Is it over already? Join us for a toast to everything that was GenreCon 2024: Brave. Bold. Genre as it comes to a close - and look ahead to GenreCon 2025!

That is the question! Genre-hopping author Cale Dietrich joins a literary counterpart in Gary Lonesborough, to discuss the differences and similarities in their creative practice, audiences and careers in queer fiction.

Open a new dimension in your storytelling, and explore the graphic novel form with The Phantom writer/illustrator Paul Mason and fantasy author/graphic novelist C. S. Pacat.

How do you go from a finished manuscript to holding your very own book in your hands (or on your eReader)? And more importantly, how do you do it yourself?

We’ll take you through the various stages of the self-publishing process - from editing, design and typesetting, printing, to distribution and marketing - and explore the many routes to publication available to writers in Australia.

Audiobooks have exploded in popularity over the last decade and are a growing market for both traditionally and self-published authors. Our expert panel - including ABIA 2023 Audiobook of the Year winner Siang Lu and narrator Amy Soakes - will discuss what makes a great audiobook, and how authors can set themselves up for success.

Join Julie Janson, author of Miles Franklin longlisted novel Madukka the River Serpent, for a masterclass on the craft of telling a thrilling crime story.

(2-hr session.)

Six brave emerging writers will have their opening pages publicly, professionally – and anonymously – read. Our fierce panel of GenreCon presenters will decide whether to read on - will they like it enough to offer their critique, or will it be sent to the shredder?

Includes catered lunch. Submissions open soon.

What’s it like to go through the trade publishing process? Allen & Unwin bestsellers Vanessa Len and Gary Lonesborough share their journey to publication and their work with editor Kate Whitfield and publisher Jodie Webster.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane?

Nope, it’s our keynote speaker Patrick Ness, in conversation with paranormal author Lana Pecherczyk and horror writer Jake Corvus as we ask - what makes a hero?

Adaptable, Publishable, Scriptable and more - Queensland Writers Centre offers a variety of annual national development programs and competitions, all designed to help you improve your writing, make industry connections and get your work out there at its best.

Hear from the QWC team about what’s involved and why to enter, and find out how to put your best foot forward with your submission.

Is it just us, or is it getting hot in here? Lana Pecherczyk and Anna Campbell join Queensland Writers Centre CEO Lori-Jay Ellis to dig in to the sexy side of Aussie and international romance - and its many subgenres.

What is speculative fiction, anyway? Is it fantasy, sci-fi, dystopian, utopian or something else? Spec-fic author/academic Kim Wilkins is joined by writers Kathy George and Jason Fischer and publisher Kate Cuthbert as they discuss how they define this ‘super genre’ - if they can - and the current trends in the speculative space.

Everyone loves YA fantasy - even the adults! Kate Armstrong chats to fellow YA authors about why they love writing in this space, and what keeps readers of all ages coming back for more.

When science fiction holds up a black mirror to ourselves, what do we see? Sci-fi aficionados Jason Fischer, Patrick Ness and Carleton Chinner discuss current trends in science fiction and what it tells us about our world today.

From the idyllic Shire to the dystopia of Panem, readers love a fictional world that feels real. Learn how to create your own vibrant settings from authors versed in the realms of sci-fi and fantasy.

So, you’ve got a finished manuscript ready to go. Where to next?

In this Queensland Writers Centre seminar, we’ll look at how to find and submit to the best suited writing opportunities for you - from publishing houses to competitions, anthologies and more. Plus we’ll explore crucial elements like author bios, synopses, pitching, and formatting - so you and your work stand out for all the right reasons.

What makes a campfire spooky? The stories we tell around it, of course! Meet three writers skilled at spinning a scary yarn: crime author Rachel Amphlett, gothic expert Kathy George and fantasy/horror writer Kim Wilkins.

Readers love stories about the past, but how true should fiction be to history? Join host Kate Armstrong and fellow historical writers Karen Ginnane, Anna Campbell and Ben Hobson as they discuss their research processes, and how to craft exciting stories from the facts.

Whether you’re just starting out on your writing journey or your first draft is finished, there’s always opportunities to elevate your work and learn from professionals. Let our team take you through each of the invaluable writers’ services on offer at Queensland Writers Centre, and find out which one is right for you.

Lord Voldemort. Cersei Lannister. Professor Moriarty. What does it take to craft an engaging villain who readers will love - or love to hate?

What do the numbers tell us about starting out as an author, and how can you use this to your advantage?

Take a journey in data with Siang Lu. Focussing on data/numbers and insights, Siang will guide participants through each of the phases of the submissions and publishing process, for your best shot at publishing success.

Can monsters, fae and vampires find their happily ever after? Genre mashup lover Lana Pechercyzk and Only A Monster author Vanessa Len discuss paranormal romance and emerging trends at the intersections of genre, with Queensland Writers Centre’s Sandra Makaresz.

Hot! Hot! Hot! What are readers loving at the moment and what are publishers looking for? Get the latest from our industry panellists including Kate Cuthbert from Pantera Press, Kate Whitfield from Allen & Unwin, Alex Allan from Fremantle Press, and publicist Brendan Fredericks.

We bring together our favourite author duo from this year’s Adaptable shortlist, Julie Janson and Kate McCaffrey, for a free-ranging discussion on the big issues for women in genre fiction and the Australian literary landscape.

Don’t let having children stop you from writing. Jake Corvus will share his best tips and tricks to help you juggle the challenges of parenting while maintaining your creative life.

Where’s the boundary between Young Adult and Adult fiction these days? And where does the emerging genre of New Adult fit in the picture? Patrick Ness leads an expert panel to discuss the increasingly blurred lines in the genres.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of public relations - for authors. Publicist Brendan Fredericks of BFredericks PR (representing authors including Chris Flynn, Sally Breen and Brentley Frazer) is here to answer all your burning questions about public relations and representation.

Nothing strikes fear into the heart of a writer more than being asked for a synopsis. How do you condense all the drama, events and emotion of a novel into a couple of hundred words? QWC experts show you how to craft an engaging synopsis that will hook readers and prospective publishers alike.

Join editor Callum McDonald in conversation with Brisbane YA author Cale Dietrich, whose novels delve into genres from rom-com to thriller to horror. How does he keep his audiences coming back with each new style - and what genre is he thinking of next?

Crime meets literary. Two great Australian authors, Miles Franklin Literary Award-longlisted author Julie Janson and local legend Ben Hobson, discuss the Australian flavour of their novels and what makes them unique within the ever-popular crime genre.