About the Writer in Residence

Annette Hughes is a Cooroy based author who moved to the region six years ago after a twenty year career in first Brisbane, then Sydney, in the entertainment and publishing industry. In her previous lives she has been a bookseller, contemporary art dealer, small publisher, theatrical, film and television agent, literary agent and now, author.

She is an industry expert with many years experience in publishing from every possible angle. Her skill set includes; intimate knowledge of the entertainment and publishing industries, preparation of copyright contracts in all fields, structural editing of both fiction and non-fiction, life writing, art criticism, and assesses manuscripts for a major publishers. She has represented authors international rights to the London Book Fair, and attended Australian literary festivals to participate in the Australia Council's VIP program (Visiting International Publishers), selling international publishing rights. She has was also contracted by the Australia Council for a research project to scope and assess opportunities for regional writing in FNQ.

She is also a trained and registered art and English teacher, and speaks on a range of subjects encompassed by her professional skills. She has appeared at the Byron Bay writers festival, Reality Bites festival (Cooroy), Sydney Writers Festival, New South Wales writers centre, and various bookshops and libraries.

Annette is currently self employed, trading as Books&Writing, providing professional services to the publishing industry and teaching and mentoing to individual emerging and established authors. Her recent book, Art Life Chooks (a memoir) is published by Harper Collins Fourth Estate.