| Welcome to the March newsletter! |
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Hi Writers! Recently a friend of a friend asked me why I 'bother writing so much if I don't make any money from it.' I laughed and asked, 'why do you play tennis.' He said something about keeping fit and I tapped my head and said, 'writing keeps me fit here.' It seems in some minds, creativity and thinking are still underrated activities if they don't result in piles of money!
Pondering this exchange later I was reminded of this from author Anne Lamott, “I just try to warn people who hope to get published that publication is not all it is cracked up to be. But writing is. Writing has so much to give, so much to teach, so many surprises. That thing you had to force yourself to do---the actual act of writing---turns out to be the best part. It's like discovering that while you thought you needed the tea ceremony for the caffeine, what you really needed was the ceremony. The act of writing turns out to be its own reward.” And that's good enough for me. Christine Betts
Newsletter Editor |
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President's Report
Welcome to our March newsletter. This month has seen devasting floods not only on the Gold Coast but for our neighbours in Brisbane and Northern NSW. Our hearts go out to everyone affected. We cannot ignore the devasting news from Ukraine. At times like this, creatives such as writers have an important role to play.
As our social media, our conversations with friends, and mainstream news overwhelms us with despair, we writers have a crucial task to focus on. People cannot be fed just bleakness and devastation 24/7 and not be affected. Although it may seem frivolous at these times to share a book review, a funny meme, or a line from your latest manuscript, this is exactly what writers need to do. The journalists among us cover the current news, the non-fiction writers may one day capture this moment in time in a book, and for those who can create content right now it is important that you are encouraged to do so.
Creating light-hearted content gives us an escape from the heartbreak, even if just for a few moments. So, I urge you all to keep creating, keep entertaining and allowing us a break from reality. These brief moments of escape help us to build resilience and strength. Writers are magic. Create some of that magic right now. The world needs you. Kellie M Cox
President
Create, Inspire, Connect. |
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Our next meeting is on
Saturday 19 March 2022
at Burleigh Waters Community Centre,
Christine Avenue. |
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| Guest Speaker: Stacey King |
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| | | Stacey King - How to Self-Publish Your Book to a Professional Standard Stacey presents an extensive tutorial on how to set up your own book publishing business to self-publish your book/s. The presentation will cover how to set up your accounts, what’s required, and how to distribute your book/s to a global audience. Stacey offers her experience on handy tips and tricks, must do's and what not to do. More importantly she presents a simple overview of how to self-publish your work to a professional standard you can be proud of. Read More... |
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How do I find the right editor for my book? What are the different kinds of editors? When should I use an editor? How much does editing cost?
All these questions and more will be tackled by our crack team of experienced, accredited editors in our Writers Workshop. |
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| | | | The Competitions and Opportunities for Writers have moved to a brand new webpage. Click here or on the banner above to see the growing list of events, competitions, opportunities and festivals. | | |
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| | | Somerset Alumni Association presents In partnership with Gold Coast Writers' Association and Gold Coast Film Festival Participants will have the opportunity for their short piece to be performed in a film industry table read by an award-winning Director and professional cast. Read More... Click here to secure your tickets Monday 11 April | 5.00pm arrival for 5.30pm start
The Basement HOTA , Home of the Arts |
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| | Writing Fridays is back at Elanora Library Every Friday 10am to 3pm - All writers welcome
Book now 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.
GCCC Library website - Helensvale Library |
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| | CANDICE FOX, CHRIS HAMMER, MICHAEL ROBOTHAM
CRIME WRITERS TALKING BOOKS FOR LISMORE LIBRARY
FRIDAY 1 APRIL AT 6:00 PM Candice Fox, Chris Hammer and Michael Robotham will be talking to crime fiction lover and ABC broadcaster Kate Evans from Radio National’s Bookshelf about the place of libraries and books in their lives, and the crime story they could set in a library. The conversation will be followed by book sales and signings. This event will also be livestreamed on Zoom. The speakers have all generously donated their time, the State Library has waived all event costs so that 100% of the proceeds from ticket sales received by BAD Sydney will be donated to Lismore Library’s recovery Please get a ticket and make a donation to Lismore library as well on our booking site. WHEN: FRIDAY 1 APRIL 2022 AT 6:00 PM TICKETS: $20 (Livestream) – $45 (in person - Sydney) WHERE: Venue Metcalfe Auditorium, State Library of New South Wales and on Zoom BOOK NOW |
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| | Ben Hobson's Book Club - March
Feeling inspired to read more books this year? Want to chat with other passionate readers and meet the author, all from the comfort of your own home? Then you'll love Ben's Book Club! Download The Cane and join us for an hour of great conversation.
Author - Maryrose Cuskelly
Book - The Cane
Date - Tuesday 22 March
Time - 6pm QLD time
Register here and receive your Zoom link in the confirmation email.
Find more details about book clubs on the GC Libraries website. |
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| | HOW TO WRITE LIKE A LARRIKIN! (For the ADULTS!)
Somerset Storyfest would like to offer members of Gold Coast Writers' Association the opportunity to participate in a picture book workshop with Larrikin House publishing team – James Layton and Dani Vee. This is a wonderful opportunity to get in front of a publishing house that specifically focuses on children’s picture books.
Click here to secure your complimentary ticket – Members - please use the promo code: LARRIKINHOUSE22 If you would like to become a member of the GCWA to take advantage of this wonderful offer, click here...
What to bring: A great concept or your unpublished picture book manuscript (500 words max)
Are you an aspiring children's author with a great concept? Spend time with 'Concept King' and publisher James Layton and discover the secrets of the publishing (and bookselling) industry. Read More... |
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| Somerset Storyfest is calling for Volunteers Want to be a part of Australia's Premier Children's Literacy Festival?
This is your opportunity! For more information on the areas required and what is involved, kindly click here. CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER TODAY! |
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Become a Member of the Gold Coast Writers' Association Somerset Storyfest are thrilled to offer members of the Gold Coast Writers Association free membership to Storyfest for 2022! Any members joining or renewing their GCWA membership in 2022, Storyfest's membership programme includes the following benefits:
- 1x piece of Storyfest merchandise. Your choice of a hat, drink bottle or coffee cup
- Exclusive preview to our annual festival programme
- Early bird tickets to all events all year
- 10% discount on tickets all year, including catered events
- 10% discount at the festival bookshop | | |
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| More GCWA membership information here... |
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| | Storyfest is currently seeking expressions of interest from volunteers who would like to assist as Gallery Attendant’s during our upcoming illustrator exhibition, Whimsical Worlds by Lucia Masciullo, at HOTA (Home of the Arts).
Whimsical Worlds will run from Monday 14 March to Wednesday 13 April at Home of the Arts.
Gallery Attendant volunteers play a vital role in the day-to-day supervision of the gallery by interacting with the public and promoting the exhibition. They welcome and direct Gallery visitors through the exhibition, displays and works of art. They provide information about the artist, artworks and the exhibition in general. Gallery Attendant volunteers are given a comprehensive induction as well as on-going support.
If you are interested in being a Gallery Attendant for Whimsical Worlds Art Exhibition at HOTA (Home of the Arts) please follow the link here. |
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| | | Right Left Write is run in conjunction with our weekly newsletter, Pen & Pixel. Each month we’ll announce a prompt word or theme, then it’s over to you to create a short story of up to 500 words and right, left, write. Queensland Writers Centre members can enter for free and non-members can enter for a $5 fee. Read more... |
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| The Queensland Writers Centre is a community that champions writers across Queensland. We help writers at all stages of their writing journey develop skills to improve their craft, engage their readers and build a sustainable career. Read more... |
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| | | Why I write... In a few sentences, tell us why you write. To be published in the GCWA newsletter. Email: [email protected] |
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| | Come and join us on the GCWA Facebook page and members, be sure to join the
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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| | | Established in 1921, Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of news about the book industry, keeping subscribers up to date with the latest book industry news, events, features, interviews, opinion, personnel changes, job advertisements and classifieds. Books+Publishing is also the only source of pre-publication reviews of Australian and New Zealand books. Subscribe to their newsletter... |
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| | | | Advertise your books with the GCWA |
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| | | Click to see our previous Guest Speakers |
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