President's Report
Hello everyone!
It is a privilege and honour to have been elected as President for this next term. I want to extend a big thank you for all the support you have given me so far as I have stepped into this role.
Your new committee is a passionate, talented crew who you will get to know more over the next few months. We are all ready to jump in and make this a great year of learning and networking in a fun, safe environment.
We are planning to extend the events we currently offer and will be looking to you, our members and community, to provide input on what will assist you to achieve your goals over this next year.
I would like to congratulate every one of you who continue to show up for your writing and your community. You are the ones who make this community as sturdy and connected as it is. Your stories of your writing process, your wins and struggles, and your author dreams are a powerful encouragement when you share them with others in the community.
Recently, when catching up with people in my network, I have been amazed at how many of them told me they are writers looking for community and support to complete their writing projects. Several of them have since become members. Perhaps you know of others in your network who are looking for a home to support their writing. Why not invite them along to one of our upcoming events or to subscribe to our newsletter? It might be the next step they need.
I look forward to seeing you all at our next Saturday meeting on 19th October or at one of our critique groups. Until then, keep that pen moving!
Rochelle Miller, GCWA President
Create, Inspire, Connect. |
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OCTOBER MEETING ORDER OF EVENTS - 11:45 Arrive and register
- 12:00 Meeting start – brief announcements
- 12:10 Speaker: Susan Holt – Writing Your Book is a Process
- 13:00 Tea and networking break
- 13:45 Workshop with Andy McDermott – Building Drama Into Your Descriptions
- 14:50 Raffle draw
- 15:00 Close
Please bring a clipboard or hard surface to write on as this venue does not have tables.Members 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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 | | Susan Holt: Writing Your Book Is A Process |
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| Writing a book is no small feat. In fact, it's such a sizable accomplishment that all too many give up before even starting. In this session, we'll be exploring how finishing your book is not just achievable, but it's closer than you think. I'll share the motivating tips I learnt both through the experience of completing my book and the writing course that preceded it.
For more information, please click here |
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| GCWA Workshop Facilitator |
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| Andy McDermott:
Building Drama Into Your Descriptions
Learn how to avoid the information dump by utilising your readers’ imaginations to create visual descriptions in your prose. Andy will expand on the old adages, ‘less is more’ and ‘show not tell’ by showing us how to incorporate our descriptions, while maintaining the pace and flow of our story. |
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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.
Once again, our members have been on fire!
Massive congratulations to Kellie Cox who took out second in the Hawkeye Books’ 2024 Sydney Hammond Memorial Short Story Competition with her story 'Travelling with Rosie'.
Alison Robson and Selena Budgen both longlisted as well - congratulations to you both!
Selena also came second in the Helensvale Short Story Comp themed 'Ghost' and Jack Kregas won it - well done you two!
Leah Stanger recently published her first two articles on medium.com/@writingwithleah and Kathy Shanks (Turtle Publishing) has been working hard to put together this year's Bookfest at Beenleigh Showgrounds, Sat 2nd Nov.
Well done everyone!
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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Critique Groups for October 2024
The Gold Coast Writers' Association Critique Groups aim to help their members improve the readability of their work. Giving and receiving feedback on your work can be scary so we have a strict ‘Constructive Feedback Only’ rule.
Learn to give and receive feedback to improve your work in a friendly, positive space.
The Afternoon Critique Group
The afternoon meeting is Tuesday 22nd October 2024 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm.
Please arrive in time for a 1:00 pm start.
The Evening Critique Group
The evening meeting is Thursday 24th October 2024 from 5:30 - 7:30 pm.
Please arrive in time for a 5:30 pm start.
Cost: $10 includes a hot beverage.
Please join the Gold Coast Writers' Association to attend: Click here for more information on GCWA membership. For bookings: head over to the Bookness Events page.
For more information: click here
If you have any questions, please email gcwa.critique@gmail.com |
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 | Southern GC and Northern NSW members: Expressions of Interest for a Tweed Heads/Coolangatta area critique group.
If you are interested in attending a monthly in-person critique group in the Tweed area, please email Christine at gcwa.critique@gmail.com
For more information: click here |
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 | What is Ekphrasis? Ekphrastic poetry has come to be defined as poems written about works of art; however, in ancient Greece, the term ekphrasis was applied to the skill of describing a thing with vivid detail. We’re going to expand the concept further to encompass any writing inspired by an artwork. Consider it fan fiction for your fave artist.
Join Christine Betts at HOTA for the October Ekphrastic Writing Workshop on Saturday October 26, starting at 2pm. Cost is just $20 for a 90 minute workshop on using art to inspire your writing. For more information and to buy tickets, please head to the HOTA website |
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|  ️1pm
 Saturday, 16 November 2024
 Helensvale Cultural Centre
Cnr Lindfield Rd & Sir John Overall Drive, Helensvale 4212
Learn how to write and pitch kids' books that children (and publishers) love. Bookings:
https://queenslandwriters.org.au/events/writing-for-children-gold-coast Discount pricing available to members of Queensland Writers Centre, Gold Coast Writers' Association and state centres in the National Writers' Centre Network. |
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 | DANZ Boldly Launches Into Its Second Year!
The ASLA Diversity in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand Children’s Book Award is back for 2025 to celebrate and spotlight even more underrepresented children’s book creators!
www.thedanzchildrensbookaward.com |
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BOOKSHOP
Advertising Member A$50.00 Website Advertising for 1 year (Member)
Advertising Non-Member A$120.00 Website Advertising for 1 year (Non-Member) Email gcwa.websitemanager@gmail.com for details of specifications required |
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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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| | |  | | Each month the Gold Coast Libraries offer
brilliant workshops and author talks.
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 | Writers Plus! We've got everything to support your writing journey. Whether you're just starting out or already published, we have something to help take your writing to the next level. Attend one of our monthly Masterclasses, led by an industry expert, to learn and extend your knowledge and skills. Drop into a writing session utilising the Pomodoro Technique at Writing Friday, Writing Saturday or Writing Sunday. Or just use our spaces for free Wi-Fi and creative environments great for your writing projects. Don't forget to check out the latest writing books while you're in there. 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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 | 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 Rochelle at gcwa.president@gmail.com |
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