Things I do when I’m not writing or volunteering by Shelagh Merlin

Hi, I’m Shelagh Merlin and I love being a volunteer. I firmly believe that you get back tenfold what you put in. Through my volunteering roles I’ve made wonderful friends and learned many things. I’m retired but my various volunteer roles keep my mind and body active.

I’ve been a member of RWA since 2016 but before I joined I volunteered as a judge of the RuBY competition for several years. As a member, my focus changed slightly. I was the member services coordinator from August 2016 to August 2018  and what a fabulous opportunity that role provided for learning about the organisation, its members, its website and how things work in the background. I’ve judged the Ripping Start and First Kiss competitions ever since i joined RWA and have loved the opportunity that has provided to read a variety of different writing styles. I’ve learned so much from this and can’t recommend judging highly enough. I also help proof-read Hearts Talk each month.

Outside of RWA I volunteer as both a contest coordinator and a judge for RWNZ and am the coordinator of the Beechworth Farmers Market, which runs monthly.

I’m not a published romance author though I’m working on it. Currently though I’m writing a dual timeline story using my mother’s extraordinary life as the basis. I also love photography and have self-published four books of photographs. I’ve been a reader reviewer on NetGalley since 2012 focusing mostly on romance, women’s fiction and crime/thriller genres.

I love travelling and while I’ve done plenty I still have a huge bucket list of places to visit. My other loves are my husband, my garden, our dogs, our alpacas and the gorgeous scenery surrounding our home. I feel truly blessed.

About Shelagh

I’ve been an avid reader for as long as I can remember, devouring anything from romance to thrillers, suspense and crime fiction. When I’m not reading or reviewing I write. I am more of a dabbler when it comes to stories, playing with contemporary and historical rural romance, travel and biographical writing.