Romancing Africa

Finding the heart of African Romance

“Romance is the glamour which turns the dust of everyday life into a golden haze.”

~ Elinor Glyn

Writers Write's romance workshops proved overwhelmingly successful in 2008.

“Last year, we launched an intensive one-day workshop to tie-in with the 100 year anniversary of Mills and Boon,” says Amanda Patterson, CEO. “It was perfect timing. Publishers seem to be looking to Africa for fresh voices and love stories out our exotic settings. There has never been a better time for new authors to explore the hugely lucrative romance market.”

  Amanda Patterson

New courses

For this reason, Writers Write has adapted and further developed this popular romance writing course in two exciting new workshops.

These are Heart of Africa I and Heart of Africa II and will be launched on Valentine’s Day, 14 February 2009. Both will be available in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. 

Comments Anthony Ehlers, Creative Director: “These two courses aim to give you a thorough, balanced, practical guide to getting your contemporary romance novel started – and finished.”

The courses have been developed to include a new African flavour and direction. “It’s encouraging to realise that South Africa has been recognised as a strong romance market and an ideal setting for modern love stories.”

 Anthony Ehlers

New publishing opportunities

To tie in with the Heart of Africa workshops, Writers Write is also planning to publish select graduates’ novels.

The Heart of Africa Romance Writing Competition will be launched on 14th February 2009. The first fifty delegates to enter the competition will attend the workshops. At the end of the competition, they will be invited to submit their work for review; five novels will then be selected for possible publication. Some new authors may also be offered contracts for further books.

Anton Joubert, MD of Writers Write believes there is a market for well-written local romances. “From a publishing perspective, romance is a lucrative market,” he says. “It’s also a market that has not been aggressively pursued in South Africa. We believe that our publishing initiative will give a platform for our writers and an opportunity for profit.” He envisages the books could be launched as early as February 2010.

Heart of Africa Day I: Getting Started

•             Rules of contemporary romance

•             Creating compelling main characters

•             Exploring exciting plot themes

•             Finding the perfect romantic setting

•             Creating sensual tension in your narrative

Heart of Africa Day II: Advanced Techniques

•             Exploring theme and motivation in romance

•             Building tension through impetus/ effect

•             Structuring a plot from start to finish

•             Maintaining pace through scene and sequel

•             Creating summaries, synopses and submissions

For more information, including course dates mail info@writerswrite.co.za

 Anthony Ehlers, Romance Guru, with Jodi Picoult

And now to find that perfect picture to promote the romance competition. . .

  Anthony & Amanda - looking for that perfect pose

  Not quite!

  Swept off our feet?

 Finally some order. Amanda flips as Anthony begins to romance the Heart of Africa