Author Updates

November 9, 2025

Hello Everybody,

Every time I hear or say that, I think of Dr Nick off The Simpsons.

Busy month this month. Emerald Contest closed, and I've been working hard to make sure I made it in before the deadline yesterday. I made it in with a couple of hours to spare.

With the RWA 2026 Contests kicking off, it's spreadsheet time! I am an absolute novice when it comes to Excel and spreadsheets, but I know enough to get by. 

My role as Judge Coordinator will turn more sporadic and ramp up just before each contest opens. Thankfully, the Judge spreadsheet is done and off to the Contest Coordinators. Hopefully, this year we will have enough judges to cover all the entries. 

Now I can move on to being the Sapphire Contest Coordinator. The contest deadline has been extended until tomorrow, so I'll spend the rest of this week getting the entries to the judges.

Good luck to everyone entering the contests. Since I'm not entering the anthology contests this year, I've signed up to be a judge. I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with.

I'm also looking ahead to see which courses I can afford to do in the next 12 months. And by afford I mean in both time and money. I'd love to do Sandy Vaile's tension course, and I think I'd also like to have a crack at the Short Story course with AWC.

Take care everyone and happy reading,

Ash

October 16, 2025

Coming to you a little late this month, so sorry about that.

We're busy gearing up for the start of the RWA 2026 Contest Season. Emerald, Sapphire, and the Anthologies are first up. Then the Ruby before Xmas. First Kiss, Ripping Start, and Opal are all in the first part of the new year.

I submitted my pages to the publishers I pitched to in Hobart. Fingers crossed they like what they read.

My submission for The Emerald is almostready to go, just waiting for it to open. I've decided not to enter Sweet Treats or Spicy Bites this year. With having to start a new day job and making sure my entry for the Emerald is right, I just haven't found the time. I'm also thinking my entries haven't done as well as I'd like the last couple of years, so I will make the time next year to take a short story writing course, really hone my skills, and improve my craft before next year's competitions.

I'm also getting The Long Road Home into shape.

And starting to plan the road trip from Brisbane to Darwin for next years conference.

So much writing to do and so little time. I'm calling on the universe to make me rich so I can give up the day job and just spend my days with my first love, writing.

Happy reading everyone.

Love, Ash

September 8, 2025

Thanks for stopping by.

I've finally come down from the high that was Hobart and the RWA Conference. Stayed in my gorgeous room at Clydesdale Manor. Braved the Hobart winter in my new jacket, bought especially in Hobart. I may have grown up in country NSW, but I've acclimatised to Brisbane winters over the years. Tons of fun at the cocktail party, there was even a tarot reader, the panels were fun and informative, and everyone I met was just lovely. Even to a quiet, little, shy wallflower like me. I pitched to 3 publishers and 2 asked for more pages - YAY!

I've even posted some photos...

It's going to be a busy next few months

I have everything ready to go as the Judges Coordinator for the RWA.

I've volunteered to also coordinate The Sapphire competition this year. So, I have everything ready to go for that contest.

I'll be busy making sure The Long Road Home makes it to the publishers and is ready for The Emerald contest.

I've also planned and plotted my entries for the Sweet Treats (Jellybeans) and Spicy Bites (Boots) contests. I'd love to be a finalist again, but the feedback alone from these contests is invaluable, and in truth, I am happy with that. Being able to write, having the confidence, and the chance to improve my craft. It's my passion and an honour.

Happy reading everyone.

Love, Ash

August 1, 2025

Three more weeks and I'll be in Hobart! I've never been to Hbart before and I'm so looking forward to the cocktail party, catching up with my favourite authors and soaking up the creative atmosphere.

I'll also be pitching The Long Road Home. I'm as nervous as all buggery but hoping they see through it and ask for more pages. I can't wait for Jack and Tori to shine.

Happy reading everyone.

Love,

Ash

July 4, 2025

Hello my fellow romance loving friends,

July saw my The Long Road Home story come tenth in The Opal! Thank you to the wonderful Sandy Vaile who helped me get it to be the wonderful story it is. A few more tweaks based on feedback from the judges and she'll be ready for The Emerald contest in September. Yikes, I better get writing!

This month we're off to the launch of Melanie Pickering's new gothic series. Another gothic romance writer, I can't wait to meet Melanie and read her new book.

Happy reading everyone.

Love,

Ash

June 1, 2025

Hello my fellow romance loving friends,

Thanks for stopping by my website. 

I'll be sitting on pins and needles waiting for judges feedback from the RWA Opal contest t his month. Fingers crossed they love Jack and Tori's story as much as I do.

My gothic romance Never Let Me Go didn't fare so well in the competitions so I have put it aside. I'll work on it more in the future.

I'll be doing my first catch up with the lovely Brisbane RWA members later this month at Maya Linnell's book launch so I'm looking forward to that.

Until then, feel free to drop me line and say hi.

Love,

Ash