How Rachel Armstrong’s self-publishing journey led to award-winning success

Rachel Armstrong’s journey from a young girl scribbling stories in grade nine to an award-winning author is a testament to her determination, creativity and love for the written word.

Young romance writer Rachel Armstrong has won an National award for best novel as part of Romance Writers Australia. Picture: Evan Morgan

Rachel Armstrong, a 32-year-old rising star in the romance writing world, has captivated readers with her heartfelt stories of love, hope and triumph.

Fresh off winning the Romantic Book of the Year award for her novel The Man from Shadow Creek, Rachel sat down with NQ Weekend to discuss her literary journey, her inspirations and the challenges of being a successful author living in Townsville.

“I have always been an avid reader,” Rachel shared when asked what inspired her to start writing romance novels at such a young age.

“I was just about to start grade nine when I decided to write a book. I created a magical world filled with fairies, dragons, and wizards, but then I ended up writing about a young woman going on a world cruise with her family.”

That early spark ignited a lifelong passion, and Rachel hasn’t stopped writing since. By the time she finished her first book in just eight months, she knew that storytelling was her calling.

Young romance writer Rachel Armstrong. Picture: Evan Morgan

“I’ve always dreamed of publishing and seeing my books on the shelves,” she said.

“I’ve attended many workshops and delved into many subgenres, but my stories have always been romantic as I love writing about deep conflicts, hope, and providing a satisfying ending.”

That dream has now become a reality, with her novels gracing bookstores and capturing the hearts of readers around the world.

But where does she find inspiration for her engaging storylines? According to Rachel, inspiration often strikes out of nowhere, but real-life experiences also play a role in shaping her fictional worlds.

“All of my books are purely fictional, but real-life experience is often featured.” she said.

For instance, her novel Home Among the Palm Trees was inspired by her love for dog parks, and the character of Louis, a charming border collie, was based on her own dogs, Dillon and Jacob.

Even in Waltzing Maguire, a book that features a cyclone, Rachel incorporated factual details from Cyclones Larry and Yasi to bring authenticity to the story.

“I love weaving reality into my stories, even if the characters and events are fictional,” she said.

As someone who has ventured into the world of self-publishing, Rachel has valuable advice for aspiring authors.

“Learning the craft of writing is vital,” she said.

“Read a lot and know your audience and genre. Learn how to structure a book, the key elements of plotting and character development, and how the publishing industry works.

“Seek professional editors and cover designers and create a book worthy of publication whether that be by a big five publisher, or yourself.”

Rachel also stressed the importance of seeking feedback and entering competitions to hone your craft.

Author Rachel Armstrong manuscript, Reunited with the Millionaire, was rejected by its target publisher, Mills and Boon, but was later picked up by Harlequin Australia.

“Self-publishing is a business, and you should treat it exactly the way Harlequin, Macmillan, or Penguin do,” she said.

“It’s hard work, but it’s also a lot of fun and opens up so many opportunities to share your stories and do what you love.”

Rachel’s hard work has paid off in more ways than one. Reflecting on her recent accolades, she spoke candidly about how winning awards has impacted her career.

“Awards are a lot of fun,” she said.

“Winning two Emerald Awards for best unpublished romance manuscript from Romance Writers of Australia offered invaluable feedback and boosted my confidence as an aspiring writer.

“I felt I had books that readers would love, but that didn’t mean publishers could publish them.”

One of those manuscripts, Reunited with the Millionaire, was rejected by its target publisher, Mills and Boon, but was later picked up by Harlequin Australia.

Despite this initial setback, Rachel persisted, and her belief in her stories was ultimately rewarded.

Rachel Armstrong's novel Home Among the Palm Trees was inspired by her love for dog parks, and the character of Louis, a charming border collie, was based on her own dogs, Dillon and Jacob.

“Winning Romantic Book of the Year for The Man from Shadow Creek is certainly a highlight in my career,” she said.

“It’s the book I didn’t initially think was as good as the rest, but I had all the faith and confidence in my story, and I’m thrilled to see it succeed. To accept the award among my peers was an honour and I am deeply grateful to Romance Writers of Australia. It drives me to continue writing the stories that I love about themes I’m passionate about. With a lot of cheeky banter, of course.”

For Rachel, living in regional North Queensland has both its advantages and challenges when it comes to her writing career.

“The small town of Elizadale featured in the Shadow Creek books was inspired by driving through Oonoonba regularly when I lived in Cluden, before there was traffic lights and Idalia expanded,” she said.

“It felt like its own little town as an isolated suburb, and I used the highway and railway features to create the original version of my town”

The isolation and unique landscape of North Queensland have fuelled her creativity, with local industries and weather events often finding their way into her novels.

“I chose to write about banana farming as it is a major North Queensland industry and I enjoyed writing about the impact of cyclones on communities and farms in Waltzing Maguire as it captured the true Australian spirit of mateship,” she said.

“Our part of the world has so much to offer and while I continue to write rural romance, I’ll continue to highlight all the delicious produce we’re known for.”

However, living in a regional area also comes with its own set of obstacles.

While she relies heavily on online connections to stay in touch with fellow writers, the lack of literary events in her area can make it hard to promote her work

Rachel Armstrong has also won the coveted Ruby Award for Contemporary Romance at the Romance Writers of Australia annual awards.

“It is very difficult, and I constantly feel isolated from my writing communities, so I need to rely on the online connections I’ve made to stay in touch with my friendship circles.

“Literary festivals, library events, and book signings are scarce, but I understand the need to travel for major book signings and conferences and I count down the days to these. Local markets and festivals have been a great place to promote my work, but we simply don’t get the same opportunities as writers do in the cities.”

That’s why events like the upcoming TikTok-inspired romance book signing event, Readers Unleashed, in Cairns are so important to her.

“I’m really excited to be signing there in March 2025,” she said.

Looking ahead, Rachel’s future as a writer is as bright as ever.

While she continues to explore new storylines and settings within the romance genre, she’s also excited to branch out into something new.

“Romance is such a diverse genre, but I will always write about emotional turmoil, love, and satisfying endings where characters overcome their inner conflict,” she said.

“I enjoy small town romance with the tight-knit community, and writing suspense where villains are brought to justice, but my next book will be delving into the paranormal.”

Inspired by full moon parties she attended years ago, her upcoming series, Wolf Shifters of Magnetic Island, is set to release in 2025.

Despite her success, Rachel remains grounded in her love for storytelling. Whether she’s writing about small-town romance, suspense, or paranormal creatures, her stories are always rooted in deep emotional connections and the promise of a hopeful resolution.

Keep an eye out for her next adventure — both on the page and beyond.

Originally published as How Rachel Armstrong’s self-publishing journey led to award-winning success