| GCWA November newsletter! |
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Hi Writers!
As I recovered this month from a Pilates-related shoulder injury, I found myself wondering who I am if I am not writing. I am the kind of writer who writes daily - journaling, works in progress, new stories bubbling away under the surface - and writing has been very challenging indeed. In the words of Joan Didion, (often) I don't know what I think unless I write it down, so being unable to write or even type has left me hanging. As my journaling process stalled, the mind-swirl started up and I found myself ruminating over things that would normally have been settled, first thing, over a cup of tea and my Morning Pages.
I love writing and I miss it badly when I can't write for any reason, holidays included! Is it healthy to wear our passion so prominently on our sleeves? Absolutely! If you love something, let the world know. Don't hide your passion! No one on their death bed ever said, 'I wish I'd played it cool.' Christine Betts
Newsletter Editor |
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President's Report
Welcome to the November newsletter. At our October meeting, we were honoured to have Andrea Lewis, CEO of Somerset Storyfest, join us as our Guest Speaker. Somerset Storyfest is a nationally-recognised youth literature organisation based here on the Gold Coast. We thoroughly enjoyed the October workshop about writing non-fiction from interviews and surveys with Darryl Dymock. Darryl explained the pros and cons of using interviews and surveys to collect information, consider ethical questions, and make sense of the information collected in order to write it up for a wider audience.
Our second Write and Sip event was another great success and we had a fun night writing spooky stories at Whisky Lounge Mudgeeraba. Planning is underway for our Christmas-themed Write & Sip on 14th of December – keep an eye on our social media for details. I am so excited for our special event at the November meeting, in collaboration with Sisters in Crime Queensland. This will be an In-Conversation event with best-selling true crime author and Sisters in Crime Queensland convenor, Megan Norris. Megan and I will be discussing her new book, Out of the Ashes, which chronicles the inspirational journey of Bali bombing survivor Therese Fox. Out of the Ashes was released last month to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks in Kuta. November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). Each year at this time, hundreds of thousands of people around the world participate in NaNoWriMo, a writing challenge in which participants aim to write 50,000 words of a brand new novel. The GCWA has created a NaNoWriMo group to help motivate our community to get writing! If you'd like to join, please email me at gcwa.president@gmail.com and you'll be invited to the group. You can also search the NaNoWriMo site for: Australia :: Gold Coast Writers Association Our mission at the Gold Coast Writers’ Association is to encourage and support writers across genres and age groups at all levels of experience. Our meetings are held on the third Saturday of the month at Burleigh Waters Community Centre (12 noon – 3pm). Come along, we’d love to see you there. Kate Kelsen President
Create, Inspire, Connect. |
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Our next meeting is on
Saturday
19 November 2022
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Burleigh Waters Community Centre
Christine Avenue, Burleigh Waters
Time: 12pm to 3pm. |
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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, please stay at home and get better quickly. Entry prices are: Members: $5.00 (EFTPOS payment preferred, although cash is acceptable)
Visitors: $10.00 (EFTPOS payment preferred, although cash is accepted) |
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Order of Events from 12pm - 12:00 Start
- 12:05 Introduction
- 12:15 Guest Speaker: Lori-Jay Ellis
- 13:00 Afternoon Tea: Pre-packed refreshments provided or BYO
- 13:45 Megan Norris in Conversation with Kate Kelsen
- 15:00 Close
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 | | Lori-Jay Ellis CEO, Queensland Writers Centre
We will be joined by Queensland Writers Centre CEO, Lori-Jay Ellis. Lori-Jay will be telling us all about QWC and the services on offer to writers. You will also have the opportunity to meet the Guest Judge of this year's GCWA Short Story Competition!
Queensland born and raised, Lori-Jay embodies creativity and innovation; she brings an enthusiasm and thirst for new ideas as well as a firm belief in nurturing creative talent. Lori-Jay uses her proven leadership success in the arts and business sectors to ensure reduced reliance on traditional funding models and a greater emphasis on sustainable business practices.
She has produced and directed funded short films, and as part of her mid-life crisis became a self-published speculative writer. She has a personal passion for the written word and a genuine love for all things indie. Lori-Jay is empowered by the creative process and its vital role in leading with vision to enable sustainable organisational models. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Visual – QUT) and has been CEO of a community arts studio in Sydney, marketing director at a large multinational, and managed a New York art gallery. |
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 | | The Gold Coast Writers' Association in collaboration with Sisters in Crime Queensland Join us for a special in-conversation event with bestselling true crime author and Sisters in Crime Queensland Convenor, Megan Norris, and our President Kate Kelsen as they discuss Megan's new book, Out of the Ashes.
Out of the Ashes (Big Sky Publishing) chronicles the inspirational journey of Bali bombing survivor, Therese Fox, and was released in October 2022 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks in Kuta.
Megan Norris is a UK-trained journalist and award-winning author whose portfolio includes covering some of Australia’s most notorious crimes. Her first book, Perfect Victim, co-authored with Elizabeth Southall, is now a movie starring Sam Neill, Miranda Otto and Guy Pearce. Her book Look What You Made Me Do was awarded the 2017 Sisters in Crime Australia Davitt Award for best non-fiction crime book. A regular contributor to Australian Women’s Weekly, Megan has appeared on Foxtel’s Crimes That Shook Australia, Channel Seven’s Sunday Night and Today Tonight and on Ten’s The Project. She has also been a regular guest on Meshel Laurie and Emily Webb’s acclaimed podcast, Australian True Crime, on the Stalking Australia podcast and ABC Radio’s Nightlife. Her work has been syndicated worldwide. |
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 | | GCWA MEMBERS - Mention your membership at Big B Books in Burleigh Heads to receive 10% off books. |
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 | | Our Christmas Write & Sip will be held at
Whisky Lounge Mudgeeraba
Wednesday 14 December 2022.
$39 per person - Your ticket includes a Welcome beer, wine or basic spirit on arrival, 2+ hours of writing fun, and nibbles! Check out our Facebook page for more details. Email gcwa.news@gmail.com to secure your spot.
Theme: Christmas Romance meets Die Hard Thrills - Dialogue in short stories.
Here are some of the comments from our previous Write & Sip events...
"Thank you Christine and Kate for a fantastic evening! Loved the variety of writing activities, and walked away with two short stories that have been fun to share with family and friends. Looking forward to your next Write and Sip  " ~ Di
"Looking forward to the next one! Great fun!!" ~ Mary
"It was such a good night! Can't wait for the next one." ~ Rochelle |
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 | Gold Coast Writers' Association 2022 Short Story Competition. You can now read the winning stories of the Writing In The Sand theme published on the GCWA website. Congratulations to the three place winners and to everyone who entered. Read more... |
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 | Gail Tagarro, Book Writing Coach and Accredited Editor, runs a monthly writers' masterclass/workshop via Zoom on the last Monday of each month. Each month, it's on a different topic.
Gail is inviting GCWA members to participate in these at half-price - for $11 only.
Here are the details of her November workshop: Monday 28 November 6.30pm—8.00pm AEST (Brisbane time)
Topic: How to Do Basic Formatting in Microsoft Word
As a writer, learning some basic tips about formatting your manuscript is empowering!
This is a hands-on workshop. Gail will share her screen and talk you through how to set up your page, etc, correctly.
This will be the last Monday Night Scribbles for 2022! Interested? Email Gail at gail@gailbookcoach.co |
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| | |  | Every Friday 10am to 3pm - All writers welcome
Book now Gold Coast Libraries, Queensland Writers Centre, and 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 Fridays is a free, volunteer-led program for local writers at all levels. Check the GCWA Facebook page for updates.
GCCC Library website - Helensvale Library |
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 | | Each month the Gold Coast Libraries offer brilliant workshops and author talks. |
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 | | Need a little more hope and inspiration in your life? You’ll find it in spades in Fifteen Seconds of Brave, the new book from Melissa Doyle. The award-winning journalist will be joining us live on stage at Robina Library, in conversation with ABC Gold Coast’s Nicole Dyer. Melissa is best known for her time at Channel 7 including as host of Sunrise, and in Fifteen Seconds of Brave, she returns to some of the most inspirational and resilient Australians she has interviewed across her lengthy career. Revisiting these stories, Melissa was struck by their hard-won wisdom and ability to find meaning through experience. From childhood trauma to freak accidents, these stories will entertain and inspire, and help each of us find our very own Fifteen Seconds of Brave. Ready to be inspired? Book now before this unique event fills up. Read more... |
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 | | Killers & Thrillers - Join the QLD sleuths from Australia's Sisters in Crime Wednesday, 30 November 2022
6.30 – 8pm at Broadbeach Library We invite you to join the conversation with a panel of five of our criminally good writers who are dying to share the thrills and spills behind the gripping world of writing killer reads. The panel features some authors of fiction and others who shed disturbing new light on some of Australia’s most notorious true crimes. Book now... Our killer panel includes: Megan Norris, Lily Arthur, Loraine Peck, Marie Clark, and our GCWA president, Kate Kelsen. |
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 | | School teacher by day, fantasy writer by night, Stacey McEwan has taken the Tik Tok community by storm with the upcoming release of her debut novel, Ledge. #1 in the Glacian Trilogy, this Gold Coast local is excited to talk about her book and how the story developed from ideas shared over multiple platforms to being published. Read more... |
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| Big B Books Burleigh Heads Author Events |
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 | Join Sunshine Coast naturalist and author Ray Andrews at Big B Books Burleigh Heads on Sunday, November 20th 11am-2pm. Ray will be signing copies of his book 'Wild Extremes.' Read more... |
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 | | Meet Local Award-Winning Author and GCWA member Gavin Fisher at this special book signing event
9am-2pm Saturday 17 December Local award-winning Gold Coast Author Gavin Fisher will be at Big B Books Burleigh Heads for a special author signing event to celebrate his latest thriller 'Double Death' which received a Bronze Award in the Australian and New Zealand Independent Publisher Book Awards 2022. His first novel 'Colour of Greed' won the Gold Award for best fiction.
Gavin originally hails from South Africa and began writing at the tender age of twelve. He moved to the Gold Coast in 2008 and is an active member of the Gold Coast writing community, including having served as President for the Gold Coast Writers Association. Read more about Gavin Fisher... |
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 | | Please RSVP to gcwa.news@gmail.com by 12 December 2022 |
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 | | SAVE THE DATE for SOMERSET STORYFEST 2023
28, 29, 30 MARCH 2023
“…a festival of storytelling for the whole family." Following in the footsteps of literary tradition, Storyfest is the writers’ festival for the Gold Coast, the cornerstone of which is its annual three day event held in March. Delivering a series of literary experiences along with workshops, masterclasses and featured authors throughout the year, Storyfest nurtures emerging writers and provides opportunities for readers and writers alike. Offering over 130 events to the wider community, Storyfest has secured its place on the Gold Coast’s cultural calendar! Read more... |
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 | | Save the Date for Genrecon 2023
18-19 FEBRUARY 2023 | BRISBANE | QUEENSLAND WRITERS CENTRE
GenreCon is the leading conference for genre writers. Join us for the 8th GenreCon genre writers’ conference, the largest conference in the southern hemisphere dedicated to genre writers. GenreCon 2023: Forbidden Doors features keynote speaker, Garth Nix – genre fiction legend – and Patron, Nalini Singh – international bestselling author. This is your chance to start your writing year in the best way possible. Take inspiration from our line-up of leading names in Australian and International genre fiction across a spectacular weekend of panels, workshops and special events. GenreCon is delivered as an initiative of Queensland Writers Centre. |
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| Join us!
Become a Member of the Gold Coast Writers' Association
Somerset Storyfest are thrilled to offer members of the Gold Coast Writers Association free membership to Storyfest for 2022! Any members joining or renewing their GCWA membership in 2022, Storyfest's membership programme includes the following benefits:
- 1x piece of Storyfest merchandise. Your choice of a hat, drink bottle or coffee cup
- Exclusive preview to our annual festival programme
- Early bird tickets to all events all year
- 10% discount on tickets all year, including catered events
- 10% discount at the festival bookshop
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