Editor's Note
A very happy (and hot!) December everyone
Please join us for the last GCWA meeting of the year, Saturday 16th December at the Mudgeeraba Community Centre, starting at midday. Our speaker, Literary Agent Alex Adsett, will be sharing with us the ten vital things to consider before you sign on the dotted line of a publishing contract. Members are invited to bring their books for sale and tables will be set up. Remember to bring your own point of sale equipment (Square, etc). After Alex’s informative talk, we will enjoy an afternoon tea of Christmas goodies and have plenty of time to chat. Join in the fun and dress up in your Christmas gear - then you are most welcome to join us afterwards at Woodchoppers Inn for a cold one! What to bring: · Your questions about publishing contracts for Alex Adsett
· A plate of goodies to share. (This can be as simple as a packet of Tim Tams or fruit mince pies)
· A gift-wrapped book to swap for the Christmas tree
· A re-usable environmentally friendly cup.
If you would like any writing inspiration during the holidays, our Competitions and Resources page on the GCWA website has plenty of ideas to help your creative spirit shine! Please note that this will be our last meeting in Mudgeeraba. From January 2024 our meetings will be held in the newly renovated Burleigh Community Centre, we look forward to seeing you there.
Wishing you all a fabulous fun-filled Christmas and please remember ...
Commas are important:
No more wine.
No, more wine.
Jackie Washington, Editor
eWriteabout |
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President's Report
Dear GCWA members
As we reflect on the whirlwind of November, did you conquer your NaNoWriMo word count challenge? The month was a bustling one for many of us, filled with the thrill of a deadline and the chaos of the writing journey.
Our November meeting, featuring the dynamic Dr. Carolyn Martinez and her Hawkeye Publishing authors, left us inspired and fueled with creative energy. If you're still pondering the perfect avenue for your manuscript, remember that the Hawkeye Publishing Manuscript Development Prize 2024 awaits your submission until December 15, 2023. For details and links, head to the Gold Coast Writers Association website.
During the same meeting, the Ten Penners, our esteemed children's writers subgroup, proudly launched their latest anthology, ‘Backyard Beasts & Curious Capers.’ It's a testament to the diverse and imaginative talents within our Association and is a must buy Christmas read.
A round of applause is due to our Committee members who have been actively involved in hosting and presenting various writers' events throughout Southeast Queensland. Special congratulations to our Vice President, Kellie Cox, on her special commendation in the 30th Scarlet Stiletto awards run through Sisters in Crime.
For our short story enthusiasts, the GenreCon 2024 short story competition (up to 1000 words) is now open until January 31, 2024. A heartfelt thanks to our dedicated Publicity Coordinator, Selena, who secured a 10% discount for GCWA members attending the conference. Check our members-only social media for links.
Looking ahead, we're excited about our December meeting featuring the esteemed Alex Adsett, literary agent. The second part of the meeting promises to be a festive affair – our Christmas Party. Remember to bring a plate of your favourite treats to share, dress in something festive, and don't forget a wrapped book for our Secret Santa book exchange.
As we eagerly anticipate the holiday season, we look forward to celebrating with you at our December gathering. On behalf of the Committee, we wish you a safe and serene end to 2023. Can’t wait to see you in 2024. Until then, keep writing!
Rebecca Findlay-Debeck, GCWA President
Create, Inspire, Connect. |
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Click here for the Google Maps location
GCWA meets every third Saturday of the month.
This will be our last meeting at the MUDGEERABA COMMUNITY CENTRE.
From January 2024, we will be meeting at the
BURLEIGH WATERS COMMUNITY CENTRE.
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DECEMBER MEETING ORDER OF EVENTS
11:45 Arrive and register
12:00 Meeting start - brief announcements
12:05 Speaker: Literary Agent Alex Adsett - Top Ten Tricks and Traps of Publishing Contracts
13:15 Christmas Celebrations: Bring a plate to share and a wrapped book for the Secret Santa
15:00 Meeting close Members and visitors are encouraged to arrive at 11:45 to complete the entry process so we can start on time. If you have flu-like symptoms or feel unwell, please stay at home and get better quickly. GCWA members: $5.00
Visitors: $10.00
EFTPOS payment preferred; however, cash is accepted. |
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Meet our December speaker: Alex Adsett
Literary Agent and Publishing Consultant
Top Ten Tricks and Traps of Publishing Contracts 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. About Alex 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. She regularly speaks on copyright and contracts around Australia, and is an alumni of the Australia Council Arts Leaders Program 2019. |
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 | The Gold Coast Writers Association Critique group aims to help its members improve the readability of their work. Giving and receiving feedback on our work can be scary so we will have a strict ‘Constructive Feedback Only’ rule. After a short introduction, we will take a piece to read and provide written feedback. The final 30 minutes will be an opportunity for each person to give and receive feedback to each person in the group.
The next meeting is Wednesday 13th December 2023 from 5.30 - 7.30 pm.
Arrive in time for a 5.30 pm start.
Cost: $10 includes a hot beverage.
Please join the Gold Coast Writers Association to attend. https://goldcoastwriters.org/about/memberships/
For bookings, head over to the Bookness Events page.
If you have any questions, please email gcwa.news@gmail.com |
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 | | MEMBER NEWS We love sharing news from our GCWA members to shine the spotlight on new work, awards and publishing wins from local writers. Here's just a taste of the success in and around the Gold Coast writing community in recent weeks.
Last month we were excited to share that two of our very own GCWA members, Kellie M Cox and Alison Robson, had been shortlisted in the prestigious Sisters in Crime, Scarlet Stiletto Awards. Out of 250 entries, Kellie and Alison made it to the top 25 stories.
Congratulations go to our VP, Kellie, for her special commendation and also to Alison who had this to say:
A couple of months ago I entered the Sisters in Crime Scarlet Stiletto Competition for the first time. I was so excited to make the top 25 that I flew down to Melbourne for the awards night held at the Rising Sun Hotel. Being the 30th anniversary there was a dress theme of scarlet and pearls, and the room was a sea of scarlet! I ended up winning the Melbourne Atheneum Library Award for best ‘Body in the Library’ story, for my short story, 'The Murder in the Library.' My story is now featured in the Scarlet Stiletto Anthology, 'The Fifteenth Cut.'
Bravo!
If you have exciting GCWA member news to share, please email our Association Editor at gcwa.editor@gmail.com with all the details. |
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| | |  | | Each month the Gold Coast Libraries offer
brilliant workshops and author talks.
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 | | There’s so much going on over the summer, so the Gold Coast Libraries are taking their author chats online for a few weeks so you won’t miss out – grab a seat anywhere and watch anytime, to suit you! |
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 | Writing Friday at Elanora Library
Every Friday 10am – 3pm (except public holidays)
Writing Friday at Helensvale Library
Every Friday 10am – 4pm (except public holidays) Gold Coast Libraries and the Queensland Writers Centre 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 Friday is a free, volunteer-led program for local writers at all levels. Check the GCWA Facebook page for updates. ALL WRITERS WELCOME! |
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 | | WRITING SUNDAY AT SOUTHPORT LIBRARY
If you can't make it to Writing Friday at Elanora or Helensvale Library, 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 Queensland Writers Centre initiative is a great chance for busy weekday people to connect with their local writing community and follows the Pomodoro Technique of 25-minute writing blocks with 5-minute breaks.
Writing Sunday is held every Sunday at Southport Library. Book online at Gold Coast Libraries or drop in on the day. |
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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 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 0487921064 or head to their website to enquire about their packages. |
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 | | Would you like to be a member of the GCWA?
The Gold Coast Writers' Association aims to support and encourage writers of all levels, across all genres. We welcome writers and readers to share their experiences and connect with a wider audience.
Here are some of the benefits of joining the Association: - Gain access to the ‘Members Only’ Facebook page where you can connect with other members and find useful writing resources.
- Promote and sell your books through associated avenues.
- Receive members’ rates at all GCWA special events.
- Network and collaborate with individuals across all levels of writing.
- Benefit from opportunities to meet and socialise with like-minded people in a friendly environment.
| More GCWA membership information here ... |
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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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 | | We'd love your feedback! If you have some tips and suggestions for the committee, please email Rebecca on gcwa.president@gmail.com and if you love the GCWA, head over to our Facebook page and give us your 5-star review. |
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