Karen Keelan - Social Media
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Hi, I’m Kaz Lee, the current Social Media Coordinator for the Gold Coast Writers Association.
I’m a children’s author and budding crime writer who believes stories have the power to connect generations, spark imagination, and create understanding in ways nothing else can.
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Writing has always been my quiet companion — that voice in my head that says, “What if?” Over the years, that voice has grown into a creative drive that’s shaped not only my books but also my life. I’ve written a growing range of children’s titles, including My Oh My, I Had an Adventurous Day, Huxley and Charlie, Rain, Rain—Let’s Play Anyway!, and My Oh My, I Wonder Why, each inspired by the joy, curiosity, and unfiltered wonder of childhood. These stories celebrate imagination, kindness, and resilience — values that reflect how I try to live every day, both as a writer and as a grandmother. Some of these titles are waiting publishing.
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On the other end of the spectrum, I’m currently developing my first major crime novel, Echoes of Injustice, set in 1960s Redfern. It explores the themes of systemic corruption, class divides, and moral courage. It’s a very different kind of storytelling from my children’s books — deeper, darker, and more confronting — but it allows me to explore humanity in its rawest form. I often say I write for both sides of life: the innocent and the experienced, the dreamers and the truth-seekers.
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Throughout my life, I’ve been actively involved in a wide range of community and hobby-based clubs. I enjoy contributing to causes and groups that bring people together, share knowledge, and build a sense of belonging. Whether it’s volunteering, helping behind the scenes, or leading projects, I’ve always found joy in collaboration and in seeing others succeed. Being part of the Gold Coast Writers Association combines two of my greatest passions — community and creativity — and I’m proud to help our members connect, share their work, and grow their audiences through social media.
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Outside of writing and community work, my greatest joy is spending time with my family. I love exploring the outdoors with my grandchildren — discovering new parks, beaches, and adventures together. They remind me daily that curiosity never grows old and that the best stories often begin with a question.
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For me, writing isn’t just about the books we create; it’s about the lives we touch, the people we meet, and the memories we share along the way. Whether it’s through a heartfelt story, an online post, or a moment of inspiration between writers, I hope to contribute to a creative community where everyone feels encouraged to find their voice and tell their story.
KAZ
socialmedia@goldcoastwriters.org
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Kieron O'Connell - General Committee Member
I was born in Broken Hill, worked in the film industry for several years and also lived and worked overseas. I'm married with two grown adult son and I'm now retired and living on the Gold Coast. I have just completed my first novel. Apollyon's Epiphany.
Looking for Beta-readers for literary fiction.
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Rosa Costa - General Committee Member
Rose is an author of Adult Australian Contemporary Fiction living on the Gold Coast. She hopes to self-publish her debut novel, ‘Either Side of the Moment’ in 2027 and credits her learnings from the ‘Write Your Novel’ course with the Australian Writers Centre.
Rising Mental Health issues in the community became evident during Rose’s career in Occupational Therapy. It led her to develop characters challenged by the damage inflicted by their pasts who recalibrate their lives through nature’s rhythm. Woven into the milestones of the geopolitical upheaval, Queensland’s Traveston Crossing Dam, their lives converge exposing a legacy only mirroring waters of the Upper Noosa River can acquiesce.
The solitude involved in developing this manuscript led Rose to look for a writing community and she found the G.C.W.A. Hoping to support its great work, Rose volunteered as a General Committee Member for the 2026/2027 year. For further information: http://rosecosta.com
Andy McDermott - Patron
Andy’s first novel, The Tiger Chase, was launched in San Diego in 2004 which was followed by a US book tour, including appearances in LA and Las Vegas. As well as being the author of four titles in the Gold Coast Detective Scotty Stephens murder mystery series, he has also published the first book in the Joe Dean American Detective in Australia series: Flirting with The Moon, as well as a new edition of The Tiger Chase.
At this time of writing, he is finishing off book 5 in the Scotty Stephens series and is preparing the first book in his new speculation fiction series, The New Templars, as well as a children's storycalled The Last Tiger. Andy was born in Nottingham, England. A naturalised Aussie, he has lived on the Queensland Gold Coast since immigrating to Australia in 1989 with his wife, Jane, and two young children. He is a patron and ex-president of the Gold Coast Writers Association and the CEO of Publicious Book Publishing.
Andy McDermott - President
Andy McDermott has called the Gold Coast home for more than 30 years. He is an author and Director of Publicious Book Publishing, and has been involved with the Gold Coast Writers’ Association for many years as a patron and supporter. As President, Andy looks forward to supporting the association’s members and helping GCWA continue to create, inspire and connect local writers.
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president@goldcoastwriters.org
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Louisa Wright - Vice President
Louisa is an aspiring author, writing across various genres including children’s, YA and adult fiction. In 2017 she published three adventure stories to the anthology Mystery, Mayhem and Magic.
Louisa is originally from the UK and emigrated to Australia by herself 15 years ago. She has worked in Vocational Education since 1997 and is also a qualified trainer with a life-long mantra of ‘Learn & Grow’ as she is always learning. Louisa has recently changed careers to follow her passion for animals.
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Louisa’s other passion is supporting others on their creative journey. She joined the committee four years ago and has held the positions of Secretary, Publicity Officer and General Committee Member. Louisa is now the Vice-President.
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Louisa is currently focused on editing Rollercoaster, a women’s fiction novel to be self-published once complete and writing a children’s series called Escape to Utopia – Mystery of the Lost Corner. Louisa is also collaborating with a writer in the UK for an erotica novella written from the POV of a male and a female called Penpals.
She lives on the Gold Coast with her two beloved fur babies and finds inspiration for writing by the ocean.
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vicepresident@goldcoastwriters.org
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Treasurer
Currently, the Executive Committee is managing the Treasurer's role.
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