Readings Bookshop

For the first session in the series, Spice Market, Amie Kaufman will be joined by Keshe Chow, Dr Kate Cuthbert and Bronwyn Eley as they discuss all things spicy!

Spice Market: A smart, thoughtful discussion that goes way past fairy smut and into the gender politics of romantasy. Why it's having a moment, how much of it has been there all along, its current power in popular culture, and where it might head next. Romantasy is much more than a guilty pleasure – indeed, in the immortal words of Tom Hiddleston, 'I don't have any guilty pleasures. I never feel guilty about pleasure.'

Keshe Chow is a multi-award-winning Chinese Australian author of fantasy, romance, and speculative fiction. Her latest novel is Strange Familiars, a dark academia fantasy where two scholars of magical veterinary science must put aside their lust and loathing to save the world in the first installment of this whimsical, romantic, dark academia duology.

Dr Kate Cuthbert is a publishing consultant and professional bookish person with 20 years experience across the book sector. She has held senior roles at Books+Publishing, Pantera Press, Writers Victoria and she launched the Escape Publishing imprint at Harlequin Australia. Her book How to Judge a Book by its Cover is on the creation, impact, and language of book covers and titles. She co-hosts the popular Bridgerton podcast What Would Danbury Do?

Bronwyn Eley has been doing two things since childhood: writing and fighting. As a fantasy author, she looks for opportunities to incorporate her martial arts experience into her stories. Her latest book, The Oath, is the heart-stopping conclusion to The Trials of Power duology with a why-choose romance – the perfect cure for book hangovers.

Amie Kaufman is an Australian author. She has authored New York Times bestselling and internationally bestselling science fiction and fantasy for young adults. Her latest novel is One Knight Stand, the outrageously funny cosy fantasy YA sequel to medieval romp Lady's Knight.

Free, but bookings are essential.

Other sessions in the series: Writing from Our Roots – Thursday 30 July at Readings Emporium Fountain of Youth – Thursday 27 August at Readings Kids