieval time, why not join Matt Curran (aka Leif the Viking) in ‘Armour and Armouring’ to find out how a blacksmith would go about making a set of armour – and how it would feel to wear it.  (NB: your hero should never take a 5-minute toilet break from the battlefield to shuck off his armour and pop into a latrine!)

Not into battles, more into the boudoir? Will you dress your heroine in a Tudor or a Renaissance costume? Silk, satin – or nylon? Rachel Nightingale has books to show you, plus a range of outfits made by historical re-enactors based on research and portraits.

Hazel Edwards

Need help? You might like to join Kelly Gardiner’s introduction to Scrivener, a low-cost software programme for writers which can help you manage chapters and scenes, sketch out characters and settings, incorporate research materials, plus a whole lot more.

Do you have a mss ready to go?  Lisa Chaplin’s interactive workshop ‘From Elevator Pitch to Finish: how to successfully pitch your book in 30 seconds’ will give you all the tips you need to capture the interest of agents and/or publishers.

But perhaps you’d rather go the self-publishing route? Successful indie author G.S. Johnston is on hand to answer your questions on everything from production and publishing to marketing in their session: ‘Everything you wanted to know about self-publishing but were afraid to ask.’

And that brings us to crunch time: your book’s published but how do you get the word Out There?  Your book will be up against millions of others on sale so you’re going to have to get smart, get out there, and be quick about it!  Join Elisabeth Storrs and Elizabeth Lhuede on ‘How to build an author platform: social media basics for historical novelists.’ They’ll show you how to connect with potential readers and promote your books through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, blogging etc, plus – a vital component – your website.

Elizabeth Lhuede

And let Hazel Edwards have the last word on ‘Authorpreneurship: the business of creativity’. As well as writing the book, she says, you need to learn marketing, publicity, technological, legal and entrepreneurial skills to adapt to a fast-changing digital global industry, while staying in business and surviving financially.

So much to learn and so much on offer – we’re spoilt for choice, and I’m sure I’ll see you there somewhere!

Book your tickets for the workshops  and be entered in the draw to win a $100 Dymocks Gift Card.  Cost of tuition is only $20 per session once a full weekend or day ticket has been purchased.

          

Felicity Pulman

HNSA 2017 Conference

The HNSA 2017 Melbourne Conference is being held on 8-10 September 2017 at Swinburne University. This celebration of the historical fiction genre will showcase over 60 speakers discussing inspiration, writing craft, research, publishing pathways and personal histories in our weekend programme. Among the many acclaimed historical novelists participating are Kerry Greenwood, Kate Forsyth, Deborah Challinor, Libby Hathorn, Lucy Treloar, Sophie Masson, Sulari Gentill, Robert Gott and Arnold Zable. The HNSA’s speakers’ list is available on the HNSA website.

In addition to the two stream weekend programme, there will be ten craft based super sessions and two research masterclasses.You won’t want to miss our interactive sessions on armour and historical costumes either! Purchase a ticket and you will be entered in the draw to win a $100 Dymocks Gift Card.

Manuscript assessments will be conducted by industry experts, Alison Arnold and Irina Dunn. Our free extended academic programme is open for general admission but bookings are essential.

Our First Pages Pitch Contest offers an opportunity for submissions to be read aloud to a panel of publishers. And we are delighted to announce the introduction of our inaugural HNSA Short Story Contest with a $500 prize!

Visit our website to purchase your tickets now!

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Learn about our sponsorship opportunities.

Let’s make a noise about historical fiction!

         

Interview with Isolde Martyn

Today we are joined by historical novelist Isolde Martyn. Isolde enjoys setting her novels in turbulent times and most of her characters are real people. Her first novel won top awards in the USA and Australia. Her earlier career was in academia and publishing, and she was a senior editor with a major publisher before taking up writing full-time. She is also the vice-chair and co-founder of the Plantagenet History Society of Australia and an active member of the Historical Novel Society. Her previous novel The Golden Widows is about two young widows on opposing sides during the Wars of the Roses and her latest book Troubadour (published April 2017) is an adventure set in England and France in 1209.

You can find out more about Isolde on her website or connect with her via Facebook.

What was the inspiration for your latest novel Troubadour?

Some years ago I visited the restored medieval city of Carcassonne in southern France and heard the stories about the 1209 crusade that Pope Innocent III sent against the Cathars -- Christian heretics.   That sounded like a superb backdrop for a novel especially as there’s resonance with today -- innocent people being slaughtered or else blown up by suicide bombers in the name of religion.

Back in 1209, the crusaders were promised that all their past and future sins would be forgiven if they destroyed both the heretics and those who sheltered them. So, in the name of the orthodox faith, the northern knights attacked cities and villages and flung people on bonfires.

As for the plot of Troubadour, I wondered how you would cope if you were a tolerant ruler and you could see this savage army mustering and know they might attack your city.  How would my main character try to save his people? And what if his strategy was thrown off track because the woman he must marry to secure a military alliance turns out to be an imposter?   
  

Is there a particular theme you are exploring in this book?

Intolerance, both religious (as mentioned above) and discriminatory. If Derwent, one of my characters, was alive today, he would describe himself as ‘a short-statured person’. Back in the thirteenth century, he would have been feared as a creature of the devil and/or regarded as a spectacle.

A third theme is gender equality. Adela, my resourceful, literate 1209 heroine longs for respect and useful employment but it’s an age when most of the work was done by men. Without board and shelter supplied by a male protector, it was a tough world.

Which period of history particularly interests you? Why?

I love the Late Middle Ages, especially the Wars of the Roses, which was my special area of study for my Honours degree. It’s fascinating to flesh out the main players (fascinating people like Richard III’s cousin, Buckingham, and Mistress Shore) and work out their motives from their actions. Because so few documents have survived compared to the sixteenth century, there is plenty of room for conjecture.

The historian in me is also fascinated by the French Revolution. Individuals making things happen! When did the revolution take the wrong turn and why? However, setting my novel Fleur-de-Lis in Paris 1793 nearly killed my writing career. Apparently, writing about that era was a no-no (all those guillotines!) especially in the USA. It was the time when Bush and Chirac were at loggerheads and fries were renamed ‘freedom fries’. However, Fleur-de-Lis was totally guillotine-free and I still am very proud of having written it.

What resources do you use to research your novels?

Primary sources where possible.

The National Archives UK are marvellous because so many original documents are now available online.

What is more important to you: historical authenticity or accuracy?

As a historian, using what facts are available is crucial to me. However I’m very conscious of the provenance of the sources and the need to evaluate their accuracy. Was the chronicler objective? Up until the late sixteenth century, many so-called historians saw history as a morality tale and sometimes the message was more important than the truth.

Which character in your current book is your favourite? Why?

The one most fun to create was a laundress, one of the minor characters: ‘Maud’s my name an’ I’m Lady Alys’s lavendière, sounds better in French, don’t it?’  She’s a gutsy, funny, promiscuous survivor.

Are you a ‘plotter’ or a ‘pantser’? How long does it generally take you to write a book?

A pantser. Writing’s an adventure especially when the characters wickedly take over and drag something in from left field.  Getting the historical chronology in place like a line of milestones and where the real people in the story were at the time is vital to me and can be time-consuming, but, phew, once that’s done, it’s a straight road.

Which authors have influenced you?

I’m thinking about whose books I read again and again: Dorothy Dunnett’s Lymond series for her fabulous research, wonderful imagery, humour, dialogue and the brilliant characters of Philippa and Lymond; Georgette Heyer for the emotional tension she created without a button being unhooked or a stitch giving way; and Daphne du Maurier’s novel Frenchman’s Creek is still one of the most classic love stories I have ever read.

What advice would you give an aspiring author?

Read your manuscript out aloud to yourself. It’s amazing the errors you’ll pick up. It will help you make your style more fluid and you’ll get to discern the flat bits that go on too long. 

Tell us about your next book or work in progress.

It’s a novel set in the late sixteenth century and most of the characters are real people but, forgive me, I don’t want to say any more about it at this point.

Thanks for sharing your story with us, Isolde. Isolde's books are available through Harlequin Books and Momentum Publishing. 

Forced to flee the English court after the lecherous King John attacks her, Adela, the queen’s hairbraider, finds employment in the entourage of Lady Alys. Alys is on her way to marry the Lord of Mirascon, a fiefdom in southern France. However, the south is under threat from Pope Innocent III’s military crusade against the heretics.

After trying in vain to rally his fellow lords against invasion, Richart, Vicomte de Mirascon, makes an alliance with King John. A political marriage to the Lady Alys – the king’s discarded mistress – will allow Richart to safeguard his people from a merciless land grab and cruel slaughter.

When the bridal party is ambushed, Adela is mistaken for her dead mistress by the people of Mirascon. Adela knows she must tell Richart that she is not his betrothed, but as she is dragged deeper into the deception, she is also powerfully drawn to the beleaguered man trying to protect his people and his culture. Adela is recognised by the dwarf Derwent, Richart’s English jester, who seems willing to keep her secret for the time being. Yet as suspicion builds up against her, paying with her life seems inevitable.

As the pope's savage army marches south, can Richart and Adela overcome a web of deceit and treachery and evade the bonfires of the crusaders, or will their land of troubadours and tolerance be destroyed forever?


Troubadour is available via Harlequin, Booktopia, Dymocks, ibooks, Amazon Au, Amazon US, Google Play and Kobo.

HNSA 2017 Conference

The HNSA Conference is being held in Melbourne on 8-10 September in association with Swinburne University.

Isolde will be appearing on Sunday 10th of September 12.30-1.30pm in the session:

A Rose by Any Other Name: what’s the difference between historical romance and an historical love story? 

Booksellers and publishers are called upon to categorise books for ease of selection. But aren’t historical romance and historical love stories the same? Do readers care about the pigeon holing of books into sub-genres? And if it’s necessary, what is required to establish the difference when writing a book? Elisabeth Storrs discusses these concepts with Isolde Martyn, Alison Stuart, Lisa Chaplin and Anna Campbell.

As a treat, Isolde is teaming up with Anne Gracie to conduct a super session on how to write historical romance to attract an international market. A ticket to the workshop entitles the attendee an entry into a giveaway for a $100 Dymocks gift card. More details about our workshop programme are available at our website. Purchase of a day or weekend conference ticket is a pre-condition to booking.

Medieval, Regency and So Much More: Writing Historical Romance for the International Market

‘Historical romance’ covers a wide range of styles, with varying degrees of history and romance. Internationally published, award-winning authors Anne Gracie and Isolde Martyn will share their tips about writing historical romance, the craft of story-telling, the importance of research, and creating historical characters and atmosphere, as well as some ‘how-not-to’ advice to help authors reach an international market.You can book your place here.

Isolde is also appearing at our next Meet the Author satellite event at Sutherland Library on 29 May 6.30-8.30 pm with Elisabeth Storrs, Debbie Robson and Julianne Miles-Brown where they will be discussing: Follow that horse! All you ever wanted to know about researching, writing and publishing historical fiction. The event is free but booking is essential. You can book  here.

Early bird registration is open for the HNSA 2017 Conference. You will receive 15% off the full price for our weekend programme.  The same discount also applies for tickets to our opening reception.  HURRY! The ticket allocation is nearly exhausted!

This celebration of the historical fiction genre will showcase over 60 speakers discussing our theme, inspiration, writing craft, research, publishing pathways and personal histories. Among the many acclaimed historical novelists participating are Kerry Greenwood, Kate Forsyth, Deborah Challinor, Lucy Treloar, Sophie Masson, Sulari Gentill, Robert Gott and Arnold Zable. The HNSA’s speakers’ list is available on the HNSA website.

In addition to the two stream weekend programme, there will be ten craft based super sessions and two research masterclasses. You won’t want to miss our interactive sessions on armour and historical costumes either! Manuscript assessments will be conducted by industry experts, Alison Arnold and Irina Dunn. And there are two calls for papers in our free extended academic programme.

Our First Pages Pitch Contest offers an opportunity for submissions to be read aloud to a panel of publishers. And we are delighted to announce the introduction of our inaugural HNSA Short Story Contest with a $500 prize!

Visit our website to take advantage of our early bird discounts.

Subscribe to our newsletter for interviews, reviews and news.

Let’s make a noise about historical fiction!