Writing and publishing were in focus at the latest Women in Business Regional Network dinner in McLaren Vale.

The guest speaker at the Meeting Place was Rommie Corso of Hardshell Publishing.

Rommie has more than 20 years’ publishing experience and has helped authors publish a wide range of material including children’s activity books, fiction, non-fiction, cook books, professional journals and tourism magazines.

Her message was that we each have a story to tell, and often our story can be valuable to others. 

She encouraged everyone interested in writing to just let their writing flow first; editing, book planning, publishing and marketing could be considered later. However, if the writer's goal was making money she suggested doing some market research first.

There were nods all around the room when Rommie said, “It’s much easier to criticise than it is to create,” and encouraged everyone, publishing or not, to not allow the criticism of others to divert us from goals and dreams.

Mandy Rowe, Wendy Hardy, Mark Potter, Teagan Cox, Alice Terry, Holly Little and Avril Dargie.

According to Rommie there has been a boom in the number of people reaching out for assistance to publish since COVID-19 hit, with many people either finally finishing a book they’ve started, or taking time to put their thoughts down and to consider publishing for the first time.

The next McLaren Vale function will be a lunch at Angoves on Monday, 14 September, when Holly Little of Odyssey Coaching will speak about how to build a business that makes you happy.

The Women in Business Regional Network is open to business owners, managers, staff and those dreaming of owning their own business. You don’t have to be a member to attend events but bookings are essential via Eventbrite.com.au

For more information about the Women in Business Regional Network visit www.wibnetwork.com.au or phone Carolyn on 0435 432 203.  

Wendy Perry, Deborah Lilley and Anne Rhodes.