| Welcome to the November newsletter! |
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Hi fellow writers!
Last month, I participated in a livestream workshop called Writer’s Plan presented by Lori-Jay Ellis, CEO of the Queensland Writers Centre. Among the many useful tips for planning our writing lives, Lori-Jay asked us to nominate the one thing we could do over the coming year to elevate our writing.
This year, for me, that 'one thing' was attending a writing retreat and I'll be going again in 2022. A weekend at O'Reilly's listening to world-class speakers and networking with writers in a beautiful environment? Yes, please! Charmaine Clancy from the Rainforest Writing Retreat is our Guest Speaker this month at the GCWA. She will also talk about the anthology the retreat publishes each year, a great way to get your work 'out there.'
What will that 'one thing' be for you in 2022? To enter the Scarlet Stiletto Awards? To attend Writing Fridays at Elanora Library? To attend workshops at the QWC? Becoming a member of the GCWA is a great way to find out!
Christine Betts
Newsletter Editor |
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| You can find GCWA membership information here... |
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President's Report
As I compile the November report, I must admit I am on a writer’s high having just participated in my first ever Writing Fridays. Walking into the new Writing Fridays at Elanora Library, I was a little nervous as to how I might perform under the Pomodoro technique.
Fears of writers block soon diminished as familiar faces joined the room and the chatter amongst creatives began. Thank you to our very own Judy Wollin and Kate Kelsen for the hours of work in bringing this together and the wonderful support on the day from the City of Gold Coast Libraries.
Writing Fridays, Elanora is the product of the combined efforts of Queensland Writers' Centre, Gold Coast Writers Association and The City of Gold Coast Libraries. I hope to enjoy many more writing hours with this inspiring group and encourage our members to do the same.
Last month, our first meeting of the new committee invited each committee member to share their passion project. These are projects they will lead to enhance and grow the association. We heard some wonderful ideas and look forward to the committee presenting them to you at future meetings. Project leaders will be asking for your assistance, so if you have an interest in any of the projects shared, please put your hand up and assist wherever you can.
We have also considered all the valuable feedback from our members and trust you will be very excited to hear about the range of new benefits, groups, and events for members in 2022.
The Speaker Schedule for next year is expanding, so if you would like to request a guest speaker or a workshop facilitator – someone you may have heard present before – please speak to one of our committee and we will see what magic we can make happen.
Until next time, keep safe and well, and…
Create, Inspire, Connect.
Kellie M Cox
President |
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| Our next event is on Saturday 20 November, 2021 at Burleigh Waters Community Centre, Christine Avenue. |
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| | | Charmaine Clancy is an Australian author, publisher and presenter. Her works include children's novels and crime short stories. Some even win awards.
Charmaine is the founder of the annual Rainforest Writing Retreat, Australia's favourite writing retreat. Together with her RWR team, she mentors new and established writers on the craft, publishing and marketing. Each year, the Retreaters, as the attendees of the RWR are known, produce a themed anthology of short stories and poetry. In her presentation, Charmaine will detail the process for producing a quality anthology from accepting submissions, right through to marketing the finished product. |
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| | | Writing Your Memoir Jacquelin Melilli (Jacqx) has a Master of Arts degree in Writing and Literature. Her specialisations include editing, creative non-fiction and fiction writing, publishing, scriptwriting, playwriting, and research.
In this workshop, Jacqx will cover how to get started and keep motivated to finish this important project. Topics will include using photographs and music to refresh memories, researching facts, avoiding conflicts when it comes to sensitive material, and how to write with your reader in mind using creative writing techniques. |
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| | Writing Friday Day One on November 5 was a huge success. Strongly supported by GCWA committee and members there was a positive, friendly, and productive atmosphere. Kate and Judy welcomed everyone, thanked Rachel from GCCC Library for her assistance and explained Pomodoro to the attendees. The library provided a great room, tea and coffee, desks and chairs. Every attendee registered online – great work. (Register here)
By 10:05 the writers were writing! Twenty-five minutes later everyone stopped, and we congratulated ourselves for being so quiet and productive. There were five sessions of writing and we stopped for morning tea for 15 minutes.
‘It was great not being distracted, not hanging out washing, not answering my phone.’
‘It really makes a difference getting out of you own space.’
‘So much positivity. It really changed the flow of my writing.’
‘This is why I joined Gold Coast Writers. For something just like this.’
Every Friday Elanora Library (excluding public holidays)
10:00am -1:00pm
All welcome! Just bring your laptop, pen, paper and ideas.
Register via GCCC Library website - Elanora Library - Helensvale Library |
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| Thanks to committee member Judy Wollin for the great photo. Judy always has her ear to the ground for writing opportunities and, along with Kate Kelsen, hosts the Writing Fridays at Elanora Library. |
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| | | | Opportunities and Competitions |
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| | 28TH SCARLET STILETTO AWARDS NIGHT Catherine McClements in collaboration with Sue Turnbull to present. To join the awards event go to the Sisters in Crime Facebook page on the night!
November 27 @ 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm (AEDT)
on Facebook Premiere. Available on YouTube from 10pm.
Presented by actor Catherine McClements, and hosted by crime fiction expert, Sue Turnbull. After talking about her life in crime with Sue, Catherine will announce the winners of these prestigious awards. On screen, at different stages, will be all available 23 shortlisted authors, Professor Christina Lee, who will present the judges’ report, and Dr Carolyn Beasley from Swinburne University, the first prize sponsor.
This online event is Free but you can support Sisters in Crime and the work it does for Australian women crime writers by making a $10 donation and going into the draw for one of three $300 packs of crime books, kindly donated by publishers. More info here.
(GCWA member and Newsletter Editor, yours truly, Christine Betts, is a finalist for the Scarlet Stiletto Award. Join in the fun on November 27 to see all the winners, and join me in entering this great competition again in 2022!) |
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| | | Yes, You Can Publish Your Book! Join former GCWA president, published author, and CEO of Publicious Book Publishing, Andrew McDermott (Andy), for a free, informal discussion on book publishing. He’ll be examining the various forms of publishing, matching the right publishing system to the right author, and ways for an author to reach their goal of getting published. More info here... Topics covered will be: Traditional publishing Self-publishing Assisted publishing (aka vanity press) Celebrating writers month at the GC Libraries!
Library: Elanora Library
Wednesday, 24 November 2021, 1.30 – 2.30pm
Bookings required: Yes Book now |
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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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| | What you need to know for the EWF 2022 artist call-out! Keen to be a part of the Emerging Writers’ Festival in 2022? We have an open artist call-out. Submissions close: 5pm 3 December 2021
If you'd like to be an #EWF22 artist, this is your chance! EWF are always on the lookout for new talent, regardless of age or experience. Read More... |
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| | | TAKE THE CHALLENGE! CAN YOU WRITE 20,000 WORDS IN TWO DAYS? Hop on down to Queensland Writers Centre and join a supportive group of committed writers for two full days of fast-paced writing! Whether you’re coming to conquer the challenge, or you’d just like a quiet space where you can write uninterrupted, dive into the rabbit hole and transport yourself into your next writing project! The clock is ticking!
Face to Face and Online. For Bookings click here.
This is a free event for Queensland Writers Centre members; however, we are running a raffle for those who donate any amount to Queensland Writers Centre's Fellowships and Access Fund. Below is a list of the amazing prizes our donors can win: A Writer's Consult to talk with you about your work A free pass to one Queensland Writers Centre workshop in 2022 A free pass to one live stream Queensland Writers Centre workshop in 2022 A selection of courses on our Online Learning Centre Reach your writing goal of 20,000 words before the weekend ends for a bonus entry into the draw! |
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| | | Writing Friday is a free, volunteer-led program for Queensland writers at all levels. It connects writers with other writers in their local community and provides a space — usually a library or community centre — where Queenslanders can cultivate their habit of writing, following the Pomodoro technique. Join us every Friday at Queensland Writers Centre or get in touch to find your nearest Writing Friday group! |
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| | | A one-day festival jam-packed with exhibitions, workshops, competitions, prizes, and fun activities for young writers in Grades: 6-10. QWC is excited to announce the inaugural Brisbane Children’s Writers Festival for the young creative writers and readers of Brisbane. Fitting the occasion, the theme for the new festival is "Beginnings". Become a Youth Member of Queensland Writers Centre to claim your free ticket today. This one-day festival will be jam-packed with awesome workshops, competitions, prizes, and loads of fun and creative activities to inspire the creativity of young writers and readers. With a mix of social, solo, and more hands-on activities, everyone will have their chance to try something new and share their creativity in a fun, supportive, and creative environment. More information here. |
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| | | 2022 Program Applications open: 15 November 2021 Adaptable seeks material for film or television adaptation. Open to writers across Australia and New Zealand, the contest accepts any genre, fiction or non-fiction, published or unpublished. Queensland Writers Centre also identifies several early career unpublished/emerging writers to pitch their work to screen creatives, with these writers receiving mentorship and advice prior to the pitching sessions. Each successful applicant is given the opportunity to pitch published and/or publication-ready novels, short stories, biographies, and non-fiction works with potential for screen adaptation to producers, showrunners, and screenwriters. See the QWC website for more information. |
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| | | BAD SYDNEY PRESENTS THE 2021 CRIME WRITERS' FESTIVAL BAD is back, undaunted and badder than ever. At last we can enjoy four face-to-face days of BAD Crime Writers Festival events at the State Library of New South Wales from 2-5 December. Read More...
We present our trademark blend of crime fiction, true crime and social justice panels and interviews.
This year, we’re adding evening events on Thursday 2, Friday 3 and Saturday 4, as well as crime walks and our inaugural champagne and cozy crime afternoon tea. BOOK YOUR TICKET |
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| | | Hawkeye Publishing Manuscript Development Prize 2022 Hawkeye Publishing is a Brisbane based small press publisher. Winner receives Author Coaching, Structural Edit and Line Edit (Prize Value $2,500) with the structural edit kindly sponsored by Brisbane Writers Workshop, and line editing and author coaching sponsored by Hawkeye Publishing. Closes 6PM Friday 17 December 2021. Maximum 80,000 words. Read more... |
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| | | Call for manuscripts — October 15 thru December 31 The first of its kind in the Netherlands, the biennial Amsterdam Open Book Prize celebrates writers and artists in and beyond our far and wide community. The winning manuscript will join the catalogue of Versal Editions, Amsterdam’s community-centered small press, evolved out of nearly 20 years of the famed international literary and arts journal Versal. Read more... |
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| | | In recognition of the legacy of Shirley Jackson’s writing, and with permission of the author’s estate, The Shirley Jackson Awards, Inc. has been established for outstanding achievement in the literature of psychological suspense, horror, and the dark fantastic. The Shirley Jackson Awards are voted upon by a jury of professional writers, editors, critics, and academics. The awards are given for the best work published in the preceding calendar year in the following categories: Novel, Novella, Novelette, Short Fiction, Single-Author Collection, and Edited Anthology. Read More... |
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| | Save the date: Brisbane, 18-20 February 2022. An initiative of Queensland Writers Centre, GenreCon is the leading conference for genre writers.
Featuring an impressive line-up of leading names in Australian and international genre fiction across a spectacular weekend of panels, workshops and special events, 2022’s conference is dedicated to you - The Storyteller. Plus, don’t miss out on your chance to pitch your work to leading publishers and agents. Full program live now! |
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| | | Right Left Write is run in conjunction with the QWC weekly newsletter, Pen & Pixel. Each month they announce a prompt word or theme in Pen & Pixel, then it’s over to you to create a short story of up to 500 words and right, left, write. Members can enter for free and non-members can enter for a $5 fee. So make Right Left Write part of your routine and get writing. Applications open every month. |
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| | St. Martin’s Minotaur/ Mystery Writers of America
First Crime Novel Competition The closing date is 17 December 202. Open to any writer, regardless of nationality, aged 18 or older, who has never been the author of any published novel. Read more... |
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| | TAF2021 | CSI: TASMANIA
One literary festival. Two weekends.
CSI: TASMANIA Tasmania’s International Crime and Mystery Festival LIVE –Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 November 2021, Huonville, Tasmania
DIGITAL FESTIVAL –Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 November PROGRAM AT A GLANCE Click here for a mini Live and Digital Festival program. There’s something for all readers and aspiring writers at our two weekends of crime, mystery and literary book love. This mini program includes: - a list of our international, Australian and Tasmanian authors, - a summary of our 10 fabulous Live Weekend author discussion sessions in Huonville on 6 & 7 Nov, and - a summary of the author interviews, book clubs and writing mini masterclasses you can dive into online at our Digital Weekend on 27 & 28 Nov. Click here for ticket information. |
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| | Celebrating Writers' Month!
Focused on a writing challenge for the month? Looking for a space to write your novel amongst other writers?
We have opened up a selection of library meeting rooms for you free from distractions. Stay for the day or write for a while. Mondays in November, book your spot, pull up a table, and write away! Elanora Library - Helensvale Library - Southport Library |
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| | | Why I write...Thank you to Kerry Pearmain for being the first to tell us why she writes. In a few sentences, tell us why you write. To be published in the GCWA newsletter. Email: [email protected] |
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The GCWA Christmas Party will be held on the deck at Currumbin RSL on Saturday 11 December at 1.30pm
All welcome - please bring a gift wrapped book as your secret Santa present.
RSVP by 1 December - [email protected] |
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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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