Hi Writers!
A lot can happen in a month at the Gold Coast Writers' Association. For starters, this newsletter has a new editor. I am delighted to be handed the editorial reins from the very capable Christine Betts. Christine has done a brilliant job with eWriteabout over the past couple of years tracking down news and events for writers and readers on the Gold Coast and pulling it all together in one handy publication. Don't worry, Christine is still with the GCWA and a little further on she will share what she has planned for us in her new role.
When I moved to the Gold Coast, one of the first local groups I joined was the GCWA. At the very least I hoped to meet some like-minded people who shared a love of books and writing. I have been so impressed by the passion of the GCWA volunteers and the energy that goes into finding fabulous speakers and running workshops to help each one of us on our writing journey. It's a surprisingly diverse group - yes, most of us are writers, but we come from all walks of life. So far I've met a painter, a podcaster and a performance artist - and that's just on the GCWA committee!
If you've been thinking about getting involved, I urge you to come along to one of our meetings - they're held on the third Saturday of the month at local venues. And if you enjoy this newsletter, pass it on to your friends so they can subscribe too.
Jane O'Connell, Editor
eWriteabout |
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President's Report
Hello and welcome to May!
Another month has flown by and we are well and truly into the second quarter of the year. I know some of our members participated in April Camp NaNoWriMo, so well done for setting yourself this challenge and I hope you hit your writing goals.
My goal last month was to start revising a previously published supernatural suspense novella. I had been reluctant to start this task as I prefer to work on new writing rather than go over old stories! I motivated myself by setting it as my April Camp NaNoWriMo goal and once I started, I was so excited to be working on the project again!
Many people use Camp NaNoWriMo to start a new project. You don’t necessarily have to finish a project, just start one! The next Camp NaNoWriMo will be held in July, and you can find out more information here: https://nanowrimo.org/what-is-camp-nanowrimo
This month I will be starting my entry for the SD Harvey Short Crime Story Award. I was shortlisted for this competition in 2022 alongside our January guest speaker Harry Colfer, who took out the top prize. Another competition I have on my list this month is The Big Issue Fiction Edition, and the Australian/Vogel’s Literary Award is also open for submissions until 30th of May.
Last weekend I attended Helen Goltz’s Introduction to Crime Writing at Helensvale Library, part of the Writers Block free workshop series run by Gold Coast Libraries, and on May 15th, I'm heading to Robina Library to meet Australian crime queen, Candice Fox.
If you haven’t already, I strongly encourage you to become a library member. Our libraries are a valuable resource with programs, workshops and author talks to get you fired up. And the best part is, it's all free!
Kate Kelsen, President
Create, Inspire, Connect. |
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 | At the Gold Coast Writers Association, we respectfully acknowledge the people of the Yugambeh language region, the traditional owners of the land on which we meet. As President, I would like to reach out to First Nations storytellers within our GCWA writing community and invite you to deliver our Acknowledgement of Country statement at the beginning of the monthly meeting. I am also eager to have First Nations guest speakers and workshop presenters. If you are interested in any of the above, please contact me personally at gcwa.president@gmail.com |
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GCWA MEETING UPDATE - VENUE CHANGE
Mudgeeraba School of Arts Memorial
62 Railway Street, Mudgeeraba QLD 4213
DATE: Saturday 20 May 2023
TIME: 12 noon to 3.00pm
Members and visitors are encouraged to arrive 10-15 minutes early 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. Entry price for Members: $5.00
Entry price for Visitors: $10.00
EFTPOS payment preferred however cash is accepted. |
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GCWA MEETING MAY 2023
ORDER OF EVENTS
12:00 Meeting start
12:05 Opening and news 12:15 Speakers: Rhiannon Elton and Belinda Topan 13:00 Afternoon tea: Refreshments provided or BYO 13:45 Workshop: CAPT Dylan Conway 15:00 Meeting close
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Meet our May speakers: Rhiannon Elton
Rhiannon Elton weaves tales of mystery and magic as the fantasy detective author of the Wolflock Cases series. Her love for all things fantastical began as a young girl, raised by a fairy and tutored by wizards, where she discovered the power of imagination and the art of storytelling. As a Dungeon Master and seasoned player, she brings her love for games to the page, immersing readers in a world of magic and wonder.
Beyond the page, Rhiannon is a tireless champion of the arts and a beacon of inspiration for aspiring writers. She is the progenitor and organizer of the Logan Writers Festival, bringing together communities of writers, artists, and creatives from all walks of life. As the President of the Logan Chamber of Commerce, Rhiannon uses her platform to promote creativity, growth, and community, always dreaming of a world where magic is within reach for all. |
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 | Meet our May speakers: Belinda Topan Belinda Topan is a multi-talented individual with a passion for the arts and a love for the written word. She is a renowned vampire author known for her novels about found families and vampires. Her writing is captivating and draws readers into complex worlds filled with richly drawn characters and intricate plot lines.
In addition to her writing, Belinda has recently taken on the role of Arts Champion for the Logan Chamber of Commerce. In this capacity, she is responsible for promoting and supporting the local arts scene and helping to bring recognition to the talented artists in the community.
Belinda is also one of the organisers for the Logan Writers Festival, an annual event that celebrates the written word and brings together authors, publishers, and readers from all over the world. With her passion for writing and her dedication to promoting the arts, Belinda is an important figure in the Logan community and a true champion of the written word.
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 | Meet our May speakers: CAPT Dylan Conway
CAPT Dylan Conway is a young and motivated Army member who encourages reading, education and bibliotherapy amongst soldiers and the wider Australian community through his charity BrothersNBooks. Fundraising efforts have resulted in donations of more than $140,000 to veteran charities in less than two years.
CAPT Conway has also established more than 30 community libraries around Australia as a part of the philanthropic push to encourage more communities and organisation to read great books. CAPT Conway’s charity platform reaches over 250,000 people online every month.
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| A NOTE FROM OUR PAST EDITOR |
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 | | Christine Betts, eWriteabout editor 2021-2023
It was an honour to create the eWriteabout newsletter for the past two years. Back in 2021, my goal was to provide information not just about the GCWA but also about the wider opportunities available to writers here on the Gold Coast and along with our website manager Selena Budgen, to increase engagement and traffic on the GCWA website, providing evergreen content for writers everywhere.
Now as I pass the reins over to GCWA editor Jane O’Connell, I am excited to see what she will bring to the newsletter. This frees me to fully embrace my other role as Speaker Co-ordinator for the Association. Over the coming year, the GCWA will continue to bring fascinating and passionate writers, publishers and experts to share their knowledge. In June we have former police officer, author and podcaster, Jack Roney, bringing his popular Authentic Crime Fiction workshop and in July, Literary Agent Alex Adsett will give us her Top Ten Tricks and Traps of Publishing Contracts.
Being part of the committee for this great organisation and editing the eWriteabout has given me connection and friendship and taught me valuable lessons for use in my life and my own author business. I am constantly amazed at how much good we bring to our own lives through giving.
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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 open 1st June 2023.
Full details and competition terms can be found on our website. |
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| | |  | | L to R: Russ Merrin, Selena Budgen, Paul Hathaway, Steve Treffery, Andy McD.
Thank you to all who came along to say hello to the GCWA team at the
Gold Coast Seniors Expo at Southport in April.
We had the pleasure of meeting many interested members of the community who had all manner of questions, and plenty of tales to tell of their own writing endeavours.
We are delighted so many of you signed up to receive our monthly eWriteabout newsletter - let us know what you think!
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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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 | | Our crime-themed 'Write & Sip' event held at the Whisky Lounge Mudgeeraba in April was a wonderful night. It was great to see some new faces and welcome back our regular friends. GCWA's Christine Betts guided the group through a number of warm-up activities before the main event: to write a 500-word, crime-themed flash fiction story.
Crime fiction author Loraine Peck and true crime writer Megan Norris came along and generously shared plenty of clever tips on plot, character and suspense.
Proceeds from our 'Write & Sip' events support the GCWA in assisting writers from all genres, age groups and levels of writing experience.
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 | Writing Friday at Elanora Library ALL WRITERS WELCOME Every Friday 10am – 3pm (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. |
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 | | Each month the Gold Coast Libraries
offer brilliant workshops and author talks. |
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 | | SYDNEY WRITERS' FESTIVAL LIVE & LOCAL
AT ELANORA LIBRARY! Settle in and spend the day at Elanora Library listening to some of Australia's
most loved authors talk about their latest work. All sessions are live streamed into Elanora Library. Enjoy one session or stay for more and be part of a like-minded community who enjoy ideas, inspiration and great stories.
Stories for the Future: where we are now and what lies ahead.
Jane Harper: Exiles
Thursday, 25 May 2023, 10am – 11am
Jane Harper's string of crime novels have sold more than 3 million copies in 40 territories worldwide. Her latest book, Exiles, brings back federal policeman Aaron Falk, who was first introduced in The Dry. Falk investigates the disappearance of a woman from a country wine festival whose infant daughter is found unharmed in her pram. See Jane in conversation with Michaela Kalowski about the thrilling and likely final instalment of the much-loved Falk series.
Richard Fidler: The Book of Roads & Kingdoms
Thursday, 25 May 2023, 12 noon – 1pm
Much-loved Conversations host and bestselling author Richard Fidler delves into The Book of Roads & Kingdoms, an account of medieval wanderers who travelled to the edges of the known world during Islam’s fabled Golden Age. He joins Caroline Baum to discuss his work.
Geraldine Brooks: Horse
Thursday, 25 May 2023, 2pm – 3pm From Pulitzer Prize–winning author and journalist Geraldine Brooks, Horse is a historical saga of spirit, obsession and injustice. With the moral complexity of her novel March and a multi-stranded plot reminiscent of People of the Book, she explores the true tale of one of America’s greatest racehorses while reckoning with the corrosive legacy of slavery and racism. Geraldine appears in conversation with Nicole Abadee. More information on session times and booking at Gold Coast Libraries. |
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 | | WRITING SUNDAY AT SOUTHPORT LIBRARY If you can't make it to Writing Friday at Elanora 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 is a great chance for busy weekday people to connect with your local writing community and finish writing your story. Writing Sunday is a Queensland Writers Centre initiative, following the Pomodoro Technique of 25-minute blocks with 5-minute breaks. Every third Pomodoro, there is a 15-minute break to relax and recharge with a lunch break. The idea behind the method is to train the mind into working effectively to reach smaller targets, improving the overall writing time and productivity. Writing Sunday is every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month at Southport Library. Book now or drop in on the day. |
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| YOU'VE GOT TO BE IN IT TO WIN IT!
Competitions are a great way to introduce your writing to the world. Being longlisted, shortlisted, or better still winning a writing competition will help you build your author profile with readers and publishers – you never know who might be scouting for new talent!
Submissions are open for The Big Issue 19th annual Fiction Edition, the biggest-selling fiction magazine in Australia. Entry is free and open to writers based in Australia. Every author published is paid $500. Stories should be between 500 and 3000 words.
The SD Harvey Short Crime Story Award is now open for submissions from all budding crime writers and journalists. Entry fee $60 per entry and multiple entries permitted. First prize is $1000.
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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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Saturday 17 June 2023
Jack Roney: Authentic Crime Fiction workshop
Jack Roney is a traditionally published author and former detective. He draws on his 33 years’ experience as a police officer to immerse his readers in fast-paced and gritty crime thrillers and mysteries. His novel The Ghost Train & The Scarlet Moon was the runner-up in the Hawkeye Publishing Manuscript Development Prize. His first novel, The Angels Wept, was shortlisted in the Wattpad Awards and in 2021, he was selected for the Qld Writers Centre Fishbowl Residency. Jack has also been a police consultant for the ABC television series, Harrow.
In his workshops, Jack offers a unique and personal insight into the real world of policing in the context of writing crime fiction.
Saturday 15 July 2023
Alex Adsett: Top Ten Tricks & Traps of Publishing Contracts
Alex Adsett is a literary agent and publishing consultant with 25 years’ experience working in the publishing and bookselling industry who has helped thousands of authors review and negotiate their publishing deals.
Alex will cover the 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? This session will provide a behind the scenes look at the publishing industry plus advice on when to negotiate, and when to walk away.
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| 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 Newsletter and the Website. Please let us know what you think of the changes. Contact us here... |
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