Jan

20

Presidents News – January 2012

Posted by: Julie BoydcloseAuthor: Julie Boyd Name: Julie Boyd
Email: president@goldcoastwriters.org.au
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Welcome to 2012, the Year of the Dragon, everyone. It only seems like yesterday that we were all preparing for Christmas and already we are well into January of a new year. I trust you all had a wonderful time over the break with whatever you were doing. News of great excitement, family dramas, hatches and despatches and fabulous trips seem set to provide everyone with terrific writing fodder this year. I’m looking forward to speakers, workshops – including some electronic experiences, and creating further publishing opportunities for members.

I’ve just been given some tickets to a literary dinner with Penny Vincenzi which I’m looking forward to very much and will share with you next month.

A few things I’ve found recently that may be of interest to you as well.

Quote of the Month

Writing is easy: All you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead. – Gene Fowler

Tips of the Month

12 Secrets To Being A Super-Prolific Short-Story Writer

http://io9.com/5457388/12-secrets-to-being-a-super+prolific-short+story-writer

Want to get literary agents excited about your book? Publish an excerpt first. This article will tell you how: bit.ly/gj1Tmk

Don’t believe the hype. There are debut authors getting published in every genre. Why persistence pays: bit.ly/tjWqNj

Challenge of the Month

http://www.australianwomenwriters.com/p/australian-women-writers-book-challenge_25.html

Finally as we approach a new year, a letter written in 1933 by renowned author F. Scott Fitzgerald to his 11-year-old daughter, Scottie, reminds us of a  list of things to worry about, not worry about, and simply think about.

http://www.listsofnote.com/2012/01/things-to-worry-about.html

Enjoy the January meeting and Angelika’s stories of her travels. Please feel free as always to contact me with information to share, thoughts, suggestions, ideas and feedback. I’m still in Victoria due to my own ongoing family drama so will look forward to seeing you all at the February meeting.

Cheers

Julie

Dec

09

Presidents News – December 2011

Posted by: Julie BoydcloseAuthor: Julie Boyd Name: Julie Boyd
Email: president@goldcoastwriters.org.au
Site:
About: See Authors Posts (10) | Comments (0)

Congratulations to our patron, Kay Danes, who was honoured with the Paul Harris medal, the highest Rotary Distinction, this month. Also thank you to Jeannie for presiding over the meeting in my absence.

For those interested in learning more about the publication of ebooks, this might be a useful set of questions for you to consider bit.ly/sI5vGF (*1) Griffith University is currently offering the Josephine Ulrick Prizes http://tinyurl.com/3lov4fk (*2) (thanks Joan Songaila).

As Christmas rushes towards us with all the associated festive joy and stress, December provides an opportunity to reflect and plan, both personally and at an organisational level, to celebrate successes, and consider opportunities, and to remember to enter and vote in the Christmas competition! It can be a time to think about our families, friends and acquaintances, and those who find the Christmas season a particularly lonely time. We may also ponder the concepts of giving and receiving, what really matters in our lives, and how all of these elements impact our writing. Language has great power, and as writers our words are gifts both to ourselves and our readers.

For me personally, the fragility of life was reinforced by a very difficult entry to the world of my new (now healthy) grandbaby. At the same time I was able to experience the great joy of watching her big sister discover the wonder of words in books written in both Japanese and English, her two home languages, and to see her continue loving her books to death. Introducing babies to reading is one of the most pleasant responsibilities we have as adults.

To you all I hope the holiday season brings an opportunity for you to relax, to absorb a favourite book, to take time with those you most care about, to secretly do something kind for a stranger, and, of course, to enjoy the Christmas party.

Cheers,

Julie

Nov

16

Presidents News – November 2011

Posted by: webmastercloseAuthor: webmaster Name:
Email: webmaster@goldcoastwriters.org.au
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Hello everyone.

As this is my first newsletter post I’d like to begin by thanking Jeannie and the team from last year for all of their work. You will still see Jeannie taking a prominent role, particularly over the next couple of months as I attend to my new grandbaby down south. I am looking forward very much to working with the new committee and investigating some exciting new initiatives.

Thanks also to Diana Hockley for a very entertaining description, at our last meeting, of her book ‘The Celibate Mouse’ and how her next novel, After Ariel, is in the process of procrastination. We always look forward to celebrating the achievements of all of our members so please remember to share them with us.

You might recall that I conducted a small, informal survey at the last meeting where I asked members three questions. The responses were very interesting, and I’d like to share them with you.

1. In response to the question of why people are members of the GCWA, we had comments such as

• to mix with others who share the same interests
• to glean stimulating ideas from speakers and other members
• to improve my writing skills
• to hear other’s experiences of life and writing
• to find people who will be honest with me about my writing
• to gain information about publishing, editing, agents etc
• to learn how to become published
• to feel supported in my writing
• to meet people who have both passion for, and knowledge about writing

2. The question of what else you would like to see improved, included suggestions such as

• More information about new technologies and how they are impacting publishing
• More interest by the monthly meeting in the support groups
• Maybe think about seating arrangements as meetings are sometimes very formal
• Have more members able to speak each month about what they are currently writing
• More workshops
• A mentor program
• More information for people who are just getting started
• Advice on contacting agents, local editors, publishers etc
• I liked having the opportunity to talk to the person next to me about the guest speaker
• Free publication set up by the GCWA

Perhaps we can all give some thought to these ideas and what might be possible for next year.

I’d also like to thank everyone who contributed to the success of the recent Festival for Independent Writers and Publishers. Just on $1000 worth of books were sold, with all money going to the authors. We’ve had some terrific feedback and tentative plans are already afoot for a larger event next year (last weekend in October) which it is hoped the GCWA will have some greater involvement in.

November is National Novel Writing Month. Sign up for NaNoWriMo at www.nanowrimo.org

Until next time keep writing. In the words of the inimitable Mark Twain, whose life is about to be immortalised in a movie, “Write without pay until somebody offers to pay.”

Cheers

Julie

Oct

04

Presidents News – October 2011

Posted by: Jeannie BarkercloseAuthor: Jeannie Barker Name: Jeannie Barker
Email: info@jeanniebarker.com
Site: http://www.jeanniebarker.com
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Greeting fellow writers

This is my last post as President and as such it includes a copy of my report from the AGM (below) and a few words on our recent Literary Luncheon.

Guest speaker Tony Cavanaugh with GCWA Patron Kay Danes

 2011 Literary Luncheon

The Literary Luncheon was a fabulous success with 62 people enjoying a delightful meal supplied by the excellent catering staff at the Colonial Golf Course. Our guest speaker, Tony Cavanaugh, entertained, amused and entranced the audience with his stories of how he entered the world of script editing, then script writing, and most recently embracing novel writing. As always, I could have listened to him talk for hours – a fascinating storyteller with amazing life experiences.

A huge thank you goes to all our guest authors: Michael Gerard Bauer, Jesse Blackadder, Tony Cavanaugh, Kay Danes, Belinda Jeffrey, Marianne de Pierres, Kev C Webb and Charmaine Wilson who made the event such a delightful experience for all.

Left to right: Tony Cavanaugh, Kay Danes, Charmaine Wilson, Michael Gerard Bauer, Marianne de Pierres, Belinda Jeffrey and Kev C Webb.

 A special thank you goes to Love That Book for providing the book sales for our guest authors; the Gold Coast Pops Orchestra for providing a quartet to entertain us; and Goldsteins Bakery for the delicious cake we shared for dessert.

Thank you to all our sponsors whose support enabled us to give  away 47 prizes in lucky door and raffle prizes, with a total value of approximately $3,440: Artscape Gold Coast, David Astle, Jeannie Barker, Bookseller+Publisher, Digital Print Australia, Gold Coast Bulletin, Goldsteins Bakery, Darryl Greer, Angelika Heurich, Michael J Hooper, Javeenbah Theatre Company, Kylee Legge – The Publishing Queen, Love That Book, Jaqueline Lunne, Marion Martineer, Lyne Marshall, Northern Rivers Symphony Orchestra & Gold Coast Pops Orchestra, Chris Nyst, Officeworks West Burleigh, Pan Macmillan Australia, Kerrie Phipps, Jill Smith, Joan Songaila, The Arts Centre, Tips ‘n’ Toes by Julie and Vacen Taylor. 

A special thank you to our patron, Kay Danes, for sharing a little of her experience and encouraging us all to continue writing.

GCWA cake supplied by Goldsteins Bakery

Thank you also to Helga Glinatsis for creating the lovely flower arrangement that was presented to me as a thank you for the luncheon and my past two years as president.

Photos from the event can be viewed on the GCWA website and our Facebook page. Thank you to all those members who have shared their snapshots with us: Angelica Heurich, Christina Jablonksi, Marion Martineer, Kate Russell, Jill Smith and Donna Mroz Turcic. If you haven’t sent yours in yet, please email them to the webmaster@goldcoastwriters.org.au.

President’s AGM Report

I can’t believe I am standing here at the end of my second year as President of the association. The year has flown by so quickly that it seems I was only finishing my first year just a few months ago.

I’d like to briefly reflect on the events and achievements of the association over the past year.

We have had a wealth of guest speakers share their knowledge with us: 

• Stephanie Dale inspired us with her determination to self-publish and self-promote her book;
• Kerry Whitney talked about children’s literacy;
• Kerry Brown shared her adventures in publishing;
• Tiffany Bond spiced up the meeting with her tales of infidelity and danger;
• Dave Farrer shared the magic of Banjo Patterson’s classic poetry recited live from memory;
• Angela Sunde explained how important it is to grab your reader’s attention with your first sentence and first paragraph;
• and Katherine Howell shared techniques for building suspense in a novel.

We were fortunate to be able to present several exciting workshops for members, with presenters Deborah Carlyon, Kathy Stewart and Leo Petrik providing inspiration and advice on topics ranging from creative writing, characterisation and publishing.

We have presented three competitions this year, a children’s writing competition, the adult writing competition with the winners to be announced at the Literary Luncheon next week and our exclusive members only Christmas competition running until the end of November. Which I hope you will all enter!

I would like to thank the committee members I have shared this past year with: Angelika Heurich, Elena Ornig, Gavin Fisher, Christina Jablonksi, Marion Martineer, Ceresse Gardner, Helga Glinatsis, Ceresse Gardner, Caren Sattler, Darryl Greer, Gloria Swan, Gary Ivory and Di Morris.

Their support, enthusiasm, and genuine commitment to the goals of the association have been both inspiring and heart warming. Please join me in a round of applause for the committee.

I’d also like to make special mention of Donna Mroz Turcic’s contribution to the association this year. Donna is not officially on the committee but she just can’t seem to stop herself from pitching in with ideas, assistance with marketing and even sourcing sponsors for our Literary Luncheon. Thank you Donna for constantly supporting and promoting the association.

I’d like to also thank you all – the members of the association who have made the past two years such an interesting and challenging experience. Without the members involvement – attendance at meetings, participation in workshops, presentation of books, sharing of knowledge and ideas…  there would be no reason to strive to achieve more for the association as a whole.

Lastly, I would like to announce that we now have a second patron, Kay Danes.

Kay Danes is the author of three bestselling books: Families Behind Bars, Standing Ground and Beneath the Pale Blue Burqa.

Kay is also a highly sought after inspirational speaker on international humanitarian issues and social justice. She has spoken at thousands of high profile corporate events, major charitable fundraisers, seminars and business conferences, and has addressed several U.S. Congressional forums and the US National Press Club.

Kay Danes will be attending our Literary Luncheon next week as one of our guest authors. It will be a great opportunity to meet and chat with her.

I hope you will all join me in welcoming our new president, Julie Boyd.

I am looking forward to seeing you all at future meetings and continuing to work on the committee as Vice President and Webmaster.

Aug

08

President’s News – August 2011

Posted by: Jeannie BarkercloseAuthor: Jeannie Barker Name: Jeannie Barker
Email: info@jeanniebarker.com
Site: http://www.jeanniebarker.com
About: See Authors Posts (47) | Comments (0)

Greetings fellow writers

Angela Sunde

Last month we enjoyed an outstanding presentation from Angela Sunde on Hooking the Reader. Angela explained that a reader chooses a book based on the following: the cover, blurb, first sentence, first paragraph and first page.

Angela shared some examples from her own work and other writers of all these key elements and was kind enough to offer attendees a copy of her excellent PowerPoint presentation. I hope that we can entice Angela back to the GCWA for a workshop in the near future.

For those who missed Angela Sunde’s GCWA presentation, you may catch her at another presentation or workshop; see her website and blog for  details of upcoming events:
www.angelasunde.com 
angelasunde.blogspot.com/p/news.html. 

Book Promo

Martin Line

Martin Line presented a short book promo for his  Diary With a Difference, suggesting that after Angela’s talk he would need to rewrite his first sentence – which was a fabulous way to introduce his talk!

Annual General Meeting

The GCWA Annual General Meeting is fast approaching so this means we’re on the lookout for some new recruits for the committee. If you are considering joining the committee please contact us to request a copy of the Committee Role Descriptions document – this lists all the committee roles and their responsibilities.

I encourage all members to consider taking an active role in the running of the association. It offers you opportunity to be challenged, to learn and to grow and is undoubtedly a very rewarding experience. A nomination form is attached to the newsletter and additional copies will be available at the August meeting. Nominations close on 20 August 2011.

Events

Make sure you read all the latest info, including the guest speaker’s bio and attending authors list, for our upcoming Literary Luncheon. Seats are limited and you must book in person at a meeting or call 0431  443 385 to ensure your place. Ticket payment options are: cash or cheque at a meeting; cheque via post; direct bank deposit; Visa or Mastercard via PayMate (a small fee is incurred for credit card payments). 

Also check out the Indie Authors Festival, the brainchild of GCWA members Julie Boyd and Kathleen Stewart. This is going to be a fabulous opportunity for all self-published authors and writers considering independent / self-publishing.

Hope to see you at a meeting soon.