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Fairfield, Queensland, Australia
Fairfield Writers Group is a mix of beginner and experienced writers who meet the second and fourth Saturdays of the month at the Brisbane City Council Library in Fairfield Gardens Shopping Centre, Fairfield road, Fairfield, Queensland. Our passion is writing and we work hard at our craft. Our aim is to encourage, support and help each other to reach new heights in our writing. New members are always made welcome and usually whisked off to the local coffee shop at the end of meetings for sustenance and socialisation with the rest of the crew.

Welcome to Fairfield Writers Group

We hope you will stop for a while and browse our site and if you like what you see, please visit us again soon.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Queensland Writers Group

QWC News

Call for Expressions of Interest
QWC invites proposals from innovative and engaging writers of fiction and non-fiction to teach writing workshops and seminars in QWC's 2011 program of events. We also welcome proposals from editors and publishing industry professionals. We are only interested in tutors capable of professional, well-prepared and instructional presentations, who are serious about delivering value to participants and members. QWC is interested in proposals for events, from 2 hours to multi-day workshops. Proposals for workshops, seminars, masterclasses and other learning activities will be considered. Please download full guidelines from QWC's website prior to applying. Email submissions to Program Manager, Julie Beveridge at jbeveridge@qwc.asn.au by COB Monday 30 August. Hard copy and late submissions will not be considered.

QWC 2011 Workshop, Masterclass, and Seminar Program - Write Your Own Way!
Queensland Writers Centre (QWC) supports the development and opportunities of writers and celebrates our fine state's vibrant literary culture. Through our annual programs, QWC promotes skills development and professional practice, and works to advance the recognition of Queensland writers and writing, locally and nationally.
What are you looking for?

QWC wants to hear from writers in Queensland to help inform our 2011 program of workshops, masterclasses, and seminars. As such we are inviting suggestions from individuals and groups for the kind of workshop and seminar content you would find valuable to you.

What should you tell us?
Please make your suggestions by emailing a response to the following questions to QWC's Program Manager, Julie Beveridge at jbeveridge@qwc.asn.au, by Monday 30 August.

1. Where do you live?

2. What do you love to write?

3. What are you keen to learn?

4. What are your writing goals?

5. Are you part of a writer's group?

6. Are you a member of QWC?

Winter Warmer Special!
Don't forget that until Sunday 15 August you will get 10% off any QWC program purchase*. It's not too late to pull yourself out of a winter writing rut and wrap yourself in one of QWC's amazing writing programs.

Non-members can call or book online to receive the Winter Warmer discount. QWC members please call the awesome team at QWC on 07 3842 9922 and make sure you tell us the secret code words 'Winter Warmer' to receive your discount. . This offer finishes on Sunday 15 August and is available to members and non-members alike!

*QWC's Winter Warmer sale excludes Year of the Writer, Online Program, Books, Merchandise and Membership.

Building Your Own Blog with Elliott Bledsoe
When: Townsville - 10am-4.30pm, Saturday 21 August
Cairns - 9.30am-4pm, Sunday 22 August

Where: Townsville - CityLibraries Thuringowa Central, 86 Thuringowa Drive, Thuringowa Central.
Cairns - Room A101, Cairns Campus of the Tropical North Queensland TAFE, Eureka Street

Cost: QWC Members $85
QWC Concession Members $75
Non-members $115

A full day workshop giving you all the tools you need to build your online platform. This beginners course will take you step-by-step through building (and maintaining) your own blog and give you all the tips you need to develop your own online community, promote your writing, and develop your brand as an author.

You can book online at www.qwc.asn.au or by contacting QWC by phone on 07 3842 9922.

Writing Your Life with Patti Miller
When: 10.30am-4.30pm, Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 August*

Where: QWC, Level 2, State Library of Queensland

Cost: QWC Members $210
QWC Concession Members $190
Non-members $310

A memoir is a powerful way to share your own personal story with the world. You may wish to share your extraordinary life with others, or highlight an event that changed your life. Shaping this story into a tale your reader finds memorable and rewarding can be a struggle. But with Patti Miller's help, you'll be enthralling them all. Patti, acclaimed writing teacher, will teach you techniques to help you find your voice, create a narrative from your life, and shape your story with texture and detail.

*This was incorrectly advertised in the July WQ as being held in July. August is the correct date.

You can book online here: http://qwc.asn.au/Shop/List/1/ProductID/593.aspx, or by calling QWC on 07 3842 9922.

Introduction to Creative Writing Online with Beth Flatley
When: 6 September - 17 October

Cost: $130 for a six-week course

There are a lot of us out there who write, scribbling ideas on bus tickets, boarding passes and coffee shop serviettes, but who never seem to turn these notes into anything. If you have been scribbling away quietly but have never finished anything and don't call yourself a writer, clear a few hours a week in your schedule to sit down and rediscover the art of creative writing in this practice-based series of online activities and resources. For more information about our online learning centre visit www.awmonlinelearn.com.au. To book, click here: http://awmonlinelearn.com.au/course/category.php?id=2.

Pitching to Publishers Online with Sally Collings
When: 1-28 September

Cost: $150 for a four-week course

You've written your manuscript (or the beginnings of one), now you need a publisher. This course will show you how to push all the right buttons to attract a publisher's eye. Discover what commissioning editors love and what they loathe, in a range of genres (non-fiction, fiction, children's). From writing a captivating synopsis to deciding where to send it, participants will work through all facets of the proposal process. For more information about our online learning centre, visit www.awmonlinelearn.com.au. To book, click here: http://awmonlinelearn.com.au/course/category.php?id=7.

To book into an online learning centre course, simply:

1. click on the name of the course

2. follow the prompts to create a new account, including using the email confirmation link

3. then you'll be taken to a screen where you can purchase a place on the course using PayPal.

Introduction to Creative Writing Part 2: A Tool Box for Writers with Donna Hancox
When: Evening class, 6pm-8pm, Wednesdays September 8, 15, 22, and 29

Cost: QWC Members $130
Concession Members $115
Non-members $190
This series of workshops explores the ways in which essential ingredients of creative writing can be exploited for their maximum potential. Once you understand how plot, characterisation, dialogue and setting work within a story you can start to write more effectively. Designed as a follow up to QWC's Introduction to Creative Writing part 1, this series will help you lay the foundation to produce a greater piece of writing. Perfect for anyone who is about to embark on their first novel!

To book, click here or phone 07 3842 9922.

QWC Resource Sheets
Questions about writing children's/YA fiction? See QWC's Resource Sheet on the topic!

Poet-in-Residence Update
Emily XYZ's 'second voice', Myers Bartlett, arrives on Tuesday 10 August. Catch them together at the opening night of Queenlsand Poetry Festival - tickets selling fast! For more information visit http://www.queenslandpoetryfestival.com/.

Community
Brisbane Science-Fiction and Fantasy Luncheon

When: 1pm-6pm, Saturday 7 August

Where: The Ship Inn, South Bank. This event repeats every month on the first Saturday.
For fans, writers, dreamers, visionaries, and anyone who wants to wax lyrical about any sci-fi show, movie or book in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. The group usually have lunch to share and drinks, and sometimes organise events to promote to the rest of the local community.

Kirstyn McDermott Book Signing
Award-winning Melbourne writer Kirstyn McDermott will be in Brisbane this week to meet readers and writers and sign copies of her gothic novel Madigan Mine.

When: 12pm-1pm, Wednesday 15 September

Where: Pulp Fiction, Edward St, Brisbane

For more information visit www.kirstynmcdermott.com or call Pulp Fiction on 07 3236 2750.

Book Launch - Darren Groth
Meet Darren Groth at the Brisbane launch of his book, Kindling.

When: 6pm for a 6.30pm start, Thursday 12 August

Where: 193 Boundary Street, Avid Reader Bookshop, West End

Kindling is a compelling page-turner of healing, heroism and loss, a sophisticated telling of a heartbreakingly simple story. Told through a dual narrative of father and son, Kindling is a tale about nurturing the spark that resides within us all and fighting the flames that life sets in our path. Darren Groth is an Australian author, speaker, and mentor now living in Canada. This is a free event but RSVP essential. Email events@avidreader.com.au or call 07 3846 3422.

Book Launch - Rosanna Licari
Rosanna Licari, winner of the 2009 Thomas Shapcott Poetry Award, will be launching her book The Absence of Saints, at the Queensland Poetry Festival.
When: 11am, Sunday 29 August
Where: Shopfront space of the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts
This is a free event. For more information, visit http://www.queenslandpoetryfestival.com/.

Book Launch - Belinda Jeffrey
UQP and Avid Reader are delighted to invite you to the launch of Belinda Jeffrey's new book Big River, Little Fish, to be launched by author and illustrator John Danalis.
When: 6pm-8pm, Monday 6 September
Where: Avid Reader, 193 Boundary Street, West End
RSVP essential: email events@avidreader.com.au or phone 07 3846 3422.

Matt Condon In Conversation
Matthew Condon is a distinguished author who has now become one of our leading social commentators. In his new book Brisbane he rediscovers the city of his childhood. Having returned here after many years, Matt takes the reader on a unique and personal journey through contemporary Brisbane, unearthing its history - sometimes literally - and painting a portrait of the contemporary transformation of the city. Matt will be in conversation with Stuart Glover.

When: 6pm for a 6.30pm start, Thursday 12 August
Where: Coaldrake's The Barracks, 61 Petrie Tce, Brisbane
Cost: $10 ($8 concession).

Numbers are limited so bookings are essential, phone 07 3367 8526. Coaldrake's is offering six complimentary tickets to QWC members. Email barracks@coaldrakes.com with your name and member number, for your chance to win.

Opportunities
Creative Communities

Two positions are currently being advertised within the Creative Communities team of Brisbane City Council. There are two permanent Band 5 positions within the Community Arts and Cultural Development Team currently advertised on Councils careers website. To have a look go to www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/careers and search job numbers: 669912 and 668937.

Vibewire
A newspaper article, a novel, a poem, a photograph, an artwork, a film - they are all stories. If you're a young writer who's been nursing an idea that hasn't come to fruition or a story that has yet to be told, August is your chance. There are two options to submit your work: 1. submit directly onto the Portal dashboard when logged in or 2. simply email your work and full name to editor@vibewire.org. You have until 25 August so start writing/creating now! For more information click here.

Australian Poetry
Australian Poetry is a new organization about to be launched in 2011 as a merger between the Australian Poetry Centre based in Melbourne and Poets Union based in NSW. Australian Poetry is seeking a National Director to oversee every aspect of the organisation. The Director should have a clear vision of how the organisation should evolve over the next three years (and beyond) and work towards executing a plan to achieve this vision. The selected candidate must be based in Melbourne for the time of employment. Deadline for applications is Friday 3 September. To find out more information or apply, please email admin@australianpoetrycentre.org.au for a position description and the selection criteria.
Could your arts project use $30,000?

The Regional Arts Fund is offering between $5,000 - $30,000 for regional community arts projects.

Round 2, 2010 applications due this Friday 13 August. For eligibility and application information,

visit http://incommunities.qac.org.au/funding or call 07 3004 7510.

WIN WIN WIN
The Kids are All Right Double Passes
Hopscotch Films are offering you the chance to win one of 40 double passes to the advance screenings of the wonderful new film, The Kids Are All Right across the weekend of August 27, 28 and 29. It's all about family! The most talked-about movie at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, The Kids Are All Right, combines wonderful comedy with warm-hearted emotion in a vibrant and richly drawn portrait of a modern family. The Allgoods share a cozy Southern Californian home, experiencing life's typical ups and downs. The only difference is that this family has two mums'. When their two teenaged children decide to seek out their biological sperm donor-dad Paul (Mark Ruffalo), the household will never be the same again. To win a double pass simply email jdevantier@qwc.asn.au with 'The Kids are All Right' as the subject line, and your name and postal address in the body of the email.

New Australian Musical Celebrates Legendary Illusionist
Renowned Australian poet, Dr Bruce Dawe AO and musician, Russell Bauer have captured the essence of a remarkable life in their new music theatre. Houdini: The Man from Beyond celebrates the death-defying life of Harry Houdini; a man who left an incredible mark on history, not just as an illusionist, but as an actor, author, film producer, inventor and aviator. The work marks the culmination of decade of research, writing and composing by Bruce and Russell and follows the final and most successful years of Houdini's life. For your chance to win a double pass to a performance of your choice (20-29 August) in the USQ Arts Theatre, Toowoomba, send an email, with 'Houdini-Writing Qld' as the subject to boxoffice@usq.edu.au. Drawn and winner contacted via email on 13 August.

Advertising
The events listed as classified ads are not organised or hosted by QWC. Please contact the relevant advertiser for further information.

Writing and Yoga Retreat
yron Bay 6-12 October 2010

Join Sarah Armstrong, Alan Close, and Kathryn Riding in a beautiful peaceful setting. Be supported and encouraged in your writing, with one-on-one feedback and guidance as well as daily classes. Come away with lots of writing and confidence in your own writing voice. Beginners and unconfident writers welcome. From $1,780 for accommodation, classes, and all meals. For more info, www.sarah-armstrong.com, or call 0414 228 563.

Short+Sweet Playwrighting Course
When: 20-22 August,

Where: Metro Arts, Edward Street, Brisbane

Want to write a short play but don't know where to start? Have got a good idea in your head but just don't know how to get it on to the paper? Then this is the course for you! The course tutor is Alex Broun, (www.alexbroun.com) a leading 10-minute playwrights, and an experienced Festival Director of Short+Sweet Festivals around the world. The course is $150 for the weekend, or only $100 for QWC members, which includes free entry in to Short+Sweet for any play you write in the course. Remember places in the course are strictly limited so reserve your place now! To book your place, just email Alex Broun on alex@shortandsweet.org. Full details on the course are available here: http://www.shortandsweet.org/.
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Queensland Writers Centre is the state's premier writing organisation. Use this site to find information on our workshops, services, tutors and writing resources in your corner of Queensland. You can also become a QWC member, register for workshops and purchase books and services.

Visit Queensland Writers Centre.

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