Peninsula writer speaks at Tuggerah

Peninsula-based romance writer, Melissa James, was guest speaker at a lunch and writing workshop at Club Tuggerah on Saturday, May 17.

Melissa is the winner of international writing competitions including the Clendon Award, the Emma Darcy Award, the Write-to-Win Award, and against stiff opposition was a finalist in the Washington Romance Writers' Marlene Award.

She has two books published in the USA in the Silhouette Intimate Moments line and is working on a third.

"Her Galahad" became a best-seller when it was released here last year.

It is an interracial mainstream romance with an Aboriginal hero.

"Who Do You Trust?" deals with the reality of life for refugees and will be released in Australia in June this year.

Her novel "Can You Forget?" had good sales and was recently re-released.

Melissa's first comedy in the Capriati Curse series, and "Winning Lucy" was contracted very recently.

She is also currently writing a historical novel.

The day was organized by the Tuggerah Fellowship of Australian Writers in association with Romance Writers of Australia, and funded by the New South Wales Ministry of Arts and FAW.

Margot Cooper from the Central Coast Fellowship of Australian Writers said: "Melissa James is an average mum with kids, who was encouraged to start writing by her husband to give her something to keep her busy.

"Now look at what that hobby'has turned out to be."

Margot Cooper, May 15