Editor's Note
Hello everyone - how can it be February already?!
Last month's newsletter may have been jam-packed but this month's contains a very important announcement ... drum roll please ...
The theme for our 2024 Short Story Competition is 'Make us fall in love with your main character.'
Please see our website for all the details - if you're feeling inspired, you could even get the ball rolling at tonight's Write & Sip!
Our president, Kellie, writes about surrounding yourself with like-minded people and a supportive community. Along the same lines, we have a great blog post on our website about the importance of a 'Brains Trust' - check it out.
Wishing you all the best in your writing endeavours and as the American author Jack Canfield says:
'Make a conscious effort to surround yourself with positive, nourishing, and uplifting people - people who believe in you, encourage you to go after your dreams, and applaud your victories.'
Jackie Washington, Editor
eWriteabout |
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President's Report
Dear GCWA members and friends
February so far has provided much inspiration and clarity on my writing journey with a masterclass at Gold Coast Libraries. Lori-Jay from Queensland Writers Centre shared her wisdom on genres and defining your manuscript. There were several key messages that I took away, one being that genre should be evident in the first page pages of the manuscript. This has certainly assisted me to revisit my magic realism work.
The other key point was about writing community. There are many locally to take advantage of. Some require paid membership and others do not. The services and programs on offer from each vary, and well worth researching. Your very own Gold Coast Writers’ Association is a key community of which you are already a part. Are you taking advantage of every aspect of your membership? Have you attended the monthly critique group or our Write and Sip events? Are you planning on entering the short story competition opening 1st March? Are you getting the most out of your community?
Some key ideas for the month of February – make sure you are in the members Facebook group. Members share competitions, resources, inspiration, and support. Ensure you are following our Instagram account and our Facebook page. If you are a member and planning on entering our short story competition, consider choosing the option to receive feedback on your entry. This extra service is not often included in short stories competitions. For a small investment, you will receive several paragraphs of structured critique from each of our judges. This could be 4-5 pieces of well-crafted and considered feedback on how to improve your writing.
Of course, don’t forget those social supports you create for yourself. The writers you sit next to at our events or meet in a workshop. Join and follow other local writers on socials, read their published works, provide reviews, and reach out and connect. My writing community keeps me inspired, committed and enthusiastic about my writing. They are my greatest and loudest cheerleaders. Who are yours? Will February see you expand your writing community? I hope you take the time this month to connect with and grow your writing tribe. I will be!
Kellie Cox, GCWA President
Create, Inspire, Connect. |
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 | The GCWA meets on the third Saturday of each month. We will be meeting at the
BURLEIGH WATERS COMMUNITY CENTRE. 111-136 Christine Ave, Burleigh Waters QLD 4220 Click here for the Google Maps location |
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FEBRUARY MEETING ORDER OF EVENTS
11:45 Arrive and register
12:00 Meeting start – brief announcements
12:10 The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Gold Coast Chapter
13:15 Tea Break
13:45 Workshop with Kate Foster
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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OUR FEBRUARY SPEAKERS
from The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators |
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Following a brief introduction and overview of SCBWI, a panel of four published children’s authors will answer questions and share their journeys to publication and beyond. Be prepared for plenty of truth-telling as they discuss the positive and negatives of the industry.
The authors on the panel include Jo Sandhu, Rebecca Timmis, Kate Foster and Candice Lemon-Scott. After the panel chat and a tea break, Kate Foster will present the following workshop: MASTERING SHOW DON’T TELL
Show don’t tell, or rather showing AND telling, is an area of writing widely covered
but with an awful lot of misguided advice. Yet, once mastered, it is a skill that can
elevate our writing to the next level. Using a PowerPoint, examples, and worksheets,
Kate will cover the basics of all the many ways in which show don’t tell affects our
storytelling prowess, from world building to filter verbs to emotions. She will help
you understand how switching a sentence from telling to showing is really quite
simple, yet the difference powerful, creating a far more immersive experience for
the reader. For more information, head to the GCWA website. |
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| THE GOLD COAST WRITERS’ ASSOCIATION’S SHORT STORY COMPETITION FOR 2024 We are excited to announce our short story competition for 2024,
which will open for submissions on 1 March. |
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 | For all the information you need, please head to our GCWA website |
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It's tonight! The First Write & Sip for 2024
Join host Christine Betts for a romance-themed Write and Sip with two local romance authors and GCWA members, Kellie M Cox and Alison L Robson. These two fascinating women bring very different writing styles to their romance stories, and both write in other genres too – therefore, writers in every genre will find the exercises fun and practical. They have both also achieved success in the recent Sisters in Crime Australia 2023 Scarlet Stiletto awards, so you’re in very capable hands. Reserve your spot now for an evening of prose and pinot, prosecco, or pink lemonade! Date: Wednesday 7 February 2024
Time: 7-9 pm
Location: Whisky Lounge
Shop 2A/58 Railway St
Mudgeeraba, QLD 4213
Tickets:
$20 GCWA members
$40 for non-members Click here for more information on GCWA membership
Includes a drink on arrival (beer/basic spirit/glass of wine/non-alcoholic), nibbles and a goodie bag.
Meals can be ordered (at the bar) from local restaurants.
Book online on Humanitix by clicking here. All proceeds from the night will support the Gold Coast Writers Association to help writers from all genres, age groups, and levels to grow, learn, and excel in their craft. #WriteAndSip #CreativityUncorked |
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Critique Group February 2024
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 Thursday 22nd February 2024 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.
This month, congratulations go to Alison L Robson for winning the Australian Romance Association's Flash Fiction for February - Yay!!!
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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 | Christine Betts will be In Conversation with Michelle Upton at Elanora Library Wednesday, 21 February 2024, 6.30 – 7.30pm talking about her second novel Emergency Exit Only.
For more information go to Gold Coast Libraries |
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 | Rachael Johns is Australia's bestselling romance writers and she returns this February with her latest uplit fiction, The Other Bridget. This feelgood romantic comedy is ideal for fans of Emily Henry and Marian Keyes and is sure to be loved by all.
For more information go to Gold Coast Libraries |
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| 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 Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are a free, volunteer-led program for local writers at all levels.
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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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