Writing a Romance Novel that Sells - Sydney Course

We offer training in face to face and/or online learning formats.

• Please see scheduled class for delivery format.
• Online classes delivered via livestream video over Zoom.

Romantic fiction commands over 50% of mass market paperback sales worldwide, and a recent survey by HarperCollins ranks Penrith NSW as #1 for romance novel sales. Why is this genre so popular and what constitutes a saleable story? What are the popular tropes and reader expectations? And how do you go about writing one?

Join Paula Roe, an award-winning, multi-published fiction author who will break it all down, answer your questions and explain exactly what a romance novel is/is not and why romance continues to endure (it’s not all about the kissing!). She is a regular Borders Books bestseller and one of only five Australian authors who write for Harlequin Desire, a line published by Harlequin Enterprises, the biggest romance publisher in the world. Harlequin books go out to over 28 countries and are translated into 28 languages in 114 international markets on six continents. Before publication, Paula's writing won and placed in various contests, including Wisconsin Romance Writers Fabulous Five Silver Quill, Magnolia State Dixie First Chapter, Romance Writers of Australia's Emerald Award and the Valerie Parv Award.

You will learn practical techniques on how to plot and develop your romance novel. There will be writing involved in this course and by the end, you will have an outline of your romance novel's plot, characters’ goals, motivations and conflicts.

Macquarie Community College operates from a range of venues across Northern and Western Sydney. We have campuses in Blacktown, Carlingford, Chatswood, Epping, Mt Druitt, Richmond, and Ryde. Enrol now!

Course Outline

In this course students will learn:

• what romantic fiction is and is not
• an overall view of the publishing landscape
• reader expectations vs other genres
• practical techniques on how to plot and develop your romance novel

Course Outcome

By the end of the course students will:

• be able to identify the elements of romantic fiction
• have a clear understanding of their chosen subgenre
• be able to outline their story plot and their characters’ goals, motivations and conflicts.
• have greater knowledge to further develop their own stories

What to bring

Please bring a:

• Pen and pad or laptop

Other Information:

• No textbook required

Prerequisite: Essential

The ability to read and write in English at an intermediate level or higher.

Important Information

Please note: You will need access to the internet and a smartphone, tablet, computer or laptop in order to participate in the livestream video classes.

Delivery Mode

• We offer training in face to face and/or online learning formats.
• To check the delivery mode of the course you are interested in please view the class timetable.

Classroom based: experienced and engaging trainers will take you through the course material face to face.

Classroom based learning for this course includes:

• Scheduled class times and sessions
• Interaction with your trainer and other students

Please note: Government COVID-19 regulations and recommendations, including appropriate social distancing measures, hand washing and other hygiene protocols will be in place at all times and may result in course delivery changes.

Remote learning: experienced and engaging trainers will take you through the course material via interactive livestream video classes online.

Remote learning for this course includes:

• Scheduled class times and sessions
• Livestream video classes online
• Interaction with your trainer and other students during livestream video sessions

Please note: You will need access to the internet and a smartphone, tablet, computer or laptop in order to participate in the livestream video classes.

Macquarie Community College operates from a range of venues across Northern and Western Sydney. We have campuses in Blacktown, Carlingford, Chatswood, Epping, Mt Druitt, Richmond, and Ryde. Enrol now!