Business booming for romance writers

  • 11/08/2016
(Getty)
(Getty)

The art of literature may come second for most when it comes to entertainment, with faster ways to fill time like television and online content easy and accessible, but one writing industry at least is booming - the world of romance writing.

Globally it's an industry worth more than $1 billion a year, making up 13 percent of all adult fiction. Locally, the Romance Writers New Zealand (RWNZ) organisation is 330 members strong, and they're recruiting.

"We welcome members (18 years or older) from the unpublished new writer to the multi-published best seller," says a spokesperson for the organisation.

And while the internet has hindered some writing outlets, it appears to have had the opposite effect on romance.

Writers now have the ability to self-publish online and it's something readers are more than happy to accommodate.

"Romance readers are voracious and have embraced the new digital technology and ebooks that's changed publishing's landscape," the spokesperson says.

The 23rd Annual Writers Conference will run from August 12 - 14 in Auckland. Organisers say will it offer a range of workshops to give writers the opportunity to hone their craft.

"This year's conference programme is even more chock-full than usual, with fabulous speakers and workshops on writing craft, forging a career as an author, self-publishing and more to offer something for everyone - from novice writers to multi-published authors, for those of us who write romance, sci-fi, fantasy or virtually any kind of fiction," says RWNZ president Bernadette Doube.

Those who go will be able to pitch manuscripts and publishers there will be on the lookout for promising authors.

"We work hard to make sure writers of all genres and experience levels are made to feel very welcome!" Ms Doube says.

"There is always so much to learn at one of our conferences, no matter what sort of novel you are writing or aspire to write."

Newshub.