Hi Writers!
Congratulations to every writer who created an entry for the GCWA short story competition this year, even those of you who didn't quite get around to submitting. As I always say, the win is in the writing!
It was such a privilege to have the support and expertise of Lori-Jay Ellis, CEO of the Queensland Writers Centre on this project. Remember, the QWC has their own monthly short story competition, Right Left Write.
One of the hidden bonuses of creating short stories for competitions is after a while, you amass a whole new body of work. These stories can be reworked for other competitions down the track, used for your blog or author newsletter, or if you gather enough, published in your own collection. It's all your intellectual property.
Next weekend, I will be in beautiful Launceston at the Tamar Valley Writers' Festival. I was thrilled to be invited for the launch of the Tasmanian Writers' Prize anthologyand to speak on a panel with Meg Bignell. Yes, I am very excited about this! Meg is the author of one of my favourite books for the year, The Angry Women's Choir. Who knew writing could be so much fun?
Christine Betts
Newsletter Editor |
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President's Report
Welcome to the October newsletter, and my first report as the new GCWA President.
I am delighted to step into this role and would like to thank our outgoing President, Kellie Cox, for her brilliant year leading the Association. Thankfully, Kellie is staying on the committee and I know she will continue to be an amazing advocate for the GCWA. I would also like to thank our outgoing Association Editor, Kerri Yarsley, for her outstanding contribution to GCWA after seven years of dedicated service.
We held our Annual General Meeting at the start of the regular September GCWA meeting and as part of formalities, we welcomed new and returning members of the Committee. Thank you to all of you for committing your time and talent to help me steer the Association over the coming year. Following the AGM, guest speaker Sofia Aves delivered a jam-packed session on author branding and marketing, and we also had a fantastic workshop on critiquing, beta reading and self-editing.
Looking forward, we are excited to announce we will be running more Write and Sip events after the success of our first event at Whisky Lounge Mudgeeraba – so keep an eye on our social media for dates.
The GCWA Short Story Competition is now closed and we have thoroughly enjoyed reading all the submissions – what a talented and creative group of writers! Thank you to all who entered and congratulations to the longlisted writers. We will announce the winners LIVE at the GCWA October meeting.
Remember, 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) and we’d love to see you there.
Kate Kelsen President
Create, Inspire, Connect. |
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Our next meeting is on
Saturday
15 October 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: Andrea Lewis, CEO/Festival Director of Somerset Storyfest
- 13:00 Afternoon Tea: Pre-packed refreshments provided or BYO
- 13:45 Workshop: Writing non-fiction from interviews and surveys - with Darryl Dymock
- 15:00 Close
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 | | Our October Guest Speaker -
Andrea Lewis, CEO/Festival Director of Somerset Storyfest Andrea Lewis currently holds the position of CEO/Festival Director of Somerset Storyfest, the writer’s festival for the Gold Coast. First contracted in 2003 by the then Somerset Celebration of Literature, Andrea has taken the festival from strength to strength to be recognised as one of Australia’s foremost writers’ festivals.
Andrea’s commitment to the Arts and Culture industry on the Gold Coast and beyond has assisted in developing literacy-based activities throughout the City for children, youths and adults. Taking a collaborative approach and always looking for innovative ways in which to support like-minded organisations, ensures success for everyone. |
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 | | Writing non-fiction from interviews and surveys -
D R (Darryl) Dymock This one-hour workshop will look at the pros and cons of using interviews and surveys to collect information, consider ethical questions, and suggest ways of making sense of the information collected in order to write it up for a wider audience. Darryl Dymock is well-versed in interviewing people across Australia in person and online as well as undertaking online surveys to obtain adults’ opinions and experiences. Two of his published books, Extending Your Use-by Date and The Chalkies, are based on those methods, along with many of his academic publications. He is currently working on a book based on a survey and interviews with older adults about making the most of later life. |
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| The longlist is here for the Gold Coast Writers' Association Short Story Competition, 2022
Congratulations to everyone who entered. If this was your first competition, I hope it won't be your last.
Warning: Short stories can be addictive!
The winners will be announced at the October GCWA meeting on 15 October, 2022. Here is the longlist in alphabetical order by author surname.
Justin Andrews - Finding Words.
Beverley Bird - The Circle.
Cherie Bombell - Back Story.
Chris Chard - Floatlines.
Johnny Graham - Searching for Sandy Times.
Russel Merrin - The Three Minute Heirloom.
Wendy Tarrant - Dyslexia. Pfft.
Bob Topping - All it May have Been.
Steve Treffery - Ten Years.
Lauren Wapling - Story Wire.
Gina Watkins - Mirage.
Connor Zahra - Green Beach.
Special Mentions
Philip McLaren
Leah Stanger
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The GCWA Annual General Meeting was held in September and then we were treated to a brilliant session with Sofia Aves. The 2022-23 committee was formed with Kate Kelsen taking on the role of President.
Being part of the committee is wonderful for personal and professional development and we have a lot of fun.
There are some some positions available, so have a chat to any of the committee members or email gcwa.president@gmail.com if you have a little time to spare for your local writers' community.
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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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 | | Writing Memoir with Kristina Olsson
Nerang Libary, Saturday, 5 November 2022, 10am – 12.15pm |
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 | | Craig Silvey in conversation with Ben Hobson
Wednesday, 26 October 2022, 6.30 – 8pm Best known for his hit novels Jasper Jones and Honeybee, Craig Silvey returns with a loveable and heart-warming story about a solitary girl, her need for fixing things and her adventures with her best friend, and adopted stray dog called Runt. Inspired by recent times and our collective response to conflict and uncertainty, Runt is a story about good people pressured by forces beyond their control. Join Craig Silvey in conversation with Ben Hobson as they speak about his bestsellers, his new book and his writing experiences. An event not to be missed, bring a friend and enjoy a great night with excellent conversation. Read the Craig Silvey collection and meet the man himself at Helensvale Library and Cultural Centre. |
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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. Our killer panel includes: Megan Norris, Lily Arthur, Loraine Peck, Marie Clark, and our GCWA president, Kate Kelsen. Book now... |
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 | | Queensland Police Museum Sunday Lecture Series
Blast from the Past
QPS Headquarters, 200 Roma Street, Brisbane.
Time:11:00am - 12:30pm
30 October 2022 The one-and-a-half hour presentation will begin at 11am on Sunday, 30 October and will provide interesting and educational content suitable for any audience. The Museum opens its doors to the public on the last Sunday of each month from 10am to 3pm from February to November in addition to the standard Monday to Thursday 9am to 4pm opening hours. Monthly Sunday openings feature guest speakers from across the historical and crime-solving spectrums.
This lecture will be Livestreamed. Bookings via Eventbrite |
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 | Winning Short Story Competitions - Essential tools for the serious writer. The bestselling short story writing guide authored by competition judges L. E. Daniels & C. Sawyer.
Two lucky entrants of our 2022 GCWA short story competition will receive a copy of this book, donated by Christine Betts. |
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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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| More GCWA membership information here... |
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Gold Coast Writers’ Association Members group. |
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" ~ Di
