Local bookworms and aspiring writers will be able to learn more about what it takes to create a great story when USA bestselling author Alyssa J Montgomery hosts a workshop at Bundaberg Library next week.
Alyssa is a romance writer who hit the USA TODAY Bestseller list in 2021 with a contemporary romance published by Escape titled Five Dates with the Billionaire.
On Monday 22 August she will share her insights and tips at a free Author Talk at 11 am.
“I hope to connect with romance readers at the event and to answer questions both from readers and from any aspiring authors,” she said.
“I have had a lot of help along my journey towards publication and hope that in answering questions from aspiring authors, I will be able to share my experiences and help them on their pathway to publication.”
Alyssa said her career first began with some encouragement from her family.
“After being a romance reader for a very long time, my sisters encouraged me to write my own book,” she said.
“This was initially met with rejection letters, and my husband encouraged me to phone Harlequin in Australia and see if they could offer any suggestions on how I might improve my writing craft.
“I joined the Romance Writers of Australia (RWA) organisation and gained a lot of valuable information as well as forming firm friendships with other romance authors.”
Alyssa J Montgomery branches out with romance writing
In 2013 Alyssa was first published by Escape Publishing which is the Harlequin Australia digital arm.
She has 12 contemporary romance titles currently published by Escape.
Alyssa then decided to self publish a series of medieval romance books.
“I was asked by my publisher to rebrand, as my voice in the medieval series is quite different from my voice in the contemporary series and they felt this would be easier for my readers to follow,” she said.
“I write these books as Alyssa James.
“My third medieval romance will be released this December, titled “Knight of her Desire.”
Those who attend the Author Talk at Bundaberg Library next week will discover writing methods, how to get into the romance industry, and why romance is one of the bestselling genres in the publishing industry.
The event will be held at Bundaberg Library on Monday 22 August at 11 am.
Find out more here.
