Thrillers to chillers to romantic trysts – GenreCon has it covered
GenreCon is the most exciting literary event of its type, with its focus this year the very business of writing – along with all the fun!
Last year GenreCon in Brisbane began with keynote best-selling American-British author Patrick Ness opening the conference by stripping. Well, he took his jacket off as he contended with the Queensland humidity.
Who knows what will happen this year, as Steff Green – New Zealand’s pole-dancing, legally blind, million-dollar-selling romance author – takes the stage to reveal all on the business side of being an author. You’ll need to get in soon, though, if you want to find out how it goes, as tickets are almost sold out.
It’s a testament to Queensland Writers Centre, the organisation behind the event held at the State Library of Queensland (home to QWC), that the initiative has proved such a success. Covering a wide range of genre fiction including fantasy, science fiction, horror, romance, crime, mystery and thrillers, there’s no doubt that GenreCon 2025: Alchemy (February 28 to March 2) is Australia’s leading conference dedicated to genre fiction writers.
QWC is an innovative community arts organisation that supports, celebrates and showcases Queensland writers and writing in all its forms. CEO Lori-Jay Ellis says this year’s event has a special focus on turning your art into business. She is excited it is headlined by Green, who writes as Steffanie Holmes.
“A full-time author of over 50 books, Steff Green will share her spooky, kooky journey and the magic that happens when you get paid to do what you love,” Ellis says. “Hear from authors and industry experts including James Maxwell, Eugen Bacon, Tansy Rayner Roberts, Holly Brunnbauer, Stacey McEwan and Amy Andrews – among many others – as they share their wisdom and experience across a variety of seminars, panels, workshops and special events.
“As an initiative of Queensland Writers Centre, GenreCon has been bringing together leading names in Australian and international genre fiction since 2012 for a weekend of knowledge, networking and community building.”
Featuring more than 30 guest writers, editors, publishers and industry professionals – including Aboriginal writer and academic Graham Akhurst (author of Borderlands) – the conference will “stream” some programs online for writers across Queensland and Australia.
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Special events this year include launch night at Fortitude Valley’s Cloudland (with prizes for best genre-inspired fancy dress); and The Shreader, at which six anonymous writers have the opening pages of their work-in-progress read aloud and professionally critiqued over Sunday lunch. There are Speakeasy sessions, where attendees can get on stage to share their writing; and Chatterboxes, cosy intimate events in local South Brisbane bars and restaurants that give writers the opportunity to connect with others in their genre niche.
Ticket holders will also receive opportunities such as pitch sessions with local and international publishing partners, book sales on consignment at the GenreCon Pop-Up Bookshop and entry to the GenreCon Short Story Comp (grand prize $1000 plus online publication).
But hurry, book now so you don’t miss out.