My festival season started on 3rd July 2015 - so Episode #1
Romance Writers of America - New York - 19 July to 26 July - Episode #2
Book Week - Papua New Guinea - Episode 3
Romance Writers of America - Melbourne - Episode 4
Brisbane Writers Festival - 6th September - Episode 5.

Two full months of travel, living out of suitcases, and talking books!
3rd and 4th July 2015

CYA Conference is obviously my heart conference, and this year it was our 10th year anniversary. And what better way than with a cake! Okay enough cake for 160 people - but you get the idea....


















Was so lucky to have a heap of the success stories with me to celebrate, and to give them their new badges. Knowing that in the last 10 years I have made a difference to each of these people, and they have book babies because of some small part me and the whole CYA team played - its heartwarming!


















And of course - I couldn’t continue to bring CYA Conference to the writers and illustrators if it wasn’t for a few really special people.






















My husband Shaun, for all his help, patience, support, and belief in me and my conference - thank you!






















The amazing Ally Howard, who has been with me for so many years, and has continued to do everything with me. To those in the know, Ally is the ‘people person of CYA Conference’, a HUGE value in our relationship, and she deals with any tears... because those I am not so good at!

Sam Eeles who works tirelessly during the year as the volunteer admin assistant. Thank you Sam - you are so totally relied upon, and thank you for being there!


















Debbie Kahl and Natalie Hatch who are so much part of the CYA Conference team too. (And both appear camera shy... okay admitting they were both working their butts off during the day up in the pitching room! )













A special thank you to all the other volunteers, new and repeat offenders - thank you!!!! (Next year we need to get a quick photo of all the volunteers together in the morning!!!)



















And all of those I didn’t get pictures of too!!!!

A special mention and a thank you was made to Sharon Norris (far right), who was one of the three people who began the original CYA Conference idea, and unfortunately had to resign because of ill health at the time. (The other, who resigned for the same reasons was Di Bates). Thank you for joining us in year 10 Sharon and for being part of the CYA Volunteer team!!!!











































And to Peter Allert. Peter and I are the only 2 people who have attended every singe CYA Conference, and he continues to want to hang around even though he knows that I can’t give him a gold watch - I LOVE that he is one of the CYA Team! For these amazing pictures at the networking party and on the day - thank you Peter!

Finally - just a few photos of the Networking party and the CYA Conference day. An awesome time was had by all, but I have to admit that at the end of the day, I was ready for bed. I will load these and many more photies into the CYA Conference photo album so these are just a few...











































































































































































































































Happy 10th Birthday CYA Conference!

See ya next year at CYA Conference 2nd July 2016!

And so I returned home, and the suitcase was unpacked, and then repacked for Episode 2...on 19th July 2015 - I left for Romance Writers America Conference....