Mar 4, 2011

What ARRC2011 Has to Offer!


Fancy a romantic weekend on the beach? Romance is in the air at Bondi, Australia's most famous beach, where the second Australian Romance Readers Convention will be held at the Swiss Grand Resort and Spa on 25-27 March 2011.

With international bestselling authors Anna Campbell, Nalini Singh and Cindy Gerard headlining, we have over 30 of Australia's favourite romance writers sharing their love of romance.

Delegates will be spoiled for choice with a wide range of panels, and exclusive events such as the 2010 Australian Romance Readers Awards dinner and our silent auction to support those affected by the recent floods in Queensland.

Panels
Ever wondered why we love vampires, werewolves and creatures of the dark? Or why short category romance has endured for 100 years? Regency fans are in for a treat as Anna Campbell and Anne Gracie talk about the appeal of the Regency hero and challenge historical romance stereotypes. Whatever your taste, we have a panel for it.

Aspiring writers aren't left out either, with a Publishing Ins and Outs panel.

And due to its amazing popularity at ARRC09, we have two sessions, This One Time and This Other Time, where authors tell us about the crazy side of writing, like what they do in their nonexistent free time, obsessive fans, and the lengths they go to in the name of research.

The hard part is choosing which ones to go to!

Book-signing session
This year, we have more than 30 authors on hand to sign their books for you. This is a fantastic way to get a little face time with your favourite authors and ask a question about their series or your favourite characters. And who doesn't love a signed book?

Awards Dinner

Our awards dinner is a great excuse to dress up and the winners have been voted for by real Australian romance readers. It's just like going to the Oscars, only without the long flight.

Silent Auction

We've all seen the devastation caused by the floods in Queensland and may even know someone who has been affected. We have had an overwhelming number of donations pouring in from generous authors all over the world. With almost 200 items to bid on, including jewellery hand-made by Anne Gracie, canvas prints of photographs taken by Keri Arthur, several ARCs, critiques and of course, signed book bundles. There is even a royal treatment package at the Romantic Times convention in Chicago! The auction has so much on offer and supports such a worthy cause. If you haven't had a chance to browse through the items yet, you can find them here: http://australianromancereaders.wordpress.com/silent-auction/

ARRC2011 also offers something we couldn't fit into the program and that is the charged atmosphere of being surrounded by other romance readers just like you. This is a great opportunity to meet other people who share your interest in romance, discuss your favourite authors, swap recommendations and celebrate the books we love.

To register or find out more, please visit us at http://www.australianromancereaders.com.au/2011.html

Membership of ARRA has its perks. For discounts on entry and books from a number of independent bookshops, a monthly newsletter and access to our online romance reading community, join the Australian Romance Readers Association. With membership currently only $10 a year, you get real bang for your buck. Find out more at http://www.australianromancereaders.com.au/join.html

(Thanks to Helen and Debbie from ARRA for the post about this exciting event! They'll be dropping by during the day to answer your comments and questions.)

32 comments:

  1. This looks so fabulous! Wish I could go! If I win Lotto in the next three weeks I'll be there -- with bells on!

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  2. Emily

    We would love to have you there, this convention is going to be so much fun and I am soo looking forward to being there. I went to ARRC09 and had such a ball there is no way I would miss out on this one.
    And there are so many items that I want from the silent auction I think I will need to win lotto as well LOL.
    Everyone there is still plenty of time to register for the convention and join in all the fun.

    Have Fun
    Helen

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  3. Oh, I wish I could go too! What a great line-up of authors. It sounds like a lot of fun!

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  4. Vanessa

    We would love to have you there as well, truly this is going to be a fantastic weekend

    Have Fun
    Helen

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  5. Helen, I'm SOOOO looking forward to ARRC. I can't tell you! And I'm so chuffed that I'm a keynote, I can't tell you that either. Oh, dear, this is turning into a very SILENT comment! See you girls soon!

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  6. I was checking out the membership application form. Only Australian writers and readers are eligible to enter. So for overseas if we've already attended an event then can apply?

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  7. Anna
    Can I tell you how I am so looking forward to catching up with you again and of course all the other wonderful authors and friends

    This is going to be so good

    Have Fun
    Helen

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  8. I went to ARRC09 and had a ball! It was fantastic meeting other romance writers and readers -- especially all the Harlequin authors (-:

    Unfortunately I can't go this year...my bub is due to make his appearance about a week after ARRC!

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  9. Anna, I didn't know you were expecting a bub! How lovely! I hope everything goes beautifully. By the way, that IS one excuse for not coming that I'm sure Helen will accept. LOL!

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  10. Anna

    I totally understand why you won't be there this time I do hope all goes well. My daughter is actually having another baby on the 28th March the day I leave Bondi she is having a c section so we know the day so I will have to get home to have a cuddle, babies are so beautiful

    Have Fun
    Helen

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  11. Hi Helen and Debbie, I'm so looking forward to the convention. It will be great to catch up and to see some new faces. The venue looks spectacular too!

    Anna, congratulations on approaching motherhood. Hope it's all smooth sailing. Can't wait to see the pics of your bub!

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  12. I heard such great things about ARRC09 that I wish I was going this year. So many authors and readers to meet! I'll definitely be at the next one.

    Thanks for visiting the cats to tell us about it, ARRA!

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  13. Nas

    At the moment yes ARRA is open to Australian authors and readers and someone that has been to an event, this may change in the near future. Overseas guests are more than welcome to attend the convention and we would love to have you there.

    Have Fun
    Helen

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  14. Rachel

    I too wish you could be there it was great meeting you at the RWA Conference in August.

    And thank you very much Love Cats for having us visit today always a great place to be

    Have Fun
    Helen

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  15. Annie

    I totally agree catching up with friends that I made at ARRC09 and making new friends and just being in a group of authors and readers who totally understand what we are talking about whether it be shape shifters or rakes or alpha heros.
    Whoo Hoo this is going to be a great weekend

    Have Fun
    Helen

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  16. It does sound wonderful and I've heard great things about it. I'll be there for the next one! =)
    I hope the auction raises LOTS of money!

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  17. Helen, I SO wish I could go this year! Everyone had such a ball in 2010. And I LOVE auctions - ask anyone. I'm sure it'll be a fabulous weekend at Bondi! And best wishes for that new baby arrival =)

    Robbiexo

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  18. Ooh, Helen, I am SO looking forward to the conference. I only made it for one day at ARRC09-- where I had a ball -- so I'm super excited that I can make the entire conference this time around. And, oh my, the Swiss Grand looks VERY swish. What a divine venue for greedily talking, talking, talking romance .

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  19. I'm late, I'm late to say welcome, Helen and Debbie! We are thrilled to have you ARRA gals here to visit us at the LoveCats!

    I had such a great time at ARRC2009 down here in Melbourne! I went home bursting at the seams with memories and my suitcases were bursting with all the autographed books I bought!

    I know ARRC2011 is going to be just as fabulous! You have a great line up of authors and an amazing location at Bondi - it's a romance waiting to happen!

    Not long to go now!
    :)
    Sharon

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  20. Mel

    It will be great meeting you at the next convention. And as for the silent auction the donations are wonderful and I am sure we will make a lot to donate

    Have Fun
    Helen

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  21. Robyn
    I wish you could be there as well and I am another one who loves auctions and seeing as how most of the parcels have arrived here at my place I have been having a ball opening them up but the hard thing is now what am I going to bid on LOL

    I am really looking forward to the arrival of my 6th grandchild there is something really special about grandkids

    Have Fun
    Helen

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  22. Michelle

    It will be great catching up and the panels are going to be so intersting I wish I could be at all of them. As for The Swiss Grand Debbie Pamela and I stayed there about a month ago and it is swish and grand

    Have Fun
    Helen

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  23. Sharon

    Thank you all again for having us visit today it really has been great.

    I too have lots of fantastic memories that will be with me forever and I know I am going to have lots more after Bondi and totally agree it is a romance waiting to happen

    Have Fun
    Helen

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  24. Emily - you win LOTTO this week, I'll win next and then we'll both be there with bells on :) I'd love to be able to go to this one year - wish it could be this, looks so fab!!!!

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  25. Anna C! You sound very mysterious with your "silent" comments! I have one too - I can't tell you how awesome I think you'll be as a keynote speaker! Woohoo!

    :)
    Sharon

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  26. LoveCat Anna, we're all looking forward to the exciting arrival of your new family member - definitely on the countdown now!

    :)
    Sharon

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  27. And Helen, how gorgeous about your new grandchild arriving on the ARRC weekend. A doubly exciting time for you. I hope all goes well with your daughter's C-section.
    :)
    Sharon

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  28. Good luck with those Lotto winning plans, Em and Natalie!
    :)
    Sharon

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  29. Vanessa and Nas, thank you for dropping in!

    And Annie and Michelle, fantastic that you'll be there!

    Robyn, the ARRA book signing in 2010 at the conference was fabulous, wasn't it?

    Rachel and Mel, perhaps we'll have to make a plan for all us LoveCats to get to the next ARRC!

    :)
    Sharon

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  30. Natalie

    I agree everyone should be buying lotto tickets it would be awesome to have all The LoveCats at the convention.
    The atmosphere and vibes are just amazing with such a great group of romance readers and authors in the one room

    Have Fun
    Helen

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  31. Wow..the entire conversation here is so awesome and has me intrigued!!! :) Will wait for news on this and pictures and more event updates - from Canada ;)

    Have fun ladies :)

    Anna (Hackett) - That's awesome news.. Mega congrats and best wishes too!

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  32. Hi, Ju from Canada! How lovely of you pop in and read about the ARRC! Hopefully there will be plenty of pictures and we might be able to tempt you DownUnder for a visit sometime!

    If you get the chance drop in tomorrow and read LoveCat Anna's Sunday Smooch!

    :)
    Sharon

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