Can’t get enough romance literature in your life? Join bestselling historical fantasy romance author Freya Marske (A Restless Truth), acclaimed debut novelist Saman Shad (The Matchmaker) and Wiradjuri councillor turned fiction-writer Yvonne Weldon (Sixty-Seven Days) for a panel event that reveals the thrills, spills and secrets of penning page-turning love stories that bring fresh life to the genre while making our hearts beat a little faster. They chat with ABC radio host and self-professed romance novel addict Rudi Bremer.
Saman Shad (Australian)
Saman Shad is a writer, editor, journalist and teller of stories. Her writing credits span mediums, including radio scriptwriting for the BBC in the UK and the ABC in Australia, and playwriting, with works commissioned by theatres in London and Sydney. She is a regular writer for several publications, including The Guardian, The Sydney Morning Herald and SBS. She has also worked on screen projects. Her debut novel The Matchmaker is out now through Penguin Australia.
Yvonne Weldon (Australian)
Yvonne is the first Aboriginal person to be elected to the City of Sydney Council in its 180+ year history. Yvonne published her first fiction Sixty-Seven Days with Penguin, and its unpublished manuscript was shortlisted for the Queensland Literary Awards – David Unaipon category. Yvonne was awarded the 2022 NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year. Yvonne has two articles published in Vogue Australia and furthermore, shares a truth telling through fictional writing that stirs reflection to encourage action for positive change.
Freya Marske (Australian)
Freya Marske's debut novel, the queer historical fantasy A Marvellous Light, was an international bestseller and won the Romantic Novel Award for Fantasy. Her short fiction has appeared in Analog Science Fiction, Andromeda Spaceways, and several anthologies. She also co-hosted the Hugo Award–nominated Be The Serpent podcast, and in 2020 she was awarded the Australian National SF (Ditmar) Award for Best New Talent. Her most recent book is A Restless Truth.
Rudi Bremer (Australian)
Rudi has been a radio broadcaster since 2012. Having honed her skills at community radio, Rudi initially joined the ABC as a master control technician before returning to her producer roots in 2017. She has a unique perspective on how the ABC works –from chasing interviews to switching satellites. As the presenter of ABC RN’s Awaye! Rudi relishes the opportunity to share her love of performing arts, literature and Indigenous languages – like her own, Gamilaraay.
