Valerie is an English and History teacher. Originally from Sydney, she now lives in sunny Brisbane, Australia with her husband and daughter. She writes historical women’s fiction with romantic elements. Valerie completed a Master of Letters in Creative Writing in 2021. In 2022, she published an anthology of short stories to introduce her work to readers. Her work has been featured in Queensland Writer’s Centre Right Left Write and My Story, My Voice anthologies. As Giselle Farina she writes romance fiction. She has short stories featured in Romance Writers of Australia Sweet Treats collections. Valerie is studying Italian to connect with her cultural heritage and to enjoy Italian movies without the subtitles. You will always find a novel and notebook filled with ideas and observations, tucked away in her handbag.
WHAT CYA CONFERENCE DID FOR ME
Firstly, CYA helped me develop my writing craft and, in doing so, gave me the confidence to pursue my dream of being a writer. I submitted stories, some of which have been published in anthologies and online. It motivated me to finish drafting stories—long-form novels, novellas and short stories.
Secondly, in giving me the confidence to submit my first historical fiction manuscript for assessment to publishers and agents. In doing so, I was able to sign with an agent—Fiona Johnson from Beyond Words Literary Agent. The exact kind of agent I wanted.
