Featuring a smorgasbord of leading names in Australian and international genre fiction across a spectacular line up of panels, workshops and special events, GenreCon is Queensland’s leading conference for genre writers. Find your tribe and join us as we celebrate all things Genre!
Friday Workshops
**2019 Schedule**
GenreCon surrounds you with a community of writers, and on Friday we offer an early start with these four diverse workshops. These continuing-education workshops will give you the inspiration you need to start GenreCon off with a bang!
Welcome to GenreCon 2019
Miss us? We’re back and we’re thriving at GenreCon 2019.
GenreCon, Australia’s largest writers’ conference, is dedicated to all things slashy, kissy, bloody and suspensey. This year is all about thriving in your genre, so our program is focused on you, so that you can grow closer to your tribe, whether it be romance, sci-fi, fantasy, crime, or horror.
GenreCon is a Queensland Writers Centre initiative and represents our ongoing commitment to all forms of writing and all kinds of writers. We believe that good things happen when writers talk to each other, and better things happen when writers help one another. Connections that started at earlier conferences have blossomed into friendships, and conversations that happened over lunches have transformed into projects. Queensland Writers Centre is proud to support and celebrate our genre writers with a diverse, inclusive, and active conference like GenreCon.
These three massive days are the result of the dedicated Queensland Writers Centre team and a group of tireless and enthusiastic volunteers who have worked many hours to provide you with a conference to remember. We hope you will all join us in the spirit of GenreCon – dress up, join in, and experience something new.
And remember, GenreCon is created by us, but it belongs to all of you – the participants.
So, help us make this year’s GenreCon the best yet! Join the fun, learn, and celebrate with us, because Queensland Writers Centre is your writers centre. We urge you to stay in touch and keep your momentum going long after the costume disrobing is done.
GenreCon Presenters
These great speakers featured at GenreCon 2019. Stay tuned for 2021’s best and brightest line-up.
GenreCon 2019 Program
Please note that this information concerns the GenreCon 2019 schedule. Stay tuned for GenreCon 2021’s line-up of presenters and program of events.
GENRECON REGISTRATION OPEN
Sign in and collect your conference pack.
GenreCon TicketHOW TO DEVELOP A GRAPHIC NOVEL - Darren Koziol - Workshop
CASTLES & CURSED GARDENS - Kate Forsyth - Workshop
Writing stories opens doors into fictional worlds – castles, cursed gardens and other fantastic worlds. Whatever the world you’re writing in readers should be totally absorbed. Come along and let award-winning author Kate Forsyth give you the tools and building materials you need to create a vivid and believable world of your own. Come along with pen & paper and be prepared for a few lightning-fast writing exercises.
LUNCH PROVIDED
$170 / $145 MembersDIGITAL MARKETING FOR AUTHORS - Kylie Bristow - Workshop
LUNCH PROVIDED
$170 / $145 MembersFIGHT LIKE A GIRL MASTERCLASS - Aiki Flinthart - Workshop
Want to write authentic fight scenes? Learn how to write scenes that feel, sound, taste and smell real, and understand the differences between how men and women fight and react, both during and after the event. Demonstration weapons include live-edge swords, wooden weapons, longbow, throwing knives and a toy plastic gun. But remember – only Aiki handles the weapons. KA POW!
$75 / $60 MembersMEET & GREET: WELCOME TO GENRECON
Start your conference with a bang! Register for the conference, grab your swag bag and have a drink on us before heading to the night market.
You’ll get all the info you need for a great GenreCon experience when you buddy up with someone who knows all about it.
Come along, meet people, have fun!
GenreCon TicketGENRECON REGISTRATION CLOSES
GenreCon Ticket
PATRON BREAKFAST - KIM WILKINS
KEYNOTE ADDRESS - KATE FORSYTH
Master storyteller Kate Forsyth offers inspiring words for writers and readers of genre fiction.
With numerous books and awards to her name, Kate’s keynote address seeks to motivate us all to THRIVE in whatever aspect of genre we choose.
GENRECON TICKETWRITE TO WIN
Writing competitions offer multiple benefits – validation, status, exposure, publication, or even just motivation to write! Take away tips from those who have achieved success. What do you need to know to be in with a chance? What do judges look for? And what happens when you do win?
Panellists M.J.Tjia, Kaaron Warren, Ruth McIver and Rachel Armstrong give their writing competition advice.
GENRECON TICKETSOCIAL MEDIA : ARE WE THERE YET? DO I HAVE TO?
ROMANCE AND LOVE STORIES
From contemporary, historical, and fantasy to seasoned romance, panelists discuss the complexities of relationships, love, sex, consent, respect and ‘happily ever after’ in the often underestimated, yet high-selling form of genre fiction.
Join Anna Campbell, Elizabeth Ellen Carter, Dr Sandra Antonelli, Lauren Clarke, and Sarah Williams for heavy breathing, sweaty palms and racing pulses.
GENRECON TICKET
PLOUGHMAN’S LUNCH
After an inspirational morning acquiring the skills to be social media savvy, grab a sanga, say g’day to someone new, and meet your tribe.
LUNCH PROVIDED
GENRECON TICKET
OPTION ONE - HEROES AND HEROINES & TRUE CRIME : STRANGER THAN FICTION
HEROES AND HEROINES
M J Tjia – Seminar
Do you want to get started on your own historical crime novel? Explore how M J Tjia writes her historical crime novels and her path to publication. She will help you develop your own ideas and discuss research methods and crime writing techniques, with writing activities designed to set you on your way.
AND THEN
TRUE CRIME: STRANGER THAN FICTION
True crime is riding a wave of popularity. A wealth of intriguing crime stories can be found in the real world – whether you stay true to the facts, like panellist Matthew Condon, or fictionalise them. Gain tips about the perks and perils of writing true crime, working with authorities, and using fact in fictional stories from those in the know.
Matthew Condon, Helen Goltz, Chris Adams, Ruth McIver – Panel
GENRECON TICKETOPTION TWO - IMAGINARY PLACES, REAL HISTORY & "WRITES" AND RITUALS
IMAGINARY PLACES, REAL HISTORY
Terry MacManus – Seminar
The magical relics of an ancient civilisation. The dwarves who delved too deep and awoke sleeping evil. And yes, sometimes even the aliens who left their technology behind. Archaeology has a long and proud history in speculative fiction — why such allure? Learn how to use archaeology to make your worlds thrive.
AND THEN
“WRITES” AND RITUALS
Rivqa Rafael – Seminar
Often fictional religions come across as though the author doesn’t understand how a religion should work. Rivqa Rafael explores rituals and religion in fantasy and science fiction. Learn how developing your own rituals as a writer can be used to understand fictional religions and make them feel real to the reader.
GENRECON TICKETOPTION THREE - THRIVING AS A HYBRID AUTHOR & SOCIAL MEDIA NOVELS
THRIVING AS A HYBRID AUTHOR
Alan Baxter – Seminar
The hybrid author is something we hear a lot about, but what is it really? As someone who has got publishing deals with a legacy publisher, small press, and a little self-publishing, Alan Baxter is definitely a hybrid author. Learn how to diversify income through other means to build a more sustainable career and thrive as an author.
AND THEN
SOCIAL MEDIA NOVELS
Kevin Klehr – Seminar
What if your Social Media was wired into your brain? How connected would you be to your followers? Kevin Klehr uses his background in media studies to examine changes that are happening right now in society and how you can use these as inspiration for new dystopian social media novels.
GENRECON TICKETOPTION FOUR - GETTING HEARD: ALL ABOUT AUDIOBOOKS
Sarah Williams – Workshop
Want to reach a wider audience with audiobooks? Whether you have a short story or a series of books you want to turn into audio, award-winning author Sarah Williams will start right at the beginning and take you step-by-step through the process from casting and producing to marketing.
GENRECON TICKETBREAKFAST & WORDS - DR ANITA HEISS & VICKI MCDONALD
BREAKFAST PROVIDED
$49.00FOUND OBJECTS : SOLD OUT
Tour
Every object tells a story. Some we know, such as the family heirlooms, or the items we’ve bought or received ourselves. Others we can imagine. Kaaron Warren will take you a road trip to find items to work with, with the intention of developing character, plot and history for a story.
GENRECON TICKET
GENRE WORLD RESEARCH FINDINGS - KIM WILKINS
No longer the literary poor cousin, genre is now so popular and culturally significant that it generates its own research. Come along and support your genre as Dr Kim Wilkins unveils the findings of her team’s world first research examining Australian popular fiction creation, publication and circulation.
GENRECON TICKETWHY PEOPLE KILL: PSYCHOLOGY OF CRIME
Spending time in the minds of killers can assist in creating chilling characters for your crime fiction. Crime writer Candice Fox was once voluntarily locked up with a serial killer on death row! Hear different perspectives about individuals who commit murder from those who have dealt with them on the front line, or have researched and written about them.
Featuring Candice Fox (crime writer), Brad Davies (police officer), Megan Norris (journalist) and Dr Wayne Petherick (criminologist) – Panel
GENRECON TICKETLOVE IN STRANGE WORLDS
GENRECON TICKET
SIMPLY SYNOPSIS
Michelle Somers – Workshop
Learn how to construct an engaging and fresh synopsis containing all vital information while hooking the reader and maintaining tension and emotion. You’ll discover how to formulate the building blocks of the synopsis and piece them together in a way that is engaging and exciting for the reader. The workshop also covers tone, vocabulary, point of view and pacing.
GENRECON TICKET
PUB STYLE LUNCH & THE SHREADER
LUNCH PROVIDED
GENRECON TICKETRESEARCH IN GENRE: LIBRARY
Session
No matter what your genre, State Library can help you set realistic scenes and create true-to-life personalities. Learn how to investigate past events (or future ones), immerse yourself in other time periods and find personal stories to develop your plot and characters.
GENRECON TICKETKILLING OFF THE CLICHE & THE QUICK AND THE DEAD
KILLING OFF THE CLICHE
Sarah Thornton – Seminar
Crime fiction is an ever-popular genre, but how do you distinguish your writing from the pack? Some features of crime writing have become clichéd and stereotyped over time. Explore the genre with lawyer turned crime writer Sarah Thornton to find ways to break new ground with fresh and untried approaches, and turn clichés on their head!
AND THEN
THE QUICK AND THE DEAD
B. Michael Radburn – Seminar
Do you want to compete as a professional in the international crime short story market? Explore the fundamental writing skills required and how fear and suspense go hand in hand to weave a dynamic short crime story. B. Michael Radburn will offer his own firsthand knowledge and share that of other noted crime authors.
GENRECON TICKETRESONATING WITH THEME & REPORT BACK FROM THE WORLD
RESONATING WITH THEME
Robert Porteous – Workshop
Who said genre’s not deep and meaningful? Not us! Go on a search for meaning with Rob Porteous to find out how to take your genre fiction from great, to great and meaningful. Does your writing have a unifying idea or motif that resonates throughout the novel? Rob will help your writing reach its full potential.
AND THEN
REPORT BACK FROM THE WORLD
Have you ever wanted to go to the big genre writing conferences? Angela Slatter, Kaaron Warren, Lee Murray and Sarah Williams have done just that with conferences like WorldCon in Dublin, StokerCon in Michigan, and the Romance Writers of America conference. Hear their first-hand reports about all the latest trends and thinking from the biggest genre conferences around. You’ll get insights into what genre’s selling where, who has the best cosplay costumes and more. So get your questions ready and get the T!
Panel featuring Sam Hawke, Kaaron Warren, Lee Murray, Sarah Williams, Carleton Chinner
GENRECON TICKETOVERCOMING THE MONSTER & WHY TO NEVER WORK FOR FREE
OVERCOMING THE MONSTER
From the monsters within to the monsters on the page – all monsters will be fair game when Alan Baxter, Aiki Flinthart, Rivqa Rafael and Kim Wilkins meet to discuss overcoming the monster. Genre writers invent some of the greatest monsters, but true writing genius lies in how they overcome these monsters. Get tips and tricks, theories and examples, and lively conversation on how to overcome the monster!
Panel featuring Alan Baxter, Aiki Flinthart, Rivqa Rafael, Carleton Chinner, Lee Murray
WHY TO NEVER WORK FOR FREE
Claire Coleman – Seminar
Your time is not free for you; why give it to anyone else for free? The difference between surviving as an artist and not can be as simple as the decision of whether or not to work for free. This is a particularly strong issue for writers from minority and disadvantaged backgrounds. Our resilience is a skill and the risk we take from speaking out is greater.
GENRECON TICKETPOLISH LIKE A PRO
Lauren Clarke – Workshop
You’ve finished your manuscript, but what happens next? What should you do to help take your story from good to great? This workshop will provide you with the framework to improve your novel through analysing your story structure, dialogue, descriptions, conflict and more. You’ll also learn essential tips to prepare your manuscript for submission to an editor.
GENRECON TICKETRESEARCH IN GENRE: MUSEUM
Visiting the museum is always interesting, but there’s a world of unseen items hidden away behind the scenes and now is your chance to see some of them. Be guided by the museum curator in this fascinating look behind closed doors.
GENRECON TICKETLONGEST BOOK LAUNCH - 11.00am - 4.00pm
Looking for something new to read? Looking for somewhere to launch? GenreCon is the perfect meeting place for authors and readers, with the longest book launch set to introduce readers to enough new books to keep them happy for years.
Got a book ready to go?
Join the fun and get your book in readers’ hands faster than an alien plague spreads on an isolated dystopian outpost.
For further details simply email us at [email protected]
Free Public Event
GENRECON NIGHT MARKET - 5.00pm - 9.00pm
If you’re after another scented candle or sandalwood stick, stay away!
This is the GenreCon night market, where you’ll find all things poltergeist & petticoat related. There’ll be book signings and graphic novels and swag.
If China Mieville, Jane Austen and Margaret Atwood were locked in a room and asked to organise a market – the GenreCon Night Market is what you’d find. Books, food trucks, and all things writerly.
For further details simply email us at [email protected]
Free Public EventMIDNIGHT MOVIES - 10.00pm - 12.00am
POLTERGEISTS & PETTICOATS - MYSTERY DINNER
Trust us… it’s a mystery dinner. That means ghosts, romance and spooky stories. Everything about the Mystery Dinner is, well, a mystery – except for Jack Sim ghost storyteller. Frock up, rock up, and be prepared for thrills and feasting.
$99.00
TESTIMONIALS
what people say
Location
- Cultural Centre, Stanley Place, South Brisbane, Queensland
- [email protected]
- (07) 3842 9922
- 10:00 - 16:00