Editor's note
Hello and welcome to the July edition of eWriteabout.
As we were sifting through the many offerings to share with you this month, it struck me that being part of the Gold Coast writing community is a bit like embarking on a treasure hunt - the more you look for ways to meet and connect with other writers, the more you’re likely to find. This month’s newsletter includes stories of success from within our community, details about upcoming author talks and a range of opportunities to help sharpen your writing skills.
Speaking of which, entering your work into competitions is a positive step towards publication - after all, a draft tucked away in the bottom drawer has no hope of reaching potential readers, so why not send it out into the world? You never know, there could be prize money and publication just around the corner. If you’re contemplating entering the GCWA Short Story competition, it’s time to dust off those drafts and give them a final polish. You have until Thursday 31 August 2023 to submit your story.
One of the many benefits of becoming a member of the GCWA is the opportunity to sell your book through our online bookstore, as well as in person at our monthly meetings. Keep an eye out in the newsletter for our special 'shelfie' of books currently for sale in our bookstore.
Our next meeting is Saturday 15 July at Mudgeeraba Community Centre, starting at midday. The line-up includes three very different but equally fascinating storytellers who will share their unique writing adventures. We hope to see you there!
Jane O'Connell, Editor
eWriteabout |
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President's Report
Hello everyone and welcome to July!
Last Wednesday I attended a very special author talk with Brenda Matthews, an author, director, and proud Wiradjuri woman. Her First Nations memoir, The Last Daughter, tells the powerful story of being forcibly taken from her family at two years old, growing up in a loving foster family, and returning to her Aboriginal family. Brenda spoke of the disconnection she felt from both halves of her life, and the healing process of telling her story in book and film.
I had some truly inspirational conversations with members of our cultural communities here on the Gold Coast, including Brenda and her lovely husband Mark, who are also Gold Coast locals. They are looking forward to joining us at a future monthly meeting.
As a leader in the Gold Coast writing community, I am so passionate about bringing indigenous and non-indigenous creatives together to share our stories. There is so much we can learn from each other, and do together.
I am excited for the part we at the Gold Coast Writers’ Association can play in providing a platform for diverse voices. The cultural paths that lead us together may be different, but at the core, we are one community. Kate Kelsen, President
Create, Inspire, Connect. |
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The Gold Coast Writers' Association invites First Nations members and guests to deliver the Acknowledgement of Country statement at the beginning of monthly meetings. We are also seeking First Nations Committee Members, Guest Speakers, Workshop Presenters, and Blog Contributors.
To express your interest or suggest other ways we can support and encourage First Nations within our writing community, please contact GCWA President Kate Kelsen at gcwa.president@gmail.com
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WE HAVE A NEW HOME!
GCWA is delighted to announce our meetings will be
at the MUDGEERABA COMMUNITY CENTRE
for the remainder of 2023.
We meet every third Saturday of the month.
Click here for the Google Maps location
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JULY MEETING ORDER OF EVENTS
11:45 Arrive and register
12:00 Meeting start 12:05 Opening and news 12:15 Speaker One: Ky Garvey
12:45 Speaker Two: Damian Hussey 13:00 Afternoon tea: Refreshments provided or BYO 13:45 Speaker Two continued: Damian Hussey 14:00 Speaker Three: Clinton Brewer
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 July speaker: Damian Hussey
Learn about the magic of movie making on the Gold Coast from screenwriter, director and accomplished cinematographer, Damian Hussey as he discusses how he started in the film industry and tools he uses for writing. Damian will answer questions from the audience and share his wisdom on the craft of scriptwriting and the adaptation from film to novel. This in-conversation event with Kellie Cox will be an interactive session with a true local filmmaking talent. Damian encourages questions from the audience so come prepared! About Damian Damian joined the Australian Army in 2001 as an Avionics Technician and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2006. He then traveled extensively before beginning his filmmaking career. He uses these experiences to tell unique and authentic stories that can make a difference. Since 2011 he’s worked on a large slate of commercials, music videos and online video marketing productions, as well as creative short and feature films. He is an accomplished cinematographer with a number of films to his credit, including a post-apocalyptic film called Gunpowder and indie features Ashburn Waters, Alice and Bliss of Evil (in post-production). Damian's films have screened at international film festivals and taken out numerous awards. He is also the owner/operator of his own production company, Iron Forge Pictures. His feature film directorial debut The Lost One was in 2020. In 2021 he wrote four feature-length scripts and directed his second feature, Girls’ Night Out in 2022. Damian is currently in talks to create his newest script, an Aussie comedy called The Streak. He’s also adapting Gunpowder to become a graphic novel. In 2016, Damian discovered a love for teaching and he hopes to inspire the next generation of filmmakers and encourage them to follow their dreams and have fulfilling careers. |
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Meet our July speaker: Ky Garvey Podcast host and author Ky Garvey will talk about her writing process and her experiences with publishing and launching her first book. About Ky
Ky Garvey is a mother to two boys who are both diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and ADHD. Through her experiences with her boys, she has been inspired to write fun and engaging stories that turn challenges into triumphs. Ky aims to share supportive, inclusive and empowering stories for children.
Ky writes and hosts the podcast Totally Lit! a monthly podcast celebrating reading, writing and creating literature. The podcast features writers, illustrators and all types of creators of books and stories. Ky’s first picture book, Easy Peasy (EK Books) follows Ruby, who has a brand-new pair of roller skates. Ruby is sure skating will be easy, but after a few tumbles she realises she may need her dad’s help after all. |
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Meet our July speaker: Clinton Brewer
To celebrate NAIDOC Week 2023, we are delighted to welcome Clinton Brewer from the Yugambeh Region Aboriginal Corporate Alliance.
Clinton will talk about the Bundjalung Nation from the Kombumerri/Yugambeh perspective, to inspire our storytelling and give us a deeper understanding of our Gold Coast region. He will also advise on culturally appropriate procedures when undertaking indigenous research for books. About Clinton Clinton is a proud Australian-Kombumerri-Narangwal man from the Gold Coast area. Clinton’s day job is working as an Indigenous ranger at David Fleay Wildlife Park in Burleigh Heads/Jellurgal. Away from work, Clinton is passionate about his community and passing on his people’s stories. |
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The GCWA Short Story competition is back!
We want to read all about the streets of your town – wherever that may be. Word count is up to 1000 words and you must mention a street name somewhere in your story. Entries are open until to 31 August 2023.
Full details and competition terms can be found on our website. |
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| | WRITE & SIP
Our next Write & Sip event is coming to the Whisky Lounge Mudgeeraba in July!
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) using story templates. Genres offered include Crime, Romance, Mystery, Thriller and more.
Head over to our Facebook Events page for booking details.
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| | | MEMBER NEWS We love sharing news from our GCWA members to shine the spotlight on new work from local writers. Several of our members have recently launched books or been published in anthologies. Here's just a taste of the writing success in and around the Gold Coast writing community.
Congratulations to Kellie M Cox who received a Highly Commended for her short story, Sixty-Five and Fearless, in the Peter Cowan Short Story Competition. In a big month for Kellie, her short story, Girl Down, was published in the Qld Writers Centre Short Fiction anthology, My Story, My Voice.
Works by Kate Kelsen and Judy Wollin have been selected for publication in The Outback, an anthology of short stories published in conjunction with the Outback Writers Festival at Winton.
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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| | | DONATIONS PLEASE: ART & CRAFT SUPPLIES Acclaimed author and GCWA member Megan Norris (Look What You Made Me Do, The Messiah's Bride) is one of the busiest people we know in the writing community and is continually supporting fellow writers on their journey to publication.
Right now, Megan is organising a book launch and fundraiser to support The Sanctuary, a Gold Coast refuge for women, children and pets escaping domestic violence, and we are asking our community to help with donations of new art and craft supplies.
We will have a collection box at the July GCWA meeting where you can leave new items such as coloured and graphite pencils, colouring books, craft kits, paper, glue sticks, watercolour paint sets, felt-tips and sketch paper, as well as new children's books and exercise books for school. The GCWA will collect your donations to pass on to Megan for her fundraiser event next month.
Head to Megan's Facebook page for details and tickets to the fundraiser on Saturday 5 August 2023. |
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| | | | | | We'd love your feedback! If you have some tips and suggestions for the committee, please email Kate 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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| | 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, Queensland Writers Centre and the 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 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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| | Each month the Gold Coast Libraries offer
brilliant workshops and author talks. |
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| | Tim Ayliffe on Spies, Lies and Global Politics | Book your spot here! Veteran Australian journalist Tim Ayliffe is no stranger to sharing stories and issues of the world. Tim worked as a digital and television journalist for Sky News in London for several years before moving to ABC in Australia in 2006. He has served as a TV News Editor and Executive Producer of ABC News Breakfast.
Killer Traitor Spy is Tim’s latest crime-thriller novel and is set to be adapted for the screen. The story follows journalist John Bailey and CIA officer Ronnie Johnson as they team up to outsmart their most dangerous opponent yet. Uncovering new lines of espionage in the 21st Century, between Australia, Russia and China, Killer Traitor Spy is a gripping spy thriller that leaves you to contemplate real world global political games. Like his other books, Tim’s love/hate relationship with Sydney is reflected in his writing, as he believes the city has a lot of hidden negative aspects.
Meet Tim in conversation with local crime author Loraine Peck as they chat about Killer Traitor Spy and reveal Tim’s research to writing process.
Venue: Broadbeach Library
Date: Wednesday, 19 July 2023
Time: 6.30pm – 7.30pm
Book Now!
More information on session times and booking at Gold Coast Libraries. |
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| | | Surfer, Olympian, Survivor - Owen Wright A single moment in 2015 changed Australian surf pro Owen Wright's life forever. He went from fighting for the world surfing championship, to a fight for his very life. Considered Australian surfing royalty, his rise to becoming a global surfing pro is itself a dream come true. Yet, at the very event that could have cemented his name is the sport forever, a horrific accident left him instead with traumatic brain injuries. Owen’s greatest challenge had just begun - recovering from the accident that took away more than his career, but his ability to walk, talk and surf. Against the Water is a personal recounting of Owen's rise, fall and heroic comeback to Olympic medallist and surfing legend. Told in an intimate style, Against the Water is a story of resilience in the face of adversity. Packed with stories from Owen’s upbringing and career, it’s much more than a story about surfing. Owen will be in conversation with Gold Coast surf writer and author Tim Baker. Places to this exclusive event will fill quick so be sure to book now!
Venue: Robina Library
Date: Monday, 7 August 2023
Time: 6.30pm – 8pm
Book Now
Spread the word and invite your friends to join in the fun. We look forward to seeing you there! |
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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 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month at Southport Library. Book now 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 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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Feedback Welcome!
You may have noticed the changing face of the GCWA's newsletter and website. We would love to know what you think of the changes.
Contact us here |
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