A Rural Romance – Author Event

Join best-selling authors Penelope Janu, Stella Quinn and Fiona McArthur, in conversation with Sandie Docker, for a lively discussion of rural romance. A Write Out West event.

Explore evocative country settings, unforgettable characters and the enduring charm of a well-earned happily ever after. 

Purchase the authors' books from the pop-up QBD Books store at the event and have them personally signed. 

Tea, coffee and light refreshments will be provided. 

The event is best suited for persons aged 16 and over. 

Tickets cost $5 per person. Register for A Rural Romance.  

About the authors: 

Penelope Janu 

Penelope lives on a property in the Southern Highlands of NSW with a distracting husband, a very large dog and now that they're fully grown, six delightful children who come and go. A former lawyer, Penelope has a passion for creating stories that explore social and environmental issues, but her novels are fundamentally a celebration of Australian characters and communities. 

Stella Quinn 

Stella writes contemporary rural fiction that is warm-hearted and filled with characters you want to be best friends with. Her stories are about everyday people who are struggling to find their sense of self-worth after dark times have brought them down, and they are about everyday life in all its wonderful (and woeful) stages. She's fond of adding a dog or two (or a kangaroo) and a townful of memorable meddlers, and she loves a research-travel trip. 

Fiona McArthur  

Drawing from her earlier life as a rural midwife, Fiona shares her love of working with women, families and health professionals in her books. In her compassionate, pacey fiction, her love of the Australian landscape meshes beautifully with warm, funny, multigenerational characters as she highlights challenges for rural and remote families and the strength shared between women. Happy endings are a must. 

Sandie Docker  

Sandie grew up in Coffs Harbour and first fell in love with reading when her father introduced her to fantasy books as a teenager. Her love of fiction began when she first read Jane Austen for the HSC, but it wasn't until she was taking a translation course at university that her Mandarin lecturer suggested she might have a knack for writing – a seed of an idea that sat quietly in the back of her mind while she lived overseas and travelled the world. Sandie first decided to put pen to paper (yes, she writes everything the old-fashioned way before hitting a keyboard) when living in London. Now back in Sydney with her husband and daughter, she writes every day. 

This is a Write Out West: Western Sydney Libraries and Literature Festival event. 

Guidelines for entry and attendance:  

• Bookings are essential  
• To gain entry please show your email booking confirmation with a valid ticket. 
• No refunds, exchanges, or make-ups if you miss the event   
• We are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment for all. If you require any accommodations to attend this event, please contact 4732 7891.