Nov
01

#HNSA2019

Wow! What a wonderful weekend?

HNSA 2019 was a brilliant conference bringing together authors, academics and readers. It was a weekend featuring fabulous organisation, so many terrific panels spread over three separate streams, fantastic food, a swashbuckling sword fighting demonstration over Sunday’s luncheon, and the chance to catch up with so many fellow writers and meet so many more.

As part of the official Social Media Team, I was kept busy tweeting away during panel sessions with so many quotable quotes and tips from authors, academics and authorities in the historical fiction book world.

At the conference dinner, the shortlist and winner of the short story competition were announced, along with the winners of the inaugural Colleen McCullough Residency, established and aspiring categories. (See details at the end of this post.)

The HNSA conference was also a great opportunity to meet some of my literary heroes and come away with signed copies of their books. So many acclaimed authors including, Lucy Treloar, Robyn Cadwallader, Kate Forsyth, Sophie Masson, Nicole Alexander, Ali Alizadah, Meg Keneally, Michelle Aung Thin, Kelly Gardiner and too many more to mention. (Note to self: Next time take a bigger suitcase for books!)

I’m already excited and eager for #HNSA2021.

Since I was on the Twitter team, I think the best way to show some of the happenings and quotable tips from the conference is via some tweets. Enjoy!

Congratulations to Christina King winner the ARA HNSA Short Story contest for her story The Ink Stain. Congrats also to shortlistees: Lou Greene for her story Fare Thee Well, Dell Brand for The Driver, Nicole Wardley Dear Anna and Dorothy Simmons To Liberty.

Congratulations to Liss Morgan, winner of the First Pages Pitch Contest.

Congratulations to Sally Colin-James winner of the Colleen McCullough Residency for an Aspiring Writer. I’m ecstatic to say that I was chosen as the winner of the Established Writer category. (See link for an excited post on the award.)

 

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Categories: Competitions Historical Novel Society Australasia HNSA HNSA Colleen McCullough Residency 2019 HNSA2019

Tags: Writing Conferences, Writing Inspiration

Praise for No Small Shame

Christine Bell’s No Small Shame is impossible to put down. Her writing is wonderful, wise and empathetic. No Small Shame is a masterful debut novel, and an excellent addition to Australia’s historical fiction genre. Full review.

- Better Reading

Bell’s evocation of setting is an outstanding feature of the novel. Her social and physical landscapes of the years 1909 to 1919 are vivid with sensory and historical colour. Full Review.

- Westerly Magazine

Once I started reading No Small Shame, I could not stop. I was utterly swept up by Mary’s story and her refusal to settle for the life she is expected to lead.

- Kate Mildenhall, Author (The Mother Fault, Skylarking)

This is a novel of darkness and hope, full of insight, and written beautifully, with intelligence and sensitivity. A wonderful debut … Full review.

- Robyn Cadwallader, Author (The Anchoress, The Book of Colours)

Be prepared to be transported into the past, to be caught up in a slice of Aussie history but, mostly, swept away in a completely relatable and beautifully told tale that will move and, in the end, fill you. Outstanding. Full review.

- Karen Brooks - Author (The Chocolate Maker's Daughter, The Darkest Shore ...)

An absorbing, convincing and heartbreaking picture of a woman trapped in an impossible marriage. I ached for Mary and grew to love the defiant spirit shining through her doubts and fears.

- Jane Sullivan, Literary Critic and Author (Storytime, Little People)

Mary O’Donnell’s journey to self-awareness will have you turning the pages until the heartbreaking climax.

- Lauren Chater, Author (The Lace Weaver, Gulliver's Wife, The Winter Dress)

Mary’s compelling journey and her indomitable spirit are heartbreaking, moving and inspirational. This novel is a well-researched examination of the roles and rights of women at that time, the struggles and discrimination they faced, the hardships they were expected to endure and the small victories they celebrated, often silently.  Full review.

- Cass Moriaty, Author (The Promise Seed, Parting Words)

No Small Shame is a beautiful and inspiring story about female power. Christine Bell gives us a brilliant story of female heroism and shows us that women are capable of much more than we could ever really know. Full review.

- Courtney Dyer, TheBookSlut.com

Compelling and addictive. … a rich and absorbing experience. Full Review.

- Angela Wauchop: Backstory History Journal

What distinguishes the novel is its rich characterization. Each character in this carefully drawn work lifts off the page, evoking our enduring interest and empathy.

- Nadine Davidoff, Freelance Book Editor

An epic tale of a woman who finds her voice and ultimately, her agency. Meticulously researched, ambitious in scope and compelling in realisation.

- Christine Balint, Author (Salt Letters, Ophelia's Fan)

My heart hurt, my heart soared, and I was left thinking about the amazing women who paved the way for women today. Full review.

- BJs Reviews

No Small Shame is an important reminder of how far we have come in Australia … and how much we need to protect. It is a story crafted with great empathy – and immense believability. Full Review.

- Dr Wendy Dunn, author/poet (Dear Heart, How Like You This? Falling Pomegranate Seeds: The Duty of Daughters)

No Small Shame is an exquisitely written, absorbing and intelligent story of love, betrayal and the painful journey to self-awareness.

- Alison Goodman, author (Eon/Eona, Lady Helen and the Dark Days series, The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies)

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