Editor's Note
Hello and a warm spring welcome!
This month is our Annual General Meeting. As we welcome in a new season, we will also be welcoming in our new committee members (and sadly saying goodbye to some of the oldies).
If you are a financial member and would like to be a part of this inspiring and supportive committee, please download the nomination forms from our website.
After the brief AGM, our fabulous speaker, Mary Wong, wants to empower you with the knowledge, resources and support needed to become comfortable with putting your work out there for the world to read.
And then after the break, Louisa and I are going to cover the essential nitty-gritty task of copyediting – and how it is a necessary (and possibly enjoyable) part of the writing process.
For example, how would you punctuate the following sentence?
A woman without her man is nothing.
Hmmm ...
Hope to see you at the meeting!
Jackie Washington, GCWA Editor
eWriteabout |
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President's Report
Dear GCWA members and friends,
Okay, so, this is my final president report. I’m not crying, you are!
It’s been an amazing 6 years on the committee – as general committee, membership secretary, vice president twice, and president twice. The time has come to hand over the baton to a new president and I have every faith in the person I have nominated. Voting is in September. The AGM is a quick 20 minutes and then we have our fabulous speaker and workshop.
The last few years on the committee have been life changing, truly they have. I got to meet and work with some of the most talented and passionate writers ever. In spending time together, we have become lifelong friends. They are some of my greatest supports and inspiration. They will be by my side as I concentrate now on my dozens of unfinished manuscripts which will finally get the attention they deserve.
I’m looking forward to watching the GCWA grow under new leadership. A huge thanks to everyone who has helped the association become this amazing buzzing, infectiously passionate community of writers. I started compiling a list of names but don’t have the word count here to include everyone to thank.
I feel honoured to have cared for founder, Mary Maclaren’s GCWA for the years I have. We should all feel proud of the energy and buzz we continue to create. Our new committee, our guest speakers and workshop presenters all volunteer their time. Be incredibly generous to them. Cheer them on and continue to inspire and support each other. We are doing great things here. Let’s welcome our new committee in September with the loudest of applauses. I’m happy to lead the way.
Okay, now I’m crying.
One final time, I get to remind you to … Create … Inspire … Connect.
Kellie Cox, GCWA President
Create, Inspire, Connect. |
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 | The GCWA meets on the third Saturday of each month. We are at our usual meeting place at the
BURLEIGH WATERS COMMUNITY CENTRE. 111-136 Christine Ave, Burleigh Waters QLD 4220 Click here for the Google Maps location |
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| For nomination forms, please go to the GCWA website |
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SEPTEMBER MEETING ORDER OF EVENTS - 11:45 Arrive and Register
- 12:00 Annual General Meeting
- 12:15 Brief Announcements and Introduction of Mary Wong
- 12:20 Mary Wong – Fearless in Print
- 13:15 Tea and Networking Break
- 13:45 Copyediting Essentials Workshop with Louisa and Jackie
- 14:40 Raffle Draw
- 15:00 Close
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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 | | Mary Wong: Fearless in Print |
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| One of the biggest barriers to completing and publishing your work is sharing your innermost thoughts with strangers. This interactive session shares a pathway to conquer those wobbles and become comfortable with putting your work out there for the world to read.
Having published 8 books, Mary has achieved Amazon international best-selling author status multiple times and received several awards for writing, including international awards for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. She is currently writing a novel.
For more information, please click here |
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| Louisa and Jackie:
Copyediting Essentials Workshop (with a twist)
When you've been pouring your soul into creating a piece of writing that you are proud of, it can seem downright tedious to now have to put your ‘editor’s cap’ on and check the spelling, grammar and punctuation.
However, this is a very important opportunity to refine and enhance your work. It not only ensures that the message you are trying to convey is clear, but it also keeps your reader engaged and invested in your narrative.
Join us in a fun and interactive workshop to find out how editing can be an enjoyable experience (yes, really!)
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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.
Our GCWA members are on fire!
Selena Budgen won the Helensvale Short Story Comp and Ralph Mayn got second. Congratulations to you both!
And congratulations also go to the three GCWA members who made the top five finalists (out of 96 entries!) in the Bookness Short Story Comp: Lizz Curry, Adrienne Easton and Selena Budgen who took out one of two highly commended for equal 2nd/3rd.
It takes courage to enter a writing competition and have your work judged, so good on you for putting yourselves out there – well done!
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 September 2024
The Gold Coast Writers' Association Critique Group aims to help its members improve the readability of their work. Giving and receiving feedback on our 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 24th September 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 26th September 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.secretary2022@gmail.com |
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GCWA Members are invited to show an Expression of Interest in selling their books at a pop-up bookstore at Runaway Bay Shopping Centre
14th September.
For more information and to express your interest, please email Sandra before 7th September.
gcwa.websitemanager@gmail.com |
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Thank you to our generous prize donors The donations for our August raffles came from: Our main prize valued at over $500 (which we spilt into two prizes) was donated by Sonya Driver from Eco Tan, a local Gold Coast business. Leisa from Brooklyn Wine and Tapas in Varsity Lakes donated a $50 restaurant voucher. Charmaine Clancy donated her gorgeous children's book, The Missing Colour, along with paints and pencils. Charmaine Clancy and Chris Radge also donated the Splashes of Love anthology. Salena Kulkarni donated The Freedom Warrior: How to Build A Bigger Life Through Alternative Property Investment Strategies Dendi Cinemas – movie vouchers Various books donated by Arnold van der Vegt Candles and books from GCWA |
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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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 | 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. For more information and to buy tickets, please head to the HOTA website |
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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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| | |  | | Each month the Gold Coast Libraries offer
brilliant workshops and author talks.
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 | Author Series: Dr Anthea Todd - Thursday, 05 September 2024 | 06:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Join author Dr. Anthea Todd as she shares hilariously relatable and enlightened tips from her book 'What’s My Body Telling Me?' For more information go to Gold Coast Libraries |
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 | Author Series: Belinda Alexandra - Friday, 06 September 2024 | 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Belinda Alexandra takes us behind the scenes of her latest sweeping historical romance novel 'The Masterpiece', set in Paris soon after WWII. For more information go to Gold Coast Libraries |
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 | Masterclass - Introduction to Crime Writing with Poppy Gee - Saturday, 07 September 2024 | 10:00 AM - 12:15 PM
Inspired by the popularity of crime novels to write your own? In this workshop, learn about the different elements that go into writing a page-turning crime story. Acquire techniques to flesh out your story idea, create multi-dimensional characters readers care about, craft dialogue, build pace, heighten suspense and compose a satisfying ending. For more information go to Gold Coast Libraries |
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 | Author Series: Tess Woods - Wednesday, 11 September 2024 | 06:30 PM - 07:30 PM
Nine Perfect Strangers' meets 'The White Lotus' – join author Tess Woods as she talks about her new mystery novel, ' The Venice Hotel'. For more information go to Gold Coast Libraries |
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 | Author Series: Lauren Jackson - Thursday, 12 September 2024 | 06:30 PM - 07:30 PM
Discover the spicy new vampire romantasy 'Live for Me' from bestselling Gold Coast author Lauren Jackson, and meet her live! For more information go to Gold Coast Libraries |
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 | Author Series: Markus Zusak - Monday, 16 September 2024 | 06:30 PM - 07:30 PM
Meet author Markus Zusak who joins us live on stage to talk about his captivating new memoir 'Three Wild Dogs and the Truth'. For more information go to Gold Coast Libraries |
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 | Author Series: Anita Heiss - Wednesday, 25 September 2024 | 06:30 PM - 07:30 PM
Meet bestselling author Anita Heiss as she talks about her new groundbreaking historical novel 'Dirrayawadha'. 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 Kellie on gcwa.president@gmail.com |
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