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Best-selling author Rachel Armstrong to deliver 2026 From the Heart keynote at the upcoming Whitsundays Writers Festival.
She set her debut novel here. Now, talented, multi-award-winning romance author Rachel Armstrong is returning to the Whitsundays to take centre stage at the region’s premier literary event.
Rachel has been named the 2026 From the Heart keynote speaker for the Whitsundays Writers Festival – a homecoming for the Townsville-based author who has cherished the region since childhood.
“I’ve always loved the Whitsundays and spent many holidays in the area, so it’s no surprise it became the setting of my debut novel,” Rachel said. “To now deliver the keynote here is a special honour.”
As one of Australia’s leading romance writers – and a two-time Romantic Book of the Year winner – Rachel knows exactly why the genre dominates global best-seller lists.
“Love resonates with everyone. Romance guarantees emotional impact and the happily-ever-after we all long for,” she said. “Throw in some banter, a little danger, or a touch of magic, and you have a book readers simply can’t put down.”
The From the Heart keynote is a cornerstone of the Whitsundays Writers Festival, previously delivered by Miles Franklin winner Shankari Chandran and acclaimed author Dr Anita Heiss.
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