Why ARRA?
The Australian Romance Readers Association is not only about readers. We are also a resource for authors—a way to reach romance readers in Australia. Here are some of the promotional opportunities ARRA offers to authors:
Newsletter
In August 2009 we launched the ARRA newsletter, Romancing the Tome, which is a mix of author interviews, reader reviews, profiles of authors, readers and bookstores, industry news and general romance articles. If you would like to have a peek, you can download snippets from the latest newsletter.
If you have new releases coming out, have signed a deal—or have any other exciting news to share—our readers would love to hear about it. We generally run news on deals and new releases two months ahead, so please give us plenty of notice. Please send details to our newsletter editor.
If ARRA can help promote any book-signing or similar events you might be planning in Australia please let us know. We would be more than happy to get the word out to Australian romance readers to ensure a good attendance.
Romance reader survey
In August 2009 ARRA ran the first survey of Australian romance readers. We were really pleased by the number of people who completed the survey and the results were very interesting. We decided to run the survey each year. You can download the survey results here:
Romance readers awards
The popular Australian Romance Readers Awards (first held at ARRC09) are now an annual event. See Awards page for more details.
A Romantic Rendezvous
In 2019 we held the first in a new series of events called A Romantic Rendezvous. These were multi-author, multi-city events, held in March 2019 in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. In March 2020 we did it again, this time in five cities—Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide. Then again in 2023 and 2024. Planning is now under way or ARR2025. Find all the details here.
Guest blogging
We have a guest blogger program and hope that authors will join us to talk about their views on romance reading. Our regular guest blogging day is Sunday, and you can check our blog for openings in the schedule. Please contact our webmaster if you would like to be added to the guest blogger schedule.
Release day blogs
Due to the overwhelming response to our guest blogs, which are usually booked out more than six months in advice, we introduced a release day blog format for authors who have a new release coming out. The release day blogs are short articles, on the actual day of release, that introduce the new release. They have a set format and quite strict limitations. You can find example release day blogs here and the guidelines and proposed format can be found here. Contact us to book in your upcoming releases.
Reviews
If you would like to request a review of a recent or upcoming title, contact our review coordinator.
Membership
All authors are welcome to join ARRA.
Australian authors can join as full members, which entitles you to discounts on all ARRA Inc events, discounts at a number of independent bookstores, plus our exclusive monthly newsletter. Author members are also entitled to one free ½ column advertisement in the newsletter each calendar year, and will also have a click-through link placed on our website.
Overseas authors (and readers) can now join ARRA as associate members. Associate members have the same entitlements as full members, except for voting rights.
Further details on joining ARRA are available here.
Once you have joined, you can access the members-only pages here.