| Hi Writers! Back in 1994 I had tickets to see the band, Counting Crows, but due to illness they had to cancel their world tour. On Saturday, at Bluesfest, I finally ticked that off my Bucket List.
Do you have any big things on your List? I want to visit NYC in the snow. I want to see the Aurora Australis. I want to see one of my stories up on the big screen...
Some things are within our control. I am fairly confident that if I go to New York in January, I'm probably going to see snow. And if I head down to southern Tasmania in winter I might get to see the lights.
That third item is a lot harder to predict but like travelling, there are steps that will get me closer to the dream regardless of the outcome. Lots of writing, pitching, studying the craft are essential but nothing is guaranteed. Still, like going to NYC or Hobart, it's a journey I'm willing to undertake for the sheer joy of what I might see along the way. Christine Betts
Newsletter Editor |
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| President's Report Where did March go?
April is here already. A new month, and a new quarter. Time for a new 30-day and 90-day plan! Our March guest speaker was author, athlete, and former opera singer JC Lesley. JC is a writer with a disability, and in her presentation, she pointed out some of the mistakes authors commonly make when including characters with disability, the stereotypes, and how to avoid them.
USA Today bestselling romance author, Sofia Aves, returned to our stage to present her workshop, Character Scars, in which participants delve into the backstory of their characters.
April Meeting
Our next GCWA Meeting is on Saturday, 15 April 2023. Please note - we return to Mudgeeraba Community Centre, Firth Park, Somerset Dr, Mudgeeraba.
Our speaker this month is Jen Swenson on 'The Importance of Being Seen' and we welcome back Paul ‘Smithy’ Smith for his ‘Swords, Knives and Weapons' workshop.
We also have a bonus talk by Christine Betts on 'The Power of Email Lists for Authors'. For full details, please visit https://goldcoastwriters.org/.../gold-coast-writers.../
Writing Fridays
Writing Fridays take place at Elanora Library from 10am-3pm, and at Helensvale Library from 10am-4pm. Writing Sundays is held at Southport Library from 10am-3pm.
Writers at all stages of their creative journey are welcome to come together at these sessions to enjoy dedicated writing time, guided by the Pomodoro Technique. For more information, click here: Writing Fridays
Write & Sip - GCWA Fundraising Event
Come and join us for a very special Write & Sip event, in partnership with Sisters in Crime Queensland, coming to Whisky Lounge Mudgeeraba this month! This month's genre is Crime, and we are excited to have a special guest, True Crime author, Megan Norris.
For more information and to book tickets, click here: https://events.humanitix.com/gcwa-write-and-sip-write-drunk-edit-sober
Kate Kelsen President
Create, Inspire, Connect. |
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The GCWA April Meeting
Saturday 15 April 2023
Yes folks! We are back at
Mudgeeraba Community Centre
Firth Park, Somerset Dr, Mudgeeraba
Time: 12pm to 3pm. |
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Members and visitors are encouraged to arrive 10-15 minutes early to complete the entry process so we can start on time. If you have flu-like symptoms, please stay at home and get better quickly. Entry prices are: Members: $5.00 (EFTPOS payment preferred, although cash is acceptable)
Visitors: $10.00 (EFTPOS payment preferred, although cash is accepted) |
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Order of Events from 12pm - 12:00 Start
- 12:05 Opening and News
- 12:15 Speaker: Jen Swenson - The Importance of Being Seen
- 13:00 Afternoon Tea: Refreshments provided or BYO
- 13:45 Workshop: Paul Smith -Swords, Knives and Weapons
- 15:00 Close
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 | The Importance of Being Seen Get ready to embark on a transformative journey with Jen Swenson as she shares practical tips on how to gain clarity about yourself. This talk is all about discovering what you need to know to be your authentic self and show up confidently in the world. Jen will guide you through the process step-by-step, so you can be seen and heard as the best version of yourself. About Jen Jen Swenson is a respected entrepreneur, engaging speaker, and children’s author, who has dedicated her career to empowering individuals to discover their life purpose and recognise their inherent value. You can read more about Jen's talk here. |
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 | | Swords, Knives and Weapons with Paul 'Smithy' Smith Paul will speak about his passion for weapons, their origin and the importance of accuracy when using weapons in your storytelling. About a dozen swords, knives, and other weapons from different periods will be on display. Paul will regale us in stories, and give us a brief description about each weapon, their origins and use. Read more about Paul's workshop here.
Question time with Paul is always an adventure, so have your questions about the use of weapons in your fiction ready. |
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 | | Come and join us for a very special Write & Sip, in partnership with Sisters in Crime Queensland, coming to Whisky Lounge Mudgeeraba this month!
A twist on the Paint and Sip concept, we will present a fun and interactive session where participants learn to write a Flash Fiction story (up to around 500 words).
This month's genre is Crime, and we are excited to have a Special Guest Megan Norris.
Megan Norris is a freelance writer, author and journalist with over thirty years experience supplying exclusive headline stories to the national magazines and TV media. Over the past two decades she has covered some of the country's biggest newsbreaks, writing major world exclusives on everything from the Port Arthur Massacres, the Bali Bombings, to behind the scenes stories from Melbourne's Underworld Wars and a procession of high profile court cases. Megan is also the Convenor for Sisters in Crime Queensland.
Where: Whisky Lounge Mudgeeraba
When: Wednesday 26th April 2023
Time: Start 7pm
Tickets: $39
Includes Beer/Basic Spirit/Glass of wine on entry, Nibbles, and 2 hours of writing fun.
Click here to get your tickets and keep an eye on the Facebook page for more information.
Nibbles will include crackers, dips, cheeses, veggies, etc and a dessert plate of assorted sweet items. There is a Pizza Capers/Chinese restaurant located opposite the venue if participants want something more substantial.
All proceeds from the night will support the GCWA in assisting writers from all genres, age groups, and levels of writing to grow, learn, and excel in their craft. Megan will also have her books for sale, and information about Sisters in Crime.
We hope you will join us for what is sure to be a fantastic literary evening in a beautiful local venue! |
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 | | The Ten Penners Adults writing for Children, a sub-group of the Gold Coast Writers Association, have been working hard on our latest children's anthology. 'Backyard Beasts and Curious Capers' is coming together nicely. We have a cover designed by Jennifer Scicluna, our illustrator and author of several stories. We have the layout complete and the last couple of stories are being added for the final edit. Illustrations will be throughout the book with each story having a page image and then a small final drawing at the end of the story. We're very excited about our launch in June. Jill Smith
Co-ordinator The Ten Penners
Adults Writing for Children, a sub-group of Gold Coast Writers Association
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 | GCWA member and Association editor, Jane O’Connell, travelled to Sydney in March to speak about her recently published novel, Cold Against The Glass.
The author talk was hosted by the University of Technology, Sydney as part of their ongoing UTS Writers’ Salon series.
Current writing student Otis Creed read from his work in progress, Someday We’ll Linger In The Sun, in a well-received warm up session. In the moderated author Q&A, Jane read excerpts from her novel and answered questions from the audience about the inspiration behind her idea of writing about human specimens, the research process and her journey to publication.
Cold Against The Glass is contemporary fiction and tells the story of artist Florence Lane who discovers a collection of forgotten human specimens in a city museum, including an unidentified baby. Florence sets out to track down the infant’s parents to understand why they donated their baby to science and why they have never claimed her.
The UTS Writers’ Salon showcases work from current and former writing students and in recent years was run by lecturer and author Eleanor Limprecht (The Passengers, The Coast). The next event in the series will be held in June.
You can purchase Jane’s novel Cold Against the Glass here. |
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| | |  | | All writers welcome
Every Friday 10-3pm (except public holidays) Gold Coast Libraries, Queensland Writers Centre, and Gold Coast Writers' Association have teamed up to offer Gold Coast writers a space to cultivate their habit of writing and connect with other writers in the community. Following the Pomodoro Technique, Writing Fridays is a free, volunteer-led program for local writers at all levels. Check the GCWA Facebook page for updates. |
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 | | Join our own Steve Treffrey at the Gold Coast Seniors Expo on Thursday April 20, 9am-1pm, at the Southport Community Centre, Lawson Street. All welcome, entry is free. Come and say hello! For more information email Steve on [email protected] |
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 | | Each month the Gold Coast Libraries offer brilliant workshops and author talks. |
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 | | Writing Sunday - 16 April and 7 May - Southport Library If you can't make it to Elanora for Writing Friday, Writing Sunday might be for you! Writing Sunday is a volunteer led space for writers of all levels to come and work on their own projects. This is a great chance for busy weekday people to connect with your local writing community and finish writing your story. Writing Sundays is a Queensland Writers centre initiative, following the Pomodoro Technique of 25-minute blocks and 5-minute breaks. Every third 'Pomodoro', there is a 15-minute break to relax and recharge, while having a lunch break too. The idea behind the method is to train the mind into working effectively to reach smaller targets, improving the overall writing time and productivity. Writing Sunday is every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month. Book now or drop in on the day. |
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 | Ben's Book Club featuring Joanna Jenkins
Tuesday, 25 April 2023, 7.30 – 8.30pmOnline Event Ben is back with a new time! Daylight savings has ended and from 7.30pm you can enjoy a fantastic author chat with the debut novelist Joanna Jenkins about her book, How to Kill a Client. |
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 | Meet Australian Uplit author Josephine Moon
Thursday, 27 April 2023, 10 – 11.30amHelensvale Library Join us in conversation with bestselling ‘uplit’ author Josephine Moon discussing her newest novel.
The Wonderful Thing about Phoenix Rose is a joyful and moving tale of a woman’s commitment to fulfilling a friend’s dying wish, while finding her own inner strength and power and sharing it with others along the way. Featuring a unique cast of characters including a neurodivergent lead, The Wonderful Thing about Phoenix Rose is sure to entertain and inspire. Book now. |
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 | Meet international historical fiction author
Armando Lucas Correa
Thursday, 4 May 2023, 6.30 – 7.30pmElanora Library From the bestselling author of The German Girl and The Daughter’s Tale, comes a compelling new story of love, loss, war, and hope. Armando Lucas Correa is an award-winning Cuban journalist, editor, and author. His books have been published in sixteen languages and he returns with his most anticipated work yet, The Night Travelers. Book now... |
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 | Introduction to Crime Writing with Helen Goltz
Saturday, 6 May 2023, 10am – 12.15pmHelensvale Library Inspired by the increase of crime novels? Learn about the different elements that go into writing a page-turning crime story. Acquire techniques to flesh out your story idea, create multi-dimensional characters readers care about, craft dialogue, build pace, heighten suspense and compose a satisfying ending. Helen is postgraduate qualified with majors in Literature, Communications and Media, and lives in Brisbane with her fellow-journalist husband, Chris, and Boxer dog, Hastings. She is published by Next Chapter, Wild Hearts Romance, and Atlas Productions and co-authors the Grave Tales series. Book now. |
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 | | Sydney Writers Festival - LIVE & Local
at Elanora Thursday 25 May and Saturday 27 May
10am - 8:30pm. After the wild success of Live & Local in 2022, Sydney Writers Festival is back Gold Coast Libraries in 2023 to bring the best of the Festival direct to you. One of Australia’s most loved forums for literature, ideas and storytelling, Sydney Writers’ Festival will live-stream its headline events from Sydney to Elanora Library on Thursday 25 and Saturday 27 May.
A plethora of Australian talent including Richard Fidler, Wil Anderson, Maggie Beer, Grace Tame, Geraldine Brooks will be discussing this years theme - Stories for the future. So come for a session or stay for the day/night and enjoy a festival feel with all sessions livestreamed into Elanora Library, the only location on the Gold Coast. For more information click here. |
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 | | Support your local Independent book store. GCWA MEMBERS - Mention your membership at Big B Books in Burleigh Heads to receive 10% off books. |
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 | | Angela and David Photography believe every image is its own unique story, a moment in time, consisting of both large and small emotions which are shared between all present, employing technical expertise, years of experience, a flexible approach, excellent communication skills, teamwork with clients and an affordable rate. In January, Angela and David volunteered their time to create author images for 16 lucky GCWA members. Contact Angela and David on on 0487921064 or head to their website to enquire about their packages. |
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| Alex Adsett - Literary Agent and Publishing Consultant
Top Ten Tricks and Traps of Publishing Contracts
Gold Coast Writers Association
15 July 2023 Alex Adsett is a literary agent and publishing consultant with 25 years’ experience working in the publishing and bookselling industry. She has managed Alex Adsett Literary since 2008, and has helped thousands of authors review and negotiate their publishing deals. As an agent she represents more than 50 authors of all ages and genres, including Melissa Lucashenko, Peter Greste, Dinuka McKenzie, Hannah Sommerville, Isobelle Carmody, and many more. (Click here to visit Alex's website.)
Alex will cover the ten vital things to consider before you sign on the dotted line of a publishing contract. What rights are you actually giving away? Are you getting a fair royalty? Will you ever get your rights back? What does a “normal” publishing contract look like anyway?
If you are an established or emerging author, come along to hear publishing consultant and literary agent Alex Adsett discuss some of the sneakier things publishers include in their contract, and how to avoid them. This gives you a great behind the scenes look at the publishing industry, and advice on when to negotiate, and when to walk away.Click here to join our Facebook community for more information. |  |
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| More GCWA membership information here... |
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Gold Coast Writers’ Association Members group. |
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| Feedback Welcome! You may have noticed the changing face of the Newsletter and the Website. Please let us know what you think of the changes. Contact Us... |
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